So this took longer than expected. I was trying so hard for this chapter to work with me, but it just wasn't happening. But tonight I sat down with the intention to at least get down the dialogue that I wanted for the chapter, and just write around it at a later date. But here we are, 4 hours later I have a new chapter to offer up. Now this is where the storyline fully diverges from the original work of G&HP&HK, so I hope you enjoy the direction I've taken with this.

Word Count: 1,928
Uploaded: 06/24/21

Unbroken – Gustavo Santaoalla

The journey from Goryeo to Tenebrae passed by in a haze that I had no trouble falling into. Even upon our arrival, I was lost among the rush of activity.

I vaguely registered Ravus leading me out of the magitek engine, a guiding hand resting against my lower back. We passed a sea of faces, most of which were likely the Manor staff.

My full attention only returned when my eyes landed on a familiar face that I had missed dearly all these years.

Luna was radiant, all in white with her beautiful hair all pinned up and framing her face. It took everything in me not to sprint into her arms and break down into sobs. The Third Princess had never met the Oracle. So, I was forced to pretend that we were simply strangers, who just happened to be sisters by marriage.

"Sister, may I introduce you to my wife, Princess Eun-Byeol. And this is my younger sister, the Oracle, Lunafreya." Ravus introduced us, gesturing vaguely between us both.

"Well met, my lady." I greeted her, dipping into a shallow curtsy.

"A pleasure to meet you, my brother has written to me about you, it's as if I already know you. So please do not stand on ceremony; we are family now after all." Luna assured me, taking my hands into hers.

Ravus cleared his throat loudly, drawing our attention once again.

"I must return to my duties, but I leave you in the capable hands of my sister. Until later." He stated, barely nodding his head before taking off.

Luna merely sighed in a delayed response, turning her gaze back onto me.

"Come. I will show you around your new home." The blonde said, linking arms with me as she guided me into the manor.

Much of it remained unchanged from my memories, but Luna still gave a detailed tour to keep up pretences.

"Ravus wrote to me that we were to prepare private apartments for yourself separate from his own, so that you may have your own space for now. I hope it is to your liking." The blonde said as we entered a rather spacious suite in the family wing of the manor. They were similar to those of Luna's from what my childhood memories recalled.

"Thank you, Lady Lunafreya. I appreciate the thought."

My old friend graced me with a kind, yet pained, smile.

"Just Luna, please. The Manor staff will bring your belongings to your rooms."

I pulled my gaze from her own as I moved further into the suite.

"Thank you again. I would like to rest before dinner if you don't mind." I announced, turning to face the elder woman.

"Of course. You must be tired from the journey. Dinner will be a small affair, held in the family apartments. Someone will be by to collect you beforehand." Luna responded, departing gracefully with a kind smile, leaving me to my silence and exhaustion.

Dinner was a somber event; no words were exchanged apart from pleasantries between myself and Luna. Ravus remained silent for the most part, barely responding to the slight prodding of his sister.

Luna was the one to escort me back to my rooms following Ravus' early departure, allowing us our privacy for the first time since our arrival.

My rooms were bathed in the moonlight that filtered through the grand windows, removing the need for the lights to be on.

Once the door was closed and Luna had crossed the room to where I stood near a sofa, the last of my resolve crumbled.

I all but collapsed into my friend's arms, both of us clinging to each other as if the other might just disappear if we were to let go for even a moment.

"Oh Soo, I was so frightened when I received word of the attack. I prayed that you had survived and seeing you in my dreams was not enough to abate my fears." The former princess whispered, as if her fears were still at risk of coming true.

"It was so horrible, Luna. Everyone, so many innocents, my family; all gone in just moments." I cried, my face pressing against her shoulder.

"I know, and I am so sorry for your loss. But I know you, and I know your people, you will all rise from the ashes stronger and with greater determination than before."

For a long while the only noise that filled the sitting room was that of my sobs and sniffling as I poured out my grief onto the oracle's shoulder.

"How did you do it? How did you keep going on after your mother died?" I asked, my voice breaking slightly.

There was silence for a time before Luna found her words again.

In a hushed voice, she told me, "It was hard, but she would have wanted me to carry out my duties to the gods and the people of the world. I mourned my mother, but I chose not to let my grief and anger consume me as it has Ravus."

The blonde women slid her hands up my shoulders to cup my cheeks so she could look me in the eyes.

"You will shed your tears this night, and tomorrow you will emerge from these rooms with the dignity and elegance of your title. You will play their game until the time comes for the empire to face justice for their crimes."

I could only nod stiffly, my tears slowly turning silent.

"And what will I do here? What will be my purpose?" I whispered, my gaze dropping down away from hers.

"Whatever you wish it to be. We could be companions; you could travel with me as I heal the people of Tenebrae. You could take on the duties of the head of the house, as is your right as Ravus' wife. Or your can linger in your rooms and allow your grief to rule your life." Luna answered honestly, her hands resting on my shoulders once again.

My gaze slipped back up to her own, as if I could find my answer there.

"Thank you, Luna. You're the first person since the wedding to give me the choice to decide what to do with my life, however limited it may be." I told her in complete honesty, offering a weak smile.

"You don't have to come to a decision right away. No one would disparage you for hiding away for a few days, you only just arrived in Tenebrae." She promised, taking my hands into her own.

I searched her gaze, the blue of her eyes bottomless in their kindness and love. I clutched her hands tightly, choosing to take back some smidgen of control over my life.

"Will you stay with me, just for tonight?" I asked timidly, not wanting to be alone in the large rooms for the night.

"Of course, anything for you, Soo." Luna promised, taking my hands in hers again and leading me towards the bedroom.

There were soft white night dresses in the armoire across from the bed, providing some comfort before we climbed under the covers for the night.

We drifted into dreams facing each other, with my last conscious thought being that Luna truly looked beautiful in the moonlight.

Luna was gone when I woke the next morning, the sheets next to me having long turned cold.

I sat in bed for a while, contemplating my choices.

I could remain in my rooms for a few days or even the rest of my life if I so wished, according to Luna. Or I could go out and make something of my life within the empire's boundaries.

My choice was simple in the end, I wouldn't let the empire win.

I pushed the covers away from my legs as I made my way over to the armoire, opening it to pull out one of the few hanbok I had chosen to bring with me. The blush pink and pale green silks were one of the last pieces of my life before the world fell apart. And now they were to be my armour outside these rooms.

Dressing and pining up my hair took longer than normal with the lack of handmaids to assist in wrangling my rather large amount of hair, but I managed in the end. My only decoration was the hair pin that I had received from Orion before my wedding.

That night seemed to be almost a lifetime ago.

With my appearance sorted, I straightened my posture and walked out of my rooms for the first time with my head held high.

My wanderings led me into the gardens just outside the family apartments, taking in the beauty of the nature that surrounded me in every direction. Luna had a love of gardening, so this was no doubt her handy work.

I managed to find a small pavilion that gave a large view of the gardens and the sprawling forests of Tenebrae beyond the Manor's grounds.

I sat there for who knows how long before I heard the tell-tale signs that I was no longer alone in my little piece of sanctuary.

A slight shift of my head brought Ravus into my line of sight. I offered him a small nod of acknowledgement before moving my gaze back to the grounds.

He took it as an invitation to join me in my solitude, settling an acceptable distance away from me on the bench.

We remained in silence for a time until Ravus had gathered the courage to speak of what was on his mind.

"Despite the circumstances of our marriage, and the fate of your country, I would like you to know that I intend to abide as much as possible to the agreements of our marriage that were laid out by your council." He began, appearing almost nervous as he spoke.

I could only raise a brow in response as the blonde man continued.

"The empire is likely to leave us be for a short while, but they will begin to press us for an heir. I just wanted to inform you of my stance on the matter. I will not touch you in that manner unless you desire it or ask it of me." The commander concluded, turning his head so that our eyes might meet.

I continued to stare, trying to determine if his words were just that. Only words, empty of the intention to keep their promise. But all I could find was resignation and honesty.

I did not speak for some time, thinking on my words before speaking.

Finally, my gaze reunited with his own mismatched eyes. I took a deep breath through my nose, shifting into my role of princess.

"And when the time does come and the empire is pressing for heirs, we will adjust our current arrangements as needed. But until then you will keep your own bed and I shall keep mine." I replied, remaining firm in my stance on following the stipulations of our marriage well beyond their expiration date.

"Of course. I would never think to touch you against your will, nor any other woman." Ravus assured, giving a solemn nod as he continued to hold my gaze.

"Thank you. You have no idea how much your words have put my mind at ease." I said, the tension I had been holding in my body slowly slipping away as I relaxed.

Ravus only nodded, turning back towards the landscape before us, the silence that fell was one of ease for once.

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