Royal Seductions

Royal Seductions

Chapter 1: The First Escape

Soo ah’s POV

I woke up with pain tightening in my chest.

It wasn’t just physical—it was heavier, deeper, like something invisible pressing down on me, reminding me that I had no control over my own life.

The palace doctor had told me to avoid stress.

But how was that possible when my entire existence was stress?

When my mother—the queen—still ruled my life like I was nothing more than a piece on her chessboard.

I turned my head toward the cold window.

Beyond it, the kingdom looked peaceful.

But inside these walls… nothing ever was.

I did not hate her.

That was the worst part.

I could not hate my own mother.

And yet she was the one forcing me into a marriage I never agreed to.

Tonight.

The announcement had already been made. The ceremony prepared. The guests invited.

My future decided without me.

I slowly sat up, clutching my chest as another sharp pain hit me.

A marriage I did not choose.

A life I did not want.

A cage disguised as a crown.

“I would rather die,” I whispered into the empty room, my voice trembling, “than become someone’s toy… or wife. Both are the same.”

Silence answered me.

But in that silence, something inside me hardened.

A decision.

I would run tonight.

Kang Seo’s POV

I am Kang Seo.

Heir to the Goryeo dynasty.

The next king.

They bow when I pass, but not out of love.

Out of fear.

Even if I had not been born into the royal bloodline, they would still fear me.

Not because I am kind or cruel…

But because I am both.

And because of the scar that runs across my face.

They think it makes me weak.

A flaw that should have ended my right to the throne.

A mistake carved into my destiny.

But they do not understand.

A scar does not weaken a king.

It creates one.

Fear has never stopped me.

It has only followed me.

And I have learned to walk with it like a shadow.

That Night

The palace was quieter than usual.

Too quiet.

Soo ah moved through her chamber carefully, her hands shaking slightly as she gathered what little she could carry.

A few essentials.

Nothing more.

There was no future for her here anyway.

Not one she could accept.

Her fingers paused for a moment over a small ornament—something from childhood.

She hesitated.

Then left it behind.

Memories would only slow her down.

She waited until the guards changed shifts.

Until the rhythm of the palace loosened for a brief, fragile moment.

Then she moved.

Her heart beat so loudly she feared it would give her away.

She climbed onto the window ledge, gripping the cold stone edge as she looked down.

It was high.

Too high for someone who had lived her entire life protected inside walls.

But tonight, fear meant nothing compared to staying.

She tied a cloth tightly around the window bar, testing its strength once.

Twice.

Then she lowered herself down carefully.

The fabric burned her palms as she slid down the side of the palace wall.

For one terrifying moment, she almost lost her grip.

But then her feet touched the ground.

She was out.

For the first time in her life…

Outside the palace.

The night air hit her like reality itself.

Cold. Sharp. Free.

She stood still for a second, staring at the palace behind her.

No one had followed her yet.

That meant she still had time.

So she ran.

Through the gardens.

Past the gates.

Into the forest beyond the kingdom walls.

The trees swallowed her quickly, branches stretching like claws in the dark.

Every sound felt alive.

Every shadow felt like it was watching.

But she did not stop.

Not even when fear crept into her chest.

Because fear of her mother finding her…

Was worse than any darkness.

If she was caught, she knew what would happen.

The queen would not forgive her.

Not this time.

This was not her first escape attempt.

And each failure had only made the punishment worse.

Each time, the kingdom had whispered her name like a scandal.

A disgrace to the royal bloodline.

A daughter who refused her duty.

Soo ah (to herself)

“I’m tired…”

Her voice broke into the night as she slowed her steps.

Her legs ached, but she kept moving.

“I don’t belong to anyone,” she whispered. “Not to the crown. Not to my mother. Not to destiny…”

Her hands trembled as she pressed them to her chest.

“I’m not a doll to be dressed and moved wherever they want…”

Her eyes stung, but she refused to cry.

“I have feelings too…”

For the first time, freedom felt real.

Not a dream.

Not an illusion.

Something close enough to reach.

But she did not realize where her feet had taken her.

The border had been crossed without her knowing.

She had entered the second kingdom.

The rival land.

The enemy’s territory.

She had never been outside the palace before.

Never seen maps beyond royal lessons.

Never been allowed to walk freely among common people.

So she did not know.

Until the forest changed.

The silence shifted.

And then—

Hooves.

Slow at first.

Then closer.

People nearby suddenly froze.

Their expressions changed instantly—fear, recognition, shock.

They stepped away from her path without a word.

Soo ah frowned, confused.

Why were they reacting like that?

She kept walking.

And then she heard it clearly.

The sound of a horse stopping directly ahead of her.

She stopped too.

Slowly… she turned.

And saw him.

A rider on a black horse.

Still.

Silent.

Watching.

His face was partially hidden by a black mask covering one eye.

But the visible eye—

It was sharp.

Cold.

Unreadable.

Dangerous in a way she did not understand yet.

Their eyes met.

And the world… stopped.

For a strange moment, neither of them moved.

It felt like something unseen had tightened between them.

Like fate had taken a step forward without asking permission.

Then, without warning—

He reached down and grabbed her wrist.

Before she could react, he pulled her up onto the horse.

Soo ah gasped.

“What are you—?”

But the words died as the horse began moving instantly, fast through the forest.

Wind slammed against her face.

She sat frozen behind him, unsure whether she had been kidnapped, saved, or something in between.

He did not speak.

Not once.

After what felt like minutes, the horse slowed.

He stopped.

“Get off,” he said coldly.

No emotion.

No hesitation.

Soo ah blinked.

She did not move immediately.

Something about him made her unable to think clearly.

So he grabbed her arm again—

And threw her off the horse.

She landed hard on the ground.

Pain shot through her side.

“Ow—are you crazy?!” she snapped instantly, glaring up at him. “Why would you throw me like that?! I won’t leave you!”

For the first time, something flickered across his face.

Not kindness.

Not guilt.

Something closer to amusement… or irritation.

“I saved you,” he said flatly. “My horse would’ve crushed you. Be grateful.”

A faint smirk appeared on his lips.

“And next time,” he added, turning his horse slightly away, “don’t stand where you don’t belong.”

Before she could respond, he rode away.

Gone.

Just like that.

Soo ah remained on the ground, watching the darkness swallow him.

Her body hurt.

Her chest still ached.

But something else now burned inside her.

Not fear.

Not regret.

Something unfamiliar.

Her heart was still racing.

And she did not understand why it hurt more… when he left.

End of Chapter 1