The Royal Concubine (please read edited version)

Forgiveness

         Tomorrow was finally the day of the festival. I had been requested by the emperor to come to the throne room where everything was going to be announced. Scribe Hoseok came to my room to escort me there.

"Is the lady ready to meet with Emperor Min?" His light voice rings through the door. One of my maids open the door for him, revealing his bright smile, "How has your day been, lady Hye-Rin."

I return his smile, "It has been grand."

The walk to throne room was outstanding, with all the decorations set up outside. Everything was in place. Our flag was flying high in the sky, looking as proud as ever. The wind twists the thick fabric around, but it held firm onto the wooden post.

Guards open the throne room doors for us, bowing their heads as we enter. The scribe and I bow deeply in the presence of our king. We continue our walk towards his thone, a powerful man sat on on top of it. I locked eyes with Yoongi, making my body tense. I push down the feeling and slide into the small cushion to his right.

He turns to me before speaking, "I'm glad to see your face has not lost color. It would be worrisome if you were not in good health."

"Yes, I must keep my strength if I want to produce your heir," I say, looking anywhere but his eyes.

Our conversation is cut short when a short, pudgy man walks up to the throne. He kneels, waiting for a sign by Yoongi to rise.

"State your business," Min Yoongi says calmly.

The man rises steadily, " I have come to read off the final plans for tommorow's festival if you would kindly hear them."

"Begin," the emperor instructs him.

He pulls out a large scroll, " Not too long after the sun rises, the officals, guards, and maids will be in their spots. We will get Your Majesty, Her Highness, and lady Hye-Rin ready to be taken over to the Munmyo temple so we can celebrate Seokjeon Daeje. Food and alcohol will be provided to the temple and the Munmyo Ilmu dance will be preformed by the most qualified dancers. We will be heading back to your palace when the sun is high in the sky at noon. I have word from all your guests that they will be attending the banquet." He moves his gaze to me, "Everything is going according to plan." Tawongun seems to have many other people intertwined into his skim, no wonder he is so confident.
"Very well, you make go." Yoongi raises his hand to send the man away.
"As you wish," he says as he proceeds to leave.
"Now, Lady Hye-Rin," Yoongi begins to talk to me again, "I've been thinking about our last conversation."
"It would be concerning to me if you weren't," I say back.
"Yes... I need you to know that there is nothing more important to me than your well being and your feelings. If you hate me, I would never be able to forgive myself." He looks around, making sure his officials were far enough away not to hear.
"I would never come to hate you, Your Majesty."
"Than stop giving me the cold shoulder, I don't to have to order your presence again," he says stiffly.
"You can not command someone's forgiveness, I'm sorry, you are not the king of my emotions." I don't even look at him. I wanted to go back to where things were before, before all this trouble erupted. I wanted him to hold me against his chest until I fell asleep or for him to make secret meetings with me where we talk about our past, present, and future.
Yoongi gulps and recoils his hands into his lap, "Is that how you feel? Is this it?"
I wanted to yell no, to tell him how much I love him, how much I need him. To hear how much he needs me. But I kept quiet. No words were uttered between us after that. He left to have a walk with one of his highest officials, leaving me behind. He didn't even glance back as he walked out of the throne room. Did I just make the biggest mistake of my life?
As I sit on the cushion, contemplating if I should return to my room, the throne room doors open. Princess Uisun came through the doors, looking around her in search of something. Her hands were pulling up her light pink dress so she wouldn't trip as she walked.
"It seems my prince is not here either," she says to herself, pouting. Her eyes linger on Yoongi's throne, then lands on me. We both look at each other questionably. She lifts her dress slightly higher and proceeds to make her way over to me.
"By chance are you a court lady? I feel as though I have seen you around the palace before," the princess asks.
"No, I am Concubine Hye-Rin." I stand up and bow to her. The girl was as tall as me, maybe even my same age.
"Is that so... are you on duty at the moment?" She asks cautiously.
I think about it for a moment, "I suppose not."
Her smile grows, "Than do you mind walking with me, you're one of the few people I am allowed to talk to."
I open my mouth to cancel but than realize her position, "Of course, Princess Uison."

"Are you close to prince Jungkook, Lady Hye-Rin?" We were now walking away from the throne room.
"My only duty here is to appease the emperor, nothing more." I say respectfully.
"Young ladies such as ourselves need to stick together, so I would like your help." She stops to stand in front of me.
"I do not think I am in the position to help you, Your Highness," I say sadly, knowing it will disappoint her. But her smile never swayed.
"You're very cute, my lady," the princess laughs, "But I think you know more to a man's heart than I do, I mean it is your job, am I correct?"
I am dumbfounded but quickly regain my composer," Yes it is."
"Please, nothing I do makes Prince Jungkook feel more comfortable with me. I have tried it all." She starts to walk again.
"Well... if I may interpret the prince's feelings, I think he just doesn't want to look foolish in front of you because he likes you so much." I nod to myself, "I suppose if you make yourself feel more open and welcoming, instead of a princess he is going to be marrying, he might respond in a different way."
"I've tried that," she pouts.
"Than all he needs is time."
She stays quiet for a moment, "I'll trust you."
I look at her worriedly, "Please do not rely on my opinions, Your Highness."
She chuckles and is about reply when she gasps, "My prince!" She says a quick goodbye before going off to walk with Prince Jungkook and Prince Namjoon. As they leave, they give me a quick wave, I bow in return.
I walk back to my room, the sun was becoming low in the sky. I was glad I did not see Emperor Min on my outing today. But my mind could not stop thinking about that man. The man I love. The man that I was wondering if still loved me. I try to remember what his lips tasted like. Or what his hot breath feels like on my skin. I couldn't get enough. I was addicted to him.

That night in my room, my body moved on it's own. My head was a mess. I just wanted him. I want his eyes on me, only on me, at least for tonight. I was going to tell him what my pride did not let me say before. I hope he accepts my forgiveness. Like the good submissive concubine that I'm supposed to be, I appear with my head bowed in front of his chambers. The guards let me in immediately, knowing what will happen in his room soon.

Yoongi doesn't say anything. He doesn't even seem to be surprised, anger swelling in his eyes. I know that anger will only fuel our actions and I can't help but be anticipant. I walk step by step closer to him. His eyes seem to darken a shade darker with each footstep. I look down and with shaking knees, I kneel in front of where he sat at his desk.
"What are you doing Hye-Rin," he asks in a furious tone.
"I beg for your forgiveness, Your Majesty." My eyes are glued to the floor, "I would like to make up for my disobedience, if you would let me."

"I am not in the mood right now to be bothered," he sighs as he leans back into his chair.

"Please, Emperor Min, I would like nothing more than to erase your troubles for the night. Let me at least do that." I start to panic.

"If you insist."

He stands up, his anger radiating off of him. Pulling me off the ground, I am ushered towards his bed where I am quickly unclothed. His brutality is shown as he enters me. I let out a cry of surprise as his body connects with mine. His skin feels like fire, it seemed I couldn't help fly too close to the sun. The rest of the night is a blur of ecstasy.