Chapter 3 The plot thickens
No one seems to recognize I'm not who they think I am. The man in the lavender robes casually chats with me as if we've known each other for years. All I do is smile and nod politely.
"He's in a good mood," the man informs me. "You may enter."
I take a deep breath as I step into the study.
Its walls are lined with dark lacquered shelves holding countless volumes of books.
Paintings of faraway places are hung on the walls alongside silk screens that depict mythical creatures.
A portrait of a woman dressed in what appears to be a bingata hangs on a wall flanked with candles.
Given her position of prominence on the wall, she has to be Lady Sora's mother. I take a step closer to look at the portrait. My eyes widen when I realize I recognize her. She looks just like the photos I'd seen of mom when she was younger. Disturbed, I make my way further into the study.
The floors are a deep brown that are polished so well I can see my reflection in them. It's as dizzying as it's grand for me. Incense lingers in the air.
Seated behind a low, carved desk is a man swathed in elegant gray robes.
His hair, streaked lightly with gray, is pulled into a precise topknot.
He lifts his eyes from the open scroll in front of him to meet me.
The crow's feet around his eyes inform me that he must be more expressive than he looks.
I know I'm right when he breaks into a smile. Unsure of what to do, I dip into a bow and think of a greeting to say. The least I can do for Lady Sora is show respect to the patriarch of her household.
"Father," I say in a measured tone. "May you be blessed with good health."
"Ah my daughter," he teases. "Drop the formalities."
He laughs, the sound rumbling around the room and I can't help but smile in response. One of his attendants carefully rolls the scroll before disappearing into the next room. With a bounce in his step, Sora's father guides me towards the next room.
"I hope you're hungry!" He gestures towards a table already full of an assortment of winter soups, pickled vegetables, and glistening braised meats. My stomach grumbles when I realize the last meal I'd had was a soup I'd microwaved as a quick dinner back in the office.
When was the last time I'd enjoyed a proper meal like this?
A flashback of sitting down with my mom and siblings for dinner flashes in my mind.
I do my best to push the homesickness down.
Lately, my days have been a blur of instant noodles, takeout boxes, and hastily eaten convenience store sandwiches devoured in the glow of my computer screen.
My stomach growls again, and I freeze, embarrassed.
Luckily, he laughs again, the sound deep and full. His eyes crinkle as his smile deepens. He gives me a conspiratorial look as he places a piece of meat onto my plate.
"I'm glad you're feeling better," he replies. "I've been told you've been sneaking out again."
"Sorry," I lower my head in embarrassment. "I had only meant to get some fresh air."
"Do your servants not allow you to get fresh air?" He asks with a serious look on his face. The atmosphere in the room quickly becomes awkward. I shake my head and wave my hands in front of me.
"Not at all," I clarify. "I just went out on a whim."
A servant steps forward to pour tea into my cup. I murmur a thank you and take a small sip. Father gestures for me to eat and places more meat onto my plate. I give him a grateful smile. From what I've read in the Webtoon he isn't someone I can confide in, but I know he's someone I can rely on.
"Thank you for dinner," I say politely. He gestures for me to eat and I allow myself to enjoy the food in front of me. The winter soups are warming with tender chicken and finely minced pieces of garlic. What's most impressive though is how flavorful the meat on my plate is.
As I munch on pickled vegetables, I notice the way he's observing me. He doesn't seem to be upset. No, his expression is one of concern rather than disapproval. He leans back slightly as he chews. I give him a small smile in response. He tilts his head in response.
"I couldn't put my finger on it earlier, but I can see it clearly now," he finally says after a long pause. "Tonight, you really remind me of your mother."
I cough, surprised by his observation. Placing my chopsticks down, I reach for a cup of tea. The homesickness I had just pushed away comes back in full force.
"I miss her," I admit.
His eyes soften. Luckily, the Webtoon had emphasized how much he doted on Lady Sora's mother. He loved her so much that it hurt him to look at Lady Sora which is why she was neglected for most of her childhood. I think of a way to change the subject.
"Have you been well?" I ask him, unable to think of anything else.
He places his chopsticks down and gives me a serious look. Even though I know what he's about to say, I try to look as attentive as I can. With a wave of his hand, he dismisses the servants in the room.
Now, we are all alone.
"I've been well enough, but there's something we need to discuss tonight," he pauses, as if carefully choosing his words. "The Imperial Palace has selected you as a candidate for marriage to Prince Jin. You must go tomorrow."
I feign surprise. Placing the tea cup down, I fold my hands into my lap.
This is where the Webtoon truly begins. From this point on, Lady Sora must carve her own path away from the safety of her Father's home.
It looks as if he's about to say something else when the scene freezes and the world around me fades into stillness.
The voice is back.
"The way back home lies within the Imperial Palace," the voice reveals.
"The Imperial Palace?" I echo. "You mean the Prince?"
"You will understand when the time is right," the voice answers. "Good luck."
Silence falls again and then without further explanation the world around me unfreezes. My heart pounds in my chest as I try to process what just happened. Sora's Father gives me a serious look.
"Do you understand what is required of you?" he asks, his tone heavy with expectation.
I get up out of my chair and dip into a bow.
He helps me out of the chair, telling me to drop the formalities.
Yet all I can think about is going back home.
Is this the voice's way of telling me the Prince General is the way to get home?
But in order to do that, I must be selected as his wife to enter the Imperial Palace.
The look that Sora's Father gives me tells me that he expects me to be the Prince's first wife and not a consort or concubine.
It sounds like something the author of the Webtoon would write. Typically, whichever love interest Lady Sora meets first should be the one she ends up with. I tap my fingers on the table as I try to process what just happened.
"Understood," I answer as calmly as I can, though inside I'm anything but. "What must I know of the Prince?"
Father's eyes glimmer with pride. In the Webtoon, he'd risen to prominence after advising the Emperor to leverage his daughters to influence the rulers of other kingdoms. He single-handedly helped to solidify the current Emperor's role through turning every weakness into a strength.
That's part of the reason why he'd married my mother, to ensure a life of safety and comfort in another kingdom if he ever got exiled or needed to flee.
If there's one thing I know to be true about the Imperial Palace, it's that it's the most dangerous place I can go to. Those who don't have power covet it and those who do have power want more of it. Either way, things aren't looking too good for me right now.
"Many who back the Empress oppose him," he admits. "But those who know the Prince know he is worthy of the throne. Even the Emperor knows which is why he's been able to retain his position after the downfall of his mother."
"His mother?" I echo.
"She was once his favorite concubine that quickly rose up in rank," he reveals.
"The Empress' jealousy caused her fall from grace after she accused his mother of witchcraft.
Her family is so powerful they let her do whatever she wants without any consequence.
The Prince's continued success is nothing short of remarkable. "
I consider his words. As a reader, I hadn't found it disturbing when he spoke about people as if they were chess pieces in a game. But now, I wonder what kind of chess piece he thinks I am. Hopefully not a pawn.
"I must show him I am a partner that can help them both ascend," I conclude. He doesn't respond immediately, but I can sense his approval. It's no wonder Lady Sora is known to be calculating and cunning. She's needed it to survive.
"It will be your ability to help him solidify his role as future Emperor that will determine your success," he confirms. "A man of his caliber won't be won by looks alone, no matter how great they may be. That's what consorts are for."
"I will not disappoint you," I answer. I glance at the once appetizing dishes in front of me and suddenly feel nauseous. His gaze softens and he gives me an apologetic look. He claps twice and the servants rush in to remove our dishes.
"You never have," he answers. "But remember, you must know when to move and when to remain still."
"Thank you, Father," I murmur. "I won't forget your advice."
He rewards me with a new ensemble I'm meant to wear to the Imperial Palace tomorrow. If this is anything like the other Webtoons I've read, all I need to do is catch the Prince's eye. Then, once he falls in love with me I can go home and forget that this ever happened.