MY CROWN PRINCE | JEON JUNGKOOK

Episode 7: Unraveled Secrets

"Minister Kim, today I am filled with joy," the King declared to Kim Jin Hyuk.

Jin Hyuk offered a warm smile. "Indeed, Your Highness. I am aware that the Crown Prince is arriving tomorrow."

The King's face beamed with delight. "Yes! This has been an arduous task—one that has demanded great effort from all of us, including Queen Eun Mi."

"Indeed, Your Highness, it is truly—"

Before he could finish, a maid burst into the room.

"What is the meaning of this intrusion?" the King demanded, his voice laced with alarm.

The maid quickly bowed. "Forgive me, Your Highness, but I must inform you that the Queen is gravely ill. I am uncertain of the cause."

Both men sprang to their feet.

"What?" The King's eyes widened in horror as he rushed to his wife's chambers.

Upon entering, he found the Queen on the brink of death. He took her frail hand. The King's preoccupation had prevented him from inquiring about her well-being, and now he was faced with the dire consequence of his neglect. The Queen had been poisoned over the past few years. The King saw the royal physician standing beside her.

"What has happened?" the King's voice trembled.

"I am deeply sorry, Your Highness. The Queen has little time remaining. The poison has spread throughout her body. She cannot survive," the physician explained with a somber expression.

The King's face contorted with anger and disbelief. "Poison?"

"Yes, Your Highness. It is a slow-acting poison," the physician confirmed.

The King's fury erupted. He stood abruptly. "Who prepared the Queen's food?" he demanded, his voice thunderous.

A maid stepped forward, trembling uncontrollably.

"M-M-Me, Your Highness. I swear I did not—" She stuttered, her voice quaking with fear.

She fell to her knees, her tears flowing freely. "Please, have mercy."

In his rage, the King drew his sword and struck her down. "Dispose of her body immediately. Throw it into the river," he commanded.

The servants bowed and exited swiftly, carrying out his orders.

Returning to his wife's side, the King saw her pallid face marked by dark circles and blue lips, tears welling in her eyes as she faced her inevitable end.

"I am so sorry, Eun Mi-ya," the King said softly, his voice breaking.

The Queen turned her gaze slowly toward him. "Y-You are so cruel, King Si Kyung," she whispered.

"Please," he pleaded.

"And I refuse to call you 'Your Highness,' for you are the cause of my suffering," she continued, her voice growing weaker.

He fell silent, acknowledging the truth in her words.

"It is a great shame that I am your Queen," she said with a final burst of strength. "A man who cannot bring happiness to his family cannot be a great king."

"I do not know when my son will arrive, but please tell him one thing: 'Son, do not become like your father,'" she implored.

"Eun Mi-ya," the King cried, his tears streaming freely.

The Queen's laughter was silent and sorrowful. "I warned you, but you did not listen. I cannot live without my son," she murmured before passing away.

The King stared in disbelief as she lay still.