How To Kill A KingCh87 - A Rival Appears

What a beautiful day. It was a shame he’d likely have to spend most of it inside. Cheol sat down on the throne and lifted his gaze to the courtiers. How they’d stumbled over each other to make way for him. Scared? Good. It would either make them reckless or obedient. 

He greeted them as he always did, with careful words and a shaky amiability. My temper depends on you. He was sure to let them know. 4csBfl

They began with a discussion on the state of the grain stores this coming winter in a few of the major provinces. Cheol had long since promised that he’d never let his people go hungry, and with his Gift, he would ensure that was true. The courtiers didn’t have to know that, however. 

“Several instances of mining accidents in the Im Province have been reported. The men I sent there have sent word suggesting it was likely not caused by foul play.” At least, that was what the men on the Minister of Works’ payroll said. Cheol’s own royal inspectors had brought back slightly different reports. “Local law enforcement will continue to surveillance the area and assist those affected.” 

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One of the courtiers cleared their throat. Cheol lifted his gaze to the old man, his beard wiry and thin and his gaze cold, and internally let out a groan of despair. He’d never liked this man, not even when he was just a child with no knowledge of the corruption inside the Palace. The two of them have been fighting for control since Cheol first came to power. Cheol liked to think he’d humbled him a bit over the years, but the man still managed to get under his skin in the worst ways.

“Chief State Councilor.” WX5nTr

“Your Majesty,” the Chief State Councilor stepped forward. “We wish to set forth a proposal.” 

“On what matter?”

The atmosphere shifted. They were about to say something dimwitted again, weren’t they?

“We’ve all been inspired by His Highness’s act of mercy yesterday, and we would like to continue in the spirit of his sacrifice.” Sacrifice. They spoke as if Min-jun were already dead. 

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.

“Xfa ab atf qblca, Jbecmlibg.” 

“Ktf Jtbkbc Rl Jijc’r Ojvs Rl Yx-pfbcu gfdefrar obg sbe ab ugjca tfg jc jevlfcmf rlwlijg ab atja bo Llr Llutcfrr’,” rjlv atf biv Jbecmlibg.  “Pc bgvfg ab klc sbeg ojnbg.” 

C gbecv bo joolgwjalbcr fmtbfv jmgbrr atf gbbw, qgjlrlcu atf ulgi atfs’nf jii vfmlvfv ab uloa tlw. Rba wemt vloofgfca ogbw Zlc-pec’r rlaejalbc, gfjiis. 

“What a clever girl,” said Minister Ni, another one of the Clan’s dogs. 6rEWad

“And quite romantic, too,” whispered a councilor. 

“And should she not win my favor?” Cheol asked. He wished this whole ordeal to be over and done with. 

The Chief State Councilor gave an easy smile as he bowed once more. “Your Majesty. Then, she says she will give up, and we shall follow her orders. We do not wish to force a match that cannot be.” 

How kind of them. Cheol relaxed in the chair, lounging in it. Despite himself, he was curious. What cheap tricks were they planning to pull? “Put it in writing, and we’ll discuss further.” q2sTBH

That was enough for them to believe they’d won. The conspirators could barely keep their vicious smiles to themselves. Cheol wondered if the woman they’d chosen was worthy of such confidence.

. . .

Ni Ok-jeong swirled the liquid in her tea cup. She brought the brim of the cup to her lips and took small sips of the tea. Warm and earthy, to chase away the chill. Nokcha, looseleaf, and from . . . she took another sip . . . San Island. 

She told the woman serving her so. Ok-jeong’s maid, Hana, waited with bated breath. A moment later, the women confirmed Ok-jeong’s suspicions. No surprise there, but the women still clapped and praised Ok-jeong for her astuteness. That brought the number of correct guesses up to eleven. Shame they didn’t have a bigger selection. deLRvE

“Where did you learn to do such a trick, My Lady?” asked the woman, as she refilled her cup. 

“M’Lady shares her mother’s love of tea. She’s tasted all the varieties in Saro, and even many from overseas!” Hana bragged. “She has a very developed sense of taste.” 

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Eun-ji, Ok-jeong’s beautiful friend, took another sip of the tea. Her movements were ever graceful, as she lifted her pastel pink sleeve to keep it from falling in the tea. Ok-jeong had been right in buying her those pastel hanboks. They suited her perfectly, especially this pink one. Her darling best friend had a beauty beyond compare. She should flaunt it. With Ok-jeong’s help, she’d snag a husband in no time.  

Eun-ji placed the cup back down, unimpressed. “It tastes the same as the other ten you had us drink.” h38xw7

Ah, she might be beautiful, but Eun-ji had no respect for the finer details in life. “Oh, but it’s not. This tea has the distinct flavor of lemon in it. Very refreshing for the throat.” 

Eun-ji raised a brow, and took hold of Ok-jeong’s hand. She brought the cup closer to peer down at it.  “Are you sure they didn’t just put lemon in it?” 

Ok-jeong laughed, lightly. “I’d asked them not to put anything else in the tea. I’m sure they wouldn’t risk upsetting two noblemen’s daughters.” She glanced to the woman serving them, a subtle threat in Ok-jeong’s posture.

“O-of course not, My Lady!” sputtered the woman, bowing low.  ZdDJ6P

Ok-jeong smiled at her. The people in the capital were all so obedient. They should be praised more often. “You may go if you wish. There are many customers here tonight.” 

“Thank you, My Lady. Then, I will take my leave.” 

The doors slid shut, and the three of them were left alone. Ok-jeong turned her attention back to Eun-ji, who was running her finger along the brim in circles. How cute. She wanted to be consoled. 

“What is wrong, my dear?” Ok-jeong asked. She reached her hand, still slightly warm from the tea, across the table to brush against Eun-ji’s cheek. Eun-ji only stared at her, as if she were scared to speak. Ok-jeong gave her a smile, far warmer than that which she’d shown the servant woman. “Ji-ya~. We’ve been friends for years. Whatever is on your mind, you can tell me.”  gYM6l

“It’s just strange to think this might be the last time we drink like this,” Eun-ji said, peering out the open window. “Tomorrow, you will be meeting with the King. After that, it’ll only be a short while before you enter the Palace.”

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” Ok-jeong said. “The King may still refuse my offer.”

Eun-ji turned her gold gaze back to Ok-jeong. “You?” She rested her chin on her hand. “Who could ever refuse you? That King will take one look at you and it’ll be finished.” 

Ok-jeong couldn’t help but blush. She’d seen many paintings of the handsome, young King. Clever eyes, strong features, and always with that same stern frown on his face. To see him smile, just once, like he had when they were children. That would be enough for her heart to be captured again as if it were the first time. An old flame never dies out, after all.   c25YNn

‘I wonder if he still remembers me.’ Since he had overlooked her so blatantly in the consort selection process, he likely didn’t. Though Ok-jeong’s heart clenched painfully at the knowledge, she would not let it get in the way of their happiness. Ok-jeong massaged the tight spot in her chest, right over her heart. A pain that had been there since she’d been rejected. And to think, Ok-jeong’s spot had been taken by an ex-courtesan, a prostitute! What wily tricks had that man used to seduce her King? It was no large matter. If the King had forgotten her, she would simply have to help him fall back in love. He’d abandon that prostitute without a second thought.

A/N: And so the rival appears. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you did, please leave a comment down below.