Veiled Love - Chapter 21 Unable To Reject Her

Sitting there staring at him with her big doll like black eyes, she finally spoke up.

“Father, are we going out to have fun or are we going out to inspect your land?”

With a hearty laugh the king replied back to her “Silly girl, we are going out to have fun at the lantern festival, I have noticed you haven’t been yourself the last couple of weeks. As your husband is not in town, I, your father in law has to step in and have fun with you.”

Hearing his response, Soo Jin couldn’t help but leap next to him and grab onto his arm and hug it tight. She was smiling like she had found gold.

Caught by surprise, the king froze. He couldn’t believe this little girl before him was so easily please. Reaching over he patted her head and cuddled her like a lion would cuddle a cub, the joy he felt inside could not be described with words. He finally had a daughter of his own and it was all due to his queen’s great decision.

As the carriage neared the inner city, everyone walking started to part ways and the carriage finds a place to pull over. Soo Jin sticks her head out; curiously. The king says behind her seeing her eager face:

“This nothing compared to when I pass through in my royal attire.” Hearing the king’s narcissist comment, Soo Jin can’t help but giggle. She continues to look out and from far away, she sees boys, girls, old and young dressed in their best clothing happily chatting on their streets of HanYang.

“Come on young one, let this old man show you around his city.” Said the king as he made his way off the carriage.

Scooting over, Soo Jin left the curtain exited the carriage with the help of the king. The duo with their entourage roamed the streets till night fall. You could hear the constant laughter from the duo from two streets away. Soo Jin was the envy of all girls and mothers and the king was the envy of all men.

Girls envied Soo Jin because she had a father who loved and cared for her to spend time alone with her. Mothers envied Soo Jin because she had a father who was handsome and caring. Men envied the king because she was without a doubt a beauty. Everyone could tell even with her veil draped on her face.

Dressed in the latest hanbok, the dusty pink jeogori with peach blossom embroidery complimented Soo Jin’s pale complexion, paired with a navy blue plain chima. Soo Jin’s hairstyle was a simple middle part with to half side braids. Her hair was not in a bun but all out covering behind her like a dark curtain.

As they have been walking for what felt like centuries, the head eunuch reminded the father and daughter duo that they needed to eat. Choosing a quiet and private restaurant, the king and Soo Jin made their way inside after a thorough inspection by the captain and his team.

The private room chosen was a massive room that could fit their entourage plus more. As the king and Soo Jin sat inside, she noticed that they were attracting a lot of attention from the people passing by.

“Father, can I suggest something?” asked Soo Jin looking at the king animatedly.

Already knowing what she was thinking and unable to reject her, the king replied back “Do as you please Jin’a.”

Smiling like a spoiled kitten, Soo Jin called in the head eunuch and told him “Ask everyone standing outside the room to come inside and also ask the restaurant manager to provide us with more tables and food. The king would like you all to dine with us as today is a national festival.”