Eun-Ae
I should have known better than to play like that but I didn't care. These shifters here were no match for me if they decided to make me the enemy. They also didn't know that I was now Dae-Hyun's consort. I could forgive the poor fool for not realizing who or what I was.
Turning around I faced the wolf head on with a smirk across my muzzle. "You must not know who I am." I watched as the wolf regained his footing and took a defensive stance.
"I don't, so why don't you tell me before I call everyone else here." He growled.
I turned my ear toward Dae-Hyun, "He won't believe me if I told him. Why don't you inform him?"
"Ja-Goo, I didn't realize you were a shifter too." Dae-Hyun stated as he approached my side.
I hissed and leaned into him, keeping my eyes glued on this guard. I could feel my eyes narrow as Ja-Goo stared at me.
Eventually he lowered his head and turned back from where he came and trotted off. I rolled my eyes and glanced up at Dae-Hyun.
"Your majesty, the dressmaker is here." A magistrate shouted from the end of the hallway.
"Well I guess that's our calling." I sighed. "Let's get this over with." I nudged Dae-Hyun forward.
He smiled down at me and began walking. It wasn't too long before we stopped in front of a set of double doors. The two guards that stood before us opened the doors and ushered us in.
My eyes widened as I scanned the room. Could this be? Dae-Hyun's room? I always thought the king slept in the throne room, what was a bed doing here?
I glanced up at Dae-Hyun and flicked one of my tails at him, "Is this where you normally sleep?" I chittered.
He gazed down at me, rubbing the back of his neck, "Ah, yeah. This is my room and it's heavily guarded. Why would you ask such a silly question?"
I narrowed my eyes at him, "I'm not accustomed to all of this. So everything I'm seeing is new." I replied, with a huff. "So what is it I need to do?"
"Miss, if you'd please join me." A woman's voice invaded my ears causing me to turn.
I cocked my head at her and perked my ears. "I wonder if she's afraid of me?" I trotted over and sat down in front of her, my eyes scanned her from top to bottom.
Her hair was neatly pulled back into a low braided bun as her light pink jacket on her hanbok was cropped, the skirt a deep blue.
"Eun-Ae, you're going to need to shift back. She can't size a fox." He chuckled from behind me.
"I know, I just want to check something." I chattered, pushing my nose into her palm.
The woman jumped, placing a hand on her chest. "Oh, goodness. Your majesty, what is she doing?"
Dae-Hyun chuckled, "She's checking you out. Ah what term did she use before?" He snapped his finger, "Ah, she's taking in your scent. So she will be able to recognize you later, miss Gi."
I happily shifted my front paws, "Oh, she smells like flowers. I like her already." I rose from my haunches and shifted, immediately covering myself.
Miss Gi didn't seem too scared once I had shifted. Her shoulders visibly relaxed as I glanced up at her with reddened cheeks.
"Hello, I didn't mean to scare you. I'm Eun-Ae." I bowed my head to her with a smile.
Miss Gi bowed her head in return and smiled, "It's a pleasure to meet you Eun-Ae. Now I do need to know the color scheme before we get started."
"Ah-" I glanced back at Dae-Hyun and shrugged my shoulders, "I have no idea. The only hanbok I've ever worn is really old." I chuckled nervously as I wrapped my plumage around myself.
"Ceremonial colors, stay away from white it'll blend her ears and tails too much and we are going to need an additional one for…" he cleared his throat, "Later."
I blinked in confusion as I watched her lips curl into a smile. What did he mean for later?
"Okay, green and red for the announcement and purple and red for the… later one am I correct, your majesty?" She asked.
"That's correct." He replied.
I sighed, "Okay, so let's get this sizing done."
"Yes miss Eun-Ae." She knelt down and opened a small box with all sorts of pins and needles as well as some sort of measuring device.
I lowered one ear as I cocked my head at her. What is all of this? I wondered. "Miss, may I ask what all of those are?"
Miss Gi gazed at Dae-Hyun and chuckled. "Does she not know?" She asked him.
"No, this is all new to her." He replied.
I brought my hands up to my chest as I peeked over her to get a better look at the materials in her hands. "So what are we doing first?" I asked, anxiously.
"Well, if you could stick your arms out like this," she rose from the floor and extended her arms out from her sides. "So I can measure you properly and if you could lower your tails so I can measure around the base of your behind please."
I nodded. Over the next hour and a half I stood in different positions while she measured and tried on different silks and colors. I was surprised at her accuracy and she had even made a note to add a hole for my tails if I decided to have them out or keep them hidden under the skirt.
Turning my head, I spotted a mirror and immediately felt drawn to take a look at myself. "Miss, may I?" I asked, pointing to the mirror.
Miss Gi glanced up at me with a pin in her mouth before realizing what I was asking. "Mmm, yeah go ahead." She pulled the pin from between her lips and rolled onto her leg to sit.
I bowed my head and shuffled over to the mirror, gasping. I brought my hand to my mouth and smiled at my reflection. The gold embroidery in the center of my bell shaped top was done with such precision. The flowers complimented the green along the bottom of the skirt.
I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I pinched the hem of my sleeve and winced as I felt a prick against my finger. "Ouch, what was that?" I cried, looking at my now bleeding finger.
"Oh no, you poked your finger. I am so sorry, miss." Miss Gi quickly jumped to her feet and grabbed my finger, wrapping it in a handkerchief. "Your majesty, I didn't mean to injure her." She glanced at Dae-Hyun who seemed angry but kept his composure.
"I'm fine. Don't worry, Miss Gi. It was an honest mistake on my part. I didn't know there were pins in here." I waved my hands at her. I gazed at Dae-Hyun and smiled, hoping I could diffuse the situation. His fist loosened as his gaze landed on me. "No problem, right? Everything is okay."
Dae-Hyun gave me a curt nod before turning away from me. I glanced over to Miss Gi, using one of my tails I wrapped it around her wrist and smiled as I gave her a reassuring nod. "Don't worry, he's not going to punish you. But I will take this off and leave them in your care until they are needed." I smiled at her.
She gave me a warm smile, "You are too kind. Please let me help you so you don't hurt yourself again."
I jumped with excitement, "Deal. You don't get into anymore trouble and I don't get to prick my fingers"
Miss Gi chuckled as she helped me out of the hanbok without incident. Smiling, she bowed her head and dismissed herself with her small box and the fabrics.
I let out a heavy breath and turned to Dae-Hyun who seemed to have fallen asleep sitting up with his head leaning against the wall. Smiling, I tiptoed over to him and wrapped my tails around him and carefully lifted him as I made my way to his bed.
It really has been a long day and it's not even night time yet. Maybe I'll go for a run. I thought as I gently laid him down on his bed, tucking him in.
I shifted and trotted over to the door and lightly scratched it before nudging the door open. The two guards standing on either side looked down at me and nodded as I exited the room.
"Eun-Ae, where are you going?" I heard Gon's voice from behind.
I perked my ear in his direction and continued, "I'm going out for a run. Why?" I asked.
"Do you need anyone to escort you? The sun is starting to set and I don't want you to get into trouble." He replied.
I stopped and thought about what he said. If Jung was still around it wouldn't hurt to have someone with me. "Sure, are you up for a run?" I chittered as I turned my head toward him.
Gon shrugged his shoulders, "I could use the exercise." He approached me and stopped by my shoulder.
I nodded and turned my head forward and continued walking. "Do you know any good places around here to run? I'm afraid of going back near my home."
"Ah, I do! There's a field just outside the back of the palace. We could run there." He explained.
"Perfect. Also, are you going to run like that or?"
Gon rolled his eyes as he held up a second pair of clothes. "I'll be shifting once we get there." He stated and took off running at full speed.
I raised a brow before chasing after him. This bastard was fast even in human form! I thought as I darted after him.
I adjusted my size and sped up. Quickly gaining on him I jumped over his form and continued running past the guards on the backside of the palace. I think this is where we were headed anyway.
Next thing I know I'm entering an open field and I skid to a stop in the grass, turning my head around to see where Gon was. To my surprise his wolf was trotting toward me. I guess he had taken the time to strip and shift.
"You're slow." I chitted at him.
His wolf huffed, giving me a crooked smile. "Yeah yeah don't rub it in. Your legs are longer than mine."
I rolled my eyes, "Sure whatever you say."
"So how about that run? Stop talking and let's go!" Gon howled before taking off toward the treeline at the other end of the field.
The two of us ran for what seemed to be all night. The sun was gone and the stars were out to the west. The dull glow of the sun shone from behind the mountains to the east.
The clanging of armor sounded from the open field. A guard shouting our way. "Gon, you and the consort are needed inside. Dae-Hyun is searching for her!"
Oh shoot. We have been gone quite a while, haven't we? I thought.
Gon and I turned our heads to one another.
"Guess it's time to head inside. We do have a big day and people are traveling from all over to see you." He commented before trotting off toward the palace.
I was not too far behind.