MIDNIGHT SUN

princess yi saeyeon queen munjeong's eldest ( 25 )

[haesaeyeon]

daljaeshin:

(/ Even in their most indulging of moments, there’s never been the space to waste time. When every move is just another across the chessboard, the gears are constantly kept turning, their plans forever growing in magnitude. A step ahead by their book can only mean there’s a good ten or twenty in queue, in chronological, decisive formation ) “They have no idea what’s in store, then.” (/ No idea indeed. ) (/ Jaeshin makes his way to their bed in long strides, sits in such a way that her back is still to him ) (/ Their silhouettes are cast over the sheets, crisscrossed and softened at the edges ) (/ She’s something else entirely like this, draped in half light, half shadow, alluring all the same ) (/ Gently his fingers start tracing, from the back of her shoulder all the way to her nape, following the soft landscape of skin ) “You’re the only one I believe in without question.” (/ A pause. He finds the ornaments in her hair, one by one, pulls them out slow, watching as long, silky locks cascade down ) (/ In the end, it’ll always be them. In this life, the one before it and in the next. ) “In the end, we only have each other.”

“Like pigs to the slaughter.” (/ Her voice dissolves into the warm air as she feels the bed dip beneath his weight /) (/ Even the faintest caress elicits a flurry of emotions, with goosebumps erupting across her skin in a fluid wave /) (/ It's clear that time works in no one else's favor but theirs; where passion has a tendency to cool, theirs remains—steadfast and unaffected /) (/ The loyalty in her husband's statement is rewarded with an uncharacteristic giggle, subdued but piercing through the reigning quiet nonetheless. His close proximity—though not unfamiliar by any means—seems to harbor a latent motive beyond their usual bedtime routine, which she'll gladly welcome to dull the memories of the less-than-joyful wedding ceremony /) (/ As her eyes flutter closed from the relief, her fingers abandon undressing to glide through the obsidian tresses and massage the ache away /) (/ But it's his last confession that has Saeyeon meeting Jaeshin's gaze with bedroom eyes; that the simple yet heavy truth of it has desire bleeding into her self-control /) “Thank the gods you're all I'll ever need.” (/ She'd proudly declare him hers if the act weren't so unseemly of a lady, much less a royal. But even the gods know they couldn't keep the princess from her beloved /)

[lilpieceofmyworld]

[haesaeyeon]

                        “Because there was love and then there was you.”                                                                         — Lang Leav // Sea of Strangers

Princess Yi Saeyeon and Lord Kim Jaeshin — ( circa 1540 ) ⨟

[haesaeyeon]

S C R U T I N Y

@haesangwoon

The royal females, beginning with the Dowager Queen Mother, file out one by one from the Gyeonghoeru pavilion after the first round of the selection is complete. While trained in the art of masking one’s emotions, the second princess to exit the pavilion cannot help the annoyance darkening her face, lips pressed tight, brows furrowed as she follows her elders. Her expression snaps into a pleasant one, all nonchalance and restraint, when her mother looks back to dismiss the committee. Saeyeon bows low to excuse herself so that her mother and grandmother may discuss the candidates before making a beeline for a certain brother who’s been waiting for the procession to end. She finds him at the water’s edge on the other side of the garden, away from the group of noble ladies hoping to catch a glimpse of a prince - any prince - in their short visit.

She pays his servants ( standing a few meters behind him ) no mind as they bow low in greeting. “My dear brother, when did you get so tall?” Saeyeon sizes him briefly up and down, surprised the eighteen year old has already grown taller than her. But it’s a topic she dismisses in favor of the situation at hand. She shoos away their servants who disperse to allow the siblings to stroll leisurely through the vast palace grounds, arm in arm. Her voice stirs the hibiscus flowers, white and pink petals curling inward as though straining to hear what the two have to say. “Darling, tell me what you know about these girls. Any of them. They all seem to be your age.” After a while, they just start to blur together.

[helloiamperfectlyperfect]

Visit Original Link

[haesaeyeon]

OF MICE AND MEN

@haeyiwoon

Sunlight reflects across the soft ripples of the Hyangwonji pond water, its brilliant flashes of white gleaming in a rhythmic undulation. The incessant chirps of cicadas indicate the arrival of summer as they resound from the trees that line the surrounding landscape of the Gyeongbok palace grounds. But summertime isn’t the cause for the muted hustle and bustle ( footsteps are taken in much quicker succession, heads are tipped lower, gossip more controlled ); it’s the princess selection—one that is unnecessarily rushed in Saeyeon’s opinion. Duty binds her to a seat on the selection committee, though she offers little in way of words to anyone but her mother. And even then, the final decision comes down to the Queen whether or not the princess approves.

But the occasion warrants her reappearance within the towering walls, for which she is silently glad. It’s always crucial to maintain a watchful eye on the events unfolding in the palace and the selection gives reason for her to be present without loitering. Though it was once her home, now she remains a guest and even her time on the grounds is frustratingly limited with a different home to return to and manage. Her husband’s sizable estate may be fit for a royal, but she has her sights set on returning to the palace, permanently. The consequence of deciding on a crown princess is ultimately a setback to her reinstatement, but one she’s foreseen. And one she intends to negate.

Saeyeon, with two servants holding parasols, sits at the edge of the Hyangwonjeong pavilion situated at the center of the pond, enjoying an idle game of baduk with one of her ladies-in-waiting. One of her most treasured spots, the pavilion is a must with every visit where she takes in the atmosphere and observes palace life from a distance. When the tense peace in the air is disrupted by shuffling feet, the princess glances up to find a line of servants trailing after a lone male. The Crown Prince. Her brother. “Woon.” She calls out for him across the water, her voice clear and unwavering. Dominant, as with any older sibling addressing a younger. No more words are necessary—obligation will have him crossing the bridge to greet his elder.

[thequotejournals]

You’ll understand why storms are named after people.

F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Beautiful and Damned (via wordsnquotes)

[haesaeyeon]

(/ She perches at the foot of the bed, focused on undoing the ribbon of her own hanbok, just to keep herself from staring at exposed skin ) (/ Despite how well it holds together throughout the day, it never ceases to amaze her how easily the bow comes undone with a simple tug ) (/ Much like a certain princess in her husband’s presence ) (/ Saeyeon returns his gaze briefly as she loosens the swan white, silk top of her dress and shrugs it off her shoulders ) “As if I’d let them have all the fun.” (/ She folds it absently on her lap — the ivory a stark contrast to the deep purple of her skirt — before she looks back at him, the distinct amber of her eyes steady and earnest ) “It isn’t as though I trust anyone but you to follow through.” (/ And it’s true ) (/ Marriage was inevitable, especially considering their arrangement, but certainly not a necessity for her; at least not then ) (/ No one can deny his family’s legacy but in the end, it is Jaeshin who wins her over, not his surname. He — whose patience admittedly outweighs her long-standing skepticism, who defers to her vulnerability with surprising compassion — proves his value. Again and again ) (/ It goes without saying her devotion lies not with her or his families’ names, but solely with him ) (/ And that, perhaps, is what makes her more formidable than god )

[haesaeyeon]

daljaeshin:

(/ The initial uncertainty had been inevitable, to say at the very least: the walls held high on a thinly laid precipice, the state of knowing of each other—nothing more, nothing less ) (/ He likes to believe that all it took was time, the gradual balancing of scales to meet equilibrium ) (/ But to some degree, it’s a path paved by good fortune; it’s not everyday that lady luck looks upon one so favorably ) (/He takes her in gently, the tip of his nose brushing lightly against her hair ) (/ Her scent is familiar by now, faint and sweet. Like cool summer rain. Water lilies at midnight ) “There’s no harm done in being humble.” (/ A low hum in agreement ) “Quite unfortunate, really, how very little that’s understood.” (/ Jaeshin grins knowingly, but it’s the only silver lining to the far more serious, yet crucial, situation at hand) (/ Neither of them are strangers to the rules of survival—poised and privy to detail, always careful to watch each step) (/ Heaven knows it’s worse to even say too much than to say too little, let alone do. Again, it’s always been about timing) “Ignorance truly is bliss.”

(/ Few things bring her more pleasure than when she is tucked away in her husband’s embrace, giving herself up to her senses and putting her pensive mind at ease ) (/ It's the sight of him safe and content before her; the low sound of his breath in her ears, soothing as the rhythmic waves of rustling treetops; the weight of his touch, tender and solicitous in the privacy of their bedroom ) (/ In spite of the days that lack a sense of progress, so long as he's there to hold her by the end of it, she doesn't mind even the slow weeks — a trait so atypical of the princess from four years prior ) "Then I'm glad you are humble enough for the both of us." (/ He is both her reality and her fantasy, her rock and her escape, grounded in the privilege of his presence ) (/ She doesn't discount his statement, but her humility is reserved for when it suits her. Yi Saeyeon is raised on pride, and even his wisdom cannot break decades of tradition ) "And may the gods let them keep their ignorance." (/ She chuckles, pressing her lips to the base of his neck before pulling away to retrieve their sleepwear and let him finish changing ) (/ Her eyes sharp with acuity as she sets the white clothing on the foot of their bed ) "Blissful, blind lambs are easier to tempt than the likes of you or me."

[littlecloverstar]

[fageleh]

How you must have suffered getting accustomed to me, my savage, solitary soul, my name that sends them all running.

Pablo Neruda, Love Poem XIV (via josighah)

[haesaeyeon]

❝ Haven’t I met you before? ❞

“Lady Yeojin. It’s been quite a long while, hasn’t it? I heard about your husband and I haven’t even had the chance to offer my sincerest condolences.”

The princess dips her head sympathetically towards the elder. Despite the solemnity not quite reaching her eyes, the exchange still radiates more interest ( and perhaps, concern ) than any other in the evening thus far. Imagining the loss of her own husband is unbearable, but Saeyeon has always heard the noblewoman to be of a strong disposition.

She sips from her cup, turning back to the despondent crowd but for a moment. A wedding this miserable could only foreshadow a loveless marriage, but she certainly isn’t going to mention the possibility aloud. Though it doesn’t hurt to comment on the other guests in attendance.

“Everyone looks so awfully resigned.”

[haesaeyeon]

daljaeshin:

“And yet you do little to stop me.” (/ He tilts his head lazily, the warmth in his gaze palpable as he watches her undo the robe ) (/ The occasion had brought the standard play of smoke and mirrors; they’d done little to evade the illusion. The decadence of the wedding ceremony, the peals of hollow laughter, the white lies slipped beneath their tongues ) (/ But between them alone, it’d been nothing but the quiet unraveling of layers; at the pace of glances: obscured, skin bare, achingly overexposed ) (/ The confessions that would soon be poured over in the dark came at no surprise ) (/ Once perhaps it had frightened him: how much she knew of his vulnerabilities, how very little he understood them on his own ) (/ It’s then that he puts both his hands on her shoulders, as though to pull her close.) "I’ve only been able to read you as much as you’ve allowed me to.“ (/ After all, they’ve always worked at the pace of reciprocals; filling in, emptying out at even intervals: dawn to dusk, light and shadow. Variations of the same intent, of the same gravitas that keeps them anchored down, together )

(/ There is no point in denying the obvious. ) (/ She purses her lips, muted embarrassment lingering in her occupied fingertips as her skin flushes under the weight of his gaze and candlelight ) (/ Defense is played in the way of subtle intimidation, of re-establishing the scathing dominance that has long since protected her from being cornered by the likes of predatorial men ) (/ With him, it's taken almost their entire marriage to keep herself from threatening his existence every time he takes her breath away — that even as his wife, she is still an entity who can just as quietly make people disappear ) (/ It's all a matter of trusting he won't use her defenselessness to his advantage - therefore, allowing herself the rare freedom of expression ) (/ And giving him the opportunity to do the same ) (/ How disappointed her mother would be ) (/ Saeyeon takes his subtle invitation to melt into his frame, arms snaking around his waist as she smiles against his collarbone ) "You give youself too little credit, you know." (/ A beat. ) "A future queen knows better than to be an open book."

[haesaeyeon]

these are trash im sorry but if ur here for it so am i

hi friends. if you're interested in any of these, please don't hesitate to hmu! all of them can be tweaked so don't worry if your char doesn't quite fit the finer details (though age and class should stay the same). i'm more than happy to make things work~

— not her relationships page, which will permanently be under construction

[haesaeyeon]

❝ Were you following me? ❞

[ Wedding ] Prompts ⨟ — closed

“In my own home?” Saeyeon furrows her brows, stopping in place to observe the inquirer.

Not that it’s really her home any longer, but she still treats the palace as though it is, especially with a solid twenty years on record. She knows every pathway, every corridor, every entrance and exit to this elaborate prison; a labyrinth destined to consume its inhabitants while spitting out the intruders. Besides, leading has always been more her style. She isn't used to following — though, once upon a time, she did in fact trail after the oldest Jeon sibling, seeking the elder's wisdom in place of her own siblings'.

Despite her closeness to their older brother, her interactions with the twins are practically non-existent. But she knows enough to at least be able to differentiate between the two: “Now, why would I be doing that, Minjun?” There's the slightest hint of a smile in her voice, if only for the fact he is related to her old friend.

[haesaeyeon]

❝ I heard that you were doing well. ❞

[ Wedding ] Prompts ⨟ — closed

Saeyeon can't quite comprehend where these children get their courage, but it is almost as admirable as it is annoying the way they think it acceptable to approach her without being summoned. Unfortunately, the stability of the Yi family rests on her father and his advisors' relationships; it wouldn't bode well for her to ignore the sons and daughters of these officials, possibly tipping the scales on their precarious perch in an unfavorable direction. So she bites her tongue and feeds into the role of one of the dozens of gracious hosts of the palace ( if only for the sake of appearances ).

The boy looks as though he'd blow away with one breath, wiry and soft. Weak. But odd - she doesn't recognize him and she's usually oh-so-good at doing just that: knowing who's whose son or daughter. She's definitely still too sober for her judgment to be clouded. Knowledge and information are everything in the game they play, so the lack of recognition with this one sparks a dangerous curiosity in the princess.

"As well as I'm expected to be, I suppose." She murmurs, her head tilting slightly as she swirls the wine in her cup. His wide eyes reflect the warm lantern-lit night; black windows leading to a soul yet untouched, unguarded. "Tell me, what else have you heard about me?"

[haesaeyeon]

❝ Well? How do I look? ❞

[ Wedding ] Prompts ⨟ — closed

A number of emotions flood over the elder princess when she recognizes the visage before the voice. Pride. Sadness. Wonder. It's Saeron: her wildflower of a baby sister, a diamond in the rough. Hers to protect. The youngest of their mother's ( once a toddler who used to tug at her skirts with a doe-eyed innocence ) had transformed into a young lady before her very eyes, demure and ready for a society that sought to ruin her.

"Splendid, princess," she nods in genuine approval at how the clothes drape over her sister's frame like a halo of color. "I'm going to have to swat away all the suitors tonight. Unless you see someone of interest here?" Might as well get started on a running hit list while she's ahead. "Perhaps I can put in a good word with father. One of these days, it'll be your turn."