I Dreamed a Dream || BTS

~ 5 ~

The gardens were shimmering. Dew drops glistened under the sun's golden rays, and the ceaseless storm had made the grass and trees shine ever greener. In recent days, the gardens had only been so beautiful in Baram's memory. Under the heavens' blanket of rain and thunder, the plants had drooped lifelessly, the ponds had flooded onto their muddy banks, and not even the gazebos could hide her from the relentless flashing and crackling of lightning. She had desperately clung onto their past glory, trying to recall the days she strolled through Huwon's leafy paths, hand in hand with her beloved. Now, it was much easier to envision.

She heard Yoongi's silky black robes brushing against the leaves and twigs strewn across their path, and his gentle sighs as he basked in the gardens' tranquility. She felt his hand clasping hers, her thumb tracing the calloused ridges on his palm. Every time she glanced to her right, she always saw Yoongi – his blonde hair splayed over his shoulders, the creamy, golden hue of his skin, his intense sienna gaze that left her breathless – before a blink adjusted her gaze to Hoseok.

"I am honored you would respond so well to my sudden reappearance, my Queen," he said quietly. Baram heard Yoongi's low rumble echoing in her ears, and she shivered. "I imagined a commoner would not be received well."

"But you are no commoner, Hoseok," she replied graciously. "Your familiarity is a true comfort. Although, I still cannot fathom how you survived such severe sickness. Perhaps we all underestimated your strength."

He responded with only a flicker of a smile.

"I suppose I now understand why you remained in the countryside for so long. Hanseong, even in its outskirts, can be so stifling."

"I had no choice in the matter, my Queen."

"Yes, I suppose not. I have heard that the sickness rendered you helpless, near death." She subconsciously clutched his arm tighter. "You cannot imagine how relieved I am that you survived."

"...well, thank you."

"Tell me, how have you been faring? A rural fisherman's town... I imagine that must have been rather difficult for Fire to bear."

He winced. "Initially, it was almost unbearable. To this day, I still despise the sea, but it has become easier to manage. Then again, I do not suppose I will ever purge my nose of that salty odor, nor my tongue of fish's flesh."

Baram laughed, the sound stark and unfamiliar. She could not recall the last time she had laughed, but it seemed the heavens had bestowed a drop of sunshine upon her. "I hate fish – every one of the palace attendants knows not to serve it to me."

"But you are not...?"

"No, I am not Fire. My father hails from the Court of Air."

"Ah, I should have remembered."

"Oh, do not concern yourself with the small details. Living amongst water would be difficult for Air as well, for it is the one place we may not breathe. Although, I do not pretend that my struggles would be greater than those of Fire."

Hoseok grinned sheepishly. "I am sure you would fare well there, my Queen, with your unparalleled strength and bravery. I cannot... I can hardly imagine what you have weathered these past few days."

What had she weathered? It was so easy to forget her struggles when reunited with the childhood friend who had given her such joviality fifteen years ago. "Yes, I... I suppose so. But, as with any difficulties I face, Jeonha eases the burden."

"...I am afraid I do not understand how the king could ease your burden while–"

"You see, there is a sharp contrast between his harshness in dealing with national affairs and his vulnerability during private moments between him and I. I do not suppose it is any secret that he has always loved me dearly. He tells me that I am his moon, and explains it as such: the rise of the sun is eagerly awaited, and it is always there to provide light, even when shrouded by clouds. The moon receives no such recognition. Though, plunge Joseon into a night purged of the moon's illumination, and people may finally begin to understand its necessity and beauty. 'The moon is constant, and it is beautiful,' he tells me. 'No one can see the moon the way I do. No one can love the moon like I do.'" Baram smiled up at the heavens, wishing that the moon's gentle illumination would replace the sun's blinding rays. "Such is your love for me, Jeonha, more passionate and blazing than the harshest sunshine."