TAEKOOK -- THE FROSTED CONSORT
4
The grand palace glittered under the lantern-lit sky, every corridor echoing with the sound of music, laughter, and footsteps in gold-threaded silk. It was the birthday celebration of Princess Seo-Ha, Queen Li Ara’s eldest daughter — and the halls of Jeon Kingdom roared with joy. Yet beneath all the sparkle, poison bloomed quietly.
Inside the Queen’s private chambers, a quieter gathering was taking place. The air smelled of lotus oil and sandalwood. Silk robes rustled as the queen’s personal maid, Kia, carefully fixed the queen’s jade hairpiece.
Seated on a cushioned dais, Queen Li Ara sipped her wine slowly, the corners of her crimson lips curled in a smirk that never quite reached her eyes.
Queen Of Jeon Kingdom- 1st Wife of Jk- O
How easily they forget, four years… and no one even speaks his name anymore.
Kia\ Li Ara's Personal maid\Loyal to her
Consort Taehyung was once favored. Some says His Majesty still--
Queen Of Jeon Kingdom- 1st Wife of Jk- O
Still what? Dreams of him? Missing him? Nonsense.
She stood, her robes flowing around her like waves of midnight. Power clung to her — the kind that wasn't granted, but stolen. She continued.
Queen Of Jeon Kingdom- 1st Wife of Jk- O
The Cold Palace was too generous, he should have been exiled or executed. But no—Jungkook, in his weakness, let him live… and now he sits like a ghost, waiting for pity.
Her words were venom, but her voice was sweet. That was Queen Li Ara — cunning, calculating, and utterly ruthless beneath her mask of grace. Just then, the beaded curtain parted. Concubine Mina entered, followed by Ye-Ji, both dressed elaborately — though clearly outshined by the queen. Mina smiled politely. She always did. Always quiet, always clinging to Ara’s side like a shadow.
Ye- ji\ Jungkook's 3rd Wife\ O
We heard the queen summoned us, is something troubling you?
Queen Of Jeon Kingdom- 1st Wife of Jk- O
Not at all. But tonight marks four years since Consort Taehyung’s fall. I think it’s time… we ensure he stays fallen.
Mina\ 2nd Wife of Jungkook \ O
He’s no longer a threat, Your Highness. The emperor hasn’t visited him in years.
Queen Of Jeon Kingdom- 1st Wife of Jk- O
Do you think men forget that easily? Jungkook may avoid his name, but he dreams of him still. I know it. The silence between them is too deep. It's not hate. It's regret.
Ye- ji\ Jungkook's 3rd Wife\ O
So… what do you propose?
Queen Of Jeon Kingdom- 1st Wife of Jk- O
We keep our positions by making sure the past never returns. The Emperor may seem blind, but if the right memories awaken, Taehyung might rise from the ashes. I want eyes on the Cold Palace. If even a whisper of him escapes those walls, I’ll know.
Mina hesitated, but Ye-Ji simply nodded. She had her own ambitions — she wanted the crown one day. Aligning with Ara was her safest bet.
Mina\ 2nd Wife of Jungkook \ O
What about Yuxi-Bai? She’s... distanced herself lately.
Queen Of Jeon Kingdom- 1st Wife of Jk- O
She's soft, pregnancy has made her sentimental. But I’ll remind her where her loyalty lies.
As if summoned by name, Concubine Yuxi-Bai entered, hand resting on her seven-month swollen belly. Her face was pale, but still beautiful. Still regal.
Yuxi-Bai\ 4th Wife of Jungkook\ O
Did I interrupt?
Queen Of Jeon Kingdom- 1st Wife of Jk- O
Not at all. We were just discussing how proud Jungkook will be when your son is born.
Ara's smile widened, though her eyes gleamed like a dagger’s edge. Yuxi-Bai gave a faint smile but avoided eye contact. Ara stepped closer, her voice like silk.
Queen Of Jeon Kingdom- 1st Wife of Jk- O
You know your position depends on my favor, Yuxi. Don’t let your heart wander where it shouldn’t. The Cold Palace is very cold… especially in winter.
Yuxi-Bai\ 4th Wife of Jungkook\ O
Ofcourse.
Inside, guilt churned. She had seen Taehyung once, secretly, through the lattice of the Cold Palace wall. He was kneeling in the garden, tending a wilted flower with bare hands. He hadn’t seen her — or maybe he had and just didn’t care.
And for a moment, she had remembered… How gentle he used to be. How kind. How wrong it was to take part in his ruin. But guilt was a luxury she couldn’t afford — not with a child inside her. So she bowed.
Yuxi-Bai\ 4th Wife of Jungkook\ O
I remain loyal to Queen.
Meanwhile, in the Cold Palace…
Taehyung sneezed softly, fingers red from the cold as he wrapped his shawl tighter. Ye-Eun brought hot soup in a clay bowl, her expression troubled.
Ye- Eun- Taehyung's Personal Maid\ Loyal
They speak of you again, Your Highness. The Queen has summoned her circle.
Taehyung didn’t react. He just sipped the soup quietly.
Taehyung\5th Wife of JK- Supreme omega
Let them speak, the more they remember me, the more power I hold… even if I do nothing.
Ye- Eun- Taehyung's Personal Maid\ Loyal
Are you planning something?
Taehyung\5th Wife of JK- Supreme omega
Not yet, but fate moves. And when the truth rises, not even the Empress Dowager will be able to stop it.
He looked up at the moon, and this time — his eyes were not cold. They burned.
Author🥨
That's it for today.
Author🥨
See you next time.
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