Rebirth of the Emperor's Betrayed Concubine
until the time was right
authornim
hi let's start it
Tae sat in the corner of her chamber, a soft cloth in her hands as she quietly worked on embroidery.
The pale light from the morning sun filtered through the window, casting soft shadows over her delicate features.
She appeared the same, outwardly docile and obedient. But inside, she was always thinking—always **planning**.
The door creaked open unexpectedly. Tae’s hands paused mid-motion, and her gaze lifted, but her expression remained unchanged.
Jungkook stepped in, looking as **commanding** as ever.
His gaze immediately fell on her, noting her quiet composure. For a moment, there was an uncomfortable silence between them—he was **assessing her**, as usual.
He finally spoke, his voice like the calm before a storm.
jeon jungkook
You don’t need to work so hard on that. The embroidery will be done for the next ceremony. You should be resting.
Tae’s eyes flickered briefly to the finished section of embroidery, a piece she had carefully crafted with her own hands.
The design was **exquisite**, yet it was only half of what was required for the royal feast. She knew that, but she also knew it would be **noticed**.
jeon taehyung (tae)
It is a small task, Your Majesty,
She replied, her voice soft yet clear.
jeon taehyung (tae)
I am not weary.
Her gaze lowered again, but this time, it wasn’t out of **respect** or **obedience**—it was a calculated move.
She needed to **play her part**, as she always had, but this time, she knew better than to speak out of turn.
Jungkook observed her, his eyes narrowing slightly as he crossed the room to where she sat.
His gaze was sharp, almost piercing, but Tae had learned how to **deflect** his scrutiny with a quiet, **submissive** demeanor.
jeon jungkook
It’s not about being weary, Tae. It’s about knowing your place,
Jungkook said, his voice a little colder than usual. There was a hint of something almost like **disappointment** in his tone.
jeon jungkook
I want you to understand that you are a concubine, not a servant.
Tae’s lips parted slightly at his words, and her heart tightened, but she quickly suppressed the feeling.
She had heard these words before in her past life, but now, they only fueled her resolve.
With a slow, controlled motion, she lowered her head further, just enough to show **humility**.
jeon taehyung (tae)
Of course, Your Majesty.
Her voice was almost a whisper, but it was **perfectly measured**.
Jungkook didn’t seem entirely satisfied.
He stepped closer, his shadow falling over her as he stood beside her, looking down at her.
She could feel the weight of his gaze, but she refused to meet it, choosing instead to focus on the task at hand—**playing her part**.
jeon jungkook
I don’t want you working yourself into the ground, Tae. It would be a shame to lose someone with your... beauty and grace to exhaustion.
The words struck her like a **sharp needle**.
Tae’s hand momentarily tightened around the cloth, her fingers stiffening before she relaxed them once more.
She knew better than to let **her emotions show**.
Her eyes remained on the embroidered fabric, her voice steady.
jeon taehyung (tae)
I will take care, Your Majesty. But I also want to do my part. I want to be useful to you.
The faintest trace of something almost **unreadable** passed across Jungkook’s face.
He didn’t seem entirely convinced, but his eyes lingered on her a moment longer than usual.
He repeated, almost as if tasting the word.
jeon jungkook
I see. Well, let’s hope you do. A concubine’s position is not as simple as it appears.
Tae remained silent, her heart steady.
jeon taehyung (tae)
I understand, Your Majesty.
It had been days since their last interaction, and now they were at the grand **feast** in honor of the emperor’s recent victory.
The **palace** was full of the usual suspects—noblemen, generals, and courtiers, all lined up in anticipation of the emperor’s speech.
Tae was sitting in her usual position, near the back of the concubines' section.
Her head was slightly tilted down, her expression calm and respectful, but her eyes were always watching.
She knew **Jungkook** would make his rounds, just as he had in her past life.
The **Empress Dowager** would be by his side, and the other concubines would be vying for his attention.
jeon taehyung (tae)
💭.Nothing had changed. But this time, I wasn’t the naïve girl I once was.
This time, she would **wait**.
She could feel **his gaze** before she even looked up.
Jungkook was making his way toward her, his presence as commanding as always.
As he passed, she subtly lifted her head and allowed her eyes to meet his—just briefly.
In the past, she had always looked away first, too nervous, too intimidated.
But this time, she held his gaze, her expression composed, unwavering.
He said, his voice low as he came closer, though he didn’t stop his progress.
The other concubines murmured quietly, clearly aware of the attention he was giving her.
He didn’t seem to notice, or perhaps he didn’t care.
jeon jungkook
You seem quiet tonight.
The words were so simple, but there was a **test** in them.
He was **probing** her, trying to see if there was anything different about her.
She could sense it. He didn’t trust her, not completely—not yet.
jeon taehyung (tae)
I was merely lost in thought, Your Majesty,
She replied, her voice serene and **measured**.
jeon taehyung (tae)
I’m sorry if I seem distant.
Jungkook watched her closely for a moment, his eyes searching.
There was something in his expression now—something almost like **suspicion**—but he didn’t press the matter further.
His gaze flickered to the others around her before moving on.
As he walked away, Tae let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
**The Emperor’s attention was fleeting**, but she would make it count.
Days passed, and they had their usual encounters—formal meetings, polite exchanges.
But nothing had changed between them. Jungkook was still the distant emperor, and Tae was still the **concubine**.
But she knew better than to think that would always be the case.
Then, one evening, as she walked through the palace garden to her private chambers, she felt the familiar presence of **Jungkook** approach her from behind.
He didn’t speak at first—just the soft echo of his footsteps, close but not too close.
When she reached the door to her chambers, he finally spoke, his voice softer than usual
Tae paused, not turning around immediately. She could sense the **quiet force** in his tone.
There was something different about him tonight, something more **introspective**.
She kept her face neutral as she slowly turned to meet his eyes.
jeon taehyung (tae)
Is something wrong, Your Majesty?
Jungkook’s gaze softened slightly, but the **coldness** still lingered in his eyes.
jeon jungkook
No. Nothing is wrong, Tae. But you’ve been quieter than usual. Is there something you’re not telling me?
jeon taehyung (tae)
💭.This is a test,
jeon taehyung (tae)
💭.He’s pushing me. Trying to see if I’ll break. If I’ll show any weakness.
She smiled, a small, **measured smile**, keeping the **fear** inside locked away.
jeon taehyung (tae)
No, Your Majesty. There’s nothing I’m hiding. I’ve just been thinking. The duties of the court can be... overwhelming at times.
He studied her for a long moment, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly.
jeon jungkook
💭.Overwhelming, huh?
He mused, more to himself than to her.
Then, after a pause, he nodded, as if coming to some conclusion.
jeon jungkook
I suppose that’s to be expected. I’ll leave you to your thoughts then.
Without another word, he turned and left, his figure fading into the distance.
Tae’s smile faded as soon as he was out of sight, her hands clenching by her sides.
The **uncertainty** in his eyes was telling her something—**he didn’t trust her yet**.
But she would use this to her advantage. She would remain **invisible**, **submissive**, and **unassuming**...
jeon taehyung (tae)
💭.until the time was right. .
authornim
today I am going back to my hostel
authornim
let's see if I can update more
Comments
This somehow made me cry
2025-01-13
2
Prava😺😺
by the way at which time tae has reborn why jk calling him concubine
2024-12-15
3
Kancherla Savitri Geetha
Thank u for update author
2024-11-09
1