Chapter 11 is up! Thanks for being all patient ;D
Warning : smut in this chapter.
To answer to SoSooJANG, your review always made my day! I sincerely thank you for leaving comment. All your thoughts are appreciated and I cannot agree more with you! Lastly, concerning your wish about YoSoo's future, I will only tell you this : "Have faith!"
"Your Grace, may I take a moment of your time?"
Soo looked up and put down the dried herbs she was studying.
"What is the matter, Park Sangseon?" replied the young consort as she immediately noticed the Head Eunuch's concerned look.
Park Sangseon sighed, "Since morning, His Majesty is very upset..."
"Why? Did something happen while the King held Court?"
"Nothing out of ordinary, Your Grace... but may I be frank?" the old eunuch said as he watched Soo nod. "Every time His Majesty acts the way he does now, it often relates to you."
Hae Soo blinked, "What did I do? Since 14th Prince's leaving this morning, I didn't cross path with the King once."
"Your Grace... with due respect, you should go see His Majesty." The old eunuch suggested.
"Did he summon me? Proper decorum should be followed-"
Park Sangseon smirked, "Your relationship never followed etiquette."
Hae Soo blushed and cleared her throat, "Where is the King?"
"His Majesty is in the practice field... It's been 3 hours..."
"3 hours? Alright Park Sangseon, let's go." said Consort Soo.
Fifteen minutes later, the Head Eunuch and Soo were prevented from approaching the practice field by several royal guards.
"What are you doing? Let the King know that Her Grace is here." Park Sangseon growled.
"I beg your pardon, Your Grace... but His Majesty forbids us to let anyone go near him." One of Yo's personal guard admitted.
Hae Soo smiled in understanding as the guard relaxed instantly. "I won't go near the King... whatever happens, I will take responsibility, don't worry."
All the guards respectfully bowed as Soo made her way toward the target. Wang Yo froze for a split of a moment when he saw Hae Soo walking in the field. She stopped in front of his main target and looked straight into his eyes. Recollecting his wits, Yo held his bow up, took his stance then shot... His arrow flew past Soo's cheek but this time it didn't graze her skin. The young woman didn't blink nor did she make a move instead she stubbornly stared at Yo. A rainfall of arrow flew past Hae Soo's body but never touching one inch of her skin. Wang Yo put his bow down on the table and made his way toward Soo in frustration. Park Sangseon and all the guards present diverted their gaze on the other side as the King stilled mere inches apart from his Consort.
"Were you trying to get yourself killed?" snarled Wang Yo. That temper of his never improved.
Soo countered, "Was I really in danger, Pyeha? The sole fact that I'm standing here unharmed, just proved that your archery skills are second to none."
"So you were testing me?" asked Yo, her presence calmed him down gradually.
"I'm testing your feelings as well as my faith in you..." the young woman admitted, "I don't know what makes you so upset but-"
The young monarch interrupted her, "I saw the Wolf-dog embracing you..."
Hae Soo's eyes grew like saucers, "So you really are upset because of me... wow, Park Sangseon is definitely the best!" She said in awe.
"What you talking about?"
"Pyeha, you are the most powerful man in Goryeo. How can you be jealous of the 4th Prince?"
Wang Yo closed the gap between them, seizing her waist, his serious face drew near hers, "Because a heart can be swayed, he is important to you."
"Yes, Prince So is important for me, the same goes for almost all your brothers. However, I chose to be with you, against all odds I chose to stay by your side. Don't you trust me at all, Pyeha?" Soo tried to put his worry to rest.
Yo captured her lips in a fiery kiss, sliding his tongue in her sweet mouth, he cupped her cheek as he poured all his frustrated feelings into their kiss. Breathless and aroused, the young monarch let go of Soo reluctantly only to tear her garment apart. Feeling self-conscious, Soo tried to hide her naked body but the King towered over her until she tripped on his royal bed. Undressing himself promptly, he meld his body onto hers as they continued to kiss wildly once again. Wang Yo wanted nothing more than to be inside Hae Soo but the latter pushed him onto his back as she took place between his long legs. The moment Soo took his engorged cock in her hand, she saw her husband shudder. Slowly, she slid her hand up and down and masturbate him. As Yo felt waves of pleasure washing over him, he arched his head backward. Soo was pleased to watch the effect she had over the powerful king as her next move completely subdued him.
King Jeongjong's eyes grew wide when he felt Soo's warm mouth closing around his sex. "Soo-ah, you don't have to do-" He only managed to say as her next suckle made his bullock tense and he groaned in pleasure.
Soo continued her ministrations, each lick and suckle slowly but surely sent her husband over the edge. Then before the point of no return, Yo gently stopped her and pushed his wife onto the mattress.
"Was it so bad?" Soo asked, feeling pained.
Wang Yo smirked, "On the contrary, your mouth was heaven... I just need to be inside you, that's all."
Hae Soo blushed an interesting shade of red as the King sensually kissed her. He positioned himself behind her as they rested on their right side. Soo used Yo's bicep as a pillow and felt her inner walls stretched as he entered from behind. His wife immediately arched her back when he slid inside out. Biting her ear, the King fondled Soo's left breast with his free hand. As she met each thrust with a wiggle of her hips, the couple was soon at the brink of pleasure. He quickened his pace as Yo descended his lips in the crook of Soo's neck, leaving love-bites. His free hand went to caress her clit garnering in the process Soo's louder moans.
"Ooh... Pyeha! Aah... I'm so close!"
Yo thrust into her deeper, "Come for me!" Harder. "You're only mine." He pushed into her several more time before they reached their climax, groaning, he released his seed in her warm pussy.
Exhausted, Yo covered them with a blanket before confessing, "You're the only one I trust, Soo-ah."
Hae Soo smiled, satisfied, it was all she ever needed to know.
-Fourth year of King Jeongjong's reign-
The construction of Seokyeong fortress being delayed, Wang Yo was in foul mood for months now. Honestly, he was beyond furious, so needless to say that the Palace's People were walking on thin ice whenever they came across the King. Even Hae Soo, ever vigilant, took cautious step around him.
"Shall you be more attentive of your health? Being stressed all the time doesn't help it, you know?!" said Soo.
"Str-stress? What is that?" inquired Yo, perplexed. His Consort always had weird expressions. They were in his chamber, drinking their last tea of the day.
She cogitated hard before answering, "You are irate from morning to night. You must calm down, let the fortress's construction continue its course. Even with delay, Seokyeong will definitely be the new Capital if you set your mind into it."
Wang Yo's expression softened, she always knew how to tame his wild heart. Now that he thought about it he had neglected Soo for several weeks and yet she was present whenever he needed her. He knew that the whole Palace was on her side. Over the years, Soo won over powerful families and most importantly she had the respect of the People. Indeed, thanks to her, the law of emancipation of slave passed through the government. Yo was proud of his Consort even if he won't admit it aloud. He observed her in silence and suddenly noticed her glowing figure.
Soo noted his perplexed look, she let out a faint giggle and kept on drinking her tea.
"By any chance, did you have good news from Jung-ie?" Yo guessed, sipping his own drink.
"The Grand General wrote to me." replied Soo.
"I see..." he said, still jealous over Soo's affection for his younger brother, Yo seemed to search his word "Then I surmise he's the reason you are so... happy?"
"It doesn't concern your brother but at last, you've noticed?!" she answered with a warm smile, "I am with child. It's been three months."
If the king was surprised, he didn't show it. He just froze for several minutes. Soo waited for his reaction, whatever it was but she instantly worried when she saw his expressionless eyes. As for Wang Yo, a myriad of feelings washed over him. He wasn't exactly a warm father, of that he was certain. Like father, like son. Taejo Wang Geon was a king before a father too. When his train of thoughts caught Hae Soo's blabbering, he narrowed his eye.
"... did not expect this... I can understand... that's why I've been discussing with the Queen, she agreed as long as you give your consent." Soo explained, panic in her eyes.
"What are you talking about?" Yo demanded, still confused by the news.
Soo spoke in all seriousness, "Pyeha, please give me your consent to return to my hometown with the Hae's Clan."
"What?" he growled, he didn't mean it to be menacing but hearing Soo's favor suddenly angered him.
Hae Soo misunderstood the King's reaction and tried to negotiate, "then, I could go to your hometown in Chungju with the Yoo's Clan."
"You seem to misunderstand something..." Yo said in a calm voice, cold like Arctic, "you are not leaving my side. I will not allow it."
"Pyeha?! I thought... It would be better if I live outside the Palace, raising our child-" informed Soo
"Then you shall think again!" Yo interjected, "for I will not allow you to leave."
Hae Soo stormed out of his chamber, brow furrowed in frustration.
The borders finally at peace, the Grand General had returned home in triumph. However, he didn't expect to be welcomed by a very pregnant Hae Soo. She was glowing. The expected due date was in a month.
"You should rest, Soo-nui. Please, think of your health." Jung implored. He helped Soo sit down and took the teapot from her hands. They were in her quarters, servants came to serve the tea and dismissed themselves quickly.
"I'm confined in my quarters since months... He doesn't allow me to do anything!" said Soo in frustration.
"The King just wants to protect you." Jung replied with a smile. They had that discussion over days now. Soo was still fuming because His Majesty ordered her to stop all activities and stay put in her quarters. Wang Yo was unyielding but the least he could do was to allow for his Consort to have visitors.
"I would have done the same, knowing your recklessness." Jung added, taking a sip from his cup.
"So you're taking his side?!" accused Soo, with incredulous eyes she muttered, "I should know that blood is always thicker..."
Jung chuckled. "As long as you're out of harm's way, I cannot agree more." the Grand General answered truthfully. He saw Hae Soo's grimace as she drank her tea in frustration.
"You Wang brothers are too possessive... too stubborn... too overprotective." she declared and then bit in a sweet snack.
Honestly, it didn't help that her husband of a King acted as an infuriating nagging man, but it was even more troublesome when Jung took the role of the doting soon-to-be uncle at heart. And both brothers were quite obsessed over her safety, to say the least.
"Is it a crime to protect what is precious to me?" Jung pondered.
The King entered in the room at that moment, "My point exactly."
The Grand General stood up from his chair and bowed, "Greetings to the King."
Soo was going to rise from her seat too when Wang Yo approached her and put a warm hand on her shoulder, "Don't bother bow at me for now."
Yo looked at his Consort with longing eyes. She slightly changed over the months but deep down, she was still the same fiery woman he came to care for... enough for him to break the rules for having her... enough for him to make her his Consort even though she was scarred. In this lifetime, he doubted ever being able to let go of her. She would be his forever. At first, he was alarmed when she talked about leaving the Palace because of her pregnancy. Afterwards, he knew that she wanted to do things right for him.
Soo wanted to prevent the unnecessary battles over his succession. She didn't want a fratricide's war like years ago because be it son or daughter, Soo will never push her child into the throne. In all honesty, Hae Soo was a clever woman, raising a prince or princess outside the Palace grounds was more healthier. The children escaped the Palace's schemes and if their fate wasn't meant to be King or Queen, then they could be free and without greed. Yo always knew that Soo wasn't a greedy woman and perhaps it was this trait that attracted him first. She never wanted anything from him and that was why he couldn't possibly let her go, for she was his last line to sanity. She was the reward of his life. She had to realize this soon enough.
Jung paced back and forth in the hallway. Extremely worried for Soo, he hit himself on the chest.
"Does it normally take that long?" he asked to no one in particular. On behalf of the King, Park Sangseon came to see the progression several times but Jung answered negatively each time. Suddenly, they heard Soo's cries of pain. The Grand General, who used to command and bark orders, felt at loss. He almost stormed into the labor's room when he heard Soo's next cry.
Later on, Park Sangseon returned nigh His Majesty, Wang Yo was holding court and urgent matters kept popping unexpectedly. The ministers argued since early morning and it didn't look like the end anytime soon. Inwardly, Yo was worried for Hae Soo as the labor seemed to take more time than usual, even for a first-born. He won't tell a soul but he was grateful for Jung's presence near Soo for once.
The labor was long and painful. It took all her strength to give birth, Soo was completely drained when her first-born took his first breath. After the usual cleansing, mother and baby looked at each other in wonder for a moment and then they took the royal bundle to his nanny. Jung rushed to Soo's side, worry written on all over his face.
"Soo-nui, congratulations! You have an healthy and robust prince, don't worry. Please take care of yourself now." he implored, taking her hand in his. She smiled weakly. She was so pale, old memories came to his mind as he never wanted to see her in this state ever again but she survived those tortures and kneeling protest years ago, Jung reminded himself, so she will be strong enough to survive childbirth.
"Jung-nim, do me a favor please... you said that my life was like yours" Soo began, she saw Jung nod hurriedly.
"Then please, protect my son with your life in my stead..." she continued, growing weaker.
"Why are you saying such thing? You will be fine-" exclaimed the Grand General.
"Please, promise me Jung-nim?!" Soo pleaded.
"Alright, I promise... Soo-nui." assented Wang Jung, "I will protect him with my life."
"Tell His Majesty-" she whispered, too tired to keep her eyes open.
He cut her off, "You will tell him yourself!" Worry bloomed in his chest as he saw her lose consciousness.
"Soo-ah?! SOO-AH!" He was still clutching her hand, when the King entered in the room, with the Royal Physician in tow. The sight that greeted Yo was surreal. His younger brother was shouting like a madman, his consort was lying in bed, white like the snow and unconscious. And suddenly all Hell broke loose, Yo rushed to Soo's side, almost knocking Jung in the process.
"Soo-ah? Open your eyes! Soo-ah, it's an order! You cannot do this to me!" Wang Yo hysterically shouted while nudging his wife. Royal guards had to drag two wrecked men out of the labor room for the Royal Physician to be able to do his job properly. Needless to say that the King threatened to end the poor doctor's life if he didn't save Soo.
"Hyung-nim, Soo gave you a son." Jung said, once he was calm enough to talk. They patiently waited in Soo's quarters.
"I know... I saw him before I went to Soo." Wang Yo replied in mild tone. Both men stood there, listless.
"Congratulations for the newborn Prince, Pyeha." the Grand General bowed.
They stared at each other, their respective weakness shining brightly in their eyes. Consort Soo of the Hae Clan just ruled over the two most powerful men in Goryeo. Heavens must be laughing at the irony.
After what it seemed like eternity, the physician came to make his report. "I did everything in my power to save Her Grace. She lost a lot of blood so the next days will be very important. She needs to regain consciousness first." the doctor informed.
Wang Yo heard the doctor's diagnosis but he said nothing as he just stared into space.
"Thank you, Royal Physician." Wang Jung dismissed the doctor.
It has been 3 days since Hae Soo blacked out, Jung was often seen in her quarters but the King was at her bedside every night. He didn't leave her till early morning.
"You must wake up now." Wang Yo murmured, taking her hand in his large ones, "don't you dare die on me!" He was worried... and weary, Palace's life seemed so vain without Soo's caring presence. Over the last days, he came to understand that she was a very important part of him.
"Don't go where I cannot reach you, Soo-ah!" he started to shout but ended up whispering eventually, "It's an order... your King's order..."
Jung entered in the chamber, "Greetings to His Majesty. It's almost time to hold Court."
"Inform me immediately of any change." Yo ordered before exiting Soo's room. Jung bowed and took his brother's place.
"Your son is a brave one. He has good health and appetite but he's eager to see his mother now." Jung informed with a faint smile. "How can you do this to me, hm? I came back from wars in one piece and you... you... want to go far away?! If this continues, Hyung-nim and I will go berserk, Soo-nui."
Chapter 12 will be the last.