"Why are you here?" the king asked.
I went near him so he could hear me. "I just want to read books." Yeah, since I came here, I haven't even tried reading any.
The king pointed to the other shelf. "There are fiction stories there. You can choose whatever you want."
"I'm not into fiction for now. I'm into law and politics."
The king looked amazed. "Law and politics?" he repeated, making sure he heard it right.
"I want to learn those. As a queen, I should have knowledge about them."
"Hey..." he chuckled. "You don't have to do that. I'm not pressuring you to. In fact, I'm okay with your help like this."
"So what is my job?"
"You already protected and helped me. You don't have to do this."
"What if I want to do this?"
The king touched my shoulders and looked at me intently.
"I don't want Min Yun to think that I'm overusing you. I don't want him to think of me as a user."
"Did he say that?"
He sighed. "Not directly. But I can feel that he's mad at me."
"But he knows our plan."
"Yeah. Maybe he's just trying to protect you, that's why."
Is that the reason he didn't want to talk to me a while ago?
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"Yes."
"If you still want to read books, you can stay here."
"Are you leaving?"
"Yes, my mentor is waiting for me."
"Ahhhh."
"I'll visit you in your chamber later," he said, then bid goodbye.
I sighed. Everyone is busy. I went to the fiction books and picked one. Then I went to the chair and put the book on the table. The chair and table were positioned near the window. I could still feel the sunset on my face.
I looked outside. It was so quiet and calm. The book hadn't warned me for a few days after I got back home.
I sighed and put my hand on my chin. Was it really the right decision to come back here? I know it was never right to leave Von just like that. I was very emotional at that time, and I had this urge to finish what I had started. I don't know if Von will still forgive me. Will she?
I sighed again, then tried opening the book. I tried to focus on reading, but I couldn't understand some terms.
"Hayyy...."
"Your Majesty, are you okay?" the court lady looked worried.
"Yes, I'm okay. I think I need to go back to my chamber."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
I left the library and went back to my chamber. I thought I had so many things to do today, but it turned out to be a boring and useless day of my life. I should plan what I will do tomorrow. I shouldn't just lie down all day and do nothing.
As I was walking back to my chamber, I met Kim Man Shik.
He bowed and greeted me.
I bowed too, as a sign of respect, then continued walking. I thought he wouldn't talk, but he did.
"Busy?"
I stopped walking and turned to look at him. He was smiling like a dog.
"Yes," I firmly answered. What is he up to again?
"When will you produce an heir? You know many people are waiting for the announcement."
"It is not easy to conceive," I reasoned.
"Or is it not easy for you to sleep with the king?"
I frowned. He is starting a war.
"Didn't you hear that he has been sleeping in my chamber for how many days?" I asked.
"But nothing happened?"
"How can you say that? Do I need to tell you every move that we make?"
"Just because you are the queen doesn't mean you have the power to do everything you want."
"But I am more powerful than you, Minister."
His smile disappeared. He looked at me sharply. "I can't wait to expose you."
"And so do I." I said then left.
That minister keeps on making me angry every time I see him.
I went back to my chamber in a bad mood. I wish I hadn't seen him. The court lady offered tea to me.
"Thanks. Please leave me alone," I said, and they left.
I sighed, then sipped my tea. At least this calms me a bit.
***
Min Yun's POV
I saw the queen walking away from the library. I sighed. I know she will wonder why I didn't even entertain her a while ago. It makes me sad and in pain too. But I think this is for the better. I shouldn't fall for her deeply. I shouldn't force my love on her. After all, she said that I was just a special friend to her. I should have hidden my feelings in the first place.
I sighed again. I couldn't even talk to the queen. It was really difficult for me to stop myself from doing anything. How can I surpass this, knowing how nosy I-Jun is? I'm sure she won't stop until I talk and tell her why I'm like this.
I went back to my office to finish the other paperwork I had. Maybe I should just focus on my work and not think about her. But I doubt I can do that.
"Are you okay, Captain? You keep sighing," my soldier noticed.
"I'm just tired," I reasoned.
"You should take a rest. I can do the rest."
"No, I'll finish it."
"Okay, Captain."
I went back to what I was doing and really tried to keep myself busy. Then I heard someone shouting.
"Captain! Captain! The queen!"
I stood up right away and went near the person who was shouting.
"What is it?"
I was getting nervous now. Just hearing the word "queen" made me nervous and anxious.
"The queen was poisoned!"
After hearing that, I went straight to her chamber. I ran as fast as I could. I couldn't think of anything else. When I arrived, I rushed inside her chamber, but I didn't see the queen. I only saw the liquid spilled on the blanket and the floor.
The court lady entered.
"Where is the queen?" I shouted.
The court lady was crying. "She's in the clinic."
I ran out and rushed again, as if I were in a marathon.
When I arrived, I entered the clinic and saw the queen lying on the bed. The king was there too, looking so sad and devastated.
I panted, trying to catch my breath. "What happened to her?" I asked, positioning myself near the king.
"She was poisoned."
"Who did this?" I gritted my teeth. I felt so mad right now. Correction — I was in a rage.
"The last thing she drank was tea. It was served by the court lady."
"Where is that court lady?" I didn't even use the word Your Highness. I didn't care if I sounded disrespectful.
"In jail. Your soldier is now investigating her."
I clenched my fists. I don't know what I'll do when I catch the culprit.
***
King's POV
I was in the middle of my study when one of my eunuchs came to the pavilion. He was panting and couldn't speak.
"What happened?"
"The queen…"
I stood up, feeling nervous.
"What happened to the queen?"
"She… she's in the clinic now… She was poisoned."
After hearing those words, I ran as fast as I could. My heart was thumping really hard. I was so nervous and anxious. I didn't know what to do or say.
"Your Highness, stop running," the eunuchs called out as they ran after me to stop me. But no one could stop me now—not when the queen was in danger.
When I arrived at the clinic, I saw the queen lying on the bed. The doctor bowed his head to greet me.
"What happened to her?"
"She was poisoned, Your Highness."
"Who did this?"
No one answered.
I looked at my eunuch who had just arrived. "Tell my soldiers to investigate it."
"Yes, Your Highness," he said, then left.
I looked back at the doctor. "Is it critical?"
"Luckily, she was brought here on time."
I felt a sense of relief in my heart.
"Whoever did this deserves to die," I said.
"I already gave her medicine. For now, she needs to stay here for observation."
I nodded.
After a while, someone barged into the clinic, looking enraged. And my guess was right—it was Min Yun. He looked like he was about to kill someone. I sighed. Surely, Min Yun would nag me.