A SMALL MATTER OF MARRIAGE PART VI (*THE REUNION* FAITH FAN FIC) CONTINUED
PART VI
When Eun Soo entered the queen’s quarters, disregarding the royal etiquette, young woman rushed for a hug. “Unnie!” Both smiling through tears, they couldn’t contain the joy at the reunion. Lady Choi approvingly nodded, also sporting a smile on her usually serious face. With one look from her, others in a room backed out and saying that she’d wait outside for any orders, she was the last one to exit and close the doors.
The women sat across from each other holding hands.
“My queen you have gotten prettier.” Eun Soo lovingly observed Noguk’s features. “Let me see. You look healthy. How have you been feeling?”
“I am good”.
But Noguk’s lips quivered, “Unnie. You know we have been trying. For a baby. Still…” Her eyes filled with tears and she lowered her chin. “Unnie, tell me is it even possible for us? Any truth is better than not knowing, please.”
Eun Soo gently pulled the queen for a hug. Caressing the girl’s hair she replied softly: “Maybe, it's not your time yet. I'll do everything I can to help you. Enjoy your marriage. Don't worry too much.” She wiped the Queen's tears, while Noguk looked at her with her huge eyes, sniffling.
“Unnie, you are my only friend. You are not afraid to touch me. You treat me like a sister, not a queen.”
“Your Majesty, I'm glad that we can talk like that. I never had a sister, but if I could choose one, considering you would be my honor.”
“Sisters then”, cheerfully perked up Noguk. “What is wrong with me. Why are we talking about me all the time. You are the one who was away. Tell me everything!” She called out to the her aids behind the door “Bring us fresh tea, sweets and snacks. And some peaches.”
“You like them, yes? Tell me about your married life. Is it what you had imagined? The king and I had our share of troubles before we figured our way. I know you did not get to have a wedding, but His Majesty wanted to put the general’s mind at ease. You can’t imagine how many women asked about him! I’m blabbering again…”
Noguk wanted to set something up right away and asked what Eun Soo thought of the dowry chest.
“Your Majesty, thank you for the gifts. You are very thoughtful.” Eun Soo lied, she never saw what’s inside.
Eun Soo left completely exhausted. Her heart was too full, if there is such a thing. Ever since being back, her emotions were running high, intensity of loving and being loved by Choi Young was quite powerful. Making love, being connected, finally truly being together, never to be apart, all of it was huge. She was filled to the brim with feelings, living a dream, yet a reality that was overwhelming. She wanted to find a comfortable pace for her days, to get into the rhythm of slowing things down a bit. To add one more issue to worry about - a wedding ceremony, would push her beyond any emotional limits. She remembered from her Psychology 101 - marriage was quite high on the stress scale, and separation and then reunification through time travel would probably be the highest. And these were just the obvious reasons she was willing to admit to herself.
It has been a little more than a week since Eun Soo returned to the barracks. She still has not opened the queen's gift. She would look at it, imagining its wondrous contents: linens, silver and gold, jewelry, dresses… The fantasy was enough, she would not dare to pick inside. Although she really wanted to have a wedding, she was conflicted about how to handle it. The more time passed, the less important it became to have an actual event. They were already living like a married couple: they shared a home, a life, they called each other husband and wife and they even had a royal decree to prove it. If she were to open the chest, then she would be forced to face the decision about the ceremony. So, she avoided the large box, sitting by the wall, staring at her day and night.
Why? Maybe, because it made her think of her parents. She missed them. Every time she thought of the wedding, she inevitably thought of her mother. She would never see me in a wedding dress. And then her father. He would not walk me down the aisle. Noguk’s sincere naiveté made it so much more painful and apparent that she did not have anybody to give her away. She was an orphan as far as she was concerned.
So she never opened the large dowry chest and it stood there waiting for its time.