The Royal Concubine (edited)

Chapter 4

        I acknowledge that I have made many errors while living in the palace. Writing this memoir has forced me to come to terms with my mistakes and I take full responsibility for them. While my wisdom is still ever growing, I do not have the time to continue on my learning path. However, my story may prove to be useful to others who doubt their judgement. There has been one fateful encounter that I want to share as a warning for anyone less experienced in dealing with these types of people. Well, I should start from the beginning: the day of the ceremony.

        The divine lilac hanbok embraces my small body without overwhelming me with heavy, rich fabrics. I almost forgot the large braided wig bound to the top of my head, but the ensuing headache will quickly remind me. The palace maids took extra care into my appearance today; that's to be expected. Today I will be officially welcomed into the palace as the king's concubine. But that is not where the torture ends for me presently. I will be asked to give King Min my body tonight, I'm sure of it. I have not met with the king since our first meeting in his office. However, Hoseok has been a constant relief for me at the palace. I hope that someday I can truly call him a friend, maybe my only one.

        I hear the door to my dressing room open behind me and the bright man himself walks in to greet me, "Agasshi! You look gorgeous!" Hoseok beams. A young man slowly joins him from outside the room. "Agasshi, this man helped make the hanbok you are wearing and insisted to come and see you."

        I turn my eyes to the stranger. He is wearing the normal clothes of a simple merchant, but something about him is very dignified. This man is intriguing.

        "I am sorry to come unannounced, agasshi. I will not be able to stay for the ceremony and needed to see the beautiful dress on the beautiful lady who would be wearing it. My name is Han Dae-Il." He smiles warmly.

        "The ceremony will not last long anyways, and besides, I am glad to meet the person who helped sew this exquisite hanbok." My hands glide along the soft silk.

        Dae-Il bows, "I am delighted that you like it. I will not take up your time any further, agasshi. Have a great day."

        The man leaves as quickly as he had came, and more maids come in his place. They tell me a few simple instructions before dragging me out of the room. I can already hear the looming sound of the palace musicians, with the echos of the numerous palace attendees mixed in. They are all gathered here for me.

         My feet guide me towards the crowd. I feel the panic in me rise more and more as all eyes turn to me. I want nothing more than to run far away from here. The temptation lines my eyes with tears. But I continue my path to the queen awaiting for me at the end. Her piercing brown eyes eat at my remaining confidence. The queen's superior red and blue hanbok screams "you will always be below me".

        After what felt like years, I am finally kneeling in front of the queen. A high court lady stands beside her with an opened scroll and begins to read, "Today on the 15th day of the 1st month, in the year 1875, Lady Moe Hye-Rin will be appointed royal concubine of the 2nd rank. She will thereby accept this decree."

        However, my focus is on the woman above me. She has yet to show even her fake smile, looking ready to strike. The sun shines brightly behind her, creating a godly ring behind the queen's head. I am completely secondary in my own ceremony.

        The scroll is handed to the queen, "Suk-ui, continue to serve Jeonha faithfully and be a pillar within the Inner Court."

        A slight smirk crosses the woman's face. I urge to give her a disgusting look but I am forced to smile, "I shall obey, Jungjeon mama."