King's POV
"Ahhh..." I woke up with my head pounding. I tried to massage it, but it didn't help.
I opened my eyes, only to shut them again when the sunlight hurt them.
I heard someone enter my chamber, but I didn't pay attention. I thought it was just a servant. But when that person spoke, I opened my eyes.
"Queen?"
I saw her standing there, carrying a tray of food.
"Stand up," she commanded.
Even though my head still hurt, I managed to follow her order.
She sat on the floor and placed the tray on the table.
"Drink it. It's hangover soup."
"What?"
"Just finish it," the queen commanded again.
I simply obeyed and quietly sipped the soup.
"You were wasted last night," the queen said again.
"Did I do something awful?"
I looked at her, and she seemed pissed.
"Yeah, right. You didn't even want to go back to your chamber and just kept drinking."
"I'm sorry," I laughed.
"You and Min Yun drank like you were in some sort of drinking competition."
"I just missed drinking like that with Min Yun."
"Yeah, like some hopeless drunk trying to end his life."
"Are you mad at me?"
She shrugged and stood up.
"I need to go to Min Yun and give him hangover soup too. See? I'm like your servant now, worrying about your hangover," she said, then left the chamber.
I couldn't help but smile. She was worried about us—and she was mad because we got wasted last night.
*****
I-jun's POV
After giving the hangover soup to the king, I went straight to Min Yun's quarters. My servants followed closely behind, one of them holding a tray of hangover soup.
I knocked on his door but didn't wait for him to open it. I knew he wouldn't—his head must be pounding by now.
I found Min Yun still lying on his bed. The memory of last night flashed in my mind.
"Please stay tonight."
Those words kept echoing in my head.
After Min Yun had said that, he fell asleep.
Of course, I didn't stay. My servants were waiting outside. What would they think if I spent the whole night in his room?
"Min Yun, wake up," I said softly.
I heard him groan.
I gently touched his arm. "Wake up."
"Mmm…"
He didn't even bother opening his eyes.
I reached out again, but before I could touch him, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward him. I gasped.
In a blink, I found myself lying beside him, wrapped in his arms.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Sleeping."
"Why did you pull me?"
"Let's stay like this."
Min Yun has so many sides I've yet to discover.
"My servants are outside. They're waiting for me."
"Let them wait."
"This isn't like you."
"This is me… when I'm in love," he murmured, pulling me closer into a hug without even opening his eyes.
I stared at his face. His eyes remained closed.
"Am I handsome?" he asked.
I gasped and quickly looked away.
He chuckled softly.
"Let me go, Min Yun. I came here to give you hangover soup."
He opened his eyes and looked at me.
"You really came here just for that?"
I nodded. "I went to the king's chamber first. Now get up and drink the soup."
I quickly stood up and went outside to get the tray from my servant. I returned and handed it to Min Yun, who was now sitting upright.
"Drink it while it's hot," I commanded.
He obediently sipped from the bowl.
"I won't let you drink again," I said, stretching my arms. "It was hard assisting you last night, you know. I hope you both feel guilty."
"I'm sorry," Min Yun said sincerely.
"Hmmm. You'll have to make it up to me."
"How much?"
"Not how much. Just buy me a snack."
"Like yesterday?"
I froze for a moment. What I remembered from yesterday… was the kiss.
"Ah… yeah, like yesterday," I said, trying to act calm and unaffected.
"Alright. Since I'm in charge of you 24/7."
"Are you serious? You'll be guarding me around the clock?"
He nodded. "King's orders."
"He didn't tell me that."
"So I'm telling you now."
It's not that I disliked the idea… but being around Min Yun so much—it made me wonder if something would eventually happen between us.
"You don't like the idea?" he asked, finishing the soup.
"It's not that I don't like it. I'm just thinking it might affect your work."
"Not really. I can still manage. I have people handling the other cases anyway."
I nodded. "If you say so. Who am I to argue with the king's orders?"
He smiled. "Thanks for the soup—and sorry again for last night. I didn't mean to make your body sore."
I nodded and stood up. "I'll go back to my chamber now," I said, picking up the tray.
"I will go there once I finish taking a bath."
I nodded and stepped outside. I handed the tray to one of my court ladies.
As I walked back to my chamber, the eunuchs opened the doors for me. But I froze.
Gasps echoed around me as the eunuchs and court ladies took in the terrifying scene before us.
A lifeless bird lay on the floor, blood pooling around it—staining the pristine tiles.
"Your Majesty..." one eunuch moved to shield me from the sight, but I stepped past him.
I entered and scanned the room. My gaze was drawn to the open window. I walked over and flung it wide. Whoever did this… they wanted me to see it. They wanted to send a message.
I turned back to the gruesome sight. That's when I noticed—it wasn't just blood smeared on the floor. It was writing.
"Die."
It was written in the bird's blood.
This message was for me. And there was only one name that came to mind: Kim Man Shik.
The court ladies began cleaning the mess, their faces pale with horror. I sat down on the edge of my bed, silently watching them. My thoughts spiraled—who could the real culprit be?
My eyes shifted to the book on my table. No warning. No premonition. Not even a whisper about such a crucial event?
"Queen!"
I looked up.
The king stood at the doorway, panting. He rushed over and took my hands. "Are you alright?"
I nodded slowly.
But no words came. My throat felt tight, my mind too numb to speak.
Then Min Yun's voice rang out. "What happened here?"
One of the eunuchs stepped forward. "A dead bird, Captain. Someone placed it in Her Majesty's chamber."
Min Yun's eyes moved to the floor. Then to me.
My expression hadn't changed.
He stepped closer and stood beside the king. "Tell me exactly what happened."
"Someone wants me dead," I said at last, my voice flat.
Min Yun frowned, then looked back at the bloodstained floor.
"You shouldn't have let the court ladies clean up the evidence," he said firmly.
"Let them be," I replied. "I don't want to cause panic in the palace."
I glanced around at the others. "Let's keep this quiet."
Both the king and Min Yun nodded solemnly.
"Were you scared?" the king asked gently.
"I won't give the culprit the satisfaction of seeing my fear," I answered.
My face remained expressionless. I wasn't sure how I was managing to stay so calm—as if nothing horrifying had just happened.
Then I turned to Min Yun."Min Yun… I want to ask you about what happened in Shibuya…"
*****
Min Yun's POV
I could see I-jun's emotionless face. I couldn't read her. Her expression gave nothing away.
"What do you want to know about what happened in Shibuya?" she asked.
"Any lead?"
Min Yun shrugged. "We didn't see anyone."
So the culprit had already escaped.
"Not even a trace of evidence?"
"There was... smoke coming from the woods. I knew people lived there. But we weren't able to catch anyone."
"You waited?"
"Yes, until morning," I said, nodding slightly.
"Do you have something to tell me?" I asked.
She shrugged again. "Nothing."
The king sat silently, watching us exchange words.
"You can stay in my chamber if you want, my queen," he finally said.
I looked at I-jun. "No, thank you, Your Highness. I'll stay here."
"Don't worry, Your Highness. I'll take care of my cousin," I added.
The king nodded, then sat beside I-jun. I watched as he gently held her hand. I had almost forgotten—they were married.
"I'm sorry," the king whispered.
"For what?" I-jun asked.
"I know they're targeting you to get to me. To pressure me to step down. I suspect Kim Man Shik."
"I doubt it's him," she replied.
I stared at her, my curiosity growing.
"I think it's the master's doing," she said.
The king turned to me. "Min Yun, can't we find any lead?"
"Not yet," I replied. "But I'm getting closer."
The king sighed deeply. "Who is the real culprit...?"
"Min Yun," I-jun said suddenly. "Let's go to your master."
I blinked. "Why?"
"To tell him what happened in Shibuya."
"Okay," I nodded.
"I'm coming with you," the king announced, standing.
But the queen rose as well. "No, Your Highness. You have duties today. Let us handle this. And please leave my chamber for a moment—I need to change."
The king and I nodded and stepped outside.
"The queen is really stubborn, isn't she?" he murmured. "She wants to do everything herself… never asking for help."
"She has me," I said simply.
The king looked at me, sadness in his eyes. "I envy you. You can go anywhere with her. Talk with her. Be by her side. I can't even do that."
"Shouldn't I envy you?" I said. "You're the king."
He stared at me. "You never wanted my position. You always said you didn't want to be king."
You don't know why I wanted to be king, I thought silently.
"I changed my mind," I said aloud.
His eyes widened. "So… you want my position?"
I laughed at his reaction. "I'm just kidding, Your Highness."
"You know I'd support you," he said.
"That's not how it works," I replied quietly.
Our conversation ended when I-jun stepped out.
What made me gasp was what she wore—the hanbok I had given her.