Chapter 2 - The selection

There were a dozen of the most beautiful women, vying for the long-awaited position of empress. When the introductions ended, we were placed in a line side by side. I felt like an ugly duckling, and realized that I attracted more attention than if I had come in the satin dress. Then, the emperor announced that he had already chosen his bride and walked towards me. I shuddered. He took my hands and said, loud and clear: “you are everything I ever dreamed of”. 

A buzz filled the room. The competitors were outraged, asking if it was a joke. Some whispered among themselves, others shouted to the guards present and even to the emperor. The court officials responsible for carrying out the wedding procedures protested and some stood up angrily, as if they would start a fight. Seojun, the emperor's personal guard, ran in disbelief and entered between us, making me move away and the emperor let go of my hands.

“Your majesty, this is no time for jokes! This woman was the worst among all the candidates! Her lack of composure borders on disrespect! She didn’t even dress properly!”

The emperor looked into the eyes of his friend, advisor and body guard. Although Seojun was taller and bulkier than Yeoul, the aura of power emanating from the emperor made the guard smaller, and he suddenly looked like a child.

“Seojun, move away. I am not kidding. And I won't tolerate disrespect. The disrespectful behavior here is all this reaction. Immediately remove all people causing commotion.”

In a gentle and precise gesture, he turned away from Seojun and took my hands again. I was in disbelief, completely speechless. When I opened my mouth to say I couldn't accept it, he interrupted me: “I don't accept refusals. My order is absolute.” I lowered my head and a thousand thoughts bubbled up, the fear of death making my entire body tremble.

“You look pale. Don't worry." His Majesty took a strand of my hair and placed it affectionately behind my ear. "We will be very happy."

Seojun was very busy, commanding the guards to remove the agitated people from the hall. The Emperor called another guard and ordered her to schedule the wedding as soon as possible. Then he said he was tired and asked her to accompany me to the exit. He promised that he would make the official proposal to my family the next day.

Early the next day, as promised, a huge entourage arrived at our house. A multitude of gifts were being delivered for almost an hour. My family was ecstatic. My mother ran back and forth, her jaw dropping every time a gift came out of the carriages. Meanwhile, I looked out of the living room window with a cold sweat running down my face.

Finally, His Majesty Emperor Yeoul was announced and got off his carriage. Dazzling, with his serious countenance and his overwhelming aura of power. My parents came forward to welcome him. And I ran to hide in my room.

I had barely closed the door when my lady-in-waiting came in excitedly, calling me into the living room. I was paralyzed. 

She pulled me by the arm. “Come quickly, my lady, you cannot keep the emperor waiting.” I resisted, unable to utter a word.

“You look pale, my lady. Are you feeling unwell?” I looked at her, still silent. She started to get exasperated with my total lack of reaction and went to ask for help. My two older brothers came.

"What are you doing? Are you crazy? Come right away.” They grabbed me by the arm and dragged me to the living room door. They opened the door and pushed me in, whispering threateningly: “Behave yourself.”