4.

Toshiko wiped her eyes and groaned, "You guys couldn't wait to wake me up before the envoy came?"

The Empress shushed her, "We need to get you ready now. Emiko, send the dressing maids here." When Emiko went out, The Empress smiled. "Did you study the book?"

Toshiko thought about it, "What book?" Until she noticed a split second later. "I mean! Of course!"

The Empress squinted her eyes, "Where is it?"

Toshiko laughed awkwardly, "I...."

The Empress was clearly mad, "Well?"

Toshiko coughed, "I read it! And put it back in the library.."

The Empress sighed, "Fine. I believe you. Now get up, we need to get you ready."

Toshiko stood up and sat back down in her chair, looking at herself in the mirror, "Mother, what is this Prince Haneul like?"

The Empress brushed Toshiko's hair. "From what I hear from the concubines, he is the 3rd son of the current king. He's also his most impressive. They say he'll be made a Crown Prince if he keeps it up."

Toshiko turned around, "What? So i'll probably be a Crown Princess? Of a country i'm not even from?!"

The Empress laughed, "Not just Crown Princess. Queen."

Toshiko seemed dissatisfied, "I guess it is a higher title than I have now."

The Empress nodded her head, "It certainly is. And it's more powerful."

Toshiko sighed, "Do I have to get ma-"

The Empress slammed her hand on the desk, "Yes! You have to get married!"

Toshiko flinched at the slam, and watched as the empress stormed out. Shortly after, the dressing maids came in amongst Emiko. "Your Highness, we'll dress you now."

Toshiko saw the wedding dress and couldn't keep her eyes off of it, "Thi- This dress is huge!"

Emiko and the maids laughed, "Of course, the king delivered this dress with the envoy!"

Everyone assisted in dressing Toshiko shortly after, making sure everything was flawless. Toshiko was clearly uncomfortable, "Emiko, why is this dress so ugly! I look like a mess!"

Emiko shushed her, "Your Highness! You musn't say that!"

Toshiko groaned and let the maids continue dressing her. Although it felt like years for Toshiko, it was really only an hour. Upon which The Emperor and Empress walked in after, seeing toshiko in her wedding dress.

"Father!" Toshiko nearly fell from all of the weight on her dress, but was able to walk slowly and hug him. "I thought you'd never show up!"

The Emperor smiled. "You look great!"

Toshiko turned to her mother, who was teary eyed. "Mother... Will I ever be able to come back?"

The Empress sighed, "If they are willing.."

Toshiko wanted to continue talking, but was interrupted by the envoy. "Princess Consort. It's time to go."

Toshiko took a look at her mother and father, "Princess Consort?"

The Envoy smiled, "Yes, Princess Consort."

Toshiko whispered lowly to The Empress, "I thought it was a higher title!"

The Empress rolled her eyes, "Toshiko, go with the envoy.." Her voice cracked.

Toshiko nodded her head, and the envoy lead her to the carriage outside of the palace gates, where she took one last look at the palace. And walked away, shedding only a single tear.

The Envoy opened the curtain to let Toshiko into the carriage, "Princess Consort... The ride will take a few hours. Will you be able to bear with it?"

Toshiko smiled at the envoy, "Of course!"

The Envoy nodded his head and they set out, the first few moments of the ride bumpy, but Toshiko was able to relax through it. Before anyone knew it, nighttime had fallen and The Envoy swapped shifts with another Eunuch. He came into the carriage shortly after. "Princess Consort. It's nighttime as of now. Please get some rest."

Toshiko nodded her head as he went out. The carriage still moving. "Emiko, how far are we?"

Emiko shrugged, "If I had to take a guess, we may get there by tomorrow!"

Toshiko sighed, as she witnessed almost everyone around her fall asleep, only the eunuch pulling the carriage and the guards around the carriage awake. Although some seemed particularly tired. She quickly called out to a guard, "You, how much further?"

The Guard replied quickly, "Princess Consort, we should be there within 6 hours."

Toshiko smiled in understanding and went back inside, coming back to a passed out Emiko. She slowly drifted into a sleeping state, although it was difficult. She was awoken by Emiko in what seemed like broad daylight. "Your Highness." Emiko tapped on her shoulder, "Your Highness!"

Toshiko woke up shortly after, "Are we here?"

Emiko smiled, "Yes! We entered the city earlier."

Toshiko took a look outside of the curtain. Upon which she saw the dirt road and night sky still. "Emiko!"

Emiko could barely hold in her laugh, "The Guards told me to awaken you!"

Toshiko rolled her eyes, "Who gave you the audacity? I am the Legitimate Princess of Japan!"

Emiko giggled, "You mean Princess Consort of Korea?"

Toshiko shushed her as she slapped her hand softly, "Im a Princess of Japan and Korea!"

Emiko giggled as she went to look outside of the carriage, her mouth nearly dropping. "Your Highness! You need to see this!"