The Queen and her National Treasure

Chapter 23

Third person's POV

Chaeyoung is now looking at Mina, and Mina can tell that this great Queen is trying her hardest to hold in her emotions,

'Mina!' The Queen calls her,

'Yes, Your Majesty.' Mina answers,

Chaeyoung has a gentle smile on her face while telling the girl she loves, 'Mina, remember when I told you to wait for me, to stay by my side until I figure out the way? I... take them all back, as if I have never said anything. So Mina, don't feel like you have to stay because I told you to wait. You are free to go, think of your future and make a good decision for yourself, being a maid with an... uncertain future, facing dangerous situations awaiting day and night, or a high status, rich and powerful First Lady of a Vice Minister, it's all up to you to choose now. The Vice Minister had just made a marriage proposal to you, so if you agree to marry her, I... will grant your wish right now.'

This loving Queen even made sure to point out to Mina which one is the better option for the girl, putting herself in great disadvantage in this love triangle.

The Queen's voice is soaked with sadness which has made the atmosphere in this big room became almost unbearable. The government members have their heads down, this is only the second time in their lives they heard such a sad and dispirited tone from their Queen, the first time was when Chaeyoung learned about the deaths of her King and Queen parents. Also, from everything that Chaeyoung just said which she didn't even bother to hide her feelings anymore, everyone can now see how much their Queen loves this Princess from Macedon, and it's as clear as the day that the only reason this great Queen wants Mina to wait is because she highly valued all of the government members's opinions,

At this point, the respect they all have for their Queen has increased to the next level, knowing how hard it must have been for Chaeyoung to have her love on hold indefinite, so the internal relationship with her people is unaffected,

Meanwhile, the Vice Minister is now feeling very guilty for what she did. But after all, she still believes that without Mina, Chaeyoung still has Consort Tzuyu and Consort Sana, but for her, without Mina, she has nothing. And with that thought in mind, she determined to pursue this until the very end. JeongYeon is also very very nervous right now, because Mina rejected her once, but that was when she confessed her feelings using only words. Right now, she confessed using her action, a safe and beautiful flower path is right there ready for Mina to walk on, and that's why, JeongYeon is keeping her hope up high.

On the other hand, Mina and Chaeyoung have been staring at each other without a word. Mina is wiping her own tears which has been streaming down her face after what the Queen said, she's trying her best to calm down her emotions before stepping up a little to the front to answer the burning question which everyone has been waiting for,

Mina's eyes haven't left Chaeyoung ever since she heard the Queen's heart breaking sad tone. She takes a deep breath before speaking up while looking straight at Chaeyoung, 'I'm sorry...' Mina then diverts her eyes to JeongYeon, 'I'm sorry... Vice Minister! Please forgive me but I will reject your proposal. I'm happy where I am, I'm happy just to be next to Her Majesty.'

That answer took every single person in this big throne hall by surprise. Almost all of them thought Mina would take the flower path over the bumpy road for sure. But this, this unexpected but honest answer has them looked at the Princess from Macedon differently. They all now can see how much Mina is loyal to the Queen and most certainly that the only reason that the girl chose the hard, long, uncertain and bumpy road is because of love.