THE PALACE // JIKOOK

EPILOGUE

"Pardon? I have never in my life seen this document, nor did I agree to it,"

Dumbfounded, Park SeWon—the head of Park household stared at the man who came in the Imperial Family of Jeson Dynasty's stead, one Mr. Im HyeSo, and said with no little fear he reply, "I am sorry," He said, the words careful and polite, his features schooled into calm despite the rising tide of inner offence.

"I fear that I was not clear. Perhaps you would like to take a moment and reread the contract once more?,"

"I don't need to reread it!," The head of Park Household said, incensed, his round cheeks filling with color. "I am telling you now that I am not abiding by a contract which I have not signed!,"

"I am afraid I have the necessary legal paperwork to the contrary," Hyeso said, cautious to be gentle as if pressing the point were to change his mind.

"The previous Lord himself signed it some twenty five years ago, clearly agreeing to give one of his grandchildren in marriage in exchange for an alliance with The Jeon line; more specifically, one of your eligible children to wed His Highness's grandson and heir."

"His grandson who hasn't been living in this country for the past five years," SeWon said, speaking loudly enough to be heard in the hallway.

"The same grandson whose arrogance and stubbornness and previous engagement are the subjects of gossip to an unending degree? The very same grandson we all assumed would gladly give up his inheritance to spend his days as General Army from the military—that grandson?,"

Hyeso stiffened at hearing The Jeon family spoken of in such a way. Im Hyeso considered himself a man of some distinction, a man of note in the ducal household, entrusted with the most private and dearest of instructions from The Jeon family. He was not about to be dissuaded by anyone who was not of the esteemed Jeon family, be they Lord or Alpha or any combination thereof.

"Are you attempting to tell me, my Lord Park, that you consider the contract null and void?,"

"No, I'm saying in the meantime I unknowingly married my daughters off to men who are wealthy enough to care for them and very much on this country's soil, sir! I have no daughters left!,"

"I am aware that you do, in fact, have a daughter of marriageable age. She is some eighteen years now, is she not? Not yet Out? She will do quite nicely, I am sure. His Highness desires me to return at once with a report of the child, so please have her presented." Hyeso patiently said.

Park SeWon stared at him once again, his eyes wide and unblinking. When the lord give nothing to reply, Hyeso continue, "It is a longstanding agreement, my Lord. It is Expected," Hyeso said, reminding him of his duty for The Jeon family.

"Mr. I," Park SeWon said, he trying so hard to find a way out. "Jeon Jungkook is known fir his notorious in his temper. He already stands condemned in the public eye as a murderer of his late fiancee, the pregnant one as well. What guarantee do I have that my daughter will not be mistreated by him?,"

Looking down at the contract and read it twice, he noticed one thing. Nowhere did it say that they had to be female, only that they must be of childbearing age and capable of providing the expected Alpha male children to continue the Jeon line. While the lord wasn't willing to part with his youngest daughter to a murderous and intolerable youngest prince, he was more than happy to be rid of The Omega born alongside her.

"I beg your pardon Lord, The former Lady Sion died of unfortunate natural causes and your daughter is a noblewoman too," HyeSo said, sounding shocked and embarrassed. "I assure you, my Lord, that no one in the ducal household would treat a gently-bred lady with anything other than respect and delicacy."