~~*~~ A woman walked along the hallways when she noticed nearly half of the cooking staff outside, she's a close friend of the general and was absent during their wedding, so the princess hadn't met her yet. “What is going on here?” she asked the nearest servant. “The princess asked for privacy as she makes sweets for the general." "Sweets? For Taeyeon?" The servant nods. "Is she alone?" She asked again. "No, I think she's with a maid." The woman nods, she doesn’t even look back as she stomped her way towards the royal kitchen, this is the opportunity she's been waiting for to finally meet the princess and put her in her place. As she stepped in, the princess looked up from the pot she’d been adding ingredients to. She smiled as the woman walked over to her. She heard about her friendship with her wife and she wanted to make a good impression on her – but before she could properly greet her though the woman nearly stood in her personal space, glaring at her. “I don't care if you are the princess, just keep your distance!” She snarled at Sooyeon and the Princess is thoroughly confused at the hostile treatment. “There’s a difference in dreaming and fulfilling your dreams. Do not fool yourself into believing that you are Taeyeon's wife, Princess!” The woman continued coldly – spitting Sooyeon's title with such venom. “What wrong have I done?” Sooyeon asked, not able to comprehend why this woman would be so mean to her. In the few weeks that she’s been married to Taeyeon she had heard about her but hadn’t so much as seen the woman. How could she have even wronged her if she hadn’t even met her? “First you hated Taeyeon, you still didn't come to terms with this marriage and now you’re making her sweets? What are you up to?” the woman's voice could be best described as controlled anger. “What do you mean?” the princess now is also starting to get upset at this woman's behavior. is set in a deep frown as her eyebrows lower dangerously. “I’d like to believe that I’m exercising my right as a married woman to make sweets for my wife.” The woman doesn’t appreciate the Princess talking back to her and it shows. “Your wife? Did you forget. Your marriage to Taeyeon is just a contract, so your mother could have the people's acceptance and scare away her enemies.” The woman growled through clenched teeth. “It might be so for you, but for me a marriage is a sacred bond. Till death do us part is what I promised Taeyeon and so it shall be.” The princess was not willing to back down from the fight. “Oh, don’t explain the meaning of marriage to me.” the woman scoffed at her. “And what marriage are you talking about? A marriage which hasn’t been consummated yet? A marriage is only complete when you both are willing to open up to each other, accept each other and of course consummate the marriage, last I heard Taeyeon won’t even touch you, so is this what a marriage is to you?” The woman took great satisfaction in the princess's downcast eyes. This woman is right. Their marriage was never consummated, so technically the general had every right to back off from this marriage. The fact that the general hadn’t attempted yet, confused Sooyeon, usually people like Taeyeon took what they wanted, especially someone who possesses as much influence as the general does. But Sooyeon doesn’t let herself dwell on these thoughts. She can’t allow this woman to disrespect her in her home. “You are just her best friend, you surely don't have the right to say such things to me, it could get you in trouble, don't forget I'm the princess here." “Yes! I am her best friend!” the woman yelled. “I was the one who took care of her. I was the one who held her in my arms when she was too scared, sad or happy. I have dedicated every waking moment of my life to her. I have protected her from unseen harm, l loved her and risked my life for her, and if anyone tries to come between me and Taeyeon, even if that person is the princess, I will destroy them." The next part the woman spoke dangerously low, “Your threat means nothing to me, Taeyeon is mine, and you can never take her away from me." With that she stormed off, not even bothering to hear what Sooyeon has to say. Not that she had anything to say. The Princess just stood there – shocked beyond words. All Sooyeon wanted was a peaceful marriage life. To figure out the general in her own time and way and maybe someday fall in love with her. Have her happily ever after. Then again life has never been that simple. Especially not hers and now she has to deal with all these confusing feelings for the general and the general’s overly protective best friend. Great. With a deep sigh Sooyeon continued working on preparing the sweets. This at least she won’t let the woman take away from her. She’ll have to worry about her some other day. ~~~ The princess's and the general's families gathered around the feast table, smiling and making polite conversations with one another. Only one person looked bored as the rest seemed to be enjoying their night. Taeyeon's mother asked about her daughter’s health which Taeyeon happily updates her on. Though Boa butts in and told her how she’s not eating anything healthy. They were all waiting for the Princess to arrive. Taeyeon in particular had been waiting all day to catch a glimpse of her beautiful wife. The large doors to the feast hall opened, and In walked the Princess in the elegant looking silk hanbok that the general had gifted to her. The hanbok accented all the soft curves the Princess seemed to possess, and all the general wanted was to grab ahold of her and feel for herself, to see if the Princess really was as soft as she looked, but instead Taeyeon grabbed ahold of the arms of her chair to ground herself somewhat. 'God this woman is a vision.' she thought and swallowed thickly. Taeyeon is also happy to note that the Princess was wearing the clothes and jewelry set she had gifted her instead of the ones the Empress had sent. She couldn't take her eyes off the princess as she walked towards the table seemly in slow motion and the large pearl necklace gave her a valid excuse, If anyone asked why she was staring at her wife’s chest, she could just state that she was looking at the beautiful necklace. Besides, everyone's eyes were on her beautiful wife as well. Everyone except for the general's best friend who only looked away, her expression disdainful. Eventually Boa cleared next to her rather obviously and Taeyeon scrambled to act normal. She had to adjust her elbows on the arm of the seat, then on the table and then her lap before finally deciding to just place her hands as far away from herself. She noticed a few of the servants walking alongside the Princess. Intrigued by the princess's beauty, Taeyeon continued to watch them as they walked over to the table. She had to physically restrain herself before she’d end up leaning towards the Princess, so she plastered a small shy smile on her face and looked down. Sooyeon's smile is wide. She knows that she’s an attractive woman but it still felt nice to be appreciated, even if it’s in the general's own… strange and unique way. Once she’s arrived at the table the servants walking arou