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imperialsiyo · 2 months ago

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⌗ ︙・Mugunghwa In The Spring・

Empress!Bayan x Fem!Reader

➢ ﹒ ⊹ ₊ ˚ word count: ~2,981

➢ ﹒ ⊹ ₊ ˚ post content: kissing, flirting, unrequited love, hurt/comfort, eating, wholesome, fluff, sapphic, etc.

➢ ﹒ ⊹ ₊ ˚ Summary: The year is 1496 during the Joseon Era of Korea. You are a Kisaeng (government-owned courtesan) who has recently been promoted to a higher rank. Your talent has caught the attention of the Empress, and she invites you for a peaceful afternoon picnic by Gwahae Lake.

It was a morning of renewal, the first day of spring, and the air was laced with the sweetness of blooming flowers—pink and white Mugunghwa blossoming all around the palace gardens. The distant sound of laughter from courtiers and the occasional chirping of birds made the palace seem almost serene. You could feel the warmth of the sun as it kissed the surface of your skin. Today was an important day, one you had been preparing for with trembling hands and a heart racing with anticipation.

Her Majesty, Empress Bayan, had personally requested your company for an afternoon picnic. It was not unheard of for the Empress to call upon Kisaeng, but something about this felt different. You weren’t simply a courtesan today. You were her guest.

Why me? The question lingered in your mind, casting a shadow over your excitement.

As much as you had climbed the ranks quickly in only eight months, becoming an Ilpae (일패) felt almost surreal. Many girls worked years for this status. And here you were, an enigma to yourself, invited by the Empress herself.

The palace servants had arrived earlier to dress and prepare you, bringing the finest hanbok you had ever worn—emerald green with pastel pink accents, delicate embroidery, and a handmade gold hairpin with two dangling white pearls. The intricate design left you in awe. Surely, this is far too luxurious for someone like me.

But there was no time for doubt as you were led through the palace to the Empress’s quarters, every step heavy with the weight of expectation. When you arrived at the appointed spot by Gwahae Lake, you were met by the sight of Her Majesty, sitting beneath the shade of a cherry blossom tree, the soft petals falling around her like confetti.

Bayan’s presence was radiant, her calmness commanding. She wore a serene smile as her eyes met yours, their warmth piercing through your nervous exterior. Her royal hanbok shimmered with delicate silk, shades of purple and silver, making her appear almost otherworldly.

You swallowed hard, forcing yourself to speak despite the knot tightening in your throat. "I—I cannot thank you enough for your kindness, my lady," you stammered, lowering your head into a deep bow, arms stiff at your sides.

The Empress paused, her eyes softening. "There is no need for such formality, Y/n," she said gently. "Please, come and sit. The day is far too beautiful for us to be weighed down by titles."

You blinked, feeling your chest tighten as she called your name. No titles? Her voice had a way of disarming your nerves, even as your heart pounded in your ears. Slowly, you raised your head and stepped forward, your hands trembling as you sat down on the cloth beside her.

"I—I'm honored, truly," you continued, your voice faltering. "I never imagined I’d make it this far in such a short time. I’m not like the other high-ranked courtesans, not as talented or skilled as them. It feels… undeserved."

There was a silence that followed your words, the kind of silence that made you want to shrink into yourself. Why did I say that? Self-doubt gnawed at you, but before you could say more, Bayan’s voice cut through the tension.

"Y/n," she said softly, her tone firm but compassionate. "Do you truly believe that?"

Your breath caught in your throat, and you found yourself unable to look away from her gaze. Her hand reached out, gently lifting your chin so your eyes could meet hers. "Your talent is what caught my eye, not your title. It is your ability to captivate those around you, whether through conversation, art, or song. You have a rare gift, one that cannot be taught. And that is why you are here."

Her fingers brushed lightly against your chin, and you could feel the warmth of her touch ripple through you. She thinks I’m talented? The disbelief mixed with a strange flutter of excitement in your chest, your breath hitching at her words. Her sincerity felt like a balm, soothing the insecurities that had plagued you all morning.

"My lady, I…" You tried to find the words, but your voice faltered, caught between gratitude and disbelief.

Bayan smiled softly, her hand moving to hold yours, her thumbs gently tracing the calloused skin of your knuckles. "Do not let doubt cloud your heart, Y/n. Talent cannot always be measured in the same way. You are extraordinary in your own right."

The sincerity in her voice stirred something deep within you, and for the first time, you allowed yourself to believe it—if only for a moment. You nodded, unable to find words, a faint smile tugging at your lips. Extraordinary… in my own way.

As the servants finished setting up the picnic, you and Bayan settled into a comfortable conversation. The lake sparkled in the afternoon sun, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves above. An array of delicacies had been laid out: sweet rice cakes, fresh fruit, and small sandwiches prepared with precision.

You glanced around, noting the lack of guards. Normally, Bayan’s personal retinue would be close by. Perhaps they were watching from the shadows, or maybe she had chosen to have some semblance of privacy for the day.

"Tell me about your life, Y/n," Bayan asked, her voice gentle but curious. "I wish to know more about the woman behind the title."

"Oh, me?" You scratched the back of your head with a nervous laugh. "There's not much to tell. My family were farmers—my grandmother and mother were Kisaeng before me, and it became my path as well." You paused, smiling softly at the memory of your home. "My mother worked so hard, always with a smile on her face, but… there was a sadness in her eyes, even when she smiled."

The words came out softer than you intended, and you felt a pang in your chest, a melancholy that you had never fully confronted. The weight of inherited duty, the life of a Kisaeng passed down from generation to generation. The tightness in your throat threatened to overwhelm you.

"I suppose we all have burdens to bear," you said, your voice barely above a whisper.

Bayan was silent for a moment, her eyes filled with understanding. Then, without a word, she reached out and wrapped her arms around you, pulling you into an embrace. You froze for a moment, startled by the sudden contact, but soon found yourself relaxing against her, your heartbeats syncing in a gentle rhythm.

"You carry so much on your shoulders, Y/n," Bayan whispered, her breath warm against your ear. "But you do not have to bear it alone."

Your eyes widened as you melted into her arms. Her embrace was comforting, like the warmth of sunlight on a cold day. She’s so close… The realization of her tenderness made your face flush with heat, your mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. You had not expected this level of intimacy, and it left you feeling both vulnerable and cherished.

"I hope I didn’t upset you, my lady," you stammered, your voice faltering as you pulled away slightly, though her arms remained loosely around you.

Bayan shook her head, her gaze soft and reassuring. "You did not upset me. I only wanted you to know that I understand." Her eyes held yours, and you could feel the weight of her words. "My mother was much the same."

There was a shared sorrow between you, an unspoken bond of understanding that made the moment feel heavier, yet somehow lighter. For a while, the two of you sat in silence, the sounds of nature filling the gaps where words could not.

Eventually, you smiled, the weight in your chest lifting as you reached for the flute she had gifted you earlier. "Are you sure I can keep it? It's lovely but…"

"It's yours, Y/n," Bayan said, her hand curling around yours, pressing the flute into your palm. "You may thank me by playing it to your heart’s content."

Your heart skipped a beat at her words, the warmth in her gaze sending a thrill through you. "Thank you, Bayan," you whispered, daring to use her name without a title.

As the day went on, you played a gentle melody on the flute while Bayan plucked a nearby Mugunghwa flower and placed it in your hair. The two of you lingered in each other’s presence, sharing sweets and quiet laughter until the sun began to dip below the horizon.

Before you parted ways, Bayan leaned in, her lips brushing against your cheek in a soft, lingering kiss—a farewell that left you blushing, your heart fluttering with the memory of her touch.

That night, as you lay awake, your mind raced with thoughts of the day.

You had never been this close to someone of such importance before. Her touch still lingered on your skin, a soft warmth that refused to fade even as the cool night air seeped into your room.

You replayed the kiss over and over in your mind, the gentle brush of her lips against your cheek, the way her fingers lingered in your hair as she placed the Mugunghwa there. The Empress had always carried herself with grace and dignity, but this… this was something far more personal, far more intimate.

What did it mean? you wondered, staring up at the wooden ceiling above your bed. You had been trained to entertain, to charm, but this was different. This was not the role of a courtesan—this was something deeper, something that made your heart race and your mind whirl with confusion. Was it affection? Friendship? Or something more?

Her words echoed in your mind: “You do not have to bear it alone.” There was a tenderness in the way she had spoken those words, as though she saw past your role, past the title of Kisaeng, and saw you—the real you.

You shifted in your bed, pulling the blanket tighter around yourself as a soft sigh escaped your lips. Could it be that Bayan, the Empress of the nation, truly saw you as someone more than just a performer? The idea sent shivers down your spine, both thrilling and terrifying.

The next few days passed in a blur of routine and duties. You were busy with lessons, performances, and entertaining officials, but your thoughts kept drifting back to that afternoon by the lake. Every time you closed your eyes, you could see Bayan’s smile, hear the softness of her voice, feel the warmth of her touch. It was maddening, how much you thought of her.

You tried to push the thoughts aside, reminding yourself of your place. You were a Kisaeng, trained to please, to perform. There was no room for personal attachment, especially not with someone of Bayan’s status. But no matter how hard you tried, the memory of that day lingered, wrapping itself around your heart like a vine.

Several days later, just as the cherry blossoms began to fall in full bloom, you received another invitation. The royal messenger had arrived at your quarters early in the morning, presenting you with a scroll bearing the Empress’s seal.

You unrolled it carefully, your heart pounding as you read the elegant script:

Y/n,

I find myself longing for your company once more. Join me this evening in the gardens. There is much I wish to discuss with you.

- Bayan

Your breath caught in your throat. Longing for your company… The words sent a flutter through your chest, and for a moment, you simply stood there, staring at the scroll in disbelief.

Without wasting any time, you prepared yourself, your mind a whirlwind of possibilities. What could she want to discuss? Had something changed since your last meeting? Was this a formal summons, or something more personal?

As the evening approached, you found yourself once again standing in the palace gardens, the setting sun casting a warm golden glow over the landscape. The air was filled with the soft scent of blooming flowers, and the distant sound of a waterfall trickled through the quiet.

Bayan was waiting for you under the same cherry blossom tree where you had shared your first afternoon together. She looked even more radiant in the evening light, her hair loosely pinned up, her hanbok flowing like water as she stood to greet you.

"Y/n," she called softly, her voice carrying through the air like a melody. "I’m glad you came."

You bowed deeply, trying to keep your composure. "It is always an honor to be in your presence, my lady."

Bayan smiled, her eyes crinkling slightly at the corners. "I told you before, there’s no need for formalities between us." She gestured for you to sit beside her, and once again, you felt that strange mix of excitement and nervousness as you obeyed.

For a moment, neither of you spoke. The silence was comfortable, filled with the sounds of nature and the soft rustling of the wind through the trees. You stole a glance at her, admiring the way the evening light danced across her skin, the way her eyes sparkled with something you couldn’t quite place.

"I’ve been thinking about you, Y/n," Bayan finally said, her voice soft but firm. "Since the day by the lake."

Your heart skipped a beat. "You have, my lady?"

She nodded, turning her gaze to the horizon. "There’s something about you that draws me in. It’s not just your talent, though that is undeniable. It’s the way you carry yourself, the way you speak, the way you seem to understand the world with such depth. It’s… remarkable."

You blinked, taken aback by her words. "I… I don’t know what to say."

"You don’t need to say anything." She smiled, her eyes locking onto yours. "I just wanted you to know."

A heavy silence fell between you, and for a moment, you weren’t sure what to do. Her words sent a flurry of emotions through you—pride, confusion, fear, hope. Did she see you as more than just a performer? Was there something deeper behind her compliments?

Bayan reached out, taking your hand in hers, her fingers warm against your skin. "Y/n," she said softly, "I don’t want you to feel as though you’re only here because of duty or obligation. I invited you here because I enjoy your company. Because… I care for you."

Your breath caught in your throat. "My lady, I… I’m not sure I understand."

Her hand tightened around yours, her eyes searching yours for understanding. "I know this must be unexpected for you. And I know our positions make things… complicated. But my feelings for you are real, Y/n. You’ve stirred something in me that I haven’t felt in a long time."

You felt your heart hammering in your chest, a mixture of fear and elation swirling inside you. "I… I don’t know what to say," you whispered, your voice barely audible.

Bayan smiled softly, her thumb brushing over your knuckles in a soothing gesture. "You don’t have to say anything now. I just wanted you to know how I feel. I don’t expect anything from you. I just… wanted to be honest."

For a moment, you could only sit there, stunned by her confession. The Empress of Joseon, the most powerful woman in the land, had just confessed her feelings for you. It was overwhelming, and yet… there was a part of you that had longed for this, a part of you that had felt the same way but had been too afraid to admit it, even to yourself.

Slowly, you nodded, your eyes meeting hers once more. "Thank you… for your honesty, my lady," you said quietly. "I… I’m honored by your words."

Bayan smiled, her eyes softening with relief. "Take your time, Y/n. There’s no rush. We have all the time in the world."

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the gardens in a soft, golden glow, you sat there with Bayan, hand in hand, sharing a quiet moment of understanding and possibility. For the first time in a long while, you allowed yourself to hope—for connection, for something more, for a future that felt uncertain but full of promise.

And as you sat beneath the cherry blossoms, the world seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of you, together in the quiet beauty of the evening.

#elixir of the sun #bayan #bayan x reader #wlw #wlw fiction #sapphic #female reader #fem!reader #lesbian #joseon dynasty

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