The Accidental Monarch

Defining

By the time the actress and the king return to the dining room, their desserts are no longer cold. The only person who remains is his mother, who stands up upon their arrival and walks towards them with her heels clicking menacingly against the floor. "You two could not have been more obvious," she sneers. "Have I not taught you that it's rude to keep guests waiting, Jeong-hyeok?"

"I find it ruder that you automatically assumed that we have done more than just talk, Mother," the king replies icily. The actress had the assumption before that they did not get along, but this family rift seems to be running way deeper than she had imagined. "We had a lot to discuss and time got away from us. I will see to it that an apology reaches the prime minister and Dan."

It feels like a crime to be holding his hand in front of her, but Jeong-hyeok refuses to let her pull away from him. Seri steps a little closer to his side instead, a subtle action that does not go unnoticed by anyone in the room. Cold sweat accompanies her as she tries to keep herself composed under the other woman's scrutiny. What in the world has she gotten herself into?

"We have not formally met," his mother says and holds out her hand. Instead of an introduction, it comes across as a challenge instead. "I am Her Majesty, the Queen Dowager, Kim Yoon-hee."

Seri understands now why Seung-jun asked Ju-meok to introduce him earlier. It sounds weird to hear someone introduce themselves in the third person, but the older woman does not seem to have any qualms about it. The actress takes her hand and bows politely before replying with as much warmth as she can muster, "Pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty. My name is Yoon Seri."

"I finally have a face to associate with the name I have been hearing in these halls for quite some time," Yoon-hee tells her with an unsettling smile. "You, dear, have been the topic of most gossip running amok here in the palace. The first woman invited over by Jeong-hyeok a lifetime ago is the same actress who arrived in the arm of Seung-jun for dinner tonight. What are the odds?"

Seri's expression falters at the connotation. "I can assure you that it is all just coincidence."

"Oh, but nothing is coincidence," Yoon-hee simpered. "Someone should inform Seung-jun that you are back here. I understand the poor thing is running around in search of your whereabouts. How do you think he would feel when he sees you standing here holding his cousin's hand when you are supposed to be his plus one? How do you think I feel witnessing this whole situation?"

It is with complete understanding that Seri finds herself at a loss for words and on the verge of tears. Yoon-hee wears a triumphant expression that disappears when Jeong-hyeok steps in between them. "I have never seen you so concerned about Seung-jun until tonight, Mother," he comments, eliciting a seething glare from the older woman. "Why the sudden change of heart?"

A dangerous expression crosses the queen's face. "I did not realize that it has become a crime to look out for one's family," she replies coldly. "Tell me, am I wrong to assume that this girl means nothing but trouble for us? First, she pulls you into a scandal that you should not have been a part of in the first place. Second, she invites herself back here after you have pushed her away -."

"Who said that I pushed her away?" Jeong-hyeok interrupts in a thundering voice that startles even Seri. His anger renders the queen speechless and has her opening and closing her mouth like a goldfish. "Tell me. Is it Gwang-beom? Are you using my private secretary to spy on me?"

"That man is loyal to you to a fault," Yoon-hee scoffs, giving them the impression that she has tried recruiting him to do her bidding. "Besides, I do not need a spy. I have eyes. And I saw the way you two were acting like teenagers after a lover's quarrel during dinner. Everyone saw it."