I looked up and down, as if I wanted to be sure of what I was seeing.

“HAHAHAHAHA Yuna, your face is so funny! It looks like you saw a ghost!”

The unexpected “empress” tied her robe again and took my hand.

“I want you to be my sister. My best friend. Come, let's have some wine and talk! “

A miracle happened. I'm really not going to die. I got up and hugged Yeoul.

"Is this true...?"

She held me in her embrace and asked again:

“Can I trust you Yuna?”

“I will do anything for you, your majesty.

The playful manner of the emperor – no, the empress– reappeared and she began talking nonstop. While she filled our glasses and emptied hers, she told me her plans for our marriage. Basically, she wanted the two of us to party, date whoever we wanted, and use our marriage to protect ourselves from society. And for me to get pregnant – by whoever I wanted – so that my daughter or my son would be the heir to the throne and the stability of the government would be protected.

Already drunk, she asked me:

“Is there someone you like?”

I blushed.

“Ahhh... are you still embarrassed? Come on, have another drink!”

The next day, I woke up with my head pounding and very thirsty. Heavy hangover. I looked at the side of the bed and Yeoul looked worse than me. Lying all crooked, face crumpled and drooling. I laughed at the scene. And I laughed even more at the memories of the night before. The miracle of being alive. The promise of an unimaginable life of adventure and freedom. I felt light. Like a swallow on its way to summer.

Yeoul woke up, and suddenly my heart felt tight, the fear that I would wake up from that dream.

She sat on the bed and put her head in her hands.

- What a headache!

Her very common behavior pulled me back to reality – the light and vibrant reality that was imposed in front of me.

"Would you like a glass of water, your majesty?"

"Yuna, call me Yeoul. Your beloved husband! Are you well?"

"I think I'm like you, very hungover."

"Yeoul whistled. The door opened and Seojun entered."

"Good morning, Jun!"

"Good morning, Your Majesty."

"Will you bring us breakfast? In fact, bring more water first! And ask to prepare the bath."

Seojun looked around the room more or less discreetly. Despite trying to maintain a poker face, he was visibly satisfied with the ruins the room had become.

“Do you want them to come clean the room, your majesty?”

"No... I don't know when we'll be able to get up. I think I'll take the day off today."

Seojun bent down to hide his satisfaction.

"Understood. Time off was expected after the wedding, don't worry. I'll take care of everything. Excuse me, His Majesty the Emperor and Her Majesty the Empress."

Yeoul fell onto the bed again and wrapped himself in the sheet. He closed his eyes, probably bothered by the light, and smiled.

"Today is our day, Yuna!"

Knocks on the door.

"You may come in."

Two maids entered with huge trays. Lots of water and various fruits. Yeoul asked them to leave it on the bedside and leave.

We fly over the water. Yeoul took a piece of watermelon and stuck it in my mouth.

"Look how delicious this is. It's from our greenhouses."

"Majes... Yeoul, can I ask you something?"

"Ask everything. If we are not best friends and confidants, I will have to kill you hahahahaha."

It would still take me a while to get used to Yeoul's mood.

"Well, is there anyone else who..."

Knocks on the door.

"You may come in."

Three maids, with their huge trays, entered again. A medium-fat boiled meat soup and lots of side dishes. They started to set the table and Yeoul wrinkled his nose:

"Isn't it a little early for this soup?"

"It was Mr. Seojun's orders."

Seojun, who was at the door, came in and came very close to us, to speak in a low voice:

"It's the best thing to cure a hangover, Your Majesty."

"Are you sure?"

Seojun looked at the maids, evaluating whether he should speak in front of them. Yeoul didn't seem to mind at all.

"Isn't bean sprouts better? I think I'm going to throw up if I eat this now."

"Try to eat. If you can't, drink the tea first. I asked them to make it with a lot of ginger."

Yeoul widened his eyes and smiled. As always, Seojun knew exactly what she needed.

The soup was really amazing. But I ended up not being able to return to the subject and ask Yeoul who else knew her secret. I was hoping that the people closest to me, with whom I had to spend time every day, would also know. But, without being sure, the tension of keeping that secret seemed to suffocate me.

After eating, Yeoul went to take a shower. Chun came to pick me up to show me where I would live, a building next to the main palace. A really beautiful place. I took my shower and had lunch alone. Everything looked delicious, fragrant and beautiful.