The Abandoned Empress and the Forgotten Emperor

A barren, sick hen. A phoenix with clipped wings.
Everyone in the palace mocked the empress openly, without a shred of respect or fear.
The Emperor merely turned a blind eye — no, he laughed.

“Even the Empress’s hands are pitifully unsightly.”

***

“Your Majesty, I beg you, please send a royal physician to my father!”
“The Empress has broken royal decree by speaking without my permission. Strike her face twenty times.”

The only thing the desperate Empress had left was her life.
In exchange for a physician for her father, she slit her own throat.
The Emperor screamed.

“Seol Bu-yeong! Who said you could die as you please?!”

The Empress couldn’t make sense of the Emperor’s cries.
Why are you crying?
I thought you’d be pleased if I died.

***

In the end, unable to die, the Empress opened her eyes once more.
She had made up her mind.
She would pretend to have lost her memory and act like the woman the Emperor once loved.

“Empress, let’s end this act. It’s revolting to watch.”
“I am not the Empress! I am Bu-yeong, daughter of Seol Ik-jin!”

I’ll throw you into the deepest depths of despair.
Even if it means forgetting you.
Even if it means forgetting myself.