Chapter 22
Disclaimer: Some scenes in this chapter may not be suited for young readers.
Eun Jung let out an audible gasp when she felt Prince JiangSu’s tender kiss intensify into an impassioned exploration of her mouth. Fearing that her knees would give way; Eun Jung draped her arms around Prince JiangSu’s waist to steady herself. Upon feeling her slender arms tighten around him; Prince JiangSu slowly opened his eyes, to examine every inch of Eun Jung's beautiful face. Overwhelmed by his growing attraction to her; Prince JiangSu desperately fought the urge to carry Eun Jung to bed, and reluctantly pulled away from their kiss to say, “Soo Jin, if you don’t want this to go any further, say so now.” Although, she longed to consent to Prince JiangSu’s apparent desire to consummate their marriage; Eun Jung knew that doing so would only serve to augment their eventual heartache. Averting her gaze from Prince JiangSu’s piercing brown eyes; Eun Jung rested her face onto his chest, and apologized by saying, “I’m so sorry.” As silence overtook the room, Eun Jung could hear nothing but the rhythmic beating of Prince JiangSu’s heart, and wondered how much her refusal had hurt him.
Despite feeling an unbearable sense of disappointment, Prince JiangSu was resolved not to let it show on his face. Gently taking a hold of Eun Jung's chin; Prince JiangSu slowly tilted her face upwards so she could see him say, “Don’t be sorry. Just know that I love you enough to wait an entire lifetime for you to return my affections.” Eun Jung was completely disoriented by Prince JiangSu’s sudden declaration of love, and found that she had to remind herself to breath. As Prince JiangSu’s words reverberated in her mind; Eun Jung became desperate to tell him that he would not have to wait a lifetime for her to return his affections. Casting aside every single negative thought in her mind; Eun Jung leaned in close to Prince JiangSu, and asked in a barely audible whisper, “JiangSu, do you know that I love you enough not to make you wait?” Observing the stunned expression on Prince JiangSu’s face, Eun Jung inquired tentatively, “Aren’t you going to take me to bed now?”
In one fluid motion; Prince JiangSu swept Eun Jung up in his arms, and carried her over to their bed. As he gently placed her down onto the covers, Prince JiangSu stared into Eun Jung’s eyes and asked, “Is this what you really want? I’ll understand if you tell me that you’re not ready.” Without saying a single word; Eun Jung slightly bit her lower lip, inhaled sharply and proceeded to untie the fastened bow on her garment. After taking off her hanbok, Eun Jung set it aside and placed Prince JiangSu’s jade pendent atop the discarded garment. With her eyes fixed on Prince JiangSu’s face; Eun Jung finally replied, “I’m sure that I want you to be the only man to possess me.” Unable to suppress a smile from appearing on his face; Prince JiangSu asked, “Do you know how happy those fourteen little words have made me?” Reaching out for her hanbok, Eun Jung smiled before she replied, “If you want to talk, we can do that instead.” Grabbing a hold of the hanbok before Eun Jung could get to it; Prince JiangSu teased, “There won't be any more talking tonight.” Recalling that dusk had barely set in, Prince JiangSu began to worry that their important night would be interrupted by the maids and attendants.
As he untied the ropes, which held back the bed curtains, Prince JiangSu said to Eun Jung, “Don’t go anywhere. I’ll be right back.” Confused by Prince JiangSu’s strange instructions; Eun Jung looked down at her attire, and asked, “Where does he think that I’ll go dressed like this?” Once she was alone in the room; Eun Jung began to question whether she had made the right decision, but quickly decided that she loved Prince JiangSu enough to accept any of the resulting consequences. Before she could ruminate any longer on the issue, Eun Jung heard the door open, and knew that Prince JiangSu had returned. As she watched him make his way onto their bed, Eun Jung asked, “Where did you go?” With a wide grin on his face, Prince JiangSu replied, “I went to get rid of all the potential interruptions.” Not allowing Eun Jung to respond; Prince JiangSu made a move to touch her right ear and said, “Now let me see if I can figure out why you won’t let me touch your ears.” As she let out a boisterous giggle, Eun Jung hastily dodged Prince JiangSu hand and exclaimed loudly, “Stop that!”
In contrast to the happy atmosphere of the Jaseondang; the prevailing mood at the residence of Concubine Su, was decidedly more somber. When Prince Hyo and Prince Dae Hyun had returned from the Gyotaejeon; they were met by their royal mother in the main hall. Before either of her sons had taken their seats, Concubine Su gruffly asked, “Did your royal father say anything about me?” Thinking that it would be best to conceal that the King had only spoken disparagingly of her; Prince Dae Hyun quickly replied, “Unfortunately, our royal father did not say anything.” As he poured his mother a cup of tea, Prince Hyo added, “Don’t be too concerned; our royal father has never been able to stay away from this place for very long. Since I’m home now, I think that he'll soon pay us a visit.” Slightly comforted by Prince Hyo’s reassurance; Concubine Su took a sip of her tea, and asked Prince Dae Hyun, “If I was not mentioned, what did you and your brother discuss with your royal father?”
Since he did not want to upset his mother; Prince Dae Hyun tentatively replied, “We didn’t really discuss anything of importance.” Noticing the uncomfortable expression on Prince Dae Hyun’s face; Concubine Su turned to Prince Hyo, and asked pointedly, “If what your brother says is true; tell me why you two were at your father’s residence for so long?” Being slightly less concerned about his mother’s temperament; Prince Hyo replied honestly, “We weren’t at our father’s residence; we were at the Gyotaejeon celebrating the Grand Princess Consort’s birthday.” Enraged by Prince Hyo’s response, Concubine Su forcefully slammed her teacup down onto the table. Concubine Su's volatile actions sent the scalding contents of the teacup onto her hands. Upon seeing that his mother’s hands had been burned by the tea; Prince Dae Hyun became concerned, and asked, “Royal mother are you okay?” When she did not respond to his inquiry; Prince Dae Hyun excused himself to summon a royal physician to tend to her injuries.
As Prince Dae Hyun left the room, Prince Hyo proceeded to wipe away several droplets of tea, which had gotten on his clothes and bluntly asked his mother, “Do you really think that losing your temper is going to help your current situation?” Becoming more agitated upon hearing Prince Hyo’s terse inquiry; Concubine Su countered, “Should I be happy that you were wasting your time celebrating that wretched girl’s birthday?” With an exasperated sigh, Prince Hyo replied, “I don’t know why you dislike her so much; but if you want to get back into the good graces of my royal father, I’d advise you to leave her alone. Despite having very little time to observe the Grand Princess Consort, I've already come to the conclusion that she has a very distinct ability to make those around her very happy.” Seeing the uninterested look on his mother’s face; Prince Hyo continued to say, “If I’m ever to take my rightful place as the Crowned Prince, I’ll need you to be on your best behavior.” Knowing that Prince Hyo was her only hope to become elevated to the rank of High Queen Mother; Concubine Su reluctantly agreed to act in accordance with his wishes.
Oblivious to the schemes, which were being devised against him; Prince JiangSu was content to hold Eun Jung in his arms. Although, he was reluctant to part from Eun Jung on their first night together as man and wife, Prince JiangSu forced himself out of bed to attend to his previously set plans. Unaware that she was now alone; Eun Jung pulled the covers tightly around herself to keep in the warmth. Startled by the sound of the front door creaking open; Eun Jung turned to Prince JiangSu’s side of the bed, and was shocked to see that he was not there. Observing that there was a strange glow in the room; Eun Jung sat up in their bed, and asked, “JiangSu, is that you?” Upon hearing the anxiety in her voice; Prince JiangSu quickly replied, “Yes, it’s me. I brought you something for your birthday.” Focusing her eyes on the strange light, which seemed to follow Prince JiangSu’s voice, Eun Jung asked, “What’s that in your hands?”
Deliberately ignoring Eun Jung’s question; Prince JiangSu quickened his pace towards their bed. When he stood a few feet away from her; Prince JiangSu extended his arms to show Eun Jung a glass cage full of glowing fireflies. Mesmerized by the sight, Eun Jung asked, “Did you catch all of those fireflies for me?” Setting down the cage beside her; Prince JiangSu countered, “Who else would I expend all of this effort on?” Touched by Prince JiangSu's thoughtful gift; Eun Jung wrapped her arms around him, and rested her chin on his shoulder as she said happily, “You’re the best husband ever.” Shifting his weight to pull her into his lap; Prince JiangSu asked, “If I wasn’t the best husband, how could I deserve you as my wife?” Not knowing how she should respond; Eun Jung simply leaned her head onto his chest, wrapped her arms around his waist and sighed contently.
will be back to comment.
but then i was too caught up with the story. everything was so sweet. and i must say, beautifully written. you really know how to go about this: not leaving us feeling that something was missing, even if you skirted that part, it all came out naturally.
but then even so this part of the story is well written..chose your words well...so even we have young readers here it wont be awkward for them to read it .... dont worry jessicca i think everyone will agree with me that it is more of a PG rather than R18... 
the word "consummation " is a decent word to describe it and yes it is already broad and general so no need to be in detail.... 
