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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INSIDE THE COUNCIL ROOM, Jieun sat beside Riki, their chairs placed at the end of the table, symbolising their roles as king and queen consort. Fingers intertwined, their postures rigid, they awaited the imminent arrival of ships on the distant horizon. Anticipation hung thick in the air, stirring a mixture of hope and apprehension.
Jieun, her voice barely above a whisper, leaned closer to Riki and shared her instructions. 'I want the maids to prepare the guest chambers for their arrival,' she murmured, unconsciously pulling her hand closer to herself, absently picking at her cuticles. The slight stinging sensation offered a welcomed distraction, providing a fleeting comfort amid the mounting tension.
'And when they arrive, shall we greet them?' Riki inquired, his tone laced with curiosity.
'No,' Jieun responded firmly, her resolve evident. 'We have matters to attend to for the ceremony later.'
In the corner of the room, Heeseung cleared his throat, seeking their attention. 'He is your brother,' he reminded them.
Jieun's voice remained resolute as she reiterated her stance. 'And not my priority anymore. Jungwon has chosen his side, and I will not pretend he is still on mine.'
Heeseung's expression hardened, his disagreement apparent, yet he chose to remain silent, nodding in reluctant acknowledgment. While he was Jieun's sworn protector, he was also her friend. Heeseung understood the reasons behind Jieun's reluctance to see Jungwon, the fear that lingered within her.
For she was scared.
Scared that if she were to see her brother, she might succumb to the overwhelming emotions and seek solace in his arms, surrendering to her longing for their lost bond. Jieun missed Jungwon deeply, her heart aching with the longing for his presence, and yet, she feared that her yearning for reconciliation might outweigh her pursuit of justice.
'If I find the time, I shall pay him a visit,' Jieun whispered, stealing a glance at Heeseung.
'He does not hate you, Jieun,' Heeseung reassured her, offering a small nod of understanding.
'He has been blinded and manipulated,' Riki interjected, his voice filled with empathy. 'Perhaps we can find a way to make him realise that we are not the villains.' As he spoke, Riki gently ran a hand over the back of Jieun's head, soothingly smoothing down her hair, a gesture of comfort and support.
