Heart of Ice

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Yewon had always known that bearing a son was important, but it was only now that she had really internalized how important it had been. If only she had managed to be pregnant right now, this would not have happened. Seungcheol would not have decided to divorce on a whim.

Even if there was no pregnancy: if only they had consummated.

If they had consummated, then at least Seungcheol would have waited to know that she was notpregnant. But they did not consummate, and so their marriage was a fragile association to be broken on impulse.

Yewon had a lot of regrets. If only she had not been so scared the first night. If only she had not been so depressed when her parents left. If only she had not pissed him off. If only her period was just a few days late. If only the night it was close to happening, she had been less passive. If only she did not see him with Jeonghan. If only she did not go off with Wonwoo that one night...

Seungcheol would certainly not agree to a consummation now, and so her marriage was to remain fragile for the five days it would still be intact.

She had no idea what she was going to do. She was hoping that maybe it was enough time for him to come back to his senses, but that seemed overly hopeful. The other thing she could think to do was talk to the King and Queen; they were reasonable people and had power over Seungcheol.

She also thought of Wonwoo, who had told her that he wouldn't let Seungcheol attack. But Wonwoo wasn't there and she didn't know if he would be able to come back in time anyways. It took at least three days for a letter to get to him, and at least two for him to get back. It seemed unlikely he would come to stop Seungcheol from doing anything.

She was under so much pressure at the moment, and she felt like she was going to break.

-

Haein came to prepare Yewon for the day and noticed that Yewon was distressed. She asked what was wrong, and Yewon, desperate for some kind of relief from the pressure she was currently facing, relayed exactly what Seungcheol told her. Letting someone else know about it somehow relieved the internal burden ever so slightly.

Haein appeared extremely upset with the reveal that Seungcheol wanted a divorce, a lot more upset than Yewon thought she would be. Her body went stiff and she seemed like she was on the verge of tears.

"We can't let that happen, your highness," Haein murmured gravely. "We can't let him divorce you..."

It was comforting for Yewon to see Haein react this way, because it felt like she had someone on her side, someone who felt the same as her, and someone who was willing to help her.

"I don't know what to do," Yewon said to her, in desperate need of guidance. "What do I do?"

Haein took a moment to think: "might I suggest something outrageous?"

Yewon nodded eagerly. Anything. She was willing to do anything.

"Seduce Prince Soonyoung," Haein suggested. "Get Soonyoung to marry you if Seungcheol insists on divorce." Yewon's eyes widened at the suggestion, but Haein explained: "he's not the first heir, but he's still important, and marriage to him will surely give some precedent for peace, even if it's not as strong as marriage to Seungcheol. And Soonyoung is so easily seduced, your highness. If he declares he wants to marry you after Seungcheol divorces, and you agree to it, it will happen. And Soonyoung is very likely to be king, especially since Seungcheol does not seem to be willing to have a son any time soon. And if he does become king, and you his queen, there will finally be peace..."

This was something that Yewon had not considered. The idea of marrying Soonyoung was certainly outrageous, but very practical and in line with what she wanted to achieve.