Conquering the Emperor

“Then…about me learning medicine…” I said hesitantly. Was it really…impossible? Shin did not tell me that it wasn’t possible…

“I don’t know…if you gain enough favors then maybe…” Ren said before flashing me a calculating smile.

Gain enough favors…

I knew that Ren was baiting me, and I was surprised that I wasn’t mad at him for it.

“Really?” I said as I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Yeah, really. Be a good girl and I’ll see what I can do about that…” Ren said.

“Thank you, Ren! I’ll make sure that I get to study medicine,” I said, proudly accepting his challenge.

Studying some advance medical techniques here is probably the only interest I have of being here in the capital. I’ll do anything to get the chance!

“A woman studying medicine is going to be a big change. There will be resistance so I’m not joking when I say that you have to gain favors. Perhaps, having only me as your supporter wouldn’t be enough. Just because I say that you can study medicine doesn’t mean that the master doctors in the imperial palace would willingly teach you…” Ren explained logically.

“Then…” I said before trailing off.

“You might need support or permission from the emperor himself,” Ren finished off my sentence for me with a wry smile.

“I’ll try my best! I’ll learn so many new skills and then when I go back to my village, I’ll teach Uncle Gobei, Auntie and the other doctors all about it so we’ll be able to help so many more people,” I said happily as I thought of returning to my town.

One day, I will go home and when I do, I’ll return as a better person.

Ren was silent for a moment, and I couldn’t tell what he was thinking as he looked at me, perhaps a little sadly. The next instant, his large hand was on top of my head as he patted my head adoringly and smiled a little at me.

“Good luck, Rin,” was all that he said.

…

I hadn’t truly grasped the true meaning and implications of the emperor letting Ren have the whole day off until a little while later when Ren chased off the maids that came to offer me my morning bath as they always did on a daily-basis.

“There’s no need for your services today. Just leave,” Ren said as he shooed them away with the motion of his hand.

“What are you doing?” I asked, confused.

“Shooing away the maids, can’t you see?” Ren said.

“I mean, I can…I’m asking why…are you doing this?” I asked again.

“Because I want to be alone with you without any…disturbances. Why else?” Ren said like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Wait…but…aren’t you leaving?” I asked, a little taken aback.

“When did I say that I’ll be leaving?” Ren shot back.

“Well…” I muttered softly.

Ok…so he never actually said that he would be leaving but if he isn’t leaving then what?

“I’m not leaving so stop trying to chase me out,” Ren said firmly.

“I’m not trying to chase you out…” I replied defensively.

“Great. It all worked out just fine with the emperor and thanks to you, I have the day off!” Ren cried out happily.

Being the crown prince must be much busier than I realized. It was probably a role and a job that didn’t come with the benefit of holidays and days off.

Was Ren planning to spend his day off with me?

…

How did I end up in this situation again? I thought to myself as I stood in the doorway to my bathroom where Ren had already stripped himself completely naked and was enjoying the warm water in my round bathtub. I just stood there as I tried to rack my brain on what I’m supposed to do with this man.

“Take your clothes off and come join me, Rin,” Ren called to me from the bath.

“I refuse!” I shouted back.

“Ehhh? Whatever happened to doing whatever it takes to gain my favor? Or have you forgotten about your medical studies?” Ren said, as he shot a look my way.

“That’s…” I muttered underneath my breath.

“Come here, Rin. If you won’t take a bath with me the least you could do is help wash my back for me…” Ren said in a pleading tone. He’s clearly baiting me…

“…you’re such a bully…” I said as I pouted at him.

If it turns out that he’s just playing with me and none of this will lead me to my medical classes, I will kill him for real…

I heaved a sigh as I walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind me. The steam from the bathtub filled the air in the room, making it foggy inside. I reached for a sponge before walking to the side of the bathtub so that I could help scrub Ren’s back.

“I’m here to scrub your back, My Prince,” I said sarcastically.

“Very good, My Lady,” Ren replied, teasingly.

I began applying some herbal liquid soap to his back before lathering it using the sponge. I heard Ren let out a breath of satisfaction as he closed his eyes and let me take care of his back. I pulled the sleeves of my clothes up a little more to avoid getting my sleeves wet before continuing to scrub his back in circular motions.

“You’re so good at this. Maybe I should have you bathe for me everyday going forward,” Ren suggested as he opened his eyes and stared right up at my face.

“Then perhaps I shouldn’t be so good at it after all…” I muttered.

Ren just laughed as he proceeded to close his eyes once more. I could feel the tense muscles of his back relaxing as I continued to scrub his back with the sponge and my hands. Ren’s back was muscular and broad, and I could feel the strength of his muscles underneath my palm as I ran my hand over his back. His skin was smooth and, thankfully, there were very few scars on his back in the form of thin lines.

--To be continued…