Mine

III

** Explicit language, trigger warning for miscarriages and s*xual imagery ahead.  **

Let this serve as your trigger warning! THANK YOU!
-AL

"Liya,"
"Yes, my King."
"You've been so well behaved as of late. You've stayed where you're supposed to and you've been very obedient lately." Bowing her head, she pressed her face against the floor.
"You honor me with your praise, Itgeum."
"To reward you, I will grant you one request." Eyes opened there on the floor and they looked at her hands.
"If you would be so kind to bestow upon me this one thing..."
"Speak."
"I wish to visit my father."
"Very well. Request granted."
"Thank you, my King."
"You will be granted five days."
"Five, my liege?"
"Five."
"You are most kind."
"Bae Seokhyeung shall accompany you." She grew still.
"Think of it as a bonus to your request."
"I...I thank you, Itgeum."
"Yes, well, upon your return, I will make you the head of my harem." Her heart dropped into her knees.
"The head of your harem?"
"It means that you will have privileges no other in the harem will have. More freedom if you will."
"I am not deserving of such a gift."
"If you don't abuse it, I think you'll like the promotion very well." She stayed low and quiet, waiting to be dismissed.
"In your time with Bae Seokhyeung, make sure that you cherish it well. When you return, I will deploy him to Goguryeo to serve their nation's king for a time." Her heart now stopped beating for a millisecond.
"Should the King there be pleased with his service, I might make him permanent on behalf of Silla."
"That's wonderful news. I know that he will make a fine guard for the King of Gorguryeo."
"You can go, Liya."
"Thank you," It wasn't until she made it outside that she started to cry. Willing herself to remain calm, she wiped her tears and continued on, escorted back to her room.

***
"How is she?" Gungyeo Lee appeared sad as she answered him.
"I fear that she has lost another." His throat was tight as he glanced towards her door.
"She had an audience with the King and came back. All was fine until she started to scream. I know not what she spoke of with the King but it seems that the stress was enough to promote termination."
"I see."
"Make it quick tonight. Rumor has it that security will be tightened soon." Without waiting for an answer, she left him in the hallway. He took a deep breath and entered her room. She lay on the floor, lifeless and nude from the waist up. Covering her was a blanket but it was soaked with blood. Finding it hard to breathe, he stood still and quiet for several minutes, feeling tears well up in his eyes. He needed to keep his composure. Swallowing the tears, he drew closer and knelt, hovering over her.
"Noona?" She didn't answer. With gentle fingers, he smoothed the hair away from her back.
"You're safe now, noona." Whispering, he buried his face against her hair.
"I'm here now." A tiny broken whimper signaled the start and soon, she sobbed uncontrollably. He offered no words, as there were none to offer. Allowing the tears from his eyes to flow, he with a watery gaze lifted and began to slowly massage her back. Soft comforting motions, from her neck and shoulders all the way down her lower back. Occasionally, he would lean down to kiss the flesh before resuming. After a while, her cries became sniffles and hiccups.
"Tell me what I can do." He breathed against the middle of her back. Pressing his forehead there, he turned to lay his face against her.
"What would you like me to do?" He tried again softly. She took a shuddery breath and when she spoke, her voice was hoarse.
"Bath."
"Okay." With one last kiss against her skin, he lifted up in a sit.
"May I help you?" Silent, she only nodded. Coming to his feet, he helped pull her up to her own. She didn't seem steady and that was fine. Lifting her up into his arms, he opened the door to her room and started for the bathing room. Once there, he was pleasantly surprised to see that it had already been prepared. Gungyeo Lee. With care, he removed the soiled blanket from her and lifted her up and over into the tub. Once she appeared somewhat comfortable, he pressed a kiss against her forehead.
"Would you like to be alone?"
"Yes, please." Pulling her against him in a hug, he tangled fingers in her hair.
"I'll visit again." She nodded, too grief stricken to speak. Without much else to say, he pulled away from her and left her in peace. All the way, each footstep he took away from her, into the night, the rage inside of him grew. Never gone, it festered like a fresh wound. Slowly infecting his blood and marrow, he would find the cure with the blood of the guilty.