Dear Friends, hope you'll enjoy this chapter...
Thanks to Taehumama, Yomiii21 and Mahua for your nice reviews.
"Elope? There must be a misunderstanding-" Soo tried to reason but she saw the King stand up and then the look in his eyes screamed danger.
She took one step back, then two but Wang Yo stalked her every move, hovering over her he didn't intend to let go of his prey. She abruptly found herself crushed against a pillar and one muscular chest.
"Jung is planning to settle down with you in Chungju." he coldly murmured in her ear. "He wants to take you away!"
Soo's eyes grew wide with understanding. Did Prince Jung challenge the King for the throne... because of her? Did the King see Prince Jung as threat for his crown now?
"Pyeha, I beg of you... do not harm Prince Jung." she implored, tears were falling down on her cheeks now.
He gently cradled her face and with his big thumps Yo wiped her tears off. Almost lovingly. "Why must I show him mercy when he plans to take what's mine." he demanded, seeing his Court Lady's eyes grow even wider.
"Jung-nim never wanted the throne, he's most happy when he is free and can go to wars. That's the reason he is an awesome General. He is no threat to your crown." Soo blurted out, more falling tears on the king's fingers. She completely misunderstood his meaning.
Wang Yo grew more irritated by the seconds, it didn't help that she praised his younger brother in front of him but the faith she had in Jung was dazzling. It had pricked his pride. She still didn't understand anything. Clueless woman, he thought in annoyance.
The overconfident King Jeongjong was jealous.
How he wished for Hae Soo to show him such loyalty. He now understood why Jung was so protective of her, why his younger brother would defy every Royal orders to ensure the Court Lady's safety. That reason shone brightly in Soo's eyes for she simply would go to hell and back for... Jung too.
"I shall strip the 14th Prince from all his titles and send him into exile." he threatened, glad to be able to instill fear in her heart. Still pleased that he had such power over her.
"I-I can swear on my life that Prince Jung had never wanted the throne." she assured with confidence. "Don't hurt him please!"
As Soo wanted to bend on her knees, Yo gripped her by the shoulders, forcefully pinning her against the pillar, "Don't you dare kneel in front of me for Jung! Don't take his side! Don't defend him!" The king growled.
"I... I'm not taking side, Pyeha." Hae Soo stammered, "Jung-nim is my friend, I know him... he doesn't want the throne-"
Yo whispered, "What am I to you?" It was almost imperceptible.
Soo watched the king smirk and lean into her, his lips lightly grazed her own then slowly caressed her cheeks to finally rest close to her ear. All the while, Soo's heartbeat rose up dangerously.
"I will have to trust your words then, whatever happens you will take responsibility, won't you?" Yo murmured hotly against her ear. He watched as Soo nodded frantically.
"Don't ever forget then that you belong to me, Hae Soo!" he warned before leaving the Atrium, his party in tow.
What the hell was that?, the Royal Court Lady's mind screamed, more shocked than frightened.
The following days were hectic, Soo tried as much as possible to avoid being alone with the King, whether she used Park Sangseon or other court ladies as the shield, she was always flanked by coworkers when she met Wang Yo.
The latter found her juvenile tactics rather amusing, her whole body expression showed him that he had affected her. She may not be aware of it but one thing was sure, the monster that he was didn't disgust her thoroughly. Wang Yo cannot be completely certain of his court lady's feelings but if she continued to care for him like she did so far, that would be enough for him to never let her go.
The Royal retinue patiently waited for the King to finish bathing, when Wang Yo shouted through the door, "Hae Sanggung, come hither! Alone."
Soo flinched at the order, she helplessly watched Park Sangseon motion for the court ladies to open the door. With a movement of his head, the old eunuch commanded to Soo to go into the bath-chamber.
On the verge of a heart attack, the royal court lady stepped foot in the room and found a half-naked Wang Yo, only dressed in black satin pants. Gulping nervously, she drew near the King with towels in hands, looking everywhere else but at his bare torso and scrutinizing eyes.
He looked at her bandaged hand, proof of her recent predicament and then demanded her, "Show me your hand."
The air within the Royal bath-chamber immediately tensed up.
"Your Majesty doesn't have to concern himself with a Court Lady's well-being." Soo answered humbly, she then stepped back, resting her hands on her stomach.
Point taken, though Hae Soo wasn't any servant and in time Yo would make her understand the difference but now he started the chase, towering over her until her small form touched the corner of the bath-chamber.
"You are too reckless." Wang Yo admonished. Soo quivered under his stare.
He crushed her body against the wall, took each one of her hands in his, sliding them upward along the wall. He could almost hear her heartbeat. Her face was red in embarrassment or was it excitement? Yo could not tell but he liked the sight. Suddenly, the king took the bandage off her palm and intently examined her hand.
"Pyeha... I said it was nothing." Hae Soo murmured, trying to calm her wits. Her palm was pinkish but other than that, there was no inflammation, no blister.
"Don't ever hurt yourself again" He kissed her palm, "unless you want to witness how dangerous I can become."
Soo gulped, for in the King's eyes she saw possessiveness... and something she couldn't or wouldn't name. Does Pyeha really care for me?
-Two months later-
"This year, the harvest isn't good and the drought doesn't help either. Goryeo will endure starvation soon..." informed one of the high officials.
"Songak is not spared by these bad news too." added Wang Wook.
"For now, close the Capital's doors, no one is to enter or exit without strict permission." ordered Yo, then he turned to Jung, "Secure Songak and be alerted."
Wang Jung, Wook and officials bowed at the King's order, "Very well Pyeha."
When other officials retired themselves leaving Yo, Wook and Jung alone in the royal library, Soo flanked by several court ladies made her entrance. She went to serve the King personally, avoiding the gaze of the three men in the room. After preparing Yo's tea, Soo was about to follow her subordinates in order to exit the library.
However Hae Soo's retreat was halted when the King tugged at her wrist and made her sit next to him on the floor.
"Stay." Yo ordered.
Soo timidly put some distance between them but Yo refused to let go of her arm, she felt like his fingers were scorching her skin, "Pyeha...?"
Jung and Wook frowned their brow in concern. Wang Yo slowly released his court lady's wrist and went to drink his tea.
Wook started, "Pyeha, maybe Soo's presence isn't necessa-"
"Hae Soo, it seems that you have friends all around Goryeo. What about the news?" Yo asked, totally ignoring Wook's objection.
Soo lifted her head in surprise, she didn't expect for the King to be aware of Wang Eun and Chaeryung's letters.
"It seems that harvest were bad this season, adding to that the drought that has been raging for a month now, the 10th Prince and Chaeryung said that starvation might kill lots of people soon." It wasn't a secret though, Soo explained the content of her letters. "and I'm afraid that diseases will start to spread afterward."
"Diseases?" Jung repeated.
"Everytime there's war or starvation, epidemics are always following suit." Soo answered.
"Wook-ah tell all physicians to be prepared in case of diseases." Yo ordered and his younger brother nodded.
They didn't know when it started but Yo always seemed to take into account Soo's opinion. Wook didn't breath a word as the court lady's opinions were much better than the Queen Mother's for that matter.
Weeks later, what the King and his Court feared the most happened in the Capital. Starvation and epidemic were raging, People started to curse at the Royal family and especially at the King. Fortunately, Physicians of Songak, prepared as they were, still worked night and day.
Woo Hee, leading the later Baekje refugees, protested in front of the Palace's gate. People of Goryeo joined them and the crowd grew bigger. The Royal family was caged in the Palace's walls. Two days after, Park Sangseon reluctantly gave a letter to the King.
Yo frowned and looked at the envelope, "Why is Hae Sanggung writing to me?"
"I'm not quite certain, Pyeha." only answered the old eunuch before leaving the royal bedchamber.
King Jeongjong started to read the letter, "Pyeha, if you read this letter, I surely am not by your side. People of Goryeo is starving, as the King you has the duty to help them. I am full aware that you are no Deity but still I believe that you can do something worthwhile. I beg of you, Pyeha, save your subjects. Hae Soo."
Yo's breath came out harshly, he folded the letter and shouted for the Head Eunuch. The latter instantly entered into the room.
"Where is that reckless woman?" the King growled.
Park Sangseon sighed, his master won't be pleased, "Hae Sanggung went to talk to the leader of the revolt."
"She did?!"
"It seemed that they knew each other... the Gyobang's Sanggung Woo Hee." The Head Eunuch stated.
Yo shook his head in disbelief, Soo still surprised him and then again her brashness angered him all the same.
Meanwhile, Soo and Woo Hee were discussing despite the crowd's angry noise.
"What are you doing here Woo Hee-ah? Where's Baek Ah-nim?"
"I told the 13th Prince to stay out of this. I am here for Baekje's People... no, we are all People of Goryeo and we are dying, the King ought to do something!" Woo Hee replied and the crowd roared in unison.
Soo spoke, "The King is trying hard, Woo Hee-ah."
"We know that the epidemic was halted by Royal Physicians and thanks goodness, His Majesty thought of that ahead of time but right now his subjects are starving. What will he do now?"
"His majesty will find a way-" Soo's answer was cut off when a rock hit her forehead.
"Soo-ah!" cried Woo Hee and then she looked behind her shoulder, "Don't use violence, my friend didn't do anything wrong."
"She's taking side with the King!" shouted someone in the crowd.
Blood started to drip from Soo's forehead, Woo Hee pressed a handkerchief on the wound. "You should go back, Soo-ah."
"No. They won't trust His Majesty's words if I did that." Soo smiled.
At that moment, Royal guards placed themselves in front of the Palace's gate, facing the hostile crowd. Everybody tensed up.
"We won't trust him if he sent his guards to kill us." shouted another man.
"Give us food!"
"Did we all need to die for him to do something?"
"Please, give His Majesty more time-" Soo pleaded.
"You're just a servant, why are you defending the King? I know for sure that Wang Yo is not so merciful." Woo Hee asked.
The blood was soaking the tissue but Soo stayed rooted on the spot. "I... I just would like to believe in him."
Jung appeared atop of one tower. He scanned the crowd in search of Hae Soo, finding her beside Baek Ah's friend, he noticed right away her bloody forehead.
Clenching his fists around the parchment, Wang Jung shouted, "By royal decree, all the royal storehouses are to be opened, all sack of rice and provisions are to be distributed to People of Goryeo in need."
"See, I told you that the King will find a way..." Hae Soo smiled weakly and the only thing she heard was the crowd's cries of joy and relief before she loose consciousness.
"Manse, Manse Mam Manse! Pyeha!"
"Soo-ah?!" cried Woo Hee in alarm when her friend fell in her arms. Jung immediately rushed by their side and took Soo away.
When Hae Soo regained consciousness, she wasn't in her room, simply lit by one candle her surrounding was unfamiliar and it was already nighttime. In the shadow of the room, Soo distinguished a man sitting on a chair.
"Ju-Jung-nim?" murmured Soo as she sat up in the bed.
The man rose to his full height and closed the gap between them. Soo had to put a hand on her mouth when she discovered his face. "P-Pyeha, what are you doing here?"
Yo stayed quiet, his grim face made Soo want to scurry away. She unconsciously backed away when he sat face to her on the bed. When the King lifted his warm hand to touch her cheek, Soo's heart almost burst out.
"I warned you, didn't I? Why do you have to be so reckless?" Yo murmured.
"I never meant to disobey, Pyeha."
"And yet, you're hurt." Wang Yo's heart almost sank when he had seen Soo's bloody head but fortunately the Royal physician had assured him that the wound was superficial.
"It's just a scratch." Soo reassured.
"You were the only one that believes in me back there." the King stated.
The court lady remained quiet as she didn't know what to reply, her heartbeat just increased dramatically. She wanted to tell him that his gesture toward his subjects was appreciated. She was relieved that he didn't let her hopes down when she faced the crowd, truthfully King Jeongjong had made her heart waver.
"How I am supposed to let you go, Hae Soo-ah?" Yo asked her. When she looked up at him, he took that precise moment to descend onto her lips.
The next thing Soo felt was his hungry mouth on hers. Closed and tense at first, she resisted, too overwhelmed by the shock, but Yo was unyielding in his assault. He secured her face with both hands, keeping her close, the lack of air made her mouth open and it didn't take long for the King to find her tongue and mark her as his.
Hae Soo's mouth slowly surrendered to him, she melted into the kiss even though the guilt gnawed at her. Her attraction to Wang Yo was a sin. The man was a deadly sin.
He felt her trembling beneath his touch, her flaming cheeks and doe-like eyes were so alluring after the searing kiss that it took all his self-control to back away. They were both breathless when the King let go of her face eventually.
"Pyeha, you must be confused about what you feel." She tried to reason him. "I might seem to be the only person on your side but that doesn't make me special."
Yo devilishly smiled, "I'm not confused. You know everything about me... my weakness, my ambition, my dreams..."
"I've never wanted to be in that position." Hae Soo replied.
"Too bad for I will show you how fierce my loyalties are for Goryeo." Even though he was cruel and ruthless to others, the sole fact that Yo only allowed her to see his weak and caring side was more than a miracle.
The court lady blinked, "You don't have to prove me anything, Pyeha."
"You are my person, Soo-ah." Yo gently pressed his forehead against her bruised one, his right hand cupping her jaw. "I will never allow you to leave."
Hae Soo knew she was doomed the moment she started to have faith in him. She never thought she would feel valued again. Why did his words affect me so? Am I falling for the King?
Just so you know, in History King Jeongjong really spent 70,000 sacks of grain, but unlike in my fic, he did it to support Buddhism.
As usual, advice are appreciated. Thanks
Take care Chingudeul!