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Keqing silently put the tea on the table before moving to Ningguang’s side, silently eyeing the guest. Another suitor for her lady. She could see the guy squirmed under her gaze, obviously uncomfortable. “I-I’d like to be left alone with the lady.” He said. Ningguang waved her hand to her butler, signing to her to comply. Keqing bowed in resignation, dragging her legs to walk out of the room.
Keqing let out a sigh immediately once she got out. Another suitor. The thought was enough to make her bitter. It was unsurprising, really. She doubt there’s anyone in the continent who hasn’t heard of Ningguang; an intelligent and independent woman who’s been working her way up to this point, starting from nothing. The story about how she got her noble status was even more impressive. It was, after all, the reason of why her hand in marriage would become the most sought after in the kingdom.
Ningguang sat on her seat, smiling politely to her guest. How many minutes has gone by? The time feels like moving on way too slowly. The moment she heard that it was another suitor, she immediately made up her mind for the answer. It would be the same answer that she’s given out to the other nobles. And even after hearing his incredible stories and achievements, he was not an exception. She sighed.
“Thank you, my lord, for sparing your time to come here. I hope we can meet again,” She said as she clapped her hands. There was a light of hope in his expression “in another business meeting.” The guy opened his mouth in astonishment, not being able to say anything. An obvious rejection. “Oh. Yes, yes. I hope we can still maintain our relationship in that matter...” He said.
Keqing looked up as she heard the room’s door opening, accidentally meeting the suitor’s eyes. She immediately bowed down. The guy didn’t bother to appreciate the gesture. Keqing was about to follow suit when the guy stopped her. “No need. I can go myself.” “Understood.” She said, looking at him disappearing from her sight. “Keqing?” The familiar voice called out from the room. “Yes, milady?” “Come here for a second.” She obeyed, entering the previously used entertainment room.
Locking the room as soon as the two were alone together has become something like second nature for her. What’s not usual was how she’d stay in the same position, letting out a long sigh audibly. Another weird thing was how she didn’t hear the closing steps that her lady has taken.
“Jealous?” Ningguang whispered at her ears, arms snaking around her waist. The gesture was enough to startle the purple head. Another weird thing, which was understandable in Ningguang’s opinion. “N-No! I... It was just...” She stopped when she felt the embrace tightening, soft lips pressed on her cheek. Ningguang could tell that the butler has relaxed in her embrace. The kiss soon went down to her neck, making a pleasant sigh coming out from Keqing’s lips.
“Ningguang.” Keqing called, voice breathy. “What is it?” Ningguang mumbled to her neck. “Let me go for a second?” The butler asked, which resulted in an opposite reaction. The embrace was tightened. “I promise I’m not going anywhere. I just want to turn around.” Ningguang finally loosened up at the words.
“Thank you.” She murmured as she turned around, pulling the taller woman into a kiss. It took Ningguang only another second before she kissed her butler back, pulling her into another embrace. “What if I said that I’m indeed jealous?” Keqing asked breathily as soon as she pulled away from the kiss. “You know you shouldn’t be.” Ningguang responded, equally breathy.
Keqing pushed her back until the noblewoman fell back to the couch. She sat on her lap, pulling in for another kiss. She knew. She knew she shouldn’t be, but she’s still jealous. Why does she need to see her lover entertain someone else? The desire to just growl at them and make them stay back from her woman was so strong. But she knew she couldn’t do it. She knew she needed to be patient.
To the outside world they might be just a pair of noblewoman and her butler. To some, they’re a pair of businesswoman and her right hand. Keqing was her most trusted person. This was a well known fact that doesn’t need affirmation. Ningguang only has her eyes for her butler. This statement, however, only stayed as a rumor that was often whispered every now and then.
The truth was sealed to those under the manor. For them, the fact that their lady and head butler were lover was as clear and true as the day. Under the manor, the couple didn’t hide the fact they’ve been sleeping together, and the fact that they’re serious about each other.
Keqing knew. To get jealous at her lady, her woman, was a silly thing to do. She could choose anyone that she wanted to be her partner, but she chose her instead. It was clear as day, but she can’t help her feeling, can she?
Another kiss was shared. This time, it was full of anger, and frustration. Keqing was so angry at the situation, so angry at herself for being childish. She was so frustrated that she couldn’t just claim Ningguang as her own. She was too angry and frustrated that the kiss ended up making her lover’s lips swolen.
Keqing pulled away, looking down. “Every single time you need to entertain those shitty nobles, I can’t help but feel angry.” Tears started to well up in her eyes. “I know you would reject them. But I’m still worried.” The tears fell down. Ningguang wiped them up, letting her dear lover talk out her frustration. “What if she found someone better than me? What if someone has caught her heart in the meeting? What if I’m not enough for her? What if-” Her worries were soon silenced by another kiss.
It took Keqing a moment to reciprocate the kiss. Ningguang pulled her closer, rubbing her hands behind the younger woman’s back to calm her down. They didn’t let go of each other before they’re lacking breath. Keqing stared straight to Ningguang’s crimson eyes. “I love you.” Keqing said, panting. “Love you too.” Ningguang smiled as she said those word. A peck landed at Keqing’s cheek.
It didn’t take long for the entire country to catch up to the news. The news that Ningguang has been seeing someone, as she has been rejecting every single suitor’s visitation letter. It wasn’t clear as who she’s seeing. Some people even came as far as claiming that the rumor about her seeing her butler was true.