Wang Yo was getting drunk in his sorrows, downing one alcohol after another. His tears have long dried up, but when his memory recalls how Sae Woon was wed to another man right in front of him, his heart feels like being hammered to pieces all over again.
"Yo", his mother's voice seemingly reaches empty ears as she tried to call her son's attention. "Are you listening to me?"
"What?"
"Wang Yo! Are you really going to make me repeat myself?" Queen Yoo snapped angrily, drinking her tea. "We must accelerate our plans, the rain ritual is getting near-"
"Leave me alone", Wang Yo whispered, pouring himself another shot of strong alcohol.
"What did you say?" Queen Yo asked incredulously, not understanding her son's behavior.
"I said leave me alone, goddamn it!" Wang Yo shouted in outburst, his hand slamming the table.
Queen Yoo could only shook her head as she gathered her robes, looking over at her son with a disgusted look in her eyes.
"Hmph, I would rather talk to you sober anyways", Queen Yoo scolded angrily. "Come find me if your are sane enough"
She dashed out of the room, leaving Wang Yo to wallow in his sadness. He continued to drink alcohol, waiting for the numbing effect that the heavenly drink will brought upon him.
Unknown to him, Lady Shin Gong entered his quarters. She saw his drunken state, and her face contorted into an expression of pure displeasure. Nevertheless, she let out a winning smile soon after as she sauntered over to her husband, calling his attention.
"My Prince!"
Wang Yo looked over at her direction, but his vision is slowly blurring out the reality. Instead of seeing Shin Gong right in front of him, he saw the very person that he is trying so hard to forget.
Sae Woon.
"You are here", Wang Yo let out a smirk, going over to his first wife, thinking it was his first love. "You came. You came for me"
"Why would I not?" Shin Gong said, feeling pleased with herself. "I'm here for you"
"I've missed you so much", Wang Yo slurred, his body slowly caught by Shin Gong as he hovered over her small figure. His arms encircled around her waist, bringing her close to him.
"I love you", Wang Yo whispered, his face inching closer to Shin Gong's. But as if fate was playing a trick on him, the blurry state of his mind was finally lifted. When he realized that his first wife was actually the one before him and not Sae Woon, he immediately let go of her.
Shin Gong felt herself being pushed away by Wang Yo, and she saw his expression slowly being pulled into reality. It fuelled the anger and jealousy now building up inside of Wang Yo's first wife.
"Why the sudden change of mind, my Prince?" Shin Gong smirked. "Did you expect someone else?"
Wang Yo avoided the question, making a move to retreat back to his chair and drink more wine. But Shin Gong's next words made him stop in his tracks.
"Was it Sae Woon?"
"I would highly advise you to keep your mouth shut, Lady Shin Gong", Wang Yo warned, clearly on his last string of patience. "You could seriously get hurt"
"Why? Do you still deny the fact that you feel such disgusting emotions towards your sister-"
Shin Gong was not able to continue her goading as a strong slap issued from Wang Yo's hand connecting to her face. She held her reddening cheek as hot tears were flowing from her eyes, her arms being held strongly by her husband as his anger emanated from his facade, clearly pissed at what she said about his love for Sae Woon.
"Don't you dare question my love for Sae Woon!" Wang Yo gritted, his eyes piercing in her own. "You have no idea how much I've loved her for all these years, and you will never truly know"
"Really now?!" Shin Gong scoffed. "Too bad that she will never be yours, because in the eyes of the gods and Goryeo, you are mine"
"You are gravely mistaken, Lady Shin Gong", Wang Yo smirked. "Yes, you are my wife. But in my mind and heart , I have never been yours to begin with. Never have and never will be."
Wang Yo abruptly let go of Shin Gong's arms, before drinking the last of the wine and exiting the room. As soon as the doors closed, she knelt to the ground in tears, her hands fisting the front of her robes as she cried out loud. Her husband saying those painful words were like slicing her heart with a thousand knives, bleeding with each passing moment.
That night, Shin Gong learned the hard way that she will never win her husband's affection no matter what she does.
"Here we are", Mun Seong's voice called from the outside of Sae Woon's palanquin. When it finally descended, the princess took the chance to open the window.
She got outside her palanquin, her hand delicately handled by her husband as she stood up and glanced at her surroundings. Jeong Mi surely got them a nice place to stay at for the time being when they are in the first days of their marriage.
"It's beautiful here", Sae Woon commented, noticing a nearby flower patch nearby where moonflowers bloom. "How did Jeong Mi get us this wonderful place?"
"For that, I have no idea", Mun Seong mused aloud, placing Sae Woon's arm in his own. "Shall we take a tour of the place then?"
"I'll take you on that", Sae Woon smiled.
On the late afternoon until early evening, the newlywed couple took the chance to explore the place that they are currently staying at. And so far, it was suiting more and more to their taste.
Sae Woon and Mun Seong washed separately until the time for their dinner had came. Servants from Damiwon actually came with them, with the intention of serving their needs as Jeong Mi requested, courtesy of Lady Oh.
The two ate quietly at the table in comfort, savoring the food that was prepared. Subtle smiles and numerous chuckles have been exchanged between the young married couple, seemingly enjoying the innocent bliss of their young love. But soon, the inevitable finally came.
Sae Woon opened the door to their room and went in, slowly followed by Mun Seong as he slowly closed it behind him. Before them is a huge bed, the pillows and linens arranged in a orderly fashion. The princess could only smile nervously as she sat down on the mattress, with her husband sitting at her side.
"Jeong Mi really prepared everything for us, didn't she?" Mun Seong mused aloud, catching a whiff of Sae Woon's nervousness.
"Yes, she did", Sae Woon answered firmly, although her hoarse tone was close to being evident. She can feel her heart beating loud in her chest at that very moment, and she knows exactly why.
It was the very first night she had with Mun Seong as his wife. In marriage, there are certain traditions she have to fulfill at that stage. But she was never ready for what's coming.
"Wife"
"Y-yes?" Sae Woon stuttered when she immediately faced Mun Seong, which made him chuckle as he brushed a single strand framing her hair.
"Do not worry, my love", Mun Seong reassured. "I know you are not yet ready to consummate our marriage"
Sae Woon's eyes widen as she looked directly into Mun Seong, her cheeks slowly tinting pink as he placed a chaste kiss on her forehead. He must have sensed her hidden anxieties all along, and she was very thankful for it.
"That is why, we can retire for the night instead", Mun Seong said, grasping Sae Woon's hand. "We both are exhausted with the earlier events anyway. So, let's just sleep in for now"
At that moment, Mun Seong arranged himself on the right side of the bed. Sae Woon climbed in soon after, her husband placing the blankets over them as she faced Mun Seong. The young lieutenant did not expect her bride to suddenly go near him in that bed, placing her body close to his own as she hugged him tenderly. Her head was resting on Mun Seong's shoulder, while her arms were splayed on the lieutenant's chest.
"What are you doing?" Mun Seong asked as his right arm supported her waist, his hand holding the one splayed on his chest.
"Getting close to my husband", Sae Woon smiled, closing her eyes. "Have a good night, Mun Seong"
"Have a good night, Sae Woon", Mun Seong smiled before his own eyes closed as well, the young couple finally drifting into sleep on their first night as husband and wife.
END OF CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT.
