I Dreamed a Dream || BTS

~ 4 ~

For Jeonha.

For Jeonha would Baram stand beneath a torrent of her own grief, poorly shielded by the sloped roof outside Injeongjeon Hall.

For Jeonha would she stand beside his empty throne, looking beyond the haze of rain to the courtyard where the four Royal Courts stood. She refused to avert her gaze from the respectfully bowed heads and glance at the throne. She did not know which would strike her with greater sorrow: seeing the throne empty, or envisioning his carefree, slumped stance, his blonde hair splayed across his shoulders, his harsh gaze that always softened when he looked to Baram for counsel.

She wished she could feel the intensity of his gaze tracing her figure, to feel the clandestine brushes of his fingers against hers. She would give her own life if it meant Yoongi could spend another day on the earth, drinking from cool streams in the gardens, basking in the warmth of the fireplace he loved so dearly, feeling a warm breeze caress his skin. Stubbornly, a tear slipped down the curve of her cheek, and she ducked her head to discreetly wipe it away.

She was here for Jeonha. She would not allow her grief to tarnish his dying wish.

"Jungjeonmama..." The Court Minister from the Court of Earth stepped forward first, bowing and placing his hand over his heart. She could hardly hear him over the deluge. "Allow me to express my deepest condolences that you have been forced to endure such hardship in the midst of trying political tensions."

Baram sniffled and tilted her head, acknowledging the Court Minister's kindness. Jimin's hand brushed against her back, offering the hidden comfort of support. "T-Thank you, Court Minister."

The man bowed again. "If it pleases you, Jungjeonmama, may the Court of Earth present its representative suitor first?"

Baram could no longer speak. The words were caught in her throat. She had almost forgotten about the reason the Royal Courts had gathered, the implications behind her promise to Yoongi – that she would select Joseon's next ruler and her new husband. It felt like a knife was carving a path through her throat until she recalled that Yoongi was breaking the strict rules of Joseon society.

He was allowing her to remarry, allowing her to find happiness with another. The least she could do was feign gratefulness.

"You may," she finally answered, leaning as subtly as she could against Jimin's shoulder. His hand wrapped fully around her waist, hiding in the folds of her white sackcloth.

The Court of Earth huddled backwards, leaving a single man to step to the front. He clutched the front of his robes, poorly concealing how badly his hands shook. She could not recognize his face, nor his name when he introduced himself.

"My name is Kim Namjoon, Jungjeonmama. It deeply saddens me to be here under these circumstances, but I hope you will find solace in the fact that someone's abilities will deliver the Joseon throne into a fitting ruler's hands."

"Who is your father, Namjoon-ssi?" Seokjin asked on behalf of Baram. The deluge was proof of Baram's inability to express her concerns through words.

"Kim Dong-chun, my lord."

"I do not recognize the name."

"My father is not a government official."

"Yet he is a yangban?"

Namjoon nodded shallowly. "My ancestry will not offer any assurance of my abilities, but I can promise that my academic achievements and determination will make up for it."

Seokjin nodded. "We will eagerly await to see said achievements and determination."

"Jungjeonmama, from the Court of Water, we present Jeon Jungkook, the son of Jeon Sang-won, a highly-esteemed government official overseeing the Ministry of Justice." The Court Minister bowed, concluding his introduction, and the Court of Water huddled backward to draw forth their representative suitor. He was handsome, to be certain. He wore clean, decorative robes that complemented the golden hue of his skin, somehow avoiding a pallor from the rain – Baram supposed that could be attributed to his identity as Water. Although his face was shielded by the gat upon his head, she could see hints of a charming smile and brown eyes that swirled with turquoise.