A King's Patience

Chapter Seven

The air in the room grew tense. The maids exchanged uneasy glances, as if unsure whether they had misheard Ping's words.

Mei hesitated. "My Lady… refusing the king's request—"

"I don't care," Ping interrupted. "I won't go."

Mei bit her lip, then quickly bowed. "As you wish." She turned on her heel and left the room, the other maids trailing behind her.

Ping let out a shaky breath. She had just refused him. The most feared man in the kingdom.

Would there be consequences?

She didn't know. But she refused to act like a proper wife to a man she had been forced to marry.

Meanwhile, in the grand dining hall, Ling sat at the head of a long, dark wooden table, his fingers lightly tapping against the surface. Silver platters of steaming food lay untouched before him.

When Mei entered, he barely spared her a glance. "Where is she?"

Mei hesitated before bowing. "My Lord… she refuses to join you."

Silence.

The maids in the hall held their breath.

Ling finally stopped tapping his fingers and exhaled. He wasn't surprised, but he hadn't expected defiance so soon.

"She's bold," he muttered, leaning back in his chair.

Mei nodded cautiously. "Shall I—"

"No," Ling interrupted. His voice was calm, unreadable. "Let her be."

Mei blinked in surprise. "Y-Yes, Your Majesty."

Ling picked up his cup, taking a slow sip of tea.

For now, he would let her have her small rebellion.

But she would learn soon enough—no one ignored the Shadow King forever.