Kingdom Entity || Book 3

Chapter 1: Low Class, High Ambition

-Y/N’S POV-

What the hell? Why is my life such a relentless, uphill battle? I’m seriously starting to wonder if my days are ever going to get better, or if the universe is just having a laugh at my expense. These rain droplets are currently soaking right through my clothes, and the cold, damp feeling is honestly starting to make me lose it. I’m a beautiful girl, I shouldn’t be dealing with this level of misery and animosity. I deserve the world. Scratch that, I deserve every ounce of happiness this entire universe can possibly offer.

Instead, here I am, tucked away in this pathetic, drafty excuse for a hut. It looks like I’m stuck sleeping on this uneven floor for another miserable night while the wind whistles through the cracks in the walls. Please, if there’s anyone up there listening, send a little help my way. If it’s going to rain, it might as well be a downpour of gold coins so I can finally be filthy rich and leave this dump behind forever.

Right on cue, my stomach let out a low, painful growl, reminding me exactly how long it’s been since I had a decent meal. I suppose this is just the reality of being born into the lowest class of this Kingdom, trapped in a cycle of hunger and exhaustion while everyone else lives in luxury. There’s nothing left to do but try and find a dry spot to curl up in. I need to get some sleep, because regardless of how tonight feels, tomorrow is bound to be interesting.

The sun hadn’t even fully climbed over the horizon when I found myself practically skipping toward that familiar, weather-worn storefront. My mood was a total 180-degree flip from the misery of the night before. I burst through the doors, my energy probably a bit much for the early hour, and beamed. “Hey JK, look who’s here!”
He didn’t even look up from the stove, merely rolling his eyes as he adjusted the flame. My heart did a dramatic little sink for show. “Wow, really? Aren’t you even a little bit happy to see your absolute favorite person in the world?”

He was busy stirring a massive pot of tteokbokki, the steam carrying that spicy, savory scent that always made my mouth water instantly. Jeon’s Kitchen wasn’t just some random hole-in-the-wall; it was practically an institution in Seoul. People whispered that his family had been running the place since the dawn of time. Legend had it that his great-grandfather had actually learned the secrets of the craft while cooking alongside the King of Busan himself. Speaking of Busan, my grumpy best friend was a proud resident of that city too, though he’d traded the coast for the chaos of the capital years ago.

“Why are you here, Y/N?” He asked, his voice flat but lacking any real bite.

I reached out and snatched a fresh bun from a cooling rack, offering him my most dazzling, innocent smile. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m here for the free food and to grace you with my presence. You’re lucky I let you look at this face every morning.”

It was our daily ritual. I’d show up, pretend to be a royal pain, and he’d pretend he didn’t enjoy the company. He sighed, finally setting a bowl overflowing with glowing, red tteokbokki in front of me. He leaned forward, resting his palms on the dark wooden counter and giving me a pointed look. “And when, exactly, are you going to start looking for real work? May I know?”

I didn’t miss a beat. “The very day you finally decide to marry me,” I said, giving him a cheeky wink before shoving a rice cake into my mouth. I let out a muffled groan of pure bliss. “I have to hand it to you, JK. You really are the best chef in the entire universe. Just marry me already and save us both the trouble. Stop being so hard to get; that’s supposed to be my job.”