A change in character

GENERAL KANG'S POV

"Sign right here General ." The imperial servant said. "and here " "and here ..."

I signed through all the scrolls that the servant placed before me one after another on my desk.

"Thank you for your time, I'll have these delivered to the emperor now." He said once I done with a bow before leaving.

"The emperor just won't let me let me rest will he? I only just arrived home yesterday, after he had me locked up in that palace for 2 weeks, And yet he's already sent me more work." I said looking after the imperial servant that had just left through the door.

I was only supposed to be at the palace for a few days but ended up having to extend my stay due to the overwhelming amount of work to be done. We were currently dealing with another territory we'd recently taken over.

I feel like he's overworking me because of that out-of-control crown prince he's dealing with." I told my head attendant, Kazil. "He needs to discipline that boy better!"

"Now, now my Lord. The prince has only been in the palace for almost a year now. He's still getting used to everyhthing that's why he's being difficult. He still needs more time." My attendant reasoned.

"Tch." I clicked my tongue. "But if he doesn't get him to act in line soon it'll be a bad look for him."

"Should I call the 2nd wife, lady Laika, to have a late afternoon tea with you? She always puts you in a good mood." Kazil suggested.

"Mmmm..." I thought about it for a moment. "Very well." I responded. It was true I really enjoyed spending time Laika. She was the wife I spent the most time with lately. She had the ability to calm me down no matter, a very calming presence in deed. From her soft voice, to her gentle smile, she always knew what to say to me.

No doubt she would lift my spirits if I saw her later today.

And speaking of my wives I then I remembered something. "So what happened whilst I was gone? What did Ayan do this time?" I just wanted to get it out of the way. Before I left she hadn't done anything but Knowing her I knew it was only a matter of time. She must have caused some problem whilst I was away. Depending on how serious what she'd done was I was going to be strict in how I handled her now. I was just about done with her nonsense! Constantly demanding for attention acting like a child. I would send her back home if she didn't behave.

" Nothing, my Lord. She hasn't done anything."

"I will consider my punishment for--" I paused processing what my attandent had told me. My eyebrows then shot up in surprise. "What?" I asked him. There was no way I heard right.

"She's done nothing my Lord. The guards have reported that she's stayed in the house and has never attempted to come out the entire time. The only people that have been coming in and out of that house are her servants and the garden caretaker. Neither has the lady made any complaints of any kind."

"Really?" I asked in disbelief, were we really talking about the same Ayan. The reason I felt Ayan would for sure cause problems is because she hated that house I sent her to. The Ayan I knew was would be so disrespected by that small house and her pride hurt there is no way she would stand back and allow it, she would fight back. Yet, Kazil was telling me she'd done nothing so far.

"Oh but there is one thing the guards told me, they say she recently asked to stop receiving food from the kitchen."

My eybrows furrowed once again."Why? Then what is she eating?"

"I'm not sure my Lord. They said she didn't say anything else and that's the only thing she's requested. I didn't look further into it because she's doing well, I haven't received any complaints and I was busy with the main house and subsequently forgot." Kazil explained.

I didn't know what to think, this was definitely weird. Lately, it had just been one strange after another. I remember when I gave the sentencing she didn't argue like I would have expected, just kept quiet and accepted what I said. Then again if she had argued that would have only made her case worse. Then I was told she let go of her servants and only stayed with two even though she was supposed to remain with five. And then now this.

"Would you like me to find why she's stopped taking from the kitchen?" Kazil offered noticing my

"There's more only one more week until her punishment ends. Perhaps, then she will return to her usual antics." Kazil said.

Understanding what he meant I let out a sigh "Perhaps." I said. Once she could move around the estate freely there was a chance she would go back to bothering me. Before her confinement she always used to come to the main house to see me everyday when she hadn't been summoned. Whenever I moved around the estate she would always 'coincidentally' show up where I was. Even if I was in the middle of spending time with another wife she would just interrupt us. Just taking every opportunity to get my attention. It was quite annoying.

"Hopefully, she wouldn't go back to doing that" . But so far what was this change in character?

*****

AYAN'S POV

The next few weeks went on without any issues, I continued on with my newly found routine. The garden was filled all kinds food crops and flowers by the time the month was almost over. Yema and Kaylee had probably tried every beauty treatment in existence on me and I was sure I could make a little cookbook now with all the different meals I'd been making for myself.

There was only a week left until my confinement would end and I began to think of what I would do once I could move around. I felt like I'd become so used to staying in this little house. I actually felt quite comfortable, but I couldn't stay couped up here forever. Since I arrived in this world I hadn't seen much anything aside from a few places on the estate. When I thought about it there was a whole empire I had yet to see. From Ayans' memories I knew what the world out there looked like, however I would like to see it in person for myself.

As a wife of the harem I was allowed to move estate the only places I couldn't visit without permission is the homes of the other wives and the main house where the General stayed. That was easy enough to do for me. I was also allowed to leave the estate and visit the nearby city but I had to be accompanied by guards.