There was something about the color red that commanded attention, and that's why it was the only colour allowed one woman in their country. An age long tradition banned the rest of the kingdom from adorning the color that day.

Drenched in the fiery hue, she looked powerful and untouchable in the robe. In her ravishing dress, she was like a wisp of fire beneath the rising weak sun, the silhouette of her posture backdropped with the powdery wintry carpet.

Daejong watched vividly as the embers of the feisty woman he loved danced in his eyes as she elegantly walked out from her family house. His red and black dragon robe paled in comparison as her elegance outshined his. Her lips were so beautifully red it reminded him of fresh cherries. Embroidered Phoenix on her royal gown seemed like it was in flight mode, her crown which was specifically designed for her glittered so beautifully his eyes were almost blinded. Everything adorned on this woman looked so glamorous, so beautiful and so elegant jaws dropped.

Basking in euphoria of the moment, nature felt so jealous it poured out it's heart content. Yes, snow fell in a hot tempo. It fell so briefly and thickly the procession was halted for the moment.

The winter weather may be drab but some certain rules don't apply to her wardrobe. Unwilling to cover her lovely robe when the temperature dipped, she chose instead, to add accessories to her attire, making her wedding dress an extension of her typical style.

Everything was so perfect. From the beautifully decorated roadsides to the way his hands squeezed hers tight as the winter wind blew harder. She felt she was living in a fairytale as he warmed her hands with his hot breath, a tulip flower granted to her by him and a thick scarf tied round her neck to keep her warm. She was taken by the moment as she leaned in to give him a kiss.

He was supposed to ride a horse but opted to keep her warm in their 12 carriers palanquin as there was too much space in the palanquin.

Trumpets blew away when they arrived the palace. They went straight up to the wedding ground as they marched together up to say their vows and in attendance were the royal families, aristocrats and all other middle class with an invitation. Shockingly, Daejong added an unexpected sentence to his vow and he meant it..."Till death do us part". Wow!

The crowd was happy with her dress as it bespoke of elegance and power. Her underlying message was heard loud and clear as her pattern of dressing was truly out of the world.

Her throne was gifted to her on the coronation day. It was handcrafted by the best goldsmiths that had been decorated with elegant carvings of a phoenix in a raging flame. She was a new woman hence new outlooks and ideas were conceived for her. A passion of change was etched on Daejong's heart as he wanted brand new things for his brand new woman.

After the wedding rituals and coronation, she went back to let her maids change her clothes in readiness for the banquet. It was of utmost importance to her that every outfit she wore was entirely unique. Instead of fast fashion pieces thrown together with a quirky twist, she much preferred a head to toe look solely inspired by vintage pieces she found in her newest collections. She was already becoming a fashion trendsetter to the royal women as they all mentally observed how she wore each piece of her dress uniquely.

She kept her smile as toast was made in her honor. Her smile remained steady as the grand dowager praised her for her composure, beauty and elegance__she would have much preferred to listen to them admire her wits and talents. As a one of a kind empress, she knew she would often be put on display, expected to wow friends and foes alike with her knowledge of political matters, a feat that would never be difficult for her.

Grand dowager beseeched her to grant them the grace of her magical music as one last wish of hers and she eagerly obliged much against the emperor who preferred to be snuggled up someplace cool and sweet.

She stepped into the heat of the spotlight as she breathed in the thunderous applause raining down from the heaven. She closed her eyes and set her fingers lightly on the string, where they gracefully fell into place. Rising over so lightly on the pointed soles of her red phoenix shoes, she felt the familiar tingle of magic trickle down from the familiar top of her head and out to her fingers, weaving it's way through her chest and into her heart.

The strings buzzed in anticipation as the crowd held their breaths as the zither seemed to come to life before their eyes.

The emperor's banquet table was filled with giant turkey body, lots of mouthwatering dishes and freshly picked plates of fruits. He drained the last wine from his goblet at the thick of the music, especially after witnessing the men's agape mouth. He became jealous.

Eager to leave, he grabbed the empress by the hands and lifted her to his arms as he took to the bedchambers while the maids scurried after them.

The royal mamas and the guest were so embarrassed at this public display of affection. The most heartbroken were the royal concubines and consort who never had the privilege of being glanced by him. But it didn't matter what they felt or thought, that day belonged to the empress and her alone.

When the emperor carried her into the bedchamber arranged for the night, he assured her it would be best thing she ever saw that day. At first, she thought his words were nothing but flattery, however the moment the door was swung open, she knew he was right as the ravishing room was truly the best she saw. The frigid weather had her ready to deck the bed as she gently allowed herself to be let down in preparation for a hot steamy bath. They both entered the opposite bath as Yoona insisted to let the maids prepare the bath water and other necessary things. She put on some light garments as her hair was restyled to suit the occasion. A light perfume pouch was used to infuse some sweet fragrance into her hair and robes as her chief courtmaid who was also of the previous empress was pleasantly happy and eager to make everything hitch-free.

She put on some blush on her as she merrily made her seductively appealing while enjoying some laughs with her new mistress. At a point, Yoona was worried the little princess might be lonely but was assured she was having food merry with her grandmother and great grandmother.

Soon, it was time for the highlight of the day as the candles were blown off, the rest of the maids stationed in a faraway location away from earshot.

The next morning, it was time for the first official business as the empress. Painstakingly staying away from Daejong who wanted nothing but to stay in bed all day, she had her bath and toileting as it was most paramount. Daejong grudgingly did same but remained clingy all through. He wished the night never ended and that he was a normal newly married man whose passion is untamed and spilling. On a day like this, he wished he wasn't an emperor bound by so many traditions and customs. Not that he can't break them but for her sake and honour, bad reputations shouldn't infest her name as she would be blamed .

In a matching hue of blue, they called to the palace elders as custom demands to give respect as the newly wedded couple.

"Hwanghu, you look so tired, " grand dowager noted worriedly, her motherly affection visible on her face.

"Pardon me, grandmother, the night was indeed tiring" she surreptitiously rolled her eyes at Daejong who sat innocently oblivious of what his crime was.

"Really?" she beamed happily, much to the disgust of the dowager.

"Was their red tiles?" she curtly asked yoona while not using a vulgar mention of blood. She needed to confirm if the empress has kept herself till her wedding night and mostly to have something to yarn her with.

"Yes!" Daejong cut in.

"She bled, your majesty!"

Grand dowager sighed in relief as she smirked at her advisary.

"I asked out of concern, son. Not to spite anyone."

"I KNOW, your majesty."

Tension rose because of this silent battle and Yoona did what any good daughter in-law would do; finding closure .

"Royal mother, allow me to brew you some tea." She rose elegantly like a crane, picked out some tea leaves and brewed. Poured some for the dowager, grand dowager, emperor and lastly herself.

The servants watched in amazement how she was able to control the situation and respect doubled for her. And that was her first step in winning over her.

"Grand mother, would you mind running the palace affairs with the dowager for a week, I would like to go on an excursion with my empress so as to familiarize with ourselves?"

Yoona was surprised as they had no prior discussion about it. All through the night, he was all e.r.o.t.i.c and nothing of such came up.

"Sure!" she readily agreed as opposed to the dowager's vehemence.

"The palace needs you," she hammered.

"We can take care of the palace for a week, dowager."

"This has never happened before!" she defended.

"There's always a first time!" Daejong stood up while gently dragging Yoona up too.

"Then we'll leave to prepare now."

He slightly bowed out of filial respect as Yoona curtsied too. Hand-in-hand, they left from a grand dowager who almost leaped for joy. For her, it meant a royal baby was coming sooner than expected and she can't wait to hold this boy bred in love.

Dowager felt a bit lost,but nonetheless happy. Happy her son found love,but sad it was a 'wrong' lady.