Chapter Text
𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 1:
Yoo Joonghyuk was the Third prince of current emperor. Yoo Joonghyuk was blessed child he had good physical body, a very handsome appearance, loving parents and everyone's favour. When he was just 18 years old he went into war to chase down the barbarians with this achievement he earned himself respect of soldiers. Soon after Yoo Joonghyuk earned the position of commander in army. He could beat military generals with bare hands.
Finally when Joonghyuk reached the age of 24 he told his parents that he wishes to marry the only daughter of a Noble Lee Seolhwa. Lee Seolhwa was famous among the people for her incomparable medical skills. Since she was young she was always interested in learning about different diseases and medicines. It was said that if a person has even last of their breath left she could save them. His parents agreed to Yoo Joonghyuk wish and granted him a huge wedding with Noble daughter Lee Seolhwa.
After 2 years Yoo Joonghyuk returns from war after defeating the enemies. He quickly goes to the palace and greets his parents the current emperor and empress and skips all the festivals and dinners arranged in happiness of winning the war by saying he is tired from war and journey and wants to take rest. He quickly goes to his mansion hoping that his wife would be waiting for him to greet him. Joonghyuk was excited to see his wife after 2 whole years. He couldn't wait anymore to reunion with her.
He reaches mansion but instead of being greeted by his wife he is greeted by the servants. He asks the servants about her whereabouts but the only response he receives is 'Her Highness always goes out of mansion without taking any servants with her. Most of the time she remains outside sometimes at nights she doesn't even come back to mansion'. Yoo Joonghyuk grows furious after listening that. He was ready to go and drag her back to mansion this very second but then Lee Hyunsung his personal guard stopped him and told him to cool down himself maybe she was just going out of the mansion to check her patients. After hearing to Lee Hyunsung's words Joonghyuk calms down and thinks it does make sense. Lee Seolhwa was a kind of person who doesn't care about rich or poor or about anything if she see anyone suffering she would help them without any second thought.
It was late at night Yoo Joonghyuk was waiting for Lee Seolhwa to come so that they could have their dinner together after so much time. But it was past midnight their was no sign of Lee Seolhwa coming. After each passing second Joonghyuk was growing furious and furious even Lee Hyunsung started sweating. Servants started to murmur suddenly Joonghyuk stood up from his place and grabbed a servant collar. By his suddenly action all the servants shut their mouths. Their was pin drop silence in the dinning hall even Lee Hyunsung was shocked by his suddenly action.
Yoo Joonghyuk eyes were bloodshot then he suddenly says to the servant " What did you just said? Repeat yourself again!"
The servant panicked "Y-Y-Your High-Highness, t-this lowly servant di-didn't said anything."
Hearing servant response Joonghyuk grew more furious he pulled he servant toward himself and shouts "I SAID REPEAT YOURSELF WHAT YOU SAID JUST NOW OR YOUR HEAD WILL GO FLYING!"
After hearing this the servant got more scared his head was hanging low he kept his eyes shut tightly he didn't dare to look up at Yoo Joonghyuk furious face he suddenly started saying " Y-Y-Your High-Highness few d-days back I-I was go-going to the mou-mountains i saw H-Her Highness with the se-second s-son of n-northern duke!"
Yoo Joonghyuk was silent. Servant not getting good feeling about this silence he suddenly raised his head he started to shout, "YOUR HIGHNESS! IT ISN'T JUST ME OTHER PEOPLE HAVE ALSO SEEN HER HIGHNESS WITH THE SECOND SON OF NORTHERN DUKE MANY TIMES!"
After hearing this Joonghyuk throws the servant towards the wall. He was going to kill the servant as soon as he reached for his sword Lee Hyunsung suddenly grabs him from behind "Your Highness! Your Highness! Please Calm down Your Highness!!" With too much difficulties Lee Hyunsung drags Yoo Joonghyuk to study room and locks the door. He quickly tell all the servants to leave.
After an hour or so when Yoo Joonghyuk finally calms down after destroying his study room Lee Hyunsung opens the door. "
"Your Highness" Lee Hyunsung calls him in a low voice. Yoo Joonghyuk was sitting on a chair his head was hanging low. He doesn't looks up at Lee Hyunsung.
Hyunsung was looking at Joonghyuk. He was with Joonghyuk since he can't even remember he just know that he was with him since he was a child. He remember the time when Yoo Joonghyuk saw Seolhwa treating wounded soldiers and fell in love with her at first sight. He remember how happy he was when emperor agreed for his marriage with Seolhwa.
"Your Highness, please go to your room and rest you must be tired" Hyunsung said.
"I'll go later you should go and rest now too Hyunsung" Joonghyuk replied.
Hyunsung understood that Joonghyuk wanted to be alone. So he bid his farewell and left.
Joonghyuk was alone sitting. He remains like that for hours finally he went to his room but he wasn't able to sleep.
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Next morning Joonghyuk hears a knock at his door.
Next he hears voice of a servant, "Your Highness, His Highness The emperor and Her Highness The empress are in their way to see you."
Yoo Joonghyuk wakes up after hearing that. The servants helps him in getting dressed.
After sometime Emperor and Empress arrives Yoo Joonghyuk mansion. After chatting for sometime. Emperor suddenly has a hesitating look on his face. His slowly calls Joonghyuk name, "Joonghyuk we've something to discuss with you". Joonghyuk look at their face clearly both emperor and empress has a hesitating look on their face.
Joonghyuk was surprised what could his parents want to talk to him and why are they hesitating so much?
Joonghyuk nodded his head. Empress held his hands and said, " Joonghyuk listen to us till the end without a words. Once you've heard us you can make your choice." Joonghyuk remained silent but nodded his head.
Emperor started,"Joonghyuk do you remember 4 years ago when you said that you wish to marry Lee Seolhwa."
Hearing Seolhwa name Joonghyuk suddenly got furious he wanted to ask them if they knew anything but empress gestured him to hear them first. So Joonghyuk remained silent.
The Emperor continued what he was saying,"We know you fell in love with her at first sight. But did you ever thought was her feelings towards you were same? Joonghyuk we never wanted to meddle in your personal life but Seolhwa requested this herself. Joonghyuk after you went for war your Seolhwa came to us she said she wants to divorce with you."
Joonghyuk snapped after hearing word 'Divorce'. He suddenly stood up and shouted, "WHAT? WHAT ARE YOU SAYING FATHER? YOU'RE SAYING SEOLHWA WANTS DIVORCE WITH ME? HAVE I NEVER LOVED HER ENOUGH? IS THERE A THING IN THIS WORLD THAT I CAN'T GIVE HER? WHAT IS THE REASON THAT SHE WANTS TO BREAK THIS MARRIAGE?"
The empress starts hesitating but The emperor remains calm. Then emperor says,"First of all you should calm down and I think you should ask for the reason to her yourself." As soon as emperor complete his sentence Seolhwa enters the room.
Seeing Seolhwa Joonghyuk grew more furious.
"LEE SEOLHWA TELL ME WHY DO YOU WANT TO BREAK OUR MARRIAGE?? NO FIRST OF ALL WHERE WERE YOU SINCE YESTERDAY??" Joonghyuk shouted. But Seolhwa ignored him and calmly greeted Emperor and Empress and took a sit.
Then Seolhwa calmly started speaking," Joonghyuk I know our marriage was your choice. I know that you loved me. You were a good husband you always took care of me, always respected my choice but the truth is when Emperor send his men to my family mansion saying he wants my hands for his third son. Honestly my whole family was on cloud nine but I wasn't. I loved someone else when I told my family they disagreed that very second after all a second son of a duke couldn't be compared to third prince. Who doesn't love money, power and respect it was same with my family. They quickly responded to Emperor saying that 'They're really greatful that such a glorious opportunity is given to her daughter.' They didn't even cared about my opinion. Then without a word I was wedded to you, Joonghyuk-ssi. I knew you loved me really much but no matter how hard I tried I couldn't love you the same way. After trying change my feelings for 2 years I finally stopped trying. I didn't wanted to lie anymore to anyone. I didn't wanted to lie with my feelings anymore. And living with you was like making fun of your feelings. Emperor and Empress always loved me like there daughter lying to them was like manipulating their love and care. Then I finally went to Emperor and Empress to talk about it. They listen to me without saying a word even though they were hurts and disappointed with me but they didn't said any cruel words to me instead they said, 'It must have been hard for you.' Finally I don't want to lie to either."
Seolhwa raised her head and looked into Joonghyuk eyes. Joonghyuk was silently looking at Seolhwa and listening to her without saying a word. The Emperor and Empress were also silently listening to her.
Seolhwa continued, "Joonghyuk-ssi I want to break this marriage I don't want to play with your feelings anymore neither I want to lie to my feelings. Joonghyuk-ssi I love another man and I want to spend my life with him. I'm sorry for not being honest till now, I'm sorry for lying to everyone till now and I'm sorry for hurting your feelings, I'm sorry for not being able to return your feelings. Joonghyuk-ssi please agree to my request, please break this marriage. It is for the best for me and for you too. Joonghyuk-ssi find someone who could love you the way you love them. Liar like me doesn't deserve a good person like you Joonghyuk-ssi." Seolhwa started to cry after saying this much. Joonghyuk remained silent.
Joonghyuk sighed then stood up from his seat and without giving her a second look he started to walk out of the room. When he reached the door he finally turned around and said in a low voice,"I need some time to think about it." Then without waiting for response he left.
Lee Hyunsung was standing out of the door the whole time as a guard. He heard every word. When Joonghyuk left the room he gave him a hurtful look. Joonghyuk gave a look to Hyunsung face then continued walking toward his room.
Joonghyuk didn't ate anything all day he had no appetite. He didn't sleep all night. He was thinking and thinking. Next morning he got ready and went to palace to meet Emperor and Empress. He told them that he agree with Seolhwa decision. After few weeks it was officially announced.
It's been few months after their divorce. Joonghyuk keeps himself distracted by training himself to death. Seolhwa is busy with her preparation for wedding with Duke second son.
It was morning Joonghyuk hears a knock at his door.
Next he hears voice of a servant, "Your Highness, His Highness The emperor and Her Highness The empress are in their way to see you."
Hearing this joonghyuk gets a feeling of deja vu. But he still gets up and servants helps him in getting dressed.
Emperor and Empress chat with him as usual. After the divorce there visit has been more frequent at his mansion.
"Joonghyuk" Emperor call out. Joonghyuk hmms in response.
"We want you to take a second wife." Emperor says calmly.
Suddenly hearing about second marriage Joonghyuk choked on the tea he was drinking.
"Why are you suddenly asking me about second marriage." Joonghyuk asks.
"It doesn't matter if you got divorce recently or wherever you're still the third prince of our empire you need a heir. And with your condition recently it's better if a wife take cares of you." Empress responds calmly.
"Father" Joonghyuk wanted to reject the idea. But then the empress spoke in between,"Son, we are doing this for you only. If you keep yourself busy like that just for distraction it'll affect your health. And you need a heir after all. If there will be someone new on your life slowly you'll fall in love with that person. And if there will be someone to take care of you then it'll make us less worried." After hearing empress Joonghyuk remains silent.
"I need sometime to think about it." Joonghyuk finally says after few minutes. After hearing Joonghyuk response Emperor and Empress finally breathe a sigh of relief.
After thinking about it for few weeks. Joonghyuk finally agree with Emperor and Empress request. Emperor and Empress where in cloud nine hearing Joonghyuk answer.
"You both must have first found a person then only you would have proposed me marriage proposal. So tell me who is that person?" Joonghyuk asked.
Empress giggled hearing Joonghyuk words. "Curious aren't you Joonghyuk?" Empress said.
"No i just wanna know the person whom I'm going to be wedded to" Joonghyuk replied with poker face.
Then empress started speaking, "Aigoo look at this boy he is curious but still acts like he doesn't care. But I'll tell you that person is a very precious boy. He is the only child of a southern noble. When Emperor and I saw him for the first time we both got a feeling that we should make him our child. He was such a precious soul. His name is Kim Dokja."
"Kim Dokja huh I see?!" Joonghyuk murmured his name in a quiet voice. Emperor and empress looked at each other and smiled.
On his way back to mansion Joonghyuk kept murmuring Kim Dokja name in low voice.
"Kim Dokja as a only child or as a reader? Kim Dokja now I'm getting curious to know about you. Hope we will meet soon." Joonghyuk had a unusual smile on his face.
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