The Last Imoogi

A Serpent-Like Monster

Just before sunrise, Ara woke up and felt so much better than last night. Though what happened felt like a nightmare that kept haunting her, she made sure she remembered what she had to do. She took down the pill that the mysterious lady gave her. She didn't even think twice, not even doubted it could be poison. She thought, if that was the only thing that could save her, she would take the risk.

Soon, the drug rushed through her system. She felt weak, her pulse irregular and weak. She had no idea about medicines and all but she knew herself and she trusted her feeling. The lady was true to her words. She was sure of that. Despite her body feeling languid, her mind was aware and functioning.

This would keep her safe, away from the malevolence of the king, in the mean time. As long as she's sick, the king would never lay a single finger on her.

A sound just outside her room startled her and she immediately shut her eyes close. She didn't have to act, she realized. As soon as her eyes met the darkness, she felt drowsy, her breath slowing down in every drop of sand in the hourglass beside her. She could feel someone's presence, though, and she was sure it was a woman, and somehow it wasn't that threatening. She felt the presence got nearer and soon someone was holding her hand, three fingertips lightly pressed on her pulse.

"Poor thing. Why do you have to be entangled in this mess?" She heard the woman say. Could it be the Queen? Based on her cold yet sophisticated voice, Ara knew her guess was right. Everyone knew that the used-to-be-crown-princess' kins had always been favored by the royal family. When the Queen got into the palace, there never was any negative gossip about her. Instead, everyone knew she was perfect. Just the perfect example of a woman who knows where she stands in the society. A woman who listens and follows her husband well. While Young hadn't told her much about her, all she remembered was that one time, Young told her that the Crown Princess was a deep person. But now, she had become the Queen. She even had greater power.

On why she visited Ara, who almost became the King's concubine overnight, she wasn't sure. Then, the what if's suddenly sparked in her mind.

What if she went there to check on her wishing that she didn't live another day so she could have her husband all to herself? What if she was planning of hundred ways to murder her?

Ara could only thank the pill she took for at least, her body didn't react much to her horrifying thoughts. She just laid there in bed, feeling weak and drowsy and not able to move as if she was paralyzed, but her mind was completely clear, working more than it had always did. What a mysterious pill, she thought, equally mysterious as the lady who gave it to her.

A few moments later, the presence left in haste and not too long another one replaced it.

But while the one who left didn't bring any threat to her despite her suspicions, the one who just came in made the entire room stuffy, as if the room would ignite if he snapped his fingers.

She knew immediately it was the King.

Ara felt her heart constrict, her mind in panic as soon as she felt him stroke her face. But the King abruptly withdrew, as if her skin scorched him.

So this was it! She would remain off-limits as long as she's in such state.

He heard a few more people enter the room and she suspected they were maidservants and a physician. She heard him give a few orders before finally leaving the chamber.