Hyesoo walked out of Yoongi's cabin in determination. She would find out the real culprit. Everything seemed fishy. Someone was plotting something huge against the Emperor. Yoongi was too much consumed in pride to accept the betrayal of his people.
However, something else caught her attention in the corridor. The maids and servants were eyeing her suspiciously. It was not because of her black attire, she had worn that many times before. They seemed like pitying her. She didn't know what was wrong with the people there until some whispers reached her ears.
"His Majesty is marrying Lady Nari." A feminine voice spoke.
"She is going to be the empress of Elesia and her son would be the crowned prince."
"Nothing new, everyone knows she is more eligible."
"Shut up. Queen Hyesoo is best. She loves the Elysian men even though we are supposed to be her enemies." Someone defended her.
"Nobody likes her. She will just be one of the many concubines of the Emperor. She will be there to satisfy his needs."
"She is getting food, a place to stay, and above all the royal treatment. What else does a person want?"
Hyesoo felt as if the ground was removed beneath her. Yoongi couldn't be marrying Nari. She thought he finally began to treat her as a wife. It was probably a rumor. She directed her rage-filled eyes at the group of maids. They immediately ran away from that place to save their heads.
She clutched her broken heart and sobbed. She dreamt of a future with Yoongi. She managed to overcome the love for Jungkook and dared to give her heart to the Elesian emperor. How could he play with her like that? More tears ran down her cheeks as he imagined Nari with him.
Hyesoo harshly wiped off her tears. Her bloodshot eyes ejected flames. Her body trembled in anger. She turned on her heels and ran back to Yoongi's room.
She forcefully barged inside without letting the guards alert him of her arrival. "Are you marrying Kim Nari??" She couldn't help but shout. Her sanity was at sake.
Yoongi on the other hand kept his mouth closed and eyes locked on the ground. He knew he had to face her sooner or later but he didn't think it would be a few minutes after.
"Min Yoongi, I am asking you something!"
The emperor gulped and threw his head back with a groan. "I am sorry." He whispered.
Crack.
As if her heart could accept any more torture. Why couldn't she just tear that damn organ out of the ribcage?! Why was fate so cruel to her? First, her childhood love was snatched, then she was forcefully married to her enemy and now when she began to love and trust him, Yoongi decided to show her her position.
Min Hyesoo didn't ask for an explanation to Yoongi. The gossip explained it all. She was a fool to dream of a happy life with him. How could he even love her? He took revenge for the war by mentally destroying her. She didn't shed a single drop of tear in that room. She was done with everything. She was done with Yoongi.
She gave a disappointed look at the emperor and walked out of his cabin. Yoongi decided to follow her but he halted on his steps. It was not the perfect time. Hyesoo needed space.
Kim Seokjin was on his way to Yoongi's room when Hyesoo bumped into him. He was confused when he saw her bloodshot eyes and trembling physique. She didn't even acknowledge his presence and ran out of his sight. Political affairs could wait. Besides he was scared to confront an angry emperor.
Seokjin stood before Hyesoo's room and debated whether to get in. They had exchanged some words of introduction before but they weren't much close. However, he couldn't ignore her vulnerable form. During the time of her living here, he had realized that Hyesoo was born to be a ruler. It came by her nature. Jin had confided with her about matters of the kingdom once and she had solved his confusions wisely. She spoke from the perspective of the countrymen. People outside the walls of the palace already adored her. They loved her even though she wasn't the empress.
The guards informed her about his arrival but he got no welcome reply from her. Thus, Seokjin finally decided to get in. The room was dark. The candles were intentionally blown out.
"Who is it?" Hyesoo's voice sounded croaky from crying.
"It's Seokjin, her Majesty." He replied.
Some shuffling was heard and soon a candle was lit making the room a bit brighter for vision. Jin walked to Hyesoo who sat on her bed and smiled.
"I am not in my best form right now, mind if we speak some other time?" She asked.
"I didn't come here as the Prime Minister. I came here as your friend." He carefully dropped his words.
"Friend?"
"I know it's weird for you. And we always had formal conversation whenever we met but seeing you cry made me sad." He visibly pouted. Hyesoo couldn't help but smile faintly. Seeing her gesture Seokjin's lips also formed a bright smile.
"Can you hug me?" She fiddled with her fingers.
Seokjin immediately wrapped his arms around her without hesitation. The woman relaxed in his hold. It reminded her of Hoseok. Seokjin was like a brother to her. She quietly sobbed in his chest. He never questioned the reason for her sadness because he was well acquainted with Yoongi's deeds, nor did he have the power to stop the emperor. He somehow felt guilty because Nari was his sister whom the Emperor was marrying. He was only there to comfort Hyesoo. He was here to stand by her when she had no one in the palace to lean on. He would happily provide a shoulder for her to cry. He was glad she didn't hate him because he was Nari's older brother.
The duo stayed in the position for some more time until she fell asleep in his arms. Seokjin gently tucked her under warm fluffy blankets and blew out the candles. Then he quietly tip-toed out.
After completing his business with the emperor, Seokjin walked back to his cabin. Yoongi was not in a good mood but he couldn't neglect the kingdom's affairs. He looked tired and pale.
The prime minister saw Nari waiting for him on the bed, a dreamy smile plastered on her lips. He at once knew she was daydreaming of Yoongi. She was head over heels for him. He initially hated Hyesoo like others because she took the position of his dear sister but then he realized it was not her fault. Jin knew what kind of asshole could Yoongi be, thus he pitied the new queen.
"Nari-ah?" He caught her attention.
She beamed happily, "Oraboni! I am finally getting married to Yoongi." Seokjin smiled half-heartedly in reply. "You don't seem happy." She pouted.
"I am happy for you sister but..."
"But?"
"But I feel sorry for Hyesoo. She didn't deserve this."
Nari narrowed her eyes in anger. She couldn't believe her own brother was pitying that woman. She hated her from the core of her heart. Initially, she thought Hyesoo was no threat to her but soon Yoongi developed a soft corner for her. He began neglecting Nari. To be honest, she never wanted the throne, she wanted Yoongi to love her. However, Yoongi only saw her as a friend. She believed he had no romantic feelings for anyone and accepted his friendly treatment but Hyesoo proved her wrong. She couldn't let Yoongi slip away from her hands. She would save her love at any cost even if it meant marrying him forcefully. He would eventually forget Hyesoo and love her. Thus Nari threw a tantrum in front of the Queen Mother Dowager. She was blinded by her love for Nari and promised Yoongi's hand of marriage.
"Are you defending that filthy woman now??" she rasped in venom laced voice.
"I don't know. Yoongi loves her. Is it okay if you marry him in this way?"
"No! Yoongi is mine. He only loves me!!" She shouted. "Once I give him a son, he will forget Hyesoo. The Queen mother herself promised me!!"
Seokjin decided not to provoke her more. He simply went with her words and left the room. He was just a side character in the lives of the Min couple. He had no power to change anything except to watch everything unfold from afar.
👑~👑
Days are changing,
Nights are changing,
Words are changing,
Life is changing...
Next chapter's gonna be interesting. 😏
Happy Chuseok, chimes
🌕🌝
Jeongsri💜
Questions:
1. Will Yoongi get married to Nari in the end?
2. Will Hyesoo be able to find out the one behind the attack?