The Emperor's Bride

Chapter 1

A dream

I have always known since a very young age that nothing about the Palace could be trusted not even the ruler of it but my innocence lead me to be naïve and let my guard down, not only did I not see the harm that was coming towards me but I also didn't see the snake that hung around my neck.

Ultimate humiliation that I have experienced but it wouldn't be the first one but this one definitely was leading me to death, a lamb that was driven to the depth and an Emperor with no mercy but as wicked as the one who carried him.

However I was now a criminal with chains around her neck placed on a litter with not even just a simple clothing on my body, my nudity visible for everyone to see. 

The powerless women were kneeling down and weeping for me but not even their tears could help me escape even the men refused to look at my bare skin put on display by the Emperor, as a lesson.

Not a single family member nor a friend that stood by me, surely if I had realized I would have known that there wasn't a friend nor family amongst the wolves that had bitten me perhaps only two I would count as my confidants but now their heads lay at the capital city for everyone to see and a reminder for me.

However I should start from the beginning and not get ahead of myself, perhaps it would help you understand my story.

I wasn't born from royalty nor had I ever had the desire to be royalty nor meet the Emperor but I would if unluckiness and fate are working hand in hand, you are bound to be snatched up and cornered to a devastating end.

I had two older sister's who were sold by my mother to the previous Emperor as they were beautiful enough and could probably give the Emperor more kids, 

as if he needed anymore Kids! The only reason I wasn't sold off was because I was unruly, damaged and behaved like a boy and apparently the Emperor liked delicate and soft spoken females.

With that motivation I acted shameless and unruly so that my mother wouldn't sell me off but the one thing she did for me which I would always be grateful for is that she allowed me to study, so I was an unruly shameless rough around the edges but educated commoner.

My sister's entered the Palace and I never heard from them ever again, my father was an adulteress and abusive man but because he was part of the royal court he got away with it and he only managed to get that position by finding his way up the Empress Dowager's skirt.

The only reason my mother didn't fuss about it is because father was giving her a hefty allowance so I suppose it was more of a "Take the money and keep your mouth shut" type of situation.

I had many friends but there was only one who has been with me through thick and thin, his name is Haneul! He is gorgeous and quirky but homeless without any family.

I remember I went down by the river for a swim on a hot summer's day while all the other girls were standing in front of their houses in beautiful dresses trying to impress the Emperor so they could be "Flower Girls" at the Palace, so I decided to sneak away.

The water was cold to the perfect temperature, I didn't strip off my clothes because this river was also known to have boys with pervy eyes but just as I was about to jump into the water, I heard someone clear their voice.

"Aren't you a little overdressed for a swim?"

The stranger said to me, he was wearing royal clothing so I figured he was probably the Emperor's men who went astray.

A smile touched his face when I didn't answer him.

"Are you not afraid that I will have the Emperor punish you for ignoring his royal subject? Which also reminds me why are you here?"