It’s never a good sign when someone says “we need to talk.” Not for the 19th century nor the 21st. But Soyong knows it’s necessary, and she refuses to be chased into a corner by her fears. Not now, when she’s finally found her true self. She is free from her clan and certain of her own values and dreams. Now she’s going to raise the question that concerns her the most, the question that jeopardizes her continued happiness.
She sighs deeply and nods to the head eunuch so he can announce her arrival.
“My Queen!” Cheoljong greets her with a cheerful smile as he always does. He’s sitting at a desk with a mountain of scrolls that need to be examined before his next royal conference meeting. “I’ve been quite busy the past few weeks and thought about how little time we have spent together lately. I was hoping we could meet later today for tea?”
“That would be nice, Your Majesty, but we need to talk first,” Soyong proclaims.
“Does something concern you, My Queen?” he asks. Upon seeing Soyong’s serious expression Cheoljong begins to worry if something bad has happened.
“I wish to tell you a story that you already know, but from a different angle. Please, Your Majesty, listen carefully until the very end.”
And so she begins. Soyong tells him how after she first fell into the lake, she met Bong Hwan, a strange man from the future. How in the first days after the incident she felt so weak and sad that she didn’t want to control her own body. How later, she found strength and her own voice (quite literally), thanks to Bong Hwan. How their souls merged so tightly that both of them didn’t know who they were: Soyong, Bong Hwan, or a new person combined of the two.
“On that day when we fought for your throne…after we were shot, he suddenly disappeared. I sincerely hope he returned back home as he always wanted,” Soyong muses. She looks up to meet the King’s eyes, so he would know how important her next words would be. “Your Majesty, I want you to know he really cared about you and didn’t want to leave in the heat of the battle. He desperately wanted to make sure you were alright.”
The King sits in silence, avoiding her gaze now, not sure how to react. It’s not the first time she has spoken about a man from the future. For a time, she claimed she was a man, though she now speaks of the man as a third party.
“I know it’s hard to believe, but in the past year you have noticed changes in me. We didn’t have time to talk about it properly with all our work and my pregnancy. Maybe I should’ve started this conversation earlier. I apologize,” she murmurs, voice beginning to tremble with sadness. “I’m afraid I can’t surprise you anymore, not in the way I did in the past.”
For a few long moments they don’t speak nor look at each other. Neither one of them is sure how to continue the conversation.
“I thought I would be able to write countless volumes of the Queen’s Dictionary,” the King responds bitterly, his gaze now on a bookshelf nearby, where the dictionary is placed. “But it looks like it will remain unfinished.”
“I miss him too,” the Queen adds quietly. “But I’m happy to be myself again.”
“Thank you for sharing this. I’m sure it wasn’t easy,” Cheoljong replies earnestly. “I now have a lot to think about.”
“I want our lives to be based on truth. I will always be honest with you,” Soyong promises, forcing herself to look into his eyes again. She needs to voice all her thoughts now, while she has mustered the courage. “There’s something else I wanted to tell you. It’s about our marriage and our future together.”
Cheoljong frowns a little, not knowing what she means by this. She has given him so much information to swallow, he’s not sure he’s ready to process even more news.
“I am always going to support you in your noble aspiration to make Joseon a country we can all be proud of, one where people can have happy and satisfying lives. No one can stand between us and make us enemies, that I can promise,” Soyong vows resolutely. “But you need to choose who we are in our marriage. Are we lovers or are we friends?”
The King stares blankly at the Queen, dumbfounded by her words. He blinks once, twice, opens his mouth to ask if he heard her right, but fails to form any words. She had just said she couldn’t surprise him anymore. What definition of the word surprise did she have in mind then?
Upon seeing his confusion, Soyong decides to further clarify what she means. Her face now blushes a bright red, but she feels the need to finish what she has started.
“If you love me the way I am, even without the intruder from the future, then our marriage is going to be as it’s supposed to be: loving and passionate,” Soyong explains. If he chooses her after knowing the truth, she will be the happiest woman in Joseon. “But if you do not, and I assure you I’ll understand, then we can form some kind of friendship. We have a son to raise, and we have to at least try for his well being. But please, if you can’t give me what I desire, then promise me you won’t stop me from finding someone who will.”
“Wait…Wh-what?” Cheoljong stammers, not believing his own ears. He lowers his voice to a whisper. “Are you talking about taking another man as a lover?”
“Why not?” Soyong asks simply. “To me it looks fair. You have the opportunity to have many concubines, dozens even. Even though I can’t officially have any lovers, I wouldn’t be the first Queen to have one.”
“You’d be the first one who warns her husband about it!” Cheoljong retorts, starting to lose his temper. “How could you even think about it?”
“I deserve to be happy,” Soyong replies, also raising her voice. “I thought you would support me, as you promised not to harm me again. I won’t sit and suffer silently, hiding my true feelings as before. There’s more harm in that for everyone.”
Soyong rises from the desk. “It’s up to you to decide, Your Majesty. I’ll wait for your answer, so please tell me when you are ready. But for now, excuse me, I have work to do.”
Having said everything, she wanted to say, Soyong lifts her skirts and departs, leaving the King alone in his study.
What the hell just happened? – Cheoljong thinks to himself, stunned by the Queen’s words.
Comments from AO3:
Bubblet1611 on Chapter 1Sat 10 Apr 2021 03:56PM EDT
I always think there’s so much potential to explore in Cheoljong & Soyong’s relationship dynamic in a post-Bonghwan world and I love how you’re doing it so far! My heart breaks to think about all the pain and self-doubt Soyong must’ve gone through, believing that her husband loves a different version of her and not her real self. But I’m so glad that Soyong is prioritizing her own happiness above all else 🙌🏻 Can’t wait to see where you’ll take things from here!
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cheolbongbaby on Chapter 1Sat 10 Apr 2021 03:59PM EDT
Omooooo!!! This is a nice plot! I’ve always dreamt of having to read a fic where the king is insanely jealous, but that was centric on soyong-byeong in… Since orabeoni is already dead, i was sad that the possibility of having to read one jealous fic is non existent…
But this… It just gives me chills! So exciting omo your work is great! 🥺✨
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OrlaDark on Chapter 1Sat 10 Apr 2021 05:14PM EDT
Thank you!
I hope you’ll like one of future chapters dedicated to CJ being jealous, because I’m never tired of it.
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Bubblet1611 on Chapter 1Sat 10 Apr 2021 04:03PM EDT
I always think that there’s so much potential to explore in Cheoljong & Soyong’s relationship dynamic post-Bonghwan and I love how you’re doing it so far! My heart breaks to think about all the pain and self-doubt Soyong must’ve gone through, believing that her husband loves a different version of her that’s not her real self. But good for her for prioritizing her own happiness above all else 🙌🏻 Soyong’s boldness and courage are exactly why I love her so much as a character.
Can’t wait to see where you’ll take things from here!
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OrlaDark on Chapter 1Sat 10 Apr 2021 05:11PM EDT
Thank you!
Well, SY love CJ from the start, but she was ready to escape marriage because she didn’t wanted to live a miserable life with a man who don’t love her back and can’t act decent to her. So I thoght it was incharacter for her to support him, but still search her own happiness.
I love SY as character too, shame we didn’t see much of her on the show.
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Vivian Kim on Chapter 1Sat 10 Apr 2021 04:24PM EDT
Is the main couple that will eventually get together at the end of the story Kim Soyong and Cheoljong?
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OrlaDark on Chapter 1Sat 10 Apr 2021 05:16PM EDT
Yes, it’s SY\CJ story, BH only mentioned.
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Vivian Kim on Chapter 1Sat 10 Apr 2021 06:43PM EDT
……Okay. Thanks for telling me.
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Biochemist on Chapter 1Sat 10 Apr 2021 04:40PM EDT
Hehe excited to see a very jealous Cheoljong 😉 and then eventually he’ll realize that he loves her unconditionally as she is. 😂
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OrlaDark on Chapter 1Sat 10 Apr 2021 05:19PM EDT
Thank you!
Jealous Cheoljong is the best, right? This is one of reasons why it’s not one-shot, I couldn’t stop myself XD
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RhaeLouis on Chapter 1Sat 10 Apr 2021 06:56PM EDT
“I’m afraid I can’t surprise you anymore, not in the way I did in the past.”
Oh soyong-aah you just surprise him. More than he can anticipate.
I really astonished about this fic, the idea of exploring the new profound of their relationship w/o Bonghwan its something too painfull for me to think of. But the way that Soyong think about herself above everything show her character development. Especially after her attempt on ending her life. Because this time finally choices and freedom were something she can chose. Even if she’s no longer can gained love from the man she fell for. At least she can be happy on her own way. Interesting! Can’t wait how are you going to elaborate and explore more!
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OrlaDark on Chapter 1Sun 11 Apr 2021 09:22AM EDT
Thank you!
It would be a shame if CJ didn’t had his surprised “oho” face ever again lol
It’s was painful to write as well and I started this fic when fandom was still coping with season finale and hated SY. Then dropped and come back to it in better mood.
While she and CJ on the same page she’s able to find her own happiness.
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Living4u on Chapter 1Sat 10 Apr 2021 07:07PM EDT
The bold and brave SY here is verh refreshing. Please continue writing on this story (wishfully with some smut in the middle). CJ should know that SY is not just an ordinary woman and it will make him fall in love with her more.
I hope you can dig deeper into their relationship because the show didn’t give us the justice.
Fighting author! Waiting for the next chapters to come.
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OrlaDark on Chapter 1Sun 11 Apr 2021 09:24AM EDT
Thank you!
Well, there gonna be some character analizis, some fun and maybe some smut (never wrote smut before, but there’s first time for everything).
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goldensoul93 on Chapter 1Sun 11 Apr 2021 01:00AM EDT
I would like to read cheljong’s POV to find out how he took the information about lover lol I really like it, can’t wait for the next chapter !
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OrlaDark on Chapter 1Sun 11 Apr 2021 09:28AM EDT
Thank you!
Well CJ will find out there’s plenty fish in the sea even in such closed place as palace.
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Dee on Chapter 1Sun 11 Apr 2021 01:40AM EDT
Sooooo good! I knew it, its going to be worth the wait. I’ll be waiting for the next update. ❤️❤️❤️
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OrlaDark on Chapter 1Sun 11 Apr 2021 09:28AM EDT
Thank you!
I hope I won’t disappoint much in later chapters!
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wonderer on Chapter 1Sun 11 Apr 2021 01:51AM EDT
There’s a general consensus of wanting to see more jealous CJ—and I agree!
For someone who claims to have become rusty, this is actually very well written.
Looking forward to the future chapters 🙂
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OrlaDark on Chapter 1Sun 11 Apr 2021 09:34AM EDT
Thank you and Thanks to Sarah, she made my simple writing more elegant!
Everyone love jealous CJ because he’s so cute and also because it’s karma for whole HJ mess. He did her dirty though, feel bad for her and hope she’ll get her happy inding with prince Yeongpyeong.
I just thought, we never saw SY being jealous, only heard about it on the show. Would be fun to write as separate one-shot, imagine how happy CJ would be knowing she’s as jealous type as he is.
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Changpham on Chapter 1Sun 11 Apr 2021 01:51PM EDT
The drama was unfair to So Yong for letting her appear so little, that many people hated So Yong after the ending.
I’m glad that you have exploited this, a new So Yong, strong, confident and living for herself.
Author-nim, fighting, I’m looking forward to the next chapter, you write well
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OrlaDark on Chapter 1Sun 11 Apr 2021 03:08PM EDT
ikr, SY didn’t deserve all that hate. I always felt bad about her and rooted for her. As much as I love season finale, I wish screenwriter handle things better.
Even strong people have their lowest points, her suicide attempt was that, but she also showed all signs of being a strong character in time.
Thank you for your comment!
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ddu_ddu on Chapter 1Mon 12 Apr 2021 10:33PM EDT
Thank you for writing this! It is sad how little of Soyong-Cheoljeong dynamic exists in the drama. I’m sure if they show how both of them grew together as a couple, instead of implying Cheoljong doesn’t really realize something different or Soyong would let Bonghwan “do everything and takes credit for it” – I wished they’d start afresh.
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OrlaDark on Chapter 1Tue 13 Apr 2021 04:19PM EDT
He liked her before BH, he fall in love when SY\BH were together, he keep loving her after BH gone. I have no doubt about it and explore CJ point of view in next chapter. I hope you would like it!
Thank you for your comment.
PS thinking about writing proper multi chapter with falling inlove again plot, bc this fic is still just extended one-shot
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makpalu on Chapter 1Thu 15 Apr 2021 06:58AM EDT
This is a very engaging track. Congratulations on your English fanfic debut. The truth is that I would never have guessed if you had not mentioned it because it is so well done! Thank you and please continue. I’d love to see where this goes.
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OrlaDark on Chapter 1Wed 21 Apr 2021 02:56PM EDT
This is thanks to Sarah, she makes my simple writing better. I hope I will be able improve my writing thanks to her.
Thanks for your comment!
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ukhoehong on Chapter 1Mon 19 Apr 2021 02:53PM EDT
Wow, this is really interesting. I love to see that the real So Young is also very bond and brave. And actually CJ loves her at the beginning because there is not many differences between SJ and BH. Please keep updating.
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OrlaDark on Chapter 1Wed 21 Apr 2021 03:01PM EDT
Thank you!
I think he likes her from beginning and that became great foundation for love in later episodes. I have no doubt that he continue loving her after BH gone. SY always was weird and quirky but not as much as SB.
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3rd-wheeler anti-fan on Chapter 1Tue 20 Apr 2021 05:36AM EDT
I always saw your comments on Mrs. Queen. Everytime it updates, aside from the fic itself, I was also looking forward to reading your comments there. Your insight is always an interesting read 😌
Thank you for blessing us with this fic! I really love reading new takes on CJ/SY relationship post-bonghwan. I always imagined SY as that brave woman who wanted to be free but couldn’t. I’m actually craving for more content about SY specially since the drama only gave us so few 😭 And I will always enjoy seeing jealous CJ hahahahaha. Please torment him more 😂 I’m really excited as to where their dynamic will be once CJ decides, will be waiting for your updates, fighting! ❤
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OrlaDark on Chapter 1Wed 21 Apr 2021 03:09PM EDT
OMG, thank you! I just love character analysis and can’t stop myself 🙂
I also feel robbed from SY content and this is why I started writing. And authors usually write about BH or SB, so I decided to balance things a bit 🙂
“Please torment him more”
Everyone love jealous CJ and want him suffer as payback for his attitude from early eps lol
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stickypearls on Chapter 1Mon 24 May 2021 06:11AM EDT
Oooh, I love your Soyong! She handles this issue so maturely, and I love that she is not afraid to make demands of taking a lover in case they can’t have a romantic relationship (it’s so very reasonable, he has got three other consorts already PLUS a palace full of maidservants and court ladies that he alone may touch). Can’t wait to see what happens next! 😀
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OrlaDark on Chapter 1Thu 27 May 2021 06:13PM EDT
Thank you!
I thought about SY wanting to leave palace before weddind because she don’t want live in misery. So it suits her character. She love Cheoljong, but she understands that if he doesn’t love her back she deserves better then marriage with one-sided love.
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Judey on Chapter 1Sun 27 Jun 2021 01:54AM EDT
Yaaassss Queen!!! You get yourself some, yeeehehessss!!!
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OrlaDark on Chapter 1Sun 11 Jul 2021 07:51AM EDT
If CJ ever rejects her again she has every right to find one and be happy!
Sorry for delayed answer.