The palace

Chapter 10.

NYANG

Just back from the hunt which i must say is pretty annoying. The other ladies kept shouting and chasing after a little bunny like clowns. Hyun soh and i killed a wild boar while his majesty shot an antelope. The empress got a peasant though i doubt if she shot it herself. The emperor is quite a good company and I'm growing to be friendly with him. I am on my bed, lying and staring aimlessly at the roof, letting my mind wander.

'Your grace, the empress has invited you to her tent'. Hyun soh said, walking in briskly. In alarm i look up at her face. It was not in good color, her calm countenance had changed to a worried one. I stood up thinking what could possibly make the empress summon me to her tent. Nevertheless i must obey so i get up and walk out, Hyun soh behind me.

'Your majesty, lady park' the announcement rang out and i walked in alone. She was seated, putting on a red gown, with a dark coat on it. Several sharp hairpins adorned her hair and her face was heavily made up. The fierce red lipstick she applied attacked me with a sneer. 'Lady park good to have you here. Hope you're enjoying the trip. I bowed and answered as meekly as i could 'yes your majesty and i must say thank you for your concern, but i believe you didn't summon me here just to ask me this'. She smiled and stopped tapping the desk with her fingers.  Her eyes darkened like a sudden dark cloud over a clear sky.'You're trying to make me look like a fool. You're the weakest amongst the consorts talk more of trying to go straight on with me.' There was anger in her voice, i could tell.

''Your majesty i do not understand you.'' I answered truly unaware of what she was talking about.

''Oh really! Stay clear of his majesty's path i warn you now. In case you don't know, it's i who has his majesty's heart.''

Feeling bold suddenly, i answered giving her a defiant look. ''I do not chase after his majesty but he comes to me. If you truly have his heart, then why are you worried ? Or perhaps are you afraid it's going to change soon.''

Thwack!!!

The burning sensation filled my cheeks and i had to bite my tongue to keep my hand in place instead of running it over my victimized cheek as it ached to. '' eutteohge geuleon na-ege mal-eul gamhi dangsin-eun cheonyeo.......amado dangsin-eun naegai nalaui hwanghu haeyo ij-ji..( how dare you speak to me like that you wench....perhaps you have forgotten I'm the empress of this nation"
the empress screamed, her eyes now wide and filled with anger and her hands now shaking terribly as she stared into my eyes.

I simply keep staring back, i do not know where i got courage from. Her eyes were boiling with rage, she was seething and fuming. I think if people could explode from built in anger, the empress would have exploded. She paced up and down the tent then stopped before me. " you may think you're all bold now but i will break you till you become pathetic..you'll regret coming into this palace." She threatened and hissed in my ear, making the hairs on my back stand but i maintained my cool and pretended to be undisturbed then she returned to her seat obviously trying to calm down.

"If this is all, i wish to leave now, your majesty' i bowed and stood up, my face expressionless without waiting for her reply, i walked out of the tent. Back in my tent, i finally rub my cold palm against my hot cheek. Hyun soh gasped 'your grace.. your cheek. Shall i summon the physician?'. I looked at her, her face filled with worry and her eyes disturbed. Suddenly, i thought of freeing her, of fleeting her go now from this monstrous and blood hungry hell in disguise of a palace.

I don't want her to suffer, to remain in this cold, lonely palace without experiencing love. I want her to be free, to live, to love, to get married, to have kids and lead a happy life. Tears filled my eyes as the image of the future i once imagined for myself appeared in my mind again. ''Hyun soh." I called her slowly, almost whispering. She was standing not far from me, she walked up to me and bowed 'your grace'.

I looked at her eyes. They've dimmed, the light in them, the light that used to shine had dimmed. Maybe she was gradually lossing her emotions like i am. 'Hyun soh.....don't you want to go back to those days when we ran under the sun? When we used to roam about in the market, when we used to dream and have fantasies about our future with kids and husbands? When i said my son will marry your daughter?". The tears were unstoppable now and they just raced each other down my face.

Hyun soh sniffed too. She was crying, i was crying too but why was i crying? I do not know. ''Mahmah....mahmah.." Hyun soh kept crying and i knew the answer, i didn't need her to tell me more. Slowly i wiped the tears with my sleeve.  ''Hyun soh.... this is Cheahyon district, not far from liayong, not far from .......home" i spoke, my eyes gazing into space. I know what I'm about to do and i know she will not want me to but, i don't want her to end up like i will, because, i have just joined the battle today, fighting to survive.

Survival in the inner court can not be ensured while playing innocent and naive. I have to fight toh but i do not want her pure and innocent spirit, to get tainted. I am freeing her, I'm letting the pure side of me free along with her. I don't want to but i have to, i shouldn't but i will. Why? She's the sister i never had.

"Your grace, what is it you want me to do?" Hyun soh asked, breaking into my thoughts. I looked at her puzzled face for a moment. 'I want you to be free... go home, live your life, live your dreams..." her eyes widen and shock is boldly written on her face. "Then what....what will happen to you?" A sad smile plays itself on my lips and i look away, trying to hide my own horrible looking face.

"No. I will stay with you. We're sisters, you told me to see you as a sister. she refused bluntly. Her eyes bright and aflame with a sudden determination. She held my hand and squeezed them a bit tight to give me strength and faith. "Your grace, i will stay here by your side. I'll never leave you in this hell hole to be alone. We will fight together" she assured and i found myself suddenly instilled by a sudden calm. Whatever had come over me i do not know but i do know that i am ready to survive.

Empress Hyo ri

I can't remain seated, I'm very uncomfortable. My brain keeps recalling that wench's words. How dare her try to cross me out. Father was true when he said i need to ensure my authority by giving birth to the heir of this nation. "Any one outside?" I called out and my trusted attendant walked in and bowed "your majesty called".

"Boil the tea my father brought and keep it warm, I'm visiting the emperor tonight. Prepare" i barked my order to her, my patience still unstable. After bathing and making sure the emperor is alone, i head towards his tent, my mind in a race scared he would turn me awayand embarrass me. ''My liege, her majesty the empress" eunuch Yoon announced and i walked ahead, ignoring his greetings.

The emperor is seated, he looks as though he has been in that position for long. His eyes look tired and his face worn out. "My empress" he smiled and i knew it was a faked one, his dimple didn't show. "My liege.. i have come to have some tea with you" i gave him a fake smile too and called for the tea.

The lady wanted to serve but i halted her "leave.. i will pour it myself" she bowed and left. The emperor looked at me for a moment, i wonder what's going on behind those eyes. "It's been long my lady. What is it you wish to discuss or to what do i owe the pleasure" he asked me with a faked enthusiasm, as i pour tea into his cup. Immediately the cup reaches his lips, he halts and gave me a look that stirred up what i had been trying to cover, to bury, to forget: my feelings for him.

"So it has gotten to this point where you have to feed me magnolian honey brewed tea to make me come to you? Do you no longer find yourself attractive enough for me? Or you think i despise you so perhaps it's you who despise me. You told me about this tea, years ago when you said consorts would try to use it on me. Funny no consort has tried so and it's you yourself doing so now." He spoke gently and swallowed the tea in one gulp. His face looked so tired and shocked.

A tear slid down my face then another and another. But i keep my fake smile on my emotionless face. What did i do? Perhaps it's not to late to return to the past, to be like young lovebirds again? I ask my self but aloud i say. "I'm sorry it has gotten to this. You and i are just emperor and empress now, there is no love again between us". I looked at him again as he smiled and blew off the candle...deed done.

Chapter ends..pls vote