I strolled along the long corridor with no end. The lighting was dimmed. It's late at night, perhaps I'm the only one who is still awake at this hour. If it's not because of the summoning, I might be sleeping in slumber in my chamber by now.
It's exhausting to think about how I can cope with this lifestyle. Everything was scheduled tightly, like I'm a prisoner instead of a member of this household.
How can you stand and still smile widely, Karin?
"Your Highness..." the man in green bowed at me. I looked at him in pity. Well, at least I'm not the only one who is still awake! Still, he doesn't have to wait at this hour!
"You don't have to wait..."
"It's my job, malady," I sigh, losing words. Quickly, I snapped and reminded myself that this was not even my area. My supremacy ended right in front of the entrance of this huge ass Royal Chamber.
"The Royal Highness Crown Princess, sire..." the man who guarded the entrance announced my presence. I fixed my night attire and slowly entered the chamber.
Not even two steps ahead, I was grabbed from behind. The person locked my neck so tight, I couldn't even breathe! I struggled to fight but deep down inside I knew that was useless. Then, I was dragged by my hair and thrown down to the floor. A loud thud echoed across the room. I
I bet everyone could hear it from the outside.
"How dare you talk to a gentleman in front of me-!"
"He is your cousin, Your Highness..."
Slap!
"You're not supposed to talk to anyone! You're The Crown Prince's wife!"
"I swear to you, I don't have any intention-"
"What are you two talking about?? Are you plotting something against me, huh?!"
"We're talking about The Second Brother's wedding... Nothing more..." he pulled my neck and brought my face closer to him. I dare not look into those eyes, especially when he's in this state.
"Don't lie to me!"
"Please, I'm begging you... Please trust me... I'm your wife..." tears streamed from my eyes as I begged him.
"You called yourself my wife? After some joyful talking sessions with a man?? Do you think you can call yourself my wife? My wife?!!" he pushed me back onto the floor.
"You're nothing more than a vessel to me! A place where I can release my tension. Nothing more! I just wanna secure my power. Marrying you means I have a pawn to put your father in my grip. Who knows maybe one day The General might stab me from behind?" my lips shook. I have known his intention since day one. But, I'm still putting hope that one day he can feel my love towards him.
Yes, I do love him. He was cruel, but he is my husband.
"Don't ever think that I will fall in love with you! I'll never! I mean, look at you! How can a man fall in love with this ugly creature anyway?! You know... You know... You're so ugly that I need to close my eyes while I'm kissing you!"
Those words cut so deep inside my heart. After all this time, I thought he would change. I did all I could to win his love. But it seemed that it was one-sided.
"You do love talking with another man, right?" he dragged me towards a chair in front of his bed. My body followed like a rag. He pushed me onto the chair and bound my arms and legs.
"So, I believe you don't mind if I do the same..."
I clenched my teeth. He casually yanked the curtain rope. On his bed, a girl was waiting for him. My eyes got wide. Watching him indulging her, my heart bled so much!
I shut my eyes tight.
:::
"Noona? Noona?? Yarh, Karin Noona!" I snap. My body yanks a bit. Some droplets of blood drip into the sink.
"Oh God..." Quickly, a hand grabs mine. Directly towards a lip. I winch, trying to surpass the sting.
"Please don't sleep while you're holding a knife,"
"Say someone who can't even hold it properly..." I smirk and slowly pull away my finger. Jun rolls his eyes up and continues munching his gum. I shake my hand a bit after running the tap water through it. Jun's reflex action makes the bleeding stop, but not hygienic as his saliva coats the whole pointy finger of mine.
"What did you say just now, Jun?" I ask. I might be in a daze, but I do remember we did have a conversation.
"Oh, about the man. The Black Card Man. Why haven't you asked for his phone number? I mean, if he has a talent as a rapper, I can invite him to my studio. Or maybe to my show," I put the knife back into the knife block. Turning my body, facing the most ridiculous man I ever met in my life.
"Who do think I am? A street talent recruiter?"
"You're the one who said he talked fast like a rapper," he offers me a seat next to him. "I thought maybe he is indeed a talented guy," he continues.
"That's not what I'm trying to say. There's... Something else..."
"What do you mean?"
I was about to answer the question when suddenly Sweet came in, nervous.
"Unnie..."
"What's wrong?" Sweet stands there, fidgeting. I furrow a bit before staring at her in my boss-mode sight.
"The man... He came back..."
"Who?" I ask. Sweet points her finger outside. I put the dolly paper packaging and left the kitchen. When I step out, I'm in shock.
More like annoy!
"There you are! Your staff told me to leave,"
"Of course. It's past the operation hour."
"I just want your phone number. Mobile. Not business!" he walks past Hera. The girl has a petite body, so she kind of flew aside. Luckily, Sweet is there to grab her so she won't fall.
"Sir, this is not the right time, not even the right way to ask someone," I reply most calmly and respectfully. He scoffs as he walks closer to me, towering over me with his height.
"Listen. No one ever rejected me. What I want is what I got," I held a deep breath. I hate being forced so much. Everyone knows that. What's the idea of coming here and being forced like this when I can just silently live in my family house, facing the same sequences?
This man messes with the wrong girl!
"Congratulations then, it's your first day!" I look at him, wearing my annoying smile. His eyes squint as he grabs my hand and pulls me closer.
"How dare you reject me?!"
The situation is getting chaotic. He tries to pull me to his car. Sweet and Hera cry as they try to help me, but even they are helpless. I resist as strongly as I can. But the man gathers all his might to snatch me away.
Until a swing on his face, and he drops on the asphalt road.
"What the fu-"
"Where do you think you wanna bring my girlfriend to, you bastard?" I reach out to Jun as soon as possible, hiding behind him.
"How dare you!" he stands up. Eyes full of rage.
"Are you retard or what? I told you, she's my girlfriend! Of course, I dare to punch your stupid mother-"
"Jun, you talk too much..." I tap Jun's hand. He tends to babble when he is mad. Or nervous.
Right now, he is nervous. I know.
"Jagi, hold my jacket for me! Lemme punch his face!" I try to hold my laugh when I see Jun roll his sweatshirt's sleeves. The man marches forward as he swings his knuckle at Jun. But he avoids the jab and makes a strong uppercut to the man's jaw.
Yeah, Jun is a music producer, a rapper, and a boxer too!
"Leave! And never return!" he barks at the man. The man looks at me and Jun. After some time, he leaves the cafe.
"Are you okay?" Jun quickly grabbed my wrist. He gave a soft tap all over my body to check if I got hurt.
"Did he pull you too hard?" he keeps mumbling while checking on me.
"Jun...." I grab his hand. He stops moving.
"I'm okay. But if you keep checking like that, my body might get bruised..." I say.
"Sorry..." he grins and rubs his nape.
I stare at him. There's a worry in his eyes. Behind that silly grin, I know he is scared and concerned. I smile as I ruffle his hair.
"Yarh, you ruin my curl!"
"Oh, now you care about your curl? Silly!"
"Silly? Me? No thanks at all? My God!" he stomps his feet and enters the cafe with sulking face.
"Yeah, thanks but what's with the girlfriend, huh? Since when do we date??"
"Bla bla bla... I can't hear you!"
"Kim Jun Seo!!"
We keep bickering into the kitchen. The night passed by just like that.
Never care even once that someone is watching us from afar.