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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JIEUN AND RIKI RETURNED TO THEIR SHARED CHAMBERS, the weight of their recent actions heavy upon them. The air in the room was thick with a mixture of exhaustion, grief, and the remnants of the smoke from the burning islands. Jieun, her spirit worn and wounded, couldn't contain the flood of emotions any longer. Tears welled up in her eyes, and a deep ache consumed her heart.
She stumbled into the chamber; her steps heavy and uncertain, before finally collapsing to her knees by the edge of their bed. Her body shook with silent sobs as she buried her face in her trembling hands, her fingertips brushing against her temples, as if trying to alleviate the pounding pain within her.
Riki stood nearby, his gaze filled with concern and empathy. He approached her slowly, as if afraid to disturb the storm of emotions that raged within her. Kneeling beside her, he reached out a hand, hesitating for a moment before gently resting it on her trembling back.
'Jieun,' he whispered, his voice laced with tenderness. 'It's all right to let it out. You've shouldered so much pain and betrayal.'
The sound of his voice broke through the haze of Jieun's sorrow, and she lifted her head slightly, her tear-streaked face revealing eyes filled with raw vulnerability. Her voice trembled as she spoke, her words strained with the weight of her grief.
'I. . . I killed her,' Jieun whispered, her voice barely audible amidst the heavy silence of the chamber. Her confession hung in the air, a painful admission that weighed upon her conscience.
Riki's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and concern etching itself onto his features. He reached out, his hand gently cupping Jieun's trembling cheek, as if to offer a physical reassurance amidst the torment she bore.
'Jieun, no,' he responded, his voice filled with compassion. 'You did what you had to do to protect us, to protect yourself. Lady Kim made the choice to sacrifice herself, to save you. It was her decision, not yours.'
Jieun's gaze flickered, torn between accepting his words and the guilt that threatened to consume her. 'But. . . I let her. I let her take my place. She shouldn't have had to bear that burden. She was innocent.'
