The surviving princess {Liskook}

Chapter 3

In the grand hall where the reception was held, Jungkook moved smoothly, exchanging thanks with the guests, all the while missing his bride at his side.

Everyone expected there was more to the story. After all, they had seen the bride dragged in, barely able to walk. But extracting information directly from the Jeon heir was no easy task.

"A moment ago, the new bride seemed unwell," a young lady remarked, feigning concern.

Jungkook responded clearly, "That's why I intend to join her as soon as the greetings are over."

Unable to push him further, the conversation quickly shifted to brief pleasantries. The Jeon family members also refrained from idle talk, allowing the reception to conclude quietly and without incident.

At dusk, after cleansing himself as instructed by the priest, Jungkook entered the bridal chamber. He was struck speechless by the sight before him.

The princess, whom he had married earlier that day, lay on the bed, her limbs bound to the bedposts. She was dressed in a nightgown as thin as gossamer, but her emaciated body made the sight more grotesque than alluring.

Jungkook turned to the maids guarding the room, and one of them, Mrs. Maleca, stepped forward to explain.

"We couldn't administer more sedatives due to the side effects. We had to take precautions to prevent any accidents during the wedding night, and this was the result."

Had they administered so many sedatives that there were side effects?

"How much sedative did you use on her?" Jungkook demanded.

Even the usually brazen Mrs. Maleca hesitated before answering. A maid behind her whispered, urging her to speak the truth.

"About two bottles of 1 Döner each..."

Jungkook was incredulous. That amount was enough to sedate a horse. For the princess, who seemed to weigh only a tenth of that, it was an absurd overdose.

Seeing Jungkook's clenched fists and the anger on his face, the maids quickly bowed and left the room, leaving him alone with the princess.

Finally able to breathe deeply, Jungkook approached the princess to check her condition. The first thing he noticed was the gag in her mouth, causing him to frown.

"......"

Despite this unwanted marriage, he was appalled to see the princess treated worse than a prisoner of war. Even an enemy captive wouldn't be starved and drugged like this.

Only the king could have ordered such cruelty. Jungkook's face twisted in disgust as he recalled Kai's vile smile.

Without hesitation, he reached out and removed the gag. As he did, the princess's jaw began to tremble. Concerned, he touched her forehead and felt the cold sweat of someone suffering from the effects of the sedatives.

Worried she might bite her tongue, he carefully folded the cloth and placed it gently between her teeth. He then pulled the blanket over her frail body.

Their eyes met, and seeing her faintly conscious despite everything, Jungkook spoke softly.

"Are you alright?"

How could she be alright? Asking such a question while keeping something in her mouth, and with her limbs still bound. He realized his words were useless and let out a bitter smile as he reached toward her legs.

"I'll untie your legs first. You seem cold..."

As he loosened the cloth binding her to the bedpost, her frail legs fell limply. He paused, looking at her feet. Beyond the insult to his family, he felt a deep-seated revulsion toward the king who had reduced a person to such a state.