The Royal Concubine (please read edited version)

The Plague

          "Well hello scoundrel, haven't you been the center of attention recently." I wake up confused, half-asleep in my bed, to see Empress Min looking down at in my room. 

          "Good Morning Your Highness, I don't understand what you mean," I croak out as maids approach me. They usher me to my privacy screen and undress me of my nightgown. Silk pools to the floor and a day gown is tied onto me.  

          "Don't take me for an idiot, I've seen you prancing with the Emperor like a fool for the past couple of weeks!" she raises her voice almost to a shout. But her words speak truth, lately the King and I have grown closer. He takes me on long walks throughout the beautiful lands and has come to accompany me whenever he can. Sometimes he has asked the royal jester to entertain us with a show where we merrily smile and banter. It seems like the Queen is jealous of his affection to me, something he hasn't showed to her for a very long time. Unsure on how to respond, I just stay behind my privacy screen like a coward. 

         "Listen to me, you're only here to have his heir, nothing else and so far you haven't accomplished that." 

          I swallow hard and step out with my head bowed, my hair now pinned back in a floral design. 

          "We were in love once. Before the court made us their puppets," the queen spits out then softly continues, "We used to be each other's worlds. Every day was our own fairy tale where the prince and the princess fall in love and live 'happily ever after' except," her tone is solemn, "we didn't live happily ever after and love isn't possible in this place." 

          Her colorful robes fling as she sudden turns around and swiftly walks away. She didn't turn around fast enough and I managed to glimpse her watering eyes. I'm left bewildered and full of curiosity. I didn't feel hurt by her words, the king was still a mysterious puzzle, one that I hadn't solved yet. The queen's intentions obviously aimed to distinguish the spark of curiosity that had enlightened between the Emperor and I but instead her words caused for a flame to form.  

        Time seemed to fly, and before I acknowledged it, I had spent 4 months in the palace. Emperor Min had been floored with council matters and for weeks I hadn't seen him in person. The council urged him on a business trip to the neighboring country, Japan, to join the Lunar celebration, a staged alliance for the moment. He left before saying goodbye and that's what hurt the most. I could only watch with my head bowed as his carriage left with the queen in their caravan. I knew my place but I still had a heart.  When the days passed by, anger started to build up. I gave myself to him wholeheartedly. His absence was driving me slowly insane, With empty time all I could do was think. Thinking was dangerous.

          As time passed before me, I wondered if the queen had lured Emperor Min into her heart once more. She surely is probably trying, believing this may be her last chance. Or what if the Japanese eliminated the Royal couple once and for all with having them in their country. I clenched my teeth just imagining it; Yoongi's dark eyes expanding as a sliver knife plummets through his heart. 

          I shifted my legs in the water, letting the water trickle up my skin. I currently sat on the bridge above the Royal pond. I looked over at the spot where the land kissed the h2o. Some shouting were succeeded by maids and officals running towards the palace entrance, broke me from my lonely thoughts. They disappeared around the corner of an office building and there loud voices followed. I stared after them and soon slipped my feet out of the water into the cool air. My feet dashed to my shoes laying beside me.