"I overheard some officials talking about the arrangements of a festival that the kingdom will hold. I believe there will be soldiers, dancers, animals, and even our emperor will be riding in a lavish palanquin that will be carried by fifty men." The maid's voice rose the more she spoke, "The palace staff will all be off duty at the palace those few days to ether help, watch, or be in the festival!"
My head swelled at the thought of the festival. Before, I was most excited for it, but now i was not so sure. It had been two days since my talk with Taewongun and I was still a ball of nerves. I hadn't told anyone about our conversation and I wasn't planning on it ether. I would never forget those evil eyes that resembled that of Yoongi's.
"Will you be participating in the festival, Lady Hye-Rin?" The maid broke me from my worried thoughts.
"I haven't heard if i will be allowed to yet, but i would like to do so," I say kindly.
"Are you not a doppelganger for-" the maid's eyes widen and she slaps and hand over her mouth, "I am sorry Lady Hye-Rin, I am not permitted to speak of such things."
My room was absent of sound until I deeply sighed, "You are not at fault. It is true one of the reasons I was chosen to become a concubine for Emperor Min was my resemblance to the queen. My role in the festival will fall greatly on keeping our queen safe."
The maid resumes quietly scrubbing the wooden floors as i sew a piece of silk into a beautiful ribbon. The cloth was mostly red with gold flower sewn patterns. The bold colors accented my dark brown hair. The needle gracefully dug into the silk as my fingers nimbly guided it. When I lived with my parents and sisters, my mother taught us all to sew. I never had the patience to sit with my sisters for hours as we practiced. My throbbing fingers would be cut, scarred, and bruised by the end of the day. My mother relied more on my sisters to make our garments than me that we were able to sell at the market for a few pieces of money.
My ajumni would make me practice day after day until I learned how to sew like a professional. She said it was certainly needed in order to make a good wife. Once I got older, I acquired more self-restraint and could keep a careful eye on the sharp needle. I don't need the skill of sewing anymore since others have taken that job. Despite that I no longer need to practice it, I feel inclined to pick up different pieces of cloth and start to arrange them into a miniature tunic. A heavy weight pushes at my chest as I cut fabric for the sleeves and piece them together, just enough space for tiny arms to slip through. I sew restlessly silk with the needle until the night falls and wax drips off the candles. I'm shaking, clenching my teeth, but refuse to let a tear escape. The maids had given me pitiful shakes and left me to my own senses. My hands ache but I only slumber when I tie the last stitch of a little dragon on the back of my new creation, a bright red robe fit for a crown prince. The last closing omen to my unborn child...
I wake the next day with the robe clenched in my hands. I flutter my tired eyes open.
"Hye-Rin," Yoongi calls and I awake more from my sleepy daze. He's siting at the end of my bed, shooting a pointed look to the fragment in my hand. His hands trace ghost-like patterns on my feet, an extremely intimate, caring act. His soft brown eyes throw me back into reality and I can't help but feel strangely protective over the robe, like he was going to take it away in order not to upset me.
"I heard from the maids that you hadn't slept well. That you were sewing?" he asks solemnly. His eyes also show shadows and my heart clenches for his health.
"Thank you for your concern Your Majesty, I feel fine," I say to him. His features show confusion and I as well am baffled at my cold tone. My moods have been on a pinwheel recently.
"Very well, I guess..." he replies after a moment of silence. His voice is like an ice-picker, breaking the igloo made up of ice bricks that I had built around myself.
"May I see it?" he questions but I know that it's not a question, it's a command. I don't break eye contact and with trembling hands I may the uncanny decision to hand it in to his large, warm ones.
He unfolds the silk and holds it up by the shoulders. His eyes widen and his mouth slightly opens. He stares at it, running his thumb over the gold stitches for many silent moments. I look down at my bed sheets, afraid of how he felt.
He breaks the silence, "Oh Hye-Rin, this is beautiful."
I nod shocked, "Do you understand what it signifies?" I ask with my eyes still downwards.
His own red, silk robes shuffle and he leans closer to me. Slowly he cups my face, "Of course I do, darling." and he gently kisses me. I feel safe in his passionate embrace.
AN- Hey what up Army!! We sacrificed homework time and pieced this short but sentimental chapter for todays celebration of the star of this story. (This was updated on quotev on Yoongi's bday) Happppppppppppyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy Biiiiiirrrrrrrthhhhhhhhhdddaaaaaaaayyy Yoooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnngggggggggiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!!!
Even though a lot of us international fans will probably never meet you in person, we send love!
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The Royal Concubine (please read edited version)
Fanfiction*Please read the edited version of this story by the same name* It was meant to be a privilege to become a Concubine of the Korean Emperor, Min Yoongi. His charming demeanor and well respected nature made him a favorite throughout Korea. But truthfu...
