'I want you here with me, like how I pictured it.'

Yun Ki's head bore the weight of the myeonryugwan, a royal crown that bore 9 jade studded strings over his face.

He stands before the full length mirror with Chief Hong one one side, adjusting the arm of his royal blue Ceremonial robe as beads falling down his face, clash against one another with every subtle movement of his head.

His feet are clad in his red seok's, ones that are adorned with intricate golden thread work.

[*Seok = Traditional footwear].

The back of his ceremonial robe is imbibed in gold and red, streaks of a ferocious yet, majestic dragon breathing fire, taking prominence over his shoulder blades.

The black cloth holding his ash grey hair under the myeonryugwan, is itchy and Yun Ki isn't sure whether it's from the fabric or the sweat that threatens to spill past his hairline.

He watches his reflection and notices just how radiant he's looking, standing like The Crowned King.

His sleeves are long and go past his knuckles.

He raises an arm, to watch the material of his sleeve slack down his arms, revealing his white inner-vest.

Chief Hong is biting down over his lower lip as he is now sticking pins in Yun Ki's crown, to hold it stiffly against his forehead, so it doesn't slip down his head in the ceremony.

Yun Ki hadn't payed much attention to traditions or rituals when he'd brought in Soojin as his Bride, for the very first time. However, today, he was feeling as though he'd do just about anything to see Soojin's smile.

To see her pearly whites stand out amidst all the each other features of her face, that he so dearly loved and admired.

He couldn't erase the image of her beaming when they'd learnt that they were to be wed, again.

He was opposed to going through all the trouble, for the second time and yet, the curl of Soojin's lips was enough to convince him to go through it all, again.

This ceremony was different as Yun Ki wasn't wearing his half-mask.

The jute one, that covered the scar.

The scar, that was his biggest weakness.

He decided to discard it upon Wang Taeiji's conviction of entering this ritual, as burden-free as possible and to Yun Ki, his identity and the pressure of concealing his insecurities was possibly the heaviest burden he carried.

He felt different, today.

He looked at his face through the beads, the scar splaying across his face and giving him an edge.

He'd grown to love parts of himself.

The scar made him the man he was, today.

It was an inevitable part of him, one he couldn't forego even if he wanted.

It didn't make him any less human and Yun Ki was okay about that.

Chief Hong notices the way Yun Ki's palms grow sweaty or the way he clenches his fists, snapping his knuckles.

"Jeonha, do you realise the significance of these jade beads?" He asks, adjusting the shoulder of Yun Ki's robe, such that it lines perfectly.

Yun Ki looks up at Chief Hong's reflection.

"You'll notice how the beads are coloured blue, red, black and yellow."

He pats over Yun Ki's shoulders, staring back at him.

"However, with your head held upright, the black beads lie parallel to your eyes. They cover your line of sight, perfectly. They are a symbol of your righteousness and just attitude to The People of Baekmin. They signify that a Crowned King must give up personal feelings of greed and must look impartially, ahead over his Reign..Jeonha, with this myeonryugwan, you are The King, The Ruler of Baekmin. Your scar or your face has little to do with who you are. What you do, is most important. So, hold your head high and embrace the man you are, today. I-I'm certain the-that Late Queen and King would've been so proud.." The Chief explains, choking in the end, a moist film coating his eyes as he swallows rapidly, trying to forego the overwhelming emotions that are taking over him.

Yun Ki catches his expressions and turns around, to face him.

The Chief bows his head down, avoiding eye contact and Yun Ki bends down to meet his eyes.

"Are you crying?" He asks, worried, placing a hand over the man's tense shoulders.

The Chief breathes in a laboured breath, looking back at him, shaking his head.

"Just overwhelmed by how far you've come.." He confesses, running a finger over his leaky nostrils.

It's times like these that allow Yun Ki to appreciate the kind of support he has in his life, in the form of his loyal Chief.

He's worked selflessly alongside him and has not once complained, bearing all the curses that left past Yun Ki's lips in times of distress.

He's been his punching bag, a great councillor and most importantly, a friend.

They were like brothers, of course.

"You do know that I didn't get this far on my own alone, right? You were with me, every step of the way.." Yun Ki confesses.

Chief Hong looks back up, head straight as he laughs, beads of happy tears escaping past his narrowed eyelids.

"When did you get so good with words, Jeonha?"

Yun Ki's stomach rumbles and flips as he thinks of the person behind his smooth talk.

He knew he was good at vocalising his feelings, especially the crude ones before women but just being blatantly expressive with Soojin was a charm on it's own.

The way she responded to his naughty and sly words had Yun Ki's stomach being filled with butterflies.

He was so in love and today was the day he'd be bringing her into his life as his lawfully and heart-fully wedded wife.

He was nervous to see her in her own ceremonial robe.

He was scared he'd loose her, immediately.

He was scared she'd run away, the way she did on their first night.

Yun Ki would hold onto her, tonight.

Hold her so hard she wouldn't be able to leave even if she really wanted to.

——————

Soojin sat before the mirror watching her maidservant place the Daesu over her head.

[*Daesu = crown adorned with ornaments for the queens or princesses consort to be worn during special occasions.]

Soojin felt a certain way, one she hadn't felt before, in ages.

She was happy.

The world was at her feet and it was being carried, dutifully by her husband.

The man she'd grown to love.

The man she once hated, with all her breath and being had become someone who gave her pleasure and a feeling of comfort.

He had her swooning, toes curling and goosebumps raising all over her body.

She loved his eyes on her.

The way he'd smile when his eyes landed on hers, the way his pinky would brush against her hand over the wooden railings of the balcony or the way he'd wrap her in his arms like a human blanket.

He'd fill her insides with a warmth so deep it had her insides fuzzing and glitching.

"Daebi-Mama, your look is complete!" Her maidservant chimes, clapping her hands ecstatically.

Soojin could feel like a bride.

She had on a Red ceremonial robe along with her blue pleated skirt.

Her cheeks were flushed and rouge spread over her lips as she admired what was staring back at her, through the mirror.

"Yun Ki will be bewitched!" The old Queen coos, walking in to get a look at Soojin's attire.

Soojin stands up, bowing before the one she'd been trained to call Eomeonim.

"Soojin-ah, you might not believe this but, this is the ceremonial gown I wore when I walked in as The Queen of Goryeo." She explains, feeling over the material of the silk.

Soojin clamps a hand over her mouth, looking down at her dress.

"Omo! I shouldn't be wea—" She is interrupted by gentle hands over her arms.

"It's for you to keep..I wish it blesses you in a loving marriage, similar to the one I share with Wang Taeiji. I believe blessings from the elders comes a long way. Consider this as a token of my blessings! May you and Yun Ki be bestowed with every happiness, that comes along your way." She caresses Soojin's cheek, lovingly as Soojin smiles, wholeheartedly.

The women walk out of the Chamber, towards the Royal Goryeo Court, where the processions would be happening.

Yun Ki was all ready, apparently and he'd been waiting for an eternity.

The loud chime of the gong breaks the ministers of Goryeo out of their hustle bustle as they stand up, to greet The Queen.

Soojin walks with her arms propped upright, a walk she'd done before, half-heartedly and here she was, feeling as though she could jump and leap through the air with each and every step.

Her head is bowed and she wishes she could look up and catch a glimpse of Yun Ki and perhaps one of his gummy smiles, if she were lucky.

"The Queen of Baekmin, Min Soo Jin is arriving! Bow one, Bow all! Bow before Pyeha!" Chief Hong screams, whilst banging the traditional Drum, with every ounce of energy he has as he catches a glimpse of Soojin, smiling at her with tears in his eyes.

Soojin bows on either sides of the crowd of Goryeo's ministers and lines of Princes and Princesses who'd gathered to celebrate the union.

She meets eyes with Ji Hyun, the 3rd Prince who'd taught them or attempted to teach them how to mould clay and he's beaming at her.

Soojin bows her head to him, playfully as she breathes out loud, reaching the altar.

Her heart is thumping in her chest, roses blooming in her lungs, suffocating her yet filling her insides with a sweet aroma and intoxicating her head, one that throbs with longing.

She stops before a pair of feet.

Ones clad in the red seok, she too, was wearing.

Her head lays heavy, with the load of the Daesu and she gathers courage to look up and, she does so effortlessly.

Even if it has her neck cramping, she holds her head high as she meets eyes with the ones she'd been dying to see for the past night she spent twisting and turning, thinking of him.

Her eyes fall over the crinkles around his own and down his scar, the one he's let exposed to the world and it brings a smile on her face, as she lets out a tiny giggle watching him.

He looks delighted, standing before her, exuding the aura of a King as his pink lips curl into a hearty smile, exposing the pink and glossy gums, she's grown to love as he smiles from eye-to-eye, watching her as though she's the only one who exists, in his eyes.

The two of them bow down to each other, headgears clashing in the process as the pointy ends of her Daesu get intertwined with the bead studded strings of his headwear.

Yun Ki lets out a throaty laugh, untangling the intertwined mesh.

Soojin looks up at him, the way his nimble fingers work on the strings and free them in an instant.

They were meant to be intertwined, by fate.

Wang Taeiji and the old Queen join by the groom and bride's respective sides as they pour makgeolli before them in a ceramic cup, one they ought to share.

Yun Ki lifts the beige cup from the plate and brings it closer to Soojin's lips, with a hand below her chin, prompting her to drink from it.

Soojin bends forward, lips latching onto the cup as she swallows the sweet alcoholic beverage.

She raises a hand to take the drink from Yun Ki's grasp and meets his fingers, that are wrapped around the cup.

She intertwines her fingers with his, directing it to his own lips as he drinks from the same spot that have Soojin's lip tint's stains.

Soojin watches his side-profile, admiring how handsome he looks in his attire.

Chief Hong kneels before the duo, handing them a pair of wooden Mandarin Ducks.

"They mate for a lifetime.." Chief Hong says, gifting the couple.

Yun Ki looks over at Soojin, who's blushing intensely as she's holding onto the Ducks.

He leans in, whispering in Soojin's ear.

"This one's me and that's you.." He teases, pointing at the one with a bigger bill.

Soojin nudges him, secretly as she laughs at his comparisons.

With the exchange of dates and nuts, the ceremony is completed.

Wang Taeiji stands before the duo, announcing.

"I now pronounce you, husband and wife!" He cheers, patting Yun Ki's back, whose eyes are trained on Soojin's.

He winks at her, catching her off guard.

—————

The duo greet the guests, expressing their heartfelt gratitude and the pleasure of their company and attendance.

Once the hall clears out, Yun Ki leans in closer to Soojin bringing his arm around her shoulder.

"Are you ready to live your life as Mrs. Min?" He asks, intently.

Soojin bites her tongue, bowing down to hide the rouge that takes over her entirety, every time she's close to Yun Ki.

"It'd be an honour to live as Mrs. Min." Soojin replies.

Just then Wang Taeiji and his Queen walk closer to the couple.

"Don't worry, I won't be disturbing the two of you, anymore. You are free to leave to your Chamber. One, that has been prepared for the freshly wed duo.." He teases, poking Yun Ki in the rib.

Yun Ki grabs his hand, bringing it close to his chest.

"I may have been very rude and uproot with you, yesterday however, the way I feel in the moment, is unparalleled. The two of you are all to thank for! We hope we can become half the couple you are.. I really mean it. We're indebted to you!"

The Queen brings Soojin's hand and places it atop Yun Ki's.

"You being together, is the only thing we've ever wanted. Be each other's strength and always keep one another happy."

Yun Ki intertwines his digits with Soojin's, looking down at her side-profile.

"I'll treat her as a Queen. Just the way she deserves and that, is a promise."