"A mystical room, hidden from time, holds a secrets-keeping book. Penned by a prince who trusted magic for his mate, its pages whisper tales of his eternal love, his heart beating solely for his destined partner. 'So now you're reading this, my dear...
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The room fell into an almost tangible silence as the implications of Park Chaehyung's words hung in the air. I could feel the tension seep into the very walls of the dining room, thick enough to cut with a knife. Princess Jiseul's expression morphed from confusion to disbelief, and it was clear. She hadn't anticipated this announcement. She clutched her gown and Prince Taehyung noticed it as well (He was sitting beside her), then his eyes met mine and I quickly looked away.
"Father, I—" she started, her voice was trembling, but the king held up a hand, signaling her to pause.
"Jiseul, dear, this is an important alliance for us," the king replied, his tone was firm yet gentle. "Daewoon is a fine young man"
Prince Jong Gyu's face reflected a mix of surprise and concern as he glanced between his father and sister. His earlier warmth was nowhere to be seen, instead it was replaced by a protective instinct that I could sense radiating from him. Prince Taehyung, on the other hand, maintained his cold demeanor, his face was not readable but the frown on his forehead was enough to reflect his uncertainty towards his uncle.
"I-I appreciate the offer, Uncle," Jiseul managed, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I—"
"Please, Jiseul," Lady Minhee interjected smoothly, her voice dripping with sweetness that seemed disingenuous. "This is a wonderful opportunity for you. It's time to think about your future and the prosperity of our family, I don't think we can find a noble man like Daewoon, I mean his status is just perfect for you to get married with him"
I watched as Jiseul's expression hardened. She was caught between her duty and her desires, and I could see the storm of emotions brewing behind her eyes. It was a reminder of how delicate the balance was within the royal family—duty often overshadowing personal feelings. My heart was beating so fast and I was able to understand Jiseul's condition. I seriously wanted to take a step ahead and stand for her right, but I had to keep my status in my sight.
"And what if she doesn't want to marry him?" Jong Gyu challenged, his voice was rising slightly as he leaned forward, an edge of protectiveness slicing through his words. "Shouldn't her happiness matter more than alliances, Father?"
"Of course, it does," the king replied, his tone was placating. "But sometimes, we must make sacrifices for the greater good, and I'm perfectly sure that in future she will be grateful to us for this decision!"
The room remained tense, each person seemingly caught in their thoughts. I stood at the periphery, quietly observing, unsure if I should intervene or stay hidden in the background.
Park Chaehyung chuckled, his demeanor relaxed despite the rising tension. "Come now, everyone! This is a joyous occasion! Jiseul and Daewoon will have plenty of time to get to know each other, and I'm sure she'll find that he is quite the charming gentleman."
