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Months had passed in the blink of an eye. During that time, I was still busy and Seokjin was studying during the day and handling paperwork by the night, trying to help me. Resources exchanges had begun between Leovalon and Wisterean as well as trading routes and travel routes that were newly established.

Truth be told, the treasury was overflowing. The deceased royal family was apparently hoarding all the supplies and wealth all to themselves. Thus, a huge portion was spread to the starving citizens as a short term solution before the resources exchanges. Hard work was encouraged and support from the King, Seokjin was endless.

I was already used to Wisterean.

But I was not used to Seokjin displaying tyranny every now and then.

Once the news of the murder of the royal family was spread throughout the kingdom, as expected, it shook the whole nation. Sometimes there were protests and sometimes there were direct attacks. In both cases, Seokjin had used physical force to tame them and silence those who rose against him.

Words about him imprisoning or executing someone new would strike me with fear. This time, the head of the Marquis family who was close to the royal family was imprisoned. I pleaded Seokjin not to take such matters lightly but right the next day, he went and did it.

I sought after him during the day but I could not find him anywhere. It was already nightfall and I decided to turn in for the night after taking a walk in the garden.

As I took a stroll down the serene garden, I stopped when I heard sniffling sounds coming from somewhere. When I followed it, I found Seokjin sitting on a bench with his face covered in his hands, propped on his knees.

I stood still. The broken sounds coming from him were definitely crying sounds. I had never seen him crying. Paralyzed to the core, I could not move a muscle, my eyes stuck on his forlorn figure.

Many minutes must had passed but both of us did not move an inch.

When he tilted his head backwards to take a deep breath, his eyes found mine and widened. I choked on my spit and had a coughing fit before my face started burning up.

Seokjin stood up and slowly walked towards me. "You must be tired. Are you not going to sleep, Princess?"

I cleared my throat again before speaking. "I just wanted get some fresh air."

I flinched when he wrapped his jacket around my shoulders and warmth enveloped my cold skin.

"It's getting cold. You should head back."

From up close, his cheeks and eyelashes were stained with tears. His usual vibrant face was eerily somber and it made me uneasy. My chest was bubbling and burning with words.

"Are you... alright?" I asked carefully, highly alert of his small movements.

The corners of his lips tilted up slightly. "Do I seem alright?"

I held back my words.

"You may see me as nothing but a commoner, Princess, but... I'm a man who used to be content with just that. A normal life with my parents and younger sister was all I needed. Until the damned Wisterean royal family pushed them to their deaths." His balled fists trembled in anger and his face distorted in pain.

"What do you mean? Did they commit murder?"

He smiled bitterly. "You've seen the treasury. How do you think they accumulated such wealth?"

I pondered for a moment. It could not be...

"They drained commoners like us, worked us to our ends and hoarded everything we had. Thousands of us. We had no power. We couldn't do anything but be thrown away like garbage. I had watched my family die before my eyes because of them. And yet, I couldn't do anything. Because they were royals and I was no one. We couldn't defy them." His whole body was visibly shaking with every word. "While they were enjoying their luxurious steak and throwing food away after one bite, we were digging dirt to find insects to feed on."

His tears began rolling down again. "My family did nothing wrong. I wanted to get revenge to the point I was crying blood. Revenge was all I could think of. It took me a long time but I finally spilled their blood with my own hands and I thought it was over... But it was not... I still feel wronged."

I put my hand on his shoulder, listening to him in silence. All I could do was provide comfort like that. Although I could not forget the bloodshed I had witnessed, I could see the reason behind his grief and it hurt me to know what the citizens went through.

He covered his face with his hands and rubbed his tears before sobbing and dropping his head on my shoulder. It was the only time I was allowing him to do so.

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I held my breath as we took long strides, getting closer and closer to the sea.

"It's beautiful, right?"

My chest was filled with exhilaration and breaths of thrills. It was calm but it was exciting. Sunlight bathed in the picturesque aqua waves and the pleasing sounds of the waves crashing against the shore were calling me to come closer to the sea.

The sea stretched into the horizon and there seemed to be no end to it. It was the first time I was seeing the sea and all I could think was how beautiful it was.

"Very... It takes my breath away."

"But not as beautiful as me, no?"

I glared at him, getting goosebumps. "Where did that come from?"

Seokjin smiled back at me. "Maybe you should have come here earlier. This beach is very famous among Wisterean people."

I picked up my jaw and cleared my throat when I realized he was amused by my reaction. "I see."

"You can come here whenever you want because it's close to the castle," he said and I curtly nodded. "Do you want to go dip your legs in the water?"

I scoffed. "That is unfit for royalty. You may not be aware of it yet but the way we behave ourselves in public is of utmost importance, Your Majesty."

"Is that so?" He bent forward to put his hand into the water.

"Yes. And if you-" I shrieked when he splashed water at me and the droplets hit my face. "What did you...!"

He cackled with laughter, holding his sides. It was so childish and I was seeing red. I clenched my jaw and pursed my lips before jumping into the water and splashing him with it. He yelped with elation and challenged me, trying to drench me with water. Our laughters mingled with the waves and my heartbeat was quickening from the delight. Enjoying my time freely like that was so new.

"Your Majesty," his attendant called for him, "it is time for your next lesson."

We stopped playing around and Seokjin cleared his throat before telling me that we would meet again during dinner and that I should change. I sent him off and watched him leave, a little lost and a little confused about my own thoughts.

Sunghoon approached me after keeping guard. "Shall we head back, Your Highness?"

I shook my head with a smile and turned back to the glistening sea. "I want to stay a little longer."

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Jin in his backstory:

Cheers 🫶✨