The air in the palace had grown heavier since the royal celebration. Ahyeon’s step-mother, Lady Min, had become increasingly forceful, her thinly veiled threats growing bolder by the day. She was determined to make Ahyeon comply with her plans, but Ahyeon had been steadfast, supported by Chiquita’s unwavering loyalty. Yet, the looming shadow of a political marriage continued to haunt Ahyeon, threatening to tear her apart from the woman she truly loved.
Ahyeon stood in the grand hall, staring at her reflection in the large mirror. She was dressed in an elegant gown, her long hair braided neatly, but her expression was one of deep unrest. Her hands tightened into fists at her sides. Tonight, she would be meeting another suitor. She could hardly stomach the thought of pretending to entertain the idea of marrying someone else.
Behind her, the door creaked open, and Chiquita stepped inside, her presence immediately easing the tension in Ahyeon’s shoulders. “You look beautiful,” Chiquita said softly, though her tone was laced with concern. She approached slowly, her gaze meeting Ahyeon’s in the mirror. “But I can see you’re troubled.”
Ahyeon’s reflection gave a wry smile. “Aren’t I always?”
Chiquita placed a hand on Ahyeon’s shoulder. “Not when you’re with me.”
Ahyeon turned to face her, her hands instinctively reaching out to grasp Chiquita’s. “I’m tired, Chiquita. Tired of all the pretending, the lying. Every day, it feels like I’m on the verge of losing everything.” Her voice wavered, betraying the fear she carried beneath her composed exterior. “And now this—another suitor, another farce.”
Chiquita’s grip on her hands tightened, and she stepped closer, her voice gentle but firm. “You don’t have to go through with this. You know that, right?”
Ahyeon shook her head, her frustration evident. “I don’t have a choice. My step-mother won’t stop until I marry someone she approves of. She’s determined to secure her own power, no matter how much it costs me.”
Chiquita’s expression darkened. “And what about you? What about your happiness, Ahyeon? You can’t let her control your life forever.”
A bitter laugh escaped Ahyeon’s lips. “You think I don’t know that? But every time I try to push back, she tightens her grip. If I refuse outright, she’ll expose us—our relationship—and I’ll lose the throne. She’s already hinted that she knows more than she’s letting on.”
Chiquita’s jaw clenched. “She doesn’t scare me. If she tries to expose us, I’ll stand by your side. We’ll face her together.”
Ahyeon looked into Chiquita’s eyes, searching for the strength she knew lay within her. “I don’t want you to suffer because of me.”
“I’m not suffering, Ahyeon,” Chiquita said softly, bringing a hand to Ahyeon’s cheek, stroking it gently. “I love you. And I’ll fight for you, no matter what.”
Ahyeon leaned into the touch, her heart swelling with emotion. “I love you too, Chiquita. But my step-mother… she’s not someone you can easily defeat.”
Just as Ahyeon spoke, a knock at the door interrupted them. It was a servant, bowing low as he entered. “Your Grace, Lady Min has requested your presence in the great hall. The suitor has arrived.”
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~Time-Traveler's Dilemma~ ~~Chiyeon~~ ~Book 6~
FanfictionA young scientist invents a time machine but accidentally gets stuck in a past era. As they try to find a way back home, they fall in love with someone from that time, forcing them to choose between returning to their future or staying in the past...
