The Royal Concubine (please read edited version)

Predator and Prey

          "Are the preparations done?" The emperor asks his scribe, Hoseok.

"Indeed, we will be sending word to your people early in the morning, your Majesty." Hoseok stands in front of the throne where Emperor Min is sitting.

"How has... my heir's health been coming along?" He asked curiously.

"Just fine, Lady Hye-Rin has been given excellent care." Hoseok's smile grows.

"Very well." Yoongi nods, "you are dismissed."

"He seemed so happy to hear that you and the heir were doing well," Hoseok relays to me.

I pace my room, smiling, "Oh scribe Hoseok, I couldn't be happier myself." I have been wondering about Yoongi while he was absent; I must not have been forgotten about either.

"I must be off, as should you, my lady." Hoseok glides to the open door, " I hear your dress is done and just needs a pretty face to show it off."

I mumble my response as he leaves, "This pretty face is a curse."

I stare at the empty door way, not wanting to leave. A flash of last night's encounter with the queen made me frightened. But I must not let it bother me for too long, it's not good for the heir's health.

I walked into the bright, colorful room where two twin dresses were on their wooden maniquins. No one other than the seamstress was in the room. Her body was sitting in a chair, admiring her work. She perked up as her eyes fell onto me as I step a few inches into the room.

"Tsk," someone snapped behind me. I turn around quickly to see Empress Min, her beady eyes glaring at me, "Can you please move out of my way, I don't have all day." Her pride seemed still intact.

Before I could move farther into the room, her body pushed past mine. She was breaking down. She hides it by pretending she has a rotten personality. I know this because I'm acting the same way. Maybe Yoongi was right, maybe I should give this snotty queen another chance.

"Good morning, Queen Min, did you sleep well?" I ask in earnest, but it came out as sarcastic.

"Of course I did," she snaps back.

The seamstress cowards a bit, hearing the queen's attitude, "My queen, I hope you like the dress I skillfully made. It was my pleasure being of service to Your Highness." She bowed deeply.

"It will do its job well," the queen says. She turns to the maids who then guide her to change into the gorgeous dress. As was expected, the queen looked beautiful. Some jewels were laid onto her pale skin, giving the look of a finished glow.

"You look... lovely," I say respectfully.

The queen gives me a long stare, then nods. She faces the mirror as I get dressed as well. I walk over to her. As we stand beside eachother, we look like twins. Our hairstyle was the only difference.

"Are you sure you're not sisters?" The seamstress jokingly asks.

"It would be dishonoring if I was sisters with a peasant." The queen quickly turns away from the mirror, going back behind the paper dressing wall. Her eyes were red and watery. Anger was basically radiating off of her in flames.

I had to admit that no matter how much the queen rejected any aspect of me, it still stuns how much someone could hate me. Was it really that bad to be compared to my appearance? "Is it that despicable to be called part of my family?"