Chapter ninety-five: Beyond expectation

TN: Ermm... this scene may contain some so-so acts not advisable for children😍😍. But things will be left up to your imagination.

EUN-HYE

I sat alone in my bedroom, watching the last twinkle of lights fade away in the sky. I was more unhappy than I could describe.

The fact that I'm unloved I can deal with, but leaving me alone on my wedding night I can't endure. Waiting for hours with each minute diminishing my hope was a slow tortuous lingering death .

Watching the pitiful and defeated faces of my courtmaids as they occasionally drop inside the room under the guise of relighting my candles shredded the last piece of dignity I had left. I don't blame them though, I'm a pitiful woman.

I tried to read some books but couldn't understand a word, his absence haunted me. I'm an abandoned woman.

It was my most horrible nightmare , like a horrible dream. The torture of waiting left me wearied but I couldn't give up, maybe he's tidying up his work. He will come. Maybe he is shy, but he will come.

As I sat in perplexity bemoaning my wretched fate, my most favorite courtmaid entered, sniffing. The red rim of her eyes showed she had been suppressing her tears. Seeing my own servant in this state, I couldn't help but chuckle and tease her.

"Lady Cha, I am quite certain this is not your wedding night, why do I feel our roles has been reversed. You, the abandoned, I, the spectator".

The poor lady burst into a fit of tears, "Your highness", she cried, "You are quite pitiful".

"How do you mean?", I asked, feigning ignorance, "Even the present empress was also abandoned on her wedding night".

I saw her wipe off her tears with the back of her hands, quite unladylike unlike her usual graceful and composed self.

"His highness is too much", she whined dejectedly. "Our Lady is so beautiful, so kind and virtuous yet he kept you waiting!"

"It's OK", I consoled, "There are other nights ahead of us".

The words I spoke was not only for her, but for myself too. There are alot of nights, I'm still young and I will always be by his side even if I'm not in his heart.

"Should I call the girls to clear everything away?", she asked, I know, in concern.

"No !", I said, a part of me still hoping he will come.

Though I know it's my wishful thinking, yet I longed for him, to see him once that night and not disappoint him if he eventually comes. What if he comes and sees the bridal room in desolation?

"The crown prince is arriving", an unexpected announcement came from the door of room.

I leaped up in joy, retouched my makeup and hair, straightened my robe and ran my gaze at the door. The door was jerked open and he came in just like a male god, the way I painted him in my heart though he looked a bit seductive.

I feasted my eyes on this man that made my heart throb. His hair was done in a simple male style bare of his crown. The royal blue robe lying loosely on his body exposed some part of his chest revealing a hairy body.

Perfect was the perfect description of his looks, waiting 5 hours for him was worth it and I don't regret it .

"Seja Choha", I called out softly in fear my heart will burst if I call out too loudly, "You came".

"En", he replied as he looked me straight in the eyes for the first time since his arrival.

My eyes filled with tears of joy and gratitude. I ushered him to sit as the refreshments were replaced with new ones by the eunuchs and ladies in waiting. From their energetic scuffle, I would swear they were as relieved as me. Quietly, they all left discreetly.

With the room dead silent, my face burned red . My bashfulness revealed themselves and I waited in anticipation. I finally looked up to see his face burning red .

"What is wrong, your highness!", I panicked. He tugged at his throat as he looked at me. In his gaze I saw struggle, fear and suppressed lust but nothing close to love.

"I'm just a little bit uncomfortable", he said as he diverted his gaze away from me.

"Choha!", a voice said from outside the door, it seems the servants didn't retreat totally, "Share the celebratory drink with the crown princess".

He looked at me and my heart skipped a bit, he raised the wine jug, poured for me then poured for himself. He downed his immediately like one thirsty while I sipped mine before dropping the goblet.

"Choha", the voice said again, "As you have shared the celebratory drink, proceed to undress her highness". I looked at him bashfully, my heart thumping like crazy as I waited for him. A lump formed in my throat which I forcefully swallowed.

"That's enough!", he roared, cutting off my fantasy. "Retreat", he ordered as he drank the remaining wine from the jug.

"Are you alright?", I asked concerned though a little bit disappointed.

"I'm fine", he answered carelessly, "Just a little bit restless".

I asked my servants to burn a calming incense and light scented candles.They obliged then left. As they were leaving, I saw my court lady wink surreptitiously at me making me look carefully at the crown prince.

The room was fill with the scent of burning incense as he stood up and walked towards me in a daze with a surprised look of one seeing me for the first time.

"My love?", he almost whispered.

"My love", he repeated again.

"I missed you so much, where have you been?"

The sudden turn of event shocked me stupid. His looks were totally different and his gaze loving. This is the first time he ever looked at me with affection and hold my hand warmly like a fragile piece of art.

"Choha?", I said, happiness racing in my heart.

"Shh!", he said gently.

He locked my lips with his, muffling whatever I wanted to say not that I wanted to say anything anyway.

The kiss deepened as he traced my ears down to my collarbones with his fingers. "If this is a dream, I don't want to wake up", he said as he took a short break before resuming.

I was in cloud nine as I found myself floating in the air. Gently I was laid on my soft bed without his mouth disengaging from mine.

"So beautiful".He praised as he tumbled down my hair.

My robes gently left my body revealing a porcelain white body. My chest heaved with ecstasy and my throat went dry. This night, if it's my last, I have no regrets.

Suddenly, I felt pain tearing through my lower part, It hurts, really and I winced in pain. I felt him stop.

"Does it hurt", I hugged his neck as an answer and planted a sloppy kiss on his lips. Whatever happens, this moment, I will cherish.

I don't know how long it lasted, but finally, I felt a warm liquid inside me with a name that wrenched my heart.

"Yoona".

"My woman".

He gathered me tightly in his arms and slept off.

My tears fell like rain as I understood what happened, this wasn't for me. Everything wasn't real.

If this is a dream, I want to wake up at the beginning, I cried.

...

At the empress palace.

A woman dressed exquisitely in her royal robe sat on her throne sipping tea. Her face looked calm deceiving her personal maid, but the tightly held cup betrayed her calmness.

"Will he hate me?", she suddenly asked her.

"If I may be bold, your Majesty I think he would be angry for awhile but not hate you. Your Majesty just participated in the process of ensuring procreation nothing else. Producing the next successor is paramount and shouldn't be delayed. If left to his highness alone then nothing will happen soon", the maid answered truthfully and confidently while comforting her mistress. The crown prince is filial and won't call out his mother's effort as a crime.

"You think?", she asked shaking. Nobody knows a child as well as a mother and she knows she's done for. Seja will never forgive her. Her only hope is for this night to be successful. If a son is born then whatever punishment thrown at her will be worth it.

"You are right", she finally said. "My son will never abandon a woman that births his first son". She looks out towards the west side facing the crown princess direction.

"Bingu, I have set the stage for you. The ball is now in your court".

She looks ruefully at her tea, "You know if I wasn't naive that year, my son would have been the firstborn". The maid remained silent having nothing to say.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

If she wasn't naive, she wouldn't have had much worries.

"Your Majesty, I saw you take a sip, should I call the physician to neutralize?", she asked worriedly. In order to convince the crown prince, they had to act a play.

Actually, the empress knew she would be suspected. Hence the first bowl was a normal concoction which dissipated whatever suspicion he had, the second bowl was the trap.

"No need", she said producing her handkerchief stained with the color of the liquid.

"Whatever happens, I still have the emperor though", she smirked.