TO EACH, THEIR OWN ྅ྀུ𖹭.⠀
chapter: 02/(??) // masterlist ˚⋆𖧷₊˚
warning: none? majority is proofread // mature themes will be explored in later chapters.
summary: royalty au w/ emperor!jinwoo x fem reader
The trip was smooth, to say the least. The passing of bystanders, open fields, and vast amounts of greenery gave you a taste of the Empire from a different perspective. It was harmonious, but specs of restlessness still lingered. If you removed the fact that you were being taken to emperor, you would have considered sightseeing, but since that wasn't your reality, the urge to escape still remained. The carriage soon rode into a more isolated path. It didn't take long to see towering trees standing on both sides. Was this a secret path to the Palace? The emperor must be rather paranoid or really cautious to force and mend his own path through Ahjin. No matter, it only made things easier for you anyway. If this path was untouched by the public, that means your place marks were less likely to be tampered with. While on the ship, you took a couple of decorated stones that soiled a potted plant by the deck. Their altered appearance made them stand out easily, perfect to see within a uniform area. However, you could only hide so many under your dress. It would be best to be precise on where to throw them. If things went south in the end, you weren't planning to be a sitting duck waiting to be beheaded.
Once, twice, and thrice— no three times, you tossed the stones out in sets of threes. Soon enough, a subtle glance from one of the soldiers had you fake yawning before closing the curtains of the carriage shut. The path was rather long and elaborate, each curve and turn set with intention. You only had a few more chances left before you would need to rely on your memory to find your way out in the future. While you were quietly plotting the greatest escape of the century, all the soldiers and the knight present were already aware of your actions. After you tossed your second batch of stones to the wind, it didn't take long for one to notify the rest using the shadow realm that they were all bound to communicate. Igris was often stationed at the border despite the area not fully being under the emperor's control. The original people there had bits of power to resist for now due to the former emperor's laws. However, his forces were undeniable, which allowed him to site stations there. So Igris was sent to guard and personally bring any guests of the emperor to him.
In all his years of serving his master, including the times he had to escort wealthy individuals who were invited to the palace or the "gifts" of women sent from their own lands (against/according to their own will) to try and secure that ever vacant spot as empress, he's never seen someone try to mark out the lands with... decorative rocks. He's not sure if he should consider you brave for being so obvious with your methods or careless with your life.
Marshal, do we intervene and act accordingly? Its clear she is trying to mark the path as a potential escape route.
However, also among all those years, he has never seen someone trying to preserve their future so cowardly? Many have been foolish with their methods to try and outsmart the emperor and have inevitably met their end. Most sent here chose to face everything head on. The emperor was still fairly young for his position, so what was there to be afraid of? A statement that encourages their path towards death each time. However, it seems you would flee the moment before Jinwoo could even raise his hand. It was a new and somewhat intriguing difference.
Leave her be, even if she does try to escape. She would need much more than just rocks to escape death itself.
The soldiers were dead silent for most of the ride, with Igris being the one to addressing your questions and requests. Though very limited with his speech, he was surprisingly willing to listen to most of them. With each step the horses took, the view of the Imperial palace seemed closer and closer until they eventually stopped by it's gates. It was almost downright gothic in architecture but constructed in a way that didn't make it look like haunted castle. It was rather beautiful, actually. Large gardens and cultural pieces made it all the more royal. While lost in thought, you flinched when the carriage door was suddenly swung open. You really needed to work on being less skittish. A bashful smile lifted the corners of your lips as you accepted the hand that offered to help you out.
The palace alone could fit at least 3 copies of Hollowcrest manor inside. You truly wondered what someone could need so much space for. A display of wealth, perhaps. It was well guarded, and a couple of ladders would be needed to even get over the gate alone. The mentioned gate soon opened, giving you a better view of the inside. A couple of servants make their way towards you. You blinked, feeling Igris stand beside you.
"His Majesty is currently occupied with a matter of importance. Please follow the servants to your designated room and wait for his word."
With that, he went his own way with the soldiers that escorted you as well.
He's probably heading back to the border.
It's likely something is of dire importance back there. You brush it off, turn your gaze back to the servants, all of them already ushering you inside as some carried your belongings...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
That you apparently didn't need? Once inside, you were asked to set aside the items you viewed as "irreplaceable". From your perspective, that was basically everything because you couldn't afford any of it to begin with. However, with Elowyn's personality in mind, you should most likely try to make a few objects seem more sentimental than they actually were. They respected that, casting them aside before taking everything else. You blinked. Something was terribly off. With an anxious heart, you followed behind them. Quiet with your steps since they told you not to leave the room until the emperor says otherwise. You peeped from behind the corner of a wall. They all seemed to enter an empty room with... oil? Tossing all your belongings into the center, drenching all the fabrics and expensive craftsmanship in the liquid. The servants involved not cracking a single smile as if this was a very serious matter. Once you realized what was about to happen, it was already a second too late. A lit torch was tossed into the pile, setting everything aflame. Why were they burning your stuff!? Well, the stuff the Hollowcrests gave you to make your cover more believeable. Your brows furrowed. An impulsive move to confront them, causing you to take a mistep. Making you trip and collapse to the floor. However, even this didn't deter your plans. Alerting the servants present.
"Why did you set my stuff on fire, Do you know how much all that costs!?"
Confusion and anger were evident in your voice. You were planning to sell all that stuff off later on. The servants paused, looking amongst themselves at your outburst. Some didn't even bat an eye while others didn't expect such behavior.
"His Majesty does not wish for possessions of Lord Hollowcrest to dwell within his palace. All the items you need are already in your room, Miss."
You were dumbfounded, your eyes still on the tamed flame burning in front of you as you stood upright once more. Did Emperor Sung really hate the Duke that much? First, it was his guards and now his daughter's belongings. If you had known you would've kept the pricier stuff instead. A sigh left your lips. How were you supposed to get closer to the emperor if he hated Elowyn's father so much? Would he even look your way?
"Please take no offense, his highness ordered us to take the necessary precautions needed. I'll escort you back to your room. This way, please."
You pursed your lips. There wasn't an ounce of sincerity in his words, but at the same time, you could appreciate the constant slander of the Duke. There was a common enemy at play now. You were led back to your room, indeed stocked with new stuff for you to use. A large chandelier lit up the place as it hung from the center of it all. A spacious queen sized bed with a vanity on the opposite side of the room by the windows. You assumed those doors led to a bathroom with a closet seated comfortably next to it. It was a room fit for a noble woman. However, it was all just a pretty cage with all the stuff outside of it. The windows were barricaded with enchanted bars as well as the entrance to the balcony. Seems they had quite the sorceror at their disposal to set them up. It was a bit much, even you weren't sure you were brave enough to jump down from the 3rd floor just to escape. Was this flattery to your intellect or blatant paranoia? The servant bowed, shutting the door before you could utter another word. It seems they could only do so much for your sake... or simply didn't care for you. At least they didn't hide their true colors. You mutter a few curses under your breath before turning away from the door, stopping by the mirror to assess your current state. You still look presentable, but the efforts of travel were noticeable. Should you wash up and change? It's not like you knew if you were going to be called within a couple of hours or weeks.
"Might as well familiarize myself with this place."
"My liege, it's been over a week since she has entered our borders. Have you truly forgotten, or is this all intentional?"
"Who are you talking about, Beru..."
"The lady that duke sent as a debt payment."
"Ellen?"
"That's not even close to her name, My liege."
Within the spacious walls of the palace at the opposite end, Jinwoo could be seen in his war room. Standing in front of a massive table with the entirety of South Korea on it. Miniature models of towers and buildings were standing in their respective places. Symbolizing different fractions, notable noble familes, oppositions, other empires, kingdoms, and where his shadow soldiers were stationed. Not much could be read from his face, but the motions his hands made showed he was taking it very seriously. Knocking down pieces like it was a simple game of chess. He was still somewhat listening to what the ant had to say, just not entirely. Jinwoo knew you were here, though he didn't bother to summon you just yet. Even with his 5 year-long reputation as an emperor, having people sent to him as gifts or debt payments was no longer surprising. Deep down, he never really appreciated them, but the game of power was a cruel one. One wrong decision is all it took to roll a ball into an enemy's court. He's been seduced, tricked, and has had several attempts on his life. All for the masterminds behind these schemes to fail each time and suffer the consequences. He recognized a pattern in these things that he didn't bother to interpret anymore. He had better things to do after all. The faint thud of another piece echoed as he tested the possibilities of another strategy. The ant running out of ideas to get the man to react accordingly.
"Her name isn't important. She's tried to escape a few times."
"Mhm..."
"The servants were forced to bind her ankles to prevent future attempts!"
"Hmm."
"Is it not of concern that she could be a mole the Duke is using to get to you?"
He sighed, lifting his head before swatting the ant's manifestation off his shoulder. Causing Beru to land on the table abruptly. His gaze landed in his direction, steadied as a piece danced between his fingertips.
"Do you truly think they could outsmart me? She's isolated in place with no connections, resources of her own, or power. Even if she does try something, it's just another reason to dispose of her and her father."
The smoothness of his voice was almost enough to hide the severity of his words. A screech coming from the ant as he was backed into a conversational corner. Jinwoo's stance seemed as if he gave him permission to go on, but his eyes told a completely different tale. Silence.
"But, my liege—"
"But nothing, Beru. Your voice is giving me a headache, leave."
The piece came crashing down on the manifestion before he could say another word. The black wisps fading away at the forcful removal. An unsatisfied sigh leaving his lips before pushing his hair back. Abandoning the strategy table completely. He took a couple of steps forward, seamlessly shadow exchanging to his throne room in a matter of seconds. One leg raised after the other as he climbed up the flight of stairs to reach where his throne rested. Unlike his expression, his mind wasn't stationary. The thought of her did appear here and there. It had been months since the duke offered his daughter to settle his debt with him accepting reluctantly because it did align with the terms he set back then. Regardless, his daggers itched to punture several holes into that bastard's body. He didn't know what to do with her now that she was within his property. However, he did find your behavior to be an outlier within his expectations. From his knowledge, it seems you were trying to cover ground elsewhere instead of here. An unpredicted but not a new approach. Oftentimes, people would be quick to find a weakness in order to take advantage of the one being preyed upon. The only thing he knows of is how much trouble she has caused his staff instead of him. He was somewhat grateful for that. Killing her immediately would toss away the leash he now has on the duke while acknowledging her could grant her a leverage somewhere. How tedious. He'll get back to it later. As of late, gaining better control over Ahjin without brute force held priority. The influence of the former emperor was still present and as irritating as ever. He wanted it squashed dead as soon as possible. Like a bug under his shoe.
Another day was coming to a close, the dial of the clock ticking louder and more persistently than usual. Maybe it was just your imagination playing tricks on you. It was still you, the 4 walls boxing you in, and a new set of enchanted binds around your ankles. Only allowing room to walk around and were dainty enough to be hidden under some of your dresses. You tried your luck quite often during your stay here. Testing how barricaded the palace was from within. You swore most of the staff here were trained in areas that were far from needed to complete their daily tasks.
On day 2 of your stay, you tried simply walking out of the place just to be escorted back inside. On day 6, you tried moving with the schedules of the staff in mind, using their breaks and blindspots to your advantage. It got you to the Imperial Garden before being spotted and reported by a new recruit. On day 11, you were caught trying to climb over the fence just to be carried back to your room. You may be cosplaying as a noble woman, but you weren't raised like one. So why should you sit around and pretend you couldn't be killed. With Duke Hollowcrest's past actions here, even those outside the palace's affairs could strike at any moment in an act of revenge. All because you were associated with him as his daughter. Even if such wealth and influence surrounded you from birth, what was the point if you couldn't do whatever you liked without indirectly bringing shaming to your family's name. Like an iron stamp branding flesh that belonged. Whatever you did would somehow represent your family, regardless if the matter was big or small. You couldn't fathom living with such a burden for the rest of your life. An example was currently playing out right before your eyes. Most of the staff probably thought Elowyn came from a disfunctional noble household. Did you care? Not at all! You didn't care about the little things like nobles did. Plucking out leaves from your hair after another failed escape.
"Might as well bathe, how am i going to achieve that with restricted ankles..."
A sudden knock appeared at the door, unexpectedly interrupting your trail of thought. What would they want at this hour? Or were they still suspicious of your behavior. You muttered a quiet "come in". The doors opening to reveal a butler and a few maids behind him.
"Good evening, Miss Elowyn. His Majesty requests an audience with you."
You simply blinked, looking at the clock as it was just seconds away from striking 8:15 pm. Surely, this had to be a joke. Why is he seeking you out 2 weeks, 1 day, 20 hours, and 15 minutes after you arrived. However, the emperor's word was law, regardless of which nation he ruled over. A demand and not just a dismissable request. So, for the sake of keeping your head attached to your body, you nodded. A swarm of maids entering to fix you up in record time. Surely they will remove the binds as well? Right?
@feizon