The Seorak banquet was more spectacular than that of any other. There was a terrible smell of oil. The sound of wind as music made my ears hurt, and I felt blinded by people's accessories shining in the sun.
Among them, my high-quality peony embroidered red silk dress was the prettiest. The skirt was filled with so many layers it made it difficult to even breathe a smallest breathe. My hair is in a up-do and my makeup is so thick my nose could smell it. I sighed.
“Miss Sanya, you will become His Majesty’s concubine, and you should show some reverence.”
Yeah. I will become the Emperor’s concubine today, maybe you shouldn’t act so cheeky with me; all I did was sigh. You sound like a hot iced Americano. (lol this is direct translation) But instead of saying that, I sighed again because the reality I’m facing is still awkward to me.
Sanya Yeoran. The youngest daughter of the Yeoran family, who is now eight and a married child who is like being sold to be the Emperor’s concubine. While also being a supporting role in a reverse harem novel. The child was given the order to be ‘killed’. And now that child is me. The third sigh came out of my mouth.
There is a Harlem novel. The content wasn’t any special. The emperor was the female lead with her concubines who were the male leads (the emperor is a woman). The novel highlighted the male characters political fights and the indifferent female characters with no emotional changes. But, there was a supporting role in the novel that appeared several times in the middle.
Sanya. She is the child who did not even receive the royal family’s name and was one of the few imperial women concubines. She was young and clever, but thirsty for affection. She clung to the emperor who was kind to her, and to gain the emperor’s attention, she would become pitiful, intelligent, and occasionally play tricks. The only problem was her behavior.
Her behavior took the emperor's attention away from the male leads, who were also much smarter than a eight-year old. Eventually, Sanya committed treason and was executed at the age of twelve. The readers who read the novel didn’t pay much attention to her. She was a supporting role that passed by for a short time and also have gotten tired of her defeat later on in the novel. And so was I.
If only had I not possess Sanya in this novel. But why her? I was very confused and sorry. When she died in the novel, one of the male leads, Miri-na (it might be inaccurate) came to my mind. If the story goes like the original, in four years, I will die. I trembled just by the thought of that.
“Raise your head.”
Then a voice subdued with dignity rang through the banquet hall. At that moment, the music and laughter that flowed through the venue stopped. I raised my head gently, and were met with cool gray-green eyes. A black-haired woman sat on the throne at the platform. The golden robes and the crown are brilliant.
Yehwa Aryun. The emperor of this country and the female lead of this novel. I watched as her eyes grew bigger. Now she will get up and come towards me. My prediction was not wrong at all. The emperor, who then immediately rose from her seat, strode down the high stairs. The male lead concubines who were by her side tried stopping her, but to no avail. Once the emperor reached me, she knelt down. It was a act of trying to match my eye level, but the fact that the emperor knelt down caused a disturbance at once.
“Your Majesty!”
“How old are you?” She ignored the startled response and asked me.
I politely bowed my head and answered, “My eight-year-old birthday passed last month.” Actually, I’m way over 20.
“How…”
I heard the sound of teeth grinding. I understood the embarrassment in her mind. Yeah, you knew there was a female concubine coming, but she’s only eight-years old. You didn’t know that.
Sanya’s family, the Yeoran, was one of the seven founding families of the country. The seven families, who were blessed by dragons and came down with strong blood ties, were at the peak of power, and enjoyed a lot of things as a result. But of course, they also have to fulfill their duties. One of them was when a new emperor were to be crowned, they had to offer the new emperor a concubine, they could be twelve or a hundred. It was quite a waste for them to offer their children to other aristocrats in marriage. Of course, their outstanding appearance could have caught the emperor’s eyes and made them the father of Crown Prince or put their child in as a spy, but this possibility is usually zero. In a way, it was also natural.
Just as the supporting character Sanya died by confronting the male leads, the emperor and her concubines were still loved by everyone. The concubines who fell in love with the emperor were the people to be used, so each family would hate to offer a concubine. This time, the head of the Yeoran family also thought the same. So he tried to bring the weakest child in the palace, it was either a blessing or a curse.
Funnily, the problem was that there were no children with weak skills in this generation of leisure. So he (the father) found a young illegitimate child that he had forgotten who looked exactly like him, but had no talent. He then proceeds to have Kiyun Yeoran send Sanya to the imperial palace and she offered her youngest daughter and squeezed out a few fake tears.
Even then, the emperor, who was displeased with the food that was given to her could not help but realize that the concubine of the Yeoran family is only eight-years old.
“Get up.”
After a moment of thought, I looked up again at the emperor’s voice. Her eyes were mixed with embarrassment, pity, and sorry. It was a very valid response.
I have been sitting in this uncomfortable wedding outfit for two hours now. I was knelling in the middle of the banquet hall when she said I was young. I was in a situation where I could feel her awkward embarrassment. Of course, an ordinary emperor would not have cared about weather I was young or not, but all the emperors here were full of mortality, and so was Yewha Aryun. She hates people who goes against orders. But it did not apply to children. I didn’t have any complaints against her words, I was going to get up.
“…Woah.”
As soon as I got up, my body shook. It might be because my legs were numb after sitting down for a long time. No, to be honest, my legs are numb. Thanks to that, I was building a fragile image of myself. I tried to support my body as much as I could by biting my lips in dismay, but unfortunately, it was for my body to collapse and for the emperor to hold me.
“Are you alright?”
Oh shit. I looked at the emperor’s eyes, which grew bigger with surprise and cursed myself. Anyone could see the feeling from her eye were favorable. I then glanced at the concubines behind the emperor and met all eyes at once.
Once again, the genre of this novel was devastating. The female lead wasn't particularly interesting, but it was due to the crazy obsession of the men. Sanya, who I am in the body of, had been killed while trying to win the emperor’s favor. I just need to stay out of the emperor’s sight as much as I can. But I really couldn’t help it just now. There is no strength in my legs and I can’t feel them, because of that, I was honored to be a person who was assisted by the emperor and to be noticed by her majesty.
“…I will send a court to your palace.” In the midst of all this, her majesty said this.
I really didn’t appreciate the favor and I wanted to cry. Can’t she take care of her concubines who’s stares behind her are looking as if they could kill me now? But I can’t say that to the emperor’s face, so I just smiled and carefully took my hand out of her arm.
“It’s alright. I just stumbled.” That was a lie, I’m not okay at all. My legs felt numb earlier, but now my whole body feels numb. I will definitely be walking like a wooden doll later. My answer was perfect, but the emperor hesitated. She couldn’t seem to let go of the mistake.
“…Go back to the palace. I won’t make this a problem.” I want to curse myself again. I won’t let her do anymore favors towards me. No one would believe it, but today’s main characters were her majesty and I. Anyways, it’s a wedding banquet and I was completely ignored. No, it wasn’t ignoring, it was insulting. My legs hurt a little, but it didn’t matter to me. It was rather sweet, if I disappear from her memory, Namju wouldn’t care about me either. However, I knew the emperor would ask me to raise my head to judge me and then feel guilty after finding out I was a child.
Sanya in the original novel shed tears, emphasizing her vulnerability. Later at night, the emperor felt guilty and visited her place to apologize to the child, who had nightmares. When Sanya asked to be protected, the emperor stayed overnight, patted her. Of course, the male leads couldn’t leave this matter alone. They began to check on her, and Sanya made it public that she’s taking the emperor’s attention away from them. It was the beginning of a catastrophe. Well then, why does her majesty’s degree on me matter? As I said, today was my wedding banquet.
As the protagonist, the emperor did a favor in that position and it should remain that way until the end. It meant that she could favor me too. No, that means I have gained favor in the shortest amount of time because no concubine has ever been noticed by the emperor on their first day of marriage. As a result, the other concubines are very upset. This happened on the first day.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
I turned around after answering neatly without any more complaints. I hoped my squeaky steps will be hidden under the thick wedding gown so that the emperor will not help me even if I am embarrassed.
Sanya’s ending was premature, and now I am her. I chewed on that fact again.
What is this…
I really am cursed.
Since yesterday was the wedding banquet, I’m staying in the palace today. And today is the second day I have been in this body, in other words, I started living as Sanya yesterday. When I opened my eyes, I was surprised that the whole place was gorgeous, and then my father, Kiyun Yeoran was threatening me with murder. I didn’t notice the cold look at the time, but now when I think about it, if I were kicked out of the palace, they would break me into pieces and feed it to the pigs.
Afterwards, I quickly left the banquet hall. There was no time to feel embarrassed. While I was sitting in the middle of the banquet hall and saw the emperor and her husband, I remembered the memories of Sanya in my head, and the information about the book that I read bolted from my mind. I don’t know who put me in this situation, but it was a quick process.
Anyways, I have one goal. That is, not to be seen as much as possible by the emperor and the concubines.
“…Ha-ha”
Is that even possible? I immediately crossed out that goal. Actually, I don’t know (wow so indecisive~). Yesterday’s events made the emperor feel sorry for me, and the concubines began to watch me. The emperor will sometimes care about Sanya, and the concubines’ eyes would turn upside down with jealousy.
After a moment of thought, I quickly concluded: let’s just act like a perfect child. Eat well, sleep well, plus, achievements were troublesome. For children who lack affection from others, they needed accomplishments in order to be praised. But what they didn’t know was the less they have, the less they’ll be looked at.
The emperor will still take care of me, but she would soon be relieved when she just sees me as a child. After that, I would be rolling around in this room since I’m stuck here for three days. If I hadn’t caught the emperor’s attention yesterday, I would have been living however I liked by slacking off and doing nothing, but it can’t be helped because I’ve already received attention. If I do that, the emperor will send a teacher right away and check my achievements once a day.
The imperial moral education was so thorough that it would be more accurate to call it brainwashing, and unfortunately, that means the emperor was an honor student. She (emperor) learned and practiced that the young and weak things should be taken care of. Although she was called a tyrant by her subordinates, it was due to the punishments she had to endure.
The concubines were as numerous as the previous emperors, but most of them were still there for political reasons. And one of them was me. Ha-ha. Note the past tense I used.
“…Lady, are you listening to me? Miss!”
A loud voice echoed in my ears. Only then did I frown and looked to my side. The maid, who had finally received my attention, huffed and rested her hand on her waist.
“Are you deaf? I’m talking!”
First of all, I intend to live an honor student’s life, but I also want to live quietly. I didn’t want to be seen with anyone because then it would just create more fuss, like a neighbor who’s never at their own home.
Quietly. Calmly. That was my goal. So we should deal with this dispute quietly, and calmly…
While I was still thinking about how to deal with her, she shook my hand again.
“Lady? Hello? Are you crazy?”
“That’s you.” I spoke out loudly.
What a bother. I have nothing to say even if my limbs are cut off. Ever since Sanya was young, she had always been cautious and could never learn what she wanted, so she was labeled as useless and everyone treated her badly. This maid was from the Yeoran family, so of course she wouldn’t be kind to me. This also wasn’t because Sanya was just an illegitimate child because even an illegitimate child should have the blood of this family. But of course, Sanya don’t have it (I’m guessing it’s talking about the dragon blood from the family). Thanks to that, Gaju (Sanya’s father) left the child unattended and others didn’t bother taking care of her. She was young and had no protection. Everyday people would use her as a target to harass her, and the maid in front of me now was one of those people. As soon as Sanya had become a concubine in the story, she (the maid) was beaten and driven out.
The concubines who noticed this told the emperor that Sanya had done this, and when she was confronted, she boldly revealed the truth loudly and it turned into an opportunity to gain the emperor’s favor.
I stared silently. Ignoring what I said, the maid flinched in my eyes. This response is expected since Sanya always stayed calm. It seems that I can’t be quiet, unlike the original Sanya.
“What is your name?”
“Oh? What are you going to do?”
The maid shouted as if it she was annoyed. I scratched my head a couple of times at her rebellious words.
“Yeah, I don’t need to know now. Just get out.”
“Lady!”
“Oh, not just this room, but the palace too.”
The maid then took offense at what I just said and her face turned red. My ears rang because of her screaming voice from earlier.
“I can’t get out! You don’t have the right to kick me out!”
I made a face at those words. What’s wrong with her head? Or does she have a black belly? (it means an evil person)
“I don’t think you realize this, but I’m her Majesty’s concubine.”
I think I am a kind person. I’m explaining it to her step-by-step. It was quiet for a moment, and she spoke again.
“Well, I am your maid!”
“Okay, does that mean I can report you as a spy then?”
“Yes, yes?”
Her face turned white. I sighed slowly while rubbing the table.
A month was long enough for the concubines to enter the imperial palace and fall in love with the emperor. Because of that, the concubines didn’t need to monitor whether or not there’s someone near them connected to their family, but it’s different from those who had just entered the palace. Those who can follow a concubine as a maid are only a small amount of people because the numbers are limited, as there was not enough room in the palace for court ladies. It is also known that the best court ladies were placed in consideration of the palace for those who are new and unfamiliar, and all noble family knew these court ladies are also for surveillance purposes. And it was obvious that it’s probably the same at where I’m staying.
That’s why the emperor was kind and cold. Therefore, whatever argument just happened could sound like treason. Of course, the interpretation of the situation can be stretched, but what can not be done in the imperial palace? If Kiyun Yeoran hadn’t had her eyes wide open, she would’ve been involved in treason. I’m just saying what I think.
“I deserve to be loyal to the royal family, and you’re openly saying that you’re going to side with me, one of the members of the royal family.”
“That means…”
“Then?”
When I asked her what I was saying, she looked so red and puffed that there was nothing else to say. I then turned my eyes to the door. I wanted to kick her out as soon as possible because someone will come by anytime now.
It’s about time you come.
The moment I stared at the door, I heard a voice of someone standing outside.
“I’m coming in.”
The door flew open without waiting for my answer. A man dressed in red silk walked in.
“I’ve never seen you before. I’m Jo Yoon.”
Cho: it was a title given to me by the emperor. There are no government posts for concubines, besides being one, there was little business going on between them and the emperor, so only a title was given. Among them, my title was Cho, it means to live quietly like a field of wild grass. I think it’s a desirable name. I don’t need flowers or stars, grass is better. The more I rolled my name in my mouth, the more I liked it, but it’s a pity that there’s no one I like in this room. The maid is still in my room and I breathed quietly. I wanted to kick her out before he came, but now it doesn’t matter because he’s already here.
I got up from my seat. The man was very tall, and when I looked up, I see a coy expression on his face. He seemed to have a lot to say with me as it was written on his overbearing face.
There was a scene like this in the original story, as it turns out Sanya cried and ran to the emperor on the first day using the concubines as excuses. The problem was that this was not the man who didn’t follow Sanya, who cried and ran to the emperor. Everything about him was different. Above all, that concubine’s name in the story was Garam, not Jo Yoon.
Who is Jo Yoon? I couldn’t remember his name.
“I have never seen you before. Forgive me, my name is Sanya.”
Even when I said hello, Jo Yoon didn’t show his face. It didn’t matter that he was an extra and didn’t even properly appear in the original, his position is stronger than mine now. But I still don’t know who he is.
“Isn’t it great her Majesty have seen you on the first day?”
Oh, that remark was surprising.
I thought he would speak in a more proper manner, but he spoke rather straightforwardly…
I didn’t know if he really wanted an answer, and I was waiting to see if he was going to say more, but there was silence.
“Everyone is in Her Majesty’s grace.”
I’m sure this isn’t the answer he wanted. Ha-ha. What’s good for me to see him?
“…Really?”
Jo Yoon was angry when he heard my correct response. What should I do? He looked very displeased as he stared at me. To be honest, I felt a cold sweat. I feel like he’s thinking about if he should to slap my left or right cheek.
“By the way, may I ask what’s going on all of a sudden?”
Jo Yoon definitely came to warn or threaten me. But he can’t walk away yet without giving me a warning at least. I noticed I was thinking about what to say next.
“It’s not a big deal. I was just teaching her as a superior.”
Fortunately, it was the right answer as Jo Yoon had his eyes wide open.
“The phrase, ‘Red Flower’, you should know it.” (It’s a poetic speech)
While saying that, Jo Yoon raised his eyebrows as if asking me for an answer again. If I answered that I don’t know what he’s talking about, then he would take me out immediately and complain to the emperor that the concubine sent from the Yeoran family is stupid.
“There are no red flowers that last for ten days. It is a famous phrase.”
“Yeah. That’s right. Red flowers don’t last for ten days, because they’ll become ugly and wither, just like humans…”
After saying that, Jo Yoon lowered his head and looked at me. His face darkened and his eyes were laughing at me.
“You will be plucked. The palace has no place for withered flowers.”
I almost gave him a round of applause after hearing his threat. Wow, so creepy, I am so scared. How long does the emperor’s love last…? I think I still remember the scene from the original. I’m fine, but this situation would be enough to make a child cry.
“I have received valuable instruction and I’ll keep that in mind.”
I bowed my head politely. He made a ‘tsk’ sound from his mouth and turned his head.
“It seems like you’re close with this maid, seeing she is in this room.”
My eyes widened at Jo Yoon’s words. If I were close to her, the sun may as well as rise from the west. It was normal for a friendly maid to serve at a nearby distance. But that cheeky girl didn’t listen to me when I told her to leave earlier. There’s no reason why I need to explain it in detail.
“Yes I am.”
“Hmm…”
Jo Yoon’s nasal voice rang in my ear and his face was very red. His mouth then quirked up; it was a smile that people would have on their face after having a good dream. His tone then changed at a flick of a switch and he said sweetly,
“I’m short-handed these days.”
I almost asked him ‘really?’ without realizing it. There were concubines who were hated by the emperor and some retired without holding any power, but no concubine were ever short-handed on staff. It is interesting, even if the concubine doesn’t have the royal family surname, they’re still spouses of the emperor. It’s ridiculous, but at the same time, I knew what he was talking about.
I glanced at the maid. She had a surprised look on her face while shaking her head. I saw her mouthing ‘no!’ and the corner of my mouth raised subtly.
“…That maid is good at her work. If you’re short-handed, would you like to take her then?”
Jo Yoon smiled widely and deliberately spoke in a trembling voice. I bit my lips to hold back my laughter as I saw the face of the desperate maid. You reap what you sow.
“Thank you for giving her to me.”
Jo Yoon looked at me with a smile on his face. She (the maid) looked like she wanted to stop Jo Yoon by grabbing the hem of his clothes. Of course, it’s his words in my place, but those same words would be twisted at his place. Well, what can I do? If she stayed or leave with him, the situation would be bad either way. Jo Yoon turned around without saying goodbye to me while I prepared to see him off. He clearly disregarded me, but I didn’t mind.
I thought Garam would show up, but at least Jo Yoon cleared the argument that was happening earlier. Garam was a difficult opponent to deal with, so I was quite nervous. But I was fortunate to have such a stupid concubine show up instead. It was perfect because I didn’t need to run to the emperor while crying.
I hope the maid leaves soon. Since it’s cloudy out, should I lie down and take a nap? I ignored the maid’s eyes which were looking at me angrily, then I heard footsteps outside that were getting closer. Who’s coming now? I hope it’s not the emperor.
“…Why is that here?”
At those words, I stopped moving. I opened my mouth wide when I see a red-haired man coming in with no time to answer. Well, this is unexpected.
***
Garam is at my palace, his foot is in my room. It was quite rude to refer to a human being like that, but fortunately, that question was directed towards Jo Yoon, as he pointed out that I, the owner of this palace, was here.
At those words, Jo Yoon shivered, and his face flushed, but he couldn’t stand up to Garam. It was obvious that Garam is stronger, he came from one of the families that were blessed by dragons.
There are other gods, or spirits, like the nine-tailed fox besides dragons in this world that can bless others. Because of that, there are other people with different abilities. The strongest power was the blessing of the dragons, and the strength was different according to the levels of power for the other gods or spirits. For example, the Yeoran family’s power is to lift anything without any limits, but the power of a small, unknown family can probably only lift seeds.
The classes were divided according to the abilities people have and how well they can utilize it. The stronger the family, the more powerful their ability will be. Garam is the son of the Ewha family, one of the seven founding families. And it was clear that Jo Yoon, could not stand up to him with his position. They think that I am too young to say anything and I would just cry.
After all, Jo Yoon couldn’t get angry with Garam. Instead, he turned his head towards me while his hands were shaking with anger.
“How rude!”
Uh. What the hell.
“I was here first, but I will see you again! Just because you’re young, it doesn’t mean that you can act foolish and be forgiven. Be careful!”
It was a clever way of blaming me, even though it was also to blame someone else in the room.
“Yes. I’m sorry.”
I bowed my head. I didn’t get slapped or had to kneel. Jo Yoon now looked even more angry after hearing my calm answer. This sight slowly made my eyes feel more relaxed. No matter what I say, I was too tired to deal with the reaction.
“Wow.”
It was then, Garam’s voice which was full of energy was heard.
“I have a bad brain so I don’t understand your sarcasm. What were you really thinking?”
I unknowingly made an expression on my face. In the original, Garam had a very hot tongue, and a lot of accidents happened because of his strong personality. Most of all, he was always beaten by Mirina through logic. Mirina pretends to be kind while exposing Garam’s stupidity to everyone, and thanks to that, Garam hated him because of the pitiful gaze that followed from the emperor. In the original, it was only described as a pathetic war between those two in front of the emperor… but I’m not so sure what happens behind the scenes.
Anyways, Garam was pretty stupid, so I don’t know if I can say that he’s defending me right now. Can’t you just live without saying anything wrong? Jo Yoon looked even more upset now, but he couldn’t say a word to Garam so he gave me a fierce look again.
“I can’t believe you insulted me. I’ll never let this go!”
There was no reason to understand that now. While I was thinking ‘yes’, Jo Yoon swung his arm gracefully, and as a result, I was hit in the face by his sleeve which shook me instantly.
…Damn this small body.
I let out a small breath as I watched Jo Yoon’s back figure spurring through the door with the maid following behind him. Aside from the shame of being hit in the face, it was difficult to say anything because he was frowning and cursing with his mouth.
I then turned around and made eye contact with Garam.
“…”
“…”
Download MangaToon APP on App Store and Google Play
