"Deposed?" Joy looked up at the King. With him on this throne, Joy finds herself incredibly far away from him.
The King avoided her eyes. "The Queen is only allowed to bring one attendant with her. She shall leave behind all her status and wealth. Visitors, unless permitted, are forbidden from visiting her."
"Minister Min YuJung." The King called out. Joy watched Minister Min walked forward. "You shall be dismissed from your post with immediate effect."
Just then, the door opened again. Joy quickly turned to find Minkyung walking in. She watched Minkyung walked and positioned next to her. Minkyung bowed to the King, ignoring Joy's stare.
"As the Queen Consort, you will be switching to larger quarters," The King said to Minkyung. "Preparation has been made for you."
Joy quickly turned to the front, watching the King. Beside her, Minkyung bowed to the King.
"Your Majesty, may I kindly refuse it? I have adapted myself to my current quarters and would like to stay there."
"Very well." The King said before he gave a smile to Minkyung.
Joy continued looking at the King, blinking back hot tears. She felt like a fool watching their exchange silently and awkwardly.
"Why am I being deposed?" She asked. The King gave no reply. The other ministers watched in silent, as though enjoying a show.
"Drag her away!" Prime Minister Heo said, ordering the attendants.
Joy watched how the King did not stop the Prime Minister. The attendants quickly came to her side, attempting to drag her away. Out of her control, Joy's tears fall. "How can you do this to me?" She asked softly.
Minkyung watched Joy cried, feeling triumph.
"Didn't you say that you will protect me and your citizens?" Joy pointed at Prime Minister Heo as her eyes continue to fix on the King. "And yet you are listening to him!"
"Hurry up and drag her away!" Prime Minister Heo ordered the attendants.
"WHY AM I BEING DEPOSED?" Joy hollered as the attendants dragged her away forcefully. "YOU CANNOT DO THIS, YOUR MAJESTY!"
The King closed his eyes as he continues hearing Joy's shouting. Prime Minister Heo and Minkyung exchanged smiles openly.
**********
"Your Majesty..." Han sang-gung appeared beside Joy. Joy turned to look at Han sang-gung, knowing what she wants to say to her. She hesitated for a moment before she reluctantly nodded.
"I am sorry, Your Majesty." Han sang-gung apologized before she proceeds to do what she was tasked to.
Joy shut her eyes tightly and let more tears fall as she allows Han sang-gung to change her out of the Queen's attire and take off her accessories piece by piece. Once done, Han sang-gung bowed to her politely and left her quarters.
Left in the quarter alone, Joy looked at her reflection in the long mirror. A girl in a simple white hanbok stared back at her. Unlike her usual attire, she is now dressed in very plain attire. Her hair is tied up into a bun, fastened by only a plain wood binyeo instead of her usual elaborated binyeo with dragon-shaped engraving at the end.
Little Choi walked in to find Joy sitting alone, staring at herself in the mirror. Eunmin followed behind Little Choi quietly.
Looking at the haggard Joy, Little Choi stood before her. "Agassi, the palanquin has arrived."
YOU ARE READING
1681
Historical FictionSixteen-Eighty-One. After a moment, she finally found her voice. But her words came out more like a whisper. "Who...who did you just say I am?" "Min Inhyeon, daughter of Lord Min YuJung." "And what year is it now?" "1681, Agassi." She turned and sto...
