The Castle

The Bride's Conditions

Translated by Raven

Chapter 1 Part 1

The Bride’s Conditions

Beyond the large window, the city looked like a golden array glistening under the night sky. His arm which was wrapped around her waist was strong and firm. She was stuck in a situation where she couldn’t and shouldn’t do anything. She looked everywhere trying to find an escape. However, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t think of a way to escape from his firm arms.

“I…”

As she leaned back trying to make a few inches between them, the cold glass of the window touched her back. Holding her in his arms, he held her against the glass and furiously narrowed his eyes. 

“You insulted the royal family.”

“No, I didn’t do anything like that.”

Yoo Yeon shook her head denying what he said. Seeing her reaction, he snorted and looked at her deep brown eyes and said sternly. 

“No. It’s absolutely a royal contempt to lie to me.”

“It’s not a lie! Are you trying to threaten me?”

His eyes narrowed as if he didn’t like the word threat.

“A Threat? That’s not what a con woman would tell me.”

Her hands trembled as she tried to push his chest. Her pale eyes were filled with shame and disgrace. She tried to hide it somehow by pretending to be confident. Did this happen because she was so conceited and didn’t think she would get caught? Yoo Yeon felt like crying for the first time in a long time. His jaw clenched as he looked down at her embarrassed face.

 “Don’t tell me now your name is also fake, it isn’t right?

 “I didn’t lie, it is my name.”

He shook his head, but he didn’t believe her in the slightest.

“You didn’t even take a sip of the drink I gave you…”

He muttered in a low voice and pressed his thumb against her red painted lips and gently moved it across her lower lip. Part of her lipstick spread to the corners of her mouth.

“Did you drink today?”

At the sarcastic remark, Yoo Yeon slapped his hand off her lips.

No, I didn’t take any…”

“But I’m drunk.”

She was about to reply when her lips were instantly swallowed by him. He devoured her delicate lips with his scorching ones. His hot breath burnt her soft lips. Her eyelashes trembled at the intensity of the sudden kiss. Yoo Yeon felt as if she was melting into candy. She closed her eyes tightly. His whole body was burning as if the drunkenness was suppressed, and her tension and fear were rising. Without knowing she stopped pushing his chest and her hands just rested on his chest. 

Bang!

Suddenly something slammed into the closed-door two of them entered a while ago. Surprised by the sound Yoo Yeon screamed. The ceiling chandeliers shook and the sound of falling furniture rang out. Covering her mouth he whispered to her, glaring furiously over the vibrating door.

“That’s Lee Mae’s voice. You can hear it, right?”

This couldn’t be happening, and she shouldn’t be hearing this. But her body was trembling like a leaf at the loud and clear sound. But in the end, she shook her head. He grabbed her chin with a rare, pleasant look etched on his face. He stroked her reddish lips with his thumb and muttered.

“Seeing the level of lies you are sprouting, I’m curious.”

“I’m sorry…”

“What have you seen and heard so far? And did you hide it?”

She felt as if her heart was about to explode. Her chest felt heavy as if she was suffering from a disease she was not aware of. Suddenly the banging sound grew stronger, and she felt her life was really in danger. When she looked at him, his eyes had turned to a molten golden colour.

“This is the first time in royal history… What kind of a fake marriage is this? We are not finished talking yet.”

With that, he kissed her forehead and turned in the direction of the sound. Jo Yoo-yeon sat down and buried her face between her knees. She covered her ears and closed her eyes tight hoping it would be over soon. Because it has always been like that. However, her body kept on trembling with the fear that rushed over her.

“I got caught… right?”

She muttered to herself. If she could turn back time, even just for one day. No, even just for an hour…. She cheated on the most famous man in Korea to get married to him. To be exact, he will become the 30th king of Korea. He is the crown prince Lee Geon.

* * * 7 months ago * * *

[This is the protocol room. Everyone is here at Gyeonghoeru. What about the Crown Prince?]

(T/N: Gyeonghoeru is a Royal Banquet Hall at Gyeongbokgung Palace. Gyeongbokgung Palace was the power centre of the Joseon dynasty (1392–1897), and was originally built in 1395 )

Woo-hyuk raised his head and looked up at the top of the building at the nervous words heard over the phone.

“Start the banquet. His highness is at T2 position now.”

[Director Lee, the president, the ministers, and the National Assembly members, all have gathered. This happens once every five years. If you’re late by today…]

“Hey, Mr. Kim. Don’t you know that the night sleep of the Korean people is at stake right now?”

[Please also think about the stake of my sleep!]

“I’m in Seohwa Pharmaceutical Research Institute in Paju. It’ll take another hour, so don’t wait.”

[Paju? You dare to go there…!]

“The helicopter has arrived. I’m hanging up.”

Saying that Woo-Hyuk hung up the call. A black helicopter which was camouflaged by the night sky landed on the heliport on the top of the building. The tail of the helicopter carried the symbol of RSA(Royal Special Affairs Department). RSA agents who were waiting outside of the building started running in after listening to their earpieces. After checking the time on his wristwatch, Woo-hyuk pressed the button on his earpiece.

“It’s me, Lee Woo-Hyuk. Only two minutes and seven seconds left, your highness.”

Through the earpiece, a deep voice of a man came out along with the sound of a strong wind.

[Go down now. What’s the status?]

“It’s in a cyclical state. Two cars were damaged in basement 4, and two RSA team leaders are on standby.”

[So, since you haven’t found a body yet, you’re probably just killing your time there. You also come down.]