Chapter 5 : Encounter

Jungkook stood before the Queen, her posture composed, her hands clasped together in her lap as she listened to the harsh words being spoken to her.

The Queen, usually kind in her demeanor, had an edge to her voice today. It was not cruelty-no, it was disappointment.

"You have been married for months, and yet the Crown Prince still does not seek your company," the Queen said, her gaze sharp. "Do you know what the court whispers about you? Do you know how they mock your father because of you?"

Jungkook remained silent. She did not need to be told-she had already heard the whispers, felt the stares.

"If you do not wish to be discarded entirely, you must learn how to please him," the Queen continued. "It is not enough to simply be his wife in name. A man must be drawn to his wife. You must make yourself indispensable to him."

Jungkook's fingers curled slightly.

The Queen exhaled, her gaze softening just slightly. "For tonight, I will give you a simple task." She gestured to the maid beside her, who stepped forward, carrying a small lacquered tray. "You will take this soup to the Crown Prince's chamber. The night air is cool, and it will help with his fatigue."

Jungkook bowed her head. "Yes, Your Majesty."

She did not argue. She did not protest.

She simply obeyed.

---

The sun had long since set, and the palace corridors were dimly lit by lanterns as Jungkook made her way to the Crown Prince's chamber, her steps slow and measured.

The weight of the tray in her hands felt heavier than it should.

As she reached the entrance, Yeonjun stood guard, his expression shifting the moment he saw her. He straightened but hesitated before speaking.

"Your Highness," he said, his tone cautious.

Jungkook stopped before him. "I have brought soup for His Highness, by the Queen's order."

Yeonjun swallowed, looking down briefly before responding. "The Crown Prince has asked not to be disturbed tonight."

Her grip on the tray tightened. "I see."

She could not bring herself to ask why.

She did not need to.

Because she already knew.

The answer came in the form of Lady Hoseok, who was inside.

Jungkook felt something in her crack, like fine porcelain fracturing under strain.

She had no place here.

Without a word, she held the tray out to Yeonjun. "Then please ensure that he receives this."

Yeonjun hesitated before taking it from her hands. "Yes, Your Highness."

She turned on her heel and walked away, her back straight, her expression unreadable.

But inside, she felt as if she were drowning.

---

Inside the Crown Prince's chamber, Hoseok set his cup down, his expression thoughtful.

"She brought it herself?"

Yeonjun nodded, setting the tray down. "She didn't say anything when I told her His Highness didn't want to be disturbed."

Hoseok exhaled. "She must have been ordered to bring it."

Seokjin, who had been reviewing scrolls at his desk, did not look up. "It doesn't change anything."

Hoseok's eyes flickered toward him. "It should."

Seokjin's hand stilled briefly before he continued reading.

"She is Lord Jeon's daughter," he said flatly. "She was raised by the same man who has conspired against me for years. That alone is enough."

Hoseok scoffed. "You're many things, Your Highness, but you're not a fool."

At that, Seokjin finally looked up, his expression cold. "What are you implying?"

Hoseok leaned forward slightly, voice quieter. "I have been in the palace long before she arrived. I have seen the kind of noblewomen this court breeds. But Jeon Jungkook is not like them."

Seokjin's fingers curled slightly over the parchment in his hand.

"She helped the starving in the outer villages long before she ever knew she would be Crown Princess," Hoseok continued. "She is not her father."

Seokjin did not answer.

He did not like the way those words settled in his mind.

---

For months, Jungkook had been humiliated.

Her status had plummeted. She had gone from the wife of the Crown Prince to a subject of pity and ridicule.

The court whispered about how she had failed as a wife, how she had lost her husband's favor, how even her own father could not protect her from disgrace.

And today, that humiliation came directly to her door.

She had been sitting by the lotus pond, watching the fish move beneath the water, when Lord Jeon arrived.

His footsteps were heavy, his presence suffocating.

She did not stand to greet him.

He came to a halt before her, his expression thunderous.

"You are useless," he spat. "A disgrace to our family name."

Jungkook's fingers tightened against the fabric of her sleeve, but she did not look at him.

"You cannot even fulfill your duty as a wife," he continued, voice laced with venom. "The entire court mocks me because of you. Because you are so pathetic that even a low class gisaeng holds more favor than you!"

The words struck deep, but she refused to let him see it.

"Perhaps," she said quietly, "the failure was not mine alone."

Lord Jeon's expression darkened.

Then, before she could react, the cane in his hand came down hard against her shoulder.

Pain flared through her, forcing her to gasp as she stumbled slightly, her hands gripping the stone edge of the pond for support.

She barely had time to brace herself before he raised it again.

But this time, a figure moved swiftly between them.

Beomgyu.

His arm came up, blocking the strike meant for her.

"Enough." His voice was firm, his body positioned protectively in front of Jungkook. "If you strike Her Highness again, I will personally ensure the Crown Prince hears of it."

Lady Ji, who had been watching in restrained silence, finally stepped forward as well. "Lord Jeon," she said sharply, "perhaps you have forgotten, but despite everything, Her Highness is still the Crown Prince's wife."

Lord Jeon laughed.

"A wife?" he sneered. "A true wife is valued by her husband. Jungkook is nothing."

Jungkook did not move.

Beomgyu stood frozen in place, fists clenched at his sides, as he watched Lord Jeon's retreating figure disappear down the corridor. The words still rang in his ears, Jungkook is nothing.

He turned back toward her. She hadn't moved.

She sat by the lotus pond, her posture stiff, her face blank, as if she had not just been struck, as if her own father had not just humiliated her in the worst possible way.

Lady Ji knelt beside her, placing a gentle but firm hand on her shoulder. "Your Highness," she said softly. "Let us return to your chamber."

Jungkook didn't respond.

She simply stared down at the rippling water, watching the koi fish swim aimlessly beneath the surface.

Beomgyu felt something in his chest tighten.

She had endured so much.

Her father's cruelty.The Crown Prince's indifference.The court's ridicule.

And yet, through all of it, she had never once allowed herself to break.

But now...

Now, he could see it.

The crack in her resolve. The way her fingers trembled slightly where they rested against her lap.

Lady Ji sighed and stood. "Beomgyu, help Her Highness to her feet."

Beomgyu nodded, stepping forward.

"My Lady," he said gently, crouching beside her, "please, let's go inside."

Jungkook finally blinked. Slowly, she turned her gaze toward him, her eyes eerily empty.

Then, as if moving through water, she allowed herself to be helped up.

She didn't say a word as Beomgyu and Lady Ji guided her back toward her chamber, her steps slow and detached.

---

Inside her room, Lady Ji carefully helped Jungkook sit down on the cushioned bench, her hands warm but firm.

"Beomgyu, fetch the physician," she ordered, glancing at the deepening bruise on Jungkook's shoulder.

But before Beomgyu could move, Jungkook finally spoke.

"No."

Her voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper, but the command was clear.

Lady Ji frowned. "Your Highness..."

"I do not need a physician."

Jungkook turned her head slightly, meeting Lady Ji's gaze with quiet finality.

Lady Ji hesitated, but Jungkook did not waver.

"Leave me," she said, her voice steadier this time. "Both of you."

Beomgyu stiffened. "But..."

"Please."

It was the please that made them pause.

Jungkook had never begged for anything before.

Lady Ji let out a quiet sigh, then stood. "Very well, Your Highness."

Beomgyu shot Lady Ji a look, but she shook her head subtly.

They had served her long enough to know, she would not want anyone to see her like this.

And so, with a final bow, they stepped out of the chamber, closing the door behind them.

But they did not leave.

Instead, they remained right outside her door, waiting.

Lady Ji sat down on the wooden porch, hands folded neatly in her lap, while Beomgyu leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his jaw clenched in frustration.

They waited in silence.

And then...

A sound.

A soft, broken sob.

Beomgyu straightened immediately, glancing at Lady Ji, who had also gone rigid.

Another sob.

Then another.

They had never heard Jungkook cry before.

Not when she was mocked at court.Not when the Crown Prince ignored her.Not even when she had been struck down by her own father.

She had always held her head high, unshaken, composed.

But now, behind that door...

She was crying for the first time.

Beomgyu's fingers curled into fists.

Lady Ji pressed her lips together, eyes dark with sorrow.

And they both remained there, outside her door, listening to the quiet, heart-wrenching sobs of the woman they could do nothing to protect.