Chapter 136: Seon-Ho

It was finally the day of the Royal Banquet and Yeon had really managed to pull off something incredible; the feast lacked nothing, from entertainers to games to the amazing food. I really had no choice but to have 'my wife' on my arms; it was a miracle she didn't hear any rumours about me, I couldn't let her do anything to her in her present condition. But once again, people had started to whisper like crazy when they saw that my outfit matched with Yeon's. Nam-Kyu immediately became upset upon seeing it; not even asking me anything about it as usual and jumping straight to conclusions "what is going on My Lord? Why are you dressed just like that servant? That servant...wait a minute...isn't that...that girl who lived with you! What the hell is she doing here?!" She was causing a scene but I just ignored her as usual and had my eyes on Yeon the whole time. I had almost every guests at the Banquets attention, even when my in-laws tried to talk to me I just ignored them, making people talk even more.

About an hour or so in, Bang-Won showed up with Hwi in tow and Hui-Jee on his arm. I could see Yeon trying to avoid him but it was of no use. He had an exasperated look on his face before he walked up to her and greeted her "we'll talk later" he said in a low voice. I just chuckled before they both made their way, seating opposite me. To everyone in the palace we were opposing enemies so once people realised that the woman I was courting was 'my enemy's sister' things got really interesting. We greeted each other cooly before Bang-Won interfered as usual, thinking he was defending his man like always. The sight of him these days really amused me, I could really feel his jealousy towards me when it came to his father...and Hwi. In my early days in the palace he used to torment me non stop...and now the positions had reversed and he made himself scarce around me.

I had to really grit my teeth and clench my fists when Yeon came up to us to serve us our food; on one hand I hand Nam-Kyu giving her evil stares and whining in my ear non-stop, and on the other I had Bang-Won look back and forth between the siblings for a while when Hwi helped his sister bend down, fully aware of her condition. "Seo-Hwi...I already thought you had the prettiest girl in the room on your arm already...so who's this angel?" He wouldn't stop staring at her, I gave Hwi a knowing look which he kicked me under the table for, and Hui-Jee placed her arm on his to help him calm down before he replied "this is my sister Your Highness, Seo-Yeon...sister, come over here and greet His Highness". She put on the timid act well and bowed to him, but I could tell she was shaking and before I knew it I reached out my hand to her without thinking. My wife was completely shocked and embarrassed and didnt dare to say another word, for she had her. Bang-Won, Bang-Gan and the whole court saw this and the whole hall went deadly quiet.

"Seo-Hwi...your enemy seems to be awfully close to your sister despite your differences...and in front of his own wife as well" he dragged on. But I interfered before Hwi could reply "Maybe you have forgotten Your Highness, that it was myself that Seo-Yeon stayed with all those years my father was plotting against you...and while you had your dog on your leash" I looked at Hwi to make the contempt between us feel real "I have known the girl when she had her first epileptic fit..." I emphasised on that last part as my eyes scanned the room, looking to see who would react to it..."naturally, we have no bad blood towards each other. She...has a place in my affections forever" I looked at her, fully aware what she must be going through at this moment and wishing I could take us both far away.

"Is that so, Nam Seon-Ho?" Prince Bang-Gan had now interceded "I have to say as her master I am indeed not happy about these rumours flying around that you intend to court my lady-in-waiting when you are in fact already married...and have plenty women throwing themselves at you, waiting to be your concubines".

I just looked at him with a drunken smile before answering "Your Highness is of course not wrong; I am indeed engaged...to a woman who's brother made endless pleas and personally bribed the Queen herself with gold from his businesses that are not on the books, and that was only after the woman who now sits on my arm threatened to kill herself many times if she did not get her wish...and got her to agree by spying on me on her behalf" I exposed her family to the entire court, and the scandal was out...and due to everyone's gasps, outrage and cackling, I could finally get my main point across. Nam-Kyu had burst into tears before herself and her brother were escorted out by my guards in shame; their treason clear. The Queen was completely outraged herself and tried to deny herself from the crime; but I had given Bang-Gan a pointed look. That idiot took his sweet time trying to understand my point before he ordered his own guards to put is step-mother on house arrest. She made a complete scene, loosing all dignity but the King refused to look at her. I so badly craved a divorce...but that could wait a little longer; my priority was Yeon and my child. "Well well, did you see that brother? He finally fulfilled your wish and gave you a reason to do away with out step-mother which you have resented since childhood" he gave a slick cackle and I really had to contain my laugher after looking at Bang-Won's face. I had never seen him loose his cool before, and thankfully he stormed off to handle that situation, leaving Yeon in the clear for any trouble he might have caused her if he looked at her even once more.

"Well well, despite my younger's brother peculiar way of thanking you mister army general, I guess I should reward you for this. Go on, tell me what you want." He was getting tipsier and tipsier at this point which suited my request well. He was stupid, but not as much as I thought; if he was sober he would have definitely tried to hold on to Yeon more. Or maybe...he was getting drunk on purpose? I guess some part of him even feared his own brother. I shot Hwi a smug look before standing up and bowing to him "thank you Your Highness. My request...is to let go of my current fiancé who is tainted with scandal...and to marry Seo-Yeon officially as my main wife" I said all this with my head planted to the ground, my eyes still on Yeon who was holding her breathe just as much as I was.

"Well...I guess if that's what you want..." I could see him trying to think about this and sober himself up...I began to panic...."Granted" the King replied for him. We both looked at each other, knowing full well he wasn't going to do a damned thing about his precious Queen, but knowing he granted my request to stop me from pursuing the matter any further, just like when my father also blamed his actions on the orders of the Queen but she got off without a scratch for someone who ordered the assassination of her step-son. "Thank you Your Highness, I will now escort the young lady to her room and escort her to my estate when we are to wed" "Granted...but she will continue to work until then. After the wedding...we shall see" I immediately got up and escorted Yeon out of the room, daring to place her hand on my arm, she was exhausted I could tell, and too tired to argue with me about tonight. As soon as we were out of sight I picked her up in my arms and had dropped her off to her room, taking off her shoes and putting her to bed as she had long called asleep as soon as we exited the Royal Hall. I looked at her for a while and dared to cradle her swollen belly when I was sure we weren't being watched anymore, and I looked at my future, already feeling my darkness seeping out of me