Prologue - Chyangheng
This embarks the Prologue for Enemies Amongst Lovers, a short story in the Old Westmeister series, but this time located in steampunk-filled Joseon Dynasty.
Extinction is the one and only driving factor for the birth of chyangheng.
As furmanity could end with one, unprecisious step, the Joseon Dynasty would be the new subject of failure. Chyangheng, or 'forced progression,' was the formula of the empire's way of regeneration.
A concubinage.
Joon-Youn looked to the left, and to the right: He had never seen various ranges of elites in the same room, altogether. The colors of the men's clothes- ranging from navy-blue gwanboks, black, orange, and red-shaded gugunboks, white simui's, and ritualistic jongmyo's- was an overwhelming sight.
Youn could see the middle-class commoners look with disgust at both the peasants and the elite scribesmen, who were also trading back scowls amongst each other. Their leers were ones embarking on potential civil war; their silent expressions showed the divide between the poor, the middle, and the wealthy. This was common, as each ranks and economic stabilities had their individuality of resenting one another. Either it was due to their arrogance, or for their predisposed pity they had for the class inferior below them.
However, there is no time to play a role in the ranks. None of it mattered, anymore.
The men's powers were merely obsolete, the hierarchy of affluence crumbled the day Haemosu, the god of the sun, had passed. All were now subjects of the Chyangheng, ruled under the governor of The Capital.
Joon, a pure-white fox, was fortunate enough to be ordained as one of the subjects. Enduring the weeks of challenges, tests, and obstacles which brought forth at the Gyeonggi-Do Palace, he- as well as 30 men in the room- were destined for a mate.
However, it was not within his own fortune, but it was for the benefit of his own kin. Their new fate would award them with all the copper coins in the world. His mother and baby brother could benefit themselves with supplies.
He did not grasp the concept of love- despite knowing how important it is to find a reproductor before death could embrace him. Yet, despite the semantics, he had no carnal desires for even the beautiful queen which heired the dynasty.
Youn felt his ribs tighten, breathing hard through his nose while he watched a few silhouettes begin to emerge from the door across the table.
He watched as the concubines began to walk in. All women were dressed in fine, pink-yellow silk-dresses, with a green bow accompanying them between their waists. Every female specimen had their hairs braided; each strands twisting upwards to their scalps and tied with a single, red knot.
They formed a singular line of absolute beauty - one that would be considered an insult if the peasants of the room would ogle at. Their walks were such elegance, almost like a dance that was to entrance and tease Youn, as if they were all trying to break the confines of his dormant sin stirring inside.
The waves of beauty would soon fill up the floor across the table from where the men sat. Joon tensed his shoulder up, his cross-legged posture tightening amongst his eyes gazing towards the mistress who finally sat parallel from him. Before his pupils, laid a radiant, orange fox. Eyes were one of seraph crystals, just like her painted lips. He could smell a bouquet of fallen rosepetals from her fragrance, she shone such unconditional beauty that the heart could not strain itself from.
However, as this was something Joon could internalize, he did not inhibit the same reactions as the other paramours: as they all gazed at their potential mates with shocked expressions, Youn could only force himself to smile despite his lack of enthusiasm.
He could not bask in the beauty of this woman.
Soon after, the Governor of Gyeonggi-Do, Kim Min-Jung, slowly walked in, sitting by the space between the two rows. There were two military wolves who followed, with red-haired tridents clutched between their paws. One of the officials had pulled the door closed behind him.
Governor Min-Jung, a white-furred jindo dog, wore a long, midnight-blue hanbok, with black lines along the rim. His gown represented his power amongst The Capital of Joseon.
His eyes scanned the room, a smile creeping up to his face upon looking at his candidates. He was amused by the wide selection of different nobles hunched together. He could feel the tension in the room becoming uplifted once the men had laid eyes on their rewards.
“Seems like my Officiates have served me well." The governor remarked. “The third moon strikes- Chyangheng does not fail to succeed in the prosperity of our dynasty. I bid my congratulations upon your unrelenting achievements… Alas, your deed is not over yet."
The white canine folded his hand to the wooden table. “Before you stand your consorts. Plucked fresh amongst the god's trees. Your seed shall bear the fruit, in which the soil of your newfound woman will bring forth a new light to our darkened skies.
On the seventh night henceforth, you shall commence your sacred union through our wedded ceremonies. From the same morning, you shall nurture her womb with utmost care. We for our king, we shall multiply."
Joon looked at his new bride quietly, who also seemed to fixate on the vulpine as well. As the orange vixen traded a look of submission, she also portrayed a mild glaze of confidence. He could see through her self-delusion: the white fox could speculate that she was groomed, mended to only believe that her self-worth only went to the extent of her reproduction- her sole purpose.
Youn held his breath, trying to manipulate his mind in order to set himself an advocacy for this woman. The future depended on him. His mother and his brother depended on him.
If the sun was going to be eternally deceased, his seed, and the children he bears, will be the ones to prosper, for the Joseon Dynasty.
Min-Jung cleared his throat.
“Today embarks your new life. You shall now bow before her, as she shall bow towards you."
The people in the room bowed towards each other, as a first step of recognizing their union with their future partners.
As for Youn, regret began to churn even deeper into his stomach upon sinking his back down before her.
He realized did not feel a slight hint of love for her.