And Break the Pretty Kings by Lena Jeong

Author:Lena Jeong
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2023-06-20T00:00:00+00:00

Yoonhee ran downstairs to bring up food for Mirae and her weary companions while Jisoo settled onto the floor. Mirae, Captain Jia, Hongbin, and Siwon followed suit, leaning in close so Jisoo wouldn’t have to raise her voice and risk being overheard.

“I hardly know where to begin,” Jisoo admitted, her voice low. “But I suppose I should start with the moment everyone realized you had disappeared into thin air . . . just like Daegun.”

Mirae clutched the fabric of her chima. She hadn’t thought her disappearance would be linked with Minho’s as another tragedy, especially since Wonhwa guards had witnessed her stepping into the shadowy doorway of her own free will. But then she remembered how the events of the past few days might have looked to outsiders—as if Mirae, like her mother, was suffering from delusions caused by the Inconstant Son. The council might have assumed Mirae was no longer in her right mind when she left, effectively abducted by an ancient evil.

Realizing that the only woman left to vouch for her sanity would have been Areum, an uninitiated oracle, Mirae nervously nodded for Jisoo to continue, not daring to look over and see whatever expression was on Captain Jia’s face.

“Of course there were many theories discussed in the first few hours,” Jisoo said. “Areum did her best to explain that you really are the High Horomancer and you’re following the gods’ will. Some members of the Hwabaek believed her, but many found her involvement, as a close friend of yours, suspicious.”

Yoonhee interrupted briefly as she reentered the room bearing a tray of hot, juicy meat, rice, and cucumber kimchi, surrounded by a bed of lettuce for making wraps. She placed the tray down, then settled beside Jisoo as Mirae and her companions descended on the food like ravenous tigers. While they ate, the two friends continued their report.

“Of course, as soon as Areum was dismissed,” Jisoo said, “the council devolved into an hours-long debate. As they do.”

“We heard all about it from our mothers,” Yoonhee concurred.

Jisoo shook her head sadly. “There were a lot of accusations thrown about, especially without any Sacred Bone women in the room. Some were bold enough to even suggest that you may have been allied with the Josan king in a plot to poison Her Majesty and take over the throne—but you were thwarted, so you ran off to the king for his protection.”

“Others were less . . . fantastical in their theories,” Yoonhee said, trying to be gentle after seeing the look on Mirae’s face. “They seemed to think that the Josan plot ran deeper than they knew, and that all three royal children were in danger. The rest of the council, however, believed what Areum said about you taking matters into your own hands, and all this being the work of Seolla’s ancient enemy. Of course, those who believed Areum were also split on their opinions.”

Mirae put her food to the side, her appetite leaving her. She sat in silence for

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