一

It's cold. It's freezing cold and I can't see any light. How long has it been? I can't tell. I feel as though I am slowly losing my mind with each passing second. There is no aid no matter how much I cry for it. All I can do is just curl up against the cold wall, hoping to either be saved or for my death to arrive quicker. I raise my head to look across at the doors that kept me trapped within this prison-like residence. Just like the rest of the room; they look cold. I sigh, head dropping back down before I heard it. Footsteps. Almost immediately my head shoots back up and my eyes widen. Am I finally going to be saved? My heart pounds against my chest as I stand, stumbling as I hadn't used my legs in so long. To my dismay, it was not a rescue. But an old adversary, standing there in her silk robes, arms crossed as she looked at my dejected figure with a triumphant smile. I could only scowl at her with distaste.

"Noble Consort Kim... What brings you here?" I spat at her, glaring daggers.

"Why, I'm here to see how our darling Empress is doing, of course." Her smile slithered into a smirk, making my blood boil. "Although it doesn't seem as though you're holding up too well, dear Empress... You look quite disheveled." She let out a low laugh, slightly leaning down so we're eye level. "Such a shame... You were such a beauty. I do wonder how you lost His Majesty's favor."

"I didn't lose his favor. I simply got too busy for him." I snapped back, dropping my formalities with the cursed woman. She didn't deserve respect. "As for you... Do you really think you'll be able to hold on to his love if you keep scheming and plotting? Mark my words, karma will befall you, Noble Consort." She laughed at this, standing up straight once more as my scowl deepened.

"My dear Empress... You should watch what you say! After all... You tried to poison me already... What would His Majesty think if you took on such a tone with me again?" She faked her pain, looking down at me with a smirk. I scoffed at her words, standing up with a bit of struggle, glaring her in the eye.

"You and I both know very well what happened, Kim Yiyeon. You may have won his heart but you can never fool an Imperial investigation. I'll be out of here before you know it and when I am.. You should prepare for your death." I snapped at her, a triumphant smirk appearing on my lips as I saw the momentary fear flash across her features. She flipped her long hair over her shoulder with a scoff, stepping back and away from me.

"W-Well. We'll see about that." She sniffed, head tilting up slightly as she walked out of the prison. As soon as she was out of sight, I collapsed in a heap on the ground, legs unable to support me anymore. I was growing weaker; thinner. I felt my tears well up in my eyes as I let out a choked sob, head dropping into my palms as I wept silently.

Where did it all go wrong?

--------------------------------------------------------------

One Month Prior.

"Your Majesty!" I turned, hearing the cheerful voice of my maid, smiling warmly at the sight of the young girl. She was bright and innocent, and somewhat reminded me of a younger me, back when I was still in the General's mansion. I stood up, watching her arrive, panting due to her run.

"What is it, Xian?" I asked, gently placing my hand on her back and patting, helping her catch her breath.

"His Majesty is coming to see you, you're barely prepared!" Her head shot up with wide eyes and I couldn't help but laugh, smiling down at her.

"His Majesty has seen me in worse shape, he wouldn't mind that I'm dressed so casually. Knowing him, he'd be relieved to see me like this. Come, let's go greet my husband." I smiled, looking at her as I began walking to the entrance of my large residence, seeing the eunuchs approaching as they announced the Emperor's arrival. I watched the sedan be set down, and a small smile crept its way onto my face as I saw a eunuch move aside the curtain, watching the male leaving the sedan with fond eyes. When he saw me, his serious expression dropped, and a small, warm smile crept its way onto his lips as he took in my appearance. I approached him slowly, bowing. "Your Consort greets Your Majesty." I felt his hands on my shoulders, gently pulling me up.

"There's no need for formalities between us, Yueer." He smiled, cupping my face as he gently brushed my cheekbones with his thumbs. I leaned into his touch with a small, happy smile. How long has it been since we were able to enjoy each other's presence like this? I simply nodded in response to his words, slightly pulling away and gesturing to my residence.

"It would be much more comfortable to take a seat inside, Your Majesty." I watched as he nodded, dismissing the Eunuchs as he took my hand, leading me into the main room of my residence where he sat. I turned to one of my maids, asking her to prepare some tea and snacks as I went to join him, sitting beside him. We sat in comfortable silence for a moment before he parted his lips to speak.

"How has managing the Inner Palace been? Is it too stressful? If it is I can have the Empress Dowager help you." I stiffened at the mention of my Mother-In-Law, shaking my head slightly.

"I'm alright, Your Majesty. Managing the Harem isn't that difficult of a task." I smiled at him softly. He nodded in response as my maid re-entered the room with the snacks and tea I'd asked for, setting them down and bowing before leaving us alone, in private. I picked up the tea set, preparing a cup of tea for each of us with precision and grace; as I'd been instructed to do as soon as I'd become the crown princess. I set the teapot down once I was done, holding a cup up for the Emperor. "Your tea, Your Majesty." I felt him take the cup gingerly from my hands, pulling away to pick up my own cup, taking a sip. I heard him hum in approval, glancing up to see him smile.

"Good tea."

We stayed like this for a while longer, and before we knew it, it was dark. He stood and glanced at me, then outside at the moon, seeming like he wanted to say something. I wanted him to stay; I always did. But what if he had a prior engagement? Or what if he had more work... The last thing I wanted was to hold him back. But perhaps I could be selfish this one time, and have him stay. As he was stepping out of the residence I took hold of his sleeve, making him stop in his tracks and look back at me. I looked down, my face flushing with embarrassment. I gulped, words caught in my throat, only managing a single word: "Stay."

As soon as the word left my lips he whirled around, whisking me off my feet as I let out a surprised yelp. He carried me towards my bed-chamber and I flushed, knowing what was to come next, and I closed my eyes, welcoming his warmth as I held him close for the first time in a very, very long while.