Inside Jungkook’s quarters, while you sat at the table with him beside you, you continued to remind yourself that there was no future between him and you. Daylight had passed leaving only the candles in his room to cast shadows against the walls. The fruits and desserts stacked upon the silver plates that were served hours ago were still untouched. Even the ginseng tea that filled the small cup in front of you had gone cold and tasteless. You avoided his eyes, but from the corner of your vision Jungkook hadn’t looked away from you once.  

Without a word, you stood up and gave him a long bow. Jungkook refused your greeting as he reached over to stop you. When he touched you, you moved away from him, hoping that distancing the physical closeness of your hearts would help you let him go.

“I’ll leave now,” you stated and turned towards the door while ignoring his response. You shut the doors behind you and although they separated you from Jungkook, the gnawing feelings of sadness and love did not dissipate from your chest. You hated yourself for nothing else but the truth that you were still so absolutely in love with him.

Doctor Chul’s words replayed in your mind, reminding you that you could not leave Jungkook’s side. If you did, the King of Goguryeo may very well fall ill. You sighed and stepped away from the doors while trying to comprehend your own emotions.

The doors flung open and you looked to see Jungkook staring at you. His dark beautiful hair, like his silk robe, was sleek and gleaming of pure royalty. His skin looked smooth and flawless from the moonlight that shined at him from above. His eyes sparkled a piercing stare that made your stomach turn slowly.

Jungkook yanked you into his quarters and slammed his doors shut. When he grabbed you, and flung you against the wall you were shocked from his aggressiveness. You felt his lips press into yours as his warm breath and moist mouth loved you against your will. You struggled to free yourself but he wrapped his arms around you, trapping you within his strong embrace, preventing you from fighting back.

When he pulled away you felt nothing else but your heart beating; racing rapidly inside your chest.

“I love you!” Jungkook exclaimed with anger and confusion.

Although he appeared angry, his eyes told another story. They were full of passion and desire, something you had never seen before. His face was inches from yours and without looking or moving away he complained, “I’m in love with you. I’m going crazy.”

Your mouth went dry from his words. You couldn’t think fast enough as he forced you back into another emotional chilling kiss that tasted sweeter than caramelized sugar.

When the halls crowded with the eunuch’s and lords of high class you stood behind Doctor Chul as he shielded you from the King.

Doctor Chul bowed a long greeting as the eyes of everyone stared at you and him. When he raised his head, he spoke affirmatively and without fear. 

“King Jungkook of Goguryeo. I will offend you for the goodness of the kingdom. Please forgive me.”

Jungkook listened as Doctor Chul paced from left to the right. The stares from the lords and eunuchs now became bitter and odious.

“I am here today to be at your side, to assist you with my knowledge and provide you with guidance. Not too long ago you were at Mt. JingShen. You were ambitious and careless, unknowing of the power you possess. You have also shared the fruit bore by the phoenix, incurring a curse upon you and this woman here.” He motioned his arm to you and you kept your eyes fixated on the floor beneath you.

The hall chattered at the truth and Jungkook’s eyebrows scrunched. There was something Doctor Chul knew that he didn’t know. Princess Hyeseo had asked him before about that fruit but that was the last he heard of it. To learn