章 31: When it rains, it pours.
"It's a pleasure having your presence bless the soil of Baekmin." Yun Ki bows before the King of Goryeo, greeting him.
"Of course, Min Yun Ki-ssi. It's because of you and I, that Baekmin and Goryeo are filial to one another." The King responds, clasping onto Yun Ki's hands that were folded in respect.
"I agree, whole heartedly. I hope you and your staff were accommodated well and bear no complaints with respect to our service. We sincerely hope to have met your standards." Yun Ki enquires.
The King of Goryeo smiles.
"You've grown to be quite the man, Yun Ki-ssi. It's always a pleasure whenever our paths cross."
Yun Ki lets out a sigh of relief.
"Sir, I see my father in you. The two of you were the best of friends and I can't help but ensure with all my life that you are served well. Abeoji would've wanted it that way." Yun Ki speaks.
Placing a pat on Yun Ki's strained back, the old and wise king hums.
"Yun Ki ah, I realise that you and your Abeoji did not get your fair share of a father-son period but knowing the man, I can say he would be proud of you.."
"—I don't think so, I—"
Yun Ki was silenced by a finger.
"He'd be proud of how you kept your head held high. He'd be proud of how you had the courage to take over a throne whilst it was collapsing and managed to stabilise your Land, with no outside help. You've brought back to life the notions and values your Abeoji was so fond of. I remember attending your coronation and watching a 25 year old you being adorned with the crown your father once wore. I could see the fear and vulnerabilities in your eyes, back then. I don't see that fear anymore, Yun Ki. It's a good sign. You're doing well for yourself."
The old King explains.
Yun Ki feels his eyes grow glossy and he sucks in a breath.
He had grown to despise his father so much ever since he'd been exiled.
He even secretly wished he died, when rage filled the cockles of his heart but what he could not deny was how great a King his Late Father was.
How valiant, level-headed and righteous he was.
Yun Ki remembers just how broken his widowed mother felt, being left behind with a son in an exiled prison, another son constantly bringing dishonour to the family by engaging in unjust activities and the eldest son, whose severed bloodied head was brought into the Royal Court following the warfare.
The world didn't make men like Late Min II anymore and Yun Ki, his own flesh and blood, was an example of that.
He'd like to believe that he and his father were like 2 opposite poles.
They functioned and ran the reigns, very differently.
"I heard you've also married, quite recently.." The King breaks Yun Ki out of his thoughts.
Letting out a laugh, he speaks.
"Yes, Your Majesty. It was rather rushed. I would've summoned for your presence, otherwise." Yun Ki explains.
"Ah, I hope you aren't hiding her like a Kohinoor. I would love to be acquainted with Your Lady."
Yun Ki looks around, spotting Soojin talking to one of the Royal Women in the Banquet.
She looked delighted and happy as she laughed with the other woman, fitting the scene like Cinderella's glass slipper.
She's radiating positivity and is adorned in the most contagious weapon, her smile.
Her fingers are clasped and held respectfully as her cheerful laugh wafts through the air and Yun Ki feels a part of himself healing.
Just watching her happy, adorned his own face with a small smile.
Just as they lock eyes, Soojin's smile washes off of her lips and Yun Ki feels monstrous as though he's been caught stealing a jewel that didn't quite belong to him, in the first place.
He feels as though he's robbed her zeal.
He motions over to her to join him and she does so, bowing before the Lady, presumed to be The King of Banryu's first wife.
"Your Majesty, meet my better half, Min Soojin. Soojin ah, this is The King of Goryeo. He's like a father figure to me. He was Abeoji's dearest friend." Yun Ki introduces, placing a hand around Soojin's waist, as she bows before the elderly.
"Your Majesty, I'm pleased to meet you. I have heard a great deal from Yun Ki about just how kind you are." Soojin speaks and Yun Ki watches her, knowing he's never even mentioned the elderly in any of their conversations.
Hell, they barely ever spoke unless it was a compulsion.
"Madam Soojin, you're as beautiful as The Jasmine. The pleasure is all mine, dear. I'm so thankful to you." He states, patting the top of her head, as a blessing.
Soojin looks at him, confused.
"I'm in gratitude of how you entered Yun Ki's life and changed him. He's got back the twinkle in his eyes. He reminds me of the naive 25 year old he once was and it's all thanks to you." The old King laughs along with Soojin.
"Aigoo, Your Majesty, you always have to embarrass me." Yun Ki laughs with the two, when he's called to make announcements.
He excuses himself, leaving Soojin with The King of Goryeo.
"Soojin-ah, what are you doing?" The King asks.
Soojin grows confused, offended a little.
"What might you mean, Sir?" She questions.
The old King lets out a chuckle.
"I mean, you're doing something right. Yun Ki has changed. He was so cold and rash before and meeting him today in such a joyous occasion, he's almost unrecognisable. I'll tell you one thing, the poor boy has been through too much on his own. He's been rearing snakes in the form of these corrupt Ministers. He's rather vulnerable, Soojin. Please be his strength for it is love and compassion he craves the most. His father was always so worried about him. He's had a rough phase. I'll tell you something. Yun Ki has another—"
"If it isn't the King of Goryeo with the Queen Consort of Baekmin.." A gruff voice speaks out, causing The old King to be interrupted.
Soojin looks at the man, whose chest is adorned with badges of honour and immediately realises he��s a Royalty of a Democracy.
Grabbing Soojin's hand, he raises it to his lips, dropping a chaste kiss over her knuckles, caressing the top of her hand with his thumb.
"It's a pleasure meeting you, Your Majesty. I'm the Crowned King of Silkim, your neighbour Kingdom."
The man speaks, bowing before the two.
He looks over at The King of Goryeo.
"Sir, I believe your better half was searching for you. I'll give Madam Soojin some company whilst you're away, you can be assured of that."
The old King makes an exit, leaving Soojin feeling rather uncomfortable.
"Ah, my Queen, where are my manners? I'm Lee Min Hyuk, the 27th successor of Silkim. Yun Ki must have mentioned me. You see, I'm quite the talk in Baekmin." The man snarls, tooting his own trumpets.
Of course Soojin knew the man.
Yun Ki had warned her about him.
Lee Min Hyuk, the incarnation of The Devil himself.
Soojin plasters on a fake smile.
"I regret not having heard that name prior, at all. Forgive me for that, Your Majesty. I believe I'm not quite in touch with the pointless tittle tattles the commoners engage in for the sole purpose of entertainment. Ah, their words can turn a piece of charcoal to gold. Don't you think so? Words and praises mustn't be taken seriously, in my humble opinion. Although, I best believe you're all that people make you out to be." Soojin responds, lips curling into a disrespectful smirk.
Min Hyuk isn't a fool and he catches on to the insult she's hurled at him, disguised by a saccharine tone.
"My Lady, aren't you quite the spectacle. Feisty, just how Min Yun Ki likes his women. I heard you have absolutely no connections to Royal Blood? I've also heard your family hadn't seen a dime until you decided to turn yourself in as a Concubine? Ah, the things people do for money…"
The man speaks in an annoyed tone, attacking Soojin with words.
Only, he didn't know Soojin.
"Again, words. I didn't expect a man of your stature to give in to such ridiculous conjectures. If only you'd focused on your Kingdom before they decided to become a Democracy. That's quite a pity. I hear they call you a puppet since you dance to the tunes of Politicians? In fact, Yun Ki did mention you at dinner once. The man has such a big heart, it warmed up for you. We prayed for you that night." Soojin tuts.
Min Hyuk laughs sarcastically, anger pooling in his eyes whilst Soojin stood there like an unbothered Queen.
"Didn't think you and your 'husband' ever talked. Not after knowing how he's brought you so much shame in the Royal Court, occasion after occasion. The impotent fool knows just how to run his darn mouth—"
"King Lee Min Hyuk, I'd appreciate if you respected the decorum and occasion before opening the garbage chute you call a mouth. Don't forget, I do possess the dialect of a Commoner, I wouldn't hesitate to stoop to your level. You're in Baekmin, Min Hyuk-ah. Words against my husband won't be tolerated here, especially before me." Soojin warns.
Min Hyuk stares at Soojin, skin blanching out and Soojin pushes a laugh on her lips, looking as though the two were having a friendly banter.
Min Yuk joins in on the laughter, causing Soojin's expressions to falter, confused.
Why was this fool laughing at his own self being torn to shreds? She wondered.
He walks closer to her, leaning down to her ear before spilling words she wished he hadn't.
"If you love your husband, why are you off canoodling with his twin, righteous Queen?"
Soojin's eyes go wide, blood rushing to her head as her fist clench and a drop of sweat is felt rolling down her spine.
She locks eyes with Yun Ki, who's standing on a podium, waiting to address the Royals gathered at the banquet hall.
He passes her a soft smile, with a friendly nod.
Soojin feels as though jolts of electricity are passing down her body, rendering her motionless and all she can hear are Min Hyuk's ridicules.
"You've barked up the wrong tree, Soojin-ah."
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