𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 - 𝐬𝐮𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐨𝐧

(thirty-six)

"What do you mean he's okay with it?"

Siyeon shrugs. "He said he's grateful, actually. He has somebody back home who he loves and doesn't want to leave behind."

I hesitate. "I don't know if that's a good idea. I mean, of course I want to be with you, but it just seems dangerous."

"Bora, you still owe me that favour."

"Just this one favour. Whatever you want me to do, I'm at your service."

This sounds too good to be true – the Prince doesn't have any problem knowing his bride-to-be is involved with her servant? Siyeon says I'm just paranoid, but I can't see any scenario in which this goes well for any of us.

Terminating the engagement would raise too many questions for each of them. Being with Siyeon after the fact puts her and I both at risk and places the blame on me for ruining their marriage. Prince Jaebeom going home to whoever it is his heart belongs to puts his lover at risk as well. Considering it's someone from his home kingdom, I can only assume he's in a similar situation to Siyeon: he's having an affair with a commoner. Each of us could be killed for having been involved with a member of the royal families, for tainting them and for convincing them to abandon their marriage, for falling in love in the first place. We aren't in a place to feel this way for royalty.

But some sick part of me wants to think this could go well, that we could have a happy ending. This twisted little part of my brain wants to deceive me into hoping I could love Siyeon with no shame, that she wouldn't be ridiculed and I wouldn't be executed, that we'd be accepted. That's the horrible fantasy. We grow old together. We grow as people. We fall more and more in love every day.

Just the thought of it is terrifying.

"Please, Bora," Siyeon pleads, taking my hand. "Trust me on this. Don't worry too much; we'll be okay. I'm not going to leave you behind."

I can't say no to that face. "Just keep yourself safe," I demand. "That's what's most important, okay?"

She smiles and kisses me quickly. "I've already talked to him. And we have a plan. We're going to sabotage the wedding. Are you in?"

"Of course I'm in."