A Resolution

Rina was giving me a snarky grin from across the table. Like me, she also thought I was going to get in trouble with the General for the insect incident.

"While I was away at the palace two weeks ago, it was brought to my attention that Ayan was being sent rotten and stale food whilst she in confinement. " He started.

Both Rina and I's eyes widened in shock as we turned our heads to face him. This hadn't been what we I was expecting at all. He knew? How did he find out? Rina then shot me a poisonous glare. She must have thought I was the one who told him.

"Rina," He called out to her and she quickly turned her attention back on him. "You are the one who is currently in charge of handling and managing what is produced and comes out of the Kitchens, how did this happen?" He asked giving her an accusatory look.

Rina's body jerked up in fear from being suddenly put on the spot. "U..um" she stuttered as she tried to come up with an excuse. "I had no idea that happened, I wasn't informed of any issues." She lied to him nervously. I fought not to laugh. Did she really think that lie was convincing?

"Is that so?" General Kang inquired unconvinced. "Then why was I told YOU were the one who had given out the order to have her served soiled food?"

Rina blinked hard, she looked like she'd been punched in the gut, shocked that he knew the truth. "I...." She fumbled.

"I was just testing to see if you would lie to me." He told her with a playful smile.

"My Lord, please, it's all a misunderstanding."

The general brought his arm onto the table and leaned his head on it. "And what exactly have I misunderstood?" He asked as he fluttered his beautiful golden lashes narrowing his gaze on her.

Rina couldn't stop blinking in a panic as the General cornered her.

How had the General found out? I thought to myself. I hadn't complained to anyone about the situation, only Yema and Kaylee knew and I told them not to worry themselves. I hadn't told Enan, the garden maintainer, either. He just thought I was cooking for fun and it definitely wasn't Rina. The only other explanation could be that the General himself looked into this. But why?

I never imagined he would do something like this for Ayan of all people. Didn't he hate her? I mean she had hurt his 'precious' Laika after all. I thought that even if he found out he wouldn't care either way, yet here he was defending her. Why was he acting this way?

But if he knew that I stopped receiving food from the kitchen did that also mean he knew I was currently cooking for myself?

"So Ayan what punishment would you like for Rina to have?" He then asked me.

"Punishment?" I aksed him confused as I was brought out of my thoughts and met his eyes.

"Of course, as the victim of this, you get to decide how the culprit should be punished. " He calmly explained.

He observed me carefully as I considered what he told me. The way he looked at me now, it was the same look he'd been giving me all evening. A look of curiousity, as if wondering how I would act next.

To be honest it didn't seem like he was truly concerned about me nor angry with Rina. I mean compared to how he treated me when he gave the confinement punishment he had a more calm demeanor now than then. Perhaps, this was all some kind of weird test to see how I would react.

Rina was angrily eyeing me with gritted teeth, as her body shook from frustration. I could sense the fear she had over what punishment I would pick for her. If I were the real Ayan I imagine she would have had no mercy and chosen a harsh punishment.

I thought about it for a moment before answering."I don't want her to be punished my Lord."

Looks of surprise came from both of them.

"What?" Rina spoke first with a bewildered tone.

"Really?" Kang asked me curiously as he kept eye contact with me, trying to see if I truly meant what I was saying. "That's unlike you Ayan. Usually you would be excited for something like this."

And the original Ayan definitely would have been excited. To punish one of the other wives and get ahead in winning his favor. However, I wasn't interested in that. The General was a handsome man but I wasn't going to break my back over being favored by him.

"I felt I deserved it." I started slowly. "I deserved to be treated like that. I've done some things to Rina in the past that have upset her and so I understand why she resents me."

His gaze on me was intense I felt I would faint if this went on any longer. He considered my response for a moment before answering. "Very well then. If you don't want her to be punished then I won't push this any further." He suspiciously, but simply agreed.

The General then stood up from his position and looked down at us. "Well that was all I wanted to say to you two. You may retire for the night."

" Goodnight Lord Kang. " Rina and I said in unison as he left probably going to Laika and Maris. We also soon followed suit leaving the room as well.

As we walked out of the main house and went towards our respective houses Rina came round and came to stand in front of me, blocking my way forward. "What was that in there?!" She demanded furiously crossing her arms over her chest.

"I don't know what you're talking about."I said indifferently.

"Don't lie to me! That stupid little good girl act of yours, not punishing me, acting like you're kind and thoughtful, making a fool out of me. What exactly are you trying to do?" She continued to rant.

"I just didn't want to punish you. That's all." I simply answered.

"Stop messing with me!" She yelled. "I don't know what game you're playing but if you think I'm going to lose to you after you've been offically made the least favored wife you're wrong!" She burst out.

Her eyes showed the sheer detemination and passion she had, she truly meant what she was saying. "Go right ahead, I won't stop you." I answered coolly.

"Ugh!" She let out in frustration as she came closer to me right up to my face. "I will make you pay for everything you've done to me." She spat out.

"The bug is back on your chest." I jokingly told her, looking down at the cleavage of her dress.

Worried Rina looked down at her dress jumping back a little. In that time I turned away and ran, headed towards my house.

"Hey! Come back!" She yelled after me, realizing I had lied to her.

This definitely wasn't the last time Rina was going to try something on me. I let out a tired sigh. I had to be alert.

********

"You've killed my first child, I'm going to punish you in a way that is equal in measure. I sentence you to death!" General spat out in a harsh tone.

Images of the viles of poison I'd used to sabotage Laika's pregnancy came to mind, being kept in the prison, the dread I felt as I awaited my death. Then the day of my execution came I was put back in the wagon taken away to the open area where my head was subsequently cut off.

My eyes burst open immediatley and I took in a loud deep breath as if I'd been holding it in. Sweating and shaking I sat up on my bed. I'd had that dream again. Bringing my hand up to my head, I held onto my forehead as I waited for the dizziness from just waking up from a nightmare passed. It really felt real, like I actually lost my head.

It was that nightmare again. Why was I having this dream? Was I going to keep having it? Was it perhaps the trauma from having it the first time was making me have it again? I didn't know but I really didn't want to have it again. It was probably the worst dream I've ever had in both my lifetimes.

Unfortunately, this time it was still dark outside so I couldn't just get on with the day like last time when I had the nightmare.

When morning came I got ready for the day like I usually did and had breakfast.

It had been two days since the dinner with General. He was preparing to go back to the palace in a few days so he couldn't have dinner with his wives till after he returned. Apparently, he had a lot of work to do.

I was just happy to have a break from him. Though I was glad to have him defend me I didn't want him to creepily observe me all night from the corner of his eye. Of course I understood that the reason he was watching me so much is probably because of Ayans' sudden change in character.

I knelt down at the table in my sitting room as I drank a cup of tea. Yema then came into the room. "My lady, Enan has come to see you just as you asked." She told me.

"Perfect" I answered "Tell him to come in."