*CHAPTER 7*
*DAY 6*
Seryeon had just woken up when Booni burst into the room, clutching a letter.
*Seryeon:* "Who sent it?"
*Booni:* "Who else do you think, My Lady?"
A smile flickered across Seryeon's face, but it quickly faded. She took the letter and paused.
*Seryeon:* "As the future Queen, I must always be presentable. Let's bathe first."
After bathing, she changed into soft pink robes and sat down to eat. Her thoughts kept drifting back to the letter. Her heart beat slowly, uneasily.
She carefully opened the envelope and her smile vanished.
*LETTER:*
PRINCESS YEONHWA,
I HOPE YOU STILL REMEMBER YOUR PROMISE.
HOW ARE YOU GOING TO REPAY ME?
She dropped the letter, her expression darkening. Then she called Booni in.
*Seryeon:* "Yesterday… what happened to the speech? You changed it, didn't you?"
Booni immediately fell to her knees, trembling.
*Booni:* "My Lady, please forgive me. I remember bumping into someone, but I didn't see her face clearly. As for the speech… I don't remember changing it. Unless that woman did."
Seryeon's mind raced. Who had humiliated her?
*Seryeon:* "Is the kitchen busy? Let's do something fun today."
Booni dared not refuse. She followed her Lady, along with the other maids.
*Seryeon:* "Today, we're preparing a special meal for the Crown Prince. Are you all ready?"
They nodded and got to work.
*IN THE CROWN PRINCE'S QUARTERS*
Jehun sat in fury. His royal seal had vanished either during the night or the day before. This was treason. The punishment: death.
Guards scoured every corner of the palace. Jehun clenched his fists. This had never happened before.
*Jehun:* "Find it. Search every room in the palace."
A guard knelt before him.
*Guard:* "Your Highness, with respect, we've searched everywhere except the royal households. We await your permission."
Jehun gave it.
Just then, Booni and the maids arrived with trays of food.
*Booni:* "Your Highness, My Lady prepared breakfast for you."
Jehun had no appetite, but he forced himself to eat so as not to offend Seryeon.
Booni noticed the guards but thought little of it. She returned to inform Seryeon.
Seryeon was delighted. But when they returned, her door was ajar. She peeked inside and froze.
Before she could react, the guards arrived.
*Guard:* "Your Highness, you are under arrest for stealing the Crown Prince's royal seal. Anything you say will be used against you in court."
*Seryeon:* "The royal seal? Why would I steal it? It's not like it can be sold!"
The guards seized her.
*Booni:* "My Lady! My Lady!"
But Seryeon was already gone.
***
*IN THE COURTROOM*
Seryeon sat, shackled and trembling. Jehun hadn't arrived yet. Tears streamed down her face. This was her worst fear.
The doors opened. Jehun entered, unaware of who the accused was. He passed her and took his seat. The King and Queen Dowager followed.
*Minister:* "Your Highness, this woman stole your royal seal."
Gasps echoed through the court.
*Jehun:* "Bring her forward. Let me see her."
Seryeon stepped into the light. Jehun's face turned pale. The Queen Dowager and King were equally stunned.
*Jehun:* "...You... you mean... she's the one?"
His voice trembled. He looked at Seryeon with disbelief and pain. Never had he imagined he'd be forced to punish the woman he loved.
*King:* "Is there any evidence?"
Silence.
*Minister Kwon:* "Your Highness, the seal was found in her chambers. What more evidence is needed?"
*King:* "This is different. She is the future Queen. We've invested so much in her—how can we replace her now?"
Though the King defended her, he was deeply unsettled. First, they had forced her to pose as a princess . Now, she might have to die.
*Jehun:* "This isn't true. Someone must have planted the seal in her room."
*Minister Hwang:* "No, My Prince. We must not let love blind us. She clearly stole it."
*Jehun:* "Court adjourned. We will reconvene tomorrow. Bring evidence whether to prove her guilt or innocence."
He stepped down and approached Seryeon.
*Jehun:* "My Lady..."
Just hearing his voice broke her. She wept as he carried her to the prison cell. Though he loved her, he couldn't act on it not without risking his throne.
It was clear: either he would step down from the throne to save her, or she would go to jail and later be executed for treason.
He placed her in the cell. Her makeup was gone. She wore a bloodstained white robe.
*LATE AFTERNOON*
Booni was despondent. She hadn't eaten. She tried to visit the cell but was turned away by the guards.
*IN THE INTERROGATION ROOM*
Seryeon's hands were chained. She faced the Head of Interrogation. Her voice was gone. Her body was bruised and bloodied. Her tears had dried.
*Head of Interrogation:* "Tell us why you stole the royal seal."
Seryeon lifted her head weakly and shook it.
*Seryeon:* "I... d-did... not... steal... it..."
She coughed blood. Her body was covered in frostbite and lice. Her feet were torn and bleeding.
Minister Kwon entered, whispered something to the HOI, and the man left.
*Minister Kwon:* "You know, My Lady, when a tail grows too long, we cut it off. Look at you now. Judging by your wounds, you won't last long. Are you ready to die?"
Seryeon glared at him.
*Minister Kwon:* "That look means nothing. Do you want to know what happens after you die? Your foolish husband will follow. They'll call it eternal love. Then the Queen Dowager will follow. As for the King he's already being dealt with."
Seryeon's heart pounded, but she showed no fear.
*Seryeon:* "What do you want?"
*Minister Kwon:* "Simple. Say the Queen Dowager gave you the seal. I won't promise your life, but your husband will live. My daughter will become Queen. That's all."
Seryeon's mind spiraled. If it meant Jehun would live, she would risk anything.
*Minister Kwon:* "You have until tomorrow. If you can't face the Queen Dowager, write a confession. I'll make sure your death is... peaceful and unforgettable. Who knows it might be engraved in your husband's heart forever"
He left. The HOI returned.
*HOI:* "We'll continue until you confess."
Seryeon raised her head.
*Seryeon:* "I'll do it. Yes... I'll do it."
*END OF CHAPTER 7*
THIRTY DAYS MY PRINCESS
🤥🤥LITTLE UGLY KID