Jungkook Smuts

Queen

(Hyemi's Pov)

"Hyemi?" I placed my comb down once I heard my mother's voice on the other side of the door. She opened the door making it loudly creak. A small smile was placed on my mother's lips as she made her way towards me. "My beautiful daughter," she cooed, making me embarrassed. "What do you need?" Her smile dropped as she opened her mouth to speak. "There's an important matter I need to share with you." She placed her hands on the back of my seat as she looked at me seriously."Your father and I have been receiving some..." she paused making me feel anxious. "Marriage proposals." Why didn't I realize earlier? I was at the age of marriage and most of the girls in the neighborhood have already been wed off. It was my turn next. "But, we rejected them all." I blinked confused at my mother's words. I'm sure there were a handful of good spouses that offered their hand to me. Why would they reject ALL of them? I opened my mouth to speak but my mom cut me off. "We received a letter in the mail yesterday." She took out a scroll from inside her robe. She handed it to me, making me gulp nervously. I cautiously opened the scroll before skimming over the contents. My eyes widened in horror as I dropped the scroll. "I'm sorry honey, we-" I got up from my chair unable to contain myself. "Who was it?" My eyes burned with rage. "WHICH NOBLE!?" I shouted with heavy breaths following. My mom looked at me sympathetically as if she understood my pain. "You were the only one that a noble didn't pick." My anger quickly dissolved as I stood there confused by her words.

"They wouldn't say who picked you Hyemi. Both your father and I can't do anything to stop this." Tears formed around the corners of my mother's eyes but I only looked down. "I need some space." My mother nodded before closing the door behind her. I was chosen to be one of the candidates for becoming queen. I was sure I would stand no chance compared to the other girls. I couldn't believe that someone recommended me to become queen. The more I thought, the more I realized why they chose me. I was from an honored noble family, I had been properly educated, and I was gifted with beauty. I buried my face in my soft sheets as I started to uncontrollably sob. I was sure that I would lose this competition. Then what? They would probably isolate me on a small island. Those who aren't chosen are forever cursed and cannot ever see anyone else again. There's nothing I could do but cry myself to sleep before they took me tomorrow.

I sighed as my mom knocked on my door again. She opened the door and looked at me with soft eyes. Shockingly, my father appeared beside her. The two of them walked into my room before taking a seat on the side of my bed. "Hyemi," My father hesitated to speak. "My dear child, you know that we don't want to let you go. But if you don't you would be punished severely." They only wanted the best for me so I couldn't be mad at them. I hugged the two of them as the waterworks started. "My daughter," my mom sniffled, brushing her hand through my hair. The two of them left the room after that bittersweet conversation. I started to get ready for my departure to the palace. I wouldn't need to pack anything as they would provide all the necessities for me. As I finished getting ready I took a deep sigh. Today would be the last day I would see my parents. I made my way out of my room and saw the table full of food. As well as my father seated there. We hadn't had a family dinner in quite a while due to my father's work. "Sit down Hyemi," My mom beckoned as she brought some bowls. I took a seat down looking at the various dishes my mother made. "Eat up." She sat down before giving us food. She packed my rice bowl with various side dishes. Before long, we finished our meal and had to say our final goodbyes. "Stay strong dear." My mother tightly hugged me before pulling away. My father gave me a shoulder pat. "Try your best my dear. I know if anyone can survive this it has to be my amazing daughter." I smiled at the hope he filled me with. "Come on maiden." The carriage man said. I nodded before climbing into the carriage. Glancing at my parents for the last time before the door was closed. To the palace, we went.

"You can exit now," The male said as he held the door open. I cautiously made my way down the carriage seeing a young girl. "Young Miss!" She bowed down her head deeply and I only stared at her taken aback. "I am Soobin, your personal servant during your stay." The girl slightly trembled as she put her arms to her side. "No need to be so nervous around me." I waved my hand in front of me as I sheepishly smiled. "Yes!" She once again bowed. I shook my head at her cute behavior. "I will now lead you to your new living quarters." The two of us never actually entered the palace surprisingly. Near the back of the palace, there was a group of small buildings. "Ah, these buildings are used for the training to become queen. And this building right here is where you will be staying alongside the other females." Soobin explained as she saw my wandering eyes. She opened the door and there seemed to be some females that had already arrived. I was about to count before Soobin interjected my thoughts. "This time there are only 10 candidates instead of 30. The Queen Dowager decided to change the number for the King." Soobin was very useful in telling me everything. "Well then young miss," She bowed down. "I will wake you every day for your lessons starting tomorrow. If you need anything, call for me." I nodded before she left my sight. "Wow, the lessons start so soon." I shook my head before sighing. "I know, they start pretty early." I was startled by a voice behind me. I turned around and saw a female. She had beautiful yellow orbs, long brown hair, and sun-kissed skin. "I'm Dana." She smiled at me sweetly before offering her hand. I shook her hand deciding it was better to befriend the other ladies rather than making enemies with them. "What are your plans here?" She asked earnestly, making me bewildered. "What plans?" She blinked not expecting me to say that. "You don't have any?" I shook my head waiting for her to continue. "Many of the girls here want to become queen for a certain reason. Don't you have one?" I bit my lower lip averting my gaze. "I was chosen to be here. I had no intention of becoming queen. And the girls here want to be here?"