Queen Twilight Sparkle of equestria, element of magic, immortal of unity
Pronoun check! Twilight - She/it
So this was my first draft of Queen Twilight. The idea was to make her look balanced, as the in between of night and day. Well the design is very pretty it's also over complicated and not animation friendly (which I try to keep my designs as), and that's just with the base + crown.
Here's take two, and what'll probably be its final design (give or take A few minor adjustments). She's ment to resemble the spirit of harmony itself, and has lost all her original color, with her becoming A dark purple with light markings. The pink highlights being replaced with the rainbow of its friends coats.
She tries to look mortal, as approachable as possible. And thus keeps her mane in a bun and her regalia to a minimum. The feather on its necklace is from its wife, Rainbow Dash, who at this point has been gone for hundreds of years. The ring on her horn is from her current wife and co-ruler, Sunset Shimmer.
This is Twi by the point of G5, it looked much different at the end of G4.
Depending on who you ask, he was chosen by Cosmic Heritage or the cosmos forced this fate upon him. A grand king and decent father.
A good king. Seen as a reincarnated Jihoon but makes himself distinct by being quite skilled in fighting and masculine activities. Interested in several cultures and sets course for diversity influences.
A wall of muscle with kind eyes and pale blonde hair he often kept long, Dalmyung was the first man in a while to be claimed by Cosmic Heritage. His parents weren’t publicly upset by this development. However, it was unlikely since all his other siblings were sisters. He was the only man in this generation of royal children who were viable for the throne.
At the same time, it was forced upon him. He had been taken into the woods by one of the oldest members of the court. A relic of times gone by. He only lived because of his immortality. General Jeong was immune to death in all its ways. Nothing natural nor magical could end his life. He was powerful, so his outdated views were tolerated and usually ignored. Young Dalmyung thought it was his riding teacher–who had also nurtured his love of skincake–that was guiding him down a nearly forgotten path.
They were taking a rest by the stream on this day to watch snow flurries. It would be the first big snow now that the short summer of Scintillaria was done. He was around 16 when an unexpected blow to the head caused his first death. The kid never spoke about his experience near the Brink in any direct way. Though, it was unmistakable as red blood soaked through the accumulating snow.
The current General Kim saw the unglamoured Jeong keeping watch over the teen boy’s body while on her early morning ride. They were too duty bound to kill the kid for a final time as they too knew what this meant for their Kingdom.
“D-did I do something wrong?” Was one of the first things Dalmyung asked after he woke up and saw his parents waiting near his bed and mumbling with fervor.
“No. No, sweetie.” His father said. “None of this is your fault. We were all fooled.”
He made eye contact with his spouse, the current ruler.
They sighed, “Once you’re feeling better, I’ll explain. In short, Cosmic Heritage has chosen you, my only son, to be the next ruler of Scintillaria.” She tried to smile but it was weak.
“Oh…ok. I’ll be a good king. I promise.” He said and flinched.
Dahyun held their child’s hand, “Get your rest. We can speak later.”
He was a very good king. Dalmyung studied hard and read things he probably would have gotten in trouble for reading. He learned why his grandma Iseul was so hated by a lot of men even now. The boy studied his great grandfathers and was disgusted by them. He would do everything in his power not to let anyone believe he’d follow in their footsteps. The important path, the one that felt right, was continuing the work of his foremothers.
Though, an odd generational phenomenon was brewing. Young women of this time yearned for their understanding of what society used to be. The pressure to be leaders and to work hard was taking a toll on them as a whole. They bullied the softer men and said they weren’t even men because of their gentle upbringings.
One in particular was the daughter of a very well to do musical troupe. She had always orbited around the royal family since they were quite young. They performed at plays and circuses, birthdays and skating performances.
“What’s a man?” The question came simply from Dalmyung’s mouth. “What makes a man and why can’t the same things define a woman or any sort of person?”
“We just want a man–” The young woman with pink roots and purple hair began.
He interrupted, “Do you speak for everyone? All of Scintillaria?”
“Well, not all. Just most of us want to be protected instead of having to protect men. What have men ever done for us? Why do we have to be the ones to lead them? What if we just wanna relax and be average?” She stuck a finger in his chest.
He hid a smile and called off his guards who were ready to protect him.
Yuhwa jabbed him with her pointer, “Your sisters are probably better equipped to run the nation from birth, and yet stupid Cosmic Heritage chose you! Men as a whole are worthless dogs, and yet they require women to step up and take the brunt of everything!”
“I don’t.” Dalmyung looked at her lovingly. “I could be your sword and shield if you just asked. Even without asking, I’d jump in front of a monster to save your life. Besides, your fantasies of the past are just that. Truth is, the most mangy of dovecats would be given more rights than you if it had a cock. I am only assuming you don’t, of course.”
“And if I did?” She asked.
He smirked, “I’d like to see it.”
“I fucking hate you.” Yuhwa balled up his royal collar in her fist.
“Prove it.” Dalmyung said.
She pressed her lips against his after pulling him towards her. Then she let go, and he slumped to the ground.
“Take me on a date. A nice one. Soon. If it’s good, I’ll kiss you again.” She folded her arms and walked off. “Change my mind about men.”
Heart shaped pixel hearts floated around him, his base power. He rarely used his post-brink ability of mind reading since it was so public. Everyone knew what it was and many programs had already been taught how to defend oneself against mental attacks. It was practically useless in a spy nation.
“Sorry, I need a moment.” He pulled his legs to his chest to hide his boner.
The first date with Yuhwa went well, and so did the second, and 10th, and 20th. And she even said yes to the proposal! She wore a version of Queen Ahn’s wedding dress while Dalmyung wore a suit inspired by Queen Iseul’s. He was waiting to start the ceremony when Ruler Dahyun came to talk to him.
“Son, I…” She paused for a long time.
“It’s ok, Bumo. You don’t have to say anything special about this. I know you’re not one for showing affection in serious moments.” He said.
They held his hands and took him to sit down, “I am so proud of you.” Tears already falling from their eyes. “You. I didn’t think my baby, whoever was gonna be on the throne, I didn’t think they’d marry for love. I thought they’d follow in my footsteps. I’m so glad you’re not, Myung-ah.”
“Hearing you say it out loud is kinda weird, but I guess we always sorta knew. You two act more like best friends than a couple. You’re not very romantic with each other.” He looked at his Bumo’s consort in the corner, collar barely visible. “I think our men loving strong women is a very influential gene.”
Both laughed.
“Yuhwa seems like she’s gonna be a good wife. An amazing co-leader.” The Ruler said.
“She’ll be my Queen.” He said the title with such reverence. “Mother of a nation by my fatherly side. I’m scared. I know I don’t have to ‘be a man’ or whatever they used to mean by that, but I do have to be in charge of a lot of people. Half of which regret my sex having been chosen…forced into this position. Some who hate me thoroughly.”
Dahyun held her son in a tight hug before holding his face in her hands, “You’re my son. I’ve seen your work. Your care. Your diligence in all that you do. You’ll be a fantastic…king. Dalmyung, I have raised you from babe to man. You’ve never let me down in any deep way. I’m sure the same will be said for your rule when we’re all gone.”
“I love you, Bumo.” He hugged her and sniffled.
“I love you, too. Now, let’s go get you married.” She looked into his face. “Clean up your face. I’ll be out there when you’re ready.”
With Queen Yuhwa and King Dalmyung ruling Scintillaria, there was never a dull moment. The two kept each other on their toes in the best of ways. It was clear from any account that they loved the other quite dearly. However, the physical proof came in the form of seven children, a mix of all genders.
Myeongwol, the eldest, was a boy. He liked telling jokes and became known for having his general kindness taken as flirting. The kid learned quickly to speak up and make his intentions clear. Mind reader through eye contact. Second was Uhwan, a nonbinary child who was quiet and poignant in all he did. Quite stationary. Rock powers. Changbok was the third, and quite a chatterbox. He was very expressive and had a deep love for dancing and did his best to incorporate weaponry with it, which he could make from his power of sunlight.
Fifth came Seonghyun, a sweet and clingy girl who became known for her fashion. Well, it’s just that she looked good in everything. She didn’t have a particularly unique personal style. The girl was quite a talented boneshifter, so that probably helped. Gyudam the 6th child was a sweet and clingy boy who grew closest to Seonghyun out of all the siblings. He enjoyed dance styles that differed from Changbok and was a bit more on the quieter end, embodying his wind power. The youngest was Nichiren, who had a love for art and all things digital. Perhaps because he could conjure lightning.
As for the fourth one, a boy named Haneul was born. His base power was the stars. Cosmic energy in its rawest form flowed through his veins. All children were kept far away from those who still walked the broken path of days past. Layers upon layers of defensive enchantments were placed onto them to make sure they stayed safe if one somehow slipped through the cracks.
Dalmyung only wanted the best of history repeating itself. Cosmic Heritage shouldn’t be forced upon anyone. Even with how happy it was, he could’ve been just as happy under the rule of one of his sisters. Of the three, only the one born after him, Dalbit, seemed to begrudge him his fate. The others understood it was forced, but he was still first. Taking his title of heir away from him just because of his sex would make them just as bad as their forefathers.
Nobody in their right mind wanted that.
A little (lot of) bit late, but I still want to post the remaining stories from Scintillaria Month because I totally forgot.
They only had one job, and they did it well. Made of pure love and with no competition for the throne, this ruler made sure the teachings of her mothers stayed consistent.
The only lovechild in the lineup. Neither man nor woman, they did their best to continue the work of their mothers. Lots of effort for women’s rights. This included public teachings on how what was done before was wrong and how Cosmic Heritage would always prevail. The history of her mothers in great detail. It was also important to inform the masses about Masculinity vs Toxic Masculinity. Teachings about healthy masculinity and how it doesn’t equal weakness.
Scintillaria also joined the Intergalactic Nations to strengthen bonds with other planets and form new connections.
This snippet from a diary explains it best:
The insular lifestyle of Scintillaria is not going to work for a kingdom in dire need of progress. Is this even a Kingdom when it’s run by someone like me? In any case, I will not let the momentum my mothers started end with me. Even my child, when they are chosen by the cosmos, will keep this growth headed in a positive direction. That is the goal, anyhow.
Many of the older folks in Scintillarian society were still quite against equality and did the gentlemanly thing. They hid in the forest like bugs or even moved places known for their lack of male-female equality. Grand-dad’s old buddies. Dahyun wanted to declare war on them, but her mothers told them it was best to keep a cool and even head. They’d get theirs. Rulers like those actually hated everyone who thought like them and found no joy in agreement. Still, Ruler Dahyun let a handful of spies go to each to progress their falls from grace.
It was funny to the Ruler when one of them got caught and a king would call and rant to them.
“You’ve put a spy into my court!” His face was already red with anger.
“You’ll have to be more specific.” Dahyun stayed calm and unbothered.
“Don’t play dumb! This man says he is from Scintillaria, and we caught him snooping around my private quarters!” The foreign king said.
Dahyun yawned, “Whether or not they are controlled by me, they could be a spy from Scintillaria. That does not make him a Scintillarian spy. Either way, they have claimed my kingdom as their home, so do not hurt them. Send him back in their current mental and physical state, unchanged, unaltered, not taken apart and put back together. I’ll be able to tell. We will deal with any punishments if the man is a liar. Anything else?”
He ground his teeth before saying, “I’d watch my back if I were you.”
“I’d actually be careful who I let into my court if I were you. Sounds like this whole thing was avoidable.” The Ruler shrugged and panned over to the other’s own failed spy hung upside down with wings bound.
He began to cry out, “Meister! Meister! They got me! I’m sor–”
Dahyun snapped, and they were gagged, then she looked directly at the king, “He’ll be yours once ours is home safe and sound. Until next time. Watch your tone.”
She giggled once the screen went blank. The following entry is from later that night:
The man was set free and given his stipend. He had already been turned to our side by the time his former king laid eyes upon him. Quite easily, might I add. Who knew that letting men have options not to hate women for existing made them feel better? Who knew truth could free one’s mind? I don’t hate men. I hate stupid men. There just so happens to be a lot of them in positions of power. I wonder what he’ll do once he’s given back. It’s up to him.
Overall, Dahyun was just as ruthless as Iseul when it came to basic respect and upholding certain traditions. All they had to do was simply take the misogyny and sexism out of some of them, and rephrase a few things, and then it was fun for all! Such as the seating at Gapata. It was no longer women getting smaller portion sizes or men eating first. Everyone was given the same size plate and generally the same array of food in front of them to choose from. However, perhaps it’d be easier to get folks to sign up ahead of time and have their plates pre-made.
The Ruler ended up meeting a nice man named Jiyong who gave her a nice reprieve from their usual duties. Their wedding was one for the books! Dahyun’s wedding hanbok inspired jumpsuit is still recreated and reimagined to this day. As for their husband, Jiyong struggled with being a King Consort. He and his partner never really argued about anything other than Jiyong feeling more like a wife or arm-piece rather than an actual spouse and royal.
“And what’s wrong with being a wife?” Dahyun spat back.
“Only that I’m not one!” Jiyong sighed. “You’re overcorrecting. Again. I want to be treated as what and who I am. Or is that not why you married me?”
They folded their arms, “That’s not…you know why I married you. It wasn’t out of love. However, you’re not just. We never figured out that anything should be different for a spouse of the main royal. You’re doing everything right…historically.”
He replied, “Aren’t we supposed to be rewriting history? I’m the first male official spouse. Whatever gender is after me should be treated better than this. What did Queen Ahn do?”
“I…I never paid much attention. I mean, I know she did stuff, but my training and upbringing had me focusing on Mama Iseul.” She replied. “Let’s talk to an advisor about this.”
So, Jiyong ended up doing what his other queen did. He read to children and helped get charities funded. He helped where he could by influencing the next generation when his Ruler was busy. They usually filled in their husband after important meetings. Soon after this fight, they did their royal duty and had Daloreum. A girl. Dalmyung came a year later. Dalbit and Dalrae were back to back three years after.
Of this lineup, only Dalmyung was a male. The future looked bright for Scintillaria. It would be led by a woman. There was little doubt about that.
Thank you so much for reading! I'm a bit behind on editing these short stories, so I'm trying to get them out as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience!
As things move into place, what is the princess doing to make sure she can right the wrongs of her dead father?
A year passed. Iseul remembered more and more about their time in the forest. She wasn’t mad at the forest folk for doing what they had to do to keep themselves safe. Though, she was proud of herself for making sure her girlfriend could remember.
“Why didn’t you use it on yourself?” Ahn asked as she braided her lady’s hair.
Macy and another Gentlewoman named Luna scrubbed her feet.
Iseul said, “I trust you more than anything. If you didn’t remember, I’d think it was all lies eventually. I had to make sure it was the reverse.”
“I’m glad you trust me, but that’s a lot of power.” Ahn said.
“Nothing less than you deserve.” Her girlfriend smiled and leaned in to kiss her. “I’ll miss you.”
“Wait.” Luna said and listened, “You must get dressed. Men.”
Iseul rolled her eyes and stood up. She found folks she could trust, and she would do that no matter what. Seconds later, the colonel entered.
“Please let them finish.” The princess said.
A heavy sigh of agreement. They finished tying her robes closed, and then all bowed to Yang. The princess stayed on her feet as she did so.
“This must be some emergency if you’ve come unannounced to the women’s bathhouse." She kept her eyes lowered.
“Which one of you is the daughter of Im Minho?” He asked. “Stand.”
Ahn stood and stayed silent.
“Your father has a letter for you.” The 18 year old colonel said and handed it to her.
She read it. Ahn had to leave. Iseul had been praised for her training of the Gentlemen of the Woods constantly. She didn’t want too much attention on her, so she said it was all thanks to the teachings of the Kisaeng Juin. Iseul had read his books and wanted to see if she could apply them well to make higher quality Kisaeng for her brother and eventual nephews since her father was content with his current entertainers.
Through the grapevine, as expected, Ahn’s father didn’t want his daughter left out. She would be taught by the Juin until she was of age. Then she’d come back as a courtesan for Geopum. As much as he saw what could be done, he wanted things done the traditional way.
“If that is what your father requires, then it shall be done, of course. Thank you for being my friend for all these years.” The princess forced back her tears. “Colonel Yang, please. I beg of you, ensure her utmost safety and purity on her journey back home.”
He sighed, “I shall do what I like, princess.”
“Of course. Though, I wonder what strain it will put on Father for his adopted niece to be deemed dirty after she left his court.” She bowed. “I’ve been indecent for too long. Please, allow me to preserve my remaining virtue.”
And she left. Though this was all part of the plan, she let herself mourn in her own way. The only woman she had ever loved was gone. Iseul didn’t have much time to waste. However, she wasted it anyway. A few hours just to cry in the privacy in her own room before she found her own armor in the form of makeup and wigs.
Beauty would become her shield as she practiced her magical skills. Within the third year, the princess could control her poppets up to 50 feet away. She gave them eyes and ears so that they could see or hear what they experienced. Then she gave them mouths to tell her because their life was somehow their own after she gave it to them. Iseul could also manage up to 5 at the same time without getting confused. With that information, she decided to focus on using paranoia in her favor.
Her dolls showed up places her dolls shouldn’t have been. She often gave them to the little girls in the court with the excuse that it could help teach them how to be mothers. So, if they got ‘lost’ or ‘misplaced’ the blame fell on them or the older men who took those toys away from them.
The fourth year came and went. So did the fifth. She learned that a dying soul could be placed into her creations and extend the life of that soul. And the sixth. People got used to the little creatures being everywhere even as she assured them she wasn’t making as many. It desensitized them to her presence as she made herself synonymous with the fabric creatures. She and her ‘dead’ maids were more easily able to listen in on what was said in secret places. What? They’re just dolls. They couldn’t do anything. It was the ones she gave for the living humans that served her as well since they were basically dolls, too, right?
Around this time, all leaders of Skuye were now Gentlemen. They often sent their teenage girls to the main planet to join Ahn in her lessons to become a proper Kisaeng. Taiji and Geopum took all the credit and made sure Iseul’s influence was erased from the whole process. Fine with her. The girls had already been trained in combat before they arrived.
Skuye was a planet of candy and sweets, yes. It had also been turned into a private training ground for a rebellion.
Ahn returned, and it should’ve been a happy moment. However, she couldn’t really talk to her girlfriend in person. They wrote letters to each other using untraceable magic. Geopum became king after their father died. Everything seemed to be getting worse, but Iseul didn’t give up hope.
That’s when he married Ahn. Poor seamstress. She did really good work before he fucked everything up. Her soul went into a doll. In her last lucid moment, she requested to be a part of the secret. It would’ve broken her heart, but Iseul knew that her girlfriend was strong. She wouldn’t let their awful king ruin her. It’s funny and disgusting how Geopum didn’t recognize the young woman who used to be a little girl inside palace walls.
Iseul would get her rightful spot soon. Cosmic Heritage…forced onto somebody. Dad killed his favorite child too late. One night, she was able to see her lover in person under the guise of ‘girl stuff’.
“You finally show your face.” Ahn said.
“I’m sorry.” Iseul said.
“Prove it.” Sage hair turned around and was soon between the loving fingers of a princess as the two kissed and held each other tightly.
Robes untied.
Ahn had positioned herself as someone who didn’t like the princess very much. So, the screaming and yells that could be heard from outside were understood as a cat fight. The men knew better than to get in between one of those. Also, it was the King’s wife.
The lovers lay next to each other, half dressed after their romp in the sheets.
“We should wrap things up before the baby gets here.” Iseul said and stared at the now empty bottle that ensured the two women could have a baby together.
A Lovechild.
Her lover agreed, “We should. He’s planning on kicking you from the palace and sending you to live with your mother.”
The princess scoffed, “When?”
“Soon. He wants to make sure your upsetting influence on me is gone, but that’s just an excuse. He wants to kill you. Though the softer officials will turn if he does. Little does he know.” Ahn played with the pink streak in her lover’s hair.
Both got dressed, and Iseul left.
“So, what happened?” A male guard asked.
“I believe I’ve made my first steps towards winning her approval.” The princess said.
Men were idiots. All of them, and they’d see how much by the end of the night. Trying to poison her pregnant girlfriend? That was the final straw. Even if it wasn’t enough to actually kill her, Ahn was still coughing as she rushed out of her quarters.
At dawn, a feathered dragon flew over the kingdom of Scintillaria. It made its way to the other side of the planet where those inside understood. It was said that the women of the palace had never been happier preparing lunch and linen that day. By this time, they knew where everyone stood. Their hearts couldn’t be persuaded by a pretty smile or favorable genitalia.
Taiji’s wife and consorts who still believed in or loved the dead king joined him in the afterlife through the poisoned meal. The ones who remained drew daggers and attacked all the men without the star shaped enchantment on their faces. Loyalists had no place in Iseul’s court. Screams filled the palace but nobody outside could hear. A sound bubble had been placed around the grounds so as to not scare the citizens.
The same happened in the main castle. Yang and his men. Heartless men filled to the brim with misogyny. They’d all be gone! It wasn’t worth seeing them all in person, so she had the living dolls do it. Those women had more anger and hatred towards them personally than Ahn and Iseul could ever imagine. As soon as they killed the man/men that had hurt them so deeply, they were able to leave once and for all.
That still left a lot of dolls both fabric and flesh to clear the way for the queen and princess to get to their main goal. Geopum wasn’t going down without a fight. His Post-Brink power was turning into metal.
“I’m indestructible by simple female hands! I never would’ve thought you would’ve turned against me, your own husband and your brother. Don’t you know–”
“Don’t YOU know, brother, that you and practically every other man on this planet are imbiciles. Selfish and cruel pabo who might’ve been spared if you treated female hands as equal or even better.”
He scoffed, “Oh, as if! Your lips, your bodies, everything about you makes women a weaker sex. Now, I’m going to kill you and rebuild my court the way it was meant to be.”
“Funny.” Ahn said. “We had the same idea. Heat, internal.”
“You haven’t even touched me yet. Your magic can’t…what?” Geopum felt a burning in his chest.
“I lied, Pummie.” The lady put on false sympathies. “I don’t have to touch you in order for my magic to work. You just have to be near me. It’s stronger if you hear my words, which you clearly did.”
He couldn’t keep up his metal facade.
Iseul kissed her partner, “You’ve done such a good job. Look at him. What a weak sex he is.”
“I’M NOT WEAK!! I’ll–I’ll get you! Fucking lesbos!” Geopum tried to crawl.
A dagger stabbed through his palm, “I’m going to fix this cursed kingdom. Scintillaria will truly sparkle under our rule.”
“My child.” He pointed to Ahn’s stomach. “He will avenge me! You’ve killed his father. Every child needs both father and mother! He’ll hate you!”
Both of the women giggled and went into full on gaffaws.
“It’s not even yours, you bastard.” Ahn said, “It’s ours. A Lovechild. No matter their sex, no matter their gender, they’ll be the next ruler. The first ruler raised by love and actual equality. We and they will make a world you would’ve died in anyways. So take our mercy.”
“I can’t lose to you! You’re women! Naturally submissive, weak, helpless women! You can’t–kill…me…” He screamed until his lungs filled with smoke from his own burning organs.
They took his royal robes from their place on the wall. A burn in the shape of a hand on the hem. He tried to hold on to his power even as it was stripped from him with flames. The couple stood above the battle that raged below.
“Hear her voice near and far!” Ahn said.
Iseul’s words were broadcast through the air and whatever drones were capturing the carnage, “Gaze upon your new queen! Cosmic Heritage chose me before my father forced my brother to take my place! It has run its course and done the work to help me regain my position. If the title of king…if the true ruler of Scintillaria and all its territories truly belonged to my now deceased kin, would I have been able to take it from him so easily?”
Murmurs came from below. The cosmos were stronger than any fae or mage. They could’ve stopped her in a moment. They would’ve made her bend to the truth. Instead…
“It chose Ahn from the start, and so I have no choice but to choose her as well. The Cosmos which surround us have decided it was tired of surviving on the pain of women. It refuses to be defined solely by men any longer. If you do not lay down your weapons and refuse to change your mind, your soul is to be ripped from you. Your chances are singular! What say you?” Iseul asked.
Macy yelled from atop a dead man, “LONG LIVE ISEUL, THE FIRST QUEEN OF SCINITILLARIA!”
Luna and the others agree, “LONG LIVE ISEUL, THE FIRST QUEEN OF SCINTILLARIA!!”
“LONG LIVE ISEUL. LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!” Macy added.
That echoed through the cosmos. Deeper voices soon joined the chorus. Anyone still fighting was put down like the dogs they were. A week later, Dahyun was born into the world. Ahn and Iseul then ensured their wombs would be barren for the rest of their lives. They no longer had time for pregnancies. They had a planet to run, a kingdom to rule.
It was an iron fisted rule for the betterment of women first and foremost. Iseul and Ahn had only their lives and the life of their child to bring sense to Scintillaria, reverse mindsets that had been hammered into impressionable folk for millenia. Most of the toxic men were gone. Their toxic women not far behind. The children were spared, of course. They had time to change their minds.
Dahyun was perhaps 15 or so when a little kid came up to her moms and bowed deeply before the Gapata dinner held in the courtyard. His dad chasing behind him.
“I am so sorry.” He said and bowed as well.
“It is alright. Let the boy speak.” Iseul said, her magenta streak now fading to blonde while the rest of her hair was starting to grey.
The kid said, “Thank you, Queens, for bringing back Gapata! My dad says it makes us feel like a real family! It’s always been a part of my life, and it makes me and my mom, and my dad super duper happy! Thank you!”
The dad blushed, “I have to admit, I wasn’t sure what this change would mean. My parents called me a woman when I was growing up because I didn’t like all the things a man is supposed to like. Turns out, I’m a man, just not the man they wanted me to be.”
Iseul and Ahn smiled, knowing they had most likely had his parents killed during the transition of power.
“I am glad you are able to be yourself. May the warmth of your family keep you warm this winter. Happy Gapata.” Ahn said.
“You took the words right out of my mouth. Happy Gapata, you two, and to the Missus as well.” Iseul said with a gentle smile.
Dahyun beamed, “You two work really hard. I know I don’t see everything, but I’m really proud to be your child. Thank you for making this world for me. I hope I can make you proud one day, too.”
Iseul replied, “You will, my dear, if your lessons are any reflection of who you are.”
“You’ll be a fantastic Ruler, Dahyun. Besides, we’re proud of you already.” Ahn agreed.
Both hugged their teenager and then went to the head of the table.
Thank you for reading! Check out my pinned post for more!
There are two queens in one era that are quite important. You shall learn about both in turn.
Though Iseul is the princess, we should start with Ahn. She plays an important and integral part to the history of Scintillaria. Im Ahn was the youngest daughter of Im Minho, adopted cousin of the previous tyrant king Taiji. She was named after her mother’s surname. As awful as Minho was, he cared deeply about that woman and wanted her to be remembered.
The girl grew to be a young lady by the lone princess’s side. She was there when 12 year old Geopum played a ‘prank’ on his 15 year old sister. He shoved Iseul over a cliff into a river even though it was well known the eldest royal could not swim. Ahn called after her, flying and trying to rescue her best friend. The prince left after him, his friends, and the royal guards had their fill of laughter.
Iseul’s dress was caught on a fallen log. It kept her in place, yes, but her unconscious body was continuously being devoured by the freezing current. Ahn used all of her strength to get the waterlogged fairy princess out of the river and onto land. Her mother was a healer fairy, so she knew some of the basic skills needed to save Iseul.
“Expell!” She cried as she guided the water out of the lungs and through the mouth using the pointer and middle finger on each hand.
Despite the lungs being clear, the princess did not move. Ahn began to sob. She had been too late! Her best friend in the whole entire world was dead! Not to mention, Prince Geopum would probably have the blame put onto the only other woman there. The hem of her dress which had been soaked with water was slowly becoming crystalized with frost.
“Come back!” She sobbed and used more archaic means of starting one’s heart. “Please, come back!” Ahn gave some of her breath to Iseul.
These cries caught the attention of a local hunter. He had hid himself in the woods so he wouldn’t be subject to the toxic masculine rule of Scintillaria. The clothes these two girls wore were quite gaudy yet thin. It was probably the only thing they were allowed to wear. He was going to let the girl mourn her friend in private when he heard coughing.
“Iseul!” Ahn watched and looked again to see if there was anything left for her to do.
“Jeez, stop yellin’! I’m not goin’ anywhere without you.” She spat to the side.
“Pardon me!” The hunter made himself known and began to approach. “It’s cold out today. Ya shouldn’t be wet. I’ve got a place nearby where you can warm up.”
“Stay back!” Iseul commanded.
For the first time in her life, a man listened. The stranger stood still and kept his hands visible.
Ahn asked, “What do you want?”
“To help!” He said. “You’ll get sick and reach the Brink again if you don’t warm up soon. I can just give you a blanket if you don’t trust me. Makes sense.” he turned around and showed off the rolled fabric latched to the bottom of his backpack.
It unclipped itself and flew over to the two girls. The cold breeze finally registered to Iseul and Ahn, causing them to shiver. The princess made the blanket larger using her thread magic. It was enough to cover both of them now.
“And in return?” Iseul asked.
“I was never here.” He replied. “Take a left at the boulder if you need more help and want to find me. Try to get back to where you came from or someplace safe before it gets dark.”
As he began to leave, the teenage girls followed at a distance. The man did not give his name. He was just nice. Fed them warm food and dried their clothes while letting them wear thick sleep shirts that reached their mid-calves. Once their wings were no longer frozen, it hit them.
The princess noticed a hot pink streak on the front left side of her face, a stark contrast to her midnight black hair. A physical reminder of where she came from.
“I reached the Brink.” Iseul said. “I thought I was still drowning, but it was different. I was fished out and given a choice by two midnight bears. I could either be mauled by them or breathe life into myself. Like a clone with hot pink hair. I’d never let myself die at my family’s hand, so I helped myself live.”
Ahn asked, “Do you know what you can do now?”
“Yes. This.” She created a doll and gave it life.
It danced around the table before Iseul grabbed it back. She could give a soul of sorts to her dolls now.
The man’s eyes widened, “That’s…something.”
“You can have the doll if you’d like.” The princess offered. “A token of thanks.”
“No.” He said strictly. “When you leave, I want nothing left behind.” and looked over to the blanket.
Iseul understood. This man survived out here by remaining invisible. Untraceable. She used her magic to undo what she had done, returning the blanket to its usual size and shape. Then they were led back to the boulder. It was more of an inverted trapezoid stuck into the ground.
It turned into a portal after being split in half. Glittering smooth geode reflected their forms.
“I know not who you are, but I am glad you’re ok.” He said. “Think about where you wanna go. This will take you there. You will not be able to come back the same way.”
“Good.” Iseul said and kissed Ahn and put an enchantment on her tongue. “You go first, my love. Announce me.”
“Wait, why’d you–”
“I wanted to do it once before we had to go back to pretending.” The princess said with a soft smile.
Ahn nodded and thought of the castle. The courtyard would be best. Ahn realized that her girlfriend had noticed something that had evaded her own senses. The kiss was an enchantment. She felt it on her tongue. Once her feet landed on the grass, guards were all around. Idiots. All of them.
“State your business!” Yang demanded.
“I am Im Ahn, daughter of Im Minho! I have found the lost princess Iseul.” She said since they agreed not to publicly go against Geopum, “She returns to the castle of her birth unharmed.”
Ahn stood aside and waited for her black and pink-haired secret lover to walk through. First her hand which Ahn supported. Then her leg. Iseul couldn’t be anything less than graceful in front of her own people. The surrounding men recognized the princess and asked what happened. Where had she been?
“I tripped during my outing, frightened by some unknown creature. I was unable to fly, and so my best friend and I walked until we could find a portal.” Iseul said. “It has been a rather long day. If you feel so inclined, inform my parents. As for myself, I am to bed.”
Men of any level were above every woman. However, seeing as she was property of the King, they stepped aside. Yang guided her to her quarters on the third floor. She requested Ahn stay with her since she didn’t want to be alone after such a frightening day in the forest.
“Ugh, women and their constant need for support. Fine. Just stop whining.” Yang was the general’s next in line, only 16 himself.
Once the world around them became quiet, Ahn exhaled, “I’m so glad you’re ok. We’re gonna have to get that asshat back somehow.”
“Who?” Iseul asked.
“Your brother, Geopum. He pushed you into the river. He’s the reason we were stranded in the forest. Are you ok?” Ahn asked.
The princess tilted her head, “Huh?” and squinted. “Right, yeah. He pushed me, but I was fine. We weren’t actually in the forest for that long. The two of us just dilly dallied.”
“No. There was that guy. The hunter. He gave us a blanket. You reached the–” The girl explained.
Iseul couldn’t help but laugh, “I didn’t reach anything, Ahn. Not a branch, and not the Brink.” Blood dripped down her nose, so she pinched her own bridge. “A nosebleed? I’ll have to be checked by the physician tomorrow if this persists.”
She wiped it on a handkerchief, but it was a deep purple. Like the inside of the boulder. That’s when it clicked. Ahn couldn’t remind her love about what happened in the woods as would bring her harm. So she shook her head.
“Apologies, I seem to be more tired than I feel.” She said, “Let’s brush each other’s hair and get some rest.”
One year later, King Taiji began a war with Gentlemen. Apparently, those men who refused to submit to the terms set by their “better” had been hiding in the woods for quite some time. He decided the forest was a helpless woman who needed to be saved by the men of the court. First step, finding and jailing every last Gentleman that existed in there. They disguised themselves as hunters but didn’t have many trophies on display. They were often single or treated their wives as equals.
Some didn’t have wives at all. A handful of those savages liked men and tried to procreate with them! Not to mention those who rejected their sex and lived against what nature had assigned them.
A very familiar Gentleman was brought before King Taiji with two other men by his side. Ahn hid the recognition in her eyes, but he noticed it before it had gone. He saw the two girls in similarly adorned clothes. Just as thin and heavily embroidered despite the short fall having already ended. She had tried tracking him down several times but could never go into the woodlands alone. Iseul seemed to want to avoid it completely despite her girlfriend wanting to find a cure for her amnesia.
During a night of partying over the success of the forest raids, the lady was able to sneak down into the dungeons and find the man.
“Why do you remember me?” He asked. “The boulder was supposed to erase your memories of your time in the woods as well as make you avoid that area all together.”
“My girlfriend is a suspicious royal. She made sure I’d be safe walking through. A strong counteract spell. Sealed with a kiss.” Ahn said and blushed slightly. “How do I make her remember as I do?”
“She doesn’t need to.” He replied.
She scoffed, “You’ve been caught either way. We might be able to figure a way to get you out of here if you help us. Perhaps send you someplace safer than the woods.”
His head perked up, “Can you do that?”
“What do you have to lose?” Ahn folded her arms.
He sighed, “It’s a protection tome. If you can get her to walk back through it, then she can remember without pain.”
“But she doesn’t want to go back! I’m not powerful enough to make a portal for two.” Ahn sighed. “There’s no way I can–”
A voice came from behind the girl, “I know we die in less than a week, but can we at least try to get some rest before that?”
The person had a feminine visage but an incredibly bassy tone. Long blue hair that pooled on the floor around her. She gripped the cage to pull herself up.
Her eyes were like venom as she stared at Ahn, “What do you want, rich girl?”
“My love is very important. Very strong. She chose to have me protected and lost her own memories due to the forest tome. I’m not mad about why, but…I need her to remember.” Ahn said.
“She’s not strong enough to do it alone.” The man added. “You wanna help? Her love is ✨very important✨.” sarcasm dripped from the last two words.
“You saw her. You know she is.” Ahn didn’t take kindly to it.
The woman sighed, “Well, who is she? If she’s as important as you say.”
“The princess. My love is Iseul, and I am her heart.” She swallowed. “As for my desperation, her brother Geopum has just been named as the next heir.”
“It’s Cosmic Heritage. Congrats to him.” More of his deadpan and frustrated attitude.
She shook her head, “I learned the truth a long time ago what Cosmic Heritage really is. Whichever royal child dies first: reaches the Brink, and comes back, they are supposed to be the heir. That’s Iseul. Geopum was killed by his own father and guided back to life. In any case, he is the second. Not truly chosen by Cosmic Heritage if that is what you believe. That is she, but…” Ahn made eye contact with the hunter. “You and I are the only ones that know the truth, yet we’re not in a position of legitimacy. If Iseul knew, then we could do something. We could have a queen instead of another stagnant king!”
The other woman scoffed, “A stagnant queen. How fun.”
“…Would she change things?” A smaller voice came from the right.
In the dim, a young woman peeked out.
“Would she let the Gentleman be Gentleman with their Gentlewives and all that?” She asked.
Ahn nodded, “And the Gentlemen could be leaders if they wanted to be. We’ve talked about it at great lengths, what we would do if a woman ran things instead.”
“Don’t lie to us!” The first feminine person said. “We’re not meant to be leaders! It’ll only cause more pain. Just let us die!”
The apparent youngest said firmly, “I disagree.”
A silent message entered Ahn’s mind. A quick succession of images labeled as if written by hand. She had to get into the forest, and she had to do it now!
“Macy, stop it!”
Ahn smiled and held the girl’s hand, “Thank you.”
“YAH! Stop makin’ all that noise!” A guard started to come down, now awake from his drunken stupor. “We’re tryin’ ta party!”
“Away and rest.” The words blanketed over the dungeon.
Everyone moved away from the bars and went to sleep. Then she slipped through a secret passageway before the guard made it down.
Ahn had very little time to waste. All she could do was draft a letter to her girlfriend and pass it to her in their usual way. It hid in Iseul’s hand warmer until she was alone. Then the girl with sage green hair flirted with Yang until he was drunk enough to sign his name on a permission slip. It would allow her to get outside the castle walls unaccompanied.
She hated having to do this, but if it meant her whole world could change for the better, it was a small price to pay. It would only be able to be done by sunset tomorrow, exactly 1 year to the day that they returned.
Iseul read her love’s letter and was confused.
Dearest friend, something precious has been taken from you and you don’t even know it. If you wish for it to be returned, arrive in the courtyard right after sunrise or before sunset. I will be on the other side waiting to explain everything. Forever yours,
Followed by a thumbprint pressed in wax. It matched her other letters in handwriting and shape. Whatever this was, she knew she could trust Ahn. Iseul kept her curtains open so that the sun would wake her up. Then she snuck into the middle of the courtyard. To her surprise, a portal appeared before the princess. No hand came through, but her love must’ve been putting her all into making the portal in the first place.
With a deep breath, the girl with mostly black hair began to step through.
“Where are you going?” Geopum’s best friend asked.
With more quickness, Iseul forced herself through and fell on the dirt on the other side, “Close it!”
Ahn released her thoughts and the portal closed. She then picked up her girlfriend.
“We have to break it.” She said.
Iseul gave a firm nod and used her threads to dice up the stone while Ahn spoke.
“You shall do to yourself which you have dutifully done to others for many years. Turn into gravel. Forget yourself. Become one with the forest once more. Forget yourself. Remain unadorned despite your beauty. Forget yourself now!”
The purple ore became gray and brown like regular pebbles.
“So, what happened?” Iseul looked around and then blinked hard. “Wait…we’ve been here before. That stone. Boulder. We walked through it a year ago?”
“To the day.” Ahn smiled and held her lover’s hands. “You remember!”
She nodded, “That I do. I reached the Brink. We didn’t just dilly dally all day. We…the Gentlemen! We have to save them.”
“The dwarf candy planet. I can have a ship ready in two days, but I don’t know if we have that sort of time.” Ahn said.
Iseul hugged her, “I can make sure there’s enough time to get them to Skuye. In fact, I can do something even better. Have it be their idea.”
She appealed to her father and brother, giving the king a tapestry as an offering. If he let her give lessons to the Gentlemen and their kin and it worked, he’d set them free. The tapestry itself showed one of the most beloved parts of history. It was the founding man standing strong with his wife clinging to his leg and offering her heart.
“Your test run shall be a week. We’ll let one of their most confused members have their mind cleared by you. If you succeed, then sure.” Her father said. “I hope you can make yourself and those dolls of yours useful.”
The act went well. The first woman was the blue haired lady who came to be known as Nabi. Apparently, she wasn’t borne a woman. That didn’t stop Iseul from calling her properly when alone. Nabi was all for pulling the wool over the kingdom’s eyes since the plan seemed feasible. She began sporting men’s clothes to appease the judges.
Luckily, it was in fashion for men to have long hair. However, it was in an upwards ponytail instead of a downwards braid or a complicated yet stylish updo. She would become a warrior for Scintillaria once her full teachings were done. It couldn’t be a perfect ‘reprogramming’ or else that’d be too suspicious.
Iseul took this time with the rest of her students to solidify the plan. They’d be sent to Skuye once all of this was done. Several guards and such would go with them to make sure they stayed in line, but they could be dealt with easily. They needed to recover and the tenseness had to be lessened in the castle before they could attack.
“We went into that forest to be free. Do you really think we can do what we need to?” Nabi asked.
Iseul nodded, “I know you can. If you do, you can be free again. Let us both work hard.”
She smiled, “I hope I never see you again. Still, take good care of Macy. She’s never known a captured life.”
“I will.” The princess nodded.
Nabi, Ranger, and several other Gentlemen got onto the transport ship with a handful of guards. For the next few years, they’d make their way through the ranks and change the mind of the men that watched them. Allies or death. Many of the cis women stayed as consorts, concubines, and maids. Married or not. There was only so much Iseul could control.
Ahn made a moment of eye contact with the Gentlemen with Macy by her side. She silently assured she too would take care of the young girls that were left behind until it was her turn to go.
Part 2 will be out very soon! In about 30 minutes to be exact! Feel free to check out my pinned post for more!
A beautiful man with a gorgeous cunning mind. He knew how to get his family out of the way and make important allies. However, how does a man who knows nothing about loyalty receive it?
The youngest out of triplets, Taiji was not violent when it came to his misogyny. However, he did truly believe that anyone born a woman was inherently lesser than men. Taiji cited periods and the fact that women are the ones to carry babies as his reasoning. Women could work. They just had to work for men and if their husbands allowed it. Even then, it was mostly childrearing and the like.
When he was the one chosen by Cosmic Heritage, he quickly made sure that his brothers were set up with consorts and partners from outside their Korean origin. Did I mention that he was also quite the xenophobic racist? No? Well, he was. He was a bit too influenced by his grandmother and Consort Lee whenever they came to visit. Taiji saw his father as a weakling for enjoying being dominated by the lesser sex.
His brothers Hyun and Juno were also like their father. Weak and too accepting of differences. They were all too eager to find homes away from Scintillaria, both ruling over dwarf planets in the orbit.
As self absorbed and narcissistic as Taiji was, he also had favorite consorts that shared the “Ji” in his name. Jiwon, Suji, and Jihye were perfect maids with pretty faces and tiny bodies. He picked a royal woman and got married to her. She was known for her sharp features and small face but otherwise unremarkable moments in Scitillarian history. Her name, though, was Yeji. Is anyone surprised?
Between his wife and consorts, Taiji had anywhere between 10 to 50 children. Three of which are remembered as Direct Lineage: Iseul, Geopum, and Seok. Because of the difference in naming, many scholars, historians, and even other royals believe that they each came from a different partner and named by the mother.
The middle child Geopum was named as the recipient of Cosmic Heritage, thus becoming the next King. As for Taiji’s own rule, he did nothing unique other than try his hand at conquering. He wanted more planets, more citizens, more power and dominion. His first targets turned allies, a Demon-run planet called Vioose. The succubi made the best…companions in Taiji’s eyes.
Though, demons are worse than witches when it comes to the call for power. They turned on him in an instant once they were offered something better. What is the thing people want when they’re searching for ultimate control? Not love, but freedom. When the women of Wæeksomumenun were next on the list, they were quickly able to figure out how to take down a “masculine man” who saw himself a proud conqueror.
With a perfect flick of the wrist, a sharp boomerang went flying right through his horse riding neck. The last thing he saw was the most beautiful smile filled with murderous intent.
This is a shorter story, so I didn't do a read more. I hope you enjoyed!
