⁝ chae estate.

@✿ chae seongyeom The moment the panels had opened, revealing her beloved brother behind it — he, himself, all dressed up in his hanbok adorned with the colours of their house,— made her emotional. Seonhye had promised herself she would never leave the Chae estate in tears, but such promises were meant to be broken when she feels tears welling up in her eyes.

“Orabeoni” Seonhye tries to chuckle as she fans her face with a hand, in hope to dry those big fat tear before they rolled down her cheeks, effectively ruining her makeup. however, as she slips her hand into the warmth of his hand, she feels a sudden wave of emotions hit her and she breaks into tears or joy? sadness? fear? uncertainty? seonhye couldn’t quite pinpoint it. “would father really be proud?” she enquired, a tiny smile adorning her visage as she let go of his hand reluctantly.

In the past ten years or so, undoubtedly seonhye envisioned herself getting married someday, but not in such a manner, not filled with uncertainty and definitely not under such circumstances.

"How are you feeling?" Seonhye hears him ask, but the marchioness could never bring herself to answer him honestly, after all, how could tell him she was scared and afraid of the changes to come, that she would never get used to the cha estate, that she would not see her brother and have breakfast together anymore, that she would miss all the members of her household, that she would be married to a man that held not even a single out of affection for her, that would she would be a complete stranger or the way that she might never ever be happy, how could she bear to tell him all these?

And so she lies.

“I have never been more sure, orabeoni.” She replied with confidence, mustering a big smile that never reaches her ears.

@❀ yang seoyul "he does, even having some cuteness act that he can try," sunyi told her son to do something cute as he instantly did while facing seoyul with the hand on his cheek and a smile, telling him that hes a good boy and pats his head gently. "oh the dad? he passed away before he could see or know about his own son actually," truthfully she said than hiding because the godsend to saejin was beautiful and the love he receive by everyone and well protected even the dad wasnt around, but also to see seoyul reaction to make sure if its okay to tell as well.

@✾ tsukino sayuri As Sayuri spoke, her words weaving a tapestry of introspection and vulnerability, Hanami couldn't help but feel a swell of admiration for her cousin. Despite her uncertainties and anxieties, Sayuri possessed a quiet strength and resilience that spoke volumes about her character. And as she listened to Sayuri's musings on bravery and friendship, Hanami found herself nodding in agreement, her own experiences as a samurai resonating deeply with the sentiments expressed by her cousin.

"You are brave, Sayuri-chan," Hanami said softly, her voice filled with warmth and sincerity. "Bravery is not just about facing external threats; it's also about confronting our own fears and uncertainties. And in that regard, you have shown a courage that is truly commendable."

As the wind of fall began to dance through the air, carrying with it the promise of change and renewal, Hanami couldn't help but feel a sense of kinship with her surroundings. Like the foliage that adorned the gardens of the Chae Estate, she too was undergoing a transformation, her understanding of friendship and loyalty evolving with each passing moment.

"Indeed, my comrades are more than just fellow warriors," Hanami replied, her gaze turning towards the distant horizon as she reflected on the bonds that united her with her fellow samurai. "They are my brothers and sisters, my family in all but blood. And yes, I would do anything to protect them, even at the cost of my own life."

Hanami's words were spoken with a quiet intensity, her commitment to her comrades unwavering and absolute. But as Sayuri spoke of friendship and the possibility of finding companionship in this foreign land, Hanami couldn't help but feel a flicker of hope stir within her heart.

"Thank you, Sayuri-chan," Hanami said, her voice soft with gratitude. "Your kindness and understanding mean more to me than you know. And while I may not have sought out friendship with the people of Joseon, perhaps... perhaps there is room in my heart for more than just my comrades." She offered Sayuri a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with newfound determination.

"Ah, I'm hungry! Would you like me to get you something to eat? Otherwise, Uncle would smack my head if he sees you starving on my watch." Hanami laugh heartily as she gently pats her cousin.

@❀ moon jinhee Though she was pulled by her “friend”, Heejin quickly fell into step towards the Estate and away from the joviality of the gala. From afar, indistinct chatter and rapturous laughter can be heard, in juxtaposition to the unease that seemed to overwhelm the pair. Bereft from the loss of contact, she squeezed Jinhee’s hand briefly before her grasp loosened to match her pace. Alert caused the hairs in the back of her neck to raise, though it would be peculiar to feel different towards the disappearance of her friend. Usually unafraid to voice her thoughts, she withheld the suspicion and dodginess she garnered towards the groom, as to not disrupt the joyous atmosphere crafted by the delighted crowd and the amicable veneer the couple upheld to placate the wedding go-ers.

Seconds stretched into minutes as they ran, the hanok coming closer to view. As they finally arrived at the Chae estate, sighting the black tortoise statues from a short distance, Heejin slowed to a stop, panting as her hands gripped her thighs. Looking over her shoulder, she peered to find Jinhee behind her. “We’re finally here… You think we should give her a visit?” It would efface her worries to see her safe, but what if she was barging in on her early rest?

@❀ kang heejin Careful not to let her touch linger too long, Jinhee removed her hand from atop her companion's, immediately missing the warmth of the woman's soft skin beneath her fingertips. But this was a public gathering and she could not afford to let herself be careless. Her reputation meant little to her, because after becoming a widow and facing the constant whispers of the ton head on, she believed there wasn't much worse that could be done to her. However, Heejin's reputation was important to her, and she would do all that she could to preserve it.

"You're right, it wouldn't make sense for her to resign to her quarters so early in the evening. But where else could she be?" Worry, fear, and anxiety consumed her as she wondered what could have happened to their dear friend. "Let's go check her room first and if she is not there we can check elsewhere." Her tone held the unease that her heart was feeling, and she pulled her 'friend' in the direction of Seonhye's quarters, hoping that they would find the woman asleep, simply exhausted from the day and wanting to rest early.

@❀ moon jinhee Squeezing her hand gently, she alleviated the awkward silence that flattened between them. In a romantic liaison with Jinhee, the constant worry about being noticed or seen lingered in the recesses of her mind, regardless if she liked it or not. Others’ perceptions were often a blind spot. Looking over her shoulder on occasion, however, she felt the gaze of bystanders burning towards their clandestine touches. It was even more surreal having the bride disappear after carrying out nuptials with her groom. “Why would she retreat to her quarters in a time like this? And why would her guards let her?” Ire crept into her voice as she exhaled the question. “We can’t just stand here and dawdle, Jinhee.” The lighthearted mood from earlier dissolved into tension, as she felt worry and anxiety weighing in on her.

@✿ cha seonhye (née chae) As the wooden panels opened, Seongyeom immediately caught sight of his sister. He was rendered speechless by the transformation she went through. Adorned in the ceremonial hanbok, regal in red, white and blues, and accesories decorating her hair, seemingly heavy yet Seonhye still held her chin steady. It was as if yesterday, Seonhye had turned marriagable. In his memories, she remain a little girl that had always followed him everywhere on his heels and looking up to him like how a sunflower would look at the sun. His little sister was now a Duchess-to-be, about to be married away to a duke. . .for sake of political alliances.

It wasn't a particular fairytale Seongyeom would want her to be in.

The Duke cleared his throat to rid of the lump forming within as he entered her abode. "You look. . .beautiful, Seonhye," he complimented, mustering up a smile in the midst of the bittersweet squeezing of his heart. The older reached out for his sister's right hand, holding it within his while the other patted softly over it. "Father would be so delighted to see you in a wedding dress."

He let Seonhye's hand go when he noticed the dull radiance emitting from her visage. "How are you feeling?" he asked softly, eyes relaying the internal conflict raging within him. Should he ask her one more time? If she wanted to go through with this marriage? Would it be going overboard, given how he had asked her over and over the past days? Yet, he could not let her go without one last confirmation. "Seonhye, you are sure about this, right?"

@✾ inazuma hanami The air did not settle on this day, the wind, not calamitous in that it would be strong enough to knock over structures, people, or even the temporary decorations of this joining of a man and a woman… Yet, it was enough for the tufts of Sayuri’s hair to fall from her face, requiring her to push a strand back into the space between her ear and her head, allowing her eyes to follow the small space that was the Chae Estate.

The Tsukino family had a house in Osaka and in Edo, the old capital, much like the people had here. Sayuri had never been to that house, neither the one that had gotten torn down the year before when the Meiji Emperor had relocated the capital to Edo. If she had been there, it was lost in her memories of childhood. Their estate in Osaka was large, yet was surrounded by trees and other flora Sayuri had studied over the years of boredom, curiosity, and isolation. She had only the mildest of glimpses of the land they looked over, where Sayuri could only see the bustling streets for moments. It was nothing like this estate, surrounded by others of its size, yet with enough space between them to distinguish them from the other estates, not to be confused with the housing in the Outer City. Sayuri liked the proximity, liked the signs of life so close to her own.

This wedding, as overwhelming as it was, had been exciting. She feared for the social parts of it, thus requiring her to take a break, sit off to the side, Hanami nearby. Yet, she yearned to go back, perhaps to sneak a peek at the couples and friends that surrounded her, even if it was just to observe.

“I have heard philosophers and literary scholars conflate excitement with bravery, as it takes much of the workings of ferocity to be excited by something so daunting. I had never believed myself to be brave, yet, your words are reminding me of what I have read.” Sayuri smiled, though distant, picking at the skin on her fingertips. “I am sure, a samurai such as yourself, knows bravery all too well.” The touch surprised Sayuri, but comforted her. She had never been comforted in such a way,

The wind of fall was starting to meet with the faces of the people surrounding the areas, the foliage starting to fall away and turn beautiful colours reminiscent of harvest. Sayuri inhaled the fresh air, and sighed.

“Are your comrades not also your friends? Perhaps, I do not know what friendship truly is. I remember once, in a book, I read that to truly love, is to die for one another. Would you do that for your comrades?” She asked, perhaps not realizing how out of place or line her questions were. “I am sure there are many here that are intrigued in you, to be your friend. Such as myself, Hanami-gozen.”

@❁ im insoo She can feel his warmth seeping into her despite the cool night air. Her hands remained clasped around him, clutching onto the fabric of his shirt until her hands had turned white. She allowed his words to sink in, letting the wind whisper them through the leaves of mid-summer trees, drowning out the distant merriment of guests attending the joyous occasion in the background; all she focused on and heard was his voice as if it were a lullaby soothing the ache in her heart and mending to her starlit tears.

But his words were not comforting. His question rang in her ear like a soft beating drum. It sounded like a pulse, perhaps his pulse, as she pressed her face harder into his back. She felt him shift momentarily, releasing her grip of him as he turned to face her.

Love should not hurt like this. She knows. But, if this was not love then what else could it be? The reason for her tears, the lament of her hollow heart that longed to be encompassed by him; if this was not love, then what was it? Why else would she be deathly afraid that if she were to blink, to close her eyes and count to three, that he would slip through the veil of night like a dream?

Jinye clung to his hands, eagerly feeling the groove of his knuckles, stroking his palms with tenderness as she basked in the heat of his hands in hers as if she had been deprived of their memory from another summer ago where their hands had met first before their eyes. How could she ever want to be held by any other hands but his?

However, she is not a foolish person. She knows that her father’s decision to separate them was not merely done out of spite, but it had created a sea of uncertainty between them.

“Would love,” He whispered. “— be enough to sustain a marriage?”

He asked and she swallowed a dryness in . Her eyes searched his, wondering why he would ever question such a thing.

“Would you truly be happy with me?”

His words of doubt were threatening to crumble her resolve. But Insoo’s questions did not deter her from the calling of her heart. She knows that their love had been pure and kind, the one that anyone could ever hope to have and keep.

“I can’t put you through a marriage that couldn’t last.”

She wished he wouldn’t say such a thing, nor ever think of it ever again. /Insoo, don’t you love me?/ Her mind raced with such thoughts. Her grip on his hand tightened until the floor beneath her felt like it would cave in.

“You’d only be unhappy if you were to marry me.”

It was then that she could no longer control herself.

Jinye’s hands were quick, releasing his hand and grasping onto the material of his shirt as she pulled him in beneath the moonlight and between the shade of trees. Her lips sought him with a desperate urgency, a silent plea for him to understand the depth of her love, the certainty in her heart.

She kissed him until she ached, until the bones of her body trembled, until her arms were wrapped around him and she would breathe into him as if he was the air she so desperately needed. She surrendered to the longing, the yearnings, the call of her heart that echoed his name in every song she has ever heard. Oh, how she has missed him, his taste, his warmth, his scent. How could she ever want to be anywhere else but in his arms?

Hesitantly, she briefly pulled away. Her teary eyes searched for him, pleading for him to hold her more, kiss her more, touch her more, to never let her go.

“Insoo,” she called his name like a sacred vow, a mere breathless whisper against his lips, "I would rather spend a lifetime by your side facing every storm that comes our way than to live a single day without you."

Her fingers caressed the back of his head, stroking the softness of his hair. “So, I beg of you, my love, please don’t ever doubt that I’d be unhappy with you.” Tears fell from her eyes once more, her voice quivering, “Believe in me, believe in us. I love you.”

@❀ kang heejin [backdated to September 12, 1869]

She should have known better than to believe that Heejin would go along with her change of subject. The woman's investigative and inquisitive nature was one of the many things that Jinhee liked about her. In fact, it was hard to find a single thing about the astonishingly attractive woman that she didn't like. She adored her friend a lot more than she ever thought possible, more than normal friends would... And noticing the change in the woman's demeanor brought a tinge of guilt. She reached up her free hand, gently caressing over the back of her companion's hand with her fingertips, her voice soft and apologetic as she replied, "You're right, now is not the time to be perturbed by your companion. It is time for us to enjoy ourselves and celebrate our dear friend's marriage."

She then returned to scanning the crowd for the bride, her eyebrow furrowing in confusion as she scanned each face individually, none of which were Seonhye. "I believe you're right, Heejin-ah. Something doesn't feel right. Could she have gone outside? Or maybe back to her room?"

@✿ song jinye If the heaven above believed it was to bear witness to only a broken heart that night, it was a mere fool, ludicrous to the plight of humans. No sane man would have allowed their very dear to cry the way Jinye had cried nor pray to hear their voice break like the way Jinye’s voice broke. Insoo couldn’t turn to face her nor could he try to restrain the sob that threatened to escape his chest, humbled and ashamed of his shortcomings as a man for her. He kept himself together, as best as he could, even at the sound of her voice growing smaller or how her arms tightened around his frame.

Insoo clearly remembered everything that was said to him back when their engagement was first in consideration of annulment. He was the son of a poor man, with no standing in society, no glory to his name nor did he have a place in the court even as a mere scholar. If they were to wed, Insoo couldn’t make Jinye happy. He couldn’t be a son-in-law who could support her father in politics nor could he help ensure the Song family gained security or richness. So, how could a marriage like that last long? How could he not worry her with his shortcomings if they were pointed out to her face? And if they were to have children? How could he face them, knowing that there was so little he could give to them as a father?

It was only right that he didn’t protest the decision Duke Song had made. He was right — Insoo would have been a dark smear in Jinye’s life, and he couldn’t do that to someone he loved so dearly. If anything, the one abandoned with nowhere to call home once more was him. . . and it had always been the fate he had walked; the very one that his father had chosen for him.

His head swivelled from one side to another as he fought to contain the swirling emotions within. Tears welled in his eyes as his tattered heart cracked further, the spider web on the surface creating little shard specks of dust that bled down his system.

And that night, Insoo learned that there was such a thing: a pain that rained down like no other.

“Would love,” He whispered. “— be enough to sustain a marriage? Your father raised reasonable doubts, things that I couldn’t — no — don’t have an answer to. I can’t be a part of your world. I have no tools, power or fame to be a part of your world. Would you truly be happy with me? When I can’t be a great son-in-law to your father? I can’t support him in politics. I don’t have a military power. I don’t have connections from within, nor money that could secure your family’s status.”

He turned to her, her hands now in his as he held them tight while his cheeks were soaked in tears, nose red and eyes glassy. “Can you say for sure that love is enough to sustain a marriage? Say we do get married and I’m already lacking in so many spectrums in the eyes of your parents — but if we were to have children, how could I be anywhere great as a father to them when there is nothing that I could give to them?”

“Jinye.” His voice rose and fell. “I can’t put you through a marriage that couldn’t last. Forgive me for I was a fool thinking that I could chase the stars for you when I am but a man the heaven have forbade to enter its sanctuary. You’d only be unhappy if you were to marry me.”

@✿ go yeonhwa (neé ryu) And it had hurt, his foot now throbbing after the harsh contact with the wooden leg of her chair, as well as the bruise on his ego, the blues mixing with purples, and the print of her teasing smile now etched to the back of his mind, like all the other smiles that quipped across her face whenever she was winning all of their argument, the ink of the sketches that he could never rub off. It was another loss on his end. Miro scrunched his nose as he retracted his foot back to his side, ignoring the lull of his foot begging to be soothed.

“That’s quite daring of you to think I wanted to play footsies with you, Marchioness Ryu,” He rasped as he turned his gaze away from her and back to the couple in front of them. “Such an odd thought to have when you were always telling me to be proper and etiquette this or that.”

Then, a thought rose in his head, a clever one if he could say so himself. “And I think that’s something you should worry about, my lady.” Miro turned his head back to her, leaning in slightly for the added dramatic, a simper of a challenging smile on his face. “As you have said so yourself, that while /I/ may be familiar with such actions, would you be alright if we were to kiss in the future?”

As he fell back into his chair, clearly feeling like he had won that one bit, Miro winked in Yeonhwa’s direction and uncrossed his arms before getting up. He extended his hand for her to take once the couple had started to go around the tables, friends and coworkers crowding them. “You might want to hide away those rose colored cheeks. We have a couple to greet.”

@✿ chae seongyeom “and.. you’re ready.” A voice breaks the silence within the palpable tension in the room. the morning in the chae household was bustling with last minions preparation of the union between duke cha and seonhye herself. With her being the last unwedded daughter of the household, the Chae has made it a point to host a grand affair, after all, she was to be the future duchess of another prominent household and simple wedding affair would never suffice.

after the departure of multiple handmaidens who assisted her into her heavy ceremonial hanbok, seonhye stole a couple of glances into the mirror, she would have appreciated it even more if she was to be wedded away with joy, but with the current predicament she had, it had left her heart stirred with mixed feelings, and the marchioness wondered to herself if she could ever be happy, even if she was to be wedded to her first love who didn’t not hold mutual feelings for her.

As chunseok pat down her outfit, ridding off the stray strings and invisible dust, she looks up at her lady, tears brimming in her eyes. “you really do look beautiful, seonhye.” Despite the difference between them, seonhye had long disregarded the distance society had place between chunseok and her, for her entire lives they had grew up together, and she was like the other sister seonhye had, even more so than her own blood sister. “yeah.. i do have to thank the hwang household for their impeccable work.” and for the first time that morning, seonhye musters a little smile as she look at her lady-in-waiting.

“May I come in?” the familiar voice of her brother causes her to turn her gaze away from her beloved friend to the door. “Of course, Orabeoni, come in.” she called out, motioning chunseok to open the wooden panels to her humble abode.

@✿ go miro Miro remains silent, a palpable tension simmering between them as he grappled with his emotions. Yet, from the corner of her eyes, Yeonhwa can see that he is not pleased in having to do so. She is not sure if he is left flabbergasted by her teasing or if he is contemplating the best comeback to retort with. What was he planning? Surely, he is not being the bigger person and choosing to not further engage in this banter. That would not be the Go Miro she knew.

She couldn’t quite discern his intentions, yet she remained acutely aware of his presence, her senses attuned to every subtle shift in his demeanor. Then, without warning, the marchioness feels a sudden brush against her leg, followed by a swift kick against the wooden leg of her chair. Her eyes widen in surprise at the move, not expecting him to do such a reckless thing. Then again, Go Miro was a child at heart, was he not?

Yeonhwa turns to look at him, sending him a disapproving glare as if that would do anything to deter him. Yet the pained look on his face makes it hard for her to maintain the stern gaze, for she is sure his foot probably hurts from his miscalculation. Unable to resist the urge to add a touch of jest to the situation, she rubs salt on his wounds with her next quip. “If you wanted to play footsies with me, you could have just asked, my lord.”

@❀ moon jinhee Upon entering the ballroom, a sense of camaraderie and nostalgia swelled within her heart. Feeling cooped up at her work hanok, dealing with corpses, profiling, and overall somber subjects of matter, moments of celebration were a rarity. As soon as she heard the confusion in her response, the joviality halted as there was a sudden awkwardness at the mention of her companion. The trailing off mid sentence, as if she is showing a sudden restraint in her speech, comparatively to the comfort she felt around her. Before she had the opportunity to confront it however, predictably, the other woman changed the subject. Though she should have settled in seeking harmony, she relented into the investigative urge. “What’s wrong? Is this pertaining to my companion? Please, it is purely platonic. You must put these foolish thoughts behind, especially in support of our dear Seonhye.”

Reaching over to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, hesitation hit her as she followed Jinhee’s gaze, struggling to find the woman within the gala like place. Although not labyrinthine, it felt akin to solving a puzzle. “I do not see her either… Where could she have gone? It is far too early in their honeymoon.. I believe something is amiss.”

@❁ im insoo Within his embrace, his warmth, and the familiarity of his presence, Jinye clung to him with an overwhelming sense of desperation and longing. Her heart was racing, bursting from its shell with a mix of emotions as she wrapped her arms around Insoo within the shadows of the garden. Despite the bloomed flowers, it is only his scent that could bring her comfort. She didn't want to let him go, afraid that the slightest movement of her hands and the faintest breath that fell from her lips would allow him to slip away from her grasp.

She had pleaded for him to take her away, and so long as he asked her to, she would not hesitate. For him, she was willing to throw away her reputation, her position in the Queen’s office, her honorable family. It did not matter any more as she realized that her love for Insoo surmounted everything else that was significant in her life.

But a sense of foreboding crept over her anxious heart. Jinye could feel it in the cool, night air: his hesitance that sent a cold awakening through her body. Was she imagining things, or had things changed ever since the annulment of their betrothal?

Finally, he spoke, and his words rang in her ears with absolute brutality, shaking her from the core when he rejected her plea. Devastation rushed in like tidal waves, engulfing the air that shot from her lungs when his tender touch was not to hold her, but instead to push her away.

"Why…" her voice broke as she choked with tears. Despite his rejection, her trembling hands continued to cling to him desperately. Her fingers clutched the fabric of his shirt as if to keep herself from falling into a spiral of mourning for what they would be losing. "Why are you doing this, Insoo?”

It felt like poison had been injected into her veins, suffocating her to a slow demise. She could not think clearly, nor could she control the cutting ache that was shredding her from the inside out.

“Insoo, please…” Jinye’s knuckles turned white, still firmly holding onto the material of his attire, “don’t abandon me, my love. Didn’t you say that we would get married? That you would be my home? Insoo, please…"

Each word felt like a dagger to her heart, a reminder of their love; of the promises and adoration that lived in their eyes whenever they were in each other’s sight. But right now, the promises only tore at the fragile threads of hope that she had been clinging onto through the summer season, hoping that he would fight for her, that he still loved and wanted her in the ways she still wanted him. The single thought of losing him, of being left alone in this world without him suddenly seemed so cold and empty like the barren winter landscapes once more.

The moment Insoo turned away, it felt as if she was living in a nightmare. She desperately wanted to wake up from this ruinous dream, a bad dream that is keeping her away from the person she loved. In a desperate attempt, she wrung her arms around his torso and buried her face against his back between his shoulder blades. Her tears soaked into the fabric of his shirt as she begged him again and again until her voice became nothing more than an echo in the night. "Don't go, Insoo, please. I need you. I love you. I love you. I love you…"

@❃ na soo Kiwoon could only lean his back against the wall, listening to her intently as she spoke with a command as if she were in charge. Oh, how he could not help but let out a small, sheepish chuckle. The tides have turned, he acknowledged, she was no longer that girl from the past who worked for his family—she was her own person now, and Kiwoon couldn’t be any more proud of her. “Alright,” he said softly, “you no longer need to rely on the Cha family. You are free, Myeo–,” he almost called her by her nickname again. “So, don’t torture yourself anymore. Don’t get into trouble anymore. But…” he glanced down at the floor, watching her shadow on the pavement, “if you do find yourself in trouble, you have a friend in me, and that won’t change. You’ve saved my life, so I owe you that whenever you need it.”

He let out a deep sigh, lifting his gaze back to the wedding party in the distance. “And thank you for coming to my wedding, stay and enjoy the festivities if you’re able to–” but when he glanced back, her shadow was gone. Swift as the wind, the girl who had protected him disappeared into the night, leaving only the sword as proof that she and him had once lived in the same world.

[ fin. ]

@❁ cheon sumin Seoyul couldn’t help but chuckle softly at the toddler’s antics, finding his curiosity endearing. "It sounds like he's going to be quite popular with people since he will learn to speak soon," she remarked, admiringly. "It must be such a joy to watch him grow and learn new things." Then, a curious thought crossed Seoyul's mind, and she ventured cautiously, "And what about the father of the baby? Did you both come to the wedding together as a family?" She asked, hoping her question wasn't too intrusive but genuinely curious about their family dynamics.

@✿ ryu yeonhwa And if the Ton had not been keeping their eyes on the married couple, nor if the air were thick with anticipation for what came next after the kiss shared between the groom and the bride, some would have started to witness something brewing at the table reserved for the Ryu and the Go families.

Miro, his tall frame rigid with restraint, slowly stood out amidst the celebratory air. His arms crossed tightly over his chest, the fabric of his robe began to strain against the muscles coiled beneath, betraying the intensity of his emotions. Each glance exchanged between him and Lady Ryu crackled like static, still unnoticed by the rest of the guests absorbed in the wedding festivities. Lady Ryu seemed to revel in tension as Miro took note of the way her eyes twinkled mischievously as she kept prodding at him, each jest drawing a deeper scowl from him. With each playful jab, she seemed to delight in his discomfort, knowing well that he was unable to retaliate in kind.

Yet, as she delivered another teasing remark, pushing the boundaries of their banter, Miro felt the heat rising within him. His jaw clenched, and his narrowed eyes betrayed the storm of emotions brewing beneath his composed exterior. Instead of succumbing to words, he chose silent defiance. Leaning forward, he extended his leg under the table, aiming a calculated kick at her feet.

Their eyes locked in a silent duel, a battle of wills and wit. Miro's gaze lingered on Lady Ryu, a mix of irritation and begrudging admiration simmering beneath the surface.

@✿ song jinye The air, as she rushed to his side, enveloping him in a tight embrace, felt cold and heady, like when one’s back bowed as they soared through the sky, carrying the echoes of laughter of others, on the swing everyone had played at least once in the town square. Memories flooded Insoo’s mind as she held him close, his heart aching with longing.

He missed her. He longed for her dearly. Jinye still felt as warm and small as he remembered. Insoo closed his eyes for a second, allowing himself to feel her hair against the skin on his face, the delicate fragrance that he remembered her by lingered in the air before raising his arms to wrap them around her.

And just like the levitating emotions he felt as he swung high up in the sky, heaviness spread in his chest as gravity set in, the swing swaying back at the pull of the world and Insoo’s thoughts dimmed back to the part of their relationship where they were no longer promised for one another, of their broken promises and shattered dreams.

His outward hands fell back to his side and his head turned.

“We did not come here to do this, Lady Song.” He finally spoke after a shuddering inhale of a breath, his voice strained with suppressed emotions. Insoo stretched his hands outward once more, only this time, to push her away as the fabrics of their clothes pressed and rubbed against one another, Insoo couldn't help but reflect on the stark contrast between their lives, the softness and luxury of her garments contrasting sharply with his own humble attire. Perhaps if he had noticed this when they had first met, they would not have stood where they stood, and he wouldn’t have made her beg to a mere commoner like him.

Taking a few steps back, he distanced himself, a mirror of the time after he told her what had happened while she was preparing for their wedding. "Please, Lady Song," his voice softened, tinged with regret, "return inside. It is not safe for you to be seen here, especially in my company."

Insoo turned away, unable to bear the weight of her gaze. "I would not wish to cause you further harm," he murmured, his words heavy with remorse, his gaze fixed on the ground below.

@✾ tsukino sayuri Hanami listened intently as her cousin approached, "Sayuri-chan!" her bright eyes reflecting the mingled emotions of curiosity and concern that danced within her heart. She watched as Sayuri hesitated, her words cautious and uncertain, yet tinged with a quiet determination that spoke volumes about her inner strength.

When Sayuri addressed her as "Hanami-gozen," a respectful term befitting her status as both a samurai and a member of their esteemed clan, Hanami felt a swell of pride within her chest. Despite the differences in their upbringing and experiences, she felt a deep kinship with her cousin, a bond forged by blood and shared heritage.

"Of course, Sayuri," Hanami replied with a warm smile, her voice gentle and reassuring. "I am here for you, always." With a nod of agreement, she followed Sayuri to a secluded corner of the gardens, where the sounds of the bustling wedding festivities faded into the distance, leaving only the rustle of leaves and the gentle whisper of the wind.

As Sayuri sank into a nearby chair, her shoulders slumping with the weight of her worries, Hanami's heart went out to her. She could sense the turmoil that churned beneath her cousin's composed exterior, the uncertainty and fear that lurked just beneath the surface.

"I understand, Sayuri," Hanami said softly, her gaze softening with empathy. "The unfamiliarity of foreign lands can be daunting, even for the bravest of souls. You are not alone in your apprehension." She reached out a hand, placing it gently upon Sayuri's shoulder in a gesture of comfort and solidarity.

For a few moments, they sat in companionable silence, the only sound the soft rustle of leaves overhead. Then, Sayuri turned to Hanami, her eyes searching for answers to questions left unspoken.

Hanami paused, her mind racing as she considered the question. In all her years as a samurai, she had forged countless bonds with her fellow warriors, comrades who had stood by her side through thick and thin. But friends outside of the battlefield? That was a different matter entirely.

"I... I suppose not," Hanami admitted, her voice tinged with a touch of wistfulness. "I have my comrades, my brothers and sisters in arms, but beyond that... I have never given much thought to friendship outside of duty." She offered Sayuri a small, apologetic smile. "But perhaps that is something I should remedy."

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@✾ inazuma hanami Bright eyes had looked out to the spectacle before her, a beautiful wedding with beautiful hanboks and silks made fluttering about like butterflies surrounding vibrant flowers. Sayuri had found herself entranced with the look, the desire to touch the fabrics, yet had kept her distance. The language of Joseon— while Sayuri could have many conversations in it, she had come to know that her usage of it was... Off-putting, to most. Not that her Japanese was much better.

So, she had stayed mostly off to the side. Her companions, gruff men her father had hired for her as she settled in, and her cousin Hanami's company, had scared off a few of the surrounding people attending the affair. It made her look to her surrounding company and sigh. She had only come here in hopes of making friends, particularly women, yet she probably looked like a foreign caged bird as she always did, even in her homelands. Maybe she could give her company the slip.

Yet, Sayuri worried for her safety. This was a foreign land, and she little to no one at this wedding.

Rising from her seat, she approached the company surrounding her cousin. She looked to the one in the middle, overseeing them all, despite her smaller stature similar to that of Sayuri's.

"Hanami-gozen," Sayuri spoke, unsure of how to address her own flesh and blood. "I humbly request a moment of your time, may you follow me? I wish for us to be... Alone." She looked to the gatherings of food in Hanami's hands, and in , and smiled a little. Despite the intimidating look in her eyes, Hanami was still a girl like Sayuri.

Leading Hanami to a more secure, and quiet, area, Sayuri sighed. There were no one around them in this part of the gardens, and she rested upon a chair and slumped. "I apologize for taking you away from the party. I wish to be by myself, yet, the foreign lands still frighten me, ever so slightly. I just wish to take a moment to let myself breathe, if you would." Sayuri didn't speak for a few moments, but then, she turned to Hanami and eyed her. "Do you have any friends, Hanami-gozen?"

@✿ go miro “And if I am?” Yeonhwa retorts cheekily, her tone laced with playful defiance, and a hint of challenge gleaming in her eyes as she meets his gaze with an eyebrow arched in a taunting manner.

She had known that Miro had leaned in closer, but she did not realize by how much exactly until that moment as she took in the distance between their faces. While there had been a good amount of inches between them, the distance could hardly be considered proper considering they were in public and not wed. Taking a step back to create a more respectable distance between them, the marchioness clears before she continues her rebuttal.

“While you may be familiar with such actions, my lord,” she begins, her voice firm yet tinged with amusement, “I must remind you that the rest of the Ton is not. Kissing in broad daylight in front of such a large crowd of people is practically unheard of in our kingdom, even at celebrations of love such as this one.” Her disapproving cluck directed at him carries a hint of mock reproach, her lips twitching with suppressed laughter as she turns her attention back to the newlyweds.

A mischievous twinkle danced in her eyes and she couldn’t resist one last jest. “Unless of course, this is what you were expecting in the future?”

@✿ ryu yeonhwa As her words struck him, he recoiled faster than any ordinary man might, his senses suddenly hyper-aware of every nuance surrounding them. The accusatory tone, the hint of pride in her stance—each detail, from the gentle caress of sunlight on her cheek to the way it illuminated her eyes, seemed to cast a shadow over the moment. “Sometimes,” he continued, his voice a delicate thread of uncertainty, “I wonder if this is just how you are with me, or if it's always been your true nature beneath the veneer of politeness taught by your parents.”

Shaking off the weight of her words, he forced his attention back to the couple, joining in the applause that filled the air. Yet, beneath the surface, his thoughts churned, unable to shake the lingering echo of her accusation. It was only when her voice once again pierced through his reverie, accompanied by the telltale flush of her cheeks, that he realized she was addressing him directly.

Leaning in, he tilted his head, a small smirk playing at the corners of his lips as he studied her with amusement. “Are you blushing because of a simple display of affection?” he teased, his voice laced with playful incredulity. “Surely, you've witnessed such acts of love before. Or is it perhaps something else that stirs such a reaction within you?” His tone was light, yet beneath it lay a hint of challenge, a silent invitation to delve deeper into the complexities of their dynamic.

@✿ cha kiwoon Soo kept her eyes away from Kiwoon, "Stop. Calling me Myeong." She warned him, "That's no longer my name." And reminded him as she crossed her arms. "You do not owe me anything, since you are too arrogant to realize what I have done for you." When she sees a glimpse of black cloth, she knew she's being watched by her former allies. "I have come here to give you a parting gift... for your wedding." Then she turns her back on him, "I'm leaving it to you now, I'm no longer an assassin." Then she tilted her head towards Kiwoon, "Congratulations and..." Her feelings swelling up and she closed her eyes, knowing this will be the final time they will interact with each other. "Farewell... Kiwoon." And she silently walked away, leaving no footsteps, nor traces of her. However, she left a gift for him, her sword, forged by the assassins. It was leaned against the wall, just beside Kiwoon. With a note written like a child, since Soo has never wrote anything since she was a child:

"Keep this, forge it into a new one, as a gift from no one." - Soo

@✾ tsukino sayuri As the invitation from the high-ranking families of Joseon arrived, Inazuma Hanami found herself torn between her soldiers' caution and her own insatiable curiosity. Despite their warnings, her desire to experience the flavors of a foreign land outweighed any concerns for her safety. With a bright smile and a twinkle in her eye, she accepted the invitation, determined to savor every moment of this new adventure.

Accompanied by her two most trusted subordinates, Hanami made her way to the grand hall where the wedding festivities were being held. Clad in her own armor, she stood out amidst the sea of elegant silk and brocade, drawing curious glances from the assembled guests.

As they entered the hall, whispers rippled through the crowd, eyes turning to the trio of foreigners who had dared to grace the occasion with their presence. Hanami felt the weight of their stares upon her, but she refused to be intimidated. With a confident stride, she made her way towards the banquet table, her soldiers trailing behind her like loyal shadows.

"Captain, they're looking at us," one of her soldiers whispered anxiously in their native tongue, tugging at the hem of her sleeve. "We should go now," he insisted, his voice tinged with concern. But Hanami simply waved his worries away with a dismissive flick of her hand.

"No, no, no," she laughed heartily, her voice ringing out above the murmur of the crowd. "We just got here, and besides, I can't go out without my stomach full!" Her proclamation drew even more attention to their little group, curious gazes lingering on their unfamiliar faces.

Undeterred by the scrutiny, Hanami dove into the feast laid out before them, sampling delicacies she had never dreamed of tasting before. Each dish was a symphony of flavors, a tantalizing blend of spices and textures that danced upon her palate like a well-choreographed performance.

As she indulged in the culinary delights of Joseon, Hanami couldn't help but wonder if her cousin, who had been stationed in the region for some time, might be among the guests. She scanned the crowd eagerly, her eyes darting from face to face in search of a familiar figure amidst the sea of strangers.

But even as she searched, Hanami remained fully present in the moment, savoring every bite and every sip as if it were her last. For in that moment, surrounded by the sights and sounds of a foreign land, she felt truly alive, her spirit soaring on the wings of adventure and discovery.

@❁ im insoo She had once believed that she could brave through anything and everything. But now, as she gazed up at the lonesome moon, the only single thought in her mind was that she wished she could turn back time and undo what had torn her away from Insoo. The weight of her father's decision had bore down on her, suffocating her with its grip. No matter how much she tried to fight against it with every fiber of her being, pleading and bargaining, in the end, she had been forced to accept this cruel and unfair reality.

Summer had gone by in the blink of an eye and the cool autumn breeze carried an air of melancholy, one that rattled Jinye’s heart the moment she saw Insoo. His presence was a bittersweet reminder of everything that was slipping through her hands, a painful recollection of the happiness they had shared that now was covered in the ache of longing and regret that she felt would never truly heal if she were to lose him forever.

But when he spoke, his voice gentle and filled with concern, she felt all of her resolve crumble like sand beneath a wave.

Helplessly, the tears that welled in her eyes began to fall uncontrollably. She could not meet his gaze, afraid that she would find herself lost in his honeyed orbs like that familiar summer ago where her hand had found his, where their steps had synchronized beneath the glowing dusk, where she had unknowingly fallen in love with the man before her as if she had known him from centuries ago in another realm.

But after weeks of not seeing him, being in his presence threw out all the defenses she had built around her heart. His concern, his kindness, his mere existence made her vulnerable and it reopened the wounds she had tried so hard to conceal. And though she should have known better, her impulsive reaction was to seek his embrace, as if holding him was the only remedy to the turmoil and destruction of her broken heart.

So, in a moment of desperation, before she could even process her actions, Jinye found herself leaping into Insoo's arms. She buried her face in the crook of his neck and let herself sink into his warmth. Momentarily, she felt whole again, as if the shattered pieces within her were slowly being stitched back together.

“Insoo,” her voice trembled as she wept, “I can’t do this anymore.” Her words hung in the air like a plea, a desperate cry for freedom from the chains that bound her. But even as she spoke, she knew that what she was doing wasn’t just defying her engagement or societal expectations; it was risking everything she had ever known, her reputation, her future, her very identity and also his.

Yet…

“Please Insoo,” she pleaded, knowing well that she wanted nothing more than him above everything else, “take me away.”

@❃ na soo the implications of their circumstances. Still, he wanted answers, so Kiwoon acted nonchalantly. He only turned his body away from her, leaning against the other side where the corner of the wall separated them. In others eyes, it did not look suspicious as she was hidden on the other side, and he looked to be observing the party in the distance. "Don't worry, Myeong," he said, "there will be no misunderstandings. You are here as my guest no matter what anyone will say." He crossed his arm, slightly tilting his head in her direction to speak. "Why did you come? I thought after our last encounter, you'd never want to face me again. I still owe you so much for what you did."

@✿ go miro this was the second wedding they had attended this year—the first one having been for the sake of yeonhwa's pseudo-sister figure and this one for the sake of miro's political obligations as a deputy minister—and it was proving to be quite the grand affair. the young lady had never seen such an extravagant wedding before nor one with so many western influences embedded within it and she found it all too fascinating.

but as much as she had tried to focus on the couple, the marchioness could not ignore the intensity and duration of miro's gaze that had seemed to settle on her. and so, without turning to look at him, she whispers just enough for the both of them to hear: "i know i am quite the vision and you find it hard to look away from me even for a moment, but it is a bit rude to not focus on the bride and groom during a moment that is supposed to be solely theirs. it could help us prepare for the future, my lord."

yet as soon as she says those words, the bride in question takes the liberty to lean upwards to place a tender kiss on the groom's lips in a public display of affection that takes the entire crowd aback. blood rushes to yeonhwa's cheeks and she stutters out a quick "or not. definitely not."