Five Kingdoms

Sweetheart

♕Northern Kingdom♕
♡
Jess arrives back at the Northern kingdom and is wheeled into the medical hall, in a wheelchair. It feels different without Hoseok, it's cold. King Jung is sitting in the medical room Jess is taken to, waiting. "I read the medical report and the incident report. You killed six men trying to save prince Hoseok. For a maid, that's impressive." King Jung says with a tilt of his head.

Jess bites her bottom lip, looking down at her injured hands. "I told you not to put yourself in anymore danger. I told you what you meant to me and yet you still-" King Jung says, stopping to take a deep breath, to unclench his fists and jaw. "If you keep this up, even after Hoseok is brought back. I won't allow you near him. I'll even take what I gave you, back." King Jung says standing up.

Jess looks up at the king with tears in her eyes. "Please don't. Please don't take me from his side. Please." Jess says through sobs, crying uncontrollably. King Jung sits down closer to Jess and looks at the maid. "Calm down sweetheart. You mean so much more to me than you realize." King Jung whispers brushing hair away from Jess' face. "Just because no one else knows how important you are, doesn't mean you get to forget that. You must be more careful and mindful of what you mean." King Jung says cupping the maids face with his hand.

Jess leans into the king's touch, her cries slowly turn into a few small hiccups. "My king. Please forgive me." Jess whispers with her eyes closed. "I wish my gift was as useful as Hoseok's. I could heal you and make you feel better, but this is all I can do." King Jung says gently stroking Jess cheek. "Just rest. With your injuries now, there is nothing that can be done. You're of no use to me or Hoseok in this condition." King Jung says gently wiping tears from Jess' face with his thumb. Jess looks up, her eyes meeting the king's, before she looks away. "Look at me." King Jung whispers taking a handkerchief from his jacket pocket. Jess looks up at the king again, sniffling.

"Don't be fearful of eye contact with me ever again, my dear." King Jung says before he kisses Jess' forehead. King Jung gently wipes away Jess' tears with his handkerchief, then places the soft fabric in her hand. "Yes my king." Jess whispers closing her eyes again, letting a few tears clinging to her eyelashes fall.

"I'll have someone help you lay down. Get some rest and I'll come see you later." King Jung says before standing up. "You did all you could Jess. You're a strong woman and I regret not seeing it sooner. Now let the princes handle this, it's not about them being men and you being a woman this time, never again will it be. Not when it comes to you sweetheart. It's about you already doing your part and now you need to let the calvary ride in, to handle the rest." King Jung says with a small smile, before leaving.

Jess looks down the king's handkerchief in her hand, turning her hands over to look at her bruised knuckles again. "I should have done more." Jess whispers before she whimpers and lets more tears fall.