The Selection

Chapter 68

This story/plot belongs to Kiera Cass

𒊹︎︎︎ᴥ︎︎︎𒊹︎︎︎

"-understand. She'll want to visit her family."

"If she does, it can only be for a day at the most. I don't approve of her, but the people are fond of her, not to mention the Thai. It would be very inconvenient if she died."

I opened my eyes. I was on my bed, but not under my covers. I saw out of the corner of my eye that Mary was in the room with me.

The shouting voices were muted, and I realized that was because they were just outside my door.

"That won't be enough. She loved her father dearly; she'll want time," Jungkook argued.

I heard something like a fist hitting a wall, and Mary and I both jumped at the sound. "Fine," the king huffed. "Four days. That's it."

"What if she decides not to come back? Even though this wasn't rebel caused, she might want to stay."

"If she's dumb enough to want that, then good riddance. She was supposed to give me an answer about those announcements anyway, and if she's not willing, then she can stay home."

"She said she would. She told me earlier tonight," Jungkook lied. But he knew, didn't he?

"About time. As soon as she returns, we'll get her in the studio. I want this done by the New Year." His tone was irritated, even as he got what he wanted.

There was a pause before Jungkook dared to speak. "I want to go with her."

"Like hell you will!" King Clarkson yelled.

"We're down to four, Father. That girl might be my wife. Am I supposed to send her alone?"

"Yes! If she dies, it's one thing. If you die, it's a whole other issue. You're staying here!"

I thought the fist hitting the wall this time was Jungkook's. "I am not a commodity! And neither are they! I wish for once you would look at me and see a person."

The door opened quickly, and Jungkook came in. "I'm so sorry," he said, walking over and sitting on the bed. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"Is it real?"

"Yes, darling. He's gone." He gently took my hand, looking pained. "There was a problem with his heart."

I sat up and threw myself into Jungkook's arms. He held me tightly, letting me weep into his shoulder.

"Daddy," I cried. "Daddy."

"Hush, darling. It'll be all right," Jungkook soothed. "You'll fly out tomorrow morning to go pay your respects."

"I didn't get to say good-bye. I didn't . . ."

"Y/n, listen to me. Your father loved you. He was proud you'd done so well. He wouldn't hold this against you."

I nodded, knowing he was right. Practically everything my dad had told me since I'd come here was about how proud he was.

"This is what you need to do, okay?" he instructed, wiping tears off my cheeks. "You need to sleep as best as you can. You'll fly out tomorrow and stay at home for four days with your family. I wanted to get you more time, but Father is quite insistent."

"It's okay."

"Your maids are making an appropriate dress for the funeral, and they'll pack everything you need. You're going to have to take one of them with you, and a few guards. Speaking of which," he said, standing to acknowledge the figure standing in the open door. "Officer Kim, thank you for coming."