#rgtaemin

some days find her more sick than others, and today the ill feeling from the morning lasts into noon. her father had dropped by earlier, momentarily, apparently in court for a few more hours before he had to leave. he’d asked her the usual things: how has it been with the prince, how is the baby, how is she---in that order, apparently concerned with the prince’s feelings towards his wife who could now give him less pleasure than ever before. and she had assured him that all was well, that the prince did not think like that, and had appeared insulted with the lack of trust shown towards her.

and her father had left almost as quickly as he’d arrived, warning her to still be wary---wedding rings are only metal bands and marriages are only written contracts, and paper is so easily torn.

now she stares, from her bed, at the bowl of pretty purple grapes resting upon the table, a gift from the visitor before the one now sitting in her quarters. “they’re taking quite a while, aren’t they?” she sighs impatiently, stealing a glance at the door, “how difficult is it to prepare a bit of venison and bread.”

although her husband has repeatedly told her not to feel shameful, that it’s only natural, she still feels disgusted at herself for being such a pig. seolhyun wrinkles her nose in distaste at her own insatiable tastes, turning her attention back to her brother. 

There was no rules against it but she could tell from the stares she received that it was foreign to them. Seunghee paid them no mind, she was a princess, but it annoyed her that she would be judged for going out along strictly because she was a women and it just wasn’t what was done. There were couples all around her; lords with ladies on their arms like accessories had her turning away in a mix of indifference and well hidden jealousy. Seunghee was a newly turned woman and she didn’t need the judgement that came along at that age when she walked about alone. She was dressed to a tee, her outfit carefully chosen for the outing. Of course, her maids knew nothing of where she was going and how, but she gave them a nod in consent when offered the clothing.

It was with a great deal of stealth that Seunghee managed her way out into the Duur common area without any fishtailing guards to accompany her. The guards would be a dead giveaway when she really just wanted to blend in to some sort of extent. Her getaway may have been spurred by the fact that everyone else in her family was preoccupied with only Aeron exempt and she did not appreciate any possibility that she would be stuck in the same room as him; outside would be safer, more people and more places to hide from everyone else-- she needed a break. 

        (*) The Kingdom of Surya was a sight of much jubilation as it prepared for the Festival of the Leo. As one of the only three signs pertaining to the elemental power of Fire, the Suryans, both from nobility and the ordinary, had invested much in assuring the event’s complete success. The declared ceasefire had everyone feeling at ease even just for a short while and it was expected that everyone were to make the most out of the festivities. 

Hikari watched the palace servants scurry about with trunks and various sized luggage she was sure belonged to Suryan nobility-- hers and her siblings’ included. With their father bedridden, the Dragonborn children were to serve as the kingdom’s royal envoy to the Kingdom of Duur where the festival was to take place. However, with the constant threat of violent rebellious acts looming above their heads, the elders had decided it would be wiser -- and much safer -- for them to travel as one caravan, protected by only the best of Suryan military. 

“Princess Hikari?” Rousing from her thoughts, Hikari turned to face one of her ladies-in-waiting in response to her name being called. “We have all your things prepared, we must board the carriage now, your highness.” 

“Yes, of course.” was the princess’s reply as she followed them out to the courtyard where the carriages were waiting to take them to Duur. 

Expecting to be travelling alone as she had been used to, the sight of a male figure seated inside had Hikari pausing midstep. “Lord Taemin, what a surprise it is to find you here.” She greeted respectfully; surprised or not, a princess must never forget their manners. Gaining her reserve once more, she settled onto the cushioned bench across the Minister of Defense and then the carriage was off.