Hello Darlings,
I am still alive. hahaha. But seriously, I do apologize for the severe delay in uploading the next chapter. I have writer's block and sometimes a struggle with the effects of being a part of a dying fandom. My thoughts shifts around and sometimes it gets too chaotic to actually make use of these ideas and create something out of it. But I am back! ...mostly, since this is just an upload of something I managed to finish over the winter holidays.
Thank you for those of you wonderful darlings reaching out to me to make sure that I did not suffer the tragic fate of a writer. haha. Please message me from time to time, I really enjoy talking to all of you!
Please R & R!
Love,
Blissful Illusions~
Chapter Two: The First Leaves of Autumn
When she was younger, she never understood what it meant to be "bad" and what it took to be "good". Everyone she asked had a different answer. Her father used to tell her that there were no bad people, just persistent ones. Her mother used to tell her that there were no bad people, just ambitious ones. Now she finally understood why.
Her father had always been a kind and gentle. He shared a similar philosophy with the King Il; he hated bloodshed and would rather be harmed than to be the one harming others. He wanted nothing but for peace within the kingdom and all the lands beyond it. His vision was a world without all the pain and suffering. How could someone as selfless like her father ever be considered a "bad" person?
The opposition accused her father of deceiving everyone around him. They called him a snake and framed him for treason.
Her mother was bright and innovative, an evolutionary of her time. Mother wanted nothing but for the advancement of her home, this kingdom she loved so dearly. She challenged the gender norms and never gave up on what she believed in. She wanted nothing but for prosperity of the kingdom; to her, a affluent land was the only way its citizens could live happy and fulfilled lives. How could someone as extraordinary like her mother ever be a "bad" person?
The opposition accused her mother of attempting to usurp power. They called her a witch and framed her for treason.
When they had arrested her father, they accused him of treason for his conspiracy against the Royal Family. Her father was a gentle soul, there was no way that he would ever even think of staging a coup d'etat. Then a few years later, her mother had also been accused of the same crime and was driven to suicide. Her mother was far too proud of a woman to take her own life, there was no way that she would give up before giving her all to her cause. The deaths of her parents both came so suddenly; they were gone before tomorrow's dawn.
If both her parents had such opposing views on which direction the kingdom should pursue, then how could both of them be guilty of treason?
One doesn't need to do anything to be accused of treason, treason was the Royal Family's way of reasoning in getting their way. One could be within the good graces of the King in the morning and then as soon as the early afternoon arrived, they would be making their way to their execution. There doesn't need to be a reason, the Royal Family could simply take away anyone's everything…and they would do so without even a second thought.
These thoughts floated in her mind as she faced the man before her. He is the physical embodiment of the King's authority. He was the general of the Sky Tribe, the commander of the King's army.
This man was one of the few individuals she had contact with over the past few years of her imprisonment. He was a man of few words, but his facial expressions betrays him. He would look at her with such condescending eyes, he pitied her and it made things awkward between them. Before things took a turn for the worse, this man used to be head guard in charge of supervising the royal children; this man saw her transition from someone in a position of power to her current state.
"You are not to leave your quarters. You must return to your chambers before sunset and stay until sunrise." The man attempted to sound stern as he explained to her.
"I understand, but what kind of devastating havoc will I cause if I managed to escape? I am without title, an orphan, and just a humble nobody." The she replied back disinterestedly.
The tall man looked at her with concerned eyes. After all these years, he had aged and the scowl of his scar was now ever so deeply imbedded into his face. If peace was a good thing, then why does he look so unhappy?
"You are greater than you could ever imagine. You are the daughter of the late Lady Hwa-Young and the late Lord Chung-Hee. You are of a royal bloodline yourself and you should never think of yourself as anything less."
"Please, do not bring the past into the present. Some things a better left to be covered by the dust of time."
"The indecencies of your parents are faults on their behalves, they have nothing to do with you."
"Then why am I serving their punishment? If their actions are not supposed to reflect on my, then why am I forced to suffering nonetheless? She struggled to hold the hate within her heart.
"All of this is to keep you safe from the dangers beyond these walls."
No…it is the things within these walls that are the most terrifying.
"Lady Ah-Reum."
It was then that she realized she had gone too far, spoke about things she shouldn't have. She pursed her lips together as she took a deep breath to calm herself.
"You are one of the esteemed members of the royal bloodline. You were never a prisoner-" His sentence was cut of before he could say anymore.
"I understand your concern for my well-being. I will not step one foot outside of my quarters and keep mostly to my chambers, General Joo-Doh." She smiled at the man before gesturing for her maid to see him to the door.
She didn't want to hear about her late parents. She didn't want to be reminded of what she used to have. She doesn't want to think of her gentle and soft-spoken father who would read to her every morning and night. She doesn't want to think of her confident and beautiful mother who nurtured her with love with every breath she took. She doesn't want to remember the sight of her father's back as he was led away by those soldiers. She doesn't want to remember the sight of her mother's body hung lifelessly from the ceiling frame. However, most of all, she doesn't want to consider herself as an extended member of this damned royal family.
"My Lady, the deaths of your father and mother were not in vain. They willingly sacrificed themselves for a far greater cause." He spoke briefly before he stepped out of the room.
No…they did not die as heroes. They were the victims of the royal families' cruelty. It was a fate she will share with her parents.
…
How could a person change so drastically? Whereas Yona maintained her childlike demeanor, Ah-Reum became a ghostly figure with an aura alike to all the misfortunes she had suffered. His mother couldn't be more true when she had prophesized that Ah-Reum will blossom into a beauty, but he just wasn't prepared to face a sickly beauty. Just what went on during all these years since she was captured and sent away?
"Today, a young guard had told me about the misfortunes of his late friend." Kye-Sook spoke in an amused tone as he walked past the room.
"Please, do tell me how his friend managed to meet his end in such a peaceful era?" the young man raised an eyebrow as he commented.
"He willingly risked his life in order to get another glimpse of something the King wanted to desperately hide away." The older male replied.
"I am sure such a peace-loving king couldn't possibly have much to hide." Soo-Won taunted with sarcasm.
"But he does. The young guard fell smitten with a lady who lives in the far and isolated corner of the palace."
Soo-Won's smile was no longer present.
"Rumours have it that the young man attempted to sneak the lady out and elope."
"And his majesty had the guard executed." Soo-Won finished Kye-Sook's story.
Kye-Sook smiled before sitting down before Soo-Won, "It couldn't be more predictable for King Il to appease the Kai empire. How many treasures must he gift away before it befalls on the throne itself?"
Soo-Won looked up from his book to face his trusted advisor Kye-Sook. He was aware of the hidden meaning behind his comment. Kye-Sook couldn't care less for the material goods of the kingdom.
"The old man thinks that he could use the life of someone as a bargaining piece." Soo-Won spoke with distaste in his mouth. Such a terrible fate Ah-Reum had to suffer.
"Well, he is not wrong about the value. Lady Ah-Reum is far more valuable than the lives of any other women. With just her beauty alone, she would be able to stop a war." Kye-Sook hummed as he handed his master a scroll.
"What is this?" Soo-Won asked as he took the scroll into his hands.
"It seems that he intends to get rid of her quicker than we thought." Kye-Sook smirked before catching the crumpled piece of paper Soo-Won threw at him.
"Then his death will just have to come before that."
…
As each day passes, she is constantly reminded of her impendent fate.
The adults used to tell the children about the stories from war. While some stories focused on the vibrant culture of the hands beyond the kingdom, however it was the stories about the cruelty of the Kai Empire which resonated with her.
Her mother often called the Kai Empire the wasteland of savages. Her father would often shake his head when he hears of their brutish ways. There was not one kind memory for the empire in her memories. Often being described as a less civilized domain, the inhabitants there live in nomadic tribes and participate in outlandish and barbaric practices.
Polyamory existed in Kouka, but it was often frowned upon even amongst the nobilities where men could easily afford to live in such luxuries. The faithful union between a husband and his wife was a practice which traced back to the olden days during King Hiryuu's reign. The King Hiryuu was so smitten with his wife and remained to be so until the day he died in her arms.
Despite polyamory being not a common practice, the men of this kingdom still found ways to amuse their carnal appetites. Chan-Mi had described the existence of brothels where men go to abandon their morals. A few nobilities have their fair share of children born out of wed-lock. Mistresses were kept but none were given titles.
Sadly, her fate will not be so kind to her. She is to given to a brute and serve as his concubine. She may have never met the man, but she understands the age difference between them. Furthermore, there is no reason as to why he will treat her kindly given her heritage.
"Chan-Mi." She called out softly.
"Yes, my lady." The young maid replies.
"Have you ever thought of what you would like to do once the King sends me away?"
"I would follow you." There was no hesitation in the young maid's voice are she replied.
"I am greatly touched by your devotion, but Kai is not the same as here. Even I am unsure what will become of me once I step foot in that vast wasteland." Truthfully, she intended on taking her own life as soon as she is allowed a moment alone.
"I have no one but for you, my lady. I cannot think of what I would do if not serve your person." It was true. The Lady Ah-Reum was perhaps the kindest person she had ever met. Despite being of regal bloodline, the lady remains a beacon of humbleness. There was no one she would rather dedicate the rest of her life to.
"I cannot offer you much, but the very least I could do is guarantee a modest life for you. You could be married to a well-off man and live the rest of your life as a dutiful wife and mother to your children." Ah-Reum wanted the best for Chan-Mi; she never once thought of this girl as anything less than a trusted confidante. She wanted her to have the life that she could never have.
"My lady…" Chan-Mi understood more than anyone that her mistress was trying to give her the opportunity that she never will have.
"I am very grateful for your companionship throughout all these years. I cannot delay you any longer than I already have. I want you to live your life." Tears were started to pool around her eyes as she spoke her words.
"My lady…I will continue on being your companion for as long as I live."
There was a long period of silence. A-Reum gently used her handkerchief to dab away her tears. After she was placed into the lonely corner of the palace, she was sure that there was no kindness left in this life. Why is this girl so persistent on following her to certain doom?
"The world is an ugly place. I am grateful that all my misfortunes from before allowed me a pathway to you." Chan-Mi smiled at her mistress while her own tears stream gently down her face.
"Chan-Mi, think about what you will be sacrificing-"
"As long as I am with you, I have no regrets." Chan-Mi confidently proclaimed to her mistress.
The two girls embraced each other as they sobbed in one another's arms. This was the life of women, unable to live for themselves as they are sacrificed to burn in order for the advancements of their male counterparts.