In Another Life

Lady Jangmi

Haewon was defiantly acting strangely vague towards Mingyue. The girl thought that she did something wrong if she was being honest with herself.

But it felt like a breath of fresh air being in a different, less hostile, environment.

A knock came from the door, Mingyue got up and revealed Heeseung.

"Hey, I just wanted to make sure you settled in? Did you need any help?"

She let him in, since she didn't bring too much stuff with her, she didn't have a lot to unpack. Heeseung looked around, noticing the small changes the girl made. Various drawing that were stained by time were neatly hung up.

"I didn't know you could draw, is that your Dad?"

Mingyue nodded, "yeah, that's him. He always thought that I could make a living off of my artwork, he was my number one supporter."

"I can see why, your drawings are amazing," Heeseung complimented.

In the distance, a woman could be heard calling for Heeseung. "You should probably get going, I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Defiantly, good night Mingyue."

"Goodnight Heeseung."

"Jangmi, you have competition now. You have to seem more alluring to the Prince now or else you will lose." Mr. Min had said to his daughter.

"Dad, how are we going to do this? Earlier I saw him leaving her room."

"Make him go to your room first then."

"But how?"

"Jangmi, did I raise you to be a disappointment? No. I did not. Whether you get the Prince to fall for you, or you seduce him into marriage, I do not care! You have one job."

"Yes Dad. I won't let you down."

The next day, she added a bit more makeup and made her corset a bit more tighter. She didn't know any other way to win over Heeseung's heart. Her dress was still proper, although quite scandalous still; it was a low neckline dress that emphasized her womanly assets along with the aid of her corset. She wore it with pride and confidence as she strutted down the halls for breakfast.

Haewon sat at one end, Hajoon on the other. Heeseung and Mingyue had taken a seat on either side of Haewon, directly across from one another. And right next to Mingyue was Mr. Min. That only left one spot left for Jangmi, right next to Heeseung and the King.

Jangmi smirked at the seating arrangement. She mentally laughed at how she was sitting next to the prince instead of Mingyue, but all throughout breakfast, Heeseung and Mingyue were taking glances at one another before joining in the conversation.

It didn't matter if Jangmi was closer physically to the king or not, Mingyue always had an advantage.

"Heeseungie, could we go on a stroll through the garden today?" Jangmi mustered up the cutest voice she could make.

His eyes traveled to Mingyue, who gave him a supportive smile. And then to his mother, who looked like she was going to throw up.

"I don't know if–"

"I think that we should spend time together if we are going to get married."

Later that day, Heeseung and Jangmi went for a walk through the garden. Although it was a gorgeous sight, Heeseung could help but wonder how different the garden would appear if Mingyue was by his side. He noticed that the days were brighter when they were together and the nights glowed serenity.

Was it bad that he wanted to run away? He felt uncomfortable look at her because that would require him to look downward and it felt morally wrong with the dress she was wearing.

Heeseung cleared his throat, "Well, I should probably get going. I'll escort you back to the castle Lady Jangmi."

"But we've hardly talked, I want to know more about my future husband." She pouted.

"On the way back, I can answer some of your questions."

"Fine, let's start out with something easy... what's your favorite color?"

Heeseung hummed, contemplating his answer for a second, "I suppose I like the color amber?"

"I've never heard a man so descriptive with colors before." Jangmi states, "My second question will be, what is your favorite food?"

"I've grown accustomed to sweeter foods."

"Like what?"

"Banana bread, pumpkin bread, different flavored crescents, just things like that."

As they neared the castle, Jangmi wanted to ask one more thing, "What do you look for in a woman?"

Heeseung smiled, his mind immediately went to Mingyue. Everything about her was what he wanted in a woman. She was absolutely perfect for him.

"I guess I look for how she interacts with other, her kind heart, hardworking nature, sincerity, but she also doesn't change for anyone."

"You want the perfect woman, but expect them not to change?"

"I would feel too guilty if they felt the need to change their personality because of me." Heeseung said. "Well, this is where we part, I'll see you at dinner Lady Jangmi."

Heeseung walked down the corridor, a smile playing on his lips as he thought about a Mingyue.

"And who are you going to choose?" Haewon's voice rung through his ears as an awakening call.

"What?"

"I did not raise my son to get a wife and a mistress. So I ask you now, who are you going to choose?" Although Haewon kept her voice steady, her heart was racing. She didn't want her son to be playing with Mingyue's heart.

"Mingyue, of course. Why do you ask?"

"You walked away from your stroll with Lady Jangmi a bit too happy."

"She asked me what I would look for in a partner–"

"And you described a certain princesses?" She asked, smiling towards her son. She didn't know why, but ever since Haewon actually talked to Mingyue, Jangmi is nearly out of the picture for the future of the Lazica Kingdom.

Mingyue had a way of bringing people together, she also had a way of breaking things apart. Haewon witnessed with her very eyes what happened with Mingyue and her siblings.

But Haewon also saw how she was able to fix everything too. She had spent two years locking herself away from the world– pushing herself away. In a fifteen minute conversation everyone had acted like no time had passed at all. That was just how Mingyue was.