The Love They Never Had

"Husband! Did you hear about what had happened to my team of physicians! They were all murdered outside of their homes in the early hours of the morning! Right in front of their families as well! And nobody can find their heads at all! How can such a bloody crime take place against Imperial Physicians! What an interoperable offence to Your Majesty's law!" "Yes, I was rather shocked to hear this news myself! It was the only positive thing I had to put me back into my father's good books and now….now what do I do! Apart from ordering a damed investigation, but what will that bring me? More death punishments on top of natural causes of death though the plague! This is turning into a bloodbath that my father always avoids!" "Why don't you honour them for their contribution during the plague, and reward their family to help fund their funerals?" "So who will take over their duties now?" 'Moon-Bok isn't the sort of physician that can treat plages, so we need to find someone who can that can help me regain the people's love after all of the crimes that your family has committed!" "Forgive me husband, please give me a chance to make up for it." "And how will you do that exactly!" "I will figure something out just like I did the first time."

"How did you know that I would be back tonight? I didn't even send word about it, so how did you prepare my favourite tea?" "I always prepare it for you every singe night husband, just in case you feel like visiting your wife on occasion." "Well, I do appraise your efforts, but what about the officials that your father is handling for me? Who should I promote in the censorate?" "I should have an answer by tomorrow latest, husband. Here, look at my note that I sent to my father and here are the list of new officers that are looking for public offices. You yourself can take first look at who you want to support and who you want my father to get rid of." "I need to have as many of my own people in my father's court, but I must move slowly in order not to disturb my father."

"Wait a minute, wha was that noise outside? Are you sure that we are alone, wife? Or did you forget to take precautions?" "I did take precautions! Wait! Husband…!" "Who is out here! Show yourself!" "Forgive me Master, I was simply making my way back to my residence…" "So it is you, Mistress Han. Why are you not in lockdown in your quarters like everyone else?" "Your wife is making me help garment and ratchet production due to budgets in the palace. Forgive me for walking so late, I am just s tired and the sun was really blazing today…" "is that you are dressed so plainly? It is very much unlike you, you should continue to dress yourself up to improve the mood in the palace." "Thank you, Your Highness…" I waited for him to stop me and do something, anything to apologise to me and make up for our past and the history that we had, but when I turned around to look behind me, he had already shut the door in my face. And just like that, he had completely forgotten the past that we shared, just like Seo Hwi and Nam Seon-Ho did. Was I really that forgettable and common? What on earth did I have to do to regain everyone's love that they once had for me before Seo Yeon came along.

"…why didn't you do something about her, husband?" "She is social climber in the palace, she will not do anything to risk her place here, even if she is just a lowly servant now. And as for you; are you having an undomesticated maid do palace work? Are you really trying to kill my reputation more than my enemies are at the moment!" "Husband! Why are you always so quick to blame me for everything! She was the one who asked for he work so she could stay in the palace, she begged me on her knees, so what was I supposed to do?" "Really? An ex-mistress of a Prince begged to become a servant in the palace? It isn't you who is teaching her a lesson instead? The last thing that I need right now is servants dropping dead like flies around you, lest it gives more cause for divorce!" "Husband, I am innocent!" "Exactly what are your intentions here? Are you still jealous even during a plague!" "I only did what was good for her and us residence in the palace!" 'Since you want to do something for hostilities in the palace, then you can personally assist her to make up for your past wrongdoing against my family!" "Forgive me husband, but I am afraid that I am already rather busy in assisting to combat the plague in the palace in case you haven't noticed!" "I am sure that you can make time for it on top of everything else that you are doing, wife, to help ease my burdens."

From the minute that he left his wife's quarters, I could overhear beating her maid and taking out her anger on her entirely. "…you bitch! This was your great idea! I shall beat you to death! Now look at what you have done! Why are you saying silent now! Are you mocking me like my husband does…!" "Your Highness! What is the matter! Why are you suddenly vomiting so much!" "Servant, I just vomited! Look, I have nausea! Aren't you happy for me! Well! Don't just stand there and look at me, summon the Imperial physicians!" "Your Highness, I am sorry but…you vomited due to consuming too many pickled cucumbers…" "why? Why can everyone that my husband sleeps with bear fruit apart from me? Why? I was pregnant before with a boy! So why can't I now! What is it? Is it my age? Am I too old now?""Nonsense, Your Highness is still beautiful at your age…" "I cannot hide my wrinkles anymore, especially around the corner of my eyes." "You simply do not have any wrinkles Your Highness, why won' you beehive me? Have I ever lied to you before?" "Shut up, you little minx! Who are you trying to allure with those flowers on your head! Are you trying to allure my own husband! I saw you watching him as soon as he approached me!" "Your Highness! Please stop! Stop slapping me around! Forgive me, please…!" "My room is not a playground! Someone! Get her the hell out of here! Right now!" "Your Highness! Please!" "Well, what do you expect me to do! I cannot hurt the ex-Mistress Han! She hasn't suffered enough to taste death yet! But as the last banquet, did you hear that my husband wants to thank the Mistress Seo by celebrating her next birthday with her? He will even spend more time with his men's wives than with myself! She is so unworthy of his attention…but the painted pear on her forehead has become a trend in her village now…her husband personally painted it on her when my husband has never even drawn my eyebrows before. Seo Hwi holds a deep affection for his wife ands given his heart to her, whilst my owns repulsed by my ugliness and old age…the women must consider it beautiful to follow the trend. It must symbolise harmony and prosperity in their marriages and Kim Hyeon is very gracious and beautiful. A marriage full of joy and harmony is the dream of every woman and he will surely promote them…and Seo Yeon. Her fiancé indulges her every whim, even going to the point of educating her himself and brings her books from the Imperial Study…" "Your Highness? What are talking about?" "…when my husband agreed to further promote my mother to second noble rank, The Empress at the time opposed it strongly, saying that the mother of a Consort shouldn't hold a high rank. So my mother is still third noble rank, whilst any of the Seo girls may be promoted above my own mother…" "Your Highness, that isn't possible! The Seo girls cannot be promoted above your own mother! Why don't you get some rest now, you have had a busy day and you need to rest for the next day…"

I could hear the demented tones of that delusional woman falter from behind her window as I started to formulate all sorts of plans in my head to rid us all of this witch so we can all move on in our lives and I could reclaim my rightful place besides The Third Prince…and use him to take revenge on everyone who has scared me in the past, including this damned Prince himself…

"…Mistress Han? What are you still doing up so late?" "Why are you so afraid of my presence here? Is it because if anything happens to me, it shall become your responsibility?" "All the more reason for me to care for you personally, I guess." "No-one can push me from behind anymore then, right?" "You must be making a joke right now, why would anyone do that to you at all?" "Or mix cassava starch into inappropriate diets?" "I believe someone took responsibility for that long ago now…" "It is good to be protected by someone, but that doesn't mean that hey cannot harm you as well, don't you agree? And when they find themselves suffering in silence, it is too late to turn back, right? No good will come from either the tiger or the jackal…" "Stop! Stop with all of the warnings and tell me what you want!" "Forsake the evil darkness and come into the light is the best way to protect oneself. 'A smart bird chooses the tree it perches itself on', anti won't hurt to see tears in the right eyes…" "…understood." "And how can I know to trust you?" "You do not have a choice, do you? Or how else can you soothe a Royal tantrum?"