Phases of the moon

Part 3

Yongsun rests her head on her palm as she looks over outside. The wind is gentle on her skin and blows right through her soft black tresses. The sky is clear and blue and somehow the longer she stares at it, the heavier her eyelids become. The bird resting on the tree branch seems more interesting than her now-forgotten tea.

She hears someone enter the study and by the way it sounds nimble in her ears, she did not have to turn around to know that it is Wheein.

"Is the tea not to your liking?" Wheein asks as she notices the tea which seems to remain untouched ever since she stepped out the room to fetch something.

Yongsun then now remembers her tea which has already turned cold as she has been spacing out for the rest of the duration of her break.

"Oh, no. I just had something in my mind that I have forgotten about it," she tells her sheepishly as she scratches her cheek.

One of the ladies-in-waiting takes the tea and politely exits the room, leaving Yongsun and Wheein in the room.

Wheein chuckles, not blaming her at all for doing so as she eyes the pile of books in front of Yongsun. Books regarding Wolgwang. It is better for Yongsun to be well-equipped with knowledge when she steps foot into the territory of their enemy than remain ignorant. The first rule of war is to know your enemy.

Wheein notices the bothered look all over Yongsun's face, "Is there something wrong?"

Her forehead creases in frustration, her brows furrow as she faces a book.

Yongsun reads the last line of the paragraph before closing it and putting it aside.

"I have almost finished reading the books," she replies.

"That's good?" Wheein is unsure what Yongsun is worried about. Isn't it good that she's almost done? So, why is she bothered?

"I mean, yes, it is good that I'm almost done reading and studying their history but–"

"But?"

"But I still don't have any idea who I'm going to marry," Yongsun breathes in frustration, her fingers massaging the temples on her forehead to soothe the incoming headache.

Not even a glimpse of her face.

As what she had mentioned earlier, Yongsun has almost finished reading the available books found in the Royal Library all about Wolgwang. The topics discussed only touches the surface— only a few topics were discussed extensively. Not that it surprises Yongsun.

What she wants to learn the most is about her supposed to be wife.

All Yongsun knows is that she is the youngest of the ruling family of Moons and is currently the youngest King's Hand at the age of 24 which was only 3 years ago. That means that she is 27 years old right now. So, Yongsun is a year older than her.

If she became the King's Hand 3 years ago and Wolgwang has just crowned its new King a year ago then that means that she has served two Kings as the King's Hand. Interesting.

Aside from that and the things she has heard from the rumors flying around, Yongsun has nothing.

She has heard the people talk about how Moon Byulyi is a beast in the war zone. She slays enemies left and right without batting an eye nor a shed of mercy in her eyes. She is merciless towards her enemy. No sense of remorse at all. It does make sense. She is the King's Hand after all— the highest rank a Wolgwang soldier can ever attain within his lifetime. It is the most powerful position one can attain apart from the Royal Family. It is reserved only for the best and strongest Wolgwang soldier. Aside from that, being the Hand does not only mean that one possesses only the strength and skills of a warrior but the Hand is also someone who wields intelligence. For what is brute strength in war without a strategy? Someone who has both strength and intelligence is someone to be wary of.