Phases of the moon

Part 4

Yongsun finds herself in front of the mirror as her ladies-in-waiting fuss over her ceremonial robe. The last-minute adjustments have to be made when Yongsun seems to have lost weight throughout their journey. She's apologetic that her ladies-in-waiting have to make haste for the needed adjustments just to keep up with the schedule. Everything seems to be so hectic but Wheein assures her not to worry about a thing.

"We got everything covered, unnie. Don't worry about anything else."

The wedding is scheduled to take place before the sun sets.

It has always been done during the day, however, Wolgwang does it in the evening where the moon could witness the union. Due to their differences, the two kingdoms agreed to meet halfway and compromised to do it before the sun sets.

Yongsun is grateful that Wolgwang has allowed them to also do their marriage ritual instead of just doing theirs. At the very least, they have respected their wishes to also practice Cheon-il's ritual.

Every little thing matters to her, especially now. It helps remind herself that she always has a part of Cheon-il that will never be taken away from her. Her roots will always be in Cheon-il and she will do everything in her power not to lose herself even if she won't be able to step back on her birthland's soil. She shakes the bitter thought of not being able to step back to Cheon-il away.

It is supposed to be her wedding. It is supposed to be a merry event of her life. But now that Yongsun is here, the feeling is nowhere near that. In a few moments, she will now be tied into a loveless marriage.

She sighs.

She doesn't need more negativity today.

"I'll wear my sapphire necklace today," she interrupts the young woman helping her with her accessory who is about to put on her favorite gold necklace.

A loveless marriage indeed, but still Yongsun is bound to do her part as Byulyi's wife.

"As you wish, your highness," the woman replies and exchanges the gold for the sapphire one.

"Thank you," she says before the woman exits after helping her with her necklace.

Yongsun checks herself in front of the mirror, the sapphire necklace seems to have found its place— successfully stealing her attention.

The sun is almost about to set and she knows that the wedding is about to take place any time now.

She closes her eyes and tries to calm her breath. She closes and opens her hands to relieve the tension inside her. She swallows the nausea that she feels rising in her throat and forces herself to stand still as she stares at her reflection on the mirror.

"-nnie, Yongsun-unnie!" Wheein abruptly shakes her from her thoughts.

"W-Wheein?" she whispers, confused at Wheein's worried face.

"I've been calling you for a while now but you didn't answer," Wheein explains.

Yongsun opens her mouth only to close it, "I- I'm sorry. I," her voice wavers and her breath starts to quicken. Anxiety creeps up on her making her incapable of thinking straight.

Wheein immediately notices how Yongsun has gone pale, her breath short and quick. She's hyperventilating. Wheein is quick to her feet yet she still remains calm. She knows that it is important to stay calm when things like this happen.

"Unnie, let's try working on slowing your breathing, okay?" she calmly instructs. She almost hisses off at the pain the way Yongsun's vice-like grip on her wrist— nails start to bite into Wheein's flesh, almost drawing blood against her skin.