Any detail imaginable was painted on with painstaking effort to make the design. My hand was cramped but I was proud of my design. I would think even the Gods would applaud my work.
The preparations started soon after. Min Yoongi and his officals collaborated on how the festival would be set up and who was running each project. As suspected, the emperor would be overseeing all actions in turn. Yoongi persuaded me to leave the festival-making to the professionals. But he did leave me in charge of designing the largest, most extravagant palanquin he had ever rode in.
I had gotten an official to fetch me a very large parchment with a fine brush and ink. A storm cloud filled with ideas began to shape as I dipped my brush. Lightning cracked and I started to paint vigorously. Each stroke revealed more of my imagination and by the end of a few hours, I had painted a chariot of red and gold hues, a swirling dragon the head of it all.
A maid carries my drawing towards the throne room, but I was timid to show the creation off to the emperor. The doors leading to Yoongi was open by a guard. My eyes travel around the room, spotting many people preparing for the festival except for the emperor. I almost lost my footing when some scribes and officials tried to get through the maze made from people to the door. Strong hands caught me on ether side to steady my legs.
"You need to mind your footing before you get trampled over," Emperor Min says. He moves to my right so he can look at me.
"I'm done with the design you asked for, i hope it pleases you." I stretch my arm out to the maid holding the parchment.
Yoongi's face lights up as he looks over my sketch, "Quite impressive, Hye-Rin, I will have this taken to my builders right away." He nods at the maid, "Make sure they know the palanquin must have three seats," she bows back and proceeds to carry it out of the throne room.
"Is your father also riding it the palanquin?" I cock my head.
"No, he said he preferred not to be in the parade, saying he had plans of his own." He says, making me tense. I knew what plans the emperor was speaking of.
I followed behind Yoongi as he made his way around the room, over viewing all the arrangements. He listened to the ideas of the officials and works. He spoke mature and calmly, even if the thought was outrageous. The input he gave led the people to have a better understanding of the project.
"You're a good leader," I say earnestly once we were out of the crowded throne room.
"No, I'm a good emperor," He shot back facetiously.
"So why another seat?"
"Pardon?" He asks, confused.
"In the palanquin. There needs only two." I explain.
"Ahh," He smirks, "I want one for my concubine, of course."
My mouth gaps, "What?"
"You're a doppelganger for the queen, remember, and the people need to see the mother of their next king." His smirk turns into a large smile from my reaction.
We stop in front of the Queen's quarters, "Why are we here?" I ask suspiciously
"You're here so the seamstress can make you and the queen dresses for the festival." He turns to walk away, "They're waiting for you inside."
I internally groan before trudging up the stone steps into the Queen's quarters. Inside looked similar to the Emperor's quarters, with not many decorative items but many rooms, most being occupied by her maids. A maid rounds the corners of the first hall way and is startled when she spots me.
"Lady Hye-Rin, the empress and seamstress are waiting for you, please follow me." She waits for me to accompany her.
The last door of the hallway to my right is open for me. Inside revealed four women, the queen, seamstress, and older maids. The room was set up like a sewing shop, with rich fabrics lining the walls, sewing objects tidied in their containers and a large mirror propped in front of the queen.
"Finally you came." The queen looked at me through the mirror.
"I was brought here just a moment ago, sorry for my late showing." I bowed.
"Never mind that, lets just begin." She brushes my apology away.
"Queen Min, can you please change into this," the seamstress hands her a white pair of clothing that almost look like underwear," Here is yours, Lady Hye-Rin."
The Queen is guided carefully behind a changing wall on one side of the room while I was guided to another side. A couple of maids stripped me down and dressed me up appropriately and the gruesome process of measurements started.
Queen Min dared not make eye contact with me and we awkwardly stood side by side for what seemed like hours. The seamstress wrapped ribbons and draped fabrics exaggeratedly, in a subtle attempt to appease the queen.
"What about this your highness?" She excitedly questioned her eagerly.
The queen scoffed in response obviously frustrated from being here so long. "The yellow is clashing with my skin tone, why do you dare waste my time like this?"
I clench my teeth to the long that intense pressure in my head forms. I disliked the way that the queen had been bashing on all the workers and staff. But I knew I would be too much out of line if I spoke against her.
The seamstress' smile fades slightly for a moment but she plasters it back on, "Of course your highness. Let me just touch your waist again your highness, I need to measure an appropriate material for your shape as well."
Queen Min scowls, as if saying 'if you need to.'
The seamstress placed the mandatory gloves that the queen ordered that she wear when touching her. She circles carefully a red orange silk that was only meant for royalty.
I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealously that she was able to wear the enticing color that I would only be playing dress-up in. I bowed my head in shame for feeling that way.
The seamstress starts pinning the fabric but in a quick movement, her hand slips on the back of a needle and she stabs the pointy end into the skin of the queen.
The queen immediately yelps in pain in an exaggerated tone.
"YOU UNGRACEFUL CREATURE!" she screams.
The seamstress is white as paper and sobs kneeling. "Oh my queen, please forgive my sin."
"GUARDS!" the queen yelps.
I stand speechless as they burst through the doors and they take the seamstress by her arms. The seamstress doesn't put up a fight and helplessly just cried as she's dragged away.
"No wait!" I run to the queen, "Can't you forgive her."
"I didn't think you were as stupid as you looked, but I guess you are," she spats out into my face, "You will never be a royal, you will never understand the position I am in. Peasents are peasents, and they will be treated as such!"
I'm intimidated but I stand my ground, "Please."
She only manages to laugh before she rushes away with her entourage scurrying behind...
An- we have posted much recently because, as you know, as the end of the school year comes, tests come with it. We hope our story is a stress reliever to you all in these hard times. -Paige and lori
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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...
