The palace

Chapter 9

Goryo

WOO BIN

Seated in my tent, all i can do is think. After all that's what I've been doing since we arrived and made camp this evening. I can hear my generals drinking and laughing, the consorts all seated outside, making jokes like old friends. It's kind of funny and laughable you know, seeing these women laugh together when later at a point, they'll be trying to kill each other why? All for me.

'Her majesty the empress' the announcement broke into my thoughts and i look up, hyo ri walks in smiling at me. For now, her smile seems sincere and true, like how it used to before. I smiled back too, very well aware of the fact that my smile doesn't look real.
'what troubles your heart my liege' she asked sweetly.

'I'm just thinking of the past my empress. Before things got to this point, before you changed, before you and i drifted apart. I wonder what happened, what went wrong or perhaps it was my fault?' I answered. Her face lost its color and i saw the frightened lost face she hid under her composed face.

'It doesn't matter what happened. We 've gotten to this point now. Perhaps it is you who still holds unto the past but I've let it go. What we used to be doesn't matter, it's what we are and what we will be that matters. I'm trying to ensure my power, my authority and my authority here. My survival and these are all that matters to me now.' She answered coldly and i felt my heart break.

'What about me? So our love has now turned to duty. I understand, your power, authority, and survival are all that matters. I believe now, that it is time my heart goes to seek another but i will tell you now, you stay clear, off her.' I answered coldly too, blocking and stopping every emotion i was feeling.

'The empress will leave now. Prepare, i am heading to lady park's tent.' I gave the order and stood up, leaving her shocked and pale. I walked out and inhale the cold soft wind. Lady park's words ring in my ears again. 'I cannot forget him. Kill me if you must but i can't'
I sigh, why am i suddenly thinking too much about her? I asked myself and smiled before heading towards her tent.

AUTHOR'S POV

'His majesty the emperor' eunuch yoon announced and opened the curtains so the emperor could go in but he didn't walk in. 'Invite lady park for a walk' he ordered and hyun soh bowed and walked back deeper into the tent. Some moments later, nyang walked out, her eyes looking down but under the moonlight, she looked beautiful.

She had removed her hairpins and accessories. All she has on is white sleeping gown which she had thrown a yellow robe on top. He smiled and turned towards the yard. She bowed and walked at his side. He looked at eunuch yoon who understood and whispered to the long trail of servants behind them to give a bit of space and not walk too close.

They walk for sometime in silence then she cleared her throat. 'I'm sorry for last time. I threatened to disobey a royal command' she apologized and he heard in her voice that it killed her to do so. He chuckled 'it doesn't matter . It was cruel of me to ask you to do so afterall there is someone i can't forget too. I was being selfish'

They continued their walk in silence and then he walked her back to her tent. He walked in with her and took off his robe that had a phoenix embroidered on it. In his plain white underwears, he lay on her bed, feeling warm, and comfortable, he fell asleep immediately.

Hyo ri tightened her fists till her knuckles turned white. So he was with that vixen. Something needs to be done about her. She thought and walked back to her tent in a rage.
Nyang finished changing and came to sleep then she saw him sleeping, looking so calm and peaceful. She realized how different he looked while awake and while asleep.

She sighed and lay on the bed too. Immediately their bodies touched, she shivered a bit. He was so cold while her body was warm. He seemed to feel her presence because he moved closer and cuddled her, absorbing her body warmth. She sighed and leaned into his body more, closing her eyes, she also drifted to sleep.

I'm sorry for such a short chapter guys. The next will be longer.. don't get angry and keep reading. There's been a bit change of plans that you'll see in the next chapter....hope you stand by me still. Please vote