The Unknown History

42

three months later.

The palace was empty without the nobleman and the king. They were all at the North Kingdom discussing collaboration between the two kingdoms. Heejin stood at the pavilion like a statue as she stared at the lake emptily.

Her court maid approached her and bowed, "Your Majesty, there is something I must tell you."

The said queen turned around and eyed her up and down, waiting for the maid to continue. "Her Highness, Concubine Jeong has no symptoms of pregnancy yet."

"That's ridiculous. It's been three months since the king slept with her. Did he really sleep with her that night?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. He obeyed your orders. But still, Her Highness has no symptoms. No morning sickness or anything."

Heejin felt angry and sensed that something was wrong. She clenched her gown and left the pavilion, "Take me to her."

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"Lady Jeong, you are infertile," the royal physician said hesitantly. The concubine scoffed in disbelief before gripping his hand, "You're kidding, right? I can't be! I had to work hard to secure this position! I can't be infertile!"

The doors to the infirmary were slammed open, revealing Heejin with her palace guards behind her. She entered the room and gave a death stare at the concubine.

"What brings you here, Lady Jeong?"

"Your Majesty!" The physician greeted her with his trembled voice. He bowed and kept his eyes on the floor. He wouldn't dare to make eye contact with her, seeing how angry she looked.

"I felt sick. So I went to see the physician. Who knows? It could be morning sickness?"

Heejin scoffed, "You do know that I'm not the noblewoman who used to go to the same school as you. I am now the queen of East Kingdom and you don't have any right to talk rudely to me."

Concubine Jeong chuckled and rolled her eyes, "If you'll excuse me, I have somewhere else to be."

"What is the real reason she's here?" The Queen asked the physician. He gulped down his saliva in fear and said, "She came to check whether she's pregnant or not, Your Majesty."

"And is she?"

"She is infertile, Your Majesty," he breathed out nervously. Heejin widened her eyes before facing the concubine, "I appointed you as a concubine because I want you to produce an heir to the throne. And you dared to lie to me? You were so confident and rude to me, ensuring me that you will give an heir to my husband. And now, you're looking at me with those pathetic eyes?"

Concubine Jeong kneeled on the floor, "Your Majesty, I can explain. Please! Please spare me!"

"I was supposed to kill you for deceiving me. That's why I have my guards here with me. But it will be a waste of time. You're not worth it," Heejin sighed and checked her nails before turning around to leave, "You will leave this palace for good before the sun goes down. I do not want to see your face anymore."

Concubine Jeong clenched her jaw out of anger before standing up, "You bitch."

Her words made the Queen stop in her tracks. The said concubine then stomped until she reached in front of the Queen before slapping her in the face.

"You are also infertile! Then why should I be the only one leaving the palace?!"

"Concubine Jeong!"

"I've liked the king for years already! And suddenly, you get to be his consort! It's not fair. If I leave, then you have to leave too!"

"Don't you dare lay a hand on Her Majesty!" The guards warned as they held their swords. The said concubine laughed as she clapped her hands, "You are infertile, Hwang Heejin. You can't even produce an heir so you tried searching for a concubine to do your job. That's pathetic too. And what if they could give His Majesty a child? Are you going to throw her out like what you're doing to me?"

"That makes you evil, Heejin-ah."

"Your Highness, I suggest you stop," The concubine's maid whispered.

Heejin clenched her fists and nodded at the guards. The two guards held their swords against Concubine Jeong's neck. One small move and her throat would get slit instantly.

"Guards, make sure she leaves this palace in an hour. If she refuses to do so, kill her," was all the Queen said before leaving the place.