The kiss didn't last long. It was just a five-second collision of our lips—but it made my stomach churn. Or were they butterflies celebrating inside me?
Min Yun pulled away and looked at me.
"I'm sorry. I was overwhelmed and…" he didn't finish his sentence.
I stared at him, then he smiled.
"I'm sorry, I'm not even sorry for doing that," he said in a full and confident voice.
I tried to open my mouth, but no words came out.
"Are you okay?" Min Yun asked, his voice filled with concern.
Why can't I speak? Why can't I move? Is my body paralyzed?
He chuckled, then gently touched my hair.
"I just really like you. That's why I did it."
Since when has Min Yun been this vocal about his feelings for me?
The pat on the head somehow snapped me out of my daze.
"I... I need to go back to my chamber..." was all I could say.
Min Yun sighed but silently escorted me back.
When we arrived at my chamber, I muttered a quiet "thank you" without even glancing at him, then hurried inside.
As soon as I stepped in, I felt the numbness in my legs. I collapsed onto the floor like a crazy girl, my mind completely blank.
It wasn't the first time we kissed—but it was the first time I was conscious!
The first kiss happened when I was drunk. But this… this felt real.
I could feel the heat on my face, my cheeks surely bright red. He likes me that much? He had never been this open before.
The first time I met him, he was serious and mysterious. I never imagined he had this side to him.
"Your Majesty, the king is here."
My daydream shattered as the eunuch announced the king's arrival.
I quickly stood up and composed myself.
"Hi," the king greeted as he walked in.
"Hi," I replied.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes. Why do you ask?"
"Your face is red."
Oh shoot! It's still red! What should I do?
"Are you sick?"
"What? No! Maybe I was just out in the sun too long earlier."
"You were with Min Yun?"
The memory of the kiss came rushing back.
"Huh? Ah, yes."
"You're spacing out."
"Ha? I'm not."
"You just did," he chuckled. "Did you have dinner?"
"Not yet."
"Lucky me. Let's have dinner in the garden."
"Right now?"
"Yes, right now. Come on." The king took my hand—I hadn't even noticed when he did.
We walked in silence, our hands intertwined. I thought it would be just the two of us. But to my surprise, Min Yun was already in the garden, sitting and waiting.
He stood up and bowed. Then, his eyes dropped to our hands. I quickly pulled mine away. Thankfully, the king didn't seem to notice how forcefully I did it.
"Ah… I'm hungry," I said, then laughed awkwardly. Shoot. What's so funny?
"I asked Min Yun to join us. We need to discuss something," the king explained.
I nodded and began eating, mostly rice. I stuffed my mouth intentionally, just so I wouldn't have to talk.
"You must be really hungry, my queen," the king said, laughing at how full my mouth was.
I just smiled and nodded.
Min Yun looked at me seriously, then placed some meat into my bowl.
"You need to eat more, Your Majesty. You're getting thinner," he said in a firm tone.
The king turned to him. "What about me?"
"What about you?" Min Yun replied flatly.
The king pointed to the meat with his lips.
"Psh. Get it yourself, Your Highness."
The king fell silent for a moment, but then smiled.
"You still talk to me like we're kids again—back when I wasn't even the king yet."
"Psh. Here." Min Yun finally placed some meat in the king's bowl.
"Eat a lot, Your Highness. You still have battles to fight."
The king smiled. "I think I'd like to have meals with you two more often."
I forced a smile when the king looked at me. Min Yun just shrugged in response.
We had a delicious and surprisingly joyful dinner. I started to feel more at ease watching the king and Min Yun talk casually, like there were no titles or duties to worry about.
I liked seeing them this way: relaxed, laughing, as if they weren't two of the busiest men in the kingdom.
"I want a drink," the king suddenly said.
My eyes widened. Oh no. I shouldn't drink—not again. I need to avoid making the same mistake.
"Call," Min Yun said.
The king called for the eunuch and ordered alcohol.
The eunuch bowed and quickly left to carry out the request.
"I don't want to drink," I said firmly.
Both of them looked at me.
The king nodded. "Yeah, you shouldn't. Would you like some tea instead?"
I shrugged. "My tummy's already full."
The king nodded again.
Soon, the alcohol arrived. And just like that, they began drinking like there was no tomorrow—gulp after gulp, like it was a race.
I wasn't even surprised when they both ended up completely drunk.
"Give us more," the king mumbled, his face slumped against the table.
The eunuch glanced at me. I shrugged helplessly.
"Your Highness, go back to your chamber now! It's already dark, and you drank way too much!" I said in horror.
I looked down and saw the empty bottles scattered across the floor. I couldn't believe they finished it all.
"I... still... want... to... drink..." he muttered.
I sighed and looked at the eunuch. "Help him back to his chamber."
"Who's going back? I'm not done yet!"
I shook my head. "I shouldn't have let you drink in the first place."
Then I glanced at Min Yun, who was still drinking silently. His face was bright red—wasn't he drunk?
Turning back to the eunuchs, I gestured for them to assist the king. They began pulling him up.
"Where are we going???" he asked groggily.
I didn't respond. I simply watched as the eunuchs guided him away. When their shadows had disappeared into the corridor, I turned to Min Yun again.
"Are you okay? Stop drinking now," I said.
"I'm fine," he replied calmly, but his voice was serious.
"Let me help you get to your quarters."
He shook his head. "No. Let me assist you to your chamber, Your Majesty."
"You're drunk. I can't let you walk around alone. I have servants who'll take care of me."
"I don't want to go to my quarters. I'm fine. If you're sleepy, just leave me alone."
"No. Just stop drinking now."
I reached to take his glass, but he pulled it back and finished it in one gulp.
I sighed. I didn't know Min Yun could be this stubborn.
"Let's go."
I walked over and tried to lift him, but he was too heavy. I could barely budge him.
"Let's go," I repeated, more firmly this time.
Min Yun lost his balance as he stood. I barely managed to catch him. His face fell onto my left shoulder, and his arm rested on my right.
I looked at him. Was he asleep?
Just then, the court ladies and eunuchs arrived.
"I've got him," I said.
Despite the weight, I managed to walk him to his quarters, enter the room, and lay him on the bed—well, more like drop him. He was too heavy for me to be gentle.
"Hmmm," he groaned softly.
Was he dreaming?
I stood there for a while, just staring at him.
Then, the memory of the kiss came flooding back. My eyes dropped to his red lips. They were... tempting.
I bit my lower lip. I shouldn't be thinking like this. I'm married.
But it's fake! my mind whispered back.
I sighed. I didn't know what to feel anymore. Everything was just... confusing.
I pulled a blanket over him to make sure he wouldn't get cold, then turned to leave.
"I'm going now," I whispered.
But just as I was about to step away, his hand reached out and grabbed my wrist.
I thought he just wanted to stop me—but instead, he pulled me toward him, and I fell onto his chest.
Dug. Dug. Dug.
My heart was pounding so loudly, I could barely hear myself breathe.
Why is Min Yun doing this to me? Why does he keep making things so complicated?
I felt his hand gently caressing my back.
"Please stay tonight," he whispered.