Not Very Cinderella || Taegyuning

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Jin's POV:

" I don't want him! I have already said that I have made my decision. Can't you just accept that?" He spat in my face.

" No, I cannot accept the fact that you wouldn't fulfil such an important last request of your late wife..." I said calmly.

All of this was going wrong. Even as a bystander, I had to speak up. This was humanity we were talking about.

The cruel man in front of me looked at me and sighed as he handed me a bag full of jewels. I stared at it for a moment and gave him a skeptical look.

" This should be enough for you to finish the job properly. Jin-ssi, you do realize that you are the only one I can trust with this job, right? " He looked at me with knowing eyes.

I just blankly stared back at him without reply, my emotions stuck in a dilemma. I could and couldn't do this.

" Of course you will be rewarded more later. I wouldn't trouble you so much with such a tedious task without paying you well for it. After all, there are many things humans desire. Money is one of them, and luckily I happen to be the monarch." A sick smile appeared on his face. It bothered me so much I wanted to slap him. However, I decided to hit him with reality.

" Your Highness... You can't possibly forget that you got that position only because our beloved queen decided to fall in love with a poor widower with two children. Especially since she has passed-

KICK!

It was slow and painful to the point I could have blocked it. Although I think I deserve more than a bruised jaw for hitting such a sensitive topic.

" Don't test my patience, Jin. You should know when to hold your tongue. Now, do you accept the job or not?"

I would've begged him for days and he still wouldn't have agreed to show the slightest bit of sympathy towards the little thing. I, as an outsider, had no say in this. For, I too was in a difficult position myself.

Humanity or fortune? A cruel decision to make.

I would have loved to choose the former, but I wasn't strong enough. I was not capable enough to take on such a responsibility. The latter held me back from making the right decision.

" What is your decision Jin?"

" ... "

" I don't have all day so-

" I'll do it."

He paused looking at me, to make sure I was honest about this. I usually refuse most of the tasks that test my morals, no matter what the consequence. So he was pleasantly surprised at this sudden change.

" I am not going to repeat myself... Give him to me before I change my mind."

" Very well then... I expect good results-

" Papa?"

A soft voice and shuffle of steps shocked both of us. It was the prince.

The king gave me a sideways glance before cracking into a smile as he turned towards his son.

" Yes, Taehyun-ah...?"

I, on the other hand, swiftly left the chamber into the hallway.

All of this was too much to bear. I may have given him my word, but I was still unsure. Was it too late to back out?

Unconsciously, I had walked into my target's room. I only realized when I heard a soft cry from the cot. I looked inside to see the baby fast asleep. So precious yet vulnerable.
I was regretting my actions even more as I gently picked him up with shaky hands.