In a kingdom torn by power struggles and political intrigue, Jieun, the rightful heir to the throne of the East, finds herself sidelined as her brother, Jungwon, takes control. Determined to reclaim her birthright, Jieun seeks alliances and forms a...
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JAY WAS SITTING ON HER ARMCHAIR, LEANING BACK WHILE HE WATCHED JIEUN PACE BACK AND FORTH.
'Take deep breaths, Princess,' Jay tried to calm her.
Jieun shook her head, walking over to him. He offered his hand to her, letting her play with his fingers to calm herself down instead of picking on her own.
'That's better, isn't it?' Jay asked, wiggling his fingers slightly to encourage her to keep holding his hand.
She could not help but smile. 'Jay. . . the White Raven spoke of a rebellion in the Free Man's Islands. They are gathering men, currently an army with two thousand men strong. The council mentioned it but they didn't. . . do anything about it. They do not see the threat as I do.'
Jay sighed. 'That is typical of them. . . of my father.'
'They just joked about it, Jay. . . an army with two thousand men is nothing but they have managed to poison the minds of the commoners. The people in Rat's Den have already begun to cause havoc.' Her grip around his hand tightened as she sought some kind of comfort for her worries.
'Two thousand men may not look like much, but you put two thousand men in the Free Islands with no counter to them? They'll spread like wildfire.' He wrapped his other hand around hers and brought it up to his face, as if to be cradled and kissed. 'They didn't give any orders?'
She exhaled a long sigh, an idea entering her mind. 'I will speak to the White Raven. There must have been someone who began the idea of a rebellion in the minds of the people. I shall find them. . .'
Jay's fingers trailed through her hair. 'A good idea.' He paused for a moment, seemingly in thought. Then he stood up and pressed a kiss to her forehead. 'I will do everything I can to support that. Just. . . find out who's responsible for this. Then, we can deal with them.'
Feeling her heart twist, Jieun pulled away from his touch. 'Jay, we are not supposed to━'
Gently, he caressed her cheek. 'I know. . . I know we are not allowed to, we never were. But can you really expect me to resist this?' A slow, soft smile crossed his lips as he spoke, voice soothing, enthralling in a way.
'I can't,' she said. 'They would sooner have your head than let me love you.'
'But I do not care about that,' he whispered, drawing closer to her. 'I'd rather die with you than live without you.'
'Jay, I just scolded my brother for spending time with a servant girl when he is betrothed. If I were to find myself in the same position as him. . .' she trailed off, thinking of how much of a hypocrite she was.
'It's different with us.' His hand reached up to run a finger along her jaw. 'Don't you feel it? Don't you feel this?' He took one of her hands in his, drawing her full attention.
She inhaled a sharp breath, looking at him. 'That is enough, Jay,'
He sighed, his eyes cast to the floor. 'Forgive me, Your Grace. . .' Jay bowed before her and moved to leave, the door behind him left slightly open.
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