A Nine-Tailed Love

Chapter 6

Dae-Hyun

-- Several Months Later--

With my arms out I waited for the maiden before me to finish pulling my hands through the sleeves of my royal hanbok. This was what a woman's touch felt like and I didn't like it. Her calloused hands scraped against my skin as I sucked in a breath through my teeth and pulled away from her.

“Woman, your hands are too rough.” I growled at her.

She immediately dropped her head and folded her hands over one another, “I am sorry your majesty.”

I rolled my eyes at her, “Just get out of here, I can do this myself. You women will do anything for attention from me, won't you?” pulling away from her I turned toward the mirror and affixed the bright red silk jacket over my matching pants.

Shuffling feet outside of my door caused me to turn around as I pulled on my hat, tying the ribbon under my chin. "What is it?"

"Your majesty, I have the decree you requested from the magistrate. He would like you to review it for revision before the meeting."

Shifting my gaze to my guard beside the door I gave him a curt nod indicating that he was allowed entry. I pulled my sleeve up to my elbow to check my arm where that wretched woman had touched me and saw no marks.

I glanced over at the sentinel, Son-Gi and let out a heavy breath as I extended my hand out to him, "Let me see what these idiots want to propose now."

Son placed the scroll in my hand and stepped back. His head was lowered as he fiddled with his sleeves on his dark blue hanbok.

I scanned over the document quickly, checking over the numbers my brow furrowed as my eyes landed on the percentage they wanted to raise my citizens taxes.

"Are these people crazy? An additional ten percent on their current taxes would bring them to thirty five percent." I sneered as I crumpled up the scroll and threw it back at Son-Gi. 

Placing my hands on my hips I shook my head as I turned around, scanning the simple space. My mahogany platform bed sat against the wall with the blankets folded neatly at the end. I then shifted my gaze to the redwood folded tables against the wall below the small platform and then to my small vanity I kept for my combs and hair pieces used to tie my hair up.

I sighed at the thought that one day I would give in and let my heart lead me to something more than just existing.

"Let's go. We should get this done and over with for today." I stated as I spun around and stomped out of the room.

Once in the hallway the overcast weather had dimmed the lighting in the palace, giving the hallways a dark eerie look to them. The magistrate before me took his time lighting the kerosene lamps along the corridor as we made our way to the throne room, the place I dreaded the most. 

My eyes volleyed from the magistrate on the left to the sentinels on the right. Their hanboks differentiated in color as well as their hats. As I strutted further into the room everyone bowed their heads, folding their hands in front of them.

"Your majesty." They all said in unison.

Making my way up to the throne I turned around and plopped down on the seat, letting out a heavy sigh as I rested my hands on my knees and urged them to start this meeting.

On the throne laced in gold, I sat, bored out of my mind. The loud thumping of raindrops echoed in the throne room as I listened to the group of advisors, the magistrate, and the sentinels before me. Their loud words had shifted into harsh breaths as they scoffed at each other in disgust. 

Scanning the room, I realized I wasn't interested in staying indoors today, especially if this constant bickering continued. I ran my tongue on the inner side of my lip as I stared ahead at the red silk drapes that encircled the room. Rolling my eyes, I slammed my hand onto the armrest of my throne, silencing the room.

"Fighting about this isn't going to make it any less harder to deal with." I sneered. "The more you push the common folks and raise taxes the more you push them toward rebelling. These people… my people are already having enough trouble paying their current dues. I order you to stop with this nonsense."

My head magistrate narrowed his eyes at me before quickly diverting his eyes elsewhere. Thinking I hadn't seen him, he changed the subject entirely. I shouted at him and watched as he and the others flinched. “If I hear another word about raising taxes I will have you all tried for treason.”

The room fell silent for a moment before I shifted my gaze to Bool-He, my father’s most treacherous magistrate. There were so many crimes he had orchestrated, but without evidence, we couldn't have him stand a fair trial. It would be useless. 

"Your majesty, don't you think it's time you took a consort or search for a queen within the royal families? You are going to need an heir soon." He smirked.

I kept my eyes on him, not even bothering to gauge the expressions of the others. This man had been trying for years to get me to take a concubine or even a consort. I am not interested in any of the sort as the women he continued to choose for me were ones of shapeshifters.

My father was unfit for his position and even more so with the harem. I’m surprised I was selected to take his place with the eight brothers I had running through the kingdom.

"I will, eventually. But in the meantime this subject is none of your concern." I snapped, rising from my seat. "This meeting is adjourned. I'm going out for a ride." 

I slowly stepped down from my throne and strode out of the room. The sentinel leaders were hot on my heels. I stopped short and pivoted on my heel to face them. With a stern look on my face, I addressed them. "I do not need you to follow me. I am going out alone."

One of the sentinels raised his finger as he anxiously addressed me, “B-but your m-majesty, it's pouring out there, you will get sick.” He stuttered.

I snapped my neck at him, eyes narrowed. “Do you think I can't hear it?" I yelled with a clenched fist. "Go be useless somewhere else." I waved them off.

"Yes, your majesty." They bowed their heads and maneuvered around me as they dismissed themselves.

Releasing a loud sigh, I ran my hand over my face and stomped off toward the stalls to retrieve my horse. The stone pathways through the main courtyard were covered and the dirt between the walkways were quickly filled with rainwater. I decided to go through the mudded path instead to avoid any chance of running into anyone.

"Your majesty!" A maiden's voice called out to me. 

I stopped and turned to face the woman. The heavy pelts of the rain quickly drenched my clothing. There was a group of concubines gawking at me from the covered walkway. I shook my head and continued, not caring for what they thought about me. The sound of the pounding raindrops silenced their advances.

My eyes scanned the area as the stone building that held the horses came into view. I smiled at the thought of a ride in the rain. Upon reaching the stalls, I spotted my favorite black stallion, Baek. His friendly demeanor towards me as I approached him told me he was ready for a long run, and I was more than happy to oblige. 

"Hey you. Are you ready to go?" I asked as I stroked his dark snout.

He bobbed his head and neighed as he jumped around, impatiently waiting for me to open his stall. Quickly, I unlatched the lock, swinging the door open as I stepped back. Smiling as he stepped out he immediately trotted over to his reins that were strung up at the end beside an empty stall.

"Alright, settle down. I'm getting it." I chuckled as I shuffled over and pulled them down. I slid Baek's snout through the opening and secured it before moving over to his side and hoisting myself onto his back.

"Where do you want to go?" I asked him as I stroked his neck.

Baek let out a loud neigh as he rocked on his feet.

"The lake? You want to go to the lake? Fine by me. Let's go!" I shouted with excitement.

Baek bobbed his head and took off in a full sprint into the rain and straight for the gates. The entrance to the trail caused me to smile. The lush evergreen trees and scents of heavy rain permeated the forest air.

The heavy thudding of hoofs on the dirt path sounded from behind me. I turned my head to see my best friend and general of my army, Gon.

His bulky frame rocked as he held onto his sword, "Dae, where are you going without any guards?" He shouted at me over the thunderous claps of our horses' hooves.

I gently pulled back on Baek’s reins coming to a slow halt. Once he had stopped, I turned and waited for Gon to catch up. He stopped his horse beside mine.

"What are you doing out here by yourself?" He asked with a raised brow.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed heavily, "I needed some space. The sentinels kept hounding me about finding a consort. They are pushing for an heir and I already know what that means." I groaned, rolling my eyes.

Gon let out a hearty laugh, "Well you aren't getting any younger." He clapped my shoulder.

I shrugged his hand off of me and scoffed. "I'm twenty eight. They can wait a little while longer and neither are you. You’re almost thirty!"

Gon scoffed, crossing his arms, "Are you so sure they can? Those guys are old and have been set in their ways by your father. All they know is bloodshed and power. They're abusing it, they always have and you know it." he gestured toward the palace. 

I c****d my head at him, "What enemies do we have right now? We are in a peaceful period and I would like to keep it that way for a little while longer before I actually have to draw my sword."

Gon shrugged his shoulders. "This is true. But do not stay out here too long you are going to catch a cold in this…" he stopped for a moment as the rain came to a halt. We watched the clouds quickly part, illuminating the area around us. "Rain… what just happened?"

I chuckled, "It never rains too long around here. But I am happy for it, especially before the drought." I sighed, "You go and head on back, I won't be too long." I jutted my chin in the direction we both ventured from.

"Well if you insist. Here take this in the meantime, you do not know what animals have a taste for blood these days." He unlatched his quil and handed me his bow.

I smiled as I grabbed the two from him and secured them to myself before clicking my tongue. I gave Baek a nudge and turned around as we took off toward the nearest lake.

The soft chirps of the birds filled the still space as small rodents chattered and ran around the forest floor. The glistening lake ahead caught my attention, as did a large white four-legged creature that sat beside a lush blossom tree, its head tilted toward the sky, eyes closed.

I stopped a little ways away and watched the animal as I drew my bow and arrow. I slid from Baek's backside, landed on a weak plot of dirt, and crouched down to the forest floor. I watched it in amazement as the sun reflected the beads of rain from its fur. It's a white fox? I thought to myself as I focused my sights.

I sat down beside the nearest tree and watched it for a moment, admiring this creature before me. I was in pure adoration of it.

A little bit of time had passed before I rolled onto my knees and cautiously held my bow as I rose to my feet, stepping on a twig that gave way with a crunch.

The foxes' ears twitched and flickered as I took a crouched step forward. Its eye opened as it kept its snout tilted toward the sky. Golden irises stared back at me with confusion. What a beautiful creature it was, but I couldn't risk having it charge me. I sat unwaveringly and awaited the next move.