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The night fell as swiftly and quietly as a feather drifting down from the sky. It came without warning, and yet somehow, it was a comfort to those who welcomed it.
As the darkness spread across the sky, it brought with it a sense of calm and tranquility that seemed to touch everything in its path. The stars slowly emerged, one by one, twinkling like tiny diamonds in the sky. It was as if they were being lit by the gentle hand of a divine being, each one a symbol of hope and promise.
For even as the world slept, it was also preparing for the arrival of the new day, with all its promise and potential. And so, the night continued on, its quiet beauty was a reminder of the wonders that awaited those who were patient enough to wait for them.
Sitting in her quarters, softly fluffing the rectangular pillow, Ye-Sol sighed. She couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had been plaguing her for days. As the youngest member of a high ranking noble family, Ye-Sol had seen and heard things going around that others shouldn't have known. She knew that something was brewing within their tight-knitted community, something that could shake the foundation of her family's revered and respected name.
But what could she, a woman in-love with her lowly servant, do to stop it?
Ye-Sol, a young and brave woman, realized that she had to act expeditiously to protect the woman she loved. She knew that time was of the essence, and she had to devise a plan to ensure Mi-Ja’s safety. She carefully assessed the situation and weighed the risks and benefits of each option available to her. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, Ye Sol remained determined and focused on her goal: to safeguard those she loved and cherished.
If someone knew about them for certain, she knew that her father would lock her up and keep Mi-Ja very far away from her. The thought of never seeing Mi-Ja again almost made her go crazy. She would never let that happen. She was fine loving her in the dark, but to be away from her for even just a day, was something that she knew she couldn't bear.
With a clear mind and a determined spirit, Ye-Sol began to formulate a plan. She knew that she couldn't do this alone. It wouldn't be easy, but Ye-Sol was prepared to do whatever it takes to keep everything under wraps. In her mind, she was ready to leave everything behind and start a life with Mi-Ja. If eloping is the only key for them to be together then so be it.
As the night wore on, Ye-Sol worked tirelessly to put her plan into action. She knew that time was running out, but she refused to give up.
Yesterday, Ye-Sol's father told her that she needed to get married as she was not getting any younger. He believed that, as a lady of her rank and respectability, she should not wait any longer. There were many eligible bachelors vying for her hand and requesting her father's permission to marry her.
Ye-Sol knew that she had to act quickly before her father forced her into a marriage she did not want. She added this to her list of things to accomplish, knowing that she could not let anything get in the way of her love for Mi-Ja and her mission to keep her safe.
A faint knock on her door woke Ye-Sol up from her reverie. Her heart skipped a beat as she opened the door to see Mi-Ja standing there. Her warm gaze and sweet smile made her heart flutter in ways she didn’t know was possible.
She quickly pulled her inside, embracing her tightly. "I'm so glad you're here," Ye-Sol whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
Mi-Ja smiled weakly, her eyes filled with worry. "What's going on, Ye-Sol?"
The young noble lady buried her face in her lover’s nape. This confused the other girl. As Ye-Sol’s lady-in-waiting, she would always come late at night, tending to her ladyship’s needs. Every night, Ye-Sol would tell Mi-Ja that she needs nothing except her presence.
But Ye-Sol’s embrace felt different, it felt urgent.
Ye-Sol's embrace felt different from all the others they shared. It felt as though she was trying to convey a message that words couldn't. Whatever the reason was, the embrace seemed to last longer than usual, and their bodies seemed to be clinging to each other as if they were afraid to let go.
Ye-Sol took a deep breath and began to explain everything to her. She told her about the danger that was looming over their heads and the plan that she had devised to keep them safe. Mi-Ja listened intently, her expression growing more and more serious with each passing moment.
When Ye-Sol finished, Mi-Ja took her hand and looked into her eyes. "I trust you, Ye-Sol. I will be by your side no matter what happens."
Mi-Ja gently rested her palm over Ye-Sol's soft, porcelain-like cheek, feeling the warmth of her skin. She couldn't help but admire the way her eyes sparkled in the dimly lit room, and how her lips curved into a shy smile.
As she gazed at Ye-Sol, Mi-Ja's mind wandered to the events of the past few days. She was within earshot when Ye-Sol’s father declared that he had already decided and had her betrothed to a young man, the middle son of the deputy chief of the King’s security forces.
Mi-Ja's heart sank as she thought about the arranged marriage. She knew that it was a common practice in their society, but the thought of Ye-Sol marrying someone else made her feel sick. She wanted to do whatever it takes to prevent it from happening, even if it meant putting herself in danger. But she also knew that she had no power to do so.
“I won't let that happen," she said firmly. "There must be a way to stop it."
Mi-Ja smiled at Ye-Sol’s determination. "We will find a way," Ye-Sol said, taking her hand. "We will find a way, nae sarang."
Ye-Sol leaned in and stared at Mi-Ja's mouth, with her heart pounding in her chest. Mi-Ja's lips were soft and full, and Ye-Sol couldn't help but admire their perfect shape. As she leaned closer, she caught Mi-Ja's scent wafting into her nose, a delicate floral fragrance that made her feel dizzy with desire. Suddenly, Mi-Ja's lips covered hers, and Ye-Sol felt a surge of electricity shoot through her body. She closed her eyes and surrendered to the kiss, her fingers entwined in Mi-Ja's hair as they lost themselves in the moment.
Suddenly, Mi-Ja's fingers worked on the knot of Ye-Sol's jeogori, she couldn't help but feel a tingle of excitement coursing through her veins. Exposing layer after layer, the last knot of the dress came loose, Ye-Sol's garments finally fell open, revealing her smooth, glowing skin. Mi-Ja's eyes widened with awe, and she leaned in closer, taking in the sight before her.
Without a word, she started tracing a line of soft kisses along the nape of Ye-Sol's neck, savoring the taste and smell of her skin. Her lips were feather-light, barely touching the surface, yet the effect was electric, sending shivers down Ye-Sol's spine.
As she continued to kiss her way down, Mi-Ja's fingers moved lower, tracing the curve of Ye-Sol's waist, exploring the contours of her body with gentle, yet purposeful touches. Ye-Sol gasped, feeling a surge of desire building inside her.
Mi-Ja's touch was like fire, igniting every nerve ending in her body, leaving her yearning for more. She leaned in closer, her lips now pressed against Ye-Sol's skin with more force, her tongue tracing the outlines of every curve and contour.
As the seconds ticked by, the two women lost themselves in the moment, their bodies entwined in a dance of passion and desire. Each kiss and touch was like a promise of something greater, a testament to the depth of their love.
As the new morning began, the sun slowly rose above the horizon, casting a warm glow throughout the room. The air was still and quiet, until a loud voice shattered the peacefulness. The voice was unmistakably masculine, with a deep timbre that commanded attention.
Mi-Ja quickly pulled away from Ye-Sol as soon as they heard him coming. Their hearts racing with fear. They knew that if Ye-Sol’s father found out about them, it would mean disaster for both of them.
She quickly jumped apart, their bodies tense with fear and anticipation. Ye-Sol quickly grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around her, trying to cover her naked state as much as possible. Mi-Ja stood frozen, her eyes wide with terror, as the door to her quarters burst open and a man stepped inside.
Ye-Sol recognized him immediately as her father, and her heart started to rapidly thump against her chest. She knew that this was it, that her father had found out about their relationship and that there was no way out of it. She braced herself for the worst, steeling herself for the inevitable confrontation.
He had found them together, undressed and in a compromising position. The look of guilt on their faces was enough to confirm his suspicions, the whispers that had been going around the village. Ye-Sol's father was a man of honor and tradition, and the idea of his daughter being involved with a lowly servant was unacceptable, and to make matters even worse, with a woman!
Mi-Ja tried to make a run for it, but Ye-Sol held onto her tightly, not wanting to let go. She knew that this was the end, that her father would give them hell for what he had seen. Tears streaming down her face, she turned to Mi-Ja and whispered, "I love you."
Mi-Ja's eyes were full of tears as well, and she wrapped her arms around Ye-Sol, holding her tightly. "I love you too," she replied softly.
Ye-Sol's father bellowed, his expression stern. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded.
Ye-Sol stepped forward, her head held high. "Abeonim, I love Mi-Ja," she said firmly. "I know that you may not approve, but I cannot help the way that I feel. I am willing to face the consequences of my actions."
Her father's face darkened, but his voice remained stern. "You have brought great dishonor upon our family," he said gravely. "But I am willing to forgive you, if you end this relationship and marry the man that I have chosen for you."
Ye-Sol felt a sharp pain in her chest as she listened to her father's words. She knew that she could never marry someone she didn't love, and the thought of losing Mi-Ja forever was unbearable. But she also knew that she had to make a choice: follow her heart or follow tradition.
Ye-Sol stepped forward, her eyes blazing with determination. "I love her," she said firmly. "I will stand by her no matter what, even if it means going against tradition."
"Well then, you left me with no choice," he said sternly, and force-grabbed Mi-Ja by her arms.
Mi-Ja struggled against Ye-Sol's father's grip, but it was no use. He was so much stronger than she was, and she knew that it's impossible to break free from his grasp. She looked at Ye-Sol whose face was covered with tears, protesting and pleading for her father to let Mi-Ja go.
Ye-Sol's heart was breaking as she watched her lover being taken away. She knew that she had to do something, but she didn't know what. As she stood there, watching helplessly, anger and frustration form in her mind.
She took a deep breath and faced her father. "I will do whatever you want me to do," she said firmly. "But you must promise me that you will let Mi-Ja go unharmed."
Her father hesitated for a moment, but then nodded. "But know this, you are bringing great shame upon our family."
Ye-Sol didn't care about the shame. All she cared about was Mi-Ja being safe, no matter what the cost.
Ye-Sol made a silent vow to herself: she would find a way to be with Mi-Ja, no matter what it takes.
~
Semi woke up crying in her sleep, her sheets drenched with sweat. The dream had been so vivid, so hauntingly real. She had felt the icy grip of death wrap around her as the young girl in her dreams was unmercifully killed upon Ye-Sol's father's wishes. She was barely more than a child and had slipped away from this world, fighting for the love she knew could never last. The image of her own likeness’ pale face, frozen in a silent scream, lingered in Semi's mind like a ghostly apparition.
She knew very well who Mi-Ja was. And Ye-Sol was the love of her life in that short lifetime.
Ye-Sol is now called Doyi. And who is now Semi’s mother-in-law. She was the woman who had been the object of her affections across multiple lifetimes, and whom she’s still in-love with to this day. Despite the fact that their love has always been forbidden, Mi-Ja/Semi's feelings for Ye Sol/Doyi have never wavered.
Their love story spans across lifetimes, and throughout all of them, they have been drawn to each other like magnets. Despite the various obstacles that have stood in their way, including societal norms and familial obligations, their love has always persevered but never came to fruition. In this lifetime, Doyi and Semi's connection remains complicated. As history keeps on repeating, Ye-Sol was born way out of her league, a royalty of a sort. But even unconsciously, Mi-Ja tried hard and worked her way up to be close to her.
But Semi’s guilt and uneasiness caused her to not show what she truly feels for Doyi. She spent years giving her mother-in-law the cold shoulder and acting like Doyi doesn't exist. Although in her heart, she knows that it will only beat for one person, and one person only.
Semi's heart was heavy with longing as she tried to drift back to sleep, lost in thought about the woman who had captured her heart in so many lifetimes past. She couldn't help but think about Ye-Sol, the young noblewoman who had risked everything to protect the woman she loved. She had risked everything to keep Mi-Ja safe but to no avail.
Ye-Sol stood by her ground, fighting against tradition and societal norms to be with the woman she loved, and from the dangers that threatened their happiness. And even though their love had never been allowed to flourish, their souls had always found a way to remain connected, drawn to each other like magnets. Ye-Sol's unwavering passion and commitment had left an indelible mark on Semi's soul, and even though many lifetimes had passed since then, Semi still held onto that memory tightly.
Semi could only hope that Doyi would remember the vow that Ye-Sol had made for Mi-Ja in their past lives. It was a promise that they would find a way to be together no matter how great the odds are. It was an act of true love that transcended through many lifetimes.
Semi had always watched Doyi from afar. While doing so, she couldn't help but think of the love that Ye-Sol and Mi-Ja shared. She wondered if Doyi would remember that love and realize that it was her, Mi-Ja, whom she truly loved. Perhaps, if Doyi could tap into the power of that love and reciprocate Semi's efforts, then they could find a way to be with each other and fulfill her long-standing promise to Mi-Ja.
Maybe, just maybe, they could create their own love story that would span across time and space, just like Ye-Sol and Mi-Ja did all those years ago.