The surviving princess {Liskook}

Chapter 12

As he gently patted her, who was nestled in his arms with her eyes closed like a child, his cousin shrugged and muttered, “Well, everyone is treating the princess like a plague.”

A plague, he thought, mulling over the word as he sat there. Jimin added in an exaggerated, theatrical tone, “Do you think they’ll look you in the eye now? They all avoid eye contact with you, making pitiful faces as they scurry away.”

“Quiet,” Jungkook replied.

“The old ones bow their heads so low out of guilt. As if they could have stopped it, knowing that the king intended to mess with us from the start.”

“Enough. As long as whoever we take in benefits the family, it doesn’t matter.”

Jungkook sighed, adding, “Bringing her here means the king will leave us alone for a while. There’s no greater benefit than that right now. It was unavoidable but still the best choice.”

Jungkook’s face was weary, making Jimin hesitant to press further. Finally, he stood up, his tone deliberately light and teasing. “Well then, young lord, I’ll take my leave. We can talk properly later.”

Jungkook managed a faint smile and played along, “Aren’t you going to greet the young lady before you go?”

“Yes, yes. I’ll take my leave, young lady,” Jimin said with a flourish, adding theatrically. Eirik waved him off, clearly tired.

***

Two days later, the poetry reading was held. The ladies of the noble houses acquainted with the Jeon family began to arrive one by one, including the mother and daughter from the Kwon family. Though everyone pretended otherwise, their attention was inevitably drawn to them.

Once everyone was seated, Ji won had the butler call for Jungkook. He was supposed to make a brief appearance in the greenhouse with Lisa to greet the guests.

Waiting in the garden gazebo, Jungkook, upon receiving the butler’s message, headed to the greenhouse with Lisa. Though he worried that she might have lingering trauma from the last visit, Lisa giggled as they approached the greenhouse. Jungkook, still cautious, helped her inside.

As soon as they entered, dozens of curious eyes fixed on them. Ignoring the attention, Ji won addressed everyone in a kind voice.

“As you know, the princess has now become a cherished member of our family. Although she cannot stay for long due to her health, we wanted her to come by and greet everyone.”

Everyone offered their congratulations to Jungkook and Lisa, though not all were genuine. Even the Lady of Kwon extended her greetings with proper decorum. The greenhouse held a tense yet civil atmosphere as the event proceeded.

Just then, Lisa, who had been squirming uncomfortably, started to lower herself to the floor. Jungkook quickly picked her up, offering a brief farewell.

“My wife seems unwell, so we’ll take our leave. Please have a good time.”

Though Lisa squirmed in his arms, Jungkook ignored the prickling sensation of the stares on his back as they left the greenhouse.

On their way back to the mansion, Lisa kept pointing towards the garden, opening and closing her mouth as if trying to say something. It seemed she had enjoyed her last outing there.

Praying no birds would fly by, Jungkook set her down in a quiet corner of the garden. Lisa began to explore, touching and examining everything.

“Are you having fun, dear?” Jungkook asked.

Crouched on the ground, Lisa pulled a worm out of the dirt, grinning as it wriggled and broke in half. Watching her thin body shake with laughter, Jungkook couldn’t help but smile.