❗️TW: Violence❗️

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Daehan fought back tears, his heart hammering in his chest at the mere thought of facing the infamous cruelty of the prince. Fear gnawed at his insides, twisting and churning as he imagined the consequences of his real gender and his mute condition being uncovered. Every fibre of his being quivered with trepidation as he awaited the inevitable arrival of his betrothed.

When the prince finally entered, Daehan's breath caught in his throat and instinctively lowered himself into a respectful bow.

The prince approached with an air of nonchalance, his presence casting a shadow of apprehension over the already tense atmosphere. As he settled beside Daehan, the prince's words cut through the silence like a blade, "I made it clear to father that I had no interest in extravagant weddings," the prince remarked, his voice tinged with an air of impatience. "I detest wasting time on frivolities. I hope you don't take offence."

With practised ease, he poured the nuptial drink into the awaiting cups, offering one to Daehan with a gesture that bordered on indifference. Daehan accepted the cup with hands that trembled uncontrollably, his heart pounding furiously in his chest as he struggled to maintain his composure. With a hesitant nod, he conveyed that he didn't take any offence, though beneath the facade of compliance lay a tempest of fear and uncertainty.

The prince drank from his cup while his piercing gaze bore into Daehan's trembling form as he spoke, his words laced with impatience and frustration. "Are you mute or something? Can't you speak?" he demanded, his tone cutting through the tense silence like a blade. "I haven't heard a single word from you since your arrival. You didn't even speak at the royal court... Do you not realize how disrespectful that is?" With a swift motion, Youngjae snatched the cup from Daehan's grasp, his frustration evident as he confronted the silent figure before him.

"And why on earth are you not drinking this?" he continued, his voice edged with exasperation. Without waiting for a response, he seized Daehan's jaw, forcing his mouth open before pouring the liquid down his throat with a forceful gesture.

As Daehan coughed from the forceful drink, panic and fear reflected in his eyes. He desperately gestured towards his mouth, trying to convey his mute condition to the perplexed Crown Prince Lee Youngjae. The realization slowly dawned on Youngjae as he observed Daehan's silent struggle.

"You're mute?" Youngjae asked, a mix of surprise and annoyance in his tone. Daehan nodded fervently, attempting to communicate without words.

Youngjae's expression shifted from irritation to mild amusement. "Well, this is unexpected. A mute consort. I suppose that could have its advantages."

Daehan's eyes widened, uncertain about what Youngjae meant by 'advantages'. The prince, undeterred by Daehan's discomfort, continued to observe him with a scrutinizing gaze.

"Fine, you don't need to speak," Youngjae said, pouring himself another drink. "Just nod or shake your head. Simple enough, right?"

Daehan nodded cautiously, relief washing over him that the prince seemed willing to adapt to his mute condition. However, the unease lingered, as Youngjae's unpredictable nature kept him on edge.

The prince sipped his drink and studied Daehan with those captivating purple eyes. "Let's make a deal, Consort Joo. You stay out of my way, and I won't bother you. I have no interest in wasting time on a wedding charade."

Daehan nodded in agreement, looking at the prince with fear.

Youngjae leaned back on the bed, his expression unreadable as he spoke, "This is our wedding night, and the expectation is that we consummate this marriage." His eyes bore into Daehan's, searching for any hint of reaction.

Daehan's heart sank as he lowered his gaze, his stomach churning with apprehension. The moment he had dreaded had finally arrived. What would happen now? Would the prince discover his true gender?

As Youngjae set his cup aside, his voice softened slightly, though the weight of his words hung heavily in the air. "However, I have no interest in that either... So, you can go to your chambers." With that, he lay down on the bed, closing his eyes as if to signal an end to the conversation.

Relief flooded through Daehan at the unexpected turn of events. He bowed silently, exiting the crown prince's chambers, and began his journey towards the east wing in search of his own quarters.

After a while, he finally arrived at his chambers. As he glanced at the sign 'Pavilion of Elegance' and entered the chambers. The room was adorned with exquisite flowers, flickering candles, and opulent furnishings. The bed beckoned with its inviting cosiness, draped in luxurious velvet covers and framed by billowing silk curtains. Near the mirror, a display of ornate jewels from his in-laws shimmered alongside delicate makeup. Adjacent to them stood a towering wardrobe, its doors revealing a treasure trove of sumptuous robes, all tailored for a woman's form.

Daehan's heart sank as he surveyed the lavish surroundings, the weight of his predicament settling heavily upon him. "I will have to live as a woman... I cannot risk anyone discovering my true identity," he thought to himself.

Daehan gingerly settled onto the bed, hoping to find solace in sleep. Yet, anxiety and fear gnawed at him relentlessly, rendering him incapable of finding any respite throughout the long night. Each creak of the bedstead seemed to echo his apprehensions, a constant reminder of the perilous situation he now found himself in. The shadow of dread loomed large, his mind haunted by the ominous tales of Youngjae's previous brides and the fate they had met.

As dawn approached, a fitful slumber finally overcame him, only to be abruptly shattered by the faint sounds emanating from outside. Intrigued and wary, Daehan tiptoed towards the window, his heart pounding with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation, 

"YOU CAN'T EVEN DO THIS SIMPLE TASK? ARE YOU A JESTER?!" Daehan witnessed Youngjae's furious outburst directed at a trembling man, sending waves of fear rippling through the gathered guards, servants, and maids.

"Y-Your H-Highness...I-I t-tried m-my b-best..." the man stammered in a feeble attempt to defend himself.

Youngjae seized the man's collar, his eyes ablaze with anger as he bore down on him. "Tried your best?!" he spat out with disdain, the intensity of his glare enough to send shivers down the man's spine. "What a joke! You've been feeding me that excuse every time. DO I LOOK LIKE A FOOL TO YOU?! YOU ARE MY SPY....YOU SHOULD HAVE UNCOVERED THE CULPRITS' IDENTITIES IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FIRST TRAGEDY STRUCK!"

"Y-Your H-H-Highness....I-I...." The man's voice faltered, drowned out by the weight of Youngjae's wrath, his own fear palpable in the air.

Youngjae's gaze bore into the traitorous spy with unbridled fury. "You are one of them... you're a traitor as well," he accused, his voice dripping with contempt. Without hesitation, he drew his sword and thrust it into the spy's stomach, crimson blood spattering across Youngjae's face and garments.

The spy crumpled to the ground, lifeless, a pool of blood spreading beneath his motionless form. In the heavy silence that followed, broken only by the soft patter of blood droplets, Youngjae's cold command sliced through the air. "Arrange his funeral," he ordered, his voice devoid of remorse as he turned away from the grisly scene.

Yet, as he moved to depart, his eyes met Daehan's horrified gaze near the window. Frozen in terror, Daehan quivered uncontrollably, his wide eyes locked with Youngjae's, now streaked with the crimson evidence of his ruthless actions. 

Daehan instinctively lowered his gaze and bowed deeply as Youngjae spoke, his heart still racing from the harrowing encounter. "Join me for the royal morning greetings in about 30 minutes," Youngjae instructed before departing, his retinue of maids and servants trailing behind him.

As soon as Youngjae left, Daehan hastened to shut the window, unable to bear the gruesome sight any longer. With trembling hands, he closed his eyes briefly, attempting to steady his ragged breaths and compose himself.

Before he could gather his wits, a group of maids entered his chambers, their demeanour respectful as they bowed before him. "Your Highness, we are here to assist you in preparing for the day. Would you like to begin with a bath?" they inquired, their voices gentle and soothing amidst the lingering tension in the room.

Daehan regarded the maids with a hint of apprehension before nodding slowly in response to their offer. With measured steps, they led him towards the royal bathing chambers, the opulence of the surroundings momentarily overshadowed by Daehan's unease.

Upon entering the bathing chambers, Daehan's eyes widened at the sight of the grand sunken bath that dominated the space, its luxurious aura only serving to heighten his nervousness.

As the maids moved to assist him in disrobing, Daehan's heart raced with panic. In a sudden surge of apprehension, he recoiled from their touch and waved his hand dismissively, a silent plea to maintain his secret. Confusion flickered across the maids' faces, but they obediently withdrew, offering respectful bows before departing the chambers.

Alone at last, Daehan shed his clothes, his pulse quickening with a mixture of fear and relief. Slipping into the warm embrace of the bath, infused with fragrant flowers, herbs, and essential oils, he allowed himself a moment of respite amidst the turmoil of his new reality.

Once Daehan emerged from the bathing chambers, enveloped in a soft bathing robe, he encountered the maids waiting dutifully outside, their heads respectfully bowed. With a subtle gesture, he indicated for them to remain in place as he retreated back into his chambers.

Inside, he surveyed the wardrobe, eventually selecting a delicate pink floral robe to adorn himself with. With careful precision, he dressed himself, feeling the fabric settle around him as he prepared to face the day ahead.

Stepping out once more, Daehan summoned the maids into his chambers. With practised expertise, they tended to his hair and makeup, adorning him with intricate jewellery that enhanced his appearance, transforming him into a vision of ethereal beauty, akin to the Goddess of flowers herself.

Guided by the maids, Daehan made his way to the royal hall for the morning greetings. There, he beheld Youngjae, resplendent in royal blue robes, his handsome visage belying the recent turmoil that had unfolded.

As Daehan took his place beside Youngjae with a respectful bow, he couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that lingered in the air, a stark reminder of the events that had transpired just moments ago.

"So, this is the new bride?! I must say she looks even lovelier than your previous brides, Crown Prince!" A sly smirk adorned the face of the man seated across from Youngjae and Daehan. "Well, hello, Crown Princess... I am Prince Lee Minwoo, the Emperor's brother—"

"9th half brother to be precise!" Youngjae interjected sharply, his eyes flashing with a hint of disdain.

Minwoo glanced briefly at Youngjae before redirecting his attention to Daehan, who offered him a respectful bow in acknowledgement.

Seated beside Minwoo, a lady with a radiant smile spoke up, "I am Princess Kim Jiyoon, wife of Prince Minwoo... It's regrettable we couldn't attend the ceremony yesterday—"

"There was nothing of significance transpiring here that warranted your presence!" Youngjae's interruption sliced through the air like a blade, his gaze sharp as he regarded both husband and wife with thinly veiled contempt.

Daehan glanced at Youngjae, puzzled by the sudden tension in the air, his confusion mirroring the uncertainty swirling around the room. Before the conversation could progress further, however, the atmosphere shifted with the entrance of the Emperor and Empress, prompting all present to bow respectfully in deference to their sovereigns.

As the Emperor and Empress settled into their seats, the hall filled with an air of anticipation, punctuated by the Emperor's genial greeting. "It warms my heart to see you all gathered here for the morning greetings," he remarked with a warm smile.

The Empress's gaze turned towards Daehan, her expression gentle and welcoming. "Today's morning greetings hold special significance as it marks Princess Joo's inaugural attendance," she remarked, her smile radiating genuine warmth. "Your presence has brought a renewed sense of joy to the palace, and we vow to ensure your happiness, safety, and protection. Rest assured, the tragedies of the past shall not be repeated under our watch," she declared solemnly.

Somewhat reassured by the empress's words, Daehan returned the gesture with a smile and a respectful bow.

Turning to Daehan, the Emperor addressed him with a friendly inquiry. "Princess Joo, how are you finding the palace thus far?" he inquired, his tone laced with genuine curiosity and warmth.

"My consort is unable to speak... Allow me to speak on behalf of my spouse," Youngjae announced suddenly, catching everyone off guard, including Daehan himself.

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