The Accidental Monarch

Isolating

When they have entered the palace, the silence that greets the actress rings loudly in her ears. It seems awfully vast and terribly hollow despite the grandeur now that she enters it with only the guards as her company. They lead her towards the wing Jeong-hyeok once introduced as where the private quarters of the royal family is situated. Once there, she enters a beautifully decorated space that almost looks like an apartment all on its own because of its size and amenities.

"This is where you will be staying if you decide to move here," Ju-meok tells her once the other guards have secured all of the rooms and stationed themselves outside. "His Majesty requested the color scheme to match what you currently have at home for an easier transition for you. If you want to change anything or bring some things over from your apartment, feel free to tell us."

"Where's Jeong-hyeok?" Seri asks instead. "Why couldn't he be the one to tell me these things?"

Ju-meok allows himself to sigh. "Ms. Yoon, I know that you are upset with me. I'm really sorry, but there is nothing I can do," he explains and sounds sincere enough that it softens her anger. "Your safety is our top priority. I am sure that His Majesty is simply addressing the situation and will be back as soon as he can. But for the meantime, you have your private quarters to enjoy."

That seems to be a trend she finds herself in more and more these days. A band-aid solution is sought to plaster over the cracks created by the problem. When the antimonarchists attempt to tear down the institution, they prepare to announce a fairytale engagement to the public. When an arsonist bombs a packed restaurant, a new living arrangement is introduced for her to enjoy.

He leaves her alone with her thoughts. A terrible sinking feeling starts inside her chest, and she does not know whether to be sick or to cry. She stands in the middle of a beautiful place but she has never felt more alone. A part of her wonders if this will be her future after the wedding. Will this awful silence be a constant companion when it is time to live out the marriage?

She cuts it off before she spirals. She takes a deep breath and slowly exhales all of her air out. Nothing good ever comes out of overthinking. She looks around for a good distraction. Knowing that she has a long night ahead of her, she begins walking around her new living space.

The living area has a plush sofa, a coffee table made out of glass, a flat-screen TV, and a landline. The kitchenette has a kettle, a coffee-maker, and a small refrigerator to keep snacks and drinks in. The bathroom boasts a luxurious bathtub, rain shower, and a mirror that covers a whole wall behind the two sinks. And lastly, the bedroom has a king-sized bed waiting for her as well as a gorgeous vanity table and a huge walk-in closet with the clothing racks already filled halfway.

With her smartphone confiscated for security reasons, she turns the television on for some entertainment only to shut it down when it informs her that the explosion resulted in three casualties and more than a dozen wounded. She tests out the tub and soaks herself in jasmine-infused water until her fingers start to prune. Dressed warmly in a white sweater and jeans, she checks out the contents of the refrigerator only to find nothing that will ease her hunger.

With her stomach growling, she walks out into the hall, much to the chagrin of the guards standing outside her door. "No one knows the location of the palace. No one knows that I'm here," she says in exasperation when they insist that she stays inside. "You're all really starting to get on my nerves. I just want to check the kitchen for something to eat. Is that so bad?"

The chefs are delighted to see her and prepare a dinner that rivals that of La Rose. She does not bother to use any of the dining rooms and chooses to talk to the staff while she eats to forget the trauma of the evening. They ask her about her movies and costars. She asks about the caramel sauce they added to her sundae. Their impromptu conversation fills the kitchen with laughter.