The Unknown History

37

A few days have passed. One of the palace rules were, a court maid could never have a proper funeral in the palace. She must leave the palace quietly so that the royal family members wouldn't notice.

Yeonseo felt disappointed and bad at the rule. She didn't even know when Baekhee left the palace and where she was buried. She sat still in the library, her journal in front of her. Her precious court lady would always sit across from her and watch her write her journal all the time.

Although she would scold Baekhee for her sarcastic remarks, she actually enjoyed hearing them. The door to the royal library opened. Jungwon walked in with a tray of medicine.

"You must eat your medicine, Yeonseo. You can't let yourself and the baby get sick."

She looked at him with her pale face. He sat across from her and sighed, "You have to accept that Baekhee passed away."

"Someone killed her, Jungwon."

"We can't find any evidence."

"She was slashed in the chest to death. That is not suicide."

He breathed out heavily and nodded, "Okay. You better eat your medicine. I have to hurry to another meeting after this."

She watched as he left the room. She bit her bottom lip to suppress her tears and slammed the medicines away. She looked as they scattered all around the floor.

🌷

Mr Bae gulped in fear as he slowly approached the prince. Sunghoon was silently drinking tea at the pavilion as he admired the lake scenery. "Are you done with your tea, Your Highness?" The servant asked.

The prince nodded and smiled before handing him the teacup. Mr Bae bowed before turning around, seeing the physician hiding at the corner. He motioned for the male servant to hurry and bring him the cup.

The princess had ordered both of them to get everyone's DNA to investigate the court lady's death. Sunoo's DNA didn't match with the ones on the knife. Jungwon's also didn't match. The last person to check was Sunghoon.

They both ran back to the infirmary, seeing Yeonseo already waiting for them. "Here it is, Your Highness," Mr Bae handed her the teacup.

She took a deep breath and hoped that he wasn't the culprit. She just couldn't. She had seen the prince even laugh and chat with the court maid.

After a few minutes of waiting, Mr Bae flinched at the sudden gasp she released. "What is it, Your Highness?"

Her hands trembled as she backed away from the desk. "The DNAs match."

"Are your saying that His Highness–that he–"

She nodded and felt her knees becoming weak. The physical held both of her shoulders to support her. "What do we do now, Your Highness?" Mr Bae asked again.

"That bastard," she mumbled under her breath as her jaw clenched.

🌷

Heejin stared at Sunoo with a straight face in his office. Her father was standing beside her, bowing at him. She clasped both of her hands and kept her eyes to the floor.

Mr Bae cleared his throat before reading the document that the king handed. "Lady Hwang Heejin. You are chosen to be the queen consort."

She looked at Sunoo with empty eyes. She sighed and bowed, "I'm afraid I might have to turn down the offer, Your Majesty."

She immediately left the office, leaving her father surprised. "Your Majesty, you must be shocked. I am so sorry."

Sunoo sprinted out of the office and chased after her, "Heejin-ah!"

She took a deep breath and turned around, glaring at the king. "I know I might be considered disobeying the king's orders. But I hope you understand that I am not interested in getting married to you."

"But–"

"I like you so much, Your Majesty. I do–" she paused and blinked her tears away as they started forming in her eyes. "I may fail to be okay with sharing you. I know that you have the right to appoint as many concubines as you want. I like you so much to the point that it'll drive me crazy to watch you love someone else."

"Heejin-ah, I fell in love with you since I first met you. And when I got to know you better, I've fallen in love with you deeply. Please don't suppress your feelings towards me," he begged as he kneeled in front of her, holding her hand.

"Marrying you means my freedom will be taken away completely. I have heard how a queen consort isn't allowed to leave the palace. And I've heard how they are required to choose concubines for the king. I am not ready for that, Your Majesty," she pulled her hand away.

"Hwang Heejin, if you ever want to escape the palace and explore the town, we can do it together. Even if we have to put on a disguise. I really want to spend the rest of my life with you."

She locked her eyes in his. Her heart started fluttering as she felt butterflies dancing in her stomach. She gulped and counted slowly, waiting for him to avert his stare away.

One.

Two.

Three.

She felt her feelings taking over. She pulled him by the collar and locked her lips with his. He was taken aback but soon wrapped his arms around her waist to balance himself.