5/5

Queen of Hearts
Please Subscribe to read the full chapter

V

 

Joohyun leaned against the window of the working solar room, her eyes staring at the empty ground out in the dark night. It was already late, far too late for her liking.  She was already changed into her night gown, and if it was any other day, she might have already be in bed. But here she was, a glass of white wine in her right hand while her left folded while she sipped, waited and sighed. The inner gate grounds remains deserted and empty. “They’re still not back yet.” Joohyun turned to her good friend, Seungwan who was sitting cosily on a chair by the fireplace, a book of astronomy in her hands. “I think that is a good sign.” “Yes… yes, I supposed so…” Joohyun vaguely spoke, but Seungwan was quick to note the uncertainty in the matchmaker’s voice. “What do you mean you supposed so? Are you having second thoughts?” “No. No…of course not. It is just – I mean,” Joohyun paced about the room, the words in her head twisted, “I just never had so much riding on a positive outcome. It is the whole business. And it is more than that…” Joohyun finally sat on one of those comfortable chairs, facing the assistant. She was trying to sort out her dishevelled thoughts, “…and you know, I’ve gotten to really know the Princess…and watched her grow, watched her opened her heart…” Seungwan gently smiled, slightly pitying her friend. She closed the book shut and listened to Joohyun rambling with her words. “….And she is a good person. A-And…she deserves to have someone that…that loves her…” “Like you do?” Joohyun was too deep in her thoughts, failing to comprehend what Seungwan just said, “Like I do what?” The assistant did not answer but simply wiggled her eyebrows at Joohyun who just realised, and quick to be against it. “…love? Love her?” “Are you saying – ” Joohyun suddenly laughed, perhaps resounding throughout the walls of the castle. She found Seungwan’s words extremely unbelievable. “That is completely ridiculous… I don’t know – I mean, I hardly know her…” Poor Joohyun continued to babbled, “But…you know we have been spending some time together so…naturally these feelings – wait, why do you say that?!” “No reason.” Seungwan shrugged. Joohyun stood up from her seat, getting riled up especially seeing the silly smirk on her assistant’s face. “I care about her. I care about all my clients.” “That is what I do…I invest in my clients a-and…it would be completely inappropriate for me to develop romantic feelings for a client. People trust me to not do outrageous things like that.” “And she is a Princess!” Joohyun’s heart still beating rather erratically, “I mean, who lives in a castle like this – only the royalties! I am a commoner.” The matchmaker rambling finally died down and she was seen staring into an empty space for a minute. Still feeling some sort of heat surrounding her, Joohyun suddenly blamed. “It’s very hot in here. Who builds a fireplace that huge in this small solar?” She turned to Seungwan – still with that silly smirk. “I’m going out to get some fresh air.” Joohyun made a dash out of the room, leaving Seungwan still rooted in her chair, flipping open the book once more. “Oh Joohyun…I definitely believe you.”   .   .   .   When she said getting some fresh air, it meant going to the kitchen and inspecting for any leftover food from today’s banquet. Luckily, there were a few servants, some tidying up the kitchen and a few scrubbing the floor, telling her to help herself with the remaining honey cakes. And so she took some. Joohyun walked back to the hallway, munching the pastry while her head still echoed with what Seungwan had spoken. “Ridiculous…” She mumbled to herself, lost in thought. Joohyun was nearing the stairs when she heard quick footsteps dashing upwards to their floor. And it was none other than the Princess. She almost groaned at the sight, considering if it was wise to turn around and make a run back towards the kitchen but Seulgi had seen her and she was now walking towards her. The sharp monolidded eyes stared at her up and down. “Why are you trudging about the castle in your nightgown? It is almost midnight.” “Yes, you are right. My apologies, I shall go to bed now.” Joohyun spun behind, a little too quick and shuffled her feet away from the woman who then voiced out, “Aren’t you going to ask me how did it go with Sunmi and I?” She bit her lip and turned around to face the Princess once more. “Yes…yes, Duchess Sunmi. How was it?” “Great… I couldn’t have asked her to be any better.” Seulgi stride closer to her, a cloud of confusion yet contentment showed on her face, “I mean – we were just talking, half the night and I cannot believe I am saying this, but…she is rather special.” “She is.” Joohyun tried to sound as delighted as possible, “She certainly is.” “Do you think she might be the one for me?” “I wouldn’t have set you up if I didn’t.” “Well alright…” Seulgi heaved a sigh through her nose, “Then I have a lot of thinking to do.” “You do?” Her tongue slipped to fast and she quickly redacted, “Yes, you do. You do!” “Which is…a good thing right?” Seulgi still appeared rather unsure and waiting for her answer. “Yes, and we could not have done any better.” Seulgi hummed with a small smile on her face. “Alright then…goodnight Joohyun.” The Princess nodded at her and walked away to her own bedchamber; leaving behind a distressed Joohyun in the middle of the hallway, pulling all her hair strands.   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~♥♥♥~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Today was supposed to be a day full of resting. Seungwan thought she would meet Sooyoung sometime soon in the noon, the woman did told her she had some errands to run in the morning. Her one-to-one dinner with the lady-in-waiting was quite a success, despite there was still nothing official between the two, there was an air of pleasantness and full of shy giggles when they had their dinner last night. Her mood was good but as of the moment, seeing her worrisome friend, fretting about, Seungwan thought there is another issue that should be dealt with. Joohyun had been spending some time in their working solar room the whole day. And when Seungwan visited, she saw the woman sitting on a chair in front of their working table with piles of profile stashed; some in her grip and some stacked on the table. “You said the Princess is spending her time with the Duchess at the moment,” Seungwan planted both hands on her hips, “But why is it are you still looking at our previous candidates profiles?” “Uhm… I don’t know…” Joohyun was re-reading the candidates information one by one, for whatever reasons, it remains unclear but as of now it appears rather in vain. The matchmaker finally spoke with a sigh, “I feel like…I had over sold Seulgi on Duchess Sunmi in being the one. And I had to make sure she had other options…?” “Alright, and…?” “And I don’t want her to feel stuck or,” Joohyun was motioning her hands in front of her, “Or…let herself convinced that she is…” “In love?” “Yes, exactly.” “Hey, Joohyun.” Seungwan was ready to provoke some honest thoughts from her friend, “You’ve always told me – remind me, all the time – to trust my instincts. What is your instinct telling you?” “Well, you know that we have analyse the numbers,” Joohyun stood up from her seat, putting down the profiles, “Sunmi is definitely the best match.” “No, that is not what I’m asking.” Joohyun wore a puzzled expression and Seungwan asked again, “What is your instinct telling you about The Princess?” “Oh, I know what you are trying to say…” Joohyun wag a finger at her, but soon tried to conclude, “She – Sunmi, she is the one…” Seungwan could only nod, seeing past the façade her friend was putting up. Joohyun then leave the room, not wanting to further deepen on the topic. .   .   .   It was one of those spring days with a kiss of coldness that somehow heightened with the warm rays of sunshine. And what better ways for her to spend, by having a picnic near the serene like lake, a little further east from the castle. It was a beautiful day, a beautiful weather and here Seulgi was lying on a mat overlooking the expanse of blue in front of her. A basket of pastries and desserts  stood in between her and the Duchess. “…I have to be honest,” Sunmi spoke, “When Joohyun first approached me, I was more than a little sceptical about meeting you.” “How so?” Seulgi propped an elbow, eager to listen to the woman. “Just the idea that somebody has the ability to guide another to true love,” Sunmi shrugged, “It seemed rather…presposterous.” Seulgi snickered, “I thought the same thing as well.” “I was busy travelling and I turn it down again and again but she persisted.” “Oh well, that is Joohyun for you. And when she set her sights on something, or someone…she doesn’t let go.” Seulgi smiled, knowing the woman so much. “Yes well, she really convinced me. And I’m glad I kept an open mind…” Seulgi tilted her head upwards a little, looking at Sunmi whose gaze softens, “….because I have been a bit more pleasantly surprised.” “Yes…as am I…” Seulgi was confused on why she felt tense after saying that. Her insides felt like charging horses going to different directions. She needs to pull it together. “For the life of me, I don’t know how we have never met – earlier.” “According to Joohyun, she said I have a tendency on keeping people at an arm’s length.” Seulgi quoted. “Yes, so I’ve heard.” Sunmi giggled, “It is difficult to know if somebody likes you for you, or they are just being nice to you because they want something from you.” “Exactly,” Seulgi sat up, nodding to every word, “I mean, it is impossible to not become – cynical!” “Hmm, but I think I’ve mastered the art of trusting my instincts implicitly and…” Sunmi gaze deeply in her eyes, “...ever since, it hasn’t left me astray.” Seulgi managed a smile at those words, warming up to the woman words but at the same time those foreign feelings inside her grumbled about. .   .   .   “Sunmi, I can’t remember the last time I had such a relaxing afternoon…” They were already back at the castle grounds, taking small strolls around the castle and exchanging small talks and discussions on their mutual interest. Seulgi walked the woman to her waiting carriage, ready to take her back to her barracks. “Thank you, Your Highness. I did as well.” Sunmi’s smile growing, “You make it feel very effortless.” “What a wonderful description…” They stopped in front of the carriage, facing each other, “…but I know what you mean.” “Well…let us hope that…this can be continued.” The Duchess blushed. Seulgi merely smiled and nodded. Sunmi bowed before entering the carriage, giving her one last shy glance by the window before the horse started to gallop and the carriage was soon out of sight. She relieved a sigh that she did not knew that she was holding and turn around, pleasantly surprised to see Joohyun who was standing timidly near the archway. “So…how did it go?” The matchmaker slowly shuffled her feet towards her, “Two meetings down. Would there be a third – or am I sensing the Jubilee Ball…?” “Quite possibly…” Seulgi stated, “If anything happens, you would be the first person I tell.” “Are things going well with Sunmi?” Seulgi noticed Joohyun was smiling upon the question but something wasn’t right. There was something different about that smile of hers. The glint of excitement the woman normally held in her eyes was vacant. “…it’s alright. She is quite a woman.” “Butterflies?” “I have been trying to listen to your advice and try to not overthink everything,” Seulgi tried to explained, “but I would say we are…definitely heading to the right direction?” “Oh, good….good.” Joohyun nodded, her eyes staring somewhere else, “I’m glad to hear that. I guess I should take my leave now – ” “Joohyun – ” Seulgi stopped the woman from leaving and the latter looked at her curiously, her doe brown eyes slightly widened trailing from Seulgi’s hand that held her own, which Seulgi let go after realising. “Joohyun…I-,” Seulgi sighed, “I know when we first met, I was a tad bit sceptical with your methods and beliefs…” “Oh my, really? I would’ve never noticed it, Your Highness!” Joohyun teased. “Fine, perhaps very sceptical,” Seulgi chuckled to herself, “…but through your determination, you have slowly opened my eyes and turned me into something of a…believer.” “From baby steps to giant leaps.” Joohyun spoke in a sing-song tone. “Thank you, Joohyun…” “Just doing my job…” The matchmaker bit her lips, trying to contain something inside. There was a silence between them as they stared at one another, both feeling somewhat constricted in the inside but both remained unsure on what was to be said. Seulgi then broke the gaze and took Joohyun’s right hand, bringing it up to her lips and gently pressing a kiss on the woman’s soft hand while her eyes rested on the matchmaker. Something inside Joohyun stirred and she could feel tears threatening to fall from her eyes and so she hurriedly let go of the hand clutching onto hers, bidding goodbye and leave. Seulgi stood perplexed, watching the back of the woman who hastily left. Something was tugging inside her, and telling her to go after the woman but her feet remain glued. The exchange between the Princess and matchmaker remains visible from the King and his advisor, looking down from the window of his study room. Both watching and comprehending the situation much better than the two below.   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~♥♥♥~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Seungwan felt like the air was scented with fresh flowers, and perhaps it really was. Because it was finally a day before the Jubilee Ball and ever since the past few days up till now, servants, squires, and almost every one working in the castle were hurrying about here and there. She saw more and more high lords, ladies, and the rest of the nobles from distant cities and towns arrived at the castle grounds. She also spotted one of the Duchess who had acquired of their matchmaking services, with her now husband (thanks to the matchmaking service). And so, Seungwan started her early day by visiting their working space to clean and packed up some of their remaining possessions. She was halfway through when she realised her other partner still not turning up. She checked everywhere for the woman, and realised that perhaps Joohyun was still in their bedchamber. And she was right. “Joohyun…are you in there? You do realise the Jubilee Ball is just a day away, don’t you?” Seungwan spoke from the outside of the room before turning the knob to see a dishevelled looking Joohyun, wrapped up in her duvet; eyes puffy, red nose and sniffing. “Hey…how come you’re still in bed…?” Seungwan shut the door behind her, approaching the woman who just pulled the duvet over her head, covering herself completely. The latter remained quiet but soon she heard some mumbling although her voice was muffled from the inside of the duvet. “What? What did you say?” “I’m in love with Seulgi!” The duvet dropped revealing Joohyun with a redder looking nose and lips jutting out, forming a pout. “Oh…yes.” “What do you mean by ‘yes’?” Joohyun burst, “Was it obvious?” “Yes.” “Does everybody know? Wait – do you think she knows?” Joohyun groaned, hiding her face in her palms, ashamed. “This cannot be happening.” “Why not?” Seungwan asked. “Because, this is what I do. I am a professional!” Joohyun claimed, “well…at least I was a professional until she kissed my hand the other day and everything just went – ” “She kissed you?!” Seungwan’s eyebrow rose so high. “No, she kissed my hand!” Joohyun stressed, “and it was to thank me for introducing Sunmi. The woman that we found, the woman that she loves – she loves her, not me!” Joohyun leaned back on the headboard of the bed, sobbing a little before she took a handkerchief and blew her nose loudly. She kept doing that every now and then with Seungwan watching. A laugh almost escaped from her lips seeing her friend’s pitiful yet funny situation. “…Just because you are the Queen of Hearts, it does not mean you don’t get to have one.” Seungwan reminded, “…besides, you falling in love…it wasn’t really your fault…” “What do you mean….?” “Well uh…” Suddenly the ground seems more interesting to her, “…based from my calculation and analytics, you have a….ninety-eight percentage compatibility index with the Princess.” “What? Why did you tell me that?!” Joohyun kicked her legs inside the duvet, looking obviously devastated than before “I am sorry. I was just extremely curious,” Seungwan apologised, “…but Joohyun, you cannot let this feelings bottled up inside.” “Yes I can and I intend to,” Joohyun straightened up her posture from the bed, “I told Seulgi that I want her to be happy….and I really m-mean it.” The matchmaker’s voice cracked at the end and Seungwan sighed, taking a spot on the bed beside the woman who was now again, dabbing her eyes from the back of her hands. “Listen,” Seungwan said, “You have always told our clients to let their guard down if they want to fall in love. Perhaps it is time that you do so as w –” There was a series of knocking on the door, interrupting their talk. The voice of a male squire spoke from the outside of the room, announcing that he has a message for the matchmaker from the Princess. They looked at each other at the mention of the Princess before Seungwan stood up and proceed to retrieve the message. It was a small folded note and Seungwan gave it to the recipient. Joohyun read the note and darkly chuckled, “Seulgi just invited me to join her as she introduces Sunmi…to the King.” “Well…what are you going to do?” .   .   . Seulgi decided to introduce her –perhaps – soon to be betrothed to her father today; in hopes that her father would stop badgering and accept the person that she chose.  She had sent a message to Joohyun, requesting her presence with this convention but sadly when she arrived at the chosen location, the matchmaker was nowhere to be found. It was still early morning and all three of them, the King, herself and Sunmi took a small stroll in the well kept private garden. It was her father’s decision to go there, while Seulgi initially just wanted a brief introduction in the King’s private study but the latter wanted otherwise. “…Your Majesty seems to love the outdoor as much as your daughter.” The King had his hands behind his back, smiling, “I wish I could say I was as active as she is.” “He is being modest,” Seulgi addressed, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” They all laughed as they walked up across a bridge built above a man-made pond. The King then said, “Her mother and I used to often come to this very bridge…just to bask the natural splendour.” Seulgi took this opportunity and added, “Like mother, Duchess Sunmi is an avid humanitarian.” Sunmi turned to the King, “I believe it is my duty to use my title and position to help those less fortunate.” “Ah, putting the noble into ability…” The King spoke, as he briefly glance at the Princess, “Duchess Sunmi would you excuse us for a minute?” “Certainly Your Majesty.” The King ushered her to walk ahead and Seulgi was a bit puzzled at her father’s action but followed suit. “So…?” “She is an absolute delight, Seulgi. And she seems positively taken with you.” Her father suddenly stop walking and turned to face her, “…So tell me, do you see her as your future spouse?” “This… is all so new to me. And I am still trying to work things through,” Seulgi tried to sort out her wandering mind, “…but I won’t lie to you, father. My head has been in a bit of a spin lately.” “Love has a way of doing that. At times, it makes us all being such fools.” The King emphasised, “…but the real fool….is the one who fails to hear its calling.” He patted her shoulder, giving her a pointed look while she mulled at her father’s words. Her thoughts further spinning.   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~♥♥♥~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Joohyun made a decision to not attend the invitation that the Princess had asked her of but instead she turned her head on a more concerning matter. She received a word from Yoona on the same day that there has been another set of casualties happening in the orphanage so after sobering up from her slight misery in the morning, she freshened up and went away to visit said place. “What happened?” Joohyun entered the shabby like abode and saw Lady Sooyoung and Yeri, already present with Yoona, their head looking somewhere upwards. “One of the workers found some rocks in the attic space, but I had sent someone to inspect its severity.” Sooyoung explained. “How bad is it?” “Worse,” Yoona fret, “Because of the structural damage, the place has been deemed unsafe.” “Unsafe? How?” It was Yeri’s turn to be worried. “The roof is in danger of collapsing, so the repairs must be done in an instance.” Yoona explained, “It’s just that…repairings for this type of damage will cost more…” Yeri clutched the sleeves of her sister, “We can help can we? Princess Seulgi had promised to help did she not?” “Yes, she
Please Subscribe to read the full chapter
Like this story? Give it an Upvote!
Thank you!

Comments

You must be logged in to comment
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