When the night came, Min Yun and I decided to go back to the palace. We really enjoyed the day. We felt the happiness in our hearts. When we arrived at the gate, I heard the murmurs of the court ladies.
" Have you seen her? She's really beautiful" -court lady 1.
" She's not just beautiful, she looks kind"- court lady 2.
" Is this the sign that the king will get married this year?"- court lady 3.
While listening to their conversation, I remembered the text that I have read in the book.
' There will be a small party for Kim Shin-A'.
" They look good together, I'm rooting for them" -court lady 4.
"Kim Shin-A is here," Min Yun said.
" As expected. I read in the book that there will be a small party welcoming her in the palace." I added.
" The king might feel uncomfortable. He doesn't like her."
" What if it will change?" I asked.
" It will never change. Knowing that Kim Man Shik is using his daughter to trap the king."
" Can we go there now?"
" Let's just see what they are doing."
I nodded and we headed to the place.
The small party was held in the pavilion where I first met the king, where I first saved him.
Min Yun stopped. I looked at the surroundings.
The court ladies and eunuchs were positioned down the pavilion. they were bowing their heads. The soldiers were positioned on both sides of the pavilion.There were 6 people in the pavilion, Kim Man Shik, Kim Shin -A and the king were sitting and by the look, they were having their dinner. The other 3 were the court ladies serving the food.
"Would you help him?" I asked Min Yun.
" I can't just barge in a serious gathering. "
" But look at the king, he looks uncomfortable. " Even though it was dark in where we were standing, I still could see the face of the king because of the lights coming from the pavilion.
"Can we get closer so that we can hear them?"
Min Yun nodded and we went near the side of the pavilion.
" Let's plan the wedding." Kim Man Shik said.
My eyes got bigger from what I have heard. Even the king's eyes got bigger.
" What are you talking about?" The king's voice sounded annoyed.
Kim Man Shik laughed. " You need to get married Your Highness in order to prove that you really care about the people. "
" Is it just the basis that I care for my people?" He really sounds angry.
" You need to prove to them that you are worth staying on the throne. You should have your heir."
" I couldn't believe you." I felt his frustration.
" My father is right. You need to get married as soon as possible." Kim Shin-A seconded.
" I can get married, but I will assure you, you are not the bride." he said sarcastically.
" You are being disrespectful, Your Highness." Kim Man Shik got annoyed too.
" Aren't you the one who is being disrespectful? You just announced that I should marry your daughter. You are not my father to dictate to me."
" But I have the power to dictate to you." Kim Man Shik's firm voice gave chills to my body.
"I will never get scared by you. Never." Said by the king.
Kim Man Shik laughed again. " You are so stubborn. If your father is here, he will surely get angry with your decision."
"Not marrying your daughter is not a bad decision. It is my personal choice. I don't like her and you know that."
"You are hurting my feelings" Kim Shin-A said.
" Since we were kids, you keep on showing how much you like me, up until now? You should have left some pride for yourself." the king mocked her.
" The father is here and you are talking ill to my daughter." Kim Man Shik's rage got out.
I am getting nervous about what will happen.
" You should teach your daughter where she should stand. "
"I will never give up. I will assure you that you will fall in love with me." Kim Shin-A declared.
" I already fell for someone. It is useless." he answered.
I looked at Min Yun and uttered " he has someone?"
he shrugged.
" You are just making an excuse." Kim Man Shik laughed again.
" Why would I make a story if it is true?" The king remained poker face.
" Then who is she?" he challenged the king.
There was silence between them. All of us are waiting on his Highness answer.
"I-jun" said the king.
"What?" I was stunned by what he just said.
All of the people are staring at me. Even the king, Kim Man Shik and his daughter looked at me.
I looked at Min Yun to ask his help to rescue me but the king already called me.
"I-jun."
I looked at him. He was calling me to go up.
"Min Yun what should I do?" I asked .
"Let's come together." he held my wrist and we both went to the pavilion.
I bit my lips. Is this how I saved the king according to the book? Is this how Kim Shin-A will hold grudges to me?
Min Yun and I bowed down to Kim Man Shik and his daughter and we bowed down to the King.
" I am happy that you are here." the king said. I looked at him and he was staring at me. He was smiling but I guess it was just fake.
"Are you kidding me?" Kim Man Shik laughed again.
My eyes got bigger when the king held my hand. His fingers were entwined to mine. I saw the shocked on Kim Shin A's face. She couldn't believe what she saw.
"I am not joking and I have no time to do that."
"What's your name again? Kim I-jun?" Kim Man Shik sounded irritated. " You fell in love with your relative?"
" Is that forbidden?" the king mocked him.
Kim Man Shik looked at Min Yun.
" Would you allow the king to marry her? What is she to you? cousin right? I heard a lot about your cousin." he laughed again and again.
Kim Shin A was about to cry but I know she was just holding her tears.
" I am tired today. I need to rest." the king said. "Min Yun..."
Min Yun looked at the king and he nodded.
We walked away from the pavilion while the king was holding my hands. He didn't let it go until we arrived at the lake where no one could see us.
I caught my breath. " What have you done?" I asked him angrily.
" You saved me again." he said.
"I have no plan to save you. And if I plan, it shouldn't be like this!" I was so mad at him.
" What are you two doing there if you have no plan to save me?"
" We were just listening."
" And you know it is a crime to listen to someone's conversation?"
" Then you should just let us go to jail instead of doing this. What would the people think about me? They will surely gossip about our fake relationship. I couldn't even walk in peace."
" Don't worry you have me. "
" I don't need your help, your Highness! Let's just go back and clarify things about us."
"You want me to go back there and accept the mockery of Kim Man Shik?" he looked serious.
I stared at his eyes for seconds then I looked away.
"Kim Shin A will surely get mad at me. She seemed to like you. I could see she is kind. Don't you see it?"
" I only see his father's devilness."
"What if she is not the daughter of Kim Man Shik, would you like her back?" I asked.
He just looked at me and didn't answer.
" Thank you for helping me today."
" I told you, this is not how I am going to help you."
" Just this once." the king pleaded.
I could see his sparkling eyes. His eyes looked so tired and helpless. I wanted to help him, save him but not on his way.
I sighed. " You need a rest, I can accompany you in your quarter"
" I can get there by myself."
I didn't listen to him and I still accompanied him to his quarter. After a few minutes of walking ,we arrived in his quarter. The head eunuch was there.
" Thank you."
I bowed down and left without saying anything. I am a bit mad at what he did but I have no choice but to follow him. After all, I am living in their world. Might as well be useful to them.
I was about to enter my room when someone called me.
" I-jun."
"Min Yun."
" Where have you been? I was looking for you."
" I just accompanied the king to his room." I answered.
He nodded. He was still catching his breath.
" Did you run?"
he shook his head.
" We had a long night, I know you are tired. "
" I can't sleep. Now that the king involved you."
I sighed. " I admit I got mad at what he did but do I have a choice? he is the king. He can do whatever he wants to do."
" I will ask him to withdraw what he just said. "
I shook my head . " Don't do that. I just realized as well that he only did it to show to his enemy that he is a strong and independent king. Might as well help him fight for his life."
" The gossip will surely spread by this morning, Everyone in the pavilion saw it. "
" I will just prepare myself by tomorrow morning." I pretended laughing.
" Just rest now. "
I nodded. I was really tired today.
"Good night. " he said.
"Good night" I responded.
***
In the morning, I woke up because of the noise coming from the outside. As much as I want to go back to sleep, I couldn't do that because the noise is getting louder and louder.
I got out of my bed and went to the door. I was about to open it when I heard the conversation.
" What? really? is this her room? she was too lucky to win the heart of the king."- voice 1
"But I still like Ms. Kim Shin A . She is more beautiful than her." -voice 2
"They both came from a well off family, it will not be a problem."- voice 3
"Is that why Ms. I-jun was staying here because of the king? "-voice 4
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. They are talking about me and in front of my room! I wanted to punch their mouths but I stopped myself.
" This is the first time I saw the king full of love. The way he stared at Ms. I-jun. " -voice 5
Are they really blind or just because they were so into gossip?
"I just feel sorry for Miss Kim Shin A, I heard her crying last night." -voice 6
" And I could see the rage of Kim Man Shik."- voice 7
As I was entertained listening to their conversation, I heard that someone was coming in because they became quiet. I looked at the hole of the door.
I gasped when I saw the king. I tried to calm down and went back to my room to see my face in the mirror.
"What is he doing here?" I just woke up and didn't even wash my face. I am still wearing my night dress.
" I-jun, are you awake?" the king shouted.
My goodness, what should I do? I can't go outside with these clothes.
Should I just pretend that I am still sleeping?
"I am going inside" he announced.
I panicked. I got the first hanbok I saw in the closet and wore it. I don't even know if I wore it right because I am so afraid he might enter here.
And I was right, he opened the door of my room.
I hesitate to smile.
" You are not responding." he said with a calm voice.
" How can I do that? Everyone is outside."
" Don't mind them."
" And you just confirmed their curiosity just by coming here. You're great" I sarcastically said.
" I was just checking on you."
" Checking me if I am still alive?"
He laughed. " Let's have breakfast together at the pavilion."
"No"
"No?" the king asked
"Yes, No" I answered.
"But you are my companion,right?"
"Not now that you've told the world that you are in love with me."
He is still smiling , " It is the king's order."
" I said no, even if it is your order."
His mouth opened when he heard my answer.
" I couldn't believe you are this stubborn."
" I am not stubborn, your Highness. I am not just feeling well to eat with you."
" Are you sick?" he asked then put his palm on my forehead.
I was a bit shocked at what he did that's why I retreated.
"You are not sick. "
I pretended to cough. " Honestly, I feel the heat inside."
" You need medicine, I will call the royal doctor."
I pulled his hand to stop him but I got the wrong move because we both lost our balance and we landed on my bed.
He was on top of me and I could feel his heaviness. We were just like that for a minute, staring at each other's eyes. I couldn't utter a word because of our situation.
"I-jun-----"
We went back to our senses and I pushed him hard to get off of me.
I saw the shocking face of Min Yun. I felt shy and awkward because what would Min Yun think of what he saw?
"I was just visiting her" the king said while fixing his clothes.
I also fixed my disheveled clothes while still glancing at Min Yun.
" I just caught you twice." he said.
"When was the first?" the king got curious.
"When both of you drunk" Min Yun sounded cold.
The king laughed. " What you saw is just nothing."
"Nothing? After the people knew that you are in love with her?" now he sounded angry.
" Are you mad at me?"
"I hate it when you use people. All I thought you hated using people but here you are ."
" Why are you so angry?" the king looked confused. I am confused too.
" Let's just talk in your place, let's leave I-jun alone." Min Yun said then walked away.
***
Min Yun's pov
When we arrived at the king's place, I sat on the floor.
"I never saw you this mad in my whole life." the king started the conversation.
" I just don't want my cousin to be affected by gossip."
" It was not my intention to use your cousin. I already apologize to her. But I can't deny it now. Not that I knew Kim Man Shik would use her daughter to get the throne."
" I understand your reason but how about the life of I-jun? "
" She agreed to help me."
" Because she has no choice. You are the king, who would oppose the king?"
"I have no intention to use her."
" It doesn't matter if you used me, I just don't want I-jun to get involved in this."
" I am not using you." the king stated. He was in a state of shock at the words I said.
" You just don't know." I said then stood up. I bowed down then told my last words, " I-jun is important to me, I need to protect her. I just don't want to reach the point where I need to choose between you two."
Then I left.