Chapter 3 - Meeting the King

“Excuse me, your majesty”

I bow. A perfect greeting if I must say so myself!

The King gives a wry smile.

“Jin, no need to stand on formalities here, we’re alone after all”

“Very well”

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Awkward…

The King clears his throat.

“Well, you’re off to the academy today correct?”

“That’s correct”

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…

…

I want to die.

“You know I met your mother when I went to the academy”

Wahhhh! He never talks about Mom!

…Actually I guess I wouldn’t know what he talks about normally.

“Our marriage was after we graduated. I want you to do the same”

Wahhhh! Marriage is it?!

“The nobles and officials are always on my back to take another wife, but my heart will forever be with Melinda”

Mother…

“The pressure will disappear if the crown prince gets married”

Ah, so that’s what this is about.

The King smiles wryly.

“I know you already have a fiancé and its fine if you marry her, but if you want to marry someone else once the academy is over, you have my full support! Marriage has to be about love after all!”

Wow, no wonder Jin dumped his fiancé so easily. It was this guy’s influence.

“Very well”

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Ah! The King averted his eyes! He’s feeling awkward too! It’s not just me!

“If that’s all”

I begin to leave.

The King calls out to me just before I leave and begins to stumble over his words nervously.

“D…do you hate me? You must I suppose, after all I’ve done… Or rather, what I haven’t done…”

The King calls out and then trails off sounding rather pathetic.

I turn.

“I don’t hate you, I think you’re a good King. The people and nobles alike all think you’re a great ruler”

The King appears confused for a bit.

“But as a father…”

“I mean I don’t really have a father do I?”

Ah, that was harsh.

See!! The King looks really depressed now!

Curse this sharp tongue!

“Ah, yea, I suppose I haven’t really acted as a father…”

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“If that’s all”

I begin to leave again. This situation is way too contentious. I feel like I’m going to puke again.

“Wait!”

The King sounds desperate. I turn to see the King with tear stained cheeks.

“I…I’m sorry. I just…Your eyes look so much like Melinda’s. It causes my heart to break again every time I see them…”

Ohh. That makes some sense I guess. It’s not really an excuse to not see your son for 15 years though.

“I don’t know if we can ever have a father-son relationship and I’m still reminded of your mother every time I look at you. But looking at you walk away now, I feel like if I don’t start making an effort now, we’ll never have a relationship. That, I’ll lose you the same way I lost your mother…”

Woh… Alright. That’s straight from the heart. There’s no point being stubborn here, that’ll just end in regret for everyone. It’s better to just let bygones be bygones. Jin desperately wants a relationship with his father after all.

I open my mouth.

…

Then close it very quickly.

You were about to say something awful again weren’t you Jin?! I felt it!

Something like “Don’t speak to me so familiarly” or “If that’s all”.

Don’t be heartless! Alright, this is going to take some will power.

Look at the King! No, look at your father! He looks so desperate.

This prolonged silence isn’t helping either.

“….I…Where do we even start?”

Ok, that’s good Jin. Very good. Let out your feelings.

The King’s face is blank for a few seconds and then tears begin to fall from his eyes.

A glorious smile appears on his face. Wow, he’s so handsome!

I couldn’t tell before, but he’s only in his late 30’s by the looks of it!

All the noblewomen must be dying to marry him. Good luck competing with that, noblemen!

The King walks towards me, arms outstretched and pulls me into a deep embrace before I can react.

That’s when the floodgates open and I’m blinded by the tears coming out of my eyes.

Father’s crying as well.

Yea, this is nice.

I have a feeling if the original Jin was in control, this wouldn’t have happened.