Sungyeol POV

I couldn't believe my father was able to subdue both my mother and the council so easily. It looks like I really do have much to learn if I am to take the throne one day.

After the announcement, Jiyeon was sent to the Crown Princess' chambers to begin her lessons. I, on the other hand, was told to focus on my studies and to stay away from her until the day our wedding ceremony was to take place.

It felt like an eternity, but after a couple of months our wedding was held. It was one of the happiest days of my life. Jiyeon looked beautiful in her wedding gown, but the most beautiful part about her was the smile she wore on her face. The smile I fell in love with.

I figured life would be different once I was married, but I never expected it to be busier. It seemed as though they were giving me more and more work so that I would have less time to spend with my new bride. My mother must not have liked the idea of us consummating the marriage, because she would always try and find an excuse when an auspicious date was chosen.

Months passed quickly, but despite my mother's interference I always managed to find ways to sneak away from my duties in order to see Jiyeon. Her smile always seemed to brighten my day. I was happy to have her by my side.

As time passed, I noticed that she seemed to get paler. One day, when I had managed to sneak away to visit her, I found her in her chambers barely breathing. Thankfully, I managed to summon the Royal Physician before something bad happened.

"What happened?" I asked her.

"I've been feeling sick as of late. That is all" she smiled.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I didn't want to worry you. I thought it was just a cold."

I turned to the Royal Physician "How is my wife?"

Jiyeon POV

Please don't tell him the truth. I pleaded with my eyes.

"Her body has become very weak from her illness" the doctor stated. "Had she summoned a doctor sooner, we may have been able to prevent some of the damage that has been done."

"Will she be okay?" he sounded worried.

"Forgive me Jeoha, but it is hard to say. Her body has become very frail due to the stress her illness has placed on her."

"Just answer me!" he screamed.

"Jeoha" I weakly spoke. "Please calm down and let us listen to what the doctor has to say." I looked up at him and smiled. Then I looked at the doctor and said "Please continue."

"The Crown Princess is very weak right now. She may get better with treatment, but I can not guarantee that she will make a full recovery. Had she come to us sooner......" he trailed off. His message was clear. I will not survive this.

"Thank you doctor" I weakly smiled. "You may go."

"Yes" he bowed. "I will prepare your medicine right away. Be sure to take it once it arrives."

"Thank you doctor."

Sungyeol POV

I followed the doctor out and asked him quietly "How long does she have?"

"Not long" he whispered back.

"Is it poison?"

He looked around nervously, then nodded "I believe so."

"Thank you" I choked. "You may go."

I held back the tears that were threatening to fall. I knew there was only one person in the palace who would do this, but there was no way to prove it.

Once I calmed myself, I returned to Jiyeon's side. "The doctor said that he would prepare your medication right away. Don't worry, you'll be better in no time at all."

"You don't have to lie to me" she weakly replied. "I know that I am dying."

"No you are not!" I screamed back at her. "The doctor is going to make you all better" I started to cry. I wanted to believe that she was going to get better. I didn't want to accept that she was going to die. I knew that if she died, my mother would try and force me to marry the girl she had wanted me to marry before.

"Jeoha" she weakly spoke once more. "I may not be able to be by your side for much longer, but I promise that I will protect this place. I will make sure that you will be able to marry the girl you want. The girl with the smile you love" she smiled and then began to have a coughing fit.

"Don't worry about that right now. You're not going to... die. Just... rest" I stuttered. I didn't know what to do. I felt completely powerless knowing that I could not prevent what was going to happen.

Jiyeon POV

Tears fell from my eyes as he held me in his arms as though I was the most precious thing in the world to him. I have to protect him. I won't let them have their way. They will not steal this position from the one who truly deserves to be here.

I closed my eyes in his warm embrace one last time as I felt my life slowly drift away from my body. When I next opened my eyes I was still in the Crown Princess's chambers, but the heavy weight of my body was no longer there.

I could only watch as Sungyeol held my funeral and mourned my loss.

Sungyeol POV

It had only been a week since Jiyeon had passed away, when my mother came to me and said "We need to consider choosing a new bride for you as soon as possible. I think choosing one of the girls from the previous selection would be the best idea."

"I can't believe you are saying this right now! It hasn't even been that long since Jiyeon passed away and you already want me to marry someone else?" I screamed.

"You need to think about the future. You are the Crown Prince. It is your duty to chose a Crown Princess and have children to carry on the Royal Family's legacy."

"No!" I screamed at her.

"Sungyeol..." my mother tried to reason with me. "You need to listen to me. This is what is best for you."

"No! You listen to me!" I screamed back at her. "I'm not going to marry anyone that you choose for me!"

"Sungyeol, it is the duty of the Inner Court..."

"To murder the Crown Princess?" I spoke up with certainty.

My mother's face flinched with anxiety for a brief moment, but she quickly regained her composure. "You should not say things that you can not prove."

"And you should know that I wouldn't have said anything if I didn't already have proof" I smiled as I threatened her back.

Her smile began to waver "That's not possible" she nervously countered.

"Why do you say that?" my father appeared from around the corner.

"Jeonha!" her eyes widened with fear.

"You know your son better than that. He is not one to deliver empty threats" my father smiled.

"Jeonha, it's not what you think. I've been framed!" she tried to find any excuse that might save her.

"Don't lie to me!" he screamed at her. "I already know what you are capable of doing in order to get what you want."

"Jeonha" she cowered back.

"Sungyeol" my father turned his attention to me now. "Is there another girl you wish to marry at this time?"

"No, father."

"I see." He thought about it for a bit and then said "When you have decided on whom you wish to marry, let me know."

"I will father."