บท 33: Propositioned by a Princess.
<b>A few minutes ago..</b>
"Yun Ki-ah, come here." The Queen calls, ushering Yun Ki towards her.
The old Queen was dressed in red, flaunting the diamonds that adorned her neckline and sparkled with every move she made.
Even as a widow, she lived her husband's legacy and was persistent on dressing to the 10s, just as he had wanted.
"Yes, Eomma." Yun Ki comments, excusing himself from an ongoing conversation with one of the Ministers of Gyonju.
He takes hasty strides towards his Mother, who was chatting up a young lady, presumed to be an unwed Princess.
Joining next to his mother, he bows before the Princess, greeting her.
"Yun Ki ah, meet The Princess of Hansan, Kim Bora. She's arrived here alongside her Brother, Kim Nam Jun. He was coronated a fortnight ago. He would be challenging you at the horse race this evening." The Queen speaks, caressing Bora's arm.
Bora stares at Yun Ki with stars in her eyes, she's absolutely awestruck by him and his demeanour.
"Pleasure meeting you, Bora. Allow me to introduce myself, I am—"
Cutting him mid way, she grabs his hand in hers.
"Everyone knows who you are, Your Majesty Min Yun Ki. The pleasure is all mine." She smiles his way, a glint of mischievousness evident in her orbs.
Cradling his hand in hers, she brings it to her lips, bending in respect and dropping a chaste kiss over his knuckles.
Bora bends down, flaunting before Yun Ki her low cut corset, with the flesh of her supple breasts spilling out, the dip of her cleavage evident as she looks up at him, knowing exactly what she's doing.
Yun Ki retreats his hand back.
This certainly was not the first time he was being propositioned by a Royalty.
Baekmin was one of the largest Monarchies, a lavish history backing it.
Of course, everyone wanted their share in the success of Baekmin.
That's also one of the reasons why he hadn't married into a Kingdom.
He wanted someone from His own Land.
"Ah, look at you two, already hitting it off!" The Queen cheers, clasping her hands in excitement.
Yu Ki looks her way, irritatedly and sighs inwardly.
"So, Kim Bora-ssi, what makes you accompany Nam Jun ah today? I heard you were occupied with literary work that you'd started publishing.." Yun Ki converses.
Bora squeals a little.
"Aigoo, Yun Ki-ssi! You knew of my literary work? I'm so embarrassed." She laughs.
Yun Ki nods, "Yes, I've read a piece. I'm quite interested in poetry, myself." He responds.
Bora swats his arm, flirtatiously.
"I hadn't expected a man like you to be into the subtler finer arts. You're so rough and buff, if you don't mind me saying.." She laughs, feeling his biceps through the black cotton vest.
The Queen pats Bora's back in response.
"Bora, look at you! You have quite the tongue on you. I'll have to talk to your mother soon, I presume." The Queen laughs.
All this while, Yun Ki stands confused as to what the two women were trying to get at.
Turning towards The Queen, Bora speaks.
"You must talk to her and call me here so I can keep you entertained. I presume the Palace gets lonely." She comments.
"Ah, it does. It really does. Especially after Yun Ki brought in that minx. I tell you Bora, she's usurped us of all the joy. Yun Ki's father ought to be withering in his grave.." The Queen laments and Bora grabs her hand.
"Queen, I'd heard about Queen Consort Soojin. I was so upset, really. I had always believed Yun Ki and I would be married off. Especially when you and my mother are close friends." Bora pouts.
The Queen turns to Yun Ki, grabbing his arm.
"Yun Ki ah, you have a proposal. What do you say? She's elegant, beautiful and clever. Not to mention, she even hails from a Royal family.."
The Queen counts out the points in Bora's favour on her finger tips.
"I'd keep him satisfied, that's for sure." Bora adds, winking in Yun Ki's direction, earning a stifled laugh from The Queen.
"Bora! You're really so roguish."
Yun Ki smiles at his mother, teeth clenched.
"Eomma, Baekmin believes in the ideology of Monogamous Marriage. Father didn't bring in another wife while he was alive and neither shall I. It would be disrespectful to Soojin.." Yun Ki utters as his mother stares at him, distraught.
"Yun Ki ah, you're so naive. You are the King. Your word is the law in Baekmin. Your father and I were in love. He'd never forfeit that but you, you're in a different situation. Why would you opt for a starter when you're getting a buffet?" The Queen asks, causing Bora to snicker at the last part as she whips her hair back, exposing her long neck and well-sculpted collarbones.
Yun Ki rolls his eyes at that.
"Mother, I don't expect you to understand what Soojin and I share. As for buffets, I've had my fill with the abundant concubines I own so you, Bora, needn't worry about my pleasure." Yun Ki snarls, pettily.
"If she's so much for you, where is she? I'd like to meet the girl who you've been chasing like a lunatic." Bora responds, hands on her hips.
Yun Ki's rage knows no bounds as he steps towards Bora.
"You better tame that tongue before I do it for you." He whispers, audibly enough for her to hear.
She sniggers, stepping closer, such that her chest is now in contact with Yun Ki's own.
"Go ahead and do it for me, Crowned Prince." She flirts, tracing a finger over his pecs.
Yun Ki steps away, shaking his head.
"You're walking away from Gold, Yun Ki.." His mother comments.
"If this is what Gold looks like, I'd rather be a beggar."
Yun Ki bows at the women, before turning away from them, eyes scanning the Banquet hall, worriedly.
Where was Soojin?
Had she escaped seeing how busy the security was, tending to the Royalty?
Chief Hong taps on Yun Ki's back.
"Sire."
Yun Ki looks his way.
"Queen Consort Soojin left the banquet, followed by King Lee Min Hyuk.."
Yun Ki's left eye twitches as he breaks into cold sweat.
Lee Min Hyuk must not manipulate Soojin, at any cost, Yun Ki thinks before making a beeline towards the exit, in search for Soojin.
----------------------------
<b>Present situation...</b>
"What were you doing in The Guardsmen Chamber?" Yun Ki asks of Soojin.
Soojin stares at him, dumbfounded.
She had no idea what she'd tell him.
Her mind goes numb from the sheer fear of having broken one of the rules the Royal Family abided by.
Her mouth opens and yet no words leave past her throat.
It's as though her wind pipe has been clogged and if she doesn't breathe this instant, she could flatline.
"Uh-Uh I..I-" She starts off, interrupted by Yun Ki's concerned looks.
"Did something happen? Are you okay?" He thinks for a while, staring her down and seeing she's intact yet very shaky.
"D-Did someone say something to you?" He asks, searching her blown out pupils for an answer and yet she stares at him as though she knows nothing of the words that leave Yun Ki's mouth.
He shakes her shoulder, lightly, bringing her out of her daze.
"I-Uh, Yun Ki ssi, I w-went to get some more protection for the-the Princesses who were being tr-troubled by our Ministers.." She stutters out and Yun Ki's grasp drops.
"Soojin ah, you could've informed Chief Hong. You didn't have to physically go down there yourself. Babo!" He comments, ushering her back towards the hall, hand on her lower back.
Entering the hall, she's met with all eyes on her.
Princesses scoff at her while some friendly faces offer her a warm smile.
Mixed emotions on the outside and inside.
Yun Ki leans in, whispering in her ear.
"Since it was your first mistake, I'll let it go."
She looks up at him and nods, meeting his smile adorned masked face.
Bohoja, where were you? She wondered.
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