24 So What?

"NO!" The Empress shouts.

"Not like that!"

"NO!"

"Nope."

"Wrong."

Right now. Miyoung is attempting to learn dance. And so far, she is nowhere close to succeeding. She doesn't feel bad for herself not being able to dance, but she's more concerned for her dance partner's foot.

The Seventh Prince's face changed from a cheerful 'ok' to a serious 'I just want to quit' in literally three-point-five seconds.

"Now I think I know the reason I use to be called Iron Boots."

Jungkook curiously tilts his head.

"Why, were you called Iron Boots?"

Miyoung chuckles.

"Because like Iron Boots, I'm in no way graceful, and it hurts when I step on other people's feet."

"So true," Jungkook mutters under his breath.

Miyoung with her superior hearing hears what Jungkook has said, and decides to tease him.

She stomps on his foot.

"What did you say about me?"

"Nothing," Jungkook says quickly. "Nothing."

"That's what I thought," Miyoung says raising her chin to look Jungkook in the eyes.

Jungkook catches his breath. Once it was known to the whole country that he had been afraid of women. Under no circumstances was any female palace servant or other woman other than his mother were allowed close to him. But, with time he outgrew that fear. And, he, for the first time, had just placed his eyes on a woman he was interested in.

He smiles sweetly and stares at Miyoung.

Seeing that he had suddenly smiled for no reason, Miyoung glares at Jungkook.

"What are you smiling and staring at?"

Jungkook quickly looks away, staring at the ground.

"Nothing," he says, "Nothing."

Miyoung shrugs and proceeds to "accidentally" stomp on Jungkook's feet as they continue dancing.

By the end of the feet stomping fest, Jungkook is worn out. He takes off his boots looking at his red and bruised feet.

Miyoung looks at his bruised feet guiltily.

"Sorry," she says before darting away.

Jungkook stares at her, watching her run off.

"Jungkook-ah!" The Empress says waving her hands in front of his face.

"Jungkook-ah!!!"

"Hah," Jungkook says, snapping out of his daze.

"I was asking if any of your brothers like Miyoung."

"I don't think so Mother. Why?"

"Hmmm. . . It's nothing."

AT THE BANQUET. . . . .

"Ladies and gentlemen," The Emperor shouts, raising his glasses. "Let us drink to celebrate this young lady's coming of age!"

Everybody in the room raises their glasses, drinking to the young lady who has just come of age to find suitors.

"THE EMPRESS AND LADY JEON HAVE JUST ARRIVED!" A palace guard shouts.

At the words Lady Jeon, everybody starts to whisper.

"There's only one family with the surname Jeon in the capital. . . . "

"That's right!"

"That can only mean. . . ."

"That she's the daughter of the Great General Jeon!"

"How can that be," others deny. "Didn't all of her family die?"

"That's right," Others nod. "How did she survive? And, where has she been all this time?"

Miyoung grits her teeth. These people just couldn't help but gossip behind her back. Pushing off the arms of the chair, she walks towards the center of the party. Like Noah parting the Red Sea, the crowd parts upon seeing Miyoung.

Once in the middle of the party room, Miyoung holds up a hand, silencing all the chatter in the room.

"I'll let you know," She says, her voice laced with disdain. "That I've never forgotten that day my family died right in front of my eyes. They pushed me out of the way, shoving me into a servants arms, hoping that I would survive somehow. And I did."

Miyoung confidently raises her head.

"Rather than gossiping about my family, why can't you welcome me back? The beloved General Jeon who only served the Emperor and the people, has a surviving family member. Shouldn't you pay respect to her as she is the beloved daughter and only surviving member of the Jeon family?"

Those attending the banquet look at each other with uncertainty. Then one by one, they fall into a low bow.

Seeing the display, the Empress turns to the Emperor, tapping him on his shoulder.

"Dear," the Empress says as she points to Miyoung, "Wouldn't she make a wonderful Empress?"

The Emperor nods in agreement.

"Eung. She would make the perfect Empress."

"Now," the Empress begins, "We only have to get her married to one of our sons."

The Emperor nods, "I'll see that it happens, my dear."