#even the Empress is held back on what she can and cannot do

[thesovereignsring-if]

There's no excuses for what Shitrick did, but oh well he's protected by the plot and author and not forced to be incompetent like mc with a bunch of shit excuses for why mc is the most useless character in the game. It doesn't even make any damn sense people mc's age are skilled lol

Oh no, baby is a little pressed aren’t we?

Eirik is not protected by the plot. He’s literally framed as the main antagonist, it’ll take plot armor to keep him alive and the goes the same for a lot of people in the cast. All he’s got going for him is a lot of money and family blood. Anything else beyond that was Eirik’s own hard work.

He’s also five years older than the MC, who is only eighteen. Think a little about how much a person and learn and grow in that time.

In fact let’s put it into a more modern example so its more clear. Within four to five years, someone can go to a post secondary institution and develop all the skills they need for their career, get an internship and or continue it. It’s like comparing someone with a full bachelor degree versus the a person who just fresh out of high school. That feels unfair doesn’t it?

Now, the only characters truly around the MC’s age we’ve met so far are Finny and Thea. And they are don’t compare to the literal veterans in their fields either. You really think Finny can take on Sieg and survive? Ha. Wait until you meet him. Yes Thea, is talented, yes she had a jump start at magic, but that’s because she’s a product of her environment, just like the MC is and Thea is VERY aware of how powerless she really is. If she went up against someone like Medea or Rothbart in battle, she’s dead. End of story.

Since you referenced my replies in previous asks,(very old asks now that I think about it) I can assume you’ve must have read a lot of what I’ve written, so i am astounded at your ability to not comprehend the kind of story this is…or you do, but still choose to follow and be upset when it remains to be exactly what I say it’s going to be.

How many times do I have to say it without saying it directly that the MC is the underdog? Their biggest disadvantage is that this succession crisis begins right at the beginning of their adult life? The audience for this game is 18+ surely you have enough media literacy to understand this.

If you cannot accept these fact then I will kindly ask you and your power tripping kind to leave. The story is written in a fashion that there is a lot of grey and nuance between the characters and their upbringing and the conflict. Eirik is an antagonist, but his flaws are rooted in his backstory that is written to be sympathetic and human, because he IS human. But god, if you cannot handle Eirik, you’ll barely be able to handle the rest of the cast.

If you cannot understand or have sympathy for a boy who’s lashing out because people are trying to forget his father was brutally murdered in a civil war by his own family, then everything else is going to fly over your head and your going to have a bad time- and honestly look stupid when you come crying into my inbox. Step outside and talk to some people, you could gain some emotional intelligence, it’ll do you some good.

This is not a power fantasy. You’re not going to get all powerful and trample over people to get your way. No, you’re going to have to make alliances, understand the MC is only one person in an conflict involving an Empire. The MC is going to be feeling a lot of negative feelings because their human like everyone else who has flaws and weakness.

I will never change my story to appease you so you’re talking to a wall. If you can’t handle that, you’ll be happier if you leave, unfollow, rate the game no stars.

This is the last time I’ll be replying to a comment like this because honestly, you and I have better things to do.

[potchi-fics]

note: this is all i got cus im really busy this week. ill probably write them having sex soon, just not right now. listened to do i wanna know by hozier while writing this

part two

      the warlord, ambessa medarda, has never encountered someone bold enough to stand their ground against her.

til she met you. an empress of a nation, never afraid to stand up for your people. so when you held your chin up high, chest out, gaze never wavering when you spoke to her, it sparked interest within her soul.

“pride like yours is a death sentence, general. i cannot give you what you want as it endangers my people.” not once did your voice falter, you bring your hand to gesture to your guards, “leave us. escort the general’s as well.”

a wolfish grin takes over her features, “is that your way of saying that you want me all to yourself, your majesty?” her eyes never left yours even when her men are gone, “i must say, i have some thoughts about professional entanglements.”

“arrogance, pride, egotism. thread lightly, general.” you cross your legs on where you sit, the back of your hand supporting your chin—your throne, looking down at her, “i will simply propose a contract. one that would…benefit both our nations.”

you see her raise an eyebrow, the scar above just barely stretching. “and what is that exactly?”

“resources. i know your kind, general. you desire to have power, to control, to take over, and i will not simply let that happen. i will lay down hell on you if you even dare to think of doing that to my land.” eyes devoid of warmth or life, you threaten the warlord standing before you, taking notice of her tensing shoulders, “i know that you are capable of doing that, however, IF we do come to that, i’m afraid the effects of the aftermath will last for more than a lifetime to our nations.”

ambessa’s glare sharpens, your words striking a nerve, “it is not wise to threaten me, your majesty.”

“i am not.”

“what do you call that?”

“the truth.”

      you are bold, confident, daring; it sends shivers up her spine. you are staring daggers at her from where you sit, unmoving, assessing her from head to toe. she should be insulted, but she’s not.

oh, she will have you. 

“i am in agreement with what you have proposed, your majesty.” she bows her head, refusing to kneel to you. 

      you swear on your life that you will have her on her knees for you. 

you rise to your feet, descending down the stairs to stand in front of her, she never took her eyes off of you. ambessa leans down as you signal for her to do so. gently, you take her face in your hands, turning her head to the side so that you can press your cheek against her.

her towering figure presence easily overshadows your entire frame. but you are not intimated—matter of fact, it entices you. 

your whisper caresses her ear like the wind, “wonderful. consider this a treaty of peace, general.”

      the faintest sensation of her jaw clenching against your cheek reaches you. you are playing a dangerous game; dousing a fire with fuel never ends well.

she slowly wraps an arm around your waist, her fingers lightly grazing against your back.

“careful now, lamb.”

[theemissuniverse]

“MY INSIDES ARE RED AND YOURS ARE TOO” MILEENA X FEM READER FINAL PART

REQUEST BY : @zhivaxo

May I request an MK1 Mileena x Fem Reader?

The reader is an earthrelmer, and when Mileena meets the reader , she falls in love and through the story. You see them get closer and closer until the reader almost dies and Mileena saves her?

Mileena and Tanya are not together?

I hope this is okay with you if not it's cool :] have a good day

ADDITIONAL : I made the reader Raiden’s twin sister. In the original timeline the reader was a thunder god and in MK 11 Raiden and reader gave Liu Kang all their power to save them so in this timeline she is the new earthrealm’s champion. Also in the original timeline, Mileena had an obsessive crush on you but nothing came of it. This is more so a story because the idea came to me and I couldn’t get it out of my head. Also plot will change from mk 11 becaussse I said so

PART 1

“Wake up! (Y/N)! (Y/N)! Stay with me.”

You heard a voice say. You blinked your eyes slowly and saw Liu Kang in front of you.

“Lord Liu Kang? What happened?”

“You blacked out. I healed you with my fire. You must take it easy.” Liu Kang offered his hand for you to take. 

When you looked around, you realized you were back at the temple in Earthrealm. You were confused. Why were you back in Earthrealm? Where were the others? “What happened?”

Liu Kang’s face was full of sorrow as if he did not want to speak what had happened into existence. “Sindel is dead. The others are in Outworld, preparing.”

”What am I still doing here then? Come on.” You started to walk. When you did, Liu Kang gripped your arm to stop you firmly in place. You gave him a look. “What?”

”I cannot let you leave, (Y/N). Your body needs rest.”

”I don’t care about rest. My brother and friends are out there. I can’t just let them do this alone!” You saw the unsure look on Liu Kang’s face. “Please, Lord Liu Kang. You told me that I am destined to be your chosen one. What kind of chosen one just sits on the sidelines while her friends go off to war?”

Liu Kang really did not want you to leave. Though, you were right and he understood the position you were in. He sighed and then began to conjure up the portal using his fire power.

You were happy that Liu Kang didn’t put a fight and allowed you to leave. “Be careful.” He told you.

”I will.”

Mileena was worried about you. Not only that but she was completely heartbroken over her mother’s death. All she could think about was you now.

It was obvious of the connection the two of you shared but Mileena now recognized she had feelings for you. She hated it. Not only that but she felt weak to her knees every time you were around.

How was she supposed to go on without you?

“Princess Mileena.” Shang Tsung called her attention.

She gritted her teeth but held back her aggressive nature. “Empress now.”

”Yes…I have a proposition for you.”

Mileena rolled her eyes. She couldn’t believe he would even say that to her. “I am not interested whatever it may be.”

”I think you might. We all know you are fond of that Earthrealmer. However, how would you ever have a real relationship with her considering your condition?”

The mention of you tugged on her heart strings. She just didn’t understand why he was concerned. “Get to your point, sorcerer.”

Shang Tsung had this smug on his face. He knew that whatever he was about to say, she would be interested in. “Unfortunately, I cannot cure Tarkat once it has entered a beings system but I can prevent it. I can make an antidote that will prevent (Y/N) from catching the disease. All she would have to do is drink it.”

Mileena was absolutely interested. She could finally stop being so scared about being around you. About getting you infected. She knew though that this would come with a price. “What do you want?”

”Simple. When all this is over spare me and Quan Chi. You can live your happy ending with the Earthrealmer…we’ll live ours.”

That would mean that after all this, Shang Tsung wouldn’t be arrested for his crimes. Was it worth it? Letting a mad man out on the lose?

You were worth it. You were always worth it. “Fine. But if I find you lying sorcerer, I will have your head.”

”Very well.” He spoke, unbothered.

You went through the portal. You were met by the group. “I will never get over that.” You mumble to yourself.

Raiden had looked at you, completely confused. “What are you doing here? You’re suppose to be resting.”

”I’m done resting.” You told him. “I’m fine. I’m prepared to do whatever it takes.”

Raiden did not seem convinced. Mileena ran to your side and pulled you into a hug. You hugged her back. “I thought you were badly injured.” She told you.

”Nah. Just needed to take a quick cat nap.” You told her. The two of you pull away. You take the amulet out of your waistband and you walked over to Raiden before handing it to him. “Here.” 

Raiden looked at you in disbelief. Why were you giving your amulet to him? “No. I’m not taking that from you.”

You rolled your eyes a little. “Just take it string bean.”

”(Y/N), you almost died. I am not taking the one thing that can save you.” 

“Well I can’t walk around with it knowing that you also share this power too.” You told him. You raised the amulet to him. “Take it.”

Raiden was still unsure. Mileena admired how protective you were with your brother. It reminded her of the relationship she had with her sister. That’s when Mileena stepped up. “Take it, Raiden.” Mileena then gently grabbed your hand before looking deep in your eyes. “I will protect her.”

Your brother looked between the two of you. Despite him not wanting to, he believed Mileena. He let out a sigh before taking the amulet. “I am not keeping this. As soon as this is over - you will get it back.”

You knew that you couldn’t argue with him there. You let out an exasperated sigh and looked around for answers. “What’s the plan?” 

“We must divide our forces.” Scorpion spoke. “Raiden, Shang Tsung, Quan Chi will use their magic to attack the portals. As they do, Kenshi and Jerrod will grind down the Dragon Army. The rest of us will attack our dark doubles. If they’re defeated, it will hopefully throw the dragon warriors in disarray.

”An astute strategy.” Quan Chi complimented.

”Truly. I could not have devised a better one.” Shang Tsung co signed.

You rolled your eyes at the two. “Chill out. You’re still the bad guys remember? We don’t like you.”

Everyone got into their positions. When everyone was ready, you all immediately attacked. Fighting without your lightning powers was slightly weird. Lucky for you, you were strong enough to take everyone that was in your path. 

One had caught you by surprise. They pinned you to the ground and started choking you. Mileena went behind their back and put a sai right through their head.

You threw the warrior’s body off of you. “Where would I be without you?”

”Surely, dead.” Mileena teased before helping you up.

The two of you continue to fight. You still fight until you realize that the portal is closed. “They did it.”

Mileena looked at you with loving eyes. She wanted to tell you before everything was too late. “(Y/N), I must speak with you.” 

You looked at her curiously. “Alright. What’s up?” 

“Shang Tsung is going to make you a potion that you can drink. So, it can be prevented to get the Tarkat disease.”

You scoffed at the idea. Why would she trust Shang Tsung to do that? “And what did he want in return?”

”His freedom.”

”And you believe him?”

”Yes. I do.”

You couldn’t understand why she would do this. Why she would want to do this? To even trust a man like him. “Why? Why do all this?”

Mileena did not stop looking in your eyes. She caressed your face with both her hands. “Dearest (Y/N), have we not already made it so obvious?”

Was this it? Was this Mileena’s confession? If it was…it wasn’t enough. “I want to hear you say it.”

“(Y/N), you have been by my side through it all. Even when I felt betrayed. Even when you learned of my monstrous face. You did not run. You are the most courageous woman I have ever met. Nothing would make me more happy than to finally be yours.” Mileena then took your hands. “We can do it. We can be together. I know we can. Do not run from this.”

All you wanted to do was kiss Mileena. You caressed her face with your right hand and looked into her beautiful eyes. The eyes you couldn’t help but swim in. “I don’t want to run from this feeling.”

When Mileena realized you were leaning in slightly, she carefully stopped you by placing her finger over your lips. “Not yet, darling. A time will come for that.”

You knew you couldn’t kiss Mileena right now but god did you want to. You heard a whistle and when you looked you saw Johnny. “Aww. I knew you two would get together.”

Mileena grabbed one of her sais and threw it at Johnny. It barley missed his head and landed in the rock wall. “Ah! Okay! Okay!”

You laughed slightly and wrapped your arms around Mileena’s waist. She was your woman.

Armageddon had arise. Liu Kang gathered people from different time lines to fight in the war. You were scared. Not for you but for your people. What if they had died?

It was up to all of you to stop Titan Shang Tsung. You and your brother had worked as a team defeating all of the enemies you had came across.

It was in the midst of everything that you had lost Raiden. You didn’t know where he was but you hoped he was okay.

You saw four warriors that you did not recognize come down the stairs. You were about to attack until you seen a fan in your vision. Titan Kitana had stopped you. “Allow me.”

In a swift motion, Titan Kitana had defeated them all. Your eyes wide at how easily she had done it. “That was Fan-Tastic.”

Something about it made Titan Kitana smile as in the previous timeline, you also had a sense of humor despite being a god. “You’re welcome. Now hurry. There’s no time to -“

Titan Kitana was pushed off the stairs. You wanted to help her but you had to get to Titan Shang Tsung.

You saw Mileena getting attacked by her double. You immediately kicked her off. Mileena stabbed her double in the face. “I’m never getting used to that.” You said.

”You’re telling me.” You helped Mileena up and the two of you ran up the stairs where Liu Kang was. “(Y/N). Mileena. It’s only a little further. Follow me!”

The three of you made it to the top. “Your defenses have failed Shang Tsung. This is over.” Liu Kang told him. 

“I do not think so.” 

“Realize sorcerer that you’ve brought this on yourself. Avarice and ego have again proved your undoing. We have no choice but to eradicate you.”

”It is you who will be eradicated. You and your followers. And once you are dead all timelines will be mine.”

Liu Kang ran over to fight Quan Chi as you and Mileena fought Shang Tsung. Shang Tsung managed to over power you both and you both fell to the ground.

Liu Kang began to fight both Quan Chi and Shang Tsung. He managed to match them blow for blow until he was eventually taken down by Quan Chi’s magic.

Mileena was weakened on the ground. Shang Tsung walked over to her. “This would’ve been painless if you just submitted.”

Shang Tsung began taking Mileena’s soul. You watched as her body started to become lifeless.

Something inside of you snapped. Seeing the woman you loved dying flipped something inside you. You had thought you didn’t have any strength. Now you did.

”No!” You screamed. You raised your hand instinctively and lightning shot out your hands. Shang Tsung fell to the ground. Your eyes widened when you did this. You had given the amulet to your brother. How did you have lightning powers?

Mileena watched you in shock. She was too weak to help you though and she hated it. She hated that she couldn’t protect you.

You looked at your hands and then back at Shang Tsung who stood up from the ground. “I don’t know what just happened…” You started to say. “But I’m about to kick your ass.”

Shang Tsung was not bothered by your threat. “Your power is no match for mine. You will fall. The question you must ask yourself is…if Liu Kang couldn’t finish us…how possibly could you?”

You went for the first hit. Shang Tsung blocked it. Quan Chi tried to come up behind you but you stunned him with your lightning. Shang Tsung tried to hit you but you dodged it and kicked his leg, making him fall down.

You spun and kicked Quan Chi. This knocked him down. Shang Tsung tried to use his magic on you but you moved out the way. This made the magic be used on Quan Chi and sent him flying back.

Shang Tsung punched you in the face. You felt your nose bleed. Quan Chi then came up and swept your feet. You fell down. Shang Tsung tried to stomp on your head but you quickly move and zapped him with your lightning.

Quan Chi came up from behind. You grabbed him and threw him over your shoulder. Then you punched him in the face, knocking him out cold.

Shang Tsung seemed to be displeased by this. He tried to charge at you. You blocked every hit he threw. You punched him in his gut. You kicked him in his private area. This made him fall to his knees. You then did a spin kick and kicked him in the jaw where he fell back.

Shang Tsung was tired. He couldn’t fight anymore. You towered over him. Your eyes glowed a blue light. You rubbed your hands together and raised them to his chest. “Clear.”

You shocked him through his soul. Shang Tsung screamed in agony. He then finally passed out.

You watched as the magic that binded Liu Kang broke. You ran over to help Mileena up. Liu Kang ran over to you, impressed at what you had done. Especially as he knew you gave the amulet to your brother and you still gained your powers. “And they call me the Chosen One.”

You shrugged cockily, dusting your shoulders off. “Yeah, well. I am amazing.” Mileena playfully hit you in the chest. 

Liu Kang smiled at you. He then used his magic to make the two sorcerers become nothing. When he did that, the whole universe started to shake. “What’s happening?” Mileena questioned.

”The timeline!” Liu Kang exclaimed. “Without Shang Tsung to hold it together, it’s falling apart! You two must return to our timeline before this one collapses.” He started to use his power and it wrapped around you and Mileena. “Thank you for your aid the two of you. May we one day meet again.”

Being back in Earthrealm sucked. Yes, everything was back to normal but it had been days since the victory of Armageddon. You hadn’t seen Mileena since.

You sat at Madam Bo’s with your Earthrealm comrades. “I still cannot believe you gained lightning power and stopped Shang Tsung.” Raiden said.

”Yeah…” You looked at Liu Kang curiously. “What is up with that?”

”The amulet Raiden now carries was yours in a previous timeline. It must have bonded with you and given you enough power when Empress Mileena was dying.” Liu Kang explained.

You slung your arm around Raiden’s shoulder. “I guess that means you get to keep the amulet after all.” He smiled at you.

”Speaking of Mileena…” Kung Lao said before looking at you. “What’s going to happen between you two?”

You shrugged. “We said we wanted to be together. Shang Tsung is working on a potion that will prevent me from getting Tarkat. I haven’t seen her since Armageddon though.”

”You see her now.”

That voice. You knew and loved. You turned around from your seat and saw Mileena standing before you. “Mileena?!” You exclaimed. You didn’t think twice. You got up from your seat and hugged her.

Mileena hugged you back. “It’s good to see you too, darling.” 

You pulled away from her. “How are you here?”

That’s when Liu Kang stood up from his seat. “I invited her here. Her palace needs some…reconstruction and I believed that it would be best if she would stay in Earthrealm for the week.”

Johnny looked confused. “Don’t they got hotels in Outworld?” He was immediately smacked in the head by Kenshi. “Ow!”

Mileena payed her attention towards Liu Kang. “Lord Liu Kang, thank you for allowing me to stay here.”

”You are always welcome, Empress.” He told her before bowing.

Mileena made a motion to you that she wanted to talk to you in private. You looked back at your friends. “I’ll be right back.”

”Sure you will…” Kung Lao teased slightly.

Mileena noticed you were about to flip him off and she pulled at your arm. You took her hand and led her out the restaurant. All the way to the outside where there was a flower garden. 

The Empress took something out her pocket. She revealed it to be the potion. “Shang Tsung made it.”

You carefully took the liquid and observed it. “How do we know if it will work?” 

“We don’t.” Mileena bit her lip slightly. “(Y/N). You don’t have to do it if you don’t want to-“ She was cut off by you opening the bottle and drinking it. “(Y/N)!”

You finished drinking it and threw it somewhere in the grass. “Finally.” You grabbed Mileena by the hips and kissed her.

Mileena was shocked a little at how sudden it was but did not hesitate to kiss you back. She wrapped her arms around your neck and pulled you closer, deepening the kiss.

It was a very passionate kiss. The two of you had waited what felt like forever. Her lips tasted like cotton candy and hope. Mileena thought your lips were delicious also.

The kiss was starting to get sloppy. The two of you were using a lot of tongue. You picked Mileena up by her ass and made her legs wrap around your waist. You pressed her up against the tree and continued to kiss her like if you stopped she would disappear.

Mileena moaned in the kiss. “You bring out the animal in me.” She said in the kiss.

”Are you trying to turn me on?” You asked her also in the kiss making Mileena giggle.

The two of you continued to kiss. Your lips started to inch towards her chin. Then they went down her neck, making her moan. “(Y/N), we’re in public.”

You really didn’t want to stop nor did you care that you were in a flower garden right now but if she wanted to stop, you’d stop. You pulled away from her neck and gently set her down to her feet. “I guess we’ll know if it works now.”

Mileena looked into your eyes dreamily like she had never seen anyone more perfect. “You are mine now, (Y/N). Do not forget that.”

You smile at her words. “I will not, Empress.”

THE END

INTROS/COMBAT

[anneapocalypse]

Why Vivienne Needs the Inquisition

No one 'winds up' at Court, my dear. It takes a great deal of effort to arrive there.

–Enchanter Vivienne to the Inquisitor

An ask I received (referring, I think, to something I said in this post, though I've alluded to it at other points as well):

How/why is Vivienne's position at court shakier than it seems? (Please publish this anonymously.)

Thank you for asking! I’ve wanted to write something on this subject for a while, so I appreciate the push to get it all down. It’s something I find really interesting about Vivienne, because it's something she doesn't want the Inquisitor, or anyone, to know, so it's all subtext in the game. Vivienne is a character who always holds the player character at arms' length--a bit less so when she likes them, but there is always some distance there. As such, she's a difficult character to get to know.

And while I do have some issues with the way Vivienne is handled in the game, particularly with narrative and quest design, I won’t be touching on those heavily here. For this post I want to focus on what can be determined about her motivations from the character as written.

Vivienne can be recruited to the Inquisition after the Inquisitor's first trip to Val Royeaux. Notably, she seeks out the Inquisitor's attention herself, inviting them to a gala at the Duke of Ghislain's estate, and also notably, once recruited she will not leave the Inquisition and cannot be forced to leave, no matter how low her approval of the Inquisitor. This is also something I have seen people question: why can't you kick Vivienne out, and why won't she simply leave if she disapproves of your choices? I hope this post will answer that question as well.

The most critical aspect of Vivienne's character to understand, I think, is that she has no stable institutional power. She is not a noble. She has no familial connections of the sort that can help even a mage to keep their head above water. She is a woman who was taken from her family at a young age and raised in an institution, and who has used all her wit and charisma to make the very best of that situation for herself.

Vivienne's position as First Enchanter of Montsimmard is mostly an achievement within the Circle itself. Montsimmard itself, however, was also a stepping stone to influence outside the Circle. Personally, I think the fact that Vivienne declined to join any fraternity when she became a full Enchanter, a shocking move at the time, indicates that she held ambitions outside the Circle from a young age. And Montsimmard was the perfect proving ground for her, a major Orlesian city whose ruling family maintain close relations with the Circle. In The Masked Empire, the Marquise de Montsimmard boasts about dining at the Circle, and she and her husband wear masks adorned with lyrium crystals which we are told were a gift from the First Enchanter. It seems likely, though not confirmed, that this was Vivienne herself.

(Incidentally, it is a real shame that Vivienne’s character seems to have solidified so late in the game’s development, because in retrospect I really feel her absence in the novels. She gets a brief mention in The Masked Empire as Madame de Fer, and absolutely nothing in Asunder, which we'll come back to.)

It seems that the Montsimmard mages were called upon with some regularity to entertain the court, and this is how Vivienne first caught the attention of Duke Bastien in 9:16 Dragon. Within a year, she had moved into a suite in his estate. Her position came under attack for the next few years, but nonetheless, after a single meeting with Empress Celene in 9:20 Dragon, she became the newly-crowned Empress's Court Enchanter.

(Edited to add: It seems to be sometime after this that Vivienne became First Enchanter of Montsimmard, at "an age young enough to cause scandal," though the date is never confirmed that I can find. Incidentally, as @shrovetidecat brought to my attention in the notes, Fiona is also supposed to have been Grand Enchanter of Montsimmard, which given that may be a lore inconsistency, unless Vivienne is only meant to have taken the position after Fiona rose to Grand Enchanter—and I'm not sure why a 40-year-old First Enchanter would be scandalous.)

By the time she meets the Inquisitor, she is likely somewhere in her 40s, and has been the Enchanter to the Imperial Court and the Mistress to the Duke de Ghislain for twenty years. She regularly mingles with the court and has built a practically unprecedented influence for herself in Orlesian high society.

And it's all about to fall apart, for three critical reasons.

First, the obvious: the mage rebellion. One cannot be First Enchanter of a Circle that no longer exists, though Vivienne certainly tries. A majority of mages, even if by a razor-thin margin, have declared that they do not recognize the Circle's authority—and therefore Vivienne's authority as a loyal Enchanter within that system.

I think Vivienne's dialogue with the Inquisitor and her remarks if taken to Redcliffe reveal a deep frustration and resentment of Grand Enchanter Fiona, who called for the vote to leave the Circle and now leads the rebel mages. Vivienne of course handles this in the manner to which she is accustomed, the culture of the Imperial Court, in which trading in verbal jabs and barely-veiled insults is a standard matter of social one-upsmanship. Outside of that environment, she comes across as petty and rude, which is an interesting point of characterization in itself: Vivienne has thrived in the court environment, but she does seem to have a bit of trouble adapting her manner to different circumstances, where that sort of thing might not benefit her. But what she's trying to do is frame herself before the Inquisitor as the reasonable and respectable mage, and Fiona as misguided and pitiable. How well this goes for her, of course, depends on who the Inquisitor is. But the effort itself kind of reveals the shaky ground she's standing on.

In her dialogue with the Inquisitor, Vivienne claims that as the rebel mages follow Fiona, the loyal mages follow her. But where are these loyal mages? There's maybe one or two mages we meet in the game (Enchanter Ellendra comes to mind) who seem to respect Vivienne's word. But if the loyal mages look to her as a leader, why is Ellendra alone in a cave in the Hinterlands to begin with? Why doesn't Vivienne bring a group of these loyal mages with her to Skyhold?

I think it's because Vivienne doesn't truly have followers among the mages, the way Fiona does. This is the story she's telling the Inquisitor, to capitalize on the idea that the rebel position is not a consensus, and also that she still has influence among a significant number of mages. The truth is, she doesn't. She’s spent most of her life courting influence outside the Circle, not in it. She has presided over a Circle where she doesn’t even live day-to-day. I can’t imagine that has particularly endeared her to many of her fellow mages, even the ones who are loyalists or moderates.

Contrast this with Wynne, a pro-Circle Aequitarian who is deeply involved in Circle life despite undertaking sanctioned work outside the tower, and is also deeply involved in the events leading up to the vote for independence. Whatever the Doylist reasons for Vivienne's absense from Asunder, the fact remains: she's just not there. She has no presence in the events leading up to the rebellion. When speaking critically of Fiona's vote, she discusses it in the context of Anders' attack on the Kirkwall Chantry, and says nothing of the circumstances surrounding Fiona's push for a vote—not the revelations about Tranquility, not the conclave (no not that Conclave, the conclave of mages at which Fiona called for the vote for independence), not the subsequent massacre by the templars and the remaining mages' decision to stand and fight. And perhaps most notably, no one mentions Vivienne, positively or negatively, during the events of Asunder. Not once. We are left with the conclusion that Vivienne is simply not heavily involved in Circle politics, no matter what impression she may wish to give the Inquisitor. Her influence does not lie within the Circle.

And I think Vivienne knows this, and realizes that it's suddenly become a big problem for her.

The second big problem is Morrigan.

Vivienne has had the favor of the Empress herself for twenty years. She has, by others' accounts, managed to turn the position of Court Enchanter from "little more than court jester" to a position of influence and respect. And then the Grand Duke attempts a coup, and the Empress's elven lover runs away with a dangerous secret, and suddenly the Empress is enlisting the services of some unwashed swamp witch while Vivienne is standing right there!

Like I cannot overstate what a absolutely galling slap in the face it would be to Vivienne that even as she is attempting to uphold the legitimacy of the Circle and thus of her own authority within it, Celene effectively creates the "Arcane Advisor" position as "Court Mage 2: Apostate Boogaloo" just so she can get advice on non-Circle-approved magics. Advice that Vivienne could not give even if she wanted to, even if the Empress asked, because she has no knowledge of eluvians and ancient elven magic.

Both Dorian and Cole needle Vivienne about her jealousy of Morrigan, and I think quite accurately, no matter how quick Vivienne is to deny it.

Her influence over the Empress is fast eroding. She has been replaced in all but name.

And the third and most personal big problem is Bastien's illness.

Vivienne has enjoyed a romance with one of the empire's most influential nobles for twenty years. She has lived in his home and been on good terms with his wife until her passing. Her influence in the Imperial Court owes a lot to Bastien's affections. Bastien is not only a Duke but a member of the Council of Heralds, the political body responsible for overseeing matters of titles and inheritance in Orlais. They are quite literally the most powerful group in the country; even the Empress rules at their favor, without which she would never have gained the throne in the first place.

And now Bastien is dying, something Vivienne takes care not to mention to the Inquisitor at first. It's not until after the ball at the Winter Palace that Vivienne asks the Inquisitor for help with her potion in a last-ditch attempt to prolong his life—and even then she does not reveal her true purpose until after the Inquisitor has returned with the wyvern's heart. And while it's possible to interpret multiple ways, I personally believe from her response to his death that she did care for Bastien. She didn't need to bring the Inquisitor to his deathbed at all, if she wanted to continue concealing his illness, something she's taken care to do up until that point. It bespeaks a measure of trust that she allows the Inquisitor to see her so—in her grief, as well as in her loss of position.

Because Bastien's death is a terrible loss for Vivienne socially as well as personally. Bastien's son will inherit his estate, and whether Vivienne is allowed to go on living there will be entirely at his discretion. Perhaps he will permit her to stay, but she cannot count upon his grace, nor upon the protection she enjoyed with Bastien any longer; and furthermore if she is allowed to stay, it will be a favor to her, making her beholden rather than granting her greater influence. She won't have the dignity of being Bastien's widow; she is his mistress, and respected as that position may be in the Orlesian court, it gives her no true claim to his family.

Vivienne is about to lose everything she has built for herself.

Without Bastien, without Celene, she will be left with… what? The position of First Enchanter to a Circle that no longer exists? If her own best-case scenario occurs and the rebellion is halted and the Circles are reinstated, then she still loses all the freedom she has gained and is forced to return to a Circle tower herself—a sphere in which, as previously discussed, she holds less influence than she would like the Inquisitor to believe. Even if she remains First Enchanter, it's hard to see this as anything but a massive step down in the social hierarchy, the beginning of a long slide into what the Fade reveals as her greatest fear: irrelevance.

It's a humiliation that Vivienne cannot bear.

This is why she won't leave the Inquisition, no matter how much she may despise the Inquisitor. Vivienne needs the Inquisition far more than she lets on. This even puts the petty low-approval furniture-moving scene into context. Yes, she’s doing it to snub the Inquisitor, but that doesn’t actually gain her anything. I think it’s deeper than that. The Inquisition was Vivienne’s fallback plan, and it’s not going well. The Inquisitor is making her look bad, she is finding no avenue to further advancement here, but she can’t leave. So, her response is to try to reclaim some sense of control over her life, asserting a kind of power she had at Bastien’s estate and was likely denied in the Circle: control over her own space.

Even if Bastien were to live a bit longer, Vivienne really has nowhere higher she can climb in the Imperial Court. She can't become a noble herself. She can't marry Bastien, or any other noble for that matter, because she is a mage. And I'm sure she's highly aware of this fact. Bastien is several years a widower himself; it is not his former marriage that prevents him from marrying her, now. It is her status as a mage which bars her from entering a noble family, legally, socially, politically. That Bastien never seems to have raised the question at all speaks to the fact that no matter how much he may have stuck his neck out for Vivienne, there was a line even he was not interested in crossing.

So where does she have to go from here?

Along comes the nascent Inquisition. Shaking things up. If any organization could rattle the gilded walls of the Chantry, it's this one.

Why not take a stab at the Chantry, at this point? What does she have to lose?

It didn’t really sink in for me for several playthroughs because she isn't wearing cleric's garb, but Bastien's sister Marcelline, who visits Skyhold after his death with Bastien’s son? She's a grand cleric. One of the surviving grand clerics who will decide the next Divine. Vivienne involves the Inquisitor in her plan to save Bastien, a plan she likely knows will fail—but she puts in the effort. She then introduces the Inquisitor to Grand Cleric Marcelline, having told her how the Inquisitor came to her aid. Marcelline expresses gratitude: “Madame de Fer has told us what great trials you faced, trying to save my poor brother’s life.” Bastien’s son Laurent is a powerful ally in his own right, now a member of the Council of Heralds, but also likely the one who will decide whether Vivienne keeps her suite in the Ghislain estate.

And if the conversation goes well, Vivienne tells the Inquisitor that it was "quite the triumph." If the Inquisitor expresses confusion, she patiently explains the influence that both Laurent and Marcelline wield, and that they have now secured the trust of both. If Vivienne becomes Divine, Marcelline’s favor no doubt goes a long way in getting her there.

Of course Vivienne will continue to take a conservative position on the mage question. A mage looking to insinuate herself into the Chantry hierarchy would have to, just as a mage seeking the freedom to consort with the court would have to. In the same way that a Hawke with aspirations of seizing the vacant seat of Kirkwall's Viscount must side with the templars at the end to show the nobility that they represent stability and order, the Chantry's first mage cleric must be pro-Circle, pro-templar, conservative to the bone. Vivienne seems to recognize this as far more important than actually appearing devout. It's also fascinating to me how little she bothers to make any pretense of a personal faith, instead always discussing the Chantry as an important social institution and political body. And this attitude doesn't seem to impede her chances at the Sunburst Throne very much, no more so than being a mage already would.

Vivienne knows exactly what she's doing. She always has.

Vivienne comes to the Inquisition seeking power and influence in the Chantry because her position among the nobility is falling apart. Whether she comes in with the intention to reach for the Sunburst throne itself is debatable, and I personally think it might have been the intent that she does have that ambition but seeks to let the Inquisitor think it was their own idea, though I'm iffy on how successful that is if it was the intent. Nonetheless, I do believe that Vivienne comes to the Inquisition with the intent to seek influence within the Chantry, realizing that the recent upheaval may offer her a unique opportunity to do so. And depending on how closely the Inquisitor aligns with her goals, she may succeed quite dramatically.

References

Codex Entry: Madame de Fer

Talking with Vivienne at Haven and Skyhold

Vivienne's high disapproval scene

After Bastien's death

Banter with Cole

Banter with Dorian

The World of Thedas vol. 2, pp. 235-239 (hardcover edition)

Dragon Age: The Masked Empire, p. 31 (paperback edition)

[feyhunter78]

Among the Sun Ch 12

Description: Miguel has revealed his secrets now it is time to reveal yours. (Also, this is the chapter I mentioned that I half wrote on my bathroom floor, and I'm obsessed with it.) Ch 13

It has all come back to you, every dream, memory, smile, and tear that fell with Miguel at the very center. Those traitorous memories that made a fool of you, all when he uttered such simple words. We are fated.

It was no spell, at least not one born of Miguel’s own abilities. You are uncomfortably familiar with that sensation, with the way his eyes swirl and darken, the crimson color bleeding through. But that is not this. His eyes remain that warm umber color, ever shifting shades of brown, from the intoxicating color of honeyed mead to the deep color of fresh soil, primed and tilled in order for new life to grow. They are the catalyst of his very being, and you, you are ensnared, trapped within a molten pool of warmth, embers flickering as you bury your hands in your skirt.

He looks so different now. Back then he was stumbling, skin ashen, eyes haunted, frame bowed under the weight of some invisible burden you could not fathom. But now, now he is beautiful, divine, and destructive, his skin glows, his eyes, in this moment they burn with anguish but prior…prior they were filled with joy. He stands tall, the weight has seemed to slip from his shoulders, or perhaps he simply became more adept at hiding it.

“I do not know what to say. Y/N…I have longed for you, searched the entirety of the realm—-”

“And yet you had a child with another, you turned me away for another.” You know your words are not fair or even rational, but you are angry, angry, and hurt.

The memories flooding your mind are overwhelming, coming with them is the grief and loneliness you felt during that time, it is a crushing weight, one that nearly takes you to your knees. But you will not fall, not in front of he who abandoned you.

“Do not speak of her.” Miguel says, his voice hard.

It makes you flinch, and you can see his fingers twitch, a need, a desire, coursing through him to take hold and comfort you. He was always so wonderful at that, comforting you.

You remember telling him of how your favorite lady-in-waiting was to be married off to some boorish nobleman who lived far, far, away from the palace, how you sobbed at the uncaringness of the world you lived in. He held you in his arms, hand smoothing up and down your back comfortingly, his voice low as he whispered reassurances in your ear. He never made you feel childish or spoiled for crying so often, and many times, about such small things. In fact, he often believed—and voiced—that you did not give your worries enough attention, that you cast them aside in favor of focusing on the issues of others.

“Mi dulce princesa, eres tan abnegada.” He’d say, as he brushed back the hair from your face, a sad smile gracing his lips.

My sweet princess, you are so self-sacrificing. Was it true? You never thought of yourself in such a way, but perhaps Miguel was right.

You would not do so now, though; you would not relinquish your pain in order to soothe his.

“I cannot speak of the woman you chose over me?” You snap, wanting to dig your fingers into Miguel’s heart and squeeze until he bleeds, as you feel you do.

Miguel gives a short laugh. “If I were to choose her over you, she would be here in your place.”

“Then who may I not speak of?” You raise your chin in defiance. “Am I not to be your empress? Is that not what you called me as you took yourself in hand to my memory?”

A slight shiver passes through him, and you watch as goosebumps cover his exposed skin. “You may not speak of my daughter as if she is to blame, she is a child.”

The fire raging within you begins to falter. It was never your intention to insult his daughter, you held no anger towards her, she had no part to play in this mocking tragedy for which you seemed cast as lead role. “I would never, she is, as you said, a child, there is no blame to place upon her, nor would I ever.”

Miguel deflates slightly. “Do you think that even in my gratefulness, I did not wish the gods had allowed you to be Gabi’s mother? That I did not wish she had your eyes or your smile? She is beautiful, and she is mine, but I wish she was ours .”

You bite the inside of your cheek, his words hitting the center of your chest and reverberating out. “I…”

“I am sorry y/n, that I pushed you away, that I did not recognize you. I have been searching for you in every village, every city, every kingdom, every—”

“Brothel.” You cut in, a thick lump in your throat as you recall the rumors. “I have heard the tales, Your Grace.”

Miguel’s tail unfurls from around your ankle, and you take a step back from him, a flicker of satisfaction sparks to life in your chest when his fingers twitch again.

“I thought you had no use for streetwalkers.” You add, the urge to push, and push, and push until he breaks grows strong.

You know him, you did not before, your mind still clouded, but now your memories have returned, and you know him. You know that if you push, if you tug at certain strings within him, he will fall, crumble before you. Is it cruel? Perhaps, but you consider his actions to be cruel as well.

“I waited for you, gave myself only to you, I know I did not ask you to promise you would do the same but I…” It’s true, you had not asked him, but part of you hoped he would do the same, would keep himself for you. It was a foolish thought, and you knew it. He was a man, a handsome man. Men as handsome as Miguel back home would have dozens of lovers by the time they married. Not that there were any back home as handsome as him.

“It is a flaw in my design.” He says softly, staring at your hands, his own tucked behind his back. “A curse within my nature, left behind from the games, I must expend my energy, or I will go mad.”

“You must fuck, so you do not go mad. Miguel, do you take me for a fool?” You deadpan, raising both eyebrows at him.

He hums in delight. “To hear my name from your lips, even said with scorn, is a gift.”

“One I will revoke if you do not cease toying with me.” You say sternly.

“I would only toy with you if you desired it, querida.” He purrs, emboldened by the sound of his name falling from your lips.

You grab the nearest object, a silver spoon, and throw it at him. It bounces off his toned chest and clatters to the floor. You both stare at it for a moment before you shoot him a withering glare. “Flattery will not save you. I have—had brothers, I am not ignorant to the excuses men give women, I have heard them try their pitiful ploys on my companions.”

He holds out his hands in a pacifying manner. “It is no ploy. My mother wished for me to take the throne, a deal was struck, and now I must purge myself of unholy energy or lust will consume my mind.”

He does not look as though he’s lying.

A curse within his nature. The very nature his mother conceived and conspired to create, seeking out a demon, bargaining with it in order to ensure her son could claim the throne, and in doing so she deemed him to such a fate?

“I see.” You say lamely, unsure of how to process this new revelation.

“Could I have held myself off, waited until I found you? Perhaps, but in doing so the moment I found you I would have become frenzied, like a brute, having only the control to find us a private space before I fell upon you.”

His words, though you know, should strike fear in your heart, instead serve to entice you, your breathing picking up ever so slightly.

Miguel’s eyes flicker down to your chest, then to your eyes. “You do not wish that for yourself. Do not wish to be ravaged by me, gown and undergarments shredded, skin marked, fangs sunk into the crook of your neck as I rut into you as an animal does its mate. You would be powerless to stop me, reduced to a babbling pliant mess, my seed spilling from between your legs. I would not be able to stop, cariño, even if you begged me.”

“That would be quite improper.” There is a throbbing in your core, your breath catching in your throat as he steps forward.

“I imagined they were you, compelled them to forget, it has only ever been you, mi vida.” His hands settle on your shoulders, lightly trailing down your arms.

“But Ava?” You breathe, leaning into his touch.

“A foolish attempt to forget you, thin gauze over a gaping wound.” He tells you, brushing his nose down the curve of your face, down the column of your throat until he settles over the spot, he had bitten the previous night. “It did not work; each encounter only drew me back to you.”

Your body molds against his, eyes fluttering shut at his dulcet tones. “Oh?”

“You have branded me, your form burned into my eyelids, your name imprinted on my tongue, your touch melded into my skin, mi emperatriz, there is no one but you.” He whispers, his breath warm on the sensitive skin of your neck, causing a shiver to run through you. Trsl: My empress

“No one?” You ask, a gasp slipping past your lips when Miguel bites down, fangs digging into the very same spot from before, lightning arcing through your body.

He remains there for a moment, drinking, the sound filling the silence as you scramble to remain upright pleasure zinging through you, your thoughts coming to a standstill.

Then Miguel pulls back, lips crimson, fangs bared, his pupils blown wide. “No one.”

TL: @not-aya, @belos-simp69, @deputy-videogamer, @sxnasbitch, @maxi-ride, @minimari415, @syndrlla97, @gejo333, @lady-necromancer, @zeyzeys-stuff, @tayleighuh, @loser-alert, @envyjmoney, @allysunny, @princessloveweird, @freehentai, @xlittlebubx-blog, @berry-potchy, @drefear, @jkthinkstoomuch, @ihateuguys, @yuuotosaka3, @queenofroses22, @ray-rook, @lollipopin, @faexsins, @drefear

[innerpalaces]

THE PRINCESS WEI YANG - 192 PART 1

CHAPTER 192: The Death of Huaiqing

After the banquet, Li Wei Yang and Madam Guo walked out of the hall together. Noble Consort Chen was too drunk and had already gone back to rest. Gracious Consort Guo went to see her off personally and sent a personal court lady to lead Madam Guo and the others back. The long palace road was paved with square blue stones, with tall red palace walls sandwiched on both sides. From Li Wei Yang's perspective, you can see the tiled roofs with cornices rising behind the palace walls.

At this moment, the sky had already darkened, and everlasting lanterns were lit on both sides of the palace road. The red lampshades seemed to line up in a long queue, leaving large red shadows on the palace road. It was extremely quiet, except for their footsteps, there was no sound.

Madam Guo looked at the seemingly endless green strips of stone under her feet and said with emotion, "Jia'er, look at the bustling palace, but there seems to be mystery and danger hidden everywhere. Even if you are standing here, I still feel that if we're not careful, we will be swallowed up by this huge palace, so let's go home as soon as possible."

Li Wei Yang heard her words, smiled lightly and said: "Yes."

Madam Guo took two steps, but then said, "No, once we leave, your aunt will be left here alone. Wouldn't it be lonelier?"

Li Wei Yang knew that Madam Guo looked tough but had a soft heart. She was completely different from herself. In her opinion, it was entirely her own choice that Gracious Consort Guo entered the palace for her family, and no one forced her to do so. Now she has established a firm foothold in the palace, gave birth to a prince, has a strong natal family as her backing, and is living well too. Madam Guo still thinks she is pitiful, but who in this world isn't pitiful? 

She was not prepared to say these words to Madam Guo, so she just smiled slightly and said: "My mother is soft-hearted, so let's stay and accompany Gracious Consort for a few more days."

Madam Guo glanced at her and said hesitantly: "But I always feel uneasy."

Madam Guo is a smart person, and the whole banquet made her feel uneasy. First, someone deliberately attacked Guo Jia, then Empress Pei gave her a dress, and then many people came to show their goodwill. Those inexplicably eager eyes really made people feel anxious. This banquet looks lively, but in fact it is full of dangers.

Li Wei Yang's smile was as usual: "Mother, there are some things that cannot be avoided. Even if we leave the palace, won't those people still cause trouble for us?"

Madam Guo thought for a moment and said, "Yes, if someone is targeting you, you won't be able to escape. However, we are not afraid of anything. If you want to come, then come." During the conversation, she had already thought about it.

Li Wei Yang had a smile on her face. Madam Guo had an open-minded personality and could understand many things at once.

Returning to Gracious Consort Guo's yard, she saw only a soft light in the distance. Several court ladies were already waiting at the door. When they saw them coming back, they hurried to greet them. Soon, she heard laughter coming from the house. Madam Guo thought about it and pulled Li Wei Yang through the door.

Consort Guo was talking to someone. She didn't know what she was talking about, but she smiled particularly softly. Next to her sat a very young girl, about fifteen or sixteen years old, wearing a pink dress, with plump cheeks and youthful beauty.

When Consort Guo saw Li Wei Yang, she quickly waved to her: "Jia'er is back, come quickly!" Li Wei Yang walked over. Consort Guo held her hand, then took the other girl's and introduced her, "Nankang, this is my niece Guo Jia. She is two years older than you, you can call her sister."

Li Wei Yang instantly understood that this girl was the sixteen-year-old Princess Nankang. Madam Guo once mentioned to her that Princess Nankang was of low origin, and her biological mother was a maid brought into the palace by Gracious Consort Guo. Later, the woman was unlucky enough to die in childbirth. Consort Guo pitied Princess Nankang for having no one to rely on, so she was raised by her side.

Nankang's eyes were very clear, and the black pupils could almost reflect Li Wei Yang's face. Her gaze also revealed trust and enthusiasm. For Nankang, the person who treats her best in the world is Gracious Consort Guo, so Consort Guo's niece is her sister. Therefore, she naturally expressed this emotion and smiled happily at Li Wei Yang.

"Nankang went to Ning Xin'an to pray for me yesterday and just returned to the palace." Gracious Consort Guo looked gentle and said slowly, explaining why she did not see Princess Nankang at the banquet just now.

Li Wei Yang nodded, and found that Princess Nankang had been looking at her curiously, so she gave her a friendly smile. Nankang lowered her head shyly, and then raised her head to look at her while Li Wei Yang wasn't paying attention. 

Li Wei Yang was dumbfounded by this childish behavior, but Consort Guo touched her hand lovingly and said: "Nankang, I want you to get along well with Jia'er in the future."

Princess Nankang nodded obediently, and Gracious Consort Guo said with satisfaction: "Okay, you have worked hard, go back and rest early." Princess Nankang stood up, saluted Consort Guo and Madam Guo with the courtesy of a junior to an elder. Then she smiled at Li Wei Yang and reluctantly withdrew.

"I still remember the first time I saw this child, she was like a cat, afraid of people. In the blink of an eye, Nankang haa grown so big." Madam Guo sighed with emotion as she watched Princess Nankang's departing figure.

Consort Guo sighed and said, "If Ye Rong hadn't been trying to protect me, she wouldn't have been tricked by that person and lost her life. So, it was I who let down those two ..."

Upon hearing this, Madam Guo was stunned, and then comforted: "You can't be blamed for this matter at all. If you hadn't arrived in time, this child would have been sent into the coffin with her mother." She looked at Li Wei Yang and fearing that she would not understand, she added, "This child was born in a coffin. Ye Rong died of dystocia before she gave birth. She was born in the coffin, but no one knew. If it wasn't for the fact that Gracious Consort went to see her for the last time and heard the child's wails, forcing those people to get into the coffin, I'm afraid her life  would have gone with her mother."

Consort Guo shook her head and said, "This child is really pitiful. When I tell her about Ye Rong, she is always confused and has no idea that she is her biological mother."

Princess Nankang was brought up by Gracious Consort Guo, so she only recognized Gracious Consort Guo as her mother and Yuan Ying as her elder brother. Others were meaningless to her, but Consort Guo persisted in telling her about her biological mother, and the result was natural. It was her blank expression. 

Madam Guo sighed: "Having never seen her mother, is it happiness or misfortune?"

Li Wei Yang smiled slightly and said: "Princess Nankang lost her mother when she was young. She is indeed worthy of pity, but it is also her good fortune that she can get the protection and compassion of the consort."

Consort Guo felt that these words were very relevant, so she nodded and said: "I have always tried my best to take good care of her, but - she grew up with me, and her temper is also the same as when I was young, very innocent."

Madam Guo laughed and said, "You, what's wrong with children being innocent? Do they all have to be so cunning to make you happy?"

Gracious Consort Guo disagreed and laughed at her: "You have a smart daughter, don't you allow me to want one too?"

She said this without any malice. Madam Guo laughed loudly, pulled Li Wei Yang over and said: "Why, are you jealous? This daughter is mine, I won't give her to anyone!"

Li Wei Yang looked at Madam Guo, her eyes as calm as deep water, but no one knew what she was thinking.

After chatting with the two for a while, Li Wei Yang returned to her room to rest. Gracious Consort Guo's front and rear courtyards each have five main halls, and there are three east and west side halls. It was more than spacious enough to accommodate them.

The palace maid knew that Miss Guo was a distinguished guest, so she had already tidied up the best palace halls and arranged it neatly according to Gracious Consort's instructions. For fear that it was not thoughtful enough, she even specially ordered calming incense. 

Li Wei Yang looked around the hall, and the palace maid quickly said: "Miss, is there anything else you need?" She looked frightened.

Li Wei Yang just smiled and told Zhao Yue: "Everyone has worked hard, please give them the gifts I brought."

Before entering, Zhao Yue had been guarding outside the palace. Later, Madam Guo wanted to stay for a short time. Consort Guo felt that the palace maids might not be considerate enough, so she gave them a favor and had Madam Guo and Li Wei Yang choose a personal servant girl to take care of them. 

After Zhao Yue heard this, she immediately smiled and went out with everyone.

The entire hall finally became quiet. Li Wei Yang sighed and said, "Why don't you come out?"

A figure jumped in from the window, smiling. Who could it be if it wasn't Yuan Lie? Just now he blinked at her from behind the window, which shocked her! Li Wei Yang laughed: "Do you think the palace is like a vegetable market, and you can come and go freely?"

Yuan Lie spun around in a circle as if to show off. He had stolen a set of palace guard clothes from somewhere. It had a dark black background and was embroidered with a tiger that seemed to be alive. A pair of sharp embroidered eyes stared out at people, with blue and white sea waves on his lower lapel, and a military crown on his shiny black hair, tied with a five-color sash, which further complemented his fair complexion and made him very gorgeous. 

He smiled and said, "Look, I think these clothes suit me very well." It does fit well, but how on earth did he get this clothes? Li Wei Yang raised her eyebrows, but heard him say: "Don't worry, I am so smart that no one will find out."

Li Wei Yang knew his personality and he would definitely not cause trouble for her, so she said: "The palace gate will be locked soon, why are you still here?"

"There is a banquet today, so the lock down will naturally be delayed for half an hour. Why, doesn't Miss Guo know?" He said calmly. His eyes were full of color, shining brightly, and his voice was clear and low, making people feel like there was a warm current brushing their hearts. 

"You are always so arbitrary." Li Wei Yang sighed, sat down first, and poured himself a glass of water. 

Yuan Lie sat down beside her with a smile and said, "I missed you!"

"What nonsense are you talking about? I met you just now." Li Wei Yang turned her head and saw him staring at her, his eyes as clear as glass. A strange feeling passed through her heart, and she lowered her head, avoiding his eyes. "Today Obedient Consort Hu was staring at you the whole time. Did you not see that?"

"That old witch... is Dowager Princess Xu's biological sister. I took away her nephew's throne, so she is naturally dissatisfied with me. It's not surprising." Yuan Lie smiled nonchalantly.

Li Wei Yang frowned slightly and said: "You are in Prince Xu's Mansion, is everything going well?"

"Naturally. I'm so smart. My father's old ministers were all very kind to me..." He naturally didn't want her to worry, so he replied as if he was joking.

How could a person who showed up halfway so easily please those stubborn old ministers of Grand Prince Xu? However, those people could not be beaten or killed, so he could only slowly subdue them. Li Wei Yang shook her head and smiled.

"What, you don't believe it?" He looked down at her.

"How could that be? You are so smart, who wouldn't like you..." Li Wei Yang followed his good example.

"Don't mention these annoying things. Someone told me today that Gracious Consort Guo wants you to be Princess Jing!" Yuan Lie said with a leisurely smile, but his eyes flashed with strange glittering light.

Li Wei Yang was slightly shocked: "Do you also have an informant in Gracious Consort's palace?"

"What informant! Gracious Consort Guo did it so obviously, and Yuan Ying came to provoke me again. Isn't it obvious enough?" He pretended to be slightly annoyed, but his thin lips flew up and his posture was affectionate: "What's annoying is that you're still talking and laughing with him..."

Li Wei Yang was slightly startled, then laughed and said: "In terms of identity, he is my cousin. Do you want me to put on a different face when I see him? This doesn't make sense."

He smiled softly and said: "So, you will not marry him..." In fact, it was something he had expected. If Li Wei Yang was willing to wrong herself, why would she have made such a fuss with Li Xiaoran in the first place. Deep down, she is clearly an extremely stubborn and tough person.

Li Wei Yang glanced at him and said with a faint smile: "It doesn't matter, it depends on how valuable he is." She was just teasing him - but unexpectedly, Yuan Lie, who was still smiling before, suddenly stood up and without saying anything, he walked toward the window. Li Wei Yang was taken aback, stood up and said, "What's wrong with you?"

Unexpectedly, he turned around suddenly and rushed forward like a gust of wind. Li Wei Yang was unprepared and was firmly hugged against his chest. The boy who was only at her eye-level two years ago is now more than a head taller than her. Li Wei Yang is tall, but she can only barely reach his solid chest.

"Wei Yang..." He leaned down and buried his head deeply in the crook of her neck, whispering her name with a faint lingering and resentful tone.

Li Wei Yang was stunned and said: "I'm just joking with you, why are you so serious?"

He hugged her tightly, indulging his rare weakness in front of her alone. There are obviously thousands of things to say, but when the words reach his throat, he can only say, "Don't make such jokes..."

Li Wei Yang was stunned for a moment, but the various feelings in her chest were indescribable. They were so close, and their body temperatures were connected to each other, which made her heart soften. She couldn't help but sigh.

The next second, he was so strong that he almost broke her waist, but the hand tightly hugging her began to tremble slightly, paradoxically. Li Wei Yang exhaled, hesitated for a moment, and finally slowly stretched out her hand to stroke his hair. After a slight pause, she only felt her fingertips passing through the hair that was as smooth and soft as silk. "You..."

His personality was always like this at all times, mature and aloof in front of outsiders, but in front of her, he was so attached and domineering, even a little extreme. But just like before, relying on each other has become a habit in their blood. Even today, she still can't push him away indifferently.

He raised his head suddenly, obviously in a coquettish way, and whispered: "He can't take good care of you. Does he know what you like? Does he know what you need? He doesn't know anything, right? You don't have to care about him at all."

Seeing how he reduced Yuan Ying to this point, he obviously meant it. Li Wei Yang wanted to laugh, but seeing how persistent he was, she had to hold back her laughter and said, "Yeah, he doesn't understand anything."

"So, how can a person like him be worthy of you?" He whispered, his moist and narrow eyes full of seriousness.

"I told you, it was just a joke. If I were willing to marry the prince, I would have chosen Tuoba Yu back then, right? Why wait until now?" In the past, she had thought of using her marriage as a tool of revenge. Because she was full of distrust in people's hearts and full of uncertainty about the future. But later, when she saw that Duke Qi loved Madam Guo so much and the Guo family lived so happily, she began to feel that a happy marriage might not be impossible.

If she chooses to marry Yuan Ying in order to take revenge on Empress Pei, but cannot guarantee that she will love her husband well, then Yuan Ying will become unfortunate, and so will she. Why do you do it when you know you won't be happy?

She said softly: "I promise you that I will never make such a joke again in the future. However, it's time for you to leave. If it's too late, the palace door will be locked and you won't be able to get out."

Yuan Lie smiled and said: "Okay, I will find a chance to see you tomorrow." After saying that, he touched her forehead, let her go, and in a blink of an eye, he jumped out of the window, Li Wei Yang breathed a sigh of relief.

Outside the window, there were already guards responding: "Your Highness."

Yuan Lie waved his hand and said: "Okay, let's go." As he said that, he turned back and glanced at the figure in the window, with a sly smile on his face. Wei Yang, you always keep saying you are ruthless, but you didn't realize that you would only be soft-hearted when facing me.

Get up to 30 advanced chapter parts on Patreon

[the-bar-sinister]

What might have been, what might yet be (866 words) by thesavagesabretooth

Luffy lay with his head in Hancock's lap, the rest of his body flopped out across the grass. His hands were occupied idly weaving the stems of flowers together, and he'd been quiet for a while when he asked.

"If you could change things, would you still become a pirate?"

Hancock looked down at him, her fingers stroking gently through the stretchy strands of his hair as she propped herself up on her other hand.

She favored him with a smile as she nodded once. “I believe I would, yes…I think no matter what I changed I would still feel the call of the sea, just as my mother and father had.” 

"Me too," Luffy said quietly, scrunching up a little bit against her. "Sometimes I wish I had gone earlier."

She shifted to hold him a little closer against her stomach and thighs. “As early as you could, dear Luffy?”

She could relate to it…she often haunted herself with ‘what if’. What if they had left Amazon Lily earlier despite her mother’s warnings? What if they took a different route on that fateful adventure to ‘become Kuja Pirates’. Would she have still been made a slave? If she’d left a year earlier with Mari and Sonia they may never been.

Luffy nodded against the softness of her stomach. The lines on his face were sharp, drawn out by the tension in his jaw now where so often there was smiling softness. He added another flower to his weave.

"Me and my brothers. We should have left as soon as we could. It would have worked out somehow."

“I am certain it would have, somehow, Luffy. My sisters and I should have left sooner too, perhaps things could have been different…” Hancock’s fingers drifted down to brush against the tense muscles along the side of his face. “'What if' is a powerful question, isn’t it?"

"Yeah," he nodded, biting his lip. "Not really one that has a good answer, either, huh? I think I really meant— do you like being a pirate?"

“Do I like being a pirate…?” Hancock looked down at him with her heavily lidded eyes and a warm smile “as opposed to an Empress…or anything I can imagine being?”

She thought for a moment, giving the question the diligence it deserved as she tugged a few stands of his hair between her fingers.

“Yes…I do like being a pirate. The world has been unkind, dear, and my dream of being a pirate had inadvertently put me in the worst situation I’ll ever face, but at the end of the day I cherish the freedom being the head of the Kuja Pirates has given me.”

She smiled down at him. “Queens in their castles cannot change the world beyond the limits of their island. A pirate is unbound by such constraints…a pirate is unbound by any chain at all.” 

Hancock watched as all the trouble and tension in Luffy's face drained away at her answer, the lines going soft again as he smiled his wide, passionate smile. Leaving the daisy chain on his stomach he reached up and he put his hands around her face.

"You get it." He grinned even wider. "That's what being a pirate is really all about."

She smiled back, his grin was infectious…she never could help herself when he started smiling. “I do, I do get it. Piracy is a life of freedom, with the power to never let yourself be bound down by anything. My parents were pirates living how they wished…I was saved by the Sun Pirates…”

She closed her eyes, still smiling brightly as she held him closer to her lap. “The gold, the jewels…they all come second to that lovely feeling of the open sea, no?” 

"Uhuh." He nuzzled against her, and she felt his hands leave her face. "Not that I'd ever say no to gold and jewels. Finding treasure is always a fun surprise."

His fingers brushed her hair, and she felt a soft weight on her head.

“A nice surprise and a beautiful marker of your success…something to remember the thrill with.” 

She opened her eyes, and her free hand reached up to touch the top of her head, against the gentle weight. 

The daisy chain had vanished from Luffy's stomach, and Hancock could see the edges of flower petals hanging over her forehead.

She flushed, and her smile went from ear to ear as she looked down at Luffy. “and I see you’ve bestowed a pirate’s treasure on me once more.” 

Luffy giggled. "I'll make one for myself next. It's the right kind of crown for a pirate king."

Hancock leaned down to plant a gentle kiss upon his lips before she brushed her fingers along the soft petals atop her head. It was such a simple thing, formed of the beauty of the world itself by clever hands out of care. Despite the allure of gold and jewels, these sorts of moments captured Hancock most of all— the sort of quiet tenderness she was so often denied in the past.

“A perfect crown for Pirate King and a Pirate Empress alike.”

[daitranscripts]

Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts (Optional)

Ladies-In-Waiting

Wicked Eyes and Wicked Hearts Masterpost First: Gaining an Invitation Previous: Reconvene with Advisors

The PC approaches the empress’s ladies-in-waiting in the ballroom.

Choice dependent dialogue:

First time speaking [1]

Spoken to before [2]

1 - First time speaking: Lady Fleur: Inquisitor, to what do we owe this honor?

Lady Colombe (high court approval): We are always delighted to speak with you, of course. Lady Colombe (neutral court approval): We will be happy to assist you, if we can. Lady Colombe (low court approval): We cannot… be seen speaking with you for long.

Lady Couteau: Her Imperial Majesty is unfortunately occupied at the moment. [3]

2 - If spoken to before: Lady Fleur: Is there something we may do for you?

Lady Colombe (high court approval): We do so enjoy speaking with you. Lady Colombe (neutral court approval): We are here to assist. Lady Colombe (low court approval): Please be brief.

Lady Couteau: We will speak to the empress on your behalf. [3]

3 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Let’s discuss an alliance. [4]

Investigate: I have questions. [5]

Investigate: Can I ask about the talks? [6]

Investigate (any clue against Gaspard/Briala found): I found something. [7]

General: Goodbye. [8]

4 - Investigate: Let’s discuss an alliance. PC: If the evening ends favorably for the empress, how does the Inquisition benefit? Lady Fleur: Her Imperial Majesty brings the might of the Orlesian Empire with her friendship. Lady Colombe: She is also a respected diplomat and world leader. She can forge alliances for you with Rivain, Antiva, the Anderfels… Lady Couteau: And she throws the pest parties.

5 - Investigate: I have questions. PC: Perhaps you could tell be something, then.

9 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Who are you ladies? [10]

Investigate: Tell me about Celene. [11]

[Back to 3]

11 - Investigate: Who are you ladies? PC: We haven’t been properly introduced. Lady Couteau: How rude of us to forget! Lady Colombe (female PC): Milady/Inquisitor, May I present Lady Couteau? Lady Colombe (male PC): My Lord Inquisitor, allow me to present Lady Couteau. Lady Fleur: And Lady Colombe. Lady Colombe: And of course, Lady Fleur. We are the empress’s ladies-in-waiting. [Back to 9] 12 - Investigate: Tell me about Celene. PC: I’d like to know more about Empress Celene. Lady Fleur: Her Majesty has held the throne since she was just sixteen years old. Lady Colombe: She is respected and beloved not just in Orlais, but across Thedas. Lady Couteau: She doesn’t care much for liver, and she drinks her tea black. [Back to 9]

6 - Investigate: Can I ask about the talks? PC: I’d like to know more about the negotiations.

12 - Dialogue options:

Investigate: Why hold a ball? [13]

Investigate: Tell me about the other leaders. [14]

Investigate: What are Celene’s goals? [15]

Investigate (after dancing with Florianne): How are the talks going? [16]

[Back to 3]

13- Investigate: Why hold a ball? PC: It seems strange to hold peace talks during a ball. Lady Fleur: The nobility must do things very differently in Ostwick. Lady Fleur: Oh! Do your people have no customs surrounding great occasions? How sad! Lady Colombe: By Orlesian tradition, moments of great solemnity are celebrated with revels and feasts. Lady Couteau: While joyous occasions are given time for reflection and contemplations. Lady Colombe: We must never forget that life is both bitter and sweet. Lady Fleur: The ball is an opportunity to celebrate life and hope for the future while we mourn the killed in the war. [Back to 12] 14 - Investigate: Tell me about the other leaders. PC: What can you tell me about the other parties involved in the talks? Lady Fleur: Gaspard is a decorated general, much beloved by the Imperial army and a legend among chevaliers. Lady Colombe: He is better suited to the battlefield than the throne, and he would gladly make his palace a war camp. Lady Couteau: He is also fiendishly charming. Lady Colombe: Lady Briala has great intentions to change the lives of elves for the better. Lady Couteau: Even if her plans could never work and would only provoke hate crimes against alienages. Lady Fleur: She’s an idealist, but her lack of patience could prove disastrous. [Back to 12] 15 - Investigate: What are Celene’s goals? PC: What is the empress trying to accomplish with the negotiations? Lady Fleur: Peace is her only objective, Inquisitor. Lady Colombe: Gaspard and Briala are driven by personal ambitions, but those desires threaten the safety of all Orlesians. Lady Couteau: The war must end tonight. We must conclude this to deal with the larger crisis. [Back to 12] 16 - Investigate: How are the talks going? PC: What’s happening with the peace talks now? Lady Fleur: Things do not look promising. Lady Colombe: The grand duke is stubborn as always. He will not accept anything but victory in battle. Lady Couteau: But the night is young, and Her Majesty will do everything she can to persuade him. [Back to 12]

7 - Investigate: I found something. PC: My investigations turned up something interesting.

17 - Dialogue options:

General: It’s about Gaspard. [18]

General: It’s about Briala. [19]

[Back to 3]

18 - General: It’s about Gaspard. PC: It concerns the grand duke. 20 - Dialogue options: - General (spoke with Gaspard’s vassal): He threatened the council. [21] - General (found secret orders in trophy room): He’s sneaking soldiers in. [22] - General (found knife in servants’ quarters): I think he’s a traitor. [23] 21 - General: He threatened the council. PC: He’s made a lot of threats to the Council of Heralds. Lady Fleur: The grand duke is all talk, Inquisitor. Lady Colombe: Very loud talk. Accompanied by swords. Lady Couteau: He has never had any skill at the game. [Back to 20] 22 - General: He’s sneaking soldiers in. PC: I intercepted orders to his general to sneak soldiers into the palace tonight. Lady Fleur: How could he behave so dishonorably? Lady Colombe: He would attack the empress and break all the binding rules of hospitality? Lady Couteau: I thought there were more handsome chevaliers on the dance floor than there should be. [Back to 20] 23 - General: I think he’s a traitor. PC: I found Gaspard’s knife in the servants’ quarters. It was used to murder a council emissary. Lady Fleur: Are you quite certain of this? Lady Colombe: That would be treason! Lady Couteau: How scandalous! Lady Fleur: There must be some mistake. Lady Couteau: Do you have proof of this? Something Her Majesty can take to the nobles? Lady Colombe: You must find proof so she can arrest Gaspard! She would never call off negotiations, even to save her own life! [Back to 20]

19 - General: It’s about Briala. PC: It concerns Ambassador Briala. 24 - Dialogue options: - General (found the negotiations/letter): She’s killed negotiators. [25] - General (found the cylinder seal): The servants spy for her. [26] 25 - General: She’s killed negotiators. PC: She’s killed ambassadors from both Celene and Gaspard, and forged documents to both sides. Lady Fleur: How despicable! Lady Colombe: After the empress extended her hospitality! Lady Couteau: She’s better at the Game than we thought. [Back to 24] 26 - General: The servants spy for her. PC: Her people have infiltrated every part of the Winter Palace. Lady Fleur: This is extremely alarming, Inquisitor. Lady Colombe: She could be spying on our every word! Lady Couteau: How exciting! [Back to 24]

8 - General: Goodbye. PC: Good evening. Lady Fleur: Until next time, Inquisitor. Lady Colombe: Do take care. Lady Couteau: Enjoy the masquerade.

Scene ends.

Next (optional): The Trophy Room Next (optional): An Elven Locket Next (optional): The Elven Ambassador Next (optional): Speak to Gaspard Next (optional): Dance with the Dowager Next (optional): The Court Historian Next (optional): The Lower Garden

Next: The Royal Wing

[the-light-finds-its-way]

Empress Caiatl is absolutely Magnus's big sister. She loves and cares for him.

When Ghaul was teaching Magnus Ulurant, there were some words the Awoken Titan tripped up on constantly. But nonetheless, he would always speak the language as best he could.

When Caiatl met Magnus one-on-one for the first time, he spoke in Ulurant to her, and her eyes widened as the Awoken said, "I believe in alliance, and unity between our people."

Caiatl nearly broke down sobbing. Finally, she'd met someone who held the same beliefs as her, who understood her possibly even. And she spoke to him back in Ulurant, saying, "What is your name? How do you know my language?"

"Magnus Thorbjorn," Magnus replied. "I'm honored to be in your presence." He bowed, and did not know the word for "empress" in Ulurant. "Forgive me, I do not know your title in this tongue. I learn it from my brother, Ghaul." He switched to English and spoke. "Empress, I've heard much about you, and what you've done, especially from my brother. I seek allyship with the Uluran, and know you are good people whom are misunderstood by mine. I cannot represent all of Humanity, nor even Awoken, but with me, I promise, you have a friend. A protector. I will serve you honorably."

There, Caiatl was astounded. She could not speak much, she was beyond shocked, however, she finally found the right words to say. "If you are honest about your alliance, I give you my promise to defend you as one of my own."

"That would be an honor," Magnus said. And the Awoken smiled, standing up. Four feet shorter than Caiatl.

As the alliance was built, Caiatl helped teach Magnus how not to trip up on certain Ulurant words. When she and Ghaul collectively agreed to make him the Evocate General of Uluran, she came to Zavala first, asking for audience with Magnus.

"He's no noble. Earth has grown past the need for kings and queens. Audience requests would be out of line for him, but I can contact Magnus, and ask for him to visit you here at the Tower," Zavala replied.

Caiatl nodded. "Please. Request that he does at once."

Minutes later, Magnus arrived and jumped off his ship, Einar at his side. He bowed to Caiatl, and addressed her in Ulurant as Empress Caiatl this time, then asked her in the same tongue, "What do you request from me?"

"I need a commander," Caiatl said in English, so Zavala would understand. "Someone bold, brave, selfless, and strong in heart and soul. You are bonded through this alliance to serve me, but I ask your service this time not to myself, but your people."

Zavala's eyes widened, and he stepped up. "Empress. Magnus is brash at best, and cannot take a position when his allegiance lies with the Vanguard!"

Magnus shook his head. "Commander Zavala is correct. I've made many decision that have ended poorly. My judgement is clouded by my emotions, and I seek answers from the heart rather than from logic."

"An Evocate General must maintain both logic and heart. One can be taught, the other is nurtured. This would strengthen both the Uluran Empire, and the Vanguard, bringing unity between everyone involved, and improving your commander skills. I would ask this of Zavala first, however, I know he would never accept, seeing as his allegiance and duty lies with the Vanguard. You, however, swore an oath to me when we met, that you would serve our alliance however necessary. Be the Evocate General for your people. Command them as one, unite the Legions under our banner. I, as your Empress, command it."

Magnus was entirely awestruck. He bowed his head. "I accept, my Empress," he said, knowing there could be no defiance of her command.

Zavala looked at the Titan, eyes widening once more. "Magnus! You cannot-"

"=Let my people down? I know. I won't. I serve the Vanguard, defending the citizens of the galaxy, and now, the Uluran empire, leading them to victory. It's an honor I'm willing to uphold, and take great pride in having." Magnus stood up, and smiled. "Empress, thank you," he spoke in Ulurant. "I'm honored."

As the time went on, Magnus uniting everyone together, all Uluran bent the knee to him as he displayed his power like any Uluran would: through combat prowess. He learned their ways, and took them to heart. Caiatl and Ghaul taught him the importance of domination, dominion, and command, and the Awoken certainly impressed.

Zavala noticed the change in him, as he became harsher when necessary, more brutal and unforgiving toward those who defied him, but still, he held mercy above all in his heart, and this shone through. The commander watched as this brave Titan stepped up, becoming someone greater and stronger than he'd ever be able to convince him to become alone.

[skywalkergeek]

Not Everything is what it seems (first draft)

My thoughts: So what I think it needs is some extra detail, an added scene with Obi-Wan with the twins and Obi realizing she's been captured, how she was captured, what happened before, ect, ect. If there's anything you all think I should add either if it's the ideas I listed or your own let me know!

Concerns: My biggest worry is that Padmé seems like a damsel in destress and that's exactly what I'm trying not to write her as. So that's why I need some help! And contructive criticism. Sooo in others words let me know your thoughts!

Summary: For the past 5 years Padmé Skywalker thought Anakin Skywalker was dead. That was until she was captured by the infamous Darth Vader. He revleas something…unsettling. The question is what will she do now? How will they go from here? And what's going to happen to Obi-Wan and the twins?

Word Count: 1,517

Characters: Padmé Amidala, Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader

Padmé’s POV 

He had captured me, Darth Vader. The stormtroopers lead me to a cell, shoving me to the ground. “Rebel scrum,” One of them muttered. I was still handcuffed so getting up wasn’t as easy as I would like it to be. 

I knelt on the ground, I placed both of my hands on that said knee and lifted myself up. I looked up to a bed,  it looked hard, cold, stone cold even but there was a flat pillow with barely any fluff in it and a thin blanket. I walked over to the bed and layed down. I layed in the fetal position to keep my body warm, it didn’t help that the blanket was as thin as paper. I kept telling myself I wouldn’t give up, I wouldn’t let them break me. I hoped and prayed that Luke and Leia were safe, Obi please protect them. My knees were against my chest as the warmth of my skin was the only thing that brought me comfort. I was worried about the twins but despite this I managed to fall into a deep sleep. 

***

“Wake up Rebel.” One of the stormtroopers yelled. My eyes immediately shot up despite this fact I felt dazed and drained. I moved over and my legs reached the ground. Apparently I wasn’t moving fast enough and the other grabbed my shoulder and moved me forward. He switched from holding my shoulder to holding my arm and he continued to push me forward. They walked me out of my cell to the end of the hallway where Darth Vader stood tall. But despite this I kept my chin held high, I will not let them break me. I marched towards that vile man, I will not let him win. He may have captured me but certainly has not won this battle not yet at least. 

“Darth Vader, only you can be so bold.” I announced loudly.

“Really? I’m the bold one?” He says almost like he’s mocking me.

“You're mocking me!”  

“Indeed I am, you two may leave us.” The stormtroopers left without another word. Why does this remind me of that day at the lake retreat? Anakin…he always liked to make me laugh and mock me just to make me laugh with some sarcasm thrown in the loop as well. I missed him so much. I snapped myself out of those thoughts. I cannot think about him no matter how much I miss after what he did to me, to the Republic, the Jedi, I can’t. 

“What do you want with me?”

He avoided the question as he paced and circled around me, he stepped closer and whispered in my ear “What were you doing?”

“I was on a diplomatic mission to Naboo.” I retorted back. “Stop antagonizing me! You will not get away with this I am apart of the imperial senate-” 

“Oh stop lying, there’s no point. I already know.” 

“Know what exactly?” 

“That your a rebel, a rebel leader. And if I’m honest with you I can’t have that.”

“Because that wouldn’t be good for your empire.”

“Quite the contrary, or the opposite.” 

Once again he whispers almost touching my ear, I felt a shiver crawl up my spine as he did this “I can’t have my wife, or empress fighting on the wrong side.” I felt the wind being knocked out of me. It couldn’t be. No. He would never. Right? No no no this couldn’t be happening. “Oh but it is,” He whispers back. I whip my head around meeting his gaze. “And I’ll prove it,”  Vader touches his mask, pressing two buttons which reveal his face. 

My world already crumbled when Anakin fell, when the Republic fell, when democracy fell, and when the Jedi fell and yet my world was crumbling once again. Who could have possibly made me feel this way? Ani, my Ani. What have you become? How did we come to this? …5 years ago, I thought Anakin was dead. I was very wrong. But now here we are, 5 years later I’ve discovered he’s been alive this whole time. He was towering over me, smirking, as if he had won, he was relishing in the fact he found me. He must have thought I had been dead. But I just don’t understand why he is smirking at me. Does he think I’m afraid of him? That’ll cower in fear? What does he get out of this? What’s the point of this madness? But then I think to myself it isn’t because he thinks I’m afraid it's because he’s pleased that he’s finally found me. He thinks he’s won. Right?

As much as I tried to hide my shock and horror I could not. 

“Do you really think that lowly of me, Angel?” I snapped out of my thoughts, I looked up at him in confusion. My brows furrowed in confusion, “What?” I questioned. 

Anakin turns his head to the side, looking me up and down. He strides towards me making eye contact. I felt a cold breeze, it felt as if something was crawling up my spine. I will not be scared. Not of him. Not Darth Vader. No one. But especially Ani, my beloved Ani. I can’t help but feel there’s still good in him. I have to hope there is. He continued eye contact as he continued to approach me. Once we were inches apart he murmured “I can hear your thoughts, they’re quite loud.” I felt horrified. But most of all betrayed.

“You promised you would never read my thoughts.” I cried. 

“I did. But I wasn’t reading them intentionally. It’s more echos in the force, different things. If I reach out I can hear and feel bits and pieces of your emotions and thoughts. I’m not technically reading them.”

I couldn’t hold back the tears anymore, they flowed down my face like one of the springs from Naboo. “I thought you were dead, for years I thought I had lost you.”

Anakin’s piercing blue eyes stared into my brown ones. “I thought I lost you too.”

“Why did you go with him? You didn’t need to hurt all of those people for me.”

“Yes I did!” Anakin snapped. “I couldn’t live without you, I couldn’t see a world without you in it.” 

“No you didn't, I would have been fine. And I could see one without. But we had too, clearly we did.” I pleaded with him, I realized I could move now, I ran my hands through his wild hair, I always did that hoping to bring him comfort.

“Did you bring Obi-Wan to kill me that day on Mustafar?”

“You know I wouldn’t do that, He snuck on my ship I didn’t know he was there. But I’ve since forgiven him.” 

“Why?”

“Because he thought he had no choice.” 

“You’ve asked me questions now I have a question for you,” 

“And what would that be?”

“Why did force choke me?”

“Because I was angry.”

“That’s not good enough! How could you throw away everything because of anger? I loved you and you thought I was a liar! You thought I would betray you. I loved you, I love you! How are we supposed to come back from this? How can I forgive all you’ve done?” I punched this chest, I panted out of breath. I felt the tears come back again, I felt my knees give out as I fell to the ground, tears dripping on my opened hands. He knelt to my size, he lifted my chin and I met his gaze once again. He caressed my face trying to bring me comfort. I knew it, he was going to make me come even if I didn’t want to. A part of me did the other part for the sake of my children and what he had done to the Galaxy I couldn’t. But did I have a choice in the matter, probably not. He continued to stroke the side of my face. I couldn't help but lean into his touch. Old habits die hard. I had forgiven him for what he had done but that doesn’t make it okay. It doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt still. No matter how much I loved him I couldn’t forget it completely. He broke me out of my thoughts as he asked “Come with me,” I knew he was going to ask me this. But it didn’t make it any less easier to deal with. 

“You know I can’t.” His eyes pleaded with me, I wanted to but I couldn’t. But as I said before I had no choice in this matter. He was not going to let me go like he did the first time. All this was, was courtesy, chivalry, hope. I knew it was coming as Anakin touched my forehead and I succumbed to darkness. All I could think was , are my children safe? What’s going to happen?

Narrator’s POV

Padme fell limp in Anakin’s arms. He picked her up, bridal style. As he carried her to his quarters. 

To Be Continued… 

[crispyclouddragon]

Hello! I'd like to know, did you really write a fic for Regis from Father I Don't Want To Get Marrried and if so, where can I find it? Have a good week.

I did! I never posted it so let this be the place you find it. TW For suicide as it takes place directly after the introduction.

“STOP!” Maximilian cried out. But it was already too late. Jubelian plunged the knife in her hands deep in her stomach. A soundless gasp from her lips as she folded into herself. Quickly Maximilian ordered the guards to try to aid her- it wasn’t supposed to be like this. The plan was to get her out safely. His teacher had finally grown tired of the Emperor, because he had crossed a line finally. Duke Floyen’s weakness. She lay dying before Maximilian now. They cannot stop the bleeding, they have given up and now as a group they are trying to get out of the cellars. The sounds of swords clash echo through these halls.

Jubelian is dead, her heart has already stopped. In some desperate part of Maximilian’s mind think good, now Teacher have no more weaknesses that the Emperor can use. Even then, deep down he knows that this will break Duke Floyen. He cannot survive this and Maximilian will be alone again. Casting a glance at the bloodied pitiful woman, falsely accused of poisoning his sister, he feels… empty. She looked young even with her father’s silver hair, those lavender eyes now clouded in death still like jewels.

It was the hairs on his neck that notified him of Duke Floyen’s arrival. And when he turned to face the man he only caught a glimpse before the other hurried past to his daughter’s still body. What he had seen on the man’s face was horror, it was of a man terrified of losing everything that kept him tethered to this world. Maximilian did not turn as his teacher began to beg Jubelian to open her eyes and berate his soldiers for not healing her. For not being there when she was injured. Maximilian held his tongue out of respect and of a desire for the Duke not to become useless before the fight was over. Though as the screams devolved into wordless cries he knew that the time was limited.

“The Emperor, has he been dealt with?” Maximilian asked. Floyen flinched, “of course.” That was at least something, though he wishes he could’ve done the deed himself. Telling his men he was heading towards the throne his steps echoed with another. And when he looked who followed he wished he hadn’t. Duke Floyen held Jubelian in his embrace, tucking her under his chin. Her eyes still wide in terror and mouth open- the Duke looked more dead than her in many ways. The blood seemed to have drained from his face and his eyes were glazed over and staring at the floor.

They arrived in silence. The scene was a bloodbath, not only laid the Emperor discarded with a slit throat but also Jubelian’s fiance, the Princess and the Empress. Maximilian remembered what his teacher used to tell him, that sometimes you get stronger trying to protect your weakness. He watched as Floyen walked to the bloodied throne and put Jubelian’s corpse in the place he’d spend years looking up at. Thinking that no, it hadn’t made his teacher strong, it had just made him human.

Floyen closed his daughter’s eyes for the last time, posing her with hands folded in her lap and back straight. Just as he remembered her. Kneeling before her, seeing the morbid glory of a hollow victory. His beautiful daughter on a glorious throne. Both dead and cold. He finally began to cry. All these years of distancing himself to make her a lesser target, of playing the Emperor’s pawn until the time was right. None of it mattered now. His pride and joy was dead. The only thing he could do was regret and grieve. He should have been there for her, hugged her and laughed with her, while he could. What meant those years if in the end she didn’t know he loved her?

“Teacher,” Maximilian broke the silence. And the Duke’s eyes met his, and in that moment Jubelian looked more alive than her father. “Whatever you wish for I will do,” the broken man spoke, “I will become your tool and you the Emperor.” Those words brought only a chill to Maximilian. Knowing very well the intent. There is nothing left for Floyen to live for, so he will live without thinking until his death. Maybe it’d be merciful to put him out of his misery now. But. He looked at Jubelian and the dead around them and couldn’t bring himself to.

“Very well, if that is what you wish,” he said coldly. Closing his heart to the only person he thought could understand him. If this is what love made men as great as the Duke fall then he wished no part in it. 

It was a vow he held to his death. Maximilian became known as the heartless Emperor, executing all who opposed him and leaving the aristocracy in shambles. By his side was Duke Floyen, known for his expertise in combat and his dead eyes, he was his sword who recklessly fulfilled those orders. While the kingdom flourished no one remembered them fondly. The Empress was based solely on what she’d provide the kingdom and the heir never knew a father’s love. Duke Floyen was more a machine in nature than man, with no friends nor allies he fell in battle without honor.

It was not a happy end. But an ending that both of them chained themselves too. Living only with regret that they could’ve done things differently, if they could’ve gone back in time before all this happened. And that fateful day never occurred.

[titanicfreija]

Too Far

Sunny got permission to come in, finally.

She didn't bother finishing the transmat before she started. "--aid you wouldn't kill her!"

Scanning her Guardian once, Sunny flew lower and scanned again, and she looked to Caiatl, even as her petals shot to the edges of her sphere. 

"You went too far," the Ghost said, voice flat and firm.

"I don't know what you mean," Caiatl snipped, wiping the blood off her knuckles. 

"You didn't have to do it like this," Sunny pressed angrily. "This is too much, you went too far."

Caiatl almost hid the unease. Breaking her like that was probably a little beyond the call but the Guardian had both arms blasted off in the last month, and the Ghost could repair the damage with ease. "She will never do it again," Caiatl rumbled defensively.

"She won't," Sunny agreed, voice soft. She lowered in the air and looked to Freija's reforming ribs, healing face. "This was too much. I can tell how slow you did it. It's too much."

"She learned," Caiatl argued. She took a breath and stopped herself, but Sunny heard it. 

"You were about to threaten me, weren't you," the Ghost snapped. "You will learn, too, right?"

Caiatl rolled her shoulders and fixed her feet. "If I must. I will suppress your Light and I will do it again while you watch." Her words were clipped and her voice held no inflection, and Sunny couldn't tell if she meant it, but the question alone made her angry.

The Ghost directed her attention to the corpse of her Guardian and pushed the Light in for the burst to start the restored heart. Freija sucked a breath and sat up in the same motion, looking around and trying to reorient herself before she could even see.

She saw Caiatl and lunged away, but then saw Sunny and froze.

"Freija," Sunny tried, moving closer, but Freija moved away from her, too.

"You let her do this!" she bellowed. "You told her she could! You let her!" She leapt to her feet and stormed out of their reaches. "You fucking asshole!" she shrieked, collapsing to her knees and covering her head. "Fucking traitor!"

Sunny fell a foot before Caiatl caught her in a palm, and her eye flickered. 

"She won't do it again," repeated Caiatl, allowing Sunny to take off, and she lumbered away.

The wails echoed in the empty space, and the Ghost flew an anxious circle overhead. "Caiatl!"

"I am done," she snipped.

"Help me!" the Ghost wailed. 

"She is hurt and will heal," barked Caiatl. "I cannot help, even if I wanted to."

"Give her some time, take us home the long way! Something! Help me!"

Caiatl turned fully to face the Ghost and wounded Guardian, annoyed with the plea. 

"I do not understand what you think she will find in my company," Caiatl rumbled.

"Please!" begged Sunny. "You can't just take her and beat her up and leave her like that, no matter how mad you are."

Sunny wasn't making a very convincing case for staying. As it was, the empress very much wanted to leave. She didn't expect such a strong reaction, even if she did take it so far. She didn't like the feeling of being wrong and having hurt her friend's child (again) and she really didn't appreciate that she messed this up specifically because she let herself get carried away on an assumption she knew to be largely incorrect. No, the typical Guardian is not going to walk away from having their arms maliciously broken without any lasting damage. She knew that and she ignored it.

And yet she still didn't want to turn her back on a friend pleading for help, even if she intentionally caused the problem. "I do not see why I cannot," she growled.

"Caiatl!" Sunny cried, bouncing to and fro. "Sit with her!"

Caiatl glanced back at the pitiful lump on the floor and considered it. 

"Caiatl!" Sunny shot to her side and then in front of her face. "You went too far!"

"You said that. The damage is done, and I am not sorry."

Sunny's voice fell to a whisper and she flew closer, so that Freija wouldn't hear. "Just… sit with her. Let her know you don't hate her. That's all. You don't have to say anything, and if she starts talking, you can leave, but she's hurt in the ways you wanted and other ways you didn't, and I don't want her to be afraid of you like she will if this is the first thing she remembers when she thinks of you."

That worked.

Caiatl lumbered across the room and sat down near the weeping figure, relaxing against the wall and listening to the little shit cry.

Xili, who had apparently also become fond of Sunny, posed the question and Caiatl answered with her frustration and love for the Ghost. Shortly thereafter, Xili came through the unlocked door with a tray of refreshments that they left nearby. Caiatl was half-sure she wanted more proximity for a more nuanced look into their minds and made the excuse. She didn't report back until she'd gone back to the observatory, and then only to say that Caiatl made the right choice in staying, though they did seem confused about why, explaining that the emotions were mixed. They also agreed with Sunny that she'd gone too far. They did not comment on Caiatl's state of mind, which she found to be suspicious, and she asked.

Xili reluctantly answered honestly, expressing disappointment in the empress's petty vengeance and irrational outburst, and the way in which she chose to enact it upon someone who, as far as Xili could tell, did not deserve it.

Caiatl didn't argue. The disappointment lingered like a bitter taste in the thoughts.

Xili then pointed out with a sense of victory like a boot on her back, that Caiatl had wanted to beat down a Guardian for quite some time. The disappointment sharpened. 

Hypocrite. Angry at the Guardian when she disregarded an opponent for the sake of entertainment, and then Caiatl kidnapped one to do exactly the same. She'd even been angry at the prospect of her men toying with a Guardian.

Xili kept going, surrounding the thoughts of the Guardian with youth and vulnerability, and then the sense of predation.

She'd picked an easy target.

Caiatl measured herself against the idea. She certainly took advantage of the opportunity to do what she'd wanted for quite some time, except that this Guardian had more blood on her hands than in her numerous reconstructed bodies; of which Caiatl reminded Xili.

Authority, then tyranny. Abuse of power.

Caiatl groaned with irritation and Xili didn't ease off the bitterness in her mind, though the direct messages faded.

The Titan dragged herself upright, sitting with one leg still splayed. She looked quite small and still broken, regardless of her perfectly healed body. Caiatl bore more physical damage from the beating than the Guardian, she noticed with amusement.

Caiatl took a breath to speak, but released it, and then the Guardian did the same. 

Silence haunted the room.

Sunny, finally, said, "I love you, Freija."

"I love you, too, now go fuck yourself," Freija replied, voice thick with tears. She finally got to her feet and swayed as though drunk. "Can we go home, now?"

"In a little bit, there's a passing radiation wave disrupting my signal to Earth," Sunny murmured kindly.

Freija glanced at Caiatl for a moment, then turned away as if the sight alone hurt.

"I. Did not. Deserve that," she said. "I fucked up. But I didn't deserve that."

"Granted," Caiatl admitted. "Xili has been giving me a piece of her mind in a very literal sense. She's quite unhappy with my behavior."

"Did you have fun."

"I did."

"You gonna beat yourself up now for toying with a Guardian?"

Caiatl chuckled at herself and the Guardian, and she wondered if Xili consciously or unconsciously pointed that out, or if the Guardian made the connection on her own.

The Guardian spun slowly in circles with her arms held around herself, tears coming and going. Caiatl took a drink from the tray and drained it. 

Freija whirled in place to face her Ghost. "Where the fuck have you been," she demanded.

"Caiatl gave me some ink and paper," Sunny admitted. "She didn't tell me what she was going to do. I knew it wasn't going to be nice, but I didn't…. I'm sorry."

Caiatl didn't expect her to swing at the little Ghost, but it occurred to her afterward that she would never genuinely try, and even if she did, she would not succeed.

"Fuck! You!" she bellowed. "You hired her to beat the shit out of me!"

Caiatl snorted. "She did not hire me, she stopped me from kidnapping you without warning and stomping on you the moment I could see you."

"That would have been preferable!" the Guardian bellowed. "You jumped on my fucking arm!"

"I would likely have broken your arms no matter what I did," Caiatl replied airily, allowing the vent. The force from the beginning of the beating would not have, but Caiatl could have with only a little extra effort.

"And you'd have done it way fucking faster! I hate slow deaths! I hate being beaten! Fuck you both! You're fucking– I don't even know! I hate you!"

Freija slammed her fist into the wall and dented it, an accomplishment even the soldiers hadn't managed, and they vanished in a shower of Light. 

~

"Fuck you!" Freija bellowed as soon as she got home, and she hurled whatever happened to be on the coffee table (a book) at the Ghost, and she fled to her room and curled into her blanket, and then crawled under her bed with the blanket, eventually dragging the closest chest plate in with her. 

"I'm sorry! I didn't know what she was going to do! As soon as I felt the genuine distress–"

"You mean dying! You know how fucking much it takes before dying, you get mad at me for taking so much before fucking dying, and that–that–" she stopped to curl into herself silently as she fought down the tears. "And I liked her…"

"She still likes you," Sunny said, but she didn't know how true that still was. Then again, she only lost two 'points'. "I'm pretty sure getting beaten up is standard discipline for them. You've faced worse in the last week."

"She broke my arms!"

"She knew you'd be healed right after," Sunny insisted. "She didn't know how far she was going–"

"You let her do it!"

"I didn't know it was going to be that bad! Staying would have been even worse! I thought–"

"You thought– what?! That she would just slap me a few times and laugh it off?! She said she would!"

"Your arms break all the time," Sunny sighed.

The red hair and one eye came into view, but she didn't come out. "I have never been sat on while some fucker found the best fucking angle for it," Freija snapped. "It has never taken that long for my arm to break in my life. She. Tortured. Me. I have never been tortured! Go fuck yourself!"

The Ghost hovered silently and listened to her Guardian's tears for the millionth time.

[ardenssolis]

@himedachi said (inbox):

“K-King Ozymandias? May I ask you something?” Attempting to break the silence between her && her honored guest, Kougyoku sheepishly voices out a question. “What do you think makes someone a good ruler to their country?” The young empress lowers down her gaze in embarrassment. Her hands clasped together; digits intertwined, && thumbs fiddling against each other nervously beneath the sleeves of her longpao robes. “Ah, um… you see… I was recently coronated as an emperor, but…” The burdens that she’s already bearing upon her shoulders are suffocatingly heavy. Back then, she used to think that becoming an emperor was a much more leisurely privilege that a man could have rather than being a mere princess who could easily be sold off as a bride to be a political tool. Little did young Kougyoku know, she was instantly proven wrong. “…I don’t know. I’m not sure if I’m even fit to become the ruler of this empire.” The empire’s nowhere close to its former glory as it’s slowly detoriating from the inside. What could a mere eighth princess && a bastard child like her do to reform the country? It’s not that she wanted to take the coronation on the first place if it wasn’t because of Hakuryuu’s personal request… “I’m merely a young woman with no experience as a ruler, and a child of a lowly courtesan…” Kougyoku smiles weakly, as if she’s accepting a defeat. “What should I do to gain the trust of my people?” // from Kougyoku (if u don't mind) :>

     ❝YOU MAY.❞ OZYMANDIAS WAVED his hand before his cheek came to rest upon his closed fist. Huh, this was unexpected. Out of all those he expected to visit him, he certainly hadn’t expected Kougyoku. Just the sight of her brought forth a great deal of curiosity, golden eyes watching her with no small hint of intrigue despite his languid body language. The question he was asked took him aback, brows rising with surprise. Although there was a question upon the tip of his tongue, he didn’t ask it just yet. Instead, he merely listened, slowly formulating exactly what he would tell her when she finished. Her path was different from his own – her history, her challenges… But being a ruler was universal in one’s duties. Sitting straight, it was a sign that he would give her his full attention as he finally began to speak. ❝Confidence. You cannot hope those around you to believe in what you can do if you show them a meek side of yourself. When you speak, you must do so with authority. When you look upon another, they must know who are you and what you stand for from a glance. If they peer into your eyes and see weakness, then you will only ever be perceived as weak.❞

     That was the first step, the most important if one were to ask him. Even the way she held herself before him lacked in conviction. As much as he appreciated her manners, she was still a ruler like himself, and thus, should also hold her head high and carry with her the same presence. ❝Do not ask if you are fit to rule, for the fact of it, is that you must rule. You can stand before me and lament where you are, but that will not change.❞ He huffed, a small chuckle passing his lips. ❝That aside, though, to gain the trust of those you rule, you must first know what it is they desire. Speak to your officials and learn the state of the places they overlook, gain insight in what needs to be done, and then from there, decide what to do. That is the best way to start.❞

[sanguinesorcery]

Diligent intense eyes watch as the request is fulfilled, following the lines of each of them in turn, paying especial mind to how they react, how their mouths move, how their eyes may twitch. Nothing escapes eyes and ears, as even though the unit with their commander-in-chief stand perfectly still, they hear everything spoken back.

Fariah and her chief of security have already made a mental check between them of the King's hesitation, the way he seems as tense as the rest of them. Protective, almost. Likely, it is due to the suddenness of her request.

She also cannot ignore the renewed ferocity of the Aeroglaive rested on her left arm. He speaks, and it rattles its warning with an increased vigor, trying desperately to warn her even as she rests her right hand on it as though to calm it like a crying child. It is still a tick on her ongoing mental list of details, as rarely does the weapon react to individual people. Other than its fervent attempts to get her attention, however, she neither sees nor hears what she was looking for to begin with in any of the foreigners.

Kubyar whispers his observations to her in much the same results. ">>I don't detect any Glamour being used.<<"

Hearing him speak such relaxes her enough. A slight release of unnecessary tension across her shoulders as they sag just a touch. Still an imposing silhouette, but not nearly as ready. The guard captain takes two of his unit to open the gate on the other side of the wall, leaving his Empress to try to smooth things over until things can be properly explained later.

"He thanks you for your cooperation in this matter. As I said, Kubyar takes his job very seriously, and it is his job to keep you and us safe." It's a blatant lie, but her face betrays no deception. It is not safe to show it outside the walls, after all.

She turns to follow the guardsmen to the inner private gate, held open for their entrance with smart salutes. "You may enter, and I will see to it Nolon has further assistance to his room, if he would like."

Gilded gaze falls on the older Hylian to pay him mind if he speaks, either to the positive or negative. His decision will be respected either way, though her observations of him thus far tell her it's likely he will refuse help.

"We do have a physician on the grounds here who may be able to compound tinctures or rubs, if you are willing to meet her. She will be more than happy to see to you." She continues as she enters the parade grounds, once more addressing her guests as a group to impart both information, as well as a single regulation. "You may rest or roam when we arrive at your rooms. However, I will ask that you do not leave the palace complex before we have you fitted for iron bangles."

On one hand, she hopes such a statement will not be taken wrong. Even she can admit when she words something in strange ways. However, she is also gauging a reaction to the rule itself. A personal precautionary observation, here on the parade grounds, in the center of her security detail's activity. Even if Kubyar has moved further in to perform his duties, the guardsmen moving across the stone expanse in elaborate maneuvers to cover ground are more than capable of being ready if needed.

She seems concerned enough, even if it's a false pity, but Ganondorf will put it to the side for now. He's relatively stoic even as she seems to take accountability for this. Pride is something many are guilty of in some way. Deedrik tries focusing on what he can see and lets the two older men handle things.

For Nolon himself, he doesn't necessarily care what her feelings are. As long as he can rest sometime soon, he'll be fine. The Hylian shifts a little to ease his pains before the group heads on in relative silence. Nolon and Ganondorf spend about the same amount of time on the scenery; perhaps the Gerudo focuses a bit more on the statue than he initially intended. Deedrik, meanwhile, falls slightly behind as he takes in the sights. He's never out of sight, nor does he lose the party, but he's somewhat interested in the statue. Since the group only spends a little time on it, he continues with them toward the steeper steps.

By this point, Ganondorf silently urges Deedrik to move ahead of the two while the king stays behind Nolon, watching him as he begins to climb the stairs. These steps are far steeper than he's used to, so it takes him time to manage. He takes this slowly, pausing a few times as he treks upwards. All the while, the king stays behind him, ensuring he's there in case Nolon makes a misstep or trips.

Deedrik keeps a mindful distance from the empress, occasionally glancing back to see where his companions are. He stays further back as he reaches the top, letting Fariah speak with her guards in their native tongue. Ganondorf and Nolon reach the top of the steps as this little talk happens. The king is the more challenging to read between the three of them, only letting his concern for Nolon shine through. The older Hylian lets out a huff, longing to rest his legs, but isn't fussy. That wouldn't do anyone any good. Deedrik is trying to be polite and, while checking on Nolon, also is having a moment to see the view.

Once addressed, the three men glance at each other. The Hylians don't worry about the reasoning behind the query. It's simple enough to them. To Ganondorf, it's something to question. The Sidhe are a magical people, at least, and from the small amount of time spent in their company, there's an ulterior motive. What that may be is to be seen, but he's sure he'll be able to keep his entourage safe if anything goes awry.

With the king's nod, the younger Hylian speaks first. "Deedrik Zussan Ariat."

"Nolon Bulos Dungim," the other soon continues.

A slight pause follows, the Gerudo giving the captain and his empress a look. Not a threat, but a silent promise he will defend his people should there be trickery. Another beat passes before he speaks, "Ganondorf Toba Dragmire."

[bang-tan-bitches]

Title: Beloved

Word Count: 17.4k

Rating: M

Genre: Drama/Thriller/Smut

Warnings: Yandere Behavior, Violence, Blood, Character Death, Emotional Manipulation, Hint of Dubious Consent, Unprotected Sex, Vaginal Fingering, Cream Pie, Oral Sex (Female Receiving), Mild Dirty Talk 

Pairing: Emperor!Yoongi X Reader

Summary: Court was just a game of politics after all. And you intended to win

Written By: Admin B

Note: This was entirely inspired by Daechwita and everyone should thank A for indulging my madness and encouraging me

“Are you even listening to me?”

 You jerk at the sound of your younger sister’s voice, the long carriage ride has made you sleepy. You glance over at her and give her an indulgent smile, “I’m sorry, darling. I can only listen to you wax poetic about his Imperial Highness’ esteemed looks for so long before I lose interest.”

You can’t help but laugh when Ara snaps her fan closed and tries to hit you with it, but you block it with your own fan.

“Stop or you’ll wrinkle your dress!” You giggle, “Then what will his majesty think of you?!”

She sits back in her seat, but you can see her eyes are shining with laughter. She looks positively breathtaking in her pale pink ceremonial dress. Her hair is beautifully styled with pearls and ribbons laced throughout. Her maids really made her as eye catching as possible. When the decree was first announced that all single ladies of marriageable age were invited to the palace on behalf of the imperial princess to find a bride for his majesty, you were concerned. You know Ara had fallen hopelessly in love with the emperor the one and only time she saw him, having begged father to take her to court with him two years prior. Ever since then she had this fairy tale dream in her head that they were meant to be together and you were terribly afraid of her getting hurt. 

“He really is beautiful,” her eyes are dreamy as she glances out the carriage window, “did I tell you how his hair is so pale that it practically shines like moonlight?”

“Yes, yes,” the sarcasm clear in your voice, “He is the most handsome and benevolent ruler our land has ever seen!” 

“He is,” you sister insists, “even with the scar!”

“He has a scar? I thought that was just a rumor.” You look out the carriage window to see how far you are from the palace. The ride seemed longer than usual, but that could have just been your boredom with the topic. You had no interest in politics - not that that had stopped your father from teaching you - and avoided going to court as much as possible. You had never even been in the presence of the emperor or the imperial princess. Ara had no interest in politics either, but that didn’t stop her dreams of becoming Empress.

“Oh! It’s not a rumor!” Your sister straightens her posture, “There’s a scar that covers his right eye! He got it during the great war when he was still the crown prince.”

“Why didn’t he -”

“Why didn’t he have the Imperial healers treat him and remove the scar?” Your sister cuts you off before you can finish your question, “He wanted a reminder to never show leniency. He was betrayed by some of his own men that weren’t loyal to the crown. He slaughtered not only the betrayers, but also their entire families.”

You furrow your brows and fix the long sleeves of your ceremonial dress, uncomfortable with the emperor’s apparent brutality, “Sounds cruel.”

“It’s not cruel. He had to ensure that no one would try to get revenge. He was protecting our kingdom from those that would try to take it!”

“Of course, of course,” you placate your sister and roll your eyes at her fervent defense of his highness.

“Don’t roll your eyes, I’m terribly sorry everyone can’t be as noble as your dear Namjoon.”

You frown, “First of all, he is Lord Kim and he deserves your respect. Secondly, he isn’t my dear anything. Nothing has been finalized. There has only been talk of marriage, but no contracts are in place.”

Ara scoffs, “Everyone knows he absolutely adores you. His eyes get all big and his cheeks turn bright pink whenever he sees you.”

You smile wistfully and look down at your lap, “He is rather adorable.”

“Mmmhmm and if it was up to him you would already be married and probably with child.”

“Ara, it is impolite to discuss such things.” You scold gently, “What if someone overheard you?”

“Who?” Ara dramatically looks around the carriage before resting back against her seat, “Who can possibly hear us? There is only me and you in this carriage. No one is going to hear us.”

“Still, you need to be appropriate, you cannot slip up at the palace.”

You both sit in silence for a moment, Ara with closed eyes gently fanning herself while you contemplate how to bring up what’s been weighing heavily on your mind. Your younger sister was spoiled and had always gotten her way, even you were guilty of indulging her every whim. You were terribly worried that she would not adjust to court life well. Your understanding was that the women could be even more vicious than the men and you needed to prepare her.

You chew your lip before deciding to broach the delicate topic, “I heard another rumor about your emperor.”

“Mmm… what’s that?” Ara opens one eye to look at you.

“I heard,” you lean forward and lower your voice, “that his harem is… extensive.”

Ara pouts adorably, “It is. Apparently he has over 300 concubines.”

“300? That has to be an exaggeration. No man would want 300 concubines. Although,” you continue quietly, “he is the emperor and a large harem would show off his wealth and power. Does he have a favorite among them?”

“Ugh,” you watch Ara’s eyes darken in anger, “Concubine Nam In-Suk. She is his favored concubine and I heard the only reason she wasn’t named his empress is because Imperial Princess Min would not allow it.”

“Why would the emperor care what his elder sister thinks?” You already know the answers to all these questions, but you hope that asking them will help Ara realize what she needs to do to secure her place as empress. The carriage starts to slow, you were almost to the palace and wouldn’t have much time alone to prepare her going forward and no time alone once you’d arrived.

“She is his advisor and closest confidant. He trusts her with everything.”

“Ara,” you grab your sister’s hand and give her a meaningful look, “It is very important that you gain the favor of Imperial Princess Min. If you have her blessing, you will not be denied. Most of the silly girls will be striving for Emperor Min’s attention, not realizing that the imperial princess is making the final choice.”

Ara nods her head, determined. “I will gain her favor.”

“Also,” you know she will hate what you are about to suggest, but it has to be done, “You need to become friendly with Concubine Nam.”

“Never!” Ara gasps and tries to pull away, “As soon as I’m chosen as empress I will make him disband his harem!”

“Ara, you cannot!” You lean close and let the severity of your demand bleed into your tone, “You must become friendly and show you are not a threat.” 

“But I am a threat…” she pushes her lip out in a pout. 

You squeeze her hand, “I know, darling. But court politics are not that different from bedroom politics. He will not get rid of his harem just because you demand it. If Concubine Nam thinks she can manipulate and play you, she will be less of a threat. She has his ear and his favor. Let them think you are stupid little girl with stars in her eyes. It will bend them to your will.”

 “But,” Ara’s voice is quiet, “I want him to love only me.”

“Oh my beloved Ara,” you hold her close to you, “these things take time. Once you bed him and provide an heir, you will secure your place at his side. He will have to love and cherish only you. How could he not?”

Her smile is blinding when the carriage stops outside the palace gates. 

-0-0-0-

“Relax,” you whisper, “you are the most beautiful lady here. You have nothing to fear.”

Ara releases her bottom lip and nods subtly. When you had arrived at the palace earlier that day, you were welcomed inside to a large hall filled with other single young ladies and their chaperones, all from the most prominent families in the kingdom. Imperial Princess Min herself greeted everyone and announced that a welcome banquet would be held that evening. You were then ushered to your rooms where you could refresh yourselves before the evening. The Daisy Courtyard would serve as your temporary home for the next few weeks. It was a smaller courtyard, but it was beautiful and secluded and you were thankful to learn that it was nowhere near the concubine courtyard. 

It was almost impossible to remember how quiet the courtyard was now. 

Now, in the palace banquet room awaiting the arrival of the emperor for what felt like hours with the crowd growing more restless by the minute, you dearly missed the seclusion. Imperial Princess Min was present, drinking wine and enjoying the performance of the dancers brought in for entertainment. If she was upset with the late arrival of her brother, her face did not show it.

The music abruptly stops and everyone quiets down. The large golden doors at the back of the room are opened and an imperial servant steps in, placing their fisted hand over their heart, they bow and announce, “His Royal Highness, Emperor Min Yoongi, 37th Emperor of the Min Dynasty.”

Everyone immediately bows, giving reverence to the Emperor. He is dressed in the darkest black with gold dangling from his ears, neck, and fingers.  His blond hair is pulled up into a high topknot and a black headband is across his forehead. 

You notice a beautiful woman trailing a few steps behind him. She is covered in diamonds. They glitter from her shiny black hair down to the long train of her bright purple ceremonial dress. The dress itself is decorated in patterns of golden tigers, matching the pattern of the emperor’s black robe.

By the clenching of Ara’s hands, you realize that this must be Concubine Nam. You discreetly nudge your sister and mouth for her to relax. 

The emperor takes his seat on his golden dragon throne, while his favored concubine sits obediently at his feet. His presence is overpowering and you can feel his displeasure radiating throughout the room.  

“So… I was told that one of you will be this emperor’s bride and empress consort.” Emperor Min’s voice is deep and controlled, but the underlying fury is unmistakable. You can feel his eyes trail over the room, “Do you really think that one of you will enrapture this emperor? Do you truly believe one of you will become my chosen?”

Everyone is deathly silent, afraid of angering his highness even more. You can feel his penetrating gaze stop on you. You did not dare look upon the face of the emperor. You knew the rules of the court. You keep your eyes lowered and wait for his eyes to move past you. 

They don’t.

You can still feel him staring at you and after several silent minutes you hesitantly look up and meet his eyes. You feel your breath catch in your throat. He is startlingly beautiful. His features are delicate but his scar provides him a hint of roguishness that accentuates his already extraordinary beauty. 

His gaze is intense and you can feel his angry aura disappear to something unreadable. His dark eyes are burning with something as a devilishly handsome smile spreads across his face.

You quickly lower your eyes and ignore the chill down your spine and the heat spreading across your face. You now understand how your sister could be so enraptured with one look. 

The emperor laughs, startling you into looking again. He’s staring at his sister and smiling. You can see Concubine Nam’s face screwed up, but staring at the floor. You look away quickly before he can feel your stare. His voice is filled with warmth and something else, something unsettling, “Maybe this emperor will finally meet his bride amongst the ladies here today. Rise and enjoy the welcome feast.”

Immediately servants present platters of food to the various tables and the music starts again. You ignore the burning gaze you feel on you and direct your attention to Ara.

“Make sure you eat. You have to be strong if you plan to carry the next heir of the kingdom.” You add more food to her plate.

“Yes, yes,” Ara giggles and pushes your hand away, “I could feel him staring in our direction. Did you feel it too?”

You force a smile, “Of course. How could he not stare at you. I told you that you were the most beautiful lady here.”

When it’s your turn to introduce yourselves to the royal family, you make sure to keep your head low and only make eye contact with Imperial Princess Min once you’re allowed to rise. Next to you, your sister does the same, following your example, even as you feel the hot eyes of the emperor on you once again. Ara pays a pretty compliment to the Princess, and you smile proudly when the Princess laughs delightedly and asks for your names. 

“Oh, I remember you. And your father.” Princess Min says, a delicate finger resting on her bottom lip. She shares a look with her brother and you can feel the hateful eyes of Concubine Nam on you and your sister. You ignore her. You needed Ara to win over Princess Min before she won the hearts of anyone else. “I look forward to getting to know you once again. Both of you.” 

You smile, and bow again before moving on to let the others greet the royal family. 

Ignoring the heavy weight of Emperor Min’s gaze, you try to keep your sister distracted and engaged during the remainder of the banquet. For every goblet of wine your sister has, you make sure she also has a goblet of water. You don’t want her embarrassing herself in front of the other eligible ladies. You relax once the emperor’s gaze is no longer focused on you and take the chance to glance towards the throne, noticing the emperor in a deep discussion with his sister. The imperial princess has a strange smile on her face and is nodding her head along to whatever his highness is saying. You also notice that Concubine Nam is nowhere to be seen.

“Where did Concubine Nam go?”

“What?” Ara quickly looks around the large hall, her voice tinged with excitement, “Concubine Nam? His highness must have sent her away.”

"Strange..” you take a delicate bite of the fresh dumplings brought out by the servants, smiling a bit at how excited Ara is to find her possible rival missing, “I thought she never left his side.”  

“Well…” Ara is interrupted by the arrival of an imperial maid. The maid bows her head respectively and holds a silver tray with a folded golden parchment.

You grab the parchment and slowly open it, quickly read the contents, fold it and place it back on the tray. “Please tell your mistress we accept.”

The maid bows and scurries away. You watch her go and keep a calm mask on your face, even as your heart is racing. You knew the point of these banquets and festivities was to find the Emperor a bride, but to receive an invitation so quickly… You notice many of the young ladies in attendance are watching and you refuse to show any sort of emotion. 

Court was just a game of politics after all. And you intended to win. For Ara. 

Ara grabs your hand under the table where no one can see, “What was that about?”

“Ara, did you bring that pretty pale green dress that grandfather gifted you for your birthday last year?” You take a sip of your wine, and keep your tone low.

“Of course.” Ara nods her head and grabs some fruit slices from one of the platters on the table, but by the tenseness of her shoulders, you could feel her excitement. You would have to instruct her on how to hide it better. 

“Good. Wear it tomorrow.” You squeeze her hand, “we are invited to the morning meal with Imperial Princess Min.”

-0-0-0-

Imperial Princess Min’s courtyard and private rooms are absolutely gorgeous. Everything is draped in golds and pastels and smells of the fresh flowers that are placed throughout her rooms. The three of you sit at a finely crafted table in her pavilion, the only sounds are the bubbling of the large fountain nearby and the tinkling of the platters of food as they are placed upon the table before you. 

“Thank you for joining me this beautiful morning.” Princess Min smiles sweetly at you both, once you rise from your bow, gesturing for a maid to pour tea, “I do hope you enjoy the meal.”

“We are honored to be invited by her majesty for a meal. Thank you.” You bow your head reverently and sit in the chair the maid has pulled out. 

“Yes, thank you, your highness.” Your sister follows suit. The plates are quickly set with delicious smelling food, but you can only sip your tea, taking your cue from the princess who has barely glanced at her plate. 

“Tell me,” Princess Min takes a dainty sip of tea, “Are you enjoying your time at the palace?”

“It is very beautiful here. We are forever indebted to the emperor and the imperial princess for allowing us to visit.” You keep your voice soft and your sister nods along, her cheeks slightly puffed with the food she has in her mouth.

“And your rooms…” Princess Min continues, directing a maid to put some kimchi on her plate, “are they to your liking?”

“Yes your majesty. The Daisy courtyard is beautiful. Thank you for gracing us with such lovely lodgings.”

The princess inclines her head briefly and smiles, “What do you think of the emperor?”

“Oh, he is wonderful. The best ruler our empire has ever seen.” Ara gushes enthusiastically, “May our emperor live ten thousand years!”

You and Princess Min share a small smile, both seeing that Ara is completely infatuated with his highness. You take a small bite of the delicious food on your plate as Ara continues to praise the emperor. 

“And you?” Princess Min interrupts your sister and turns her gaze on you. Her dark eyes are so similar to her brother that it catches you off guard for a moment, “What do you think of the emperor?”

You didn’t understand why but you feel like your answer holds more weight than your sister’s. You lick your suddenly dry lips, smile demurely at the imperial princess and respond as blandly but nicely as possible, “His highness is a most generous and benevolent king.”

“That he is.” Princess Min smiles and glances at your sister, “And what are your thoughts on his harem?”

Your sister is quiet for a moment and you can see her struggling with finding what she wants to say, you gracefully answer for her, “I’m sure my sister would be most grateful to have others help serve the emperor.”

“Yes!” Ara nods eagerly, “I am most grateful that the emperor has many to keep him company.”

Princess Min hides a giggle behind her hand and you tilt your head, curious what could make the Princess giggle like that. 

“Indeed. You may be grateful for the… help.”

Your eyes widen but Ara continues to look confused. You share a look with the Princess before she continues, “My brother, the Emperor, has a… healthy appetite.” 

As if summoned by your discussion of him, your meal is interrupted by the arrival of a servant stepping into the pavilion, “His Royal Highness, Emperor Min Yoongi, 37th Emperor of the Min Dynasty.”

You and Ara quickly place down your chopsticks and stand from your seats to bow properly. 

“You may rise.” The emperor’s voice is deeper than you remember. He is dressed in an informal black robe patterned with crimson lotus flowers. Thick golden necklaces rest against his collarbones and his pale hair is pulled up into another topknot. You notice that his long, golden earrings aren’t as extravagant as the ones he wore the night before. You and Ara quickly return to your seats.

“Here is my darling sister.” The Emperor gently kisses Princess Min’s cheek before sitting in the empty chair that is placed directly across from you by a servant. “I hope you do not mind if I join you three for the morning meal.”

“Imperial Brother I can see right through you.” Princess Min giggles, “You just want to look at my pretty company.”

You feel your breath hitch when the emperor locks eyes with you, a dangerous smile pulling at his full lips, “Can you blame me? I cannot remember the last time I’ve been so enchanted.”

Princess Min smiles and glances between you and your sister, “The sisters are true beauties.”

“Indeed,” The emperor's eyes flicker to your sister before focusing back on you, “It’s refreshing to know that a father did not exaggerate his claims of his daughters’ virtues.”

"Our beauty does not dare compare to the Imperial Princess." Your sister answers perfectly, the flattery clear in her voice. You see the smile spread across Princess Min’s face, clearly pleased with Ara’s answer. 

Princess Min and Ara chatter for a while, the emperor occasionally joining the conversation, but his burning gaze never leaves your face. If anyone else notices his attention on you, they dare not mention it. You stay quiet, trying not to draw any attention away from Ara. You are proud of your sister, she is so poised as she engages in conversation with the royals. You were worried she would freeze up, or even worse, prattle on incessantly about nothing. You motion for a servant to refill your teacup and are startled when the emperor waives the servant away, refilling your cup himself. “Please, allow me.”

Everything stops around you at his actions, even the servants seem to freeze in place. You glance at your sister and the imperial princess, both completely in shock at the emperor’s generosity. Although you notice the imperial princess has a look of unbridled delight in her dark eyes.

“Thank you, your grace.” You incline your head and keep your face impassive. Only years of training drilled into you by your tutors prepared you for this. A lady must always be composed and even though you feel like your heart is going to beat out of your chest, you keep calm. You have no idea why his eminence would pour your tea as if he was your servant, but did not dare question his actions. 

The silence lasts longer than is socially acceptable and when you dare to look at him, the emperor’s eyes are already focused on you. You can feel Ara’s eyes darting between the two of you, but you can only focus on the emperor. He opens his mouth to say something when your meal is interrupted by several maids rushing into the room. His eyes release you from your trance as he looks away. 

You tell yourself that you’re grateful for the interruption. 

“Your highness!!!” They all drop to their knees once they see the emperor, their heads touching the ground, “Your highness you must hurry. Concubine Nam has collapsed!”

You glance at the maids in alarm and look back at the emperor, his brows furrowed, “Have the imperial healers been summoned?”

“Of course, your highness.” The head maid answers, rising from her bow. You realize that they must have been the personal maids of Concubine Nam. The other maids remain on their knees, foreheads pressed to the ground. 

The emperor turns away from the maids and takes a sip of his tea, dismissing them without words. You watch the head maid bite her lip before taking a step forward, “Please your highness, she is calling for you.”

You can see the displeasure on the emperor’s face. His eyes are angry, but the anger fades when he looks at you. He stares at you for a moment as if he’s waiting for your approval. You swallow and glance at the maids before meeting his gaze, “Your highness, please forgive this lowly maiden for speaking out of turn, but your beloved needs you. You should be at her side.”

“My beloved?” His voice is filled with mirth, and you wonder what is so humorous.

“Yes, your majesty.” You continue, licking your lips. His eyes follow your tongue. “Everyone knows she is your favored concubine. She needs you. You must attend to her.”

“You’re right.” His smile disarms you, again causing your breath to catch. “I must do what my beloved asks of me.”

With a swirl of his black robes, he is gone. The maids and his personal servants trailing behind him. 

The silence left by the emperor’s abrupt departure is broken by the tired sigh of the Imperial Princess. “I apologize for Imperial Brother.”

“No, no,” you immediately respond, seeing a forlorn expression on the princess’ face, “It’s alright. Concubine Nam needs him. I do hope she is alright.”

“Yes, hopefully it is nothing serious.” Your sister cannot hide the distaste in her voice at the mention of the concubine.

“Oh, it’s nothing serious.” The princess laughs scornfully, “Concubine Nam always pulls some sort of devious trick whenever she thinks my brother’s attention might be taken away from her.”

You glance in the direction the emperor disappeared, “Does she?”

“Yes. It’s pathetic.” 

You choke back a giggle when the princess rolls her eyes and instantly feel yourself relax. 

“She thinks she has my brother wrapped around her finger. Always throwing a tantrum or faking some sort of illness.” She sneers and shakes her head, looking at you as if confiding something, “Several months ago, when I first spoke to my brother about finding a potential bride, I thought for sure that she would do something then, but it looks like the little bitch was just biding her time.”

“That is terrible.” If Ara is shocked at the vulgar language used by the princess, her face doesn’t show it. She is calm and poised and while you know she has a million questions she wants to ask, she is keeping her composure until the two of you are alone in your courtyard. “Hopefully his highness sees through her tricks.”

“She’s not half as clever as she thinks she is. He knows exactly what she is doing, but he indulges her.”

“I’m sure his majesty has his reasons,” you smile at the princess, “have faith in your brother.”

Princess Min stares at you, a contemplative look on her face. You don’t know what she is looking for, but after a few quiet moments she smiles beautifully, “Yes. Of course, you’re right. I have faith in the emperor. He was chosen by the gods to rule our kingdom.”

“May he live ten thousand years.” Ara says solemnly. You and Princess Min murmur in agreement.

“Still,” Princess Min’s voice is resolute as she gestures for a maid to refill her tea cup, “Concubine Nam cannot be trusted. Be careful.”

You sip your tea, pushing thoughts of the emperor’s dark eyes to the back of your mind and wonder just how much danger your sister is in.

-0-0-0-

When you return to your courtyard, servants are rushing around packing your trunks..

“Excuse me,” you feel bad interrupting one of the maids, but you have no idea what is going on and can’t help but fear the worst, “what is happening?”

“My lady,” the maid bows her head, “we have orders to move you and your sister to the Golden Bell courtyard.”

You frown and watch the servants continue to carry out your things, Ara clutches your hand, “On whose orders?”

“His Royal Highness.”

“As you were.” You dismiss the maid and turn towards Ara. You can see the excitement in her eyes. She’s practically vibrating. You nod for her to follow you out to the main yard where an imperial carriage is waiting to take you to your new courtyard.

“Sister,” She whispers, “The Golden Bell Courtyard. That’s closer to Imperial Princess Min’s private courtyard.”

“I know.”

-0-0-0-

The Golden Bell Courtyard is stunning. The main yard is filled with the fragrant Golden Bell flowers and the rooms were at least twice the size of your previous courtyard. Ara is practically giddy with excitement as she throws herself down on the large bed in the room you chose.

“He must already be in love with me.” 

“Why wouldn’t he be?” You were surprised Ara was able to contain herself until the servants left. 

“Everything is so luxurious.”

“It is.” You sit yourself at the fancy dressing table in the corner of the room and check your reflection in the bronzed mirror, “You should get used to this.”

Ara giggles and snuggles into the soft bedding. You watch her through the mirror and smile at her behavior. She was still so young and you wish you could shelter her forever. You still worried about her marrying into the imperial family, but you felt a little better knowing that Imperial Princess Min seems to have warmed to her. “You need to thank his majesty at tonight’s banquet.” 

“Of course.” Your sister smiles and throws a soft goose feather pillow in the air, “I will make sure to thank him for his hospitality.”

-0-0-0-

Unfortunately, Emperor Min is not at the banquet that night. In fact, you were informed, for the next fourteen days he would not be attending any of the events Imperial Princess Min had scheduled.

You can tell the princess is upset. Her smile seems a little more strained and while she is able to handle everything as a hostess should, you can tell she is very stressed about whatever the emperor is currently handling. You have a strong suspicion it is related to Concubine Nam, but it is not your place to ask questions so you remain quiet. You do, however, try your best to help where you can, becoming a steadfast and loyal companion to her majesty, continuing to have meals with her whenever she requests and spending many afternoons in her pavilion with her. She would ask your opinions of the young ladies from the different households and tell you about what would be required of the empress consort. As the days moved along, the princess dismissed more and more of the potential brides for his majesty until only a handful were left. You were pleased that Ara seems to be the favorite.

You sit across from the Imperial Princess. She sent you a note at the morning meal requesting you to join her in her plum blossom garden this afternoon. You can tell the princess is upset. Her lips are pursed and her fingers are white as she grips her cup of tea tightly. You're afraid the delicate cup might crack. 

“Your majesty’s plum blossom garden is beautiful. It must be the most fragrant and lovely plum blossom garden in all of the empire.”

Imperial Princess Min gives you a soft smile. She dismisses the servants and they step back so they are out of hearing range, but close enough to see if her highness requires anything.

“Concubine Nam is with child.”

You are silent for a moment. You keep yourself composed and don’t dare show your thoughts on your face. Your mind is frantically trying to process what this means. How could this have happened? What does this mean for Ara? 

You swallow and gently speak, “Princess Min, please forgive this simple one for questioning, but I thought it was against the imperial law for a concubine to bear children?”

“It is.” Princess Min throws her tea cup on the ground in anger, two imperial maids rush over to clean up the shattered mess and prepare another cup of tea for her majesty. Once the servants step away, the Princess continues, “She stopped drinking the herbal tea the day my brother agreed to find a bride.”

“Will Concubine Nam be punished?” You don’t look at the princess when you ask, you focus on the full cup of tea in front of you.

“If she is punished, it won’t be until after she gives birth.” Princess Min takes a small bite of sweet cake, “The little bitch thinks the emperor will make her his empress consort.”

“Will he?” 

“No,” Princess Min gives you a reassuring smile, “He will choose someone most deserving.” Her eyes shift as she stares at you until you feel you have to look away. “He’s been diligently working on preparing everything for his chosen consort. That and this unfortunate incident with Concubine Nam has kept him busy.”

You feel relief to know that Concubine Nam’s schemes do not seem to be working. And from the knowing smile the princess gives you, you feel elated that Ara will definitely be chosen as the consort. “What of the child?”

“The child will be recognized as a prince of the kingdom, but not an heir. Only the Empress can provide an heir.” Princess Min still looks unhappy, “I hope this won’t affect things going forward.”

It almost sounds like a question, as if she’s asking you if it will affect things. But you know that can’t be. You release a breath you didn’t know you were holding. This news will be upsetting to Ara, but not all is lost. This can still be salvaged. She could still marry and become the empress. Her child will still be the rightful heir. “No, I’m sure my sister will love any child that his highness produces.”

“Oh, yes, of course your sister would.” Princess Min gives you a curious smile, her dark eyes shining as if she’s amused. She takes your free hand in hers, “I hope I can request your confidence in this matter.” She says and gives your hand an almost too tight squeeze, “This must not be told to anyone.”

“Of course,” You nod your head solemnly, “I won’t say a word.”

 -0-0-0-

The Emperor continues to absent himself from any events involving the possible consorts for the next several days. Even though it had yet to be announced, you knew he had already decided on an empress consort, therefore he did not need to attend any of the lavish events and parties his sister had scheduled. Though as the days progress and nothing more happens, you grow more and more concerned over Ara’s position until finally you are moved again to an even larger, more extravagant courtyard. 

The Mugunghwa Courtyard. 

The Mugunghwa Courtyard was reserved for the empress consort and is located directly next to the emperor’s private courtyard. The servants treat you and your sister like royalty, you are given the same respects the emperor and his sister are provided. Ara is enjoying the envious glares she receives from the other ladies and you allow her to enjoy her victory, but remind her to be polite and courteous to the servants because they will be her eyes and ears to what is happening in the other courtyards(including the harem).

Soon after you’re comfortably moved into the Mugunghwa Courtyard, the gifts begin arriving. Some days when you return to your rooms after the festivities, you find fresh Mugunghwa flowers on your bed. One morning you wake up and find a bottle of sweet perfumed oil. You know that it isn’t uncommon for a groom to bestow gifts upon his bride’s family, but you’re a little uncomfortable as the days progress and the gifts become more elaborate. Silk slippers, golden hairpieces, diamond necklaces… it’s all too much. Ara has also been receiving small gifts, flowers and oils. You don’t know why, but you don’t mention the jewelry or clothing to her. 

You continue to spend time with Imperial Princess Min, her personal servants would invite you, and only you, to have a private audience with her almost daily. Once, you asked her where the emperor was, as you had not seen him since breakfast almost a week ago. She had smiled at you as if you’d said the one thing she longed to hear, and informed you he’d been out of the palace. Taking care of business. But assures you that he would return soon. 

“If you would like, we can invite him to breakfast again.” She takes your arm and giggles, as if breakfast with her brother is against the rules. “But I might get jealous if my soon-to-be sister pays more attention to my brother than me.” 

Your heart soars at her words. This is practically confirmation that Ara will be chosen!

She keeps you updated on the goings on with Concubine Nam. The child is growing strong, and Concubine Nam has already started showing a small bump on her otherwise perfect body. While you never wish harm on anyone, you cannot hide your small sense of satisfaction when you're told that Concubine Nam is visibly distraught over the fact that the emperor has not once visited her since she collapsed.

You are still very concerned about Ara finding out about the pregnancy. You have kept your word and stayed silent on the matter, but you know Ara’s bubble of happiness will burst once she is made aware. You spend many of your days touring the multiple gardens of The Mugunghwa Courtyard in contemplation, trying to decide if you should tell Ara what is happening. 

You’re taking a leisurely stroll in the hibiscus garden when you suddenly feel like you’re being watched. This happens most days when you’re alone in the gardens, but no one is ever around so you dismiss it as your imagination. You startle when you hear the emperor’s deep voice call your name.

You spin around quickly and meet the burning gaze of the emperor. He’s dressed in his signature black robe, but this one is patterned with dark blue koi fish. His pale hair is pulled back in a low ponytail with a black headband across his forehead. Today he is wearing one long golden earring and a heavy golden choker around his throat. 

You briefly wonder if he would adorn his Empress in so much gold. 

“Your highness!” You immediately remember yourself and bow low.

You are still bent low and staring at the ground when you see a long black robe come into view. You feel a gentle finger under your chin and your head is tilted up until you’re standing again and staring directly up into the emperor’s perfect face.

He continues to stare at you, his eyes swirling with emotion. His finger moves from your chin to rub along your bottom lip and your eyes close involuntarily. He leans closer and you can smell the clean scent of his skin. You feel his breath on your lips…

The sound of a throat clearing jolts you. You snap your eyes open and immediately step away from the emperor’s personal space. Emperor Min is glaring heatedly at a eunuch who is standing several feet behind him. The eunuch looks apologetic, but you are grateful. 

“Your majesty, are you also here to tour the gardens?” You can feel your cheeks heat and you absentmindedly smooth out your dress. “The hibiscus garden is especially fragrant this time of year.”

His eyes are gentle when he looks at you. He gives you a soft smile, “No. I am here to see you.”

“Me? I do not know what I have done to deserve your attention. How can I help his majesty?”

Emperor Min’s voice is serious, “You deserve more than my attention. You deserve everything.”

You turn away from his penetrating gaze, focusing on a nearby flower, “Your highness has been very kind to me and my sister. I cannot thank you enough.”

“Do not thank me.” The emperor chuckles, “I am a king. I always have an ulterior motive.”

You realize he is most likely speaking of Ara. As Ara’s elder sister, you know you have the most influence over her and her opinions. He is trying to gain your favor so she will be more likely to accept his suit, but he must know that Ara is already in love with him. Princess Min would never keep that information from him.

“I have a gift for you.”

“Another gift?” You look up at his handsome face, “I couldn’t possibly accept anything else. You’ve been so generous already.” 

Faster than you can blink, his face is so close to yours, you can feel the brush of his lips as he speaks, his hand on your chin and eyes locked with yours. 

“I am the emperor. It is my divine right to give what I want, and to take what I want. Do you understand?” 

You blink and quickly lower your eyes, unable to bow your head, “Yes, your highness.” 

He moves away and you catch yourself before you can stumble from the suddenness of it all. 

“Eunuch Ki.” Emperor Min gestures and the eunuch steps forward holding a small wooden box, golden dragons painted on it. Eunuch Ki opens the box and you cannot stop your gasp when the contents are revealed. A beautifully hand carved jade bracelet is nestled within. You can see that your name is engraved in it along with the symbols of beauty and love. 

Emperor Min holds out his hand, waiting for you to give him yours. You place your hand in his and watch quietly as he gently pushes up the sleeve of your dress. His hand is so much larger than yours and you shiver when his thumb gently rubs along your wrist.

Eunuch Ki hands him the bracelet and he tenderly clasps it around your wrist. 

“Perfect.”

 You feel something inside you stir, “It’s lovely.” 

 “Not as lovely as the wrist it adorns,” he meets your eyes, “it becomes you.” 

You know you should pull away, part of you desperately wants to pull away. But he is the Emperor, and you know better. 

“Ara loves her gifts too!” You blurt out, trying desperately to control the way your heart is pounding. 

His face scrunches in thought and he tilts his head, “Ara… yes. Your sister. I’m glad she enjoys her gifts as well.” He raises your hand, flips it in his, and places a kiss on the inside of your wrist, lips brushing the cool jade beads. “Don’t take it off.” He commands, before leaving you alone once more. 

-0-0-0-

After that, you did not go into the gardens alone, always making sure Ara or Princess Min is with you. While you never did run into the Emperor in the gardens again, you still sometimes felt his burning gaze on you, but when you looked around, he was never there.

Today, you and Ara are staying in your own courtyard. You feel that both of you need a break from court. You know you certainly do. You have already had your morning meal in your rooms and were currently relaxing in one of the many drawing rooms. You smile as Ara pricks her finger again on her needlework. “Be careful Ara. A lady's hands should be soft and delicate.”

You can’t hide your laughter at the adorable glower she gives you. “Why do I have to do this? When I’m empress, I’ll have the royal seamstresses do this for me.”

“It’s a good skill to have and maybe your husband would want a personalized gift from you.”

Ara pouts but doesn’t say anything else. You sit in comfortable silence, her trying to embroider and you snacking on small sweet cakes. The days seem to be getting slightly cooler and you were appreciative. You didn’t know how long this consort selection was going to take, but you were already longing for home. You had written several letters to your father, letting him know of Ara’s progress and wanting to hear any news from home. You were hoping maybe your marriage to Lord Kim would be finalized, but unfortunately, there was no news about that. Your father seemed to avoid mentioning Lord Kim at all. As for Lord Kim himself, you sent him a few brief letters asking after his health and wellbeing, but had yet to receive a response. He was normally very quick to reply to your letters, but you brushed off his lack of response due to the fact that he must be very busy.

Your musings are interrupted by the arrival of several imperial servants and a finely dressed eunuch. They are carrying two large golden trunks and place them down in front of you and your sister. The eunuch steps forward and bows low.

“My ladies,” You recognize the eunuch as the emperor’s most trusted servant, Eunuch Ki, the one who was at his side in the hibiscus garden, “His Royal Highness would be most pleased if the mistresses would accept his gifts.”

You and Ara share a look and you quickly stand from the soft, golden sofa, “Thank you, Eunuch Ki. We are honored to receive gifts from his eminence.”

The large golden trunks are opened and you can hear Ara’s gasp of delight. The emperor has provided each of you a ceremonial dress made of fine, silk fabric and beautiful hair ornaments. Ara’s dress is a gorgeous light blue patterned with silver butterflies. The matching hair ornament is a hair pin styled in beautiful swirls of silver and jade, a single butterfly resting on top.  

Your dress is colored a rich gold and patterned with black mandarin ducks, diamonds line the long sleeves and train. The matching hair ornament is also a hair pin, but it looks to be solid gold with two mandarin ducks resting on top of a bed of orchids made out of diamonds. You hesitate at the pattern on the dress, unsure if this is a mistake. 

“If it pleases the mistresses, his highness requests you wear his gifts to the Grand Banquet tomorrow evening.”

“Of course, we would be delighted.” Ara beams at Eunuch Ki when you don’t respond right away, your eyes still focused on the pattern on your dress. 

“Eunuch Ki,” you follow him to the entrance of the drawing room, your voice quiet so others cannot overhear, “I feel there might be a mistake.” You gesture to your dress and your eyes flicker towards an oblivious Ara.

Eunuch Ki eyes you for a moment, his look is heavy and almost pitying, “The Emperor does not make mistakes.”

You swallow hard and nod at Eunuch Ki, closing the door behind him and turn to look at Ara. She’s already holding the dress up against herself and admiring it in the mirror. 

The Emperor might not make mistakes, but you were beginning to think you had. 

-0-0-0-

You slowly make your way towards the courtyard of the imperial princess. After Eunuch Ki had left last night, you received a summons from the Imperial Princess. She requested you to meet her for afternoon tea the following day before the grand banquet. 

This side of the palace was oddly quiet. You knew that everyone was preparing for the grand banquet, so all the activity would be much livelier near the grand banquet hall. You had yet to see that hall, apparently it was large enough to hold all the noble families of the kingdom comfortably. 

When you enter her private pavilion, Imperial Princess Min is reclining on a giant resting sofa, a servant girl fanning her. 

“Your highness.” You bow your head reverently and wait for her to receive you.

She smiles beautifully and sits up, her dark eyes shining beautifully, as she holds her hands out to you, “I’m so glad you are here.”

“Your Highness flatters me.” You go to her, smiling as you take her hands in your own before releasing them to gesture to the ornately carved tea table in the corner, “Afternoon tea?”

“Yes, we have much to discuss.” Princess Min stands up and elegantly makes her way to the table, you follow obediently behind her. Once you are both seated, Princess Min gestures for a servant to pour tea.

“Are you excited for tonight’s banquet?” Princess Min takes a sip of her tea, “I’m so very excited and the banquet isn’t even for me.”

“Of course, tonight is a grand occasion. It deserves to be celebrated properly.” You swallow a sip of tea and look around the beautiful pavilion. “Thank you so much for the hospitality you have shown my sister and I. Your kindness will never be forgotten.”

Princess Min smiles at you and chatters about the drama currently happening in the harem courtyard, Concubine Nam was still holding hope that Emperor Min would choose her as his bride, while the other concubines were furious over her blatant violation of the rules. You listen and chime in when necessary, indulging in Princess Min’s love for gossip. 

“What would you do with Concubine Nam and the harem?” Princess Min asks you, her voice curious, “How would you handle this entire scandal?”

“Well,” You ponder over her question for a moment. She had asked you similar questions before, but usually about how you would handle this political issue or that. Never one quite so close to home. You take another sip of tea, deciding how to answer without offending her, “an example would have to be made.”

“What kind of example?” Princess Min tilts her head slightly, her dark eyes swirling with something, “if you had the power, what would you do?”

“If I had the power?” You gesture for a servant to pour you another cup of tea and laugh softly, “If I had the power, my husband would not have a harem at all.”

Princess Min stares at you, her eyes practically glowing, “No harem? A normal man would not agree to your terms.”

You smile, “I will not marry just any man. I will marry a man solely devoted to me.”

The Princess giggles beautifully, “I love your way of thinking.”

“Well,” you giggle along with the princess, “My way of thinking isn’t something that is approved of. Luckily for his majesty, Ara will gladly allow him his harem.”

The princess quiets down and gestures for a servant to place a small, sweet cake on both of your plates. Her smile is sweet, “Tell me…”

“Hmm?” You tilt your head in question and take a small sip of tea.

Princess Min’s voice is light and soft, “when are you going to stop playing ignorant?”

You still completely, your stomach bubbling with dread. You keep your face calm and composed, but your heart is beating rapidly. After a brief silence, you question, “Pardon? Whatever do you mean?”

“You’re a very clever woman, it’s why I like you so much.” Her sweet smile never leaves her face, but her eyes are dark and cold. “You know exactly what I mean.” 

“No,” You keep your voice firm, “I do not know what you mean at all.”

Princess Min’s smile widens, but her dark eyes are unsettling, “Did you enjoy Imperial Brother’s latest gift?”

You slowly set your tea cup on the table, “His highness gives the most thoughtful gifts, we are forever in his debt.”

“You know, he chose the pattern and colors himself.”

“About that,” you lick your lips before continuing, “Eunuch Ki gave me the golden dress by mistake.”

“Oh you are good. For someone who claims they have no interest in court or politics, that is. Though you need a little more training before you sit in on a council.” The Princess takes a bite of cake, her eyes flashing, “I don’t recommend playing dumb with me, however.” 

“I don’t know what you could possibly mean.” 

The Princess ignores your remark, “Have you heard of my betrothed? Prince Regent Jung Hoseok. He’s the general of the Imperial Army.”

“Of course,” your mind frantically tries to understand where the connection is, “He has helped the emperor win many battles.”

“Did you know that he was betrothed before?”

You shake your head, but don’t reply. You have no idea what this discussion has to do with the emperor’s gifts, but you didn’t dare interrupt or question her.

“He grew up in the palace here with Imperial Brother and I. My father, the emperor at the time, practically raised him as one of his own. He was Imperial Brother’s companion and also to be his general in war. I had been in love with him since I was very young. He was all I ever wanted.” Princess Min Glances off into the distance, as if she’s reminiscing, “For his outstanding work as the General of the Imperial Army, my father gifted him a marriage to a nobleman’s daughter... Lord Tokko’s only daughter, Yeong.”

Lord Tokko’s name was vaguely familiar to you, you had heard your father mention him a few times. As for his daughter, you had never heard of this woman, but by the tone of Princess Min’s voice and the frown on her face, you know it was someone that the princess did not like.

“The Prince Regent agreed to the marriage, he actually cared for her, thought himself to be in love,” The princess scoffs and takes a small sip of tea, “It was not hard for me to get my father to agree to have Lady Yeong come to the palace to serve as a friend and companion for me.”

“She was one of the kindest, sweetest, young women I had ever met.” The Princess locks eyes with you, “So trusting that even as she lay dying, it never crossed her mind that I was the one that poisoned her.”

You're quiet for several moments, trying to gather your thoughts. Your voice is a little shaky when you finally ask, “Why are you telling me this?”

Princess Min ignores you once again, “We thought the sickness had skipped my brother. It usually only manifests itself in the women in my family, my grandmother had it too, you know?”

“What sickness?” You are growing more alarmed. The Princess was revealing information and secrets that you should not know and you did not understand her reasoning.

Again, Princess Min ignores you, continuing her story as if she were a player on stage and you the enraptured audience, “He never showed any symptoms, not a care in the world for anyone but himself. The closest he came was Concubine Nam, but nothing serious ever happened with her. He would never make her his consort, so I knew she wasn’t the one.”

“Imagine my elation when you finally arrived. You have turned out to be all we hoped for and more.” Princess Min smiles at you beautifully, her dark eyes shining almost manically, “The moment he saw you, your fate was sealed.”

Before today, having Princess Min’s confidence made you feel warm and welcomed. Now you only feel dread. 

“I.. I...” You lick your too dry lips and stumble over your words, your composure crumbling in the wake of the Imperial Princess’ confession, “I am to be married to Lord Kim. My father is working out the contracts.”

“Lord Kim?” The princess giggles, “My brother wanted to strip him and his family of their lands and titles, but I was able to talk him back from that.”

“I don’t understand.” You feel cold all over.

“Yes, you do.” The princess gestures and a maid comes forward holding a silver tray, the princess grabs the small bundle of letters and tosses them on the table, “You’re lucky that I was able to intercept these before Imperial Brother read them. If he knew you were writing to another man, he would have Lord Kim beheaded.”

You’re quiet, staring at the letters you wrote to Lord Kim asking after his health. The letters he never received. Too much was going through your mind. What about Ara?

“My father-”

“Your father has already agreed and I was able to have Imperial Brother gift a marriage to Lord Kim.”  Princess Min’s voice is pleasant, as if she's discussing the weather, “Your sister will be his bride.”

You stand abruptly from the table, your chair clattering to the floor behind you. You feel shaken and terrified. You knew something was off, but you were hoping, praying, you were wrong.

“Please excuse me, your majesty.” You step back from the table, your eyes slightly glassy, “I need to rest before tonight’s banquet.”

“Please, call me Ji-Soo…,” The princess smiles at you, her dark eyes are filled with what you now recognize as madness, the same look found in the emperor’s eyes when he looks at you, 

“..We’re family after all.”

-0-0-0-

When you arrive back at your courtyard, your mind is still struggling to comprehend what is happening. You rush past the servants and lock yourself in your room. You stare at the beautiful golden dress laid out on your bed, the diamonds twinkling as if mocking you. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. Ara is supposed to be empress.

You slide to the floor, your back against the door. This wasn’t supposed to happen. You stare at the dress, but your mind isn’t focused on it. You’re trying to think, trying to plan. What are you supposed to do? You don’t even entertain the thought that your father will save you. You have no choice. Emperor Min holds all the power. 

You don’t realize that hours have passed with you staring blankly at the dress until the servants knock on your door. “My lady, we are here to prepare you for the banquet.”

“I don’t need help to prepare. Please leave me.”

“My lady,” The voice of the maid is trembling, fearful, “The emperor insists.”

You swallow and stand, your legs shaky. You open the door and stare at the servants, they are terrified. Terrified of the emperor, terrified of his displeasure. You realize that you and them are not so different. No one has a choice. Everyone is subject to Emperor Min’s whims.

“Where is Ara?”

“She has already been prepared for the banquet.” Several servants rush in carrying a large washing tub filled with steaming water. The water is fragrant and several flowers are flowing on the surface. 

You watch a large dressing screen being set up around the tub, several of the servants bow low to you before quickly leaving the room. You look at them questioningly and an older maid steps forward, “Forgive us, my lady. We are under strict instructions and not allowed to help you undress or bathe.”

“What? Why?”

The maid licks her lips and hangs several white undergarments over the dressing screen, “The emperor made a new decree that it is a crime punishable by death for anyone other than the emperor himself to view the empress consort’s nude body.” 

It’s a jarring experience to be referred to as the empress consort. 

“It- it is not official.” 

You want to scream at them that this is wrong. That you’re not even betrothed, that this isn’t supposed to be you. 

They won’t meet your eyes. 

The jade bracelet on your wrist slides, warm beads against cool skin, and that’s when you realize all the mistakes you have made. You can’t stop the heavy weight you feel in your chest. You can feel your lips begin to tremble and your eyes feel watery. You don’t want to cry, but you know you should because you have the horrible feeling that once you are announced as the chosen empress consort at the banquet, the emperor will not let you out of his sight. 

The maid smooths over any imaginary wrinkles in the undergarments and gives you a pitying look, “Please get dressed in these once you are finished and we will prepare you for the banquet.” 

You’re left alone and you robotically remove your dress and undergarments. The water is hot and relaxing and it soothes your frazzled nerves. You lean your head back against the washing tub, you can hear the maids quietly talking behind the dressing screen. Your mind is racing. You are a smart girl. Your father has always praised your brilliance and forward thinking and lamented over you not being born a boy. You could figure this out. You could find a way out. 

There is obviously something seriously wrong with the Imperial siblings. The Princess herself confessed to murdering a love rival and the emperor has never shown any sign of this alleged sickness until now. Concubine Nam is carrying his child. You’ve already told Princess Min about your distaste of the harem. You refuse to have a husband that continues to keep a harem of concubines. 

But you know, you know, you could not refuse the emperor’s suit. You did not have any choice in the matter. While this is not the outcome that you nor Ara want, you know that your father will be pleased. All men want is power. They do not care for who they hurt or how they use their children like pawns. Your father will be the father-in-law of the emperor, his position and power will be secured.

The water is cold when you finally decide to step out of the washing tub. You resolve yourself to your future. Being the Empress Consort is not the worst fate you can have, but you were fearful of your sister’s reaction. She will hate you. 

You slowly put on your undergarments and step out from behind the screen. The maids eagerly rush you over to the large dressing table and sit you down. You stare at your worn reflection in the large, ornate mirror. 

Several maids kneel at your sides, dipping your fingers and toes in a dark paste. Other maids rub scented lotion onto your arms and legs. You watch through your reflection as the older maid rearranges your hair into an intricate updo, her skilled hands working effortlessly.

Your voice is a little hoarse when you speak, but you clear your throat and look at the older maid, “Will you be my personal servant?”

“Of course,” The maid gives you a warm smile, “His highness chose me personally to care for his bride.”

You give her a strained smile in return, neither of you mention the fact that the emperor chose servants that would be loyal to him. It wasn’t uncommon for a bride to bring a handful of trusted servants with them to their new home, but these aren’t normal circumstances. You would truly be alone here. “May I know your name?”

“Unso.”

“Unso.” You say the name carefully, “Please take good care of me.”

“My absolute pleasure.” She beams and gestures to your hair, the golden hairpin shining on top. The hairstyle is extravagant and more beautiful than any you have ever worn. The other maids clean the dark paste off your fingers and toes, revealing the nails to be stained a pretty red. Another servant brings a small jar of white cream and rubs it onto your face. You sit still as makeup is applied to your face. Your lips are painted a dark red and your eyes are lined with kohl. A small, delicate mugunghwa flower is painted in red and black between your eyebrows.

You stand and the maids help you dress in the beautiful golden dress. They take their time making sure everything is perfect. When you are fully dressed, the servants all stand back and stare at their hard work.

“Mistress is the most beautiful!”

“The Emperor has chosen well!”

“Her beauty is unparalleled!”

“An absolute vision!”

“His highness will be most pleased!”

The praises are interrupted by Eunuch Ki. He gives you a once over before nodding to Unso, “Excellent. Make sure everything is prepared as instructed.”

Unso nods her head and steps back.

“My lady,” Eunuch Ki bows low to you, “Please allow me to escort you to the banquet hall.”

You look around nervously, “But Ara-” 

“Your sister is already at the banquet.”

“I see.” You nod your head realizing you don’t have a choice, “I would be honored for Eunuch Ki to escort me.”

He gives you another low bow and turns to lead the way out of your rooms. Unso gives you an encouraging smile and you nod your head in return. Eunuch Ki leads you out of your courtyard to an extravagant imperial carriage. From the design and brilliance, you can tell that this is the emperor’s personal carriage. 

The ride to the grand banquet hall is quiet. You’re positive that you’re shaking in your seat. Eunuch Ki is watching you, but he doesn’t comment on your nerves. The carriage comes to a stop and the door is opened by an imperial guard. Eunuch Ki steps down first. You follow slowly behind him, all the servants and guards bowing in your presence. 

The long walk to the banquet hall seems to last seconds. You can feel sweat beading on your forehead and you are distractedly worried that all the servants' hard work on your face paint will come undone.  The closer you get to the hall, the louder the music and laughter from inside becomes. You can hear that it is a grand celebration and you worry for a moment that you are late. 

Eunuch Ki stops several feet away from the double doors. He gives you a sad smile and leans close to you, “An empress does not show fear. An empress does not show despair.”

You nod your head in understanding, straighten your back and hold your head high. You can feel your heart beating out of your chest; the expectations of the kingdom weighing on your shoulders. You can feel the sinking feeling in your stomach that Ara will never forgive you. You desperately hope she can understand. 

You do not have a choice. 

“Please open the doors.”

The large golden doors are heavy, requiring several servants to push them open. A loud chime is heard from the inside of the room. Eunuch Ki steps forward and announces your arrival, but you cannot hear him over the sound of the blood rushing through your ears. 

You step forward and you can feel all eyes are on you, but the only eyes you can focus on are the emperor’s. Dark, calculating, mad. He’s not dressed in his customary black, but gold. His ceremonial robes are a bright gold patterned with black mandarin ducks, matching yours. His long hair is unbound, a glittering crown is placed upon his brow. He is the most beautiful man you’ve ever seen. 

The room is so quiet you can hear a pin drop. You take several slow steps into the room and make your way towards the emperor. Before you reach him, Princess Min steps forward, a handsome man you recognize as Prince Regent Jung Hoseok at her side. The couple is dressed in matching colors. Royal blue and patterned with silver bats. Princess Min leans close to you and kisses both your cheeks. She pauses to whisper a quiet, “Good Girl,” that only you can hear. Prince Regent Jung gives you a low bow.

You bow in return to the Princess and her betrothed. The room is still deathly quiet. When you finally reach the emperor, he stares at you as if you are the only thing he has ever wanted. You prepare to bow, but Emperor Min stops you, “From this moment forward, you bow to no one.”

You swallow and nod your head. Emperor Min continues staring at you, his eyes swirling with equal parts happiness and madness. Eunuch Ki steps forward holding a golden goblet. You stare at the goblet and then look at the emperor in horror. This isn’t right. You realize quickly that this is no ordinary celebration banquet. 

This is a wedding. 

You quickly look away, desperately searching for Ara. Slim fingers grip your chin tightly, you can feel the cold metal of his rings pressing into your skin. Your face is turned back to the Emperor.

“Who is the king?” His voice is quiet, but firm, “Who is the boss?”

You stare into his cold eyes. He knows he has you trapped and he knows there is nothing you can do. While you want to believe that you had reconciled yourself with your fate, you had truly hoped that you had more time to find a way out. But there is no way out.

After a few moments, you nod your head in understanding and open your mouth to accept a drink from the goblet. Emperor Min takes the goblet from Eunuch Ki and holds it to your lips. His smile is gentle, but his eyes are filled with triumph as you drink.

The rice wine is sweet but you barely taste it. You swallow a large gulp and lick your lips. The emperor’s eyes darken as he watches you and his smile widens. He gently places the goblet into your hands and you carefully hold it up to his lips. He takes several large gulps, but never breaks eye contact with you. 

Eunuch Ki grabs the goblet from you and before you know what is happening, you’re in the emperor’s embrace. One of his hands cup the back of your head as the other holds you tightly by the waist, “Finally, you’re mine.”

His kiss catches you off guard and you close your eyes involuntarily. You know that kissing is improper for a wedding ceremony and should only be done in private, but no one would dare question the emperor. His lips are soft and taste of the rice wine you just drank. When his tongue gently coaxes your lips open, you do not resist. Your fingers grip his shoulders and you cannot stop yourself from melting into him. 

When he finally releases you, you steady yourself against him. You’re in a daze as the emperor leads you to the royal table. You stand quietly at his side as he raises a glass of wine in a toast, “To my new bride, your new empress!”

The hall is filled with thunderous applause and cheering. Your moves are robotic as the emperor instructs you to sit next to him. He fills your plate with all your favorite delicacies and pours you a cup of tea. The musicians start playing music again and the murmur of conversations start up around you. You glance around the hall and realize that all the eligible young ladies that were prospective consorts are wearing matching dresses. Light blue and patterned with butterflies. The same dress that Ara was gifted.

You look around for Ara and you find her seated between your father and Lord Kim. Your father and Lord Kim seem to be in a serious conversation. Ara looks calm and composed, but her eyes betray her. You can see her unhappiness and your heart aches. 

“Beloved,” You’re jolted by the emperor’s deep, somber voice, “Don’t worry about your sister. She will be taken care of. Lord Kim will make her happy.”

It takes you a moment to respond, but you do so quietly, “My sister’s only happiness will always be with the emperor.”

The emperor glances in the direction of your sister and then turns back to you, his smile is sweet, “You are a good sister, but it’s time you put your happiness first.”

You’re puzzled, “My happiness?”

“Your happiness.” Emperor Min kisses your lips softly, “To be my bride. To be my queen. To be mine.”

You stare at him incredulously, and realize he truly believes that you are happy being his bride. He really thinks you wanted this and were only holding yourself back for Ara’s sake. Princess Min gives you a knowing smile from across the table. You sit in a daze as the night progresses. The emperor would let no other serve you, but himself, constantly refilling your plate and cup.

You can feel the angry glare of Concubine Nam on you from across the hall and when you finally meet her gaze, you're startled to realize that she’s also wearing the same light blue dress, patterned with silver butterflies, that Ara was gifted. In fact, all the concubines are dressed this way.

Concubine Nam’s face is fuller and glowing beautifully. Her soft, demure persona would be more believable if her eyes weren’t filled with hatred. You’re secretly pleased that her plan to trap the emperor has failed. If she was smart, she would try to gain favor with you, but instead she will most likely plot to poison you. You give her a small nod of acknowledgement and she sneers in return before turning away. 

The night drags on and you're exhausted from trying to keep a happy facade. You catch your shoulders drooping more often than not, and even feel yourself lean against the emperor a time or two. 

When it is finally time to receive congratulations from the representatives from the noble families, you stay quiet at the emperor’s side. You smile when needed and murmur thanks when prompted. Everything feels unreal.  

When your family steps forward, you try to catch Ara’s eyes. She nods her head at Princess Min and bows low to you, “Your highness, many happy wishes on your marriage. May the gods bless you with healthy sons.”

Her voice is cold and you can see the hatred in her eyes. You grab her hand, “Ara please, you must understand.”

“Understand that my sister is a liar?” Ara raises her voice and pulls away from you, “Understand that she is a snake who planned this?!”

“Ara, no.” Your voice cracks and you can feel tears brimming in your eyes, your exhaustion and stress finally catching up to you, “You are my most beloved sister. I would never-”

“And yet, here you are.” Ara’s voice is mocking, “Empress.”

The scene your sister is making draws the attention of your father and Emperor Min, who were in the middle of a quiet conversation near you. Even Princess Min is frowning from where she is seated, obviously hearing the raise of Ara’s voice. 

“Enough.” The emperor’s voice is cold as he glares furiously at Ara, “You dare to show disrespect to your empress?”

“She tricked you! Can’t you see she tricked you?!” Ara ignores the dangerous aura surrounding Emperor Min, “It was supposed to be me! I am supposed to be your queen. I love y-”

“Guards. Detain her. Disrespect to the empress is punishable by death.”

You can see the fear on Ara’s face, she backs away quickly, but the guards grab her. Your father looks alarmed and even Lord Kim looks fearful for your sister’s life. You look at the emperor and grip his arm tightly, “Please, please do not punish her. She doesn’t know what she’s saying.”

“She dared to disrespect you. She doesn’t deserve to live.”

“Please,” You beg him, you look at Ara’s fearful face and close your eyes in dismay, you know she will hate you even more after this. You firm your resolve and open your eyes, “She’s only a child.”

You press yourself against the emperor, “She’s harmless. She knows that what we have is real. She knows that you love me. She’s only jealous.”

The emperor’s eyes soften as he stares at you. “And you? Do you love me?”

You glance at your sister, an apology in your eyes, before wrapping your arms around Emperor Min, “I love you. Only you.”

He kisses you deeply and waves away the guards. Once he breaks the kiss, you feel yourself sag against him in relief as Ara is released and your father ushers her away. You can feel Lord Kim staring at you and when you finally meet his gaze, you're taken aback by the devastation in his eyes.

His eyes flicker between you and the emperor before he turns around and follows after your father. You stare after him but the emperor blocks your view. You look up and meet his eyes.

“Your eyes are only meant for me. No one else.”

You nod your head, but don’t say a word. Emperor Min continues to stare at you for a moment longer, before he presses a soft kiss to your forehead. 

“Eunuch Ki.” 

Eunuch Ki suddenly appears at the Emperor’s side ready and willing to do whatever is asked of him and gives a low bow, “Your majesty.”

“Take my bride to rest.”

“At once, your grace.” Eunuch Ki gestures for you to follow him and you do so without another word. Once the heavy golden doors close behind you, you finally let the tears fall from your eyes. You cry silently on the long carriage ride back to the other side of the palace. Eunuch Ki looks uncomfortable and like he wishes to offer words of comfort, but has no idea what to say. 

You go to rub your eyes with the sleeve of your dress, but Eunuch Ki stops you and hands you a soft cloth, “Forgive me your highness, but your dress must be preserved for the royal archives, you must not dirty it.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t know.” You give a sad hiccup laugh and look out the carriage window. You realize quickly that you are not headed to the Mugunghwa Courtyard, but to the Emperor’s private courtyard. 

“I thought the Emperor wanted me to rest.”

Eunuch Ki gives you a look, but doesn’t respond. When the carriage rolls to a stop, Unso is there to help you down from the carriage. If she sees the distress on your face, she doesn’t comment on it. She gives you a low bow and leads you into the Emperor’s lair.

His private courtyard and rooms are enormous. Everything is draped in silks of black and gold. When you finally reach the Emperor’s private chambers, you’re astounded. His bedroom has the largest canopy bed you have ever seen, covered in a mountain of pillows. There is a large wooden desk in one corner of the room surrounded with several shelves filled with scrolls. There’s two separate golden resting sofas, each larger than you have ever seen and even a large dressing table with a mirror, obviously for a woman to use. There are also large double doors leading out to a small, private hot spring.

You watch Unso bustle around the room, preparing things and beckoning you over to the dressing table. “Your highness, let me help you remove your makeup.”

You sit quietly at the table and let Unso gently wash your face. You watch her put a special cream under your eyes to bring down the puffiness from your tears. She takes her time undoing your hair and leaving it unbound. You meet her eyes in the reflection of the mirror, “How many women has he bedded here?”

She looks puzzled at your question, “His majesty has never brought any woman here.”

“Concubine Nam?”

“Never.” Unso’s voice is resolute, “His majesty has never brought any woman, harem or no, here. These are his private chambers.”

“I see.” You don’t know if she’s lying to you, but if she is, you appreciate it. You feel slightly better knowing you are the only woman to ever sleep in his chambers.

Unso opens a chest and pulls out a black silk robe embroidered with red mugunghwa flowers and lays it over the top of the dressing screen in the corner of the room, “Your highness, you should remove your clothes and put this on. I’ll make you some tea and then you can lay down and rest.”

You slowly make your way behind the dressing screen and painstakingly remove your wedding dress. You leave it in a heap on the floor along with your undergarments. You know there is no point in wearing them and while you are nervous and a little scared, you know the consummation is inevitable. 

You put the silk robe on, and gently tie the sash around your waist. When you step around the dressing screen, Unso has already prepared the bed by removing many of the pillows and replacing the black silk sheets with a soft, white one. The white sheet shines ominously in the low light of the lanterns. 

“Your highness, have some tea to soothe your nerves.” Unso has brewed some fresh tea, but the scent is different than any you have had before. You sit stiffly on the edge of the newly made bed and take a small sip of tea. The taste is slightly bitter, but soon you feel yourself relaxing. 

“What type of tea is this?” You ask as Unso refills your cup and urges you to drink more.

She pats your head and gives you a warm smile, “Don’t worry. It was requested by his highness to help improve your health.”

You nod and don’t question her. You assume it’s similar to what the harem drinks to prevent pregnancy. The emperor is still young and with the drama that Concubine Nam has caused, you doubt children were on his mind. Before you know it, you’ve finished the entire pot. 

Unso helps tuck you in bed, and turns down all the lanterns. The only light in the room is that from the moonlight seeping in through the heavy curtains. You can barely keep your eyes open and the last thing you hear before you drift asleep is Unso’s quiet words, “Rest well, your majesty. You will need it.”

-0-0-0-

You’re awoken by a soft noise. You sit up and look around but don’t notice anything out of place. You’re still alone in the emperor’s bed. You see a faint glow under a previously unnoticed door in the far corner near his large desk. 

You get out of bed and make your way to the door. It opens soundlessly and a large staircase is revealed. You slowly make your way up the staircase, being careful not to make a sound. At the top of the staircase is a large room. It looks like an artist’s studio. Numerous canvases line the walls, charcoals and paints scattered over several large wooden tables stationed through the room. 

You see half finished portraits of Princess Min and a few of the previous emperors. You step into the room, careful not to disturb the artwork. There are some more paintings of several gardens and fountains that inhabit the palace grounds. In the corner of the room there is a beautiful hand carved desk, slightly smaller than the large tables, covered with more artwork. When you get closer you realize the paintings and sketches are all of you. You in the dress you wore the first night you arrived, you smiling in Princess Min’s private pavilion, you taking a walk in one of the private gardens, you asleep in your private rooms. Hundreds of paintings and drawings of you. 

You see another canvas underneath, it's slightly worn with frayed edges as if it’s been touched frequently. When you pull it out you see it's a painting of you, but this one you recognize. Two summers ago your father had you and your sister sit for a family portrait. The artist was impeccable and it was one of the most accurate paintings you had ever seen of yourself, it was almost like looking in the mirror. You see that the painting is torn, your sister and father removed from the portrait.

“You’ve found my sanctuary.”

You startle at the emperor’s voice and drop the canvas as if you’ve been burned. He’s standing at the entrance of the room, he’s no longer dressed in the golden robe, but now his signature black. It’s tied loosely, so the smooth pale skin of his chest is visible. His blond hair is loose and his crown is gone. 

“You’re quite the artist.” You gesture around the room, “but I notice there is no artwork of your concubines, of your beloved Concubine Nam.”

The emperor glances around, taking in his artwork as he steps further into the room, “Are you jealous of In-Suk?”

You frown at the use of her first name, but do not deny his accusation, “I do not like the thought of my husband bedding other women.”

“There are no other women.” Emperor Min slowly makes his way over to you, “You’re the only one that matters.”

You glance back at the desk littered with portraits of you, your eyes stopping on the torn family portrait, “How long have I been the only one that matters?”

He smiles, “Does it matter?”

“Yes.” You keep your voice calm and composed, “It matters to me.”

Emperor Min stands close to you, his fingers trailing over the artwork on the desk, “I had no interest in marriage. Lords and other noblemen constantly throwing their daughters at me. Your father is no different. Going on and on about Ara and how wonderful and virtuous she is.” He smiles wryly, “I finally got him to shut up by feigning interest.”

The emperor gently picks up the torn family portrait, “Imagine my surprise when he brings me this. A beautiful family portrait. I ask him about you and he immediately tells me about what a beautiful and doting older sister you are to Ara. How ever since your mother died, you have helped raise her. How you love her more than anything.”

He sets the portrait down and grabs your hands, gently turning you to face him, “I knew then that you would sacrifice everything for your beloved sister. I also knew that I needed to get you into the palace. Once you were here, you could not deny me.”

“But I was supposed to marry Lord-”

“Never say his name again.” Emperor’s Min’s voice is hard, leaving no room for discussion, “I am your husband. He is nothing.”

“Of course,” Your voice is quiet, you hesitate for a moment before you continue your questioning, “But… but Princess Min set up the consort selection. She told me she had to practically beg you to agree.”

“My beloved wife.” Emperor Min cups your face affectionately, his previous sour mood at the mention of Lord Kim completely gone, “You’re too trusting. She poisoned her companion, do you really think she would not lie to help her brother?”

“But Ara-”

“Ara will forgive you.” He presses a soft kiss against your lips, “Or she won’t. It does not matter.”

“But-”

“Is it really so bad being Empress?” Emperor Min presses another kiss to your lips, his fingers tangle in your unbound hair, “Being Mother to the country?”

“No-no, I am grateful to your majesty.” You shiver at his touch, grasping his shoulders as he presses himself against you.

“Yoongi.” He places more kisses down your lips and chin, “Call me Yoongi.”

“Yoongi!” You gasp when he softly bites your neck.

You feel him reach behind you and push everything off the large desk, the sound of canvases and painting supplies hitting the floor echoes throughout the room. Yoongi picks you up and sits you on the large desk, his lips never leaving your skin.

“You’re all I’ve ever wanted.” His mouth is muffled by the skin of your neck, his lips and tongue trail lower. You feel hot all over and cannot help but shiver when his hand yanks the collar of your robe down your shoulder. “My beautiful queen.”

Your fingers clutch at the silk fabric of his robe, holding him closer to you. You don’t stop him when he undoes your robe, his hot fingers trailing down the skin of your abdomen. “Beloved, will you show me?”

You wordlessly lean back, letting the open robe slip down your arms, baring your nude body to his view. His eyes are burning as he drinks you in. “Absolutely Exquisite.”

Yoongi leans over you, pressing himself between your thighs, and kisses you deeply. His tongue licks into your mouth with desperation. His hands are shaking as he grips your hips, and you quickly free yourself from the sleeves of your robe.

He breaks the kiss to trail his mouth down your neck and chest, his hot tongue swirls around your exposed breast before suckling the nipple. You can’t stop your moan, your whole body jerks at the feeling. “Y-Yoongi!”

“Say it again.” Yoongi’s voice is filled with desperation as he kisses down your ribs, “Say my name again.”

“Yoongi.” You whisper and your stomach clenches when he kisses lower, his wet tongue trailing over your abdomen. You’re so aroused, you can feel your wetness coating your thighs, but you can’t bring yourself to be embarrassed. 

“I have never seen a more beautiful woman.” Yoongi presses a soft kiss below your belly button, “The country has never had a more beautiful empress.”

“Your highness flatters me.”

“No.” Yoongi’s firm voice startles you and when you meet his eyes, they are burning with madness, “This emperor loves you. Only you.”

You shiver at the look in his eyes and nod your head in return, “Yes. Of course.”

Yoongi presses another kiss to your abdomen, his large hands gripping your thighs as he stares at you, “Will you deny your king?”

“Never.”

The smile he gives you is equal parts beautiful and dangerous, his dark, dark eyes overflowing with adoration for you, “Good girl.”

Your breath catches when he spreads your thighs apart and leans forward, his mouth inches away from your wet, pulsing cunt. “I wonder if you taste as succulent as you smell.”

You feel your pussy throb at his words and you lean your head back against the desk, your eyes closing in anticipation. You find his crude words more arousing than you ever thought possible. Your heart is beating so fast and you can feel sweat beading on your forehead. While you have never been intimate with a man, you were no stranger to self pleasure. You just never imagined your first experience with a man would be the emperor of the entire nation between your thighs, waiting to pleasure you. The heady rush of excitement is making you dizzy.

You tense when Yoongi presses the flat of his tongue against your juicy pussy. His tongue is hot as it licks a slow stripe up to your clit and you both release a throaty groan when he sucks your clit into his mouth.

You don’t realize you’re holding your breath until you get light headed from lack of oxygen. You're shivering all over and you feel a tight pressure in your stomach. Your entire body is tuned to Yoongi’s mouth, every lick and suck of his tongue has you soaring. 

“Better.” He whispers between licks of your swollen clit, his fingers shaking as he holds your thighs apart, “You taste so much better than anything I’ve ever had before.” 

You press your hand into your mouth to bite down on, trying to muffle your moans. Your other hand scrambles for something to hold onto before tangling in his long, soft hair. 

You press your heel into his back, but if Yoongi is bothered, he does not show it. He’s completely focused on devouring you. You bite your hand hard to cover your squeal when his hot fingers gently probe your cunt. He reaches up to pull your hand out of your mouth, his fingers gently stroking your wrist around the jade bracelet, “Do not dare hide your pleasure from me.”

He places your hand on his head, near your other hand already grasping his hair, and encourages you to use him as you please. A long, thick finger slips inside you and you cannot stop yourself from clamping down, your hips automatically rolling up into his face. 

“That’s it, my beautiful girl,” Yoongi continues to flick your clit with his tongue, “Ride my face.”

Your fingers grasp his head, holding his mouth against your aching cunt. You’re throbbing and dripping and you know you are going to come soon. You can feel the release building deep inside you. Yoongi presses another finger into your dripping hole and you can feel yourself trembling. He’s completely focused on you and your pleasure, his mouth working nonstop to help you reach your peak. 

You sit up slightly and meet his dark gaze, his eyes are brimming with satisfaction. You grip his hair hard and press his face against your dripping cunt. You’re so close you’re practically vibrating with pleasure. 

He twists his fingers and you're coming. You release a soundless gasp and can’t stop yourself from gushing all over his fingers. Yoongi moans at the taste of you, his mouth eagerly trying to swallow every drop of your release. You collapse on the desk, your orgasm still thrumming through your body. 

You barely catch your breath when he’s hovering over you, your release glistening on his lips and chin. He kisses you deeply, making sure you can taste yourself on his tongue. You can feel his body trembling as he undoes his robe and you cannot figure out if he’s nervous or excited, or a combination of both.

He breaks the kiss to look at you and your stomach flutters at his gaze, so full of yearning and affection, you’re no longer sure why you ever thought about denying him. You hadn't even realized something was missing from your life, he was missing from your life, until this moment. You weren't just doing this out of a sense of duty. Because you were his wife. Because he was your husband. You wanted this. Desperately. More than you’d wanted anything up until this moment. 

Full of your realization, you push his robe off his shoulders and spread your legs wider, allowing him to press himself completely against you. He’s hot and hard, pulsing between your thighs. You shiver at the feel of him, your sticky cunt still dripping from your orgasm. You look at him, his cheeks flushed pink, his forehead and chest slightly sweaty, his hair a tangled mess. His scar looks less intimidating in the low light of the lanterns.

“You love me?” You don’t realize you have said the words out loud until he stares at you, his dark, dark eyes burning.

“More than anything.” 

It’s intoxicating knowing you have this beautiful man confessing his love to you. He is the most powerful man in the entire world and he loves you more than anything. You can’t help the ugly feelings of jealousy bubbling in your stomach, knowing other women have seen him undone like this. Knowing that Concubine Nam has had him like this is unacceptable. 

“I want them gone.” You shift forward slightly, the head of his thick cock catching on your entrance. You feel so hot between your legs, your cunt aching to be spread open by him. 

“Who?” He sounds confused, distracted. His whole body is trembling, holding himself back from thrusting up into you.

“Your whores.” You roll your hips and feel him sink a few inches inside you, you hold your breath and try not to tense up at the intrusion. “I will not have a husband that has a harem. I want them all gone, especially that bitch Nam. I can’t stand the thought of anyone else seeing you like this.”

“Yes,” You feel more than hear him gasp, his forehead pressing against your shoulder, “Anything you want.

“You’re mine.” 

Your whispered declaration causes something inside of him to snap. You’re unprepared when he pushes completely inside of you. The burning stretch of his thick, heavy cock leaves your breathless. He groans into your chest, barely giving you a moment to adjust before he’s thrusting in and out. Every roll of his hips has you clenching around him. His lips press soft kisses into your skin between pants of yesyesyes and all yours. You’re soaked and shaking, your fingers clutch his shoulders, trying to anchor him against you. He’s so thick and so large, you swear you can feel him in your stomach.

“My Empress, My Goddess,” Yoongi whispers reverently into your skin, “I will give you everything.”

“Yes,” You press yourself closer to him, ignoring the feel of his ringed fingers bruising your hips, “All I want is you.”

Every thrust of his hips brings you closer to the edge. You’re quivering around him, so close you can almost taste it. You shudder when he releases your hip, his fingers gently rubbing your swollen clit, causing you to pulse around him. “That’s it, my beloved girl. Come for me.”

Yoongi softly pinches your clit and you explode. His tongue licks up your throat, his mouth swallowing your quiet cries of pleasure. You clench down and feel him gasp against you, his body shuddering uncontrollably. The pulse of his cock inside you floods you with warmth.

You close your eyes and hold him against you, trying to catch your breath. Your heart felt like it was going to beat out of your chest. You slowly run your fingers through his hair and smile when you realize he’s still buried inside you.

He sits up and stares at you. You can see your reflection in his dark eyes. Your hair is disheveled and your lips are swollen. You can see your eyes are hazy with pleasure and several love bites adorn your neck and shoulders.

“My beloved bride.” Yoongi smiles at you affectionately, his fingers gently brush your hair back from your sweaty forehead, “I will never let you go.”

-0-0-0-

When you awaken you’re alone in the emperor’s bed, his side is cool, as if he’s been gone for hours. You’re sore all over, your husband spent most of the night inside of you, making you come over and over again until the early morning light.

You wrap the wrinkled white sheet around you and stand on shaky legs. You slowly make your way to the door and call for Unso. She appears immediately, almost as if she was waiting for you.

She helps you sit at the dressing table and goes about opening the curtains. Based on the sunlight entering the room, you can tell it is already early afternoon. Several maids clear the used bedding from the bed, and replace the sheets with clean silk ones. 

“Where is the emperor?” 

“His majesty wanted his bride to get enough rest, he would not let anyone disturb your highness.” Unso ignores your question and pulls a black dress patterned with golden dragons from the wardrobe. She hangs it over the silk dressing screen along with several undergarments.

You watch her through the mirror as she orders servants to prepare bath water for you. You can tell that something is amiss by the way Unso will not meet your eyes and the maids scurry about as if they are terrified of you.

“Your highness,” A younger maid bows low and holds out a fresh cup of tea, “your tea?”

You take the cup from the trembling maid, it’s the same bitter tea from the night before. You take a small sip, “Unso, where is my husband?”

“Your majesty, you must drink your tea, it is good for your health.” Unso comes out from behind the dressing screen, “Come take your bath, it will soothe your sore muscles.”

“No,” You set the mostly full cup of tea on the dressing table and stand up, “Bring me my robe.”

“Your majesty, you cannot go out in only your robe!” Unso’s voice is shocked. “It is improper!”

“Fine,” You make your way behind the dressing screen and put on your undergarments, “You will help me dress and then you will take me to my husband.”

Unso and several maids help you put on the stunning black dress. You’re ushered to the dressing table where you are adorned in diamond jewelry. Unso styles your hair with a jeweled dragon hairpin. Lotions and creams are rubbed into your face, neck and arms. 

Once you are deemed presentable, you follow Unso and several servant girls to the throne room. When you reach the large doors, Eunuch Ki looks alarmed to see you and quickly bows low, “Y-your highness! What are you doing here?”

 “Eunuch Ki,” You nod your head in greeting, “I came to see my husband.”

“I see,” Eunuch Ki shares an undecipherable look with Unso, “His majesty is conducting important business, he has asked me to inform you that he will join you in his rooms later for the evening meal.”

“Open the doors.”

“Please your majesty, you need to rest.” Eunuch Ki tries to placate you, “Let me take you back to the emperor’s courtyard or even to see Princess Min.”

“Open the doors. Now.”

Eunuch Ki looks helplessly at Unso before nodding his head. The guards slowly push the heavy doors open.

The smell is the first thing that hits you. The thick coppery scent of blood. You slowly step into the room and gasp in horror. The floors and walls are covered in blood. It looks like an entire massacre took place here. You walk further into the room and ignore the way the blood soaks into your silk slippers, seeping between your toes.

Eunuch Ki follows quietly behind you. There are several servants scrubbing the floors and walls, trying to remove the pools of blood around the room. You ignore them all, your eyes are completely focused on the emperor. He’s staring at a small golden box in his hand. A bloody sword rests near his feet. 

“Yoongi.” You whisper the words quietly, but his head snaps up immediately, his eyes focusing on you. 

“Beloved.” His eyes light up when he sees you, a beautiful smile spreading across his face. He rushes eagerly towards you. You realize he’s wearing a black robe, patterned with golden dragons, the same design as your dress. The only difference is his robe is stained with fresh blood. His hair is pulled up into a topknot, his black headband in place. Small drops of blood stain his cheeks and neck. He presses the golden box into Eunuch Ki’s hands before cupping your face, his fingers still wet with blood.

“My beautiful bride,” His voice is light, happy, “everything is perfect now that you are here.”

“Perfect?” You whisper and let him take your hands, leading you towards his throne. The golden dragon throne looks intimidating in the blood soaked room. The closer you get to the throne, the stronger the scent of blood becomes. You feel light headed, your stomach churning at the smells permeating the air.

“I.. I need to sit down.”

Yoongi looks at you concerned and immediately has you sit on his throne, “Are you alright, my love? Do you need some tea?”

“No,” You sit quietly. You feel sick, you feel sweaty, you can barely catch your breath, “I just need a moment.”

You close your eyes trying to center yourself. You know something terrible happened here, there is so much blood it looks like a battlefield. You're grateful that the bodies have already been removed, you don't know how you would have handled a room full of corpses. You take a few deep breaths and open your eyes, meeting Yoongi's bright gaze.  

“I have a gift for you.” Yoongi takes the golden box from Eunuch Ki, “I wanted to surprise you with it this evening, but you are here now. My beautiful girl.”

You stare at the golden box stained with blood. You take it from Yoongi with trembling hands. Yoongi is vibrating with excitement next to you. You can feel the pressure behind your eyes signaling that you are about to cry. You blink repeatedly, holding back your tears.  

You slowly open the box and stare at the contents. Yoongi holds your hands around the golden box, making sure you can’t drop it. You swallow the scream bubbling in your throat and meet his eyes. Dark, crazed, unhinged eyes overflowing with love for you. Love and madness.

You look back at your gift. Dead, lifeless eyes stare back at you. Concubine Nam’s eyes. Yoongi kneels obediently at your feet, soaking his robe in more blood. Blood from Concubine Nam. Blood from the rest of the harem. 

You can’t stop the tears from dripping down your cheeks. 

“They are all gone. Just like you asked.” Yoongi stares at you with reverence, his eyes sparkling, “I told you I would do anything for you.”

[young-dumb-and-vaccinated]

Cult Girl: Doctorate (Hannibal x Pregnant!Female!Reader) pt. 14

Hannibal reads too much into Max's attempt to reconcile and cult girl revisits her past.

@wisesandwichshark @pearlstiare

Trigger warnings: discussions of death, abandonment, military casualties, emotional abuse

You soon returned to the opera knowing you had nothing to hide. Hannibal selected for you an off-white maternity gown so form-fitting it was practically painted on. He wanted everyone to see that you, his queen, empress and goddess, were carrying his child.

It only took that evening for the whole dynamic to change. Suddenly, you were an expectant new mother. Imogen had been a massive hit, you were planning to go again.

You were affixing your heavy cubic zirconia earrings when you heard a knock at the door. You hesitated, but hurried down the stairs when you saw who it was.

"Max?" You said, upon opening the door. He stood there awkwardly, holding a bouquet of flowers. "Hi?"

"Hey, [F/N]." Max greeted, eyes darting nervously around the porch. "I just came around to apologize in person. I'm sorry I was such a chauvinist prick."

You leaned against the door. "Oh?"

"You were right." He continued. "I don't know what it's like to carry a baby, and, unless something goes very wrong, I never will."

"Let's hope it doesn't come to that." You smiled.

"Anyway, these are for you." He said, handing the bouquet over. "They're chrysanthemums."

"Thank you, Max." You said, accepting the flowers.

"Archie and I-" He scratched the back of his head. "We thought that, maybe, if you'd still have us, that we'd name the baby Chrysanthemum. With your permission, of course."

"Like the picture book?" Your face lit up. "With the little mouse girl?"

Max nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, exactly."

You hugged the bouquet into your chest and considered it again. You looked back at Hannibal, who hadn't looked up from his expectant fathers' website for a second all day. He surrounded himself with books about child psychology, attachment theory, developmental behavior patterns and somehow found himself on a tangent about institutionalized misogyny in medicine.

"I'm sorry, Max." You said, sincerely. "I really do appreciate you coming down here and apologizing, but-"

Max put his hands up and gave you a disarming smile. "I understand. Plans change."

"I just really want to stress that it's not you." You assured him. "I've kind of... really grown to like the idea of being a parent. And I think that was Hannibal's plan all along, too."

"I believe a congratulations is in order, then." His voice turned up in delight. "I'm very happy for you. Both of you."

You clutched the bouquet to your chest. "Thank you."

"Well, I'd better get going." He stepped backwards down the stairs. "I've got three pints of Ben and Jerry's in the backseat and Archie'll have my head if I come home and they've melted."

"Max, wait." You stopped him before he could get down the driveway.

"Hm?"

You leaned against the threshold and smiled warmly. "Don't be a stranger, okay?"

Max returned the smile. "Of course not."

You waved goodbye and shut the door. You hurried to the kitchen to put the flowers in water before you had to go.

"Who was that, love?" Hannibal asked, half-heartedly. He was still very fixated on his research.

"Max Thomas-Park." You answered, unwrapping the flowers from the decorative plastic.

Hannibal looked up from his computer, but left the room silent for you to fill.

"He wanted to make amends." You explained. You walked across the room to the china cabinet and selected a vase big enough to hold the ornate bouquet. "Brought flowers and everything."

"Chrysanthemums?" He asked, sniffing the air.

"I see your sense of smell is coming back." You commented.

"Interesting selection." He narrowed his eyes on the bouquet.

"Well, he said that was what he wanted to name the kid." You offered. "It was a cute pitch, not gonna lie."

Hannibal shut his laptop and examined the bouquet up close. "If he wanted to express regret, he would have done better to bring you blue or purple hyacinths."

"Well, like I said." You made a point to project a little more. "He said he wanted to name his daughter chrysanthemum."

"Mums are given to show sympathy for those in mourning." Hannibal continued, clearly having his own conversation.

"Hannibal-"

"I think your cousin got her hooks in him and he's planning to--" He cut himself off, lest he speak the unthinkable into reality. "That's why he brought mourning flowers."

"Max Thomas-Park is conspiring with Anna to kill our unborn baby?" You said, flatly, to emphasize how insane he sounded.

Hannibal held a bloom between his fingers and looked closely at it. "It's the kind of hint I would leave. For courtesy's sake."

"I think looking at parenting blogs all day has made you a little paranoid." You observed, knowing full well that an overprotective husband and soon-to-be father of your child was not a bad problem to have. Nevertheless, you shut the laptop and touched his cheek. "Come on. We're going to be late for the opera."

You heaved yourself into the passenger's seat of the car, feeling the seat give beneath your heavy frame. Every time you got into the car, you remembered that you needed to shop for a car seat. The thought just as soon left your mind every time. 

“We need to look for a car seat.” You said as Hannibal shut the door, hoping that he’d remember. 

“I mean,” Hannibal blurted out, still lost in his own conversation. “Max is a cultured and well-educated man. He has to know the implications of his flowers.” 

You huffed, dreading to think that paranoid delusion was symptomatic of his parenting style. “Right. The twenty-seven year old data analyst who graduated with a finance MBA from UChicago is also proficient in the outdated and frivolous language of flowers.” 

“In Italy, mums are only given as comfort for loss.” Hannibal said with undeserved conviction. “Exclusively, [F/N].” 

You rolled your eyes and typed something up on your phone. You raised your eyebrows, feeling a bit proud of yourself for what you found. 

“In Korea, y’know, the country that Max’s family is from,” You corrected. “The chrysanthemum is a symbol of friendship.” 

Hannibal tensed up for a moment, tightening his grip on the steering wheel. It was as if he were trying to break himself out of a trance. “...I’m sorry, darling.” 

“I know you’re scared.” You stared at his profile, trying to make out an expression. “I’m also... pretty scared. But you can’t take it out on a guy who has nothing to do with it.” 

“I am scared.” He affirmed, but the way in which he did was a telltale sign that he wasn’t giving you the full story. 

“Of?” You raised your eyebrow. “Finish the sentence, Hannibal.” 

"I need to keep our baby safe." He answered. "And I cannot in good conscience let her come into the world knowing that someone wants to hurt her. To hurt you."

You sighed. "Hannibal, are you seriously still worried about Anna?"

"Don't underestimate the role privilege and entitlement plays in the decision to commit acts of violence." He enunciated carefully. "You of all people should know that."

"Anna has cultivated such a perfect victim image to project outwardly that even a hint of proactive violence would shatter it." You explained. "She's the poor girl who has things done to her. Her evil cousin ruined her marriage. Her evil cousin destroyed her career. And she's the innocent victim in all of it."

"Logically, I know that you can speak on her behavior with more authority than I." Hannibal admitted.

"No shit." You scoffed. "I had to live with her."

"Can we at least entertain the idea that she has something planned?" He pleaded.

"I'm surprised at you." You said. "You never really struck me as the overly-cautious type."

Hannibal shook his head. "With my own life, I'm willing to gamble. But not when it's you. And not when it's Imogen."

You tensed up. His admitted willingness to put himself in danger unlocked a core memory you had buried deep down. The only thing you knew about your own father was that he was willing to put himself in danger. To go overseas and die for fuck-all instead of live for the child he selfishly created then abandoned. He chose to give his life for oil. You didn't choose to grow up without a father and your mother didn't choose to raise a child without a partner. He made that choice for you.

"Now what are you not telling me?" Hannibal broke you out of your trance. "I know that look, [F/N]."

"Nothing." You shook your head. "You should really not plan on dying anytime soon."

"I promise you, I am not going anywhere." His voice softened. "Least of all, to Iraq."

"Okay, you're a pretty good therapist but you never told me you could read minds." You threw your hands up in defeat. "Are you a psychiatrist or are you Loki?"

"As fun as being the god of mischief would be," Hannibal smiled to himself. "I just happen to have a steel-trap memory and an admittedly quite obsessive fixation on the mental health of the mother of my child."

"I swear to god I never told you about him." You denied. "Not even in passing."

"You didn't have to." He assured you. "Beatrice did."

You were surprised for a fraction of a second until the information sat in your head long enough to realize it wasn’t surprising in the slightest. Beatrice took every opportunity she got to brag about her son's sacrifices. She never once mentioned the sacrifices he forced upon you. Only that her son was a hero.

"Did you get the 'don't believe anything [F/N] has to say about my son' speech?" Your voice flattened in complete non-surprise.

"It was a prepared speech?" Hannibal chuckled. "Pity. I thought I was special."

"She gave it to my first boyfriend." You rolled your eyes. "We were, like, fifteen."

"The root of your psychological issues becomes clearer every time we talk about Beatrice." He commented under his breath.

"I know." You conceded.

He pulled into the parking lot, turned the car off and placed his hand over yours.

"Your father was a coward." He said, bluntly. It was nice to hear what had been echoing in the back of your head out loud for once. "I know no country to serve. No god to glorify. I promise, you have the whole of me. My mind, body and soul belongs to you and our child."

You squeezed his hand. "I couldn't ask for anything else."