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Queen of Hearts
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IV

 

They were at the courtyard, Seulgi was carving some finishing touches of a wooden sword with the very eager Yeri sitting beside. After the unplanned revelation, Seulgi thought the girl ought to be given some sort of a reward. No, Yeri doesn’t know that she and Sooyoung knew about her, sneaking out of the castle and providing candles for the impoverished. Technically, Yeri was also on the wrong-side for taking those beeswax candles without permission – but the kid doesn’t need to know that. What matters now was her pure heart. “It’s done.” Seulgi held the sword for a bit and handed it to Yeri, her big, bright eyes turned saucer once she gripped it. “It looks just like a real one!” Lady Sooyoung who stood at the back, observing, spoke, “It should. Her Highness used to make so much of these when The King did not allow her to touch a real sword, nor practice with the wooden ones with the other squires.” “As expected…a rebel...” Yeri said, earning laughters from the other two. “Yes, and despite being rebellious, Her Highness later on received a medal of courage after hunting a wild boar on her own for the first time.” Sooyoung inserted. “Really?!” Seulgi then nodded, a faint blush on her cheeks at how Yeri was looking at her admirably. Someone cleared their throat from behind and they turned to see Joohyun who bowed and apologised for the interruption. Sooyoung getting the hint of her presence, said, “Calm down little lady. It’s time for you to thank Princess Seulgi. And if you don’t scramble from your lessons again this week, we could visit the stables and groom that horse you liked so much.” “Great!” Yeri jumped from her seat, full of enthusiasm. They left the room in good spirits, leaving behind Joohyun and the Princess at the courtyard. “Good day, Your Highness. What is on your schedule today? Do you have another ceremony to attend or –?” “Nope. I had Sooyoung to clear my schedule.” “Oh? What is your plan?” Seulgi stood up and faced her, a smile never leaving her face. “I’m going to work.” The Princess step aside and walked away with Joohyun trailing behind, confused over what was spoken. “Where are you going? What do you mean?” They scurried down a flight of stairs, heading towards the entrance gate. “I’m going to Adamur’s Orphanage to do what I really love…roll up my sleeves, and within luck, I could fix the chimney leading to the fireplace and give them the warmth they deserved.” They stopped at the large entrance door of the inner gate, facing each other, both genuinely smiling. “Well would you look at that,” Joohyun sounded pleased, “I know you are a nice person after all.” “Oh…thank you.” “You know what I mean, we are getting past all these…whole, rough Princess exterior whatnot…”Joohyun babbled. “Yes, yes, yes…” Seulgi nodded restlessly, “But enough about me. What about you?” “What of me?” “Well I am curious,” They walked side by side at the awaiting horse in front, “Although you still have not found it, you still believe there’s one true love out there for us all.” “Yes!” “Then why are you still without a lover?” Cat got Joohyun’s tongue as she wasn’t able to answer the question immediately. So Seulgi pressed more, “Is it because you are a perfectionist?” “What?!” “Or perhaps…a control freak?” Joohyun looked appalled at the accusation, “Why is someone who makes a living on finding strangers the love of their life…is still…without a lover?” “Alright…fair enough…” The teasing tone on the Princess had Joohyun sighing and surrender. “My problem is that…the closer I get to…finding other people a match, the further away I am of understanding of what is it that I actually want…” Seulgi knowingly smiled, “I think you just found your occupational hazard.” “However,” Joohyun reassured, “I know love. I have seen it in the eyes of my clients. I have watched their lives changed because of it. And I think my success speaks for itself.” The Princess shrugged and Joohyun then bowed and spoke, “Speaking of work, I’m going back to it now –” “What –” Seulgi stepped forward, puzzled with one hand holding on to Joohyun’s arm. Although she quickly retaliated as soon as she realised what she did. “What do you mean? I thought you were coming with me to the orphanage…?” “No,” Joohyun declined, trying not to change her own mind after looking at the crestfallen looking Princess, “That would be fun, but I am sure the mending is capable in your royal hands. I have to go deal with your matches.” “Huh…then I take your research with me is…over?” “No. It’s never over…until you walk down the aisle and say I do!” Joohyun taunted. Seulgi’s brows knitted together, “That…is frightening to imagine as of the moment.” Joohyun laughed, “For which one of us exactly?” “Perhaps both!”   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~♥♥♥~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   It has been a hectic day for Joohyun; it was the day for her to personally interview the potential candidates. She had asked the matches a variety of questions; from their personal interests, their opinions on certain topics and their aspirations. There were a few candidates where she had crossed out from the list in an instance. There was a son of a duke who started to casually flirt with her, there was also a Countess who seemed to be all over her head, and she was beautiful – but too self-centred. The last candidate gave a good impression to her. She was a bit aloof but enjoyable to be around with. Joohyun then escorted the Lady out of the solar. “Thank you so much for travelling all the way to the castle,” Joohyun bowed at the woman, “Hope you would hear something from us within a few days.” Joohyun see her off her carriage, bidding her farewell from the inner gate exit. She stared at the distance, distracted until a voice spoke behind her back. “So…are you close to finding a match?” Sooyoung emerged from behind and stood beside her. “I hope so. It’s a bit of a working progress,” Joohyun turned to the woman, “Just like you and Seungwan.” The tall woman was caught off-guard, but quickly recollected herself. “Pardon me, but who exactly is the client here?” “Well, when the spirits move, I like to offer my services for free.” “Oh, even if it’s unsought for?” Sarcasm laced on the woman’s tone. “Especially if it’s unsought for.” Joohyun affirmed, “I hate to see somebody passed with a great opportunity.” Joohyun was reminded on several nights that she and Seungwan had been talking about the lady-in-waiting, how her assistant had been spending some time with the woman in discrete. But Seungwan remains frustrated at times because of the hot-and-cold treatment from the girl, one moment she was warm and friendly, and the next moment; she was distant and unsociable. Sooyoung was about to walk away when Joohyun halted, “Lady Sooyoung…what are you afraid of?” “I beg your pardon?” “I am not sure if you trust my instincts or not, but I know you must have some trust in it since you and the royal advisor sought for my services to aid the Princess…” Sooyoung stepped forward, “Our Princess…she just needs to be pushed to the right direction.” “Well she is not the only one.” Joohyun gaze at the woman, “What is stopping you from opening up your heart?” The woman swallowed, unsure if she should be honest. “Since…my mother passed away, I’ve been wary on putting myself out there. You do know she was poisoned by my step-father…” “I do know,” Joohyun bit her lip, acknowledging the issue. “It is only natural for you to be wary and wanting to protect yourself and your sister from deceitful appearances…that is understandable.” Sooyoung nodded, agreeing to her words. “But…Lady Sooyoung, there is so much more of you still to be shared…” Joohyun smiled, patting the woman’s arm before she left the scene, leaving Sooyoung to ponder all alone at her words.   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~♥♥♥~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~   Once again in their working solar, now not dishevelled as before, Joohyun placed the three profiles on the table. She felt proud and confident of the choices she made; after much observation and cross-matching personalities between the candidates and the Princess. “I present to you…our top three candidates!” “Amazing!” Seungwan clasped her hands together, “Should I notify the rest of our candidates and turn them down gently?” “No, not until the Princess makes her decision. They are all still on hold.” The door of their solar then opened, revealing the King in his bountiful maroon robes. Startled at the sudden visit, Joohyun quickly nudged her assistant and the both of them bowed. “Pardon me for intruding; I am just here to catch a glimpse of our matchmaker at work.” The King showed a certain excitement as he eyed the profiles laid on the table, “So I see one of these nobles just might strike my daughters fancy?” “I really hope so,” Joohyun muttered, “The Princess has been quite a challenge – in a good way surely.” “That’s alright…” The King smiled to himself and turned to face her, “Well…are you confident you can find Seulgi her true love?” Joohyun gulped, a nervous sweat broke out. “Yes, Your Majesty. If I was not confident, I would not have agreed to this service.” “Good, because we are running out of time.” The King meaningfully nodded at her before walking away from the working space; leaving behind Seungwan and her, slightly troubled and twice pressured. .   .   .   It was night time and she had been pacing back and forth over the long hallway, waiting for an appearance of a certain someone. Joohyun was in her formal gown, fanning herself with a folding fan and being obviously anxious for whatever reason. “Just breathe…just breathe Joohyun,” She mumbled to herself, “Everything will go fine…Why am I so nervous?” “You are?” Joohyun turned to the voice and saw Seulgi in a creamy silk dress that hugged her body majestically, her sharp collarbones stood out. It would be seducing if the Princess had chosen bolder colours for her dress, but to her relief, the woman did not. (did she just said to her relief?) “I am the one who is going to meet those candidates and you are the one who is nervous?” Joohyun nervously chuckled, “Y-You look nice. Are you ready?” “I think so...” Seulgi answered with a troubling smile. “Alright, I shall brief you while we head to the room,” Joohyun cleared , “So normally, I would do three
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DASH_5834
#1
Chapter 5: ❤️
Reveluv4vr
#2
Chapter 2: Haha.. funny and cute interactions 😁😁
its_aaarrriii
#3
Chapter 1: woah new story for me to read!
Oct_13_wen_03 35 streak #4
Chapter 5: 🤍🤍🤍
Apcxjsv
#5
Chapter 5: 💗💛
railtracer08
357 streak #6
Chapter 5: Matchmaker Joohyun still has her 100% success rate hehe
Jensoo4everlove #7
Rereadingg
Oct_13_wen_03 35 streak #8
Chapter 1: 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍
karen_plvra
#9
Chapter 5: it was so good!!!
democratits
#10
Chapter 5: This is so good for my mental health😭 I love the build up, the conflicting feelings, the side wenjoy!1! Thank you for writing this <3