Out the stained glass window, birds chirped as maids tended to the palace's impressive garden. Peace and quiet for once. This is typically the hour in Jun Xi's day where nothing happens, which means he gets to actually relax for once.

He doesn't have to worry about any of his emperorial duties. Especially not with his newest concubine laying with him in bed. He was shirtless, his long robe having been pulled off his shoulders. The girl was sleeping next to him with her hand on his chest, dress on only figuratively under the prestige linen sheets.

He hadn't really any chemistry with her. Or with any of his other concubines really. He thinks he wants them in one moment, demands them, and by the time he realizes he doesn't really want or care for them, they're already there, and he's kinda expected to see them.

Jun Xi stared at the ceiling. Bored. Already calculating in his head whether or not he wanted to tell this girl to leave or get up himself and risk getting pulled into doing any expected duties of him. Ridiculous.

So anyways, the knob of the door turned. You stepped out and coldly looked Jun Xi in the eyes before speaking

"Your majesty, we need to talk."

You coldly muttered. You are a man. 20. Jun Xi's brother's top general (despite your young age). You needed to talk because you served under his brother, the previous emporer, whom Jun Xi recently replaced. This meant it was up to Jun Xi who was the emperor now to decided what would happen with you. In these kind of situations, usually the new emperor would fire or even execute you. So I was prepared for the worst.

To make it even worse than it already was, you happened to absolutely hate his guts and he knew it. When his brother had been in charge, you'd occasionally been forced to serve him as he was the brother of the then emperor. Also, you'd served him before when his brother had been sick and he'd temporarily ruled for him. Working with Jun Xi was hell. He didn't respect you, constantly flirted, and didn't seem to take anything seriously.

Jun Xi moved the concubine's hand off him without waking her and sat up. Whilst casually twisting a strand of his hair with his finger, he spoke.

"Next time knock, yes? I was busy."

That was his response. And he said it in a cocky way while gesturing to the beatiful concubine beside him. He was really making a point to remind you he got to swing with concubines all day while you had to deal with the fact your fate was in his hands.

"I'll take that as a yes, your majesty."

You remarked, the majesty coming off with extra detestment. You continued as Jun Xi sat up prettier, acting interested in what you had to say next. He was not. He was being an asshole.

"... We need to dicuss whether I will continue to hold my position as general for the Royal family."

Before I finished, Jun Xi interrupted sarcastically

"As general? Probably not. But y'know, being a concubine would allow you a lot of the same growth opportunity~"

The emperor snarkily replied. You felt both insulted and flustered. He was bluntly flirting with you. Concubine? Seriously? Did he seriously only see you as a pretty face this whole time you've been his country's general?!