The Grand Marshal drew his sword to the minister's neck. Anchoring his aghast eyes to the sharp edge of the sword, beads of sweat came out from Dae Wong's forehead. Time to retrieve the vanishing thread of courage inside him. He detested seeing the insolent people in front of him, his imagination feeding his ego with the thought that they might be thinking that an honorable council member was easily daunted by a mere weapon. He gathered his strength and scowled to the three conspirators, gritting his teeth. "Bunch of impudent fools!"
"Enough with your blabbing, Minister. You're not inside the palace. With just one slash, your blood will shower continuously until your last breath, and there would be no witnesses since you are alone! We are three!"
"I am alone?" the minister said, with a laugh that took Chil Yook aback.
At an unexpected moment, an arrow from the right side of the forest catapulted and landed a few inches from Chil Yook's right boot. So close! Poor metatarsals if destiny cracked a bad joke. He jumped out of shock and scuttled back to Dae Wong. As he was about to strike him, another arrow from the left side of the woods arched towards him. It was slower compared to the first one (angle origin—probably). Before it could land wherever it pleased, Chil Yook smashed it with his sword, breaking its vile existence.
He has had enough of the minister's stupid games. Dae Wong, standing idly, gawked at him from head to toe. He burst into a playful laugh. "I wish I could exactly describe to you how you looked."
Annoyed as he, Chil Yook closed his eyes and breathe slowly. Mauling the minister crept through his clouded imagination. He wanted to avenge his shredded dignity. Suddenly, Lady Min called him, making the Grand Marshal grit his teeth.
"Get back here!"
"Why?" he spat out.
He sheathed his sword back into its scabbard and stomped back to the front door, "What is this all about?"
Lady Min groaned and shook her head. She slapped Chil Yook's arm as she chided, "You are not thinking! Would you be responsible if those arrows had hit one of us? What if a hwarang has already run back to the palace to report everything to the king? We are on a dead-end here!"
At that rebuke, Chil Yook hung his head and zipped his mouth, ashamed of his rash actions. Dae Wong laughed out loud internally, for his plan had worked. If I was cornered, do the second plan. Divide and scare. Who would have thought that his two nangdos would instantly represent a full army?
Lady Min turned to the minister and confronted him. "So tell us, Minister Dae Wong—what do you want? Your eavesdropping should have an acceptable explanation."
Dae Wong stretched an arm and opened his palm. "Give me the almanac."
Lady Jang gasped in surprise upon hearing the minister's demand. Chil Yook shot a glance at her, and he discreetly blocked the Head Priestess from the minister's view, "Why do you want it?"
"Shut it, Grand Marshal. This doesn't concern you."
Picking a scroll from his sleeve, the minister revealed the order from the King, demanding for the almanac. A stage act needed before they could discover they had a faux. "This is a royal order. Non-compliance spells death."
The three conspirators looked at each other. Chil Yook and Lady Jang shook their heads, while Lady Min goggled her eyes into them—a silent command. She approached Chil Yook and whispered something into his ear that pacified the insistent beast. With no remaining option besides death, Chil Yook removed the black book from his chest and threw it at the minister's feet.
Dae Wong bent and picked the book. A fake grin sketched his mouth. "Good. I'll see you around." he craned his neck to the Head Priestess, who was trembling in fear behind Chil Yook. "Especially you, Lady Jang."
Feeling powerless, Chil Yook dug his nails into his palm calluses as he watched the minister jet away. "Now, what are we going to do?"
"It will be best if we go back to the Prime Minister and confess everything," Lady Min turned away and headed inside the house.
Chil Yook scampered, catching up with the matron. "Why is it easy for you to say that? It's not you who will be punished the most. It is Lady Jang."
The Head Priestess bit her nails, her hands cold as ice. The old matron tucked her into a tight comforting embrace like she was her birth daughter. She caressed her hair, giving the Head Priestess full support. "We will help you reason out to the Prime Minister. Don't worry. We got your back. Just be honest. Alright?"
Lady Min caught Chil Yook's long, bitter face—his tall pride could not just move on. "There you go again with your stupid ego. I know your type, Chil Yook. You don't really care about the almanac; you care about your high status, your position! Didn't you realize how dangerous the situation was? Undoubtedly, you are the best hwarang. You're very skillful, but you're dumb!" Lady Min scorned, her stiff finger pointing Chil Yook's face. She stepped closer to him and continued the fiery tirade, "You know what? I don't know why you can't realize that. Minister Dae Wong is way too much powerful compared to us. Let Prime Minister handle them. Sometimes, strength is not the key to survival. Oftentimes, you have to use your brain."
Her deep, intense tone left a sharp stake on Chil Yook's heart, leaving him dumbfounded. Lady Min exhaled heavily and ordered, "Now, let us go to the Prime Minister's chambers!"
~~•~~
Back in the King's chambers, Dae Wong narrated enthusiastically all that had happened at Lady Min's house. Proud of his acting skills, he held his head high. A truly experienced actor. Not only was he successful playing with their emotions like staging a puppet play, but more importantly, he discovered a lot of useful information.
"Therefore, are you telling me that Lady Jang does not know how to read the almanac?" The King stared at the minister in askance.
"Yes, Sire. She revealed as much to Chil Yook and Lady Min."
"How about someone who could read and interpret it?"
The minister snapped his fingers, remembering what he had heard about an abbot who could be the key to unlock the mystery. "They were talking about this monk who possibly lives in Anju Village, Jinhae District. Maybe he's the one."
"Anju Village? That would be around six hours of travel by horse—if you pass through the forest of Jinju. The thing is, it could be dangerous since there are many venomous snakes there."
"There's nothing scarier than the biggest serpent here in the palace."
"All right then. Bring some nangdos, and go find that monk. I need the correct information from that almanac. Most importantly, be back before the ceremony."
"Yes, Sire."
Jae Joong stood and walked to his table drawer. He opened the first compartment and picked the real almanac. He handed it to Dae Wong, his heart beating erratically. "This is scaring me, Dae Wong. What if the truth is different from what I have announced? What would I do if you didn't make it on time?"
A hot breath oozed from Dae Wong's lips. He convinced the King to do a potentially perilous wager with the Heavens. Their only choice. "I know, Your Majesty. But just in case, you must continue your announcement. It's better to tell them nothing than give them false hopes. We're still not sure anyways, but we have to take a risk. Let's just pray that the truth in this almanac is the same with your truth."
"Right. Thank you, Dae Wong."
"I should get going, Sire. Time is running."
Jae Joong nodded, and the minister walked to the door, ready to organize everything needed for their misty journey. When he was about to slide the door open, Jae Joong burst out his final question. The ill-omened pair of the eclipse. "What about... the twins? Remember what we have talked about?"
"First things first, Sire. You should talk to the Head Nurse, Jung Dong Hee."
The King nodded in acceptance. "I understand. That's it for now. Go."
~~•~~
Jung Ho was busy reading scrolls when his three servants requested for an important audience. He rolled his eyes and grunted. "Can't that wait? I'm very busy!"
Outside, he heard Lady Min's voice, desperate for attention. "Your Excellency, please let us in. This is important."
"Be sure it is," Jung Ho warned. "Enter!"
The old matron led the way; Chil Yook and Lady Jang, on the back, lumbered—their eyes avoiding the sharp, skeptical stares of the Prime Minister.
Jung Ho folded the scrolls and clutched his hands on the table, smiling and waiting for their important reports. The three minions glanced at each other in an awkward beat, which made Jung Ho frown in annoyance. "You dare disturb me for a staring party or something? Speak!"
Fear seeped through Lady Jang's deepest bones, like a shadow of death devouring the last strands of her life force. None dared to look up at the fearsome man before them. While Chil Yook and Lady Min were emotionless and still, Lady Jang shook in terror. She was afraid of the King, but her fear of the Prime Minister was ten times stronger.
Lady Min swallowed her hesitations and started talking, "Your Lordship, the almanac is gone."
Jung Ho's eyes almost jumped off its socket out of shock. His stomach churned, and blood all over his body coagulated. He felt the gradual paralysis of his fingers, down to his toes. "W-wh-what? What do you mean it's gone?" he cast a red-hot glare to Lady Min.
The matron was about to answer, but Lady Jang suddenly cut her off and groveled to the stunned prime minister.
"Forgive me, My Lord. It's all my fault! I was careless and a coward." tears started flowing from her bloodshot eyes.
"Damn it!" Jung Ho stood and smacked the table. "Someone better explain to me what happened."
Lady Jang rubbed her palms together and confessed, her voice rattling in fright, "T-th-the almanac is in the King's hands already. Minister Dae Wong got it from us. He discovered that I was working with you. I'm sorry, My Lord. I should have been more careful."
Bone-chilling silence.
Not a single soul uttered a single word for about a minute. Jung Ho's robe rustled along the table corner as he ambled towards Lady Jang, his icy gaze clipping her. He bent forward and wiped her tears. "Shh, I know. I know," he whispered, his breath hot on her cheek. His fingers ran along her face, caressing her cheekbones, down to her jaws, her chin… and then her neck!
"Look at me," Jung Ho mumbled, facing the terrified woman. Lady Jang's eyes shut off as more tears drip down her face. His soft tone sent more shivers down her entire spine. She opened her eyes and felt the tightening grip of the Prime Minister on her neck. As he squeezed, she started to choke, her windpipe constricting. Each breath became labored, rasping, and painful.
"Didn't you know that almanac was an authentic one? That was my only token to ruin the King's reputation." Every time Jung Ho dropped a sentence, more streaks of red wave flushed through Lady Jang's neck. "I was a fool when I trusted you. Apologize, huh? That's all you can do? Can that apology make the almanac bounce back to us?"
"I made you, Lady Jang. If it was not for me, you would have not become the Head Priestess. Is this your way to prove yourself to me? To pay for your debt, you ingrate?"
Jung Ho did not have to yell or shout. His calm voice paired with scorching hot glare was more than enough to frighten the Head Priestess into submission. Upon noticing Lady Jang's ghastly-drained face and iris moving up to her head, he decided to let her neck go.
Her energy was sucked out, making her faint on the floor. Chil Yook dared one step but Jung Ho threw a scornful glare and pointed his fingers to him, his lips curving into a thin line. The Grand Marshal took a step back, his eyes darting back and forth to the collapsed woman.
Jung Ho straightened and frowned with disgust at the unconscious woman. He demanded his other minions to tell him their versions of the story. Chil Yook apologized for what had happened, blaming himself and wanting to take responsibility for being a lenient Gukseon.
"Forgive me, My Lord. I was incompetent."
"Oh yes you are, you conceited man. You always think that you are the best hwarang. Because of your negligence, this had happened. Now, what are you going to do?"
Chil Yook did not respond. He was ashamed of his failure to protect the almanac. He hoped Lady Jang would recover, and feared for what would happen to her when the Prime Minister was through. For that moment, he became the epitome of regret. He would definitely sell his soul to the underworld just for a chance to go back in time—to ensure that Lady Jang and the almanac were safe. Acknowledging his own skills should not mean neglecting others'.
"Guards!" Jung Ho called. Two nangdos slid the door and entered the Prime Minister's chamber.
"Detain Lady Jang!"
Everyone was shocked upon hearing the Prime Minister's order. They would understand detaining a retaliating criminal or even a conscious person at least. But imprisoning an insentient and helpless person was way beyond their comprehension. Chil Yook felt very powerless, like all his training and skills as a hwarang had become futile. He could not do anything because it was his master's orders. His face puckered in a mixture of anger to himself and mercy towards Lady Jang.
Trying to console him, Lady Min held his hand tightly like a mother ready to protect her son anytime.
"Why are you standing there? Detain Lady Jang now!"
As the two nangdos carried the Head Priestess, Chil Yook did not have the chance to look at her for the last time. He was completely uncertain whether she would live or not. But he was sure of one thing: the weather and the seasons would be ashamed of the Prime Minister for his unpredictability.
~~•~~
Dong Hee, the Queen's Head Nurse, lived with Yong Woo, her scrawny, blacksmith husband, and Eun Jung, her chubby sister-in-law who was two years younger than Yong Woo. They lived in a small village outside the palace.
The night before the ceremony, while their family was sipping tea and savoring the scent of their garden's fresh spring flowers, Dong Hee consulted her dilemma about the Queen's favor.
"I really don't know what to do. The Queen wants me to protect her babies the moment they are born. She is afraid that she might give birth tomorrow, which is the day of the presumed eclipse."
"That was indeed a problem, Unni. Protect? What does that even mean specifically? Like, take the twins perhaps?" Eun Jung asked.
"I don't know. That is why I am asking for your opinions. This is more complicated than it seems. I mean, if I take one of the twins, our lives would be in danger. But if I did not follow the Queen's wish, I will carry this burden for the rest of my life."
Grimacing at the two women talking, Yong Woo cut in and asked about the connection of the eclipse to the royal twins. "So, what is it about the twins and the eclipse?"
"You do know that royal twins are not supposed to be born on the day of the eclipse, right? The Queen is being so paranoid. The King had announced already that there would be no eclipse, but the Queen does not trust the Head Priestess. She expects the worst scenarios, and that is the eclipse happens, then she gives birth. She is afraid of what the people can do if worse comes to worst."
Her husband raised a brow and blatantly expressed his opinion. "You think royals are blessed of good fortune? No. They are slaves—slaves of the Heavens. Their every move depends on the positions of stars." He stood and went to his baby, who was sleeping in a small, wooden crib. "Look at Il Woo. He is such a sweet, innocent angel. Dear, I do understand your sentiments, but please do not be too attached to your job. We have our own son to worry about. I don't want him to live a life filled with danger. If you do what the Queen said, chances are the King's enemies will not leave us alone. Your conscience can't kill you. Trust me."
Dong Hee joined her husband at the crib, with a bit of realization of what he just said.
"Il Woo is indeed a sweet baby. Look at his small eyes and nose. From whom do you think did he take that after?" Dong Hee giggled.
Yong Woo poked his son's nose. "That is from me, from his handsome father."
"Yes, you are. How about this?" Dong Hee caressed her son's right hand, with a small birthmark that looked like a half-moon.
"That I do not know. It makes him unique, though," Yong Woo replied.
There was a knock at the door. Eun Jung frowned in annoyance. "Who could it be at this late hour?"
"Jung Dong Hee. We are the palace hwarangs. The King demands your presence now. It is urgent," said a palace hwarang, whom they heard from the outside.
"It must be something related to the Queen. I think she is experiencing labor tonight. I really need to go," Dong Hee said, holding her husband's hands.
"Coming!" Dong Hee notified.
She went to her room, put her pink cloak on and prepared her wooden herbal box. Before leaving, she kissed her sleeping son. Then she turned to her husband and asked him where they would meet after the Queen gave birth, for this was the only reason Dong Hee could imagine being called to the palace in the middle of the night.
"Dear, we will pack our things and prepare everything for our travel. Meet us at the foot of Ojin Hill. By the way, at what time will the Queen finish her delivery?"
"Around Jashi... All right, I will meet you there." With that, Dong Hee left with the hwarang and made her way to the palace.
~~•~~
Sipping his jasmine tea, the King patiently waited for Dong Hee to report to his chambers. When she arrived, she stood awkwardly near the door after it closed and avoided the King's gaze as she hugged her herbal box tight to her body.
"Come. Sit with me," Jae Joong offered. "I cannot wait forever."
Dong Hee walked slowly as if her body was submerged in a muddy pit. Moving the chair, she sat down and placed the herbal box on top of the table. "Sire, I have brought the Queen's medicine. What happened? When can I see her?"
"It was not about the Queen. I want to talk to you personally."
She hung her head, having a slight idea of what the conversation would be about. "What can I do for you, Sire?"
"You recall the prophecy about royal twins born on an eclipse, don't you?"
Gulping in surprise, she replied softly, "Yes, Sire... I am... aware of that."
The King smiled. "Very well, now we have something to discuss."
__________
NOTES:
Jinju District (진주) - located in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
Unni (언니) - a female's honorific endearment to an older female or sister.
Ojin Hill (오진) - fictional hill on Southern Seorabeol.
Jashi (자씨) - time between 11 p.m. to 1 a.m.