The Royal Concubine (please read edited version)

Welcome Home

        The palanquin rocked me into a deep slumber all the way to the palace. I hadn't acknowledged honestly how tired and exhausted I really was until I rested my head on Yoongi's shoulder and he caressed my hair. I felt so content in that moment with Yoongi at my side. I also knew that soon enough we would return to our stonic living arrangements, he would return to the throne and I would return to my chambers. In between my long slumbers, I woke up to a smiling Yoongi and we would chat for a bit before eating our meals. This time, the trip back didn't seem as heavy or as long. Time slipped by carelessly, and too soon, we were arriving at the gates of the palace. The day was gone and the dark canvas of the night replaced it. 

        Yoongi's hand found mine and he squeezed it tenderly before letting go. 

        "It's going to be alright Hye-Rin." he said, not meeting my eyes. I grinned through the lie that i felt, he nor I were sure of the future of tomorrow. The future of anything, matter of a fact. 

        The palenquin slowed and carefully it lowered to the ground. The doors were swung open by the standing guards outside. Yoongi followed me out of our Wonderland and back to reality. Maids, gaurds, and soldiers stood outside in nice lines, celebrating the arrival of their king. A few familiar faces dotted the crowed. There shocked expressions gave way to large smiles. Prince Namjoon and Prince Jungkook strides towards us, bowing as they approach. 

          "What a pleasure it is to see you both are in good health," Jungkook let's out a shaky breath. 

          "Like in the old folk tales, the prince always has to save his princess." says Namjoon.

          "You shouldn't say such trivial things," Yoongi turns back into stone. 

          The maids, officials, guards, and soldiers flood the rest of the small space we had, ushering the emperor away from me. In a second, he was no longer visible. 

          "Lady Hye-Rin, would you like a hot bath after your long travels?" A petite maid I know as Chae-Yeong called to me quietly. She was new to the palace, I heard her mom abandoned her after her father died. And because of her mother being close friends with a court lady, she was accepted as a errand maid. 

          "Yes, my back has been aching," I smile tiredly at her.

          It felt good to be back safely in my quiet room. Everything was polished and the bed sheets were new. Horrible past memories have been washed clean from my chambers. All was perfect, as it should be. I suppose the only imperfect thing in the area was me. My oily hair stuck to my forehead and there was dirt under my unclipped fingernails. I wondered how anyone could stand beside me, l smelled like sweat.

        The young maid exited the bathroom, "The bath is ready for you, my lady."

        As she undressed me, she said, "Most of the maids are helping with the soldiers who are also staying here, I hope my care suits your tastes."

        "You don't need to impress me, I'm not the empress," I dip into the warm, herded water. My tone was harsher than I intended it to be and I tried to give her a smile. My emotions have been all over the place recently.

      "Thank you for the bath." I said and sunk all the into the water. My hair floated in the water and I mindlessly played with the long, dark strands with my fingers. 

       The maid, Chae-Yeong, bowed and left me alone  to bathe. It felt like only yesterday I had been the naive, young village girl that tried to drown herself and her misery. Even though it wasn't too long ago, I now accepted who I am and what my job is. 

       Thinking about this and much more, I cried. I cried once again for my unborn child. I cried for the childhood that I was deprived of. I cried for the hatred that people had for me. I cried for the love that I had for Min-Yoongi. I cried until I could cry no more and promised myself that I wouldn't cry again for a long time. I shouldn't be this weak and powerless, I was worth a lot more. 

      The maid came back in and patted me dry. My hair was pulled up back into a tight design and I was wrapped in a nightgown. I was led to my sad, empty, cold bed and left by myself.

       I missed Min-Yoongi terribly in this moment and yearned for him to lay next to me. It was the first time in many days that we were not beside eachother. I wondered if he also laid restless in his bed, yearning for me. Hopefully I would greet him in my dreams before another carefree day would arise. 

         "No, the lady is still sleeping," I woke from a maid's voice.

          Muffled words were spoken through the door in return, "Prince Namjoon and Prince Jungkook are here to see lady Hye-Rin," I recognized it was from Scribe Hoseok.

          "Tell them I'm up." I meekly call as I shift out of my bed. 

          The maid looks back at me as others rush to dress me, "The lady has woken, give us just a moment."

          Soon the door was flying open to reveal Prince Namjoon trying to be held back by Prince Jungkook and Scribe Hoseok. "I told you it is impolite to walk into a lady's chambers without consent." Hoseok practically wined. The three stopped their actions, seeing I was decent. 

          "Now, what seems to be the ruckus?" I perk an eyebrow. 

          "You must help us, flower, or we can not go on with living." Prince Namjoon said theatrically. 

          "My brother means to say that the Emperor forbids us not to have a celebration for the people once the sickness has been diminished, so we are asking for you to persuade him." Jungkook explains. 

          I stare at them, going over my options, " Count on me!"