White or Red?

"Two letters of marriage in two days?! This is a trap!" Wisemen Judias exclaimed.

"I have to agree with Judias on this, while you have great qualities my Queen, and will be a great future wife. I do not feel this is just coincidence," Wisemen Tae-Jeong said.

"But this letter may not be a trap," Wisewomen Lydia said as she tapped the white envelope on the round mahogany desk.

"Why is that?" Queen Asora asked as she continued to walk around the round table. "Why not the red one?"

Everyone's eyes turned to the red envelope that sat the furthest away from them while the white envelope sat nearer to them. Wisemen Japh began to sign with great speed while Wisemen Hugh translated. "Red can mean many things, hatred, love, war, anger, this is just to name a few. So while the person who sent this could've meant no harm, we know this is not true. The King of Spain has always been a man of mystery, however, he is rumored to have much debt. And it was reported that he may have been a part of that barbaric slave deal, that King Badrick turned a blind eye to. So to me, that love note is dressed in blood, he wants something from you."

"I have to agree," Wisemen Armon added. "And no offense, your majesty, but I highly doubt he would choose a darker-skinned woman over a white one. Spain is a land full of Spaniards and Whites, rarely Blacks. I feel he would treat you as inferior to the Queen you are."

Wisewomen Lydia side-eyed Armon, "While you may be right, I do not like to hear such words. And I hope you do know Queen Asora, that any white man or even woman in Jamaica would treat you as an equal partner and friend."

Queen Asora smiled, "I appreciate your kind words, Wisemen Lydia. And you are right most white men and women here are respectful and kind, but that is because they are Jamaicans. Each Jamaican has been taught from their youth that no matter the color of their skin, if you are born here, you are a part of our people, and whether your skin is colored or not you are to be treated equally to everyone else. This is why Wisemen Armon's comment is valid as well. We all know how Spain and its allies treat those who are not fair-skinned. So why would the King of Spain choose me? It does not make any sense at all."

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement, "So what about the white envelope then?" Wisemen Judias asked. "White can mean purity and peace. However, when one raises a white flag, it often means the weaker party requests negotiation of some sort or to possibly surrender."

Wisemen Tae-Jeong snorted earning a playful glare from Queen Asora, "Forgive me, Your Majesty," He coughed before sitting straighter. "I just find it very humorous that the king of Joseon or as we call it Korea, is surrendering anything. That man is known to be greedy, unyielding, and sometimes even ignorant."

Queen Asora's eyebrows rose in curiosity, "What do you mean?"

"My grandparents are originally from the country of Korea, before coming to Jamaica. Before they passed away they warned my parents to never go back, for that kingdom was corrupt and as strong-willed as a tiger," Wisemen Tae-Jeong explained. "From the letters, my mother still gets from her cousins, the newest king's stubbornness and unmercifulness are worst than all the previous kings. It is rumored that the King intentionally has allowed Korea not to advance as we or the other western countries have in mannerisms and trends."

"Well if that's the case then," Wisemen Hugh sighed. "Then the white envelope is no better than the red one. It's like a wolf dressed as a sheep."

"Okay," Queen Asora said tiredly as she sat in her chair. "So let's ignore what the color of the letters could mean and focus on the content within them. What do we think so far?"

Wisemen Japh slid the white envelope closer to the Queen, and she stopped it before his hands began to move gracefully as he signed, "What he asks for is everything we can give, food and supplies, he does not ask for money or any ownership of Jamaica. He wishes to keep it separate..."

But Wisemen Armon shook his head in disagreement, "Korea is possibly one of the largest countries we are aware of besides China. I do not believe for a second that he wishes to honorably marry our Queen and not try to take over Jamaica."

Wisemen Japh scowled at Armon's frankness, "Just listen," He signed with conviction. "If they wage war against us, they would be idiots! They would need several ships to get to us which I say would take about two weeks. And I can assure you those American English will stop them before they get to us.  You know how they travel our seas like it's their own. And if the Koreans to get to our country, the American English and English won't allow it for long. They would rather die than allow another country take us then themselves!"

"Exactly," Wisewomen Lydia said. "And I was thinking, if Korea is still not as advanced as the world yet, then they are more than likely unaware that the people of Jamaica can look like Wisemen Tae-Jeong. No offense Wisemen Tae-Jeong, but we could use that to our advantage. If the King tried to kill or betray us, by sending several Jamaicans that are descendants of Koreans, American English, and the English, in a sense he would be waging war against 2 countries including his own."

Wisemen Tae-Jeong chuckled, "While I don't like to be a bargaining chip, this seems to be the only logical plan as of right now. If the King of Korea does attempt to kill us, even if we die we at least know two powerful countries will come to Korea with a vengeance, and  his own people would riot at the news that he killed any of us descendants."

Queen Asora sighed rubbing her temples so more, she didn't like this idea at all, "I honestly expected to marry someone from Jamaica, but this is crazy. I'm walking blindly here, and with others peoples lives in my hands."

Wisemen Lydia frowned at seeing how defeated her Queen looked, "Well, what about the Spaniard King? He did offer money and protection."

Wisemen Judias humorlessly laughed, "What money could he possibly offer us when he is in debt up to his eyeballs? And protection? If he marries Queen Asora shouldn't she already be protected? She would be his wife, so why is he offering her that like it's a good thing?! She should've had it from the moment he sent the letter. I rather take the stubborn mule of King than this guy. Offering the Queen protection? Who does he think he is? I feel like he is threatening you!"

Queen Asora made a mental note, Wisemen Judias was a very passionate man. "Wisemen Judias, I get your concerns and frustrations but we just have to stay calm. Okay?" Wisemen Judias begrudgingly nodded his head in agreement. "But I do agree with you. The King of Spain offered me nonexistent money and protection that I should receive regardless if we are to be married. Also, how do I know that the Spaniards aren't colluding with the English?" Eveyrone nodded their head in agreement, it was a very logical thought to ponder over. "I think the letter from the King of Korea is starting to sound and look a lot better then this empty but forceful threat."

"Are you sure though?" Wisemen Hugh questioned as he looked at his niece with an expressionless face. "This could either help or destroy our country."

Queen Asora looked around the table looking at all of the Advisor's faces, before staring into her uncle's eyes. "Every decision I've made I've bared that thought in mine, every. single. one. And this is no different. I will not always make the best or most accurate decisions, but I'm doing what I think can allow our country to grow and stay united. With that being said, I wish to write a letter of rejection to the King of Spain and an acceptance letter to the King of Korea."

Queen Asora eyes went around the room again looking at each advisor carefully, "Those in agreement say I."

Unanimously, all the Advisors said, "I."

And from that day forward it was both decided and announced that Queen Asora was to wed.

Many of the people of Jamaica were excited, but several murmured against it. They worried that Queen would give Jamaica over to slave away like King Badrick, and since many had just moved passed the trauma of acting as slaves for the English, many feared that they would be abused again. But Queen Asora sent out a proclamation.

My dear fellow brothers and sisters,

Soon I am to wed a King from a different country. I will not lie and say I'm only excited, I am more nervous than anything else. I do not wish my people to be used or hurt again. So the moment I get a whiff of  any great harms against my people, the marriage will end and without question.

What I do ask from you all is for you to treat these foreigners with respect and kindness, many of them have never seen or even heard of us Jamaicans, so do your best to respectfully educate them on who we are as a people. Show them how we are a loving and generous people.

Last but not least, some of you may think I will forget who I am, but I will not. I will not forget my roots, where I came from, and you all as my people. This marriage is about love, yes, but it is ultimately about the growth of our country as a whole and I beg for your support.

In the days and weeks to come, I will prepare to leave for a few to several months, in the meantime several trusted advisors and leaders will watch over you all and report back to me often. I trust them with my life, so I trust them with yours.

I love you all, and will always make sure to put you first.

From your Queen and ultimately your Sister,

Asora

After the letter was sent out the queen's advisors began to teach her all the history they could about Korea, Wisemen Tae-Jeong spent every night teaching her the language, and in the morning Wisemen Japh taught her both Korean and English signing. One of Wisemen Tae-Jeong's nieces even taught her the mannerisms and cuisine of Korea.

Wisemen Hugh, however, had the hardest part of it all. He had to help his niece understand that she was not just a Queen who was leader to her own country, but now, she was also a Queen who is second to her King and viewed as the woman who will produce children for her spouses throne not just her own. And this was a very hard conversation to have.

It took Queen Asora several weeks to learn, she wasn't an expert per say in what she was taught, but she could get by. So much so that when a letter, written in English, came from the King of Korea asking her to come up and stay with him for the wedding and honeymoon. Queen Asora was able to write back in Korean.

She wrote,

I am happy that we are to pursue this companionship together and I can not wait to meet you. By the time you get this letter I will be a few days out from Korea. And I hope that when we meet, we as a couple can unite as one, and our countries grow together as allies.

Yours soon,
Queen Asora

Once the letter was sent, Queen Asora a few days later, began her trek to Korea. She left behind Advisor Armon with several high officials, she felt that his passion would help the country while she was away. While Advisors Judias, Japh, Tae-Jeong, Lydia, and her uncle came with her.

When Queen Asora and her people arrived to the ships they began to pile all their supplies and crew on. Queen Asora walked to her room below deck to unpack but as she did, worry began to bubble in her stomach, quickly she ran to her private toilet and puked up her lunch.

A few minutes later and she felt someone pick up her braids from her face, she looked in her peripheral to see her uncle squatting next to her, rubbing her back. "You're going to be okay."

She continued to puke until she could not anymore, and clumsily she fell back on her butt with her back against the wall. She closed her eyes and sighed, "Uncle if they kill us, our people will die or they will be abused like they were in the past. And while I know death is just a time for all of us to sleep until we carry on into the new world. I feel like I will be restless if I leave the people in band hands, I feel that God will torcher me for all the blood that will be on my hands if this trek to meet this king was wrong."

Wisemen Hugh stared at his niece lovingly and placed his hands over hers as he scooted closer to her. "Remember, what your parents taught you? That hell does not exist, and why?"

"Because God is not evil, but this world is hateful and greedy and full of thieves. I don't get why he would allow so many evil people to live."

"We live in a world where the Devil rules. The devil likes to watch people live in misery and pain, but people like you, he is afraid of. He knows you have the strength to endure, and God is proud to see such people like you fight off all those who are evil. You've been fighting for a long time, when your parents and siblings passed, you fought through all the pain and sorrow. You fought to live. The only problem you have is..."

"The devil. And as long as I stay true to who I am and what I believe, he's going to attack. But.... I'll be okay. Right?"

Wisemen Hugh kissed his nieces forehead, "There you go. You can do this, you always have."

"What would I ever do without you uncle?" Queen Asora asked him, as he gently helped her up from the floor.

"I don't know, but you would still lead like the Queen you are." Wisemen Hugh smiled. "Now go lead our people to happiness.

Queen Asora smiled before squeezing and letting go of her uncles hand, she walked out of her room and slowly walked up to the deck, I will lead my people do happiness and success no matter how much evil this world has to throw against me.

And I promise that with my life.