Chapter 33 – Drink Water And Sprout (2)Rashta reclined on the bed, hugging a cushion and looking a picture of delicate beauty in a thin lavender nightgown. Lying next to her was Sovieshu, who was sweeping his fingers through her soft silver hair.“Prince Heinley is known for his cruelty and for being a womanizer. Don’t trust people so blindly from now on.”“Rashta didn’t know…”“It’s alright. Anyone can make mistakes. Just don’t make that same mistake in the future.”“But this isn’t Rashta’s fault, right?”“Of course. It was that man who made a disturbance.”Rashta leaned her head against Sovieshu’s shoulder.“But I’m glad His Majesty protected Rashta.”“I’m glad too. I hope you’re feeling better.”“Tomorrow is the special banquet! Let’s just relax and socialize with people! I want to be friends with Princess Soju.”Rashta smiled and patted the cushion like a drum. Sovieshu, who normally would have smiled at her adoorable behavior, was like a stone.“What’s wrong, Your Majesty?”“You…”“Your Majesty?”“Rashta, you won’t be able to attend the special banquet tomorrow.”Rashta stared at Sovieshu with wide eyes. He felt sheepish after giving her the unexpected news, except that was not the way it should be.“What? Why, Your Majesty?”“There can only be twenty special guests.”“Can’t I be one of them?”“The Empress and I invite ten people each, and we’ve already sent out the invitations…”“You can be flexible and add one more…”“But Rashta. The moment we are flexible, the special banquet becomes less special.”Rashta made a shocked, unblinking expression at his refusal, and Sovieshu felt forced to explain.“As I said, it’s only for those invited. I don’t know why you think it would suddenly change.”“Rashta is your concubine. Your lady. Rashta thought she could go without being invited…You should have invited her too.”Rashta’s face was red as she whimpered.“Oh goodness, Rashta.”Sovieshu took out a handkerchief and patted away the tears that had sprung up in her eyes. But the tears gathered again, and the handkerchief was useless.“Do you really wish to go?”“I told everyone at the dinner that I would go to the special banquet.”“…”