DOMINANTLY SUBMISSIVE | JIKOOK [OG]

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A Lonely Place

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Author's POV

“Your Majesty…” Jeongguk greeted his father as soon as he stepped in the empty hall, knowing the old man was waiting for his explanation or any proof. His emotions were still all over his feet, but he knew better than to dwell on them further as he had something more important to care about rather than his own weakness.

“I visited Hieora earlier, but she was sleeping. How is she now?”

“She was unscathed and healthy, Your Majesty…” Jeongguk answered truthfully by what he believed and heard his father sighed at the answer. “Do you think her face will recover? She can’t marry any household with that face now. No man would want her even if she is a Kim.” The King spoke while Jeongguk froze in his state, feeling himself drowning in anger.

Her daughter was just assaulted, and all he cared for was the households and marriage? Jeongguk took a deep breath and clenched his head tightly. How disgusting could his father be? The elder one didn't care at all, and it showed that Hieora was nothing but just another person who would strengthen his relationships with another political family.

“She was the victim of an attack, but instead of offering comfort, you expressed concern over her loss of appeal, demonstrating a callous disposition.” Jeongguk spat flatly, glaring over his father, who sighed again as if what the crown prince said was unimportant, and he had no time to waste on the tiny matter. “If no one wants her, then what use is she for me?”

“She’s your only daughter.” Jeongguk chuckled bitterly, not believing how cruel his father was acting right now. He thought the King didn’t care about Goguryeo (people of Goryeo) only, but to his surprise, the elder didn’t care about anything other than the seat he was sitting on right now. The throne.

“A powerless daughter brings me no benefit.”

“What greater authority were you seeking? You hold the title and the responsibilities of a monarch!” He argued, eyes burning over his father, who was reading a letter, but then a loud thud was heard when the elder tossed the decree on the table. If it weren’t for how angry Jeongguk was, he might have looked down and apologized. But he was beyond that, and he wasn’t scared. Of course, one king’s word could change his life entirely, from a prince to a dead body; but he had enough.

His Majesty was too greedy over nothing!

“Enough!! The insignificant lives should not be forfeited for the greater one, Jeongguk!! I taught you better than this!!” The King burst out as he took that cue to turn around, facing away from his father for the second time and stepping out of the hall. Fire blazed inside him with each word, pouring oil all over his body that drenched him hot. The King viewed his own children as nothing but an opportunity for his empire.

Jeongguk didn’t want to assume things, but he was sure the King would send Hieora off somewhere far, and they won’t even know what would happen to her. She won’t survive, needless to say… Having a face like that, it was considered a curse, and surely Goguryeo will begin to treat her badly. He clenched his hands at that thought. No, he can’t let his father do that to Hieora. She needed to stay in the palace. It was the only place she would be safe.

While it was true that he was mad at his father, the hatred he had for the culprit behind this also grew deeper. Whoever it was, Jeongguk would kill him. He swore to himself… All he knew for now was that the culprit was a part of the royal family.