CHAPTER TWO
-
IN THE STILLNESS OF HER CHAMBER, Jeon was engrossed in her book, the words weaving a tapestry of tales in her mind. Suddenly, the silence was shattered as Onjo burst in, her energy contagious as she leaped onto the bed, snatching the book from Jeon's grasp. "What are you reading, sister?" her voice rang out, teeming with curiosity.
As her eyes scanned the pages, a playful smirk danced on her lips, "A romance?" Jeon's eyes flashed with anger as she reached for the book, "Onjo, give it back! It's not just a romance; it's a story of courage and resilience, of characters overcoming challenges." The room filled with their argument, as Onjo teased and Jeon defended her choice of reading material.
In the midst of her playful teasing, Onjo's eyes caught a glimpse of the characters in the book her older sister held so dearly. As realization dawned upon her, she paused as she turned to her sister on the elegant white and golden bedsheets.
Her gaze lingered on the book, "Jeon, these characters... they're both females."
Her expression shifted to one of slight disgust as she assessed the look on her sisters face, her brows furrowed in disapproval. "Jeon, really? A story about two females in that way?" she remarked, In response, Jeon's eyes sparkled with passion as she defended the book fervently, "Onjo, this story is about love, resilience, and the power of connection. The gender of the characters is irrelevant to the beauty of their journey."
Onjo's features hardened slightly, her gaze meeting her sister's with a touch of defiance. "Are you suggesting you want a queen by your side when you rule our home one day, instead of a king?" Onjo starting to question her sister's motives behind defending the book's characters.
Jeon's eyes widened in response to her siblings question, "Onjo, it's not about genders or titles. It's about finding someone who understands and supports you, regardless of societal norms," Jeon replied, her voice steady yet tinged with emotion.
Onjo's expression darkened with resolve as she rose from her seat, her eyes fixed on the offending book. With a determined stride, she reached the fireplace, her disapproval staying strong. Without a second thought, she tossed the book into the crackling flames, the pages curling and blackening in the heat.
Jeon's voice called out in protest, Ignoring her sister's pleas and actions, as Jeon grasped a metal rod, desperation etched on her face as she tried to salvage the book from the fire's grasp. However, her efforts were in vain; by the time she managed to retrieve it, the book lay ruined, its once vibrant pages reduced to ash.
Onjo's voice finally broke the silence, her tone laced with no sign regret. "Jeon, this book, its words, its ideals... they no longer align with who you will become."
Jeon's voice quivering with a mix of sorrow and anger. Tears welled in her eyes, "Onjo, how could you be so reckless, so thoughtless?" the words cut through the air, each word a dagger aimed at her sister's actions.
As she knelt by the damaged book, her hands trembling, she continued "You've destroyed something precious, something that held meaning beyond your whims. Do you even care for the consequences of your impulsive decisions?"
Onjo's eyes blazed with a fierce intensity as she leaned down, her grip on Jeon's face painful, The older sister's eyes widened in shock. "Listen to me, sister," her voice was low, commanding, "If you ever dare to bring a girl home, you will face the consequences by my order." With a final, piercing gaze, Onjo released her sister's face.
In a swift motion, Onjo kicked the rock-soiled book across the room, without a backward glance, she strode out of the trashed room. After a while of sitting in front of the fireplace, Jeon decided to clean the room. Once she finished, she left to walk among the townsfolk, a routine she often followed, something her father never seemed to have a problem with.
