DIVINITY ♛ LEE JENO

SEVEN

Meilin,

If you're reading this, I've gone onto my next life. I'm writing this on the fifteenth of December. I've departed west. I intend to meet with the head of the Sujo Clan by tomorrow. There's something big coming for you.

I never thought I would die young. The Mad Queen is what they call me. The rumors were never wrong. I'm hasty. I'm evil. I'm a Queen who gets what I want. I'm gruesome and angry. I'm hungry for power.

How could a woman like me create something as gentle as you?

The truth is, I believed I hated you, Meilin. I hated the way you cried after you came out of my womb. I hated the pain you put me through. I hated how you looked at me with such innocence in those emerald colored eyes. I hated whenever you cried while I was at work. I hated whenever you hugged my calf when I came home.

What I hated even more was your father. You two were uncanny. Big smiles that showed both rows of your teeth. Cheekbones that rose high with that smile. A strength that burned so wildly in your energy, but spoke like a whisper. You were a coward, just like your father.

Everyday, I ask myself why I left the Republic. Why did I take you from your father and far, far away to the Jade Kingdom? The truth is— I don't know why your peace scared me. I resented your father for being a coward, so I never wanted to see you become like him. I wanted you to be like me, Meilin.

Yet, every time I would look at you expecting to see into a mirror, you never held my rashness. You never inherited my devil eyes. You never turned stone cold like me. You grew flowerbeds with daisies.

I never hated your father. I was always jealous of his strength and his Midas touch; accompanied by a kind smile. I thought I hated you your whole life for being like him— but I just hated being me.

How could someone who looked like me look so different? In you, I saw a tender me. I saw myself as someone other than this Mad Queen. I hated you because that could never be me.

As my dying wish, I urge you to go to the Republic. There is something dangerous coming for you and every answer you will need is there, in the Republic. Find a man named Lee Jin. Be discrete. Do not tell a soul— not Sir Ten, not even Yangyang.

I hope it's not too late.

Meilin looked up from the ink, placing the paper back into its envelope. She shifted uncomfortably in her bed. The sheets were plush and the room was well heated. The lamp on her nightstand lit the room up in a warm hue. The house smelled like no one had lived there before, lacking the coziness of a home. Yet, this was home for Meilin.

She set the envelope into the drawer of the side table, staring into the nothingness of the ceiling. Air blew through the vents, embracing her like a stranger's hug. From a distance, she heard her brother yelling from the downstairs bedroom, probably watching his first television show. Meilin stared at her own television. She'd never used one before.

It didn't peak her interest enough, leaving her with no choice but to continue staring at the ceiling. The townhome was nice, luxurious even. She wasn't used to the polished wooden floors stained a dark oak, or the plain white walls that felt a bit cold. That was the modern look though. She never realized how dated the Jade Kingdom was. She watched the analog clock tick and it were as if she could feel time moving. It went by painfully slow, but Meilin didn't know what she was waiting for.

Lee Jin, she repeated the name in her head. How would she find the man in a city of thousands? For all she knew, that could be a common name. "Maybe there's some sort of gadget that could help me," she spoke quietly to herself. Meilin did that a lot. There wasn't much company around, even in her beloved kingdom. It may look pitiful to most how lonely it seems, but she never minded. It became a ritual to read the letter at night, then to ponder the same repetitive thoughts.

Soon enough, she grew tired of the voice in her head, as well as the cotton sheets beneath her. She noticed the dry feeling in her mouth, contemplating her next moves.

10:46 p.m.

She slipped her feet into some house slippers, wrapping a robe around her to drape over her nightgown. Her body slipped out of the door of her bedroom and down the hallway. One thing she acknowledged was the lack of stairs— thankfully. Seeing the single flight was a joy to her. The kitchen area was smaller than what she was used to. Yet, before she could enter the dining area, the sound of the front door being fiddled with caught her attention.

"What?" she thought quietly out loud. Many ideas came to her head, most anticipating the worst. Maybe it was the Sujo Clan, had they tracked her down already? No, they wouldn't just go through the front door. A robber? A monster?

She lifted up her hand, preparing to feel a surge of energy when she spotted the candle in her peripheral, but at last, the flame didn't meet her palms. A disappointed feeling washed over her, a reminder of the incident. Before she could pity herself, the door flung open, revealing a tired figure.

"General Lee?"

Jeno looked up at the sound of her voice, meeting face to face with her unexpectedly. She spoke soft, taking him by surprise for some reason. Quickly, he bowed, shutting the door behind him. "Princess Meilin. I'm sure you know why I'm here." his voice held no distinct tone. Meilin's eyebrows gravitated upwards.

"Not quite. I was pretty startled, actually." she let out an awkward chuckle. Jeno's expression remained emotionless, but not intimidating. "God, they really need to be more transparent with these things." he scratched the back of his neck. Just then, another person joined them in the hallway, another robed roommate.

"Tell me about it," he grumbled. Ten faced the General, looking at him up and down, then at his luggage. "Didn't know the Republic's strongest soldier would be assigned to guard a Princess. Bit excessive, if you ask me." he clicked his tongue.

"That's one thing we can agree on." Jeno shrugged. Ten would be lying if he said he didn't feel a tad disrespected with the extra help around. His family had been the sworn protectors of the Liu family for decades. He's not even strong like that, he rolled his eyes at the General's built physique.

"I also think this is a bit excessive. I don't know how I feel about a stranger living with us." Meilin gave Ten a confused look. At least they were all in agreement— this was weird.

Jeno took off his shoes, grabbing the luggage by the handle. "Well, the leaders don't know how they feel about a stranger living in the Republic. Get some rest. We have a meeting tomorrow morning." he passed by the both of them, not caring to spare a glance.

"He's not even built like that." Ten sulked.

seven— roommates

—

i think i forgot to clarify that im revising/rewriting this book cuz the first draft was... not good lol. there's still gonna be a lot of the same elements from my first draft, but some changes as well. i think we're finally getting into the swing of things too and im so excited to reintroduce some of my FAVORITE characters :D