𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚'𝗦 𝗪𝗜𝗙𝗘 (CURRENTLY EDITING)

9장: Broken (Edited)

As Yewon slowly walked towards the beautiful pavilion, Court Lady Jang and the palace maidservants followed behind her while gaping at the alluring beauty in front of them.

They all stopped when the princess suddenly spoke with a soft yet commanding voice. "Leave the flute and the wine... And take sixty steps away from here."

Though reluctant, they still followed her instructions. When Yewon was alone, she sat down on the bench beside the man-made pool where she could clearly see the reflection of the moon.

Wishing that this is all just a dream as she poured a large amount of wine in the porcelain cup. She hastily drank it and poured another one on her cup and drank herself into oblivion. 

Half an hour passed by when they heard the sound of a flute. The whole place was filled with the enticing music. Prince Yi Yung, on the other hand, was in his room reading a book when he heard it. 

He stopped his work and followed the sound which led him towards the Moonlight Pavilion. His mouth hangs open, but no words came out as he was bewitched by his wife's beauty. He slowly walked towards her.

Yewon narrowed her eyes at the approaching man. She stopped playing the flute and walked unsteadily towards him while holding the empty wine bottle in her hand. 

"You're drunk." Prince Yi Yung said with a surprised look.

"No, I'm not drunk! W-Wait! Where are you taking me?!"

"Let's go! I'm bringing you back to your quarters." Yi Yung tried dragging her back, but the stubborn wife of his did not even budge.

"Noooooooooo! I'm not going back there! And why do you care?! You said six months ago that we should not interfere in each other's business." Yewon said angrily. Prince Yi was taken aback with what she said.

"W-Why are you doing this to me, Your Highness? Is it my fault that we got married? I've never wanted this marriage myself but I have no other choice just like you. I-I thought t-that we could at least be friends though this marriage is loveless, but all you did is ignore me as if I don't exist!" With tears in her eyes, Yewon kneeled on the floor and looked at Prince Yi Yung straight in his eyes. "I would rather be deposed and live in exile than to stay here. Please, Your Highness, have me exiled and you can be with Consort Hong."

Yi Yung looked at her with eyes filled with hatred and fury. "Liar! You think I don't know what you are trying to do? Exiled? Why? So that you can be with your lover?" With widened eyes she asked him.

"W-What are you t-talking about, Your Highness? O-Ouch! It hurts! Please let me go!"

Yi Yung did not listen to her cries, instead he grabbed her arm and dragged her harshly towards his room.

He quickly opened the door and pushed Yewon towards the bed with force. Without any hesitation, he pinned her on the bed with his body. "You think you can get away from me? You're mine, Yewon. Only mine."

He captured her lips in a kiss—fierce, unrelenting, and filled with a hunger long denied.

At first, Yewon struggled beneath him, her legs instinctively kicking in protest, but Yi Yung’s strength gently restrained her. His firm but careful touch betrayed no cruelty—only desire, desperation, and a yearning he could no longer contain.

Her resistance faltered beneath the weight of emotion that trembled between them. His lips moved over hers with a fervent passion, yet there was tenderness in the way he touched her face, in the way his fingers brushed the hair from her cheek.

Slowly, as the fire in her chest rose to meet his, Yewon surrendered to the moment.

She parted her lips, answering his kiss with equal fervor, and in that silent exchange, something shifted—walls crumbled, hearts opened.

That night, beneath the pale glow of moonlight and within the sanctity of their chamber, the dragon and the phoenix became one at last.

The next morning, a soft breeze filtered through the paper windows, stirring the silk curtains with gentle grace. Sunlight spilled into the room, warm and golden, kissing the pale skin of the young Crown Princess as she stirred from her sleep.

Min Yewon slowly opened her eyes, her body aching in places she never thought possible. Every movement sent a dull throb through her limbs, and yet… her face glowed with a softness, her lips curved slightly with the memory of the night before. A deep blush crept over her cheeks and down her neck, the warmth of shared intimacy still lingering on her skin.

She tried to sit up, but her legs trembled beneath the weight of her body. As she attempted to rise, they gave out without warning, and she collapsed back onto the mattress with a soft cry. A thud echoed in the silence of her chamber.

The doors flung open almost instantly.

“Your Ladyship!” cried Court Lady Jang, rushing toward the bed, worry etched across her face. “What happened? You should have called for assistance if you needed—”

But her words were cut off as Yewon’s voice interrupted her, quiet but urgent.
“Where… where is the Crown Prince?”

Court Lady Jang faltered.

The silence hung heavy between them.

Yewon’s gaze sharpened. “What is it, Court Lady Jang? Tell me the truth.”

The older woman hesitated, her wrinkled hands fidgeting nervously with the folds of her sleeves. Her lips trembled. “H-His Highness… is in Consort Hong’s chamber. He is… consoling her.”

Yewon stared at her, unblinking.

The world around her blurred as her chest tightened. Her breath caught, not from pain, but from disbelief.

He’s with her? After last night? After everything?

Her heart, once so full, shattered into a thousand pieces. The soft whispers he had breathed into her ear—the promises, the longing, the words of devotion—now felt like sharp knives piercing her soul.

Last night was a lie.

A carefully crafted illusion.

She was his wife—his lawful, honored wife. And yet, the morning after they shared what she thought was a sacred union, he had gone to another. To her. The one who had always lingered at the edge of every room, smiling like a viper in silk.

Tears welled in Yewon’s eyes, spilling down her cheeks as she covered her face with trembling hands. Her shoulders shook with silent sobs.

Court Lady Jang stood frozen for a moment, her heart breaking for the young Crown Princess. In her four decades of palace service, she had witnessed power shifts, rivalries, and scandals—but never had she seen a more heart-wrenching sight than this: a noble girl, betrayed on the very morning of her awakening into womanhood.

Slowly, she knelt beside the bed and gathered Yewon into her arms. The young princess clung to her like a child to her mother, weeping into the folds of her robes.

“Hush now, Your Ladyship,” Court Lady Jang whispered, gently stroking her hair. “If only I could change this cruel world for you. But I am only a humble servant, powerless against the likes of Consort Hong.”

Tears slipped down the older woman’s face as well. She had always seen Yewon as a daughter, her loyalty unwavering.

“My heart aches seeing you like this. You deserve so much more.”

She reached for a cloth and wiped Yewon’s tears with soft, practiced hands. Her voice, though aged, remained soothing.

“Come now,” she said kindly. “Let’s take things one step at a time. A warm bath will ease your aches, and your favorite dishes have been prepared. You must regain your strength. This palace… it demands it.”

Yewon nodded faintly, swallowing her sobs. With Court Lady Jang’s gentle guidance, she slowly stood, her legs still unsteady but her resolve slowly hardening beneath the heartbreak.

Together, they made their way toward the bathing chamber—step by painful step.