[M] The Beginning (1/1)

Seulgi was taken aback by those words and immediately stood in attention facing the wall behind Seungwan.“Seulgi-ah! I have loved you since our happy childhood days, but as I grew I couldn’t tell you any of my true feelings because we’re way too busy doing our own work,” Princess Joohyun spoke softly while massaging Seulgi’s tensed shoulders.“I beg your pardon, princess. I am just a filthy servant of yours, while you’re the throne princess to this dynasty. I don’t deserve to be in your presence, much of your love,” Seulgi slowly said, meticulously careful with what she said to the princess.“No money, no rank, no status can separate love, Kang Seulgi, and I truly believe that,” Princess Joohyun now spoke in a more seductive way.“But, princess, you’re sup…” Seulgi’s statement was interjected by Seungwan’s groan as she stretched her body, trying to awake from her sleep. Seeing as an opportunity, Seulgi put the princess’ soft hands down from her shoulders, bowed, and walked out of the room. As soon as she was completely out, she ran hurriedly towards the castle’s river and sit on the river bank. She was completely bedazzled by what Princess Joohyun said to her and she couldn’t seem to get over it. Truthfully, Seulgi has developed feelings for the princess since they were children, but she knew that she would never be the princess’ lover. However, after hearing that the princess also loves her, she ran away and made the princess’ feelings torn down.“Ah! What a stupid person I am! I should’ve accept her offer!” a part of her brain opinionated.“You’re just a bodyguard, Kang Seulgi! She’s the throne princess to the dynasty that you stood in! She’s way out of your league!” another part of her brain exclaimed.Both parts of her brain kept on fighting and fighting until she felt a tap on her back. She turned around to see who tapped her and she was very shocked when she saw the Empress standing behind her. Seulgi immediately got down on one knee and bowed to her, but the empress held her, helped her stand, and asked one of her maids to bring tissue. Seulgi, who couldn’t bear to look at the empress, kept staring down at the mowed grass growing from the banks. After the maid returned with tissue, Empress Kim immediately lifted Seulgi’s face and wiped the tears that ran down on her cheeks.“What’s the matter this time, my dear Seulgi?” Empress Kim asked with a ‘mother’ smile painted on her face.“It’s nothing for you to worry about, Your Highness. It’s just a small problem,” Seulgi replied while trying to hold back her tears.“It’s definitely not a small problem, Seulgi, because you are one of the most courageous and brave people I’ve ever met. That’s why I love and care for you so much. You wouldn’t cry for small things. So tell me, dear, what’s bugging you this time?” Empress Kim questioned her again, still with her soft and calming tone.“But, Your Highness, if you hear what I’m about to tell you, you might dislike me and behead me,” Seulgi said hesitantly.“Oh, my dear Seulgi. I will never harm you in any way. Nothing will change that now or forever,” Empress Kim reassured Seulgi to tell her Seulgi’s problems.“Your Highness, your daughter, Princess Kim Joohyun, just confessed her love for me. Truthfully, I love her so very much, Your Highness, but she’s way out of my league. She’s the throne princess to this dynasty and I’m just a soldier who works for her. I’m worried that I will ruin her path to succeed you,” Seulgi told carefully.Empress Kim chuckled and said, “Oh, Kang Seulgi. I’ve known for a long time that Joohyun is in love with you. Ever since you guys were little, you always protect Joohyun from any danger, even the smallest things like flies or mosquitoes although you’re younger than her. I’m actually waiting for her to confess her love to you as I reassured her many times to just say it to you. I’m really happy if both of you become an item. Just accept her for who she is, my dear Seulgi. That’s all I’m asking from you.”Seulgi blushed and answered, “Your Highness, the problem is that am I enough for her? Will she accept this lowly servant of hers to be her girlfriend?”“That’s the answer that you should figure out by yourself,” Empress Kim advised, “Seulgi-ah, I would like to chat more with you. I am going to Park Dynasty for a week and I should be going right now. When I get back, feel free to talk to me anytime you want. I’ve always feel that you’re already my daughter since the day you were born.”“Thank you, Your Highness,” Seulgi replied while helping the empress stand from the lawn. Seulgi then bowed to the empress as she saw the empress slowly walked away. After the empress and her entourage had left, Seulgi returned to the lawn and laid down near the banks as she heard the sound of water rushing on the river. The empress and the entourage, including Seulgi’s mother, Kang Seohyun, went for the Park Dynasty by the Royal Navy’s Empress Ship.Before sailing on board, Empress Kim whispered to Seulgi and said, “Don’t take her for granted, my dear Seulgi. Just accept every opportunity thrown at you right now or else you may regret the choices that you made now in your later life.”“Yes, Your Highness. I understand now,” Seulgi replied, thanking the empress’ wise advice for her.After every member of the trip had boarded the ship, the ship began to sail with many waving hands left on the dock, one of which were Princess Joohyun. After the ship was no where to be seen, Princess Joohyun approached Seulgi and held her hands.Then, she continued by saying, “Seulgi-ah, I’m sorry if I had taken you like a hurricane. I know it’s not wise for me to do, but I can’t hold it back anymore. Mother has assured me to tell you many times, but my pride and ego seemed to always block the way. When I saw you yesterday, the way you cared for me that night, it made my heart melt even further and made me finally able to gather every single courage that I have and confess to you.”“Princess, I’m not mad or upset to you. I can’t possibly do that. Not now, not in a million years. Princess, the truth is… Ugh! I can’t do it, princess. I’m sorry,” Seulgi said as she ran away from the princess.It left the princess baffled and upset by what Seulgi done to her, but she knew that she could never hate Seulgi even after every rejection that she received from her. The princess walked back to her quarters along with Seungwan and the rest of the entourage. When she arrived at her room, she ordered her entourage to lea