The Royal Concubine (please read edited version)

Sheltered

          I slept most of the way in the palanquin, on the way to the stranded cabin I was to stay at. By the second my condition worsened. Every now and then, the nurses that we're sent with me, checked me and gave my sips of water. 

          The Captain Park and Sergeant Major Kim looked sympathetic to me as they stood guard when we stopped to rest. I didn't know them very well but I was fortunate to have such a team beside me. My appetite became so small that if I had anything other than liquid, I would vomit. I could feel my abdomen tense in pain, and sometimes even bloat. 

         "Sergeant Major Kim." I called over the tall man picking flowers by the road side as the maids and guards ate. 

          "Yes, my lady," He bolts up at the sound of his name.

          "Can I have your sword, I think it would be better to just end it now." I say, reaching my hand out towards him, smiling jokingly. The reality was, I was actually considering it.

          Alarm flared on his face at first but soon turned into a wide grin, "Good one, my lady, I'm afraid I can't let you do that." 

          I pout, slightly sad that I have to bare with this pain longer, " Just hide my body in the bushes over there, I doubt anyone will notice." His smile becomes larger. I miserably know that one person will notice, there was one person who did care.

         "Well if you're that down, why don't I tell you a joke?" The Sergeant Major moves closer to sit on the soft grass beside the caravan. I slide to caravan's door open so I could listen intently. 

          "Go ahead," I place my head in my hands, moving my feet to hang over the edge. 

         "Jimin!" He yells and waits for the Captain to walk towards us.

          Captain Park nears, "Yes?" 

          "You're almost tall enough to be taken seriously." Taehyung breaths out just before bursting into a bundle of giggles. I shortly join him with laughing at the short, scary man. He looks at both of us quickly with an annoyed expression, seeming he had these jokes before. Jimin turned on his heal quickly and proceeded to go back to talking with others. 

          "Thankfully he doesn't have a short temper." I say in between my heavy breathing. My smile was cut short when a maid came over to inform us we would be on the move again.

          "How much longer is it to the cabin?" I ask her as I get back into place in the caravan with the door closed.

          "Just a few more hours, my lady." She told me with a worn smile. I wasn't the only one wanting to get to our destination it seemed. With my chapped lips I meekly grin at the sunset. A fire red danced with the setting sun, the rays kissed the fading lilac. It was a stunning sight, who knew how many I had left.

          With those pleasant thoughts as I straightened my flowing purple dress and prepared myself for another long ride. We weren't taking any more breaks, we were going straight to my location. My heated eyes swelled shut and I dove into a restless slumber.

          Of course I dreamed of him. His laughing eyes, his harsh personality with others, and every other single small thing that made me fall deeper in love with the king. Gosh I loved him so much that I couldn't handle it, it just drove me completely crazy. My heart throbbed in pain. He caressed my cheek tenderly and I leaned into his hand. "Hye-Rin" his voice sang.

           "I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you forever, My King." It hurt too much to live this illusion. I pushed his hand away. He looked at me entirely heartbroken and reached for my hand but he dissolved into ash.