Harmony of the Heart: The Legacy of Jeosoen

Chapter 4: Shadows of Jealousy

As Jungkook's affection for Hyejin deepened, so did Queen Sunmi's resentment. She had been the first wife for many years, enduring the king's dalliances with other women. But Hyejin was different. She saw the way Jungkook looked at her, the way his demeanor softened in her presence. It threatened everything Sunmi had worked to secure for herself and her son, Prince Seojun.

One evening, as Jungkook returned to his chambers after spending time with Hyejin, he found Sunmi waiting for him. Her expression was cold, her eyes piercing with a mixture of anger and calculation.

"Jungkook," she began, her voice tinged with venom. "You spend more time with that dancer than you do with your own queen."

Jungkook sighed, weary of the confrontation. "Sunmi, please understand. Hyejin is..."

"A commoner," Sunmi interjected sharply. "She has no place in our palace, let alone in your heart."

"She is different," Jungkook insisted, his tone firm. "I care for her deeply."

Sunmi's eyes narrowed. "You forget your duties as king. You forget your duty to me and to our son."

Jungkook felt a pang of guilt, but his heart remained steadfast. "I have not forgotten, Sunmi. But love cannot be commanded. It grows where it will."

Sunmi's lips curled into a bitter smile. "And what of me? What of our son? Will you cast us aside for this dancer?"

Jungkook's frustration mounted. "You know that is not true. You and Seojun are my family. But my heart belongs to Hyejin."

Sunmi's expression hardened. "Then prepare for the consequences, Jungkook. I will not stand idly by while you disgrace our family."

With those words, Sunmi turned and left the room, leaving Jungkook to wrestle with the weight of her threat. He knew Sunmi was capable of anything to protect her status and influence in the palace. Her words hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over his burgeoning romance with Hyejin.