Jidwi POV

I stood in front of the throne and gazed at it. My heart tightened as my mind visioned my mother sitting on that very seat, her cold expression looked down at me. I tilted my head down and closed my eyes.

You've been up there for too long, now it's my turn.

"What are you doing here?" my mother's voice said from behind me. I turned around and her eyes moved up and down on me. "Why are you wearing that?" she raged. My crimson hanbok fitted me well as well as the golden head piece that sat on my head.

"Why? Shouldn't a king be wearing this?" I taunted. "What did Areum say to you? Don't trust her, she's going to hurt you." she warned but I let out a low chuckle. "She tried didn't she? She tried to make amends with you but you didn't listen. All because you didn't want to let go of your precious throne. If you knew that she could hurt me, why didn't you just cooperate?" I questioned.

"She won't let this go so easily, I doubt it. After all this work she suddenly just wants to fix things and let you have the throne?" she reasoned. "She explained to you why, despite you ruining her life she still wants me to have a mother. Is that not a good enough reason?" I argued, a slight hint of pain was in my eyes. "Her mother should've died too." "Is that all you have to say? I'm starting to question saving you that day." I admit and she looked at me, a pained expression was evident in her eyes.

I was quite surprised at the words I had just spoken but I didn't show it, not wanting to show any pity for her at that moment. I turned on my heels and walked up the steps that led the throne. I sat myself down on it and let my arms rest on the arm rests.

"I should've had this a long time ago." I sighed and closed my eyes. "It will be yours, just wait a little longer." my mother says and I shoot my eyes open. "No." "What?"

"I'm not waiting anymore, this throne is mine. I get to choose when I'll reign as king and I choose not to wait any longer." my mother looked at me with great anger. "Sam Maekjong!" she yelled out. "It's not Sam Maekjong! It's Jinheung." I shot back.

I got up and walked towards her. "It's King Jinhueng." I say before leaving her in a shocked mess.

Areum POV

I waited in the garden of my home, pouring the water in the soil to hydrate the fresh and blooming flowers that grew in the garden. I hear the gate creak open and I immediately avert my attention. "Jidwi." I rush up to him. "How did it go?" I asked. "She definitely thinks you're going to hurt me." he laughed which I did as well. "She's a coward." I shook my head.

"Oh, sorry." I apologized. "No, don't worry about it, she is." he agreed. I stared at him for a minute which he took notice of. "What? Is there something on my face?" he questioned but I denied. "No, you just look good wearing this. You really look good as a king." I grinned and he scoffed playfully.

"Careful with what you say, Banryu might hear you and kill me." I giggled at his remark. "How did you get here without anyone noticing what you were wearing?" I suddenly asked. "I took a shortcut through the forest where no one goes." he explained and I hummed at his answer.

The gate was pushed open again but instead, it was Banryu who entered. "Oh, Banryu." I smiled at him which he returned. "How'd it go?" he asked towards Jidwi. "Good." he responded simply. Banryu then turned his gaze to me. "Did you eat?" I nodded. "Good." he said.

"Look at you, being all concerned for your wife." Jidwi teased which made me hit him on the arm. "Yah! You can't hit the king." he exclaimed. "Keep your voice down." I scolded. "Sorry, anyways I'll get back to hwarang." Jidwi says his goodbyes and leaves me and Banryu alone.

"Aren't you going back to hwarang?" I questioned. "No, my father didn't want me to go back since he still thinks I'm going to be king," he explained. "Alright, you wanna go for a walk for now?" I asked and he agreed.

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We walked around the secluded forest hand in hand. It was peacefully silent, no awkwardness or anything like that. It was a comfortable silence. "I don't know what I would do without you." Banryu suddenly spoke up. I turned my head to him and smiled softly.

"Why would you say that?" I inquired. "I would probably still be following my father's orders, I would still be a cold and rude person and I probably wouldn't know how to love someone." he unveiled. "That's not true, I'm sure if Soo yeon was here she would have helped you as well." I said.

"Areum, forget about Soo yeon." he said bluntly which made me stop in my tracks. "What?" I was shocked, I couldn't just forget about Soo yeon. She was my best friend and Banryu's first love I guess?

"Banryu how could you say that?" I said, a little hurt. "I didn't mean it like that. I loved her before but now I love you so stop bringing her into our conversations, okay?" he explained which I slowly nodded in response.

"I do miss her though." I admitted. He sighed and held my hand again. "I know, at some point I do too but, at least I have you." he smiled. I smiled back and kissed him on the cheek.

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"Youngshil, what are we here for now?" Master Seub questioned as they stood in front of the queen along with the other officials.

"Be patient master Seub." Youngshil said with a sly smile. Master Seub looked at him with a confused look before turning upfront to the queen. "Your highness, do you know what we are here before?"

Before the queen could say anything the doors behind them were pushed open. "Sorry for the wait everyone." I said and boldly walked in with Banryu at my side.

The queen squeezed the sleeves of her dress in her fist in anger. "But now that I'm here, we have something to announce." I say happily. Youngshil watched Banryu and I carefully. I looked at him and he gave me a small nod.

"Tomorrow is that day we shall be coronated as king and queen." I declared. Jiso's eyes widened and she immediately stood up. "Says who?" I looked at her innocently. "Myself of course, I have every right to that very throne you are sitting on." I smiled at her which made her even more mad.

"No you don't! You aren't a sacred bone!" I shrugged her words off. "Alright, then I'll just let my mother become queen." "No, she isn't a part of this family. She was disowned a long time ago."

"That doesn't mean anything, the blood of a sacred bone still runs through her. It seems you don't want her to be queen though so it'll just end up being me." I laughed. "I hope to see you all there." I say and turn around. I was about to walk off until Jiso spoke again.

"You're forgetting that Jinheung still has a right to the throne, he will take it from you." I smirked. "Jinheung is gone now, we don't have to worry about him." Banryu says to her in a low but intimidating voice.

Jiso's breath hitched and tears welled up in her eyes. "W-what did you do to him? A-Areum! Banryu!" she called out to us but we simply walked out the room calmly.

a/n: sorry i haven't updated in a few days, i got kinda busy lol but i hope y'all enjoy this chapter. as always dont forget to leave a vote and comment <333