I didn't feel well. Even after leaving the king's chamber, my body was still shaking.
Did… Did we just kiss?
I covered my face with my hands in frustration. How am I supposed to face him?
It's surely going to be awkward between us.
I wished Min Yun would return soon so I could distract myself.
But I'll be meeting the king later to discuss our plan to catch the culprit?
Ugh!
If I'd known this would happen, I wouldn't have slept in His Highness's chamber.
I won't allow myself to sleep in another man's room again!
(But you're going to be queen soon; you'll still sleep with the king.)
My conscience never failed to make me feel more frustrated.
I lay on my bed. I didn't want to go out now. I didn't even want to meet the king.
But I have something important to do tonight—with him.
I tossed my pillow aimlessly. I felt so frustrated, and I couldn't believe my first kiss was with a fictional character.
I stood up. Alright, it doesn't count as my first kiss because he's fictional!
But why did it feel so real? The way his lips moved on mine…
Ugh! I shouted, throwing all my pillows.
Min Yun, please come back. I really need you right now.
My thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door. I prayed it wasn't the king.
"Who is it?" I called out.
"Your breakfast, Your Highness," a court lady replied.
"I didn't ask for breakfast."
"But the king ordered it for you, Your Highness."
I blushed again. What is this feeling? It's like I'm a teenager with a crush.
I opened the door, trying to keep calm, but I couldn't stop myself from smiling.
"I hope you enjoy it, Your Highness."
"Thank you."
The court lady placed the tray on the table and left.
I sighed. How can I eat when I feel so unsettled? But I don't want to waste the food prepared for me.
I sat on the floor and started eating. I hadn't realized how hungry I was, especially since I skipped dinner last night. I could probably finish everything here.
After breakfast, I took a bath and picked out the nicest clothes in my wardrobe. I'd never done this before, but now I felt self-conscious about my appearance.
The effect of kissing the king was at its peak.
I touched my lips, looking at myself in the mirror.
I could still feel his lips on mine, sending a shiver down my spine.
I shook my head. I can't let him know how much it affected me. I have to act like a fierce, unbothered queen.
After preparing, I left my quarters, ready to meet the court ladies from last night. But as I opened the door, I saw the king standing there.
"Are you going to meet the court ladies?" he asked.
"Yes… Why… why are you here?" My voice trembled.
"I just wanted to make sure you were alright."
"Why wouldn't I be?"
He sighed. "I don't regret kissing you."
My eyes widened. Afraid someone might overhear, I stepped closer and covered his mouth with my hand.
"Your voice is too loud. Someone might hear."
I hadn't realized how close I'd gotten to him.
He gave a slight cough to get my attention.
When I realized our closeness, I quickly stepped back and withdrew my hand.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to."
"Can you relax?"
"Huh?"
"You're going to be queen here, remember? Kim Man Shik already thinks something happened between us—"
"Well, it did!" I blurted.
"Yeah… I know it makes you uncomfortable, but I don't regret it. I liked it. You're my first kiss."
My eyes widened again. He wasn't stopping this conversation about the kiss.
"I hope this won't make you uncomfortable around me."
"Just give me some time to process it."
"Was it your first kiss, too?"
I thought he'd stop, but he kept going.
I nodded. "Can we stop talking about it? It really makes me uncomfortable."
"Okay. But I can't promise not to kiss you again. See you later," he said, then walked away.
My mouth dropped open again.
I went back inside because my knees felt weak. He really knew how to make me tremble. It was just words, not actions, but the effect was huge.
After gathering my strength, I went to the kitchen for water. I needed to focus today—my mission was to catch the culprit.
King's POV
"Your smile is shining today, Your Highness, despite what happened yesterday," the eunuch noted as I walked by.
"How do I look?" I asked.
"What do you mean, Your Highness?"
"You said I was smiling. How did you interpret it?"
"It looks like you're in love."
I stopped walking.
"Did I say something wrong, Your Highness?"
Am I in love?
"No, I'm just processing what you said."
"I've been with you since childhood. You've never smiled like this."
"Yeah, especially after my father, the late king, died. That was a shock—I wasn't ready to be king."
"But he trusted you, Your Highness. He believed in you."
"But I didn't believe in myself. If I had a choice, Min Yun would be a better king."
"But he isn't interested."
"Neither was I. I just had no choice."
He nodded.
"You know, it's the second time I've slept well."
"Both times with the future queen?"
"She's amazing. She truly suits the role. I'm excited for our wedding."
"I hope she'll bear a child right away, Your Highness."
I didn't respond. Would that happen? Would something happen between us?
I looked up at the beautiful sky. This morning felt different. She made me laugh, smile, and helped me move on from the past.
If that's love, then I am in love.
I-jun's POV
I waited outside the palace for the two court ladies to meet with the culprit.
After a few minutes, I saw them approach someone wearing a mask. Just as I'd planned.
The masked ninja laughed. "It was too easy to kill the king. I didn't even lay a hand on him."
"Will you leave us alone now? We did what you asked."
The ninja took something from his pocket and handed them two bags of money.
"Take care of your family," he sneered and turned to leave.
I quickly approached him.
"Who are you?" he demanded.
"You don't know me? I'm the future queen," I replied.
He laughed. "Future queen, huh?"
"Don't you know what happened to your future husband?" he sneered.
"You tried to kill him?"
He stepped closer. "It was my easiest job yet."
I smirked. "Really?"
His smile faded.
"What are you smirking at?"
I looked over his shoulder.
"You failed," the king said. The ninja turned and froze.
"Did you see a ghost?" the king mocked.
"You were supposed to be dead!"
"But the court ladies failed, just as you planned."
The ninja glared at the court ladies, now surrounded by soldiers. "Give me my money back!"
"Who ordered you?"
"Ordered me?" he sneered. "I ordered them to kill you."
"For what?"
"For not being a good king."
The king grabbed his shirt and leaned close.
"I wish you were dead."
The ninja laughed crazily.
The king ordered the soldiers to take him to jail.
I stood there, still suspicious.
"Are you alright?" the king asked.
"Something isn't right."
"What do you mean?"
"Ahhhhh!"
I turned to see the court ladies and the ninja had been struck by arrows.
"I was right... this plan was useless! We've been tricked!"
The crowd began to panic. I scanned the area. Where was the shooter?
"Let's go back to the palace."
"You go; I'll find the culprit. He's here somewhere."
"Are you crazy? You can't handle this alone."
"I sensed something was wrong when I saw the ninja. The killer hired someone else."
"I didn't realize that."
"Return to the palace. I'll stay here—I know he's watching us."
"Are you out of your mind? Do you want to get hurt?"
"Then miss this opportunity?"
"The opportunity to get hurt? I won't allow it. Let's go back. It's too crowded here."
Reluctantly, I followed His Highness's orders, but I scanned the area once more. I knew the culprit was watching.
Unknown POV
I smirked, watching the king and his future queen walk away. Did they think I was so foolish? And how dare those court ladies lie about poisoning him! If I hadn't checked earlier, I might've been caught and jailed—or worse, executed.
"Too bad, I'm not like other killers," I sneered.
They'll never find out who's truly behind this.
They'll be dead before they even suspect.