Their union isn’t official yet and she’s already stepping firmly on her cautious wife role. She’s a mix of fiery character and cultivated patience and education, a mix he probably will have issues to deal with in a couple of times but nothing they can’t overcome as long as their hearts remain true to each other. Her voice is clear on her opinions and she’s used to be as free as she can given the circumstances. In a couple of days, though, a new life will spread itself in front of her very own eyes and with such, new responsibilities will arise.
“Your Majesty has little to argument against this union. I’m the least useful of his sons, so I see no motive for him to refuse.”
Lies. He can see many. Having royal blood is the main cause. For what? Who knows, because it really has given him nothing more than grief and pain all these years. But the Fourth Prince is ready. He’s always been, for everything. And now, that premise is more real than ever.
When almond shaped eyes move to his thin lips, the young man’s Adam’s apple bobs up and down as he knows what he must and wants to do but also needs to restrain himself from going too far.
“I guess I’m safe in assuming you won’t back up when facing certain danger.”
Moving from her own mouth to her nose and eyes and back to petal lips, Wang So observes her back; the boy who, without realizing, gave his whole heart in the shape of a pendant to a little girl. The distance shortens, the darkness invades the woman’s visage as he approaches and the sharpest eyes in Goryeo, always alert, decide to close as they move closer and closer…
“It was WATER. WATER, UNDERSTAND?!”
The loud voice is followed by shushing and pleas for the Tenth Prince to keep it low while his Thirteenth brother carries him with the aid of one of their servants. Two maidens fan the drunk Prince as they carry him to the quarters they share with their Fourth brother.
“You’re both no fun. Where’s So? So! Let’s drink some more… SO!!”
At his name, the young man steps in front of his future wife to conceal her figure just in case they approach and steps backward to keep her in the shadows. In this state, if Eun discovers that he’s courting Murasaki, he’ll go straight to merrily inform their father in his inebriated joy, and this is a matter that must be taken seriously if he wants to succeed. Once he considers a safe distance, the prince quickly turns around to cup her cheeks with both palms and whispers, low enough for her alone to hear.
Without further explanation, the warrior releases the lady and returns his attention to his family members. He takes a few steps away from her before speaking in order to prevent them to go any further. With slow steps and a gesture of his hand, So finally appears in front of the other princes, suggesting them to retreat to their private rooms.
“I can smell the sake from here. Go inside before the cherry blossoms wither with your poisonous breath, Eun.”
An approaching kiss, yet so rudely interrupted, never arriving upon ready lips; it’s a tragedy, and one she takes bitterly. Why must it be that things will not go her way? Why, after being separated for so many years, can they not spend such time alone without others coming between them? Their time together lying on the grass had been interrupted similarly, partway through an honest conversation which had been soothing a young girl’s mind. Conversing about family, bravery, hope... talking freely.
Eyes which had closed in the moment of sweet tension now flicker open again, glancing towards the trees ( and suddenly she is released from her intended’s embrace, much too early ). Though, she recognises his reasons and respects them utterly in that moment, being no longer held by So gives Murasaki a feeling of emptiness she has not felt for a while. It’s a brief, yet intense pull of loss.
Once again, they get a hurried goodbye. All of theirs have been so far, have they not? It is barely a farewell, but the lady has to just accept it... storing that frustration deep down inside, where it will no doubt continue to bother her throughout the night. When will she see him next? How will they act, what will happen with their plans? Murasaki has to assume that her father will hear of this soon enough, and include her in the discussion ( as well as her brother, who no doubt will be particularly shocked, especially considering her irritable treatment of the prince in the last few days ).
Staying silent, then, she nods in reply. Then, quickly but stepping quietly, and with only one glance back... she’s gone, disappearing into the shadows. It’s lucky that she knows the area well enough to find her way out, without being caught or held as suspect; without further trouble, she reaches her home.
Nobody else has returned yet... they are slower to drink than the younger prince had been, and so there are only the household staff to greet her. This is more than fine by Murasaki. There are too many thoughts buzzing hectically around her head to bother with substantial conversation, and so she heads along to her room and allows others to help her from her intricate formal kimono.
Once alone, the lady collapses onto her bedding, and stares at the ceiling. Her gaze follows the timber. This feeling is different... didn’t she feel almost this way after leaving Goryeo? But now it’s deeper, more certain. Her hand rises to brush fingertips over her lips then she sighs, turning over and gripping that hand at her chest. She could hope to have good dreams, if she manages to sleep at all.