"I'm glad you're making this decision, Soo Young! On behalf of the royal family, we express our gratitude for your kindness!" Wang Ki smiled as he handed the scroll to his eunuch. The man slowly descended the stairs in front of the king's throne and carefully handed the scroll back to Soo Young.
The physician took it with respect, unrolled the scroll to check the seal, and rolled it back with a satisfied look.
"I must say, this is my first job after returning home, so I promise I'll do my best, jeonha mama..."
Soo Young replied smoothly, causing a wide smile to spread across the king's face. Her charismatic aura really caught Wang Ki's attention. She was indeed an epitome of beauty and brains.
"I know you won't let me down, agassi! In the meantime, it's a good step forward. You two can get to know each other before deciding whether we can proceed with the conjugal ties between our families!" Wang Ki beamed brightly.
"Conjugal... ties?" Soo Young blurted out.
"Yes. Has your father told you anything about it?" Wang Ki asked.
"Shibal..." Soo Young muttered under her breath, realizing why her father insisted she visit the palace a few days ago.
So this is it!
"Abeonim did mention something about it, but forgive me, jeonha, I didn't pay attention to any of it!" Soo Young replied earnestly.
"Ah, that's fine then! Maybe we'll discuss it later, don't worry too much about it," Wang Ki reassured Soo Young.
"My gratitude to you, jeonha mama! For now, I want to focus on Min Jun daegun and his wellbeing," Soo Young conceded politely.
The conversation ended with Soo Young excusing herself. She walked out of the Emerald Dragon's main hall, towards the entrance of the main palace. She held the scroll tightly in her hand.
"Wah... Look who we have here!"
A voice exclaimed as Soo Young was midway through the palace. She glanced over, only to meet eyes with Miju and his small entourage from the Sapphire. They were all in sync, wearing light blue hanboks with black-lined collars.
"Seja jeoha, how are you?" Soo Young politely bowed to Miju, but kept her distance from the Crown Prince.
"I'm doing well! I heard you came back from China a few weeks ago, but not once did you visit my house!" Miju snickered, smirking at her.
"I didn't find it necessary to meet you, seja," Soo Young countered. She maintained her poise while sharpening her most potent weapon—her vicious tongue.
"But you did visit my brother's temporary quarters..."
"I think I have the right to choose where to go and whom I meet," Soo Young rasped. "And I chose wisely. For my safety," she continued.
Miju couldn't hide his irritation at Soo Young's reply. But he remained composed as they stood in the middle of the foyer of the main palace. Everyone was aware of every move, especially in such an open space.
"So, you're saying we have no business together, but you had business with my brother?" Miju asked, fully interested.
"It was a mere coincidence, seja jeoha..."
"I heard you're his new physician. Is that what you call a coincidence?" Miju asked viciously, tilting his head while staring deep into her eyes.
"Wow, news travels fast! I guess there's no point in hiding it. Yes, I'm his new physician. He just appointed me, and I accepted the offer. I just came from a meeting with jeonha mama to get his seal of approval," Soo Young replied firmly.
Miju glared at her, his eyes darkening. He thought Soo Young should be grateful they were having this conversation in public. If she were in the Sapphire, he couldn't guarantee her safety.
"Why didn't you consult me first? I could have offered you the same position with a much higher payment than him!" Miju nagged. Soo Young let out a small huff, her lips curling slightly.
"As I told you before, seja jeoha, I have the right to choose whom I want to meet and work with. And I chose wisely for my own safety. Plus, I find it unnecessary to be in a place where I have nothing to do. With daegun jaga, I can try to find a way to cure his illness, which, as a matter of fact, I did!" Soo Young bragged slightly.
Seeing her confidence ignited a fire in Miju's heart, burning inside his chest. The anger he tried to suppress might soon burst out. He had no choice but to step closer to Soo Young, so no one could see or hear his frustration.
"You're one hell of a stupid girl! I mean, I can offer you many things, compared to a man with a terminal illness. Not only a job as a physician, but you could also even rule alongside me, Soo Young!" Miju snarled, looking down as he locked eyes with her. But this brave little woman didn't budge, not even afraid of the Crown Prince.
"Let me make this clear, seja jeoha. I am a physician. I've studied medical procedures for a long time. I don't want to waste all that hard work, come home, and be someone's concubine! I love myself and what I do so much that I don't care about the money at all!" Soo Young reprimanded softly but sternly.
"I never meant to make you a concubine, Soo Young! If I have to divorce my wife for you, I'm willing to! Only for you..."
"Did you hear your rubbish talk, seja? How can you easily discard your wife like she's worthless to you?! That shows your true character, indeed!" Soo Young cringed, shaking her head in disbelief. "And you expect me to accept you after that? I'm not stupid!" Soo Young replied to Miju, with a few lunatic giggles escaping her vicious mouth.
Miju couldn't hold his anger anymore. He harshly grabbed Soo Young's hand and yanked her closer to him. But he was caught off guard when he felt something sharp almost pierce his waist.
"You think I don't know who you are, seja jeoha? Perhaps I should refresh your memory of how I got to know the real you in the first place!" Soo Young hissed at Miju. "And to assume I came unprepared, that's a mistake, seja! You almost hurt me once; I won't let you hurt me again!"
Slowly, Miju released his grip on Soo Young's hand. He knew he couldn't do anything to her. Soo Young was not like the other girls he had met before. She was different. That's the reason why he fell head over heels for her.
But sadly, his greed and dirty thoughts caused him a great loss!
"You're safe, for now. But I promise, you'll regret this, Soo Young!" Miju snarled. Instead of getting scared or angry, Soo Young remained calm and composed.
Miju stomped his feet, leaving the spot as he realized his taunting didn't bother the woman at all. Anger boiled inside him as he realized, once again, he had lost Soo Young to an incompetent man like his brother.
There goes his reputation!