DUTIES

Suk-bin sits in her chambers and taps her index finger on the table gently. The finger has a ring in it. She frowns her face a little, looking somehow worried about something, but her attendant lady Baek interrupts her.

"Your majesty." Lady Baek calls as she walks in. "I have news from the girl in the king's chambers."

"Really?" Suk-bin asks with interest. "What is it about?"

"She says the queen dowager is there and already talking to the king about appointing a crown prince already." she whispers.

"Just as I thought." Suk-bin says with a smile. "No problem, be on a look out as soon as the queen dowager leaves, I will pay the king a visit."

"Yes, your majesty." Lady Baek says with a smile and bows.

"I still have a card that I am yet to play." She whispers. "The queen and the queen dowager really think I will sit around powerless and watch them cheat my son and act like I do not exist?" Suk-bin asks and scoffs. "I will show them what I am really made off now, I will give no more rooms for threat."

"Your majesty, do you mean to use the sealed letter?" Lady Baek asks almost whispering.

"Yes." Suk-bin nods. "I have waited long enough, the time is now. Even if I am not able to get rid off them both, I will use it to put them in their place and secure the spot for my son."

"Your majesty, but how do you plan to use it? Do you plan to give it to the king his majesty?" Lady Baek asks again.

"No, I won't do that." Suk-bin smiles. "What is the essence anyway, even if I show him will he punish his mom accordingly?"

"So how do you intend to use the letter your majesty?" Lady Baek asks again.

"I plan to use his majesty's presence to deal with them all!" Suk-bin says sternly with a smile.

***************

"Announce me to his majesty." Suk-bin says to Ja won.

"Yes, your majesty." He bows and walks in to inform the king and after some seconds, he walks out and smiles to the royal noble consort and says. "You can go in your majesty."

"Thank you." Suk-bin appreciates with a smile in return too and walks in the king's chambers. "Your majesty." She calls as she walks in and bows.

"Suk-bin." The king calls with a smile. "Have a seat."

"Yes, your majesty." She sits on the chair opposite the king. "How have you been?"

"I have been working a lot on how to feed the poor, and it has been so stressful." The king laments.

"I can see that." She sighs. "I actually miss how we used to be close your majesty."

"Suk-bin." The king calls softly.

"I miss how you do talk to me when you are down, always spend nights with me most of the time, Seek advices from me when you are confused." She sighs. "But it as all changed now, I guess you are so busy now your majesty."

"I am sorry about that, I know I have left you for too long." The king whispers.

"It's fine your majesty, i understand that you are very occupied." Suk-bin says with a smile even though she is just trying to get the king to do something.

"What do you think about it? Should I come and spend this night in your chambers?" The king asks observing his mistress's beauty with his eyes.

"Will you really do that your majesty?" Suk-bin asks as her eyes brightened up a lot more.

"Yes." The king nods. "I have left you for too long." He says with a sweet smile. "Tell your maids to prepare and await my arrival."

"It sounds so good that you will be spending the night with me again, I miss how we play games and crack a lot of jokes together." She whispers charmingly.

"That is good." He nods. "How about the prince, is he preparing well for his marriage?"

"Yes your majesty." She replies with a very broad smile.

"I can't wait to see him get married, where do you think he should live after marriage?" The kings asks quietly, not wanting any one else to hear of what he is discussing with his mistress.

"That is left for you to decide your majesty." Suk-bin says and sighs sadly. "You know, it actually saddens me when I think of him moving out of the palace."

"Why is that if I may ask?" He asks again.

"Your majesty." She calls with sadness written over her face. "The prince isn't even safe inside the palace, do you think he will be safe outside the palace?"

The king closes his eyes and exhales deeply too. "All of this is happening because I have failed woefully in all my duties."

"Failed in your duties? What do you mean by that your majesty?" Suk-bin asks with a sign of curiosity.

"Can't you see? I have failed as a father because I can't even seem to preach love to my sons or make them love each other truthfully. I failed as a husband because I can't even balance the love between you and the queen. I have even failed as a king because I can't come to a decision on who to give the crown prince's title too."

"Your majesty." She calls calmly and holds his hands. "You might have failed in all aspects, but I know you have never failed as a father, husband and king." She whispers tapping his palms with the hope of making him feel better.

"Are you sure?" The king asks.

Suk-bin nods and smiles.

"Or are you just saying this to make me feel better?" He asks again.

"No." She shakes her head. "I will never do that your majesty."

"Your majesty, it is I Ja Won." He announces form outside.

"Come in." The king orders.

Ja Win walks in and bows. "Your majesty, it is time to have the private meeting with the ministers."

"Really?" The king asks no one in particular as he is enjoying the time he is spending with his beloved.

"It's fine your majesty." Suk-bin whispers with a smile as usual. "I will head to my chambers now and await your arrival."