The sun had already returned to its hiding behind the mountain cliffs, allowing the moon to rise high in the slowly darkening sky. Many people were retiring to their homes, energised for the weekend ahead. Villagers yawned goodnight to one other, animals huddled close in their dens and the stars waved everyone hello. 

In the palace, the servants who worked the whole day were already tucked in, exhausted and overworked. They snored soundly, knowing that tomorrow will be an even bigger day for preparation for the wedding. All except one palace maid was asleep, she was wide awake, not able to sleep after tossing and turning in her covers for several hours. 

With a frustrated grumble, she pushed away her balnkets and got to her feet slowly, careful not to wake the others, although they probably wouldn't even wake up even if there were a tornado. She tip toed out of their sleeping quarters, slipping on her sandals carefully before drawing back the main doors and closing them quietly behind her. Tying her hair into a quick braid, she walked the gravel path that lead from her sleeping quarters to the center of the palace. She glanced around cautiously, not wanting to be caught by anyone. Seeing the coast was clear, she scurried over towards the other buildings, thinking of grabbing a snack from the kitchen. All of a sudden she heard a distant chattering, perking her head at it. Curious, she moved closer towards the sound as the distant mumbles became clear voices. She peeked her head around the corner, looking at the stand alone pagoda with a red roof. Under the pagoda sat two figures, smiling at one another. She recognized one of them within the second and held her breath after realisation. 

It was no one but the beloved man she was smitten for, the King. She gazed with interest as she listened to their conversation.

Jong Kook sat across his future Queen, under the small red roof of the pagoda. He gazed at her up and down, examining her features. She was leaning towards the skinnier scale and had a petite frame. Her arms and legs were long and slender, giving her quite abit of height. Her features were well defined and weren't too bad but she seemed more matured than her supposed age. She was younger than him by quite a couple years but it didnt bother him that much. As his eyes gazed down, they couldn't help but stop at her chest which was quite... large. He shook his head slightly and glanced away, not wanting to look any further. Regaining his self control, he focused on the introduction she was giving him.

"..That is all, Your Majesty." She finished, not a single word being heard by him. He gulped, feeling rather embarrassed that he didnt even pick up on anything she had said. 

"I see.." He said, nodding his head casually as though he had heard everything. Thankfully she smiled and dipped her head, so he was safe. 

"Is there any other concubines that are Your Majesty's?" Kwang Ja asked with a cold stare. //If there are any other women...They might have to vanish.// She thought in her mind, smirking with the thought. 

"Ah.. No.. There are none. The concubines in the palace is my father's. I do not have any." He said, taken aback by her forwardness. 

"That is good to hear. I do not want anyone interferring with our relationship, Your Majesty." She replied with a smile, reaching her hand out to touch his softly. 

Jong Kook gulped at her touch and couldn't help but flinch slightly. Not wanting to be rude, he complied and placed his other hand ontop of hers with a smile. "Of course. Nothing will come between us." He said, thinking about Ji Hyo although looking at someone else. 

"I cannot wait for the wedding, Your Majesty..." She spoke quietly, rubbing his hand with hers.

"Neither can I..." Jong Kook said in an equal softness, guilt filling his heart.

Ji Hyo watched the entire scene with a heavy heart, feeling it sink each time they interacted. She bit her lip as they held hands, a sense of betrayal in her heart as she eyes them. Turning away, she slowly walked back to her quarters, too grim to eat. She prayed silently as she walked, hoping that the queen would treat his Majesty well and that he would forget about her love the queen. 

Only time can tell whats to come....

The Royal Wedding

The whole palace was in a buzz on this bright Sunday. People bustled through the paths, bumping into each other as they hurried with the final touches. The chefs were going crazy with the amount of food they had to cook. The guards were running in and out as they made final checks to ensure the safety in the area. Muscians bit their nails nervously as they waited to play their instruments, hoping to not mess up in front of the royals. Palace maids were getting ready in their quarters, making sure they looked their best for this day. 

For the King's palace maids, they were already ready and were standing outside the entrance to the ceremony, waiting for His Majesty. Ji Hyo was standing quietly in the front, silently looking at the extravagent decorations, wishing it was her that was going to walk down the aisle with him. She felt a nudge on her shoulder and turned around to face the rest of the attendants that crowded around her. They had sensed her sadness and feeling bad for her, they approached with soft smiles.

"Ji Hyo-ah! Dont be sad on this special day." Said one of them with a small smile, patting Ji Hyo's arm. 

"That is right! And His Majesty is always going to love you, forever!" Said the youngest attendant. The others smiled and nodded, agreeing with her statment.

"Ji Hyo! What she said was right. His Majesty would never abandon you." Chimed in Maeri as she touched up her braid before stepping in beside her to give her a hug, only for the others to jump upon them with hugs as well. They stepped away with laughter, even Ji Hyo couldn't help but laugh at her friends. She was touched on how they put in so much effort in cheering her up that she forced a smile.

Gong~ The sound of the gong echoed the palace, making everyone fall silent. The attendants quickly shuffled back into their two rows, lowering their heads as the King marched past them. He was dressed in his marriage wear, with a cap than had beads dangling in front. His robes were bright red and lined with a black cloth. The King walked in front of his entourage, having his guard and his lady in charge behind him. He turned his head slightly to meet the gaze of his future Queen, who stood with her entourage lined up behind her. She looked exceptionally beautiful in her wedding robes, making him greet her with a smile. 

Turning back to face the front, he remembered something and turned around to face his attendants, his eyes falling directly on the attendant in the front of the row. "Ji Hyo-ah~" He whispered ever so softly, making her glance up at him. He gave a reassuring smile before turning back to face the front. She couldn't help but return the smile, feeling slightly better seeing his smile.

Seeing all this was the Queen, glaring with displeasure. //Who is that girl... How dare she?!// She thought in anger, clenching her fists as she turned away, her eyes narrowed. 

The sound of the gong chimes again, starting the ceremony. The sound of the music played by the musicians echoed throughout the palace as the procession began.

The wedding went brilliantly well with everyone in joyious moods for the married couple. The festivities had died down and it was quite late in the night, with everyone retiring to their beds. The King and his new Queen paced around the gardens, both feeling mixed emotions knowing they are now bounded together by law. The King stopped as they turned the corner tof ace the pond, the same pond Ji Hyo and him shared their first kiss. He turned his head to the following attendants, seeing her glance up at the realisation of where they were before looking back down, a frown on her lips. He felt his heart ache a little, seeing her so upset, feeling that this was not fair especially for her. 

The Queen turned her head to speak to the King but only to see him staring at his attendants, specifically at the same girl he looked at before the wedding. She narrowed her eyes in angst before calming herself, approaching the King. 

"Your Majesty.... May I ask whom are you looking at?" She asked with a gentle smile. 

Jong Kook snapped out of his trance and turned to his new wife with an awkward smile. "Ah? No one.." He said defensively, rubbing his neck. 

"Really? It seemed like you were looking at your attendant... " Kwang Ja said softly, backing away from the King to approach his attendant with a cold stare. "You there. Come here." She ordered coldly, walking back to the King's side with a smirk. 

Ji Hyo looked up nervously at the Queen and complied with her order, shuffling slowly towards the two. She stopped in front of the couple, biting on her lip nervously, feeling the Queen's glare eating its way through her. 

"State your name." Kwang Ja said clearly, narrowing her eyes at her. 

"I am Song Ji Hyo, Your Grace.." She said quietly, looking at her hands.

"Song Ji Hyo... Aren't you a little rude? Bow down to greet us!" The Queen shouted, a cunning smirk on her red lips.

Jong Kook was taken aback by her anger, "My Queen! There is no need for such acts..." He said hurriedly, glancing at Ji Hyo before looking back at the Queen.

"My King... We just got married... This wench needs to learn her manners and greet us with a proper bow." She calmly interjected before glaring at Ji Hyo. "What are you waiting for?!" She snarled angrily. 

Ji Hyo was flustered and quite scared by her dominance. Kneeling down, she bowed fully towards the two, her forehead touching the ground. "Forgive me Your Grace and Your Majesty! I was rude and had not greeted both of you! I give my blessings to both of you and wish you have a happy life together!" She said loudly, resisting the urge to punch the Queen. 

"Thats enough Ji Hyo-ah... Get up." The King said once she had finished, concerned about her truly. Ji Hyo rose to her feet, her eyes narrowed into a stare as she looked at the ground. "Look up... Dont look at the ground." He said, making her pull her gaze up to meet his. Her heart suddenly thumped quicker and she felt better by his gentle smile. 

"Your Majesty.. You are too kind to this servant..." Kwang Ja said, her icy stare locked on the servant. //This wench... Ill show you what happens when you love another woman's man.// She thought angrily. She slid her hand up onto Jong Kook shoulder, pulling closely to his ear. "Remember My King... I do not want anyone interferring with us..." She whispered, loud enough for Ji Hyo to hear but not the onlookers. Ji Hyo clenched her fists at her words, glaring at her moves.

//Dont get mad....// Ji Hyo reminded herself as she loosened her tensed muscles. 

Jong Kook gulped at her words, adverting his eyes to look at Ji Hyo with a guilty expression. 

"Afterall... I dont want anyone interferring with us tonight... For it will only be us... sleeping together as husband and wife...." She again whispered in the same volume as before. Without warning, she placed both her hands on either side of Jong Kook's face and turned his head to face her. With a sly smirk, she pulled him towards her, pressing her lips against his aggressively. Jong Kook widened his eyes at the kiss, mumbling inaudible words. Finally she released his lips, making him stumble back, touching his suddnely sore lips. With an instant reaction, he looked at Ji Hyo who had an unreadable face as she stood there.

Ji Hyo just about had it with this Queen. She stared in disbelief at their passionate kiss, her anger boiling inside of her. With clenched fists, she fought away the need to punch her and spoke through gritted teeth. "I bid you both a goodnight.... Yoru Majest and Your Grace." She said with a forced smile, bowing to them. She gave one final glare to the Queen, also giving the same glare to Jong Kook before turning away to walk off. She marched back to the other attendants, seeing them equally as shocked as she was as she walked past. She joined the back of the line with a huff, feeling comforting pats and words by her friends who whispered encouraging statements. 

Meanwhile, Jong Kook was standing longingly at his attendant that stormed off before his Queen stood inf ront of him, obstructing his view. He was forced to look at her as she smiled slyly at him. "Let us go, My King..." she said, placing her hand in his, lacing their fingers together with some force. Pulling him along, Jong Kook reluctantly followed as they returned to their chambers for the night. 

The Queen smiled as she pulled him along. //There. I showed those slaves my capabilites... I have showed my power and my dominance over them... They should know better now.// she thought with a cunning grin as they both entered the sleeping chamber they had to spend the night in. With that, time slowly passed, bringing new days to the nation.

Perhaps things might seem brighter?

Ta-daa! Kwang Ja is a true b****!! Dang. If I were Ji Hyo, I would straight up punch the living daylights out of the Queen! Anywho~ Yea, its decided... Kwang Ja is the queen. Oh and guys, posts might be abit irregular cause of my schedule nowadays but I will try to post long chapters when I can <3. Happy New Year guys :D