AT THE KIM'S RESIDENCE
Yoona's mother sat across her daughter as she fervently advised her on how to conduct herself in the palace.
"Yoona, my darling daughter... Remember this words and engrave them on your heart. The man you are in love with is an emperor before he is a man. He will make many sacrifices to keep his throne and you won't be an exception. Please, do not give your heart to him or you will be ruined."
Yoona who listened with rapt attention smiled suddenly. The words she spoke out shocked but convinced her mother, only that it came back to haunt her.
"Mother, I Kim Yoona seeks only the crown of the phoenix and the seat of the next emperor's birth mother. l will not give my heart easily and I will not trust the words of any man. I only trust myself and my desires".
Seohwa, her maidservant announced the arrival of someone from the palace.
She was informed of the grand dowager's palanquin used by her family members ordered to bring her, with a name tag bearing the name of her family member.
That day is Prince Yang's birthday who is the emperor's cousin. Due to the arrival of important guests, security inspections would be lax she was told.
A veil used by unmarried ladies was presented to her with the instruction never to take it off. The security guards won't force an unmarried lady to unveil herself is she has no intention to.
A special royal seal used by the emperor's secret inspectors was also given, with the instruction to use if the situation turns dire.
The grand dowager empress resorted to such shallow means because of the dowager's dirty tricks. She also will play dirty games unbefitting of a royal.
The palanquin carriers readied themselves as the journey began finally.
Her mother with mixed feelings prayed for her daughter's safety while her brother looked on with an unknown emotion.
He vowed to stake his life, he swore to kill those that dares hurt his sister again.
On the way, as the journey began,she went back in time with reminiscing her past life and the young master that promised to make her his princess by gifting her robes with the ability to wash away any blemish.
Her heart immediately constricted at the remembrance of the betrayal she faced after such a promise and their unexpected connection.
8 YEARS AGO AT THE KIM'S FAMILY RESIDENCE
A little girl of eleven years can be seen pestering her father with the notion to be allowed practice martial arts.
The shocked father asked why she would suddenly want to learn that.
"I want to be the most powerful woman in the continent so as not to be looked down by anyone ever again", was her short reply.
A sudden realization hit him hard as he asked another question smiling.
" Did you make this decision because your cousin sisters are looking down on you because of your mother's status?".
The little girl bowed down her head in guilt as she nodded.
"They berate you with your status to make themselves feel better ", he told her. "They feel inferior to your beauty and talents. Look at you, at the age of five you already finished elementary learning while they struggled with basic learning". He brought her closer as he told her a secret of how he married her mother.
" I fell head over heels for your mother despite her status as a slave,not because of her beauty but because she is the best cook l had ever met... her food always brought succor to me whenever I'm sad", he smiled ruefully as he told his story.
"Her food mellowed her anger down, relieved me of hangover and cured me of stress. You should try her desserts more for no pill is effective as it in stress relief. Sometimes, I feel like getting stressed purposely", he chuckled lightly but continued.
"No other woman has ever made me feel the way I feel for her. You should make food your strongest weapon for the shortest route to a man is through his stomach".
"Let me tell you another secret", he watched his surrounding conspirationally as his voice dropped to a whisper.
"Your cooking skill will surpass your mother's".
The little girl"..."
She felt her father is brazen for making such a statement. If she's to learn, her focus shall be on making decent meals not surpassing anyone.
She remembered the embarrassing incident she experienced last year. She had prepared an over salted rice porridge for her father quite oblivious. The meal had almost choked her mother who tasted it to death.
The frustrating aspect was the praise she received for her culinary skills by her mother. The sincerity in the tone , she believed is mockery as the food was really terrible.
"Yoona?", she heard her father say suddenly.
"Yes father?".
"What do you think", he asked with shinning eyes. "About asking lady Lee give you tutorials on cooking", he supplied when he saw her lost gaze.
"Perfect!", she replied ecstatically.
Court lady Lee was a veteran cook who had served in the palace for forty years. He hoped he will give her some pointers on how to be the best cook in the whole nation, a title court lady Lee held for thirty years.
She left for her room when the discussion ended. The prospect of learning new things kept her awake half through the night.
Her father fell into a short slumber when he saw her enthusiasm. He could only pity men of her time for this child will enchant men and ladies alike with her bountiful talents.
The following day, the little girl finally met the first master that helped shape her destiny.
The woman that contributed a lot to her future.