[First Step]
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"get out."
"Your Majesty, please think of your health and bow down."
Jungkook's eyes crinkled and he picked up the medicine bottle in front of him. He hurled it at the doctor, who was lying flat on the floor, trying to comfort and soothe him. "Do you think this will help?" The bottle crashed loudly against the wall, spilling the medicine and scattering it across the floor.
"I said it wasn't necessary."
"Your Majesty, please."
There's an unpleasant rumor going around among the palace maids. Get well soon. Why, do I look crazy to you too? Jungkook cut the doctor off and asked him. "Does it seem crazy to me that I can see Won-i?" "I'm sorry." Jungkook lowered his head. Ha, haha, haha! The laughter that started like a sigh grew louder.
"Ah, Won-ah, what should I do now?"
Jeongguk sobbed under his lowered head.
***
"His Majesty did not even touch the medicine."
"I heard it from the maid."
"Your Majesty, what must we do? Rumors are already spreading."
"I know that too."
The Prime Minister clenched his jaw, his face a bit embarrassed. The reason was that half of the rumors already circulating were true. Two years ago, the king, shocked by the death of the crown princess he loved so dearly, had gone mad. A female physician reportedly saw the crown princess's vengeful spirit enter the king's chambers, lonely. Rumors about the political situation.
Two years ago, with the emperor's coronation just around the corner, Crown Princess Won, who was usually frail, died of illness in her villa after eating a stone dish with Jeongguk. The shock left Jeongguk with daily auditory and visual hallucinations, rendering her unable to function normally. To save her life, the Prime Minister silenced her.
"Your Majesty, I don't know how much longer you can hold out, but I'm just letting you off the hook."
"Your Excellency, it's been a while."
"...Left Chanseong, without even a word"
"I went to the pharmacy to see the doctor, and came back after hearing that he was here." "What's the matter with the prime minister?"
"I was on my way."
The Prime Minister averted his gaze and moved on. Left State Councillor, who was not pleased with Jeong-guk's ascension to the throne, was a frequent opponent of the Prime Minister, and the person from whom the Prime Minister most desperately wanted to hide the state of J-guk. As the saying goes, a smile on the outside doesn't reveal the inside, and the number of people who welcomed Left State Councillor was few and far between. Those who welcomed him were few and far between.
"Congressman, are you coming from Gangnyeongjeon?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I am on my way back from checking on Your Majesty's well-being."
"I heard that the number of cases brought to Gangnyeongjeon has increased significantly."
"Your Majesty."
"Is Your Majesty ill?"
“You must not speak carelessly about His Majesty’s body.”
"Your Majesty is in good health, so don't worry."
A weak king was easily shaken. A king swayed by emotion would be even more so. A mad king, bound to the dead crown princess, wouldn't step outside Gangnyeongjeon. The political situation collapsed once again at the hands of the Left State Councilor.
***
“How about going to see the flowers in front of Gangnyeongjeon?”
The flowers are in full bloom, so His Majesty will undoubtedly be pleased. It'd be stifling to stay inside Gangnyeongjeon, wouldn't it? A smile spread across Jeongguk's sullen face at the mention of flower viewing. It had been a long time since he'd been out.
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"ⵈ Heo Naegwan, that kid over there,"
Aren't you the Crown Princess?