The Kingdom was in a chaos since last week, when the King and his guards caught his queen and cousin. They were accused of being the key people for committed the rebellion against the King, included some trials to murder the current King.

Queen Hyojin, Prince Soohyuk and his mother, Princess Soranwere prisoned, along with all the maids and guards who were helping them

After a week of intensive interrogation, everything became clear. They couldn’t deny anything for Seunghyun and Daesung already caught Soohyuk’s man, Myungsoo and forced him to spill anything

Myungsoo was tried to kill himself to keep the secret but Daesung stopped him by told him that his wife would be in danger if he couldn’t cooperate

Tonight, the King couldn’t sleep at all. Tomorrow would be the most important day. The king should decide what kind of punishment he would give to them

“You should take a rest, Oppa…” Chaerin hugged her husband from behind. She knew exactly how hurt and confused her husband was

“Just sleep first, I’ll go after you” Jiyong turned around, hugged her back and landed a sweet peck on her forehead

“No. you need to rest. Oppa…, you’ve been hardly sleep since that day…” Chaerin raised her hand and cupped Jiyong’s face, looked at him worriedly. Jiyong could only looked back at her eyes

“I know it must be hard for you, even for me. I know you must be hurt for being stabbed by your closest people, but please…, don’t torture yourself more….” Chaerin continued

Jiyong closed his eyes as he felt his head was spinning again. He found it was getting harder to breathe every time he remembered about his wife, cousin and aunt’s betrayal

“It’s hurt, Chaerin-ah…” He hugged her tighter, rested his head on her shoulder

Chaerin could feel Jiyong’s tears soaked her shoulders. Her heart was getting heavier too. Jiyong, her husband, the mighty King was now breaking down on her embrace. The pain should be too much….

Chaerin caressed his hair soothingly

“I trust them. I always love them even though I know they never love me. I know that my Aunt always want my throne for Soohyuk. But I never thought they would be this far….” Jiyong spilled his sorrow.

“They tried to kill me…. arranged my marriage with soohyuk’s lover…” He chocked, remembered the fact that Joon wasn’t his son

“I love Joon, Chae-ah… I always love him…” He cried

Chaerin listened to his cried, and kept caressing his hair until he got a little calmer

“Should you really give death punishment for them?” Chae asked carefully

Jiyong stood straight instantly and wiped his tears

“They deserved that” He answer coldly

“Think about it again, oppa…” Chaerin said. Jiyong looked at her with disbelief look

“What do you mean?”

“Oppa.., they are your family…” Chaerin said

“But they are criminals!” Jiyong’s voice rose automatically. “Don’t you remember what they have done to me? To us? The even tried to kill you and Yongie too” Jiyong asked. Chaerin could feel his anger. But she couldn’t stop

She stepped up and placed her palms on his chest to calm him down

“I know you have a heart of gold but this time, still care about them after what they have done to us?” Jiyong got his tension again

“No, Oppa… I don’t really care about them. I care about you…” Chaerin said

“Me?” Jiyong asked confusedly. He looked sharply to Chae

“I don’t want you to regret your decision. Like you said, you love them, Oppa…. you’ll get hurt by your own decision to give them death punishment” Chaerin tried to explain

“I know you, Oppa…. you’ll only regret it later….” Chaerin caressed his face again. Jiyong could only stay still and thinking again

“And if you really execute them tomorrow…, then what will happen to Joon? He’s innocent. Just like us, Joon is only a victim from his parents’ crime” Chaerin saw Jiyong’s eyes softened as she spoke Joon’s name

Jiyong stood still for a moment. He knew, Chaerin told the truth. No matter what, he still and would always love Joon. And yeah, what will happen to him if he killed his mother…

“What should I do, Chaerin-ah…” Jiyong asked weakly, looked into her eyes

The court had opened. King Jiyong sat on his throne. the advisor, head warriors and ministers were already there.

Princess Soran wasn’t in a good condition so she couldn’t attend the court

Now, Soohyuk and Hyojin were there, waiting for their punishment

Hyojin couldn’t hide her frightened face. She knew that her life would be ended soon. While Soohyuk, his face was cold as usual. Just no evil smirk that used to be in his face

“Ahn Hyojin. After listening to the witnesses, and based on all the evidences, the court decide to take of your title as the Queen. And according to the Kingdom’s laws, every rebellion against the King deserved a death penalty” The head judge announced

“Prince Soohyuk. For all your crimes, the court also takes of your title. And with this, you’re no longer the Prince. You deserved death penalty for the conspiracy you’ve made to take over the throne” The judge continued. Hyojin couldn’t hold her cried while Soohyuk looked more prepared

King Jiyong clenched his jaws from his seat, looked at the two people who were the closest ones to him.

“Do you, Ahn Hyojin, Lee Soohyuk, want to say your last words?” the judge asked. Hyojin just cried more as she thought that her life would be over soon

“I’ll give you one last chance” King Jiyong said coldly. “You can ask one thing as your last wish” He looked straight into his cousin

“Your Majesty...” Soohyuk said. He looked up to see the angry King. “I only have one request”

“Name it” Jiyong said

“I accept your punishment. As you said, Hyojin, my mother and I deserved that” Soohyuk said with his stern voice. “But please, let Joon to stay here”

Surprisingly, Soohyuk’s voice got smoother. His eyes somehow looked gloomy

“I know you always love him, even after you found out the truth. And Joon is innocent… please let him stay here and live well” Soohyuk looked straight to Jiyong’s eyes. Jiyong could see something really rare on Soohyuk’s eyes

Sincerity

Jiyong held his breath and closed his eyes for a moment. He remembered what Chaerin said to him last night. He knew, he would always feel guilty for the rest of his life if he decided to end Soohyuk and Hyojin’s life. Moreover, Joon needed his parents..

“Your majesty” Advisor Jinwoo called, brought Jiyong’s mind back

“It’s time for you to decide”Jinwoo reminded

Jiyong stood up, followed by the people on the court

“Like what the judge said, all the conspirators deserved of death penalty” The King said. “And after thinking deeply….”

All the audiences held their breath, waiting for the King’s final decision

“I decide to cancel the death punishment, to all the three” King stated, made all the eyes narrowed on him

“Your Majesty?” The head judge asked in disbelief

“Are you sure, Your majesty?” Jinwoo asked

“I’ve been thinking thousand times about this. And the main reason for me to not give you the death penalty is Joon” King Jiyong said and looked at Soohyuk and Hyojin

“He might me not my offspring, but I always love him as my son” King paused for a moment. He felt like being crocked.

“And thanks to lady Chaerin. She reminded me that Joon still need his parents” King Jiyong tried to hide his emotion. “And if I kill you, it would only destroy Joon’s heart” He looked straight to Soohyuk

Soohyuk, on the other hand could only bowed his head. He never felt this kind of feeling. The urge to protect someone, even though he should give his own life as the cost

“But it doesn’t mean that I forgive you” King Jiyong started again

“You have done so many crimes, include the trials to kill me, my wife and son. Therefore you’ll still be punished” King Jiyong stated

“I decide to send you two, along with Aunt Soran to be isolated on northern island with the highest protection. You will discharge this afternoon and not allowed to leave the island for the rest of your life. For Joon, he could choose whether to stay here or go with you” The king announced

All the people inside the court hall were surprised by the king’s decision

“This is my final decision. And with this, the court is closed” Jiyong said and leaved the hall. When he passed near Soohyuk, he said something to him

“Thank you” Soohyuk mumbled. Jiyong was still too angry at them and decided to leaved

He went straight to Chaerin

Jiyong walked to the park near Chaerin’s room and found her near the pond, feed the ducklings

Jiyong’s heart felt ease every time he saw the love of his life. He walked silently and stood behind him

Chaerin saw the shadow and turned around, and found her husband smiled cheekily

“Your Majesty…” She stood up and bowed formally. “Why don’t you tell me that you’re here?” Chaerin asked

“You know already” Jiyong chuckled and Chaerin could only smiled

“How’s the court?”She asked. Jiyong’s smile slowly faded away. He raised Chaerin’s hand and led h