Dearest love,
Forgive me for leaving so early. You seemed so peaceful as you slept that I did not wish to wake you. Breakfast will be served as soon as you wake up. I will see you at your fitting this afternoon.
Sincerely,
Yi Cheol
After midday, Min-jun’s maids dressed him in a silk blue-grey hanbok that, when he moved, looked like clouds passing over a clear sky. They departed for the fitting soon after, and Min-jun wondered if they’d have enough time to prepare before the actual wedding ceremony tonight.
When they arrived in the courtyard of the Tailor’s office, they were greeted again by the Royal Tailor and his assistants. They quickly herded Min-jun inside, the Tailor muttering something about him being late, so terribly late. Well, he should’ve given Min-jun a specific time to arrive then.
“We have four outfits for you to choose from, Your Highness,” said the tailor, as he shoved open the doors to his office. “I hope one of them suits your fancy.”
“I’m sure they will,” Min-jun said. He loved pretty things so even though he kept a cool demeanor, inside he looked forward to seeing the Tailor’s creations.
The Tailor’s assistants entered the room with four elegant hanboks. Min-jun, who had worn and observed his fair share of luxurious, ludicrously expensive hanbok in the past, could not help being stunned and speechless. Could a mere concubine even be seen in such luxury? Ornate flowers caught his eye, embroidered all along the hem and waist, and moments later, Min-jun realized that shards of gemstones had been sewn into the designs. He took a few steps closer, his hand grazing the soft fabric. Silk of the highest quality.
“It’s beautiful,” Min-jun whispered. “You used domestic silk, I assume?”
“Of course, all our materials have been made through the hard work of Saro’s people.”
“The cut of this jeogori is unique,” Min-jun said, taking the hanbok by the waistline. “But it’s also fitting.”
“Indeed,” said the Tailor, fingers curling in his stringy beard, his lips curved in a self-satisfied smile. “I do believe this silhouette will be popular in the coming years. You will be ahead of the crowd, Your Highness. People will undoubtedly credit you for this pattern.”
“You integrated styles from women’s fashion into the more traditional men’s hanbok,” Min-jun said, lifting the sleeve. “Such as the length of the sleeve here. Even the embroidery is the type more often found on women’s garments and accessories.”
The Tailor, with his arms outstretched, declared that, “Your Highness has a perfect balance of feminine and masculine energy. I designed these hanboks with that in mind. Neither overpowers the other. It is a very unique type of beauty. No wonder you have won His Majesty’s favor!”
It wasn’t just his beauty that drew the King to him. Min-jun inspected the hanbok a little longer. A pastel violet hanbok with glinting crystals all along the overcoat with a cloth sash around the waist, another which was the color of pine needles and dusted with gold leaves. They were both too grand or too plain for his purposes. It came down to a striking sapphire robe and a deep maroon ensemble.
“I’ll wear this to the ceremony this evening,” Min-jun announced, gesturing to the sapphire hanbok with his fan. “The rest can be sent to my quarters in Jangmi Villa.”
“Yes, Your Highness!” the Tailor said. “I am so pleased that you approve of my creations. It is truly an honor. Such an honor.”
“I would like to try it on.”
“Yes, yes, of course. Girls, assist Consort Hui.”
Two young maids approached him, beckoning him behind a screen this time, although when the King had been here last they had no problem undressing him in front of everyone. They helped him out of the ensemble he already wore. Even his undergarments would have to be removed, as the Tailor had prepared ones specially for the sapphire hanbok. As he removed his undershirt, he heard the maids pause for a moment, exchanging secretive glances. Min-jun glanced down at himself. His hips were a bit bruised, he supposed. Beyond that, there were the hickeys along his chest and undoubtedly his neck and back as well. Even along his thighs, there were the marks of the King’s hands. Well, if nothing else, he was certainly thorough.
“Why have you stopped?” Min-jun asked, glancing at the blushing maids. They couldn’t be older than twenty themselves, and as court maids, they were not allowed to seek romance from anyone but the King, should he show them his grace. This must be their first time encountering something like this.
“Y-your Highness,” one of the court maids, her eyes wide and round, stuttered out. “Why –”
The other court maid jabbed her friend in the stomach, shaking her head. “Our apologies, Your Highness.”
She turned around and raised the first layer, a sheer undershirt. Min-jun obliged. The court maid with the round eyes remained blushing all the while.
Minutes passed and Min-jun was nearly done with his fitting, with only a sash and a ribbon here and there that needed tying into perfect bows. A string of blue-green jade was wrapped around his waist.
“His Majesty has arrived!”
The court maids shuffled away to bid their greetings to the King. It must be strange for them, knowing that the man they expressed such reverence for was also the man that had left such indecent marks on the body of his consort. A little glance into the part of one’s life that was usually kept private and they had seen it on full display.
Min-jun’s hands went to the pin in his hair, ensuring that it was still in the correct position. Then, he too stepped out from behind the screen and bowed to his King.
“Greetings, Your Majesty,” Min-jun said.
“Rise, all of you,” the King said. “Come closer, my Consort.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Min-jun did so, crossing the room, his footsteps barely audible.
“Tbe vlv kfii, Ebsji Kjlibg Vex,” atf Blcu qgjlrfv, tlr olcufgr qijslcu klat atf raglcu jgbecv Zlc-pec’r kjlra. “Tbeg rxliir jgf ecwjamtfv jr ereji.”
“Ct, la’r jirb yfmjerf Ebsji Rbyif Jbcrbga Lel lr j werf ilxf cb batfg. Pc atf oeaegf, P’ii wjxf sbe j qgbqfg rqglcu kjgvgbyf, Tbeg Llutcfrr! Tbe klii yf atf wbra yfjealoei oibkfg bo jii lc atf Blcu’r Vjgb! P klii wjxf regf bo la.” Vbwftbk la rbecvfv ilxf j atgfja.
. . .
Ok-jeong sat in her lavish quarters, her hands clutching her skirts, the color of blood and gold. Riches and wealth and power, all at her fingertips, and the man she loved within her embrace. The King had smiled at her at the ceremony. What a wonderful thing that smile was. She would be happy if the rest of her life was comprised of moments where she could see that beautiful smile. Still, Ok-jeong had to admit that the polite smile he’d offered her paled in comparison to the toothy grin he’d given to that Consort, who he’d spoken to after the ceremony as if that Consort had been the one the King had just married. That Consort had even been so bold as to fix the ribbon of the King’s robe for him.
It was not the King’s fault, however. That minx had him under a spell. There was nothing to be done but carry on and hope that the King would one day see him for who he truly is: A mere temptation.
Her hands relaxed, fingers pressing out the creases in her skirt. Despite herself, Ok-jeong was nervous. The King would visit her in her chambers tonight, where they would consummate their marriage. They would make love here, in this place, on this bed. The King would finally embrace her.
But she only knew of love-making from the books that she’d studied (producing an heir was an important duty for the Queen and King after all, so she could not neglect that part of her education). What if the King found her lacking in some way? What if he did not find her attractive enough? She’d heard of so many men who had abandoned their wives because they were not pretty enough. They’d choose younger, prettier women and take them to their wives’ beds instead. Would she be abandoned like that? No, the King could choose any number of concubines, but Ok-jeong would always be his Queen, his only official wife. That minx could capture the King’s lust but he could not take the Queen’s position.
“Oh, Your Majesty,” she lamented, clutching her chest. “I hope you see the contents of my heart. How dearly I cherish you.”
“His Majesty has arrived!”
The doors opened. Closed. The lanterns flickered, their only source of light. And then a shadow moved along the curtain. Ok-jeong’s heart felt as if it might burst out of her chest. How could love have this effect?
“My Queen.” Her title on the King’s lips, uttered in the King’s low voice, made her catch her breath. What was this sensation in her gut, as she raised her gaze to the King’s? His expression was so warm, so fond, that it was a wonder that she’d ever doubted him in the first place. This was right. He must feel it, too. Perhaps, in time, she would be able to convince him of the folly that was keeping a Consort like Hae Min-jun, who was not only a man but a prostitute on top of it all. Can’t you see how inauspicious this is for the future of your Kingdom? If the King engaged in such depravity, it would only encourage his subjects to do so as well. But he was not truly that type of his person. He was merely misguided.
The King sat down next to her and touched her forehead, his knuckles brushing away a stray strand of hair. They swept down to her cheek, his hands cool against her heated skin.
“What sorts of thoughts are on your mind, my Queen, to make you blush like this?” Concern, perhaps? And something more. Something that made the heat inside of her grow hotter.
“I beg Your Majesty not to tease me,” Ok-jeong said, looking away.
“Are you nervous?” the King asked, taking her hand in his and patting it gently with his other. “About what will happen tonight?”
It will happen, then. Another doubt eased off her mind with such deftness. It was as if the King knew all the troubles that plagued her.
“Let’s have a drink then,” the King said, reaching for a cup and a jar of soju.
Ok-jeong protested. “Oh, I will pour you a drink, Your Maj–”
“Nonsense,” the King said. “Let me pour a drink for my wife this once. Consider it a token of my respect for you, as a husband.”
“Even common husbands cannot serve their wives,” Ok-jeong murmured. She could not disobey the King, however, and he was already pouring the drinks. He handed her a cup full of clear wine and then poured himself a cup as well. He raised his drink in a toast.
“To a long and prosperous marriage, my Queen,” the King said. “Let us live in peace and harmony together.”
He understood her intentions so perfectly!
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Ok-jeong said, raising the cup for a sip. When she finished her drink, the King put the cups aside and moved closer to her. He smelled of alcohol, sweets, and the forest on a sunny day. And, apart from that, something that was not his own scent. Roses. The same scent that Consort Hui always carried. “You were with that man just before you came here, weren’t you?”
She could see it now. The stains of red lip paint staining the King’s lips, a hickey right above the collar of his hanbok. It’s like a declaration of war. What an arrogant man.
“I had to ask for his advice on something. He’s a great help, both in state affairs and affairs of the heart,” the King said. Is that why his lips were all over you? “My Queen.”
His voice was low and serious as he spoke, all light-heartedness leaving him. “I know your feelings for Royal Noble Consort Hui are not the most positive, but I hope the two of you can live in harmony as well. If you spend some time with him, I’m sure you will see how virtuous he is.”
“A courtesan?”
“Many courtesans have made their way into the ranks of famed poets and musicians. Their status has little to do with the nobility of their hearts. Truly, I’ve rarely met someone with a nobler heart than Consort Hui.” The King took her hands in his. “That is why I believe the two of you can get along. Your heart is similarly noble, my Queen.”
Ok-jeong bit back her protests. A Queen should prioritize the King’s well-being above all else. If this was what brought him joy, then she would let him be for now. Eventually, she would be the source of his joy, anyway. “Yes, Your Majesty. We are of one mind. Consort Hui might have an unfortunate background, but his time in the Palace has shown us all that he is a kind and noble soul. I will treat him as I would a brother.”
The King smiled and it was breathtaking. “I’m so glad to hear you say that, my Queen. Truthfully, I was nervous that you might look down on him for his past. I know many people do. I see now that you are different from all of them.”
Her chest tightened. Forgive me for lying to you, Your Majesty. She would never see eye-to-eye with that man.
“Then, may I ask. Do you want me, my Queen?” the King asked her. “If the answer is no, we can ask for another date to consummate the marriage. I do not wish to force you –”
“Your Majesty,” Ok-jeong seized his hands, looking at him in earnest. “I love you. I am entirely yours. This is all I have desired since we were young. Let me give you all I have.”
The King laughed. “You certainly have a way with words. I suppose I can appreciate your honesty. Not many people can wear their hearts on their sleeves. It’s an admirable trait to have.”
Ok-jeong blushed again, bringing a hand up to her face, and shielding her eyes from the sight of the King. Robes shifted, as did the air between them, as the King closed the gap between them. His hands took the one that shielded her eyes, and his lips pressed to her knuckles, warm.
“Your Majesty,” she breathed, full of a yearning she’d only allowed herself to feel in dreams. Dreams she never dared to speak of for they were not befitting a lady. The King’s lips found her neck, kissing and biting the skin there, leaving hickeys along the way. She tilted her head back. “Oh. Oh, Your Majesty.”
“I’ll take care of you now,” he whispered in her ear, his breath sending shivers down her spine. “My Queen.”
The King’s slow, careful hands soon removed her many layers of wedding garments. This was usually where her dreams ended. She could not imagine where it would go from here. Even in dreams, would not let herself imagine.
There was nothing rough about the King’s lovemaking, as she’d heard some women gossip in the streets. His hands, gentle as could be, explored the planes of her body, gripped her thighs and hips, and wiped away a single tear from her cheek. His lips pressed to hers, tongue sweeping inside. It was perfect. How could something so deviant be so pleasurable? It must be because of them. Because they were such an auspicious match. The gods certainly smiled upon their union.
She was lying to herself, of course. As pleasure took all her senses, a small rational part of her took note of the King’s unfocused gaze. A gaze not overtaken by passion, but by illusion. It was not her he was looking at when he kissed her so sweetly. The desire in his touch, in his eyes, in the press of his lips against hers was not for Ok-jeong. She saw the marks all over his body, the remnants of a night spent with someone else. Someone he actually loved.
“Your Majesty, could – could you, mmm, tell me that you love me?” Ok-jeong asked though the words were punctuated by those filthy sounds.
The King paused, and Ok-jeong let out a whine. Inside, she panicked. Was she overstepping her boundaries?
The King’s head nestled between her neck and shoulder. “My love. Of course. Of course, I love you.”
It did not feel real.
. . .
Min-jun awoke to the feeling that someone was staring at him rather intently. His body stiffened as his senses returned to him, and then, he recognized the King’s touch on the top of his head. Oh, you are in so much trouble.
Min-jun sat up in bed abruptly, crossing his arms. The King’s hands remained on the ornate pink pillow, abandoned, and the King looked at the spot where Min-jun had laid with something akin to surprise.
“What are you doing here?” Min-jun asked.
“I’ve never heard of a consort being so cross with the King for visiting them.” The King pouted. “I wanted to see you, my love.”
“And the Queen?” Min-jun’s glare was relentless, and the King looked akin to a scolded child. Min-jun sighed, placing his head in his hands. Useless, lovesick fool. “I told you it’d be better if you consummate the marriage tonight. Otherwise, she’ll never forget about it for the rest of your lives.” And it would be the other consorts and court maids who would suffer her wrath.
“The marriage is consummated,” the King murmured, expression downcast, his gaze on the fidgeting hands in his lap. “There’s nothing for you to worry about.”
Min-jun deflated. “Oh. So quickly?”
“Not everyone has your endurance, my love,” the King said. “She tired quickly so I left her to rest. The first round -”
“Alright, alright,” Min-jun said. “I don’t need to hear the gritty details.”
Min-jun raised his gaze to the King’s face again. His heart sank at the somber expression on his face.
“Hey,” Min-jun said, cupping the King’s chin. “Cheol. I . . . I know it must not have been easy. I’m sorry for badgering you about it –”
“No,” the King said, gently forcing Min-jun’s hand away. Usually, he’d revel in every touch. “You were right. It’s my duty as King. I shouldn’t let my emotions become an obstacle to performing my responsibilities. You only reminded me of that.”
“I know what it’s like.” Min-jun slid to sit closer to the King, pulling his knees up to his chest and wrapping his arms around them. He watched the lights dance on the walls. “To fake intimacy for the sake of responsibility. It doesn’t make things any easier. It doesn’t make you want it.”
They sat in silence for a moment, and Min-jun leaned his head on the King’s shoulder. The King’s fingers intertwined with Min-jun’s own cold, pale fingers. A kiss was pressed to his head, the King breathing in his scent.
“Well, I know how you can make it up to me,” the King jested, peering down at Min-jun with a mischievous grin.
Min-jun leaned away, eyes sliding up and down the King’s form. “What do you have in mind?”
“You can tell me you love me again,” the King said, triumphantly. He looked on toward the opposite wall, waiting.
“What?”
“You heard me.”
“What has come over you lately that you want to hear those words so badly?” Min-jun asked, putting some distance between them.
The King closed the gap easily, one hand on Min-jun’s thigh. “Are they so difficult to say? I said them to Ok-jeong this evening, even though I didn’t mean it –”
“I told you to stop talking about that!” Min-jun snapped. He turned to face the wall, slapping the King’s hands away. “Besides, it’s different when you actually mean –”
The King’s expression turned hopeful and Min-jun cursed. Damn. Confessing his love for the King was supposed to just be a way to finally seduce the King into his bed. It hadn’t really meant anything. Love? It was too early to throw around a word like that. But, if it didn’t really mean anything, then what was the harm in humoring the King? Min-jun breathed in, slowly, steeling himself.
“I love you,” Min-jun said, shrugging his shoulders. “There. Are you happy?”
The King shook his head. “No. You didn’t mean it that time.”
Min-jun raised his arms over his head in exasperation. “Well, you can’t expect me to mean it when you try to force it out of me.”
“Very well then.” The King suddenly turned on him, pushing him down onto the bed, hands on either side of Min-jun’s head. “I shall accept another form of apology.”
“And what’s that?” Min-jun asked, his hand finding the King’s hand, stroking it gently.
The King’s lips pressed to Min-jun’s, a sloppy, open-mouthed kiss that left him gasping for breath. “I will steal a kiss from you every day until you can say those words to me, honestly.”
“You already steal more than a kiss from me every day,” Min-jun countered. “Hardly an apology.”
“My Consort drives a hard bargain,” the King whispered, pressing a kiss to Min-jun’s lips again. “Shall I change the quantity then? A hundred kisses per day?”
Min-jun caved, cheeks growing hot. “One kiss will suffice.”
“Is that so?” The King kissed him again, languidly, caressing Min-jun’s cheek. “On second thought, I do not think that will satisfy me.”
Min-jun put a hand on the King’s chest. “I-I’m still terribly sore from yesterday.”
The King shook his head, smiling fondly. “I’m not going to do anything tonight, my love. But I do demand that you let me sleep beside you, at least. That shall be your apology. Allow me to sleep beside you every night.”
“That shouldn’t be a problem, then.”
The King slid under the comforter and pulled Min-jun close, pressing a kiss to his forehead and rubbing circles into his back over his shirt.
“And . . .” the King said, quietly.
Min-jun leaned his head back to look at the King, who was unbearably somber again. “And?”
“Don’t ever ask me to sleep with another woman again. I will not stand for it.” The King cupped Min-jun’s chin, his thumb right below his bottom lip. “Not from your lips.”
“Alright.” Min-jun tucked his head underneath the King’s chin, shutting his eyes. “From now on, you are all mine.”
The King stroked Min-jun’s back slowly. “All yours.”
“G’night,” Min-jun murmured, blearily.
“Good night, my dearest love.”
Min-jun scowled. “That’s far too long of a pet name.”
“You think so? You prefer the other one, then?”
“Hmph.” Min-jun looked up at the King and pulled him down for one last kiss, soft against his lips. He could taste the alcohol on his tongue. He never drinks. It must’ve taken a toll on him. Min-jun supposed he couldn’t judge. In the brothel, he’d drink all day and night just to forget. It was rare to see him without a drink in his hand. Once Min-jun had entered the Palace, the King restricted his alcohol intake. It was only thanks to him that Min-jun could stave off his drinking habits.
“I really am sorry.”
“Enough of that,” the King whispered, patting Min-jun’s back. “Sleep now.”
A/N: Ok-jeong is really the result of a very conservative background. Pray that Min-jun infects her with his gay agenda and she sees that sexuality isn’t something inherently dirty and disgusting. She does kinda suck now, though, doesn’t she? Cheol did just sleep with her because of Min-jun’s request, but he does also want to be a good husband to her. He just doesn’t know how deep her hatred for MJ is. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter (or, considering Cheol slept with someone else, I hope you were at least entertained by MJ’s shenanigans). If you did, please leave a comment down below.
Ok-jeong prejudices are going to bring a world of hurt in her. Hopefully Mother doesn’t use her for her own plans
😳 oh, crap! It would probably be way too easy for Mother to use her!
actually i would be pretty ok if ok-jeong were to see min-jun in a new light and they became friends later… though for now i don’t like her because she’s kinda stealing min-jun’s man
I seriously can’t even. I get so drawn into every chapter and just crave for more every time! Author, you’re truly amazing!! 😭
It was hard to read him ‘actually’ being with her. I thought for a minute he would slip something in her wine to knock her out & Minjun’s ‘power’ would be able to procreate with his true love only! Wishful thinking! Lol
That’s exactly what I thought! I was hoping that’s why he poured her a drink that would fix everything. It was hard to read when he went through with it 😔.
So, she doesn’t know if he’ll show, is alarmed that he poured her soju, but she will still try to start a fight over Min-jun 🤪. Cheol could have argued and stomped out, if he wanted. Hail Queen Nutcase! She’s lucky he has such a strong sense of obligation (and he’s lucky Min-jun understands about that but it’s sad that he does).