The news of the first round of selection hit the whole capital like a whirlwind. Everyone had a story to tell; true or false? Only those involved knew.
The crown prince who was yet to be back received the information from his guards leaving him mortified. His royal mother is acting desperate, but for what?
For once in his life he lost his self-possession... yet what was he to fear? The selection would have come sooner or later.
The morning sun fell bright and warm, the sunbeams fell slanting on the dark oaken floor he sat on. The pained, mortified look on his face seemed to make him age__ His Yoona should have been one of them.
Gravely, he asked his men the names of the contenders and a long list was presented to him.They may have failed in getting the information on time but never will they fail twice. All the information regarding the whole event was tabulated.
Scanning through the document, his eyes half-lit at a particular name. Surprisingly, she made the first round.
"You are a peculiar one". He beamed.
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Lady Sora, Eun-hye's mother walked to the garden .Near the beds of crimson roses she saw her precious daughter glowing with an earthly beauty. Her face calm and sweet looked like one seen in pictures of saint.
Earnestly, she looked long at her, lost in deep reverie. Suddenly, her fine aristocratic face grew paler, a troubled shadow lay in the depth of her eyes. She sighed.
The wind stirred and scattered the crimson petal , an idea seemed to come to her in its music.
"Booo !". she gave a startled cry making Eun-hye jump up in fright. "Mother". She screamed before giving a musical laugh. Mother and child ended up laughing vigorously before settling down on the stone carved seat in the garden.
"Mother, I really don't want to go for tomorrow's selection. I'm not quite interested". Eun-hye complained.
Hot tears rose into her eyes and her lips trembled. "I don't wish to be confined in such a fanciful prison for the rest of my life".
Lady Sora sighed. She knew her daughter won't be happy living in the place as she was raised carefree. But the law must still be obeyed.
"Child, but lots of young girls wouldn't mind living in the palace akin the wealth and status attached to it "
"I have enough wealth and status mother, I don't need a higher shackle because the more status, the more chains and restrictions."
Gently, she placed her child's head on her laps and sang a kind and beautiful tune. "What type of man would you want to marry?". She asked wistfully.
"Maybe a grand general or a guard?". At the sound of her answer, her face turned crimson not escaping the sharp eyes of her mother.
"Is there someone you have in mind?". No answer but her face grew redder.
"There really is someone". Lady Sora smiled.
Eun-hye watched her mom's teasing face and ran away. Far away from the house without a single servant or guard, and right into the vision of the grand general that helped her escape. He is sightseeing.
"General?"
The young man nods at her and invited her over. "Buy me a drink". Half-commandingly he asked.
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Yoona sat on a rocking chair while listening to the report of her faithful allies. After question after question was answered, and one detail after another of the sudden turn of event was laid before her, the beautiful face grew paler.
"It is over". She murmured.
She went down the stream to wash her face and found Jae joon waiting. She looked up at him and smiled.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
She folded her arms with the air of someone determined to ignore the question but failed woefully. "I am just thinking, I have failed before I even started".
Jae joon laughed satirically before encouraging her not to give up. It is not yet over until it is really over.
She looked down at her feet soaking in the water and got an idea. "Jae joon, find out when the next courtmaid selection is taking place".
Jae joon sadly agreed and promised to find out all the necessary information. If only that person could find her then all will be well. He excused himself from her to allow her some alone time.
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The empress owned it to herself that she had done well in choosing a wife for her son. The palace will be presided over by a high-bred lady who had a talent for it and who will be delighted in serving closely alongside her.
The face of the young girl that pleased her heart appeared in her mind and brought a broad smile. She considered herself a good judge of character but she was puzzled; she could not tell if the quiet and peaceful looking young lady had an interest in this process. She acted like she wants to be eliminated though she pretended not to notice.
Her acuity in judging and detecting people's behavior is top-notched. She wouldn't have maintained her seat for long if she was dull-witted, so she can swear on her crown that the lady is disinterested.
"Well child, I am beginning to like you". She smirked before lifting her cup of chrysanthemum tea to her lips.
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Dowager empress was busy with her embroidery, her face shinning with a lustre.
Though the empress forced them to start the selection process, she is beginning to like it. Especially as there is a particular girl that caught her fancy.
"Court lady Bong, did you see her beautiful dance? She looked so graceful... I like her sense of humor"
The said court lady Bong looked at her mistress with the eyes of someone looking at a deranged woman.
Is her Majesty senile? Obviously, the young lady messed up but the dowager gave her a full mark. This days, she is starting to wonder if her mistress is mentally OK.
"Her moves were so out of the world, her face so calm , so peaceful, so endearing..."
Here she goes again the court lady thought, and now she will have to listen to endless praises of a satirical dance.
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Eun-hye and the grand general sipped their wine in silence, both seemingly lost in thought.
Eun-hye looked at him clearly charmed but a vein of sadness and melancholy that was difficult to understand was detected. She did not quite understand what could make a man of his standing so sad.
Mechanically, he lifted his cup to his lips making his brows crease. A shadow so slight at first grew perceptible creating a distance between them. He seemed lost.
"Here, have more drinks". She poured more wine for him when she saw his cup half-empty which he approved of in gratitude.
"How was the selection yesterday?". He started a conversation for the first time since their arrival.
"Good". She gave a short reply, swirling her drink.
He scrutinized her expression and found out that she looks bored . An idea occurred to him. He smiled at the thought of it and clasped his hands.
"Eun-hye, right?". She nodded.
"Do your best". He drank the last wine on his cup and whispered to her, leaving her speechless.
What's up with this dude anyway? She asked herself at his departure.
Again, why is he so familiar? Have I met him before?