Joonghyuk steeled his nerves as he walked down the hallway, preparing for another degrading conversation with the emperor. Though some maids stopped to bow to him in the halls, he simply kept on walking, not acknowledging them. In the parlor room, his whole family was waiting for his arrival, Yoo Mia curling into herself with a particularly distressed look on her face. Joonghyuk frowned. That couldn't have been good. Something must've transpired here when he was away taking care of Dokja. "You called for me, Your Majesty."
The emperor smiled at him pleasantly, "Yes, I have wonderful news to tell you, my son. Please, have a seat!"
Hesitating for a moment and giving him a suspicious look, Joonghyuk went to sit next to his sister on the sofa. Looking closer at her, her whole body was tense and her face was pinched strangely. It looked like she was on the verge of tears.
"What exactly did you want to share?"
The emperor maintained his smile as he spoke, saying, "Well, I've taken into consideration our last conversation,and your request not to get married. While I'm still disappointed you're so insistent on it, I've come up with a better compromise, for the both of us…" he turned his eyes to Yoo Mia, who flinched under his gaze, "Yoo Mia will be marrying the southern king, that way Yoo Mia will be supported for the rest of her life, and you can continue your duties to the throne undisturbed " the emperor finished explaining with excitement.
Joonghyuk's blood ran cold, "What…?" He looks at his sister, whose tears finally fell, her body shuttering as she tried to stop herself from bawling in front of her family. All the while, the emperor had not once dropped his smile.
Joonghyuk slammed his fist down on the armrest and stood up, leering down at the emperor as her approached him.,"No, I refuse to allow this, she's only a child!" he snarled out at the king, ending his sentence with a sharp yell.
The queen shot up from her seat, "Joonghyuk, don't you dare yell at your father!" she reprimanded him, glaring disapprovingly.
Joonghyuk, didn't bother to acknowledge her, keeping his leer steady, "The Southern King is more than thirty years Mia's senior, and once again, she's too young for marriage. Do you really expect her to take on the duties and pressures of a queen?"
"My son… I simply don't know what in the world you're getting at. It's absolutely normal for nobles to marry as soon as they turn twelve. The Southern Kingdom is rich in agriculture and trading, you sister won't have to work a day in her life. And just think of the empire, such an important ally will be important for our continual growth."
Joonghyuk was speechless, the disgust on his face apparent. He couldn't believe what he is hearing."No, I won't allow it. I'll die before I allow my sister's future to be decided by you, you disgusting pig."
"Mind what you're saying! You're in front of the ruler of the empire, Yoo Joonghyuk!!" the queen spouted uselessly once more. Again, he ignored her.
The emperor looked at Joonghyuk and firmly stated, "My mind is made up. Mia will marry the Southern King,whether you support the decision or not" Joonghyuk clenches his fist in frustration, feeling helpless in the face of his father's decision. However, his eyes widened in surprise when the emperor continued, "But... if you insist, you may marry the northern princess instead."
Mia's eyes widened in surprise as she looked at her brother, who had gone deathly still the emperor's words. She reflects on the times she'd seen her big brother together with that Dokja ahjussi. Even if she was just a child, she could still tell the amount of love that radiated from her brother every time he looked at the man. Mia didn't bring herself to allow him to give up the person he loved for her.
"No!" Mia yelled, her voice ringing out as she stood from the sofa, capturing everyone's attention, " I'll… I'll marry the Southern King! So please don't force my oppa to marry anyone!" she cried out, a few more tears slipping from her eyes.
"Yoo Mia!" Joonghyuk yelled out, appalled by her words. No, of course, he couldn't let his sister go though with this ridiculous plan, not over his dead body. At one point, he would've gladly given in the emperor's deal, as long as it meant Yoo Mia's wellbeing was secured. But when he contemplated the possibility of giving himself over to someone else… his heart clenched. When he imagined a future where he'd spend the rest of his life with someone he didn't love, he just couldn't fathom it. There was only one person who he wanted by his side, and he wouldn't dare betray him.
"Think about it Joonghyuk, consider what's best for the empire." No....no.....he can't make his sister marry someone and he can't.....he can't…..surrender himself…..he couldn't…no… he refused to leave Kim Dokja.
Joonghyuk's attention is abruptly brought back to the present as Mia called out to him, "Oppa... are you okay?" His sister looked at him worriedly.
Taking a deep breath, Joonghyuk tried to compose himself. With a forced smile, he reassured Mia. "I'm fine, Mia.Just lost in thought for a moment."
Joonghyuk directed his attention towards the emperor, firmly addressing the man once more, "Your Majesty, I refuse to take part in your bargain. Being next in line for the throne I'm—."
"Ah, there's no need for you to fret over that matter anymore. I've decided that your brother will be inheriting the throne. That will leave you and Yoo Mia to contribute to the empire in other ways" the emperor declared.
Joonghyuk is taken back by the revelation. His position as the crown prince was now moot, all the work he'd done to serve the empire and build himself up to be the next emperor discarded like trash.
Even the queen and second prince weren't immune to the shock of the emperor's sudden decision. "I-Is that true,Your Majesty is that really the choice you've made," the queen asked, her shaking voice barely hiding the glee that lies beneath it.
"Yes, it is. Though I admit that Joonghyuk as claimed many successes and victories for the empire, I've been hearing more and more about just how ruthless you are during your conquests. Your violence has made a good portion of the public terrified of you… how can you be emperor when half of your subjects will be terrified of you offing their heads? Joonghyuk clenched his teeth, knowing exactly who fed the emperor such a narrative, " But, it is in honor of your many contributions that I will reconsider the throne's inheritance if you..."
The room filled with anticipation as everyone awaited Joonghyuk's response to the emperor's ultimatum.