Cornered Groom

Ki Ha had left the palace ground and was now roaming around the forest. He was wondering what to do with his life. The day was nearly over so he had three days to think of a solution. The thought of getting married made him sick.

Ki Ha had a few fears but marriage was the biggest of them. His father's infidelity and his mother's pain had left a deep scar in his heart. He had thought that Jinwoon would understand him and help him.

He was a bit disappointed when Jinwoon asked him to explain. He wanted Jinwoon to stop Sung Hoon. Ki Ha didn't want to think about his fears. He wanted them to go away! He walked around the forest in despair. He lost track of time. 

When he saw the sun coming up, he went back to his family's house. Upon arrival he noticed that the servants were looking worried. "What is going on?" The servant turned to Ki Ha. "Young master! Thank god!" 

The servant grabbed Ki Ha's hand and dragged him to his father's room. "My Lord! My Lord! Young master has returned!" Ki Ha was confused. It wasn't as if it was the first time for him to stay outside. "Why… What is the problem?"

His father's door flew open. "Where have you been!" His father, Lord Ki Sung Se was staring at Ki Ha with relief and anger on his face. Ki Ha involuntarily took a few steps back. "I was with the King and the Queen."

Sung Se let out a deep breath. "Did you think that I had run away?" Ki Ha was staring at his father with a displeased look on his face. His father slightly turned red. "We… We were just worried… Because." Ki Ha glared at his father.

"I'm not like you." His father's mouth fell open. "What does that mean?" Ki Ha felt his blood boil. "I'm tired. I'm going to bed." His father gaped at him. "What did you mean!" His father grabbed him. Ki Ha shrugged him off.

"My Lord, you are both tired. Please talk about it later. You'll wake up the whole house." The servant tried to appease Sung Se while Ki Ha walked away and left the house. He had his own residence inside his family's compound. 

He stopped in his tracks when he saw Da Son standing in front of his door. "Why are you here?" Da Son indicated for him to open the door. "We can talk." "Stop being a baby and open the door." Da Son didn't let him finish talking. 

Ki Ha bit his tongue before he said something he might regret. He walked over to the door and opened it. He didn't invite Da Son in because she was standing right behind him. Ki Ha house had the same lay-out as Sung Hoon's.

Only difference was there was no second floor and there were no servants. Da Son followed him into the sitting room. "Sit down." Ki Ha turned around with a confused look. "Shouldn't that be my words?" Da Son smirked but ignored his words.

She sat down and stared at him. Ki Ha became uncomfortable but refused to sit down. Da Son rolled her eyes. "Really petty." Ki Ha turned bright red. "This is my house. If I don't want to sit down, you can't force me." 

Da Son didn't look impressed. "Then stay standing. Let's see how long you can keep this up." She crossed her arms. "I came here because I want you to understand why I chose you. I wanted to tell you earlier but you've been acting like..." 

She didn't allobarted, instead she moved her hand up and down. Ki Ha glared because he knew very well what she meant. "Just get to the point." Da Son glared back at him. "I'm not marrying because I love you." Ki Ha shrugged. "That I know. So?" 

"That is good to hear. As you might know, it was to get married or go home. Home is the last place I want to be. So I decided to get married. I chose you because I'm sure we'll never fall in love with each other." Ki Ha was getting confused. 

"This marriage will last five years. After that we'll go our separate ways. There will be no physical exchange, so no children and we'll keep our private lives private. In other words our marriage is a charade." Ki Ha's mouth was wide open. 

He had never met a girl like Da Son before. He thought she would try to convince him to marry her, he had never expected for her to tell him this. "What?!" Da Son laughed. "Did you think I would beg for you to marry me?" 

Ki Ha gave a dumb nod. Da Son scoffed. "In your dreams. I asked around and everybody had the same thing to say about you. ... You are not capable of loving someone and I'm not looking for love. That makes us the perfect couple." 

Ki Ha sat down still staring at Da Son with his mouth open. He didn't know what was worse, that people were saying that he wasn't capable of loving or that Da Son didn't see him as good husband material. 'Is that why girls always give me that weird look?' 

Da Son should feel guilty for saying all this but she felt like this was the only way to bait Ki Ha in marrying her. She was planning on winning his trust first then she'll make him fall in love with her. She had it all planned. 

She had given herself two years, if he didn't fall for her after that. She'll give up and leave. She wasn't ever planning on waiting for five years. "Deal?" Ki Ha didn't know what to say. This was the last thing he had expected. 

Da Son wanted to laugh but she kept her poker face. "C... Can we talk about this later? I... Let's talk later." Sa Son stood up. "Our wedding is in three days. Let's talk tonight or you can find me in the main house. I've been staying there." With those words she left. 

Ki Ha felt like Da Son had slapped him across the face. To say that he was lost was an understatement. He felt like he had lost something but he had no idea what it was. He was confused, troubled and a little confused. 

He needed someone to talk to. His first thoughts were Sung Hoon and Jinwoon but he had left their house in anger. It was also just after sunrise. Most normal people were slowly waking up. He had no choice but to wait. 

He would apologize and ask them for advice. This went way over his head. 'She's crazy! There is no other way.' Ki Ha was shaking his head until he felt dizzy. He decided to try and sleep. He'll go straight to Sung Hoon's after waking up.

Ki Ha was sure that he would have a difficult time falling asleep but the alcohol and lack of sleep helped him fall asleep straight away. When he woke up, the sun was already setting down. He couldn't believe that he had slept the whole day. 

He jumped out of bed wanting to see Sung Hoon but there was a knock on his door. He opened the door to see Da Son waiting. Ki Ha took a few steps back. "Did you think about it?" "You said you'll come tonight. 

Ki Ha didn't give her an answer. Da Son looked at the setting sun. Ki Ha rolled his eyes. "I have to go somewhere first." Da Son tilted her head. "Going to the King for advice." Ki Ha hands flew to his mouth in shock. 

'She's too much!' Ki Ha's eyes were full of fear. "Go ask. I'll tell the servant to notify me when you return." She turned and left. Ki Ha stood rooted for at least three whole minutes before rushing out. 

Luckily Sung Hoon and Jinwoon were home. "Sung Hoon! Jinwoon! I need your help!" Sung Hoon and Jinwoon were startled by Ki Ha screams. "I thought you were angry?" Ki Ha waved Sung Hoon's words away. "That's not important." 

He told them everything. "What should I do?" He looked at Sung Hoon and Jinwoon. Sung Hoon and Jinwoon were also shocked. "I never expected Da Son to be such a tough woman." Jinwoon was the first to talk. 

"My friends, I wish you good luck." Sung Hoon didn't know what else to say. Ki Ha rolled his eyes. "I need advice not encouragement!" Sung Hoon shrugged. "I don't know. I'm sorry." They looked at Jinwoon to see what he would say. 

Jinwoon was scratching his head before looking Ki Ha in his eyes. "You don't want responsibility. You don't heirs. Isn't this perfect? She has no expectations and is willing to leave after five years. Why are you panicking?" 

Again Ki Ha felt like he was slapped in the face. "It's different if someone says it so bluntly." Jinwoon gave him a thin smile. "Your wish has come true. If I was you I would just do it." Ki Ha let out a deep sigh. 

"Y... You are right. This is what I wish for but why does it feel so bitter."