I woke up when I saw light coming from the book. I got up from my bed and took the book from the bedside table.
Chapter 13..." I began.
"Someone dares to poison the king. Help him! Come on time, or else you will regret it."
My eyes widened in shock. I closed the book in a panic. I quickly got dressed, threw open the door, and rushed out, not even noticing the eunuch outside.
"My Lady! Where are you going?"
I didn't reply, just ran faster. My heart was racing, and my hands were trembling. I hoped I wasn't too late to save the king.
I ignored the eunuchs standing outside the king's quarters. I pushed the door open, seeing the king about to eat. I took a deep breath, and he looked at me, lowering his spoon.
"Why are you here? Did something happen?"
I looked at the court ladies, who were bowing.
"Your food is poisoned," I said.
The court ladies gasped. I turned to them sharply.
"You are the king's court ladies, yet you failed to protect him? How could you let him eat poisoned food?"
"Wait. How did..."
"Your Highness! We committed a grave sin. Please, have mercy!" The court ladies fell to their knees.
"So, you knew?" the king asked in shock.
"Someone ordered us to do it. They threatened to kill our families."
"And yet you dared betray your king?" the king said furiously, his hands trembling with anger.
"Call the guards and have these two executed!" he commanded. Eunuchs and guards rushed in.
"What's happening, Your Highness?"
"These court ladies deserve to die—they poisoned my food!"
The guards grabbed the court ladies to escort them out.
"Your Highness, it wasn't our fault! We did it because they threatened our families."
"Wait!" I stopped the guards and approached the court ladies. "What did you say?"
"They threatened our families."
"They? So you know who gave the orders?"
"We didn't see his face. He looked like a masked ninja."
"Where did you meet him?"
"Outside the palace. "
"Will you meet him again?"
They nodded.
"We'll protect your families if you cooperate."
They both nodded again.
I turned to the king. "Your Highness, please spare them."
"What?"
"I need their help to catch the culprit."
He hesitated, but finally looked at the guards. "Release them. Do not send them to jail."
The guards looked uncertain but obeyed.
"Thank you." I smiled at the king.
"Return to your duties as if nothing happened. I'll need your help to catch this person. When will you meet him again?"
"Tomorrow evening."
"Meet me here then I'll tell you the plan."
The court ladies cried, bowing in gratitude before they left.
"Please leave us alone," I told the eunuchs and guards. They exited, closing the door behind them.
"How did you know?"
I looked at the king who was now sitting and I could still see his confusion.
"Trust me on this," I said as I sat near him.
"I don't understand. You ran in here knowing my food was poisoned."
"I overheard a conversation before they brought your dinner," I lied. After breakfast, I had returned to my quarters and stayed there. If the book hadn't warned me, I'd probably still be asleep.
"Why were you in the kitchen?"
"I was going to ask to have dinner with you, but I overheard the conversation."
"Why didn't you confront them in the kitchen?"
"I wanted to catch the mastermind. I was waiting for someone suspicious near your chambers." Everything I said was a lie, but I hoped it sounded convincing.
"Thank you."
"Let's wait until tomorrow. I'll try to catch the culprit myself."
"You?"
I nodded. "You can't. Let my soldiers handle it."
"We can't trust anyone. What if they fail?"
"I'll go with you. "
"You can't. Let me handle this."
"Min Yun isn't here to protect you."
"I can protect myself. "
"And risk getting hurt again? Our wedding is soon, and they're trying to ruin everything."
"Fine. But after we catch him, you'll involve the soldiers. I'll go first."
He nodded.
"I guess I will be staying here for a while. Would it be okay with you, Your Highness?"
He looked surprised, and I felt the warm on my face after saying that.
"I mean, I can't leave you after what happened, so I'll stay here," I said quickly.
I went outside to speak to the eunuch. "Please bring us some tea."
The eunuch nodded and left. I returned to where I seated.
"I asked for tea to help us sleep after all this."
"You've saved me many times," the king said.
"I've just been lucky to arrive on time," I joked.
"Sometimes I wonder…do you know the future?"
I opened my mouth, speechless.
"If so, I'm grateful," he said, laughing.
"I wish I knew the future," I said, trying to sound casual.
After a few minutes, the tea arrived. We sipped it, and I felt calmer. I thought it would be an easy day, but clearly, it wasn't. I hoped Min Yun would return to the palace soon. I couldn't keep lying to the king.
After finishing the tea, we decided to sleep. The king offered me his bed, but I declined.
"I can't let you sleep on the floor. What would the people think if they saw us ?"
"Just don't let anyone in."
"I didn't harm you last time, did I?"
I blushed. "That's not what I meant."
"So, sleep in my bed. I'll leave some space."
I sighed. "You know we won't sleep if we do that."
"The last time you slept here was the most relaxing night I've had."
"Really? What about me?"
"What about you?"
"I'm not used to it."
The king looked as if nothing had happened tonight. He can easily shift his mood.
(Eh? Not used to it? I've done it twice.)
I shook my head to clear the thought.
"Is something wrong?"
Let's just rest," I said, lying on the bed. "Let's have a peaceful night." I thought it would be hard to sleep beside the king, but I quickly drifted off.
***
King's Pov
I slowly opened my eyes when I heard my eunuch calling outside. When I didn't respond, he came in, his eyes widening when he saw me lying with I-jun.
I put a finger to my lips, signaling him to be quiet.
He nodded and left.
I smiled, looking at I-jun's sleeping face. Last night had happened so fast. I nearly died from poisoned food, but thanks to her, I was safe again.
But I was still curious about her. There was something about her that intrigued me. Was it still a coincidence that she went to the kitchen to ask for our dinner? She barely ate breakfast and seemed uninterested a while ago. Every time something bad happened, she always saved me—as if she knew what would happen. But then, I tried to trust her because I trust Min Yun. She helped me a lot, and for now, I will remain curious about her...
I gently touched her cheek. She looked so peaceful, contrasting with her strong personality. What would I do without her? She's sacrificed so much for me.
"hmmmm."
I pulled my hand away when she stirred, only for her to wrap her arms around me. We were so close. I looked at her lips—so tempting. Why did I feel so warm?
I tried to gently move her arm, but she wrapped her leg over mine. I froze.
thump thump
Huh? Was that my heartbeat?
thump thump
I don't want to take advantage of her. Not because she agreed to marry me means I can do whatever I wanted to do.
But with her so close, it was hard to think.
I remembered the time when Kim Man Shik thought something had happened between me and her. At this moment, I also wished that what Kim Man Shik thought was true.
I-jun moved closer this time, giving me no choice but to stay put. Our lips were just inches away, and I could smell her breath. It made me want her even more. But my mind was still fighting, telling me not to do it because it wasn't right. But who would say it was wrong? After all, she would soon be my wife. But would I still have this privilege when we became husband and wife? Would we really plan to produce an heir?
"hmmmm." she moaned again.
Unable to resist, I closed the gap, pressing my lips softly to hers. It was my first kiss with a woman, and I didn't expect it to happen now.
I-jun's pov
I dreamed of being kissed. It felt so real. I didn't want it to end. Who would I try it with—Min Yun or the king? I smiled as the lips pressed more deeply against mine.
I smiled when the other lips was trying to enter mine. I gladly opened my mouth to accept his.
I heard a moan beside me. Woah. This dream became real. It was my first kiss. I moaned too when the kiss started to get deeper. Not that he was being hard. It was still a sweet kiss but the movement became faster.
I started to like this feeling. This dream felt so real.
I opened my eyes slowly—and saw the king kissing me! Shocked, I pushed him away.
He looked just as surprised. I stood up, avoiding his gaze.
"Ah…I…I should go back to my quarters." I could still feel his lips on mine.
"I-jun...."
The way he said my name was so…intoxicating.
I shook my head. What was happening to me?
"Let's just meet later. I need to go." I bolted out, my heart racing.
How could I ever face him again?