Chapter 18: Toxic Ambitions

I remained calm and stoic, though my insides were probably yelling at him for being such a clueless blockhead. "Why?" I questioned curiously. "I don't think they would allow the marriage to go on if you insist on denying it and I am sure that they wouldn't listen to me. But if you were to stand up for this..."

"Because it is what queen dowager wants, and I have my duty to marry in order to become this country's king and nothing, and I mean NOTHING will stop me." He replied with searing determination, a plastered smug smirk on his face as he continued to mock me.

He stepped forward. "Don't think that it's because I actually like you, I don't, not ONE BIT. I am just following my orders of being a filial grandson because it is what queen dowager wishes and her will is final. There are some things that I have no choice over if I want to succeed as king. You think I don't want to marry someone else? You're clearly not my type. But as the crown prince, it is tradition that the bride be picked by the elders of the the royal family. I am obliged to do so."

My jaw nearly dropped to the ground in a loud smack.

Damn this brat! Using the same technique as I did to sarcastically mock my attacks! I couldn't actually believe how much his guy would sacrifice so much to become the country king!

It was then did I realize that Kwon Tae Hyun was driven by the same type of toxic and relentless ambition I had seen before in my late father: once he had sets his eyes on a goal, nothing would stop him.

It didn't matter who was involved or who would be affected. My father had never once thought about his starving family when he was desperately gambling what little money he had. It didn't matter to him. He wanted to gain the wealth he once had back and nothing else mattered.

This kind of relentless ambition would only hurt others and I was not about to invite such toxicity back into my life again. No amount of pleading and reasoning would change my mind.

Kwon Tae Hyun would one day be drowned in the abyss of his own ambition. He would be his own undoing and I wanted nothing to do with it.

I cleared my throat and swallowed down some saliva because it was becoming increasingly dry. I placed my hands on my hips and continued to challenge him, I was not willing to lose to someone like him. "You have your duty to uphold as a crown prince, but I have my duty to reject. Don't citizens get free will? Fuck off before I call the police."

He sighed softly and his gaze landed on the ground. I did a mental cheer in my head, I was positive that I had won this fight. I smirked smugly at him and was just about to strut proudly away when he muttered with exasperation, "I didn't want to do this. But since the nice method didn't work on you, I have no other choice."

With a wave of his hand, a well-built man clad in black came out from within the shadows of a nearby alley and my eyes bulged in fear and astonishment that I almost choked in amidst of swallowing my saliva.

Wait a second, there were bodyguards following him?!

I started to scan the area carefully, squinting my eyes. It was then did I realize the black Bentley limousine with the royal crest parked at one of the dark alleys, away from sight. It was probably hidden so as to not attract attention and I noticed a two other bodyguards standing guard near it.

The bodyguard with his communicator stuck to his ear approached us slowly at Tae Hyun's signal and with unprecedented instincts, I started to back away, my heart beating a million miles a minute in the purest of fear.

Oh my flying pig, he can't possibly be trying to kidnap me and force me to be his wife?

Anxiousness was brimming within me as a plethora of confusion came flying at me. My shifty eyes kept bouncing back from him and towards the street ahead of me, assessing my chances of outrunning them to my house. Seemingly knowing that I wouldn't attempt to outrun him, he lips began to curve to a smirk seeing my frenzied state.

I should've screamed, "HELP! I AM GOING TO GET KIDNAPPED AND FORCED INTO MARRIAGE WITH THE ROYAL SCUMBAG!" but at this point, my voice had somehow become lodged in my throat. I was too frightened and too astonished beyond means that I couldn't find the strength in me to scream. I couldn't even think much less form coherent words.

Parting his lips, he went on carelessly, his left hand in his pant pocket and his right hand dangling up in the air, awaiting for a brown envelop that was passed to him by his bodyguard.

Wait, envelope?

"I know that you wouldn't just agree to it seeing what a strong headed pig you are, so I came up with a proposition." When he got his hands on the envelop, the turned his head slightly to the guard. "You may go now, I wouldn't take long."

"Yes, Your Majesty." The bodyguard replied, bowing down in respect and bolting back to where he colleagues were.

My heart began to beat relentlessly as I eyed him with complete vigilance. "Proposition?" I inquired firmly, alertness finding its way into my voice. I tightened my lips and blinked.

Seriously, what is this royal scumbag up to now?

"Yes, a proposition." Kwon Tae Hyun smiled charmingly, he voice smooth like the butter. He offered the envelope to me, encouraging me to take it with a small nudge.

With a shaking hand that I had tried terribly to calm it down, I hesitantly grabbed it and started to tear into the packaging bravely.

What could this bastard possibly do? I tried to reason with myself.