Anthology: A Compilation Of Novellas (On Hold)

[NitW] I

Kyung-Hu danced around the the flowerbeds in the palace gardens, a ritual she'd taken up everyday since she first arrived at the palace.

Her hwarot looking more and more like the flower petals as she twirled. Pausing for a split second as she noticed the former crown prince passing with escorts from a distance.

Former because he'd had his coronation already, his father had died of recent and now though young, he was officially king.

She sighed, "life sure is full of surprises, who would've thought the boy who always ate his boogers would've become king?" She thoughtful asked rhetorically.

"And who would've thought the booger eater would've glammed up?" Gi, her closest friend, who'd been behind her asked.

Kyung-Hu had a sly smile on her lips. "Why don't I go tell him how much you're dawning over him!" She wiggled her eyebrows.

Gi gasped. "You wouldn't dare tell such a lie!"

Kyung-Hu gave her a look meaning 'and if I did what would you do about it?' causing Gi to rush after her, trying to tickle her, not having an effect on her.

Then she said with all seriousness, "after all these years we've spent together, you ought to know I have no weak link!"

Gi looked at her wide eyed only to be shoved on the ground a second later and have a brown haired beast she'd once recognizing as her friend tickling the hell out of her. Unlike her friend, Gi did have tickle spots, a lot of them. She laughed out without caution; the laughter being very not lady like.

A messenger who'd been watching the tickling fiasco for some seconds finally made himself acknowledged by clearing his throat. They both halted to look at the intruder.

"Lady Kim Kyung-Hu. You are being called for to the Grand queen dowager's presence."

Kyung-Hu abruptly stood up, dusting herself, making sure to clear out all the creases that had formed on her skirt. Gi did the same. She followed the messenger who was to direct her to the queen dowager's residence.

On reaching there. "Psst, In-Su have any idea on why she wants me?" Kyung-Hu asked, anxiously but didn't get a meaningful reply. The messenger only shrugged, standing outside letting her have to bravely walk up the stairs, through the doors, the passageway before stopping at the Queen's room door.

An attendant outside went in first to announce her presence before she was called on to enter.

"Why did you come so late?" Was the first thing she as greeted by as she entered the room. She hung her head low, bowing, not knowing how to reply.

"Oh, give her a break. How's she late when she didn't even know the punctual time to get here?"

That familiar voice made her raise her head.

"Abeoji!" She smiled at the older man standing in a close proximity to the sitting queen.

The queen dowager rolled her eyes. "This over familiarity of hers I one of the reasons I think she isn't a deserving candidate."

"Well she's the only candidate. And what's wrong in greeting your father?"

"You are the first Vice-Premier—"

"This isn't a formal setting." He ended what could've become an argument, looking lovingly at his puzzled daughter. "You must be wondering why you were called here…" he started off slowly, a smile never leaving his lips. "Back from the day I saw you on those cold streets of Yangdong, right before I even had this position, I knew there was something especially about you."

She smiled slightly, remembering how starved, sad, and lonely she was till he saved her from those cruel streets. Bowing slightly, "yes father, and I am still grateful for that your kind act till date."

He nodded. "Long ago, when I was still a boy, before the belated king was born, there was  a promise made by his grandfather and one of my ancestors. My ancestors helped the royal family through tough times, in return they were rewarded by a promise. A promise to allow an everlasting connection between both families. The fourth generation of both lineages was meant to prove the reclamation of this ancient promise through marriage."

"I fail to see how any of this deals with me…"

"Seeing as I'm the oldest of the current Kim family it would only be right if I played part in confirming the ancient promise. It wouldn't have been possible since my wife could only bear two sons before she passed away but then I found you…"

Kyung-Hu's eyes widened, the message finally getting to her.

"You, Kim Kyung-Hu, are having the honor of fulfilling your ancestors promise by marrying King Dong-Sun." He said proudly.

But she shook her head, facing downwards. "Is there any way another candidate can be chosen over me?"

The queen dowager who'd been quiet all this while abruptly stood up enraged. "This rude self-centered girl is who you want to marry off to my son! She can't even be grateful." She directed her attention to Kyung-Hu giving her a very mean glare. "I would've loved to kick you out and make sure you would never come within 15 yards from my son but I'm a woman of valor and honor and cannot go against the ancients alliance! Whether we both like it or not you are to be married off to King Dong-Sun because you are technically the first daughter of the Kim family since Jae-Hwa adopted you. And you are the only one eligible enough from their family to get married."

She sat back down. "You may leave."

With that, Kyung-Hu shuffled out of the room, head bowed, not turning her back towards any of them.

…

Glossary

Yangdong: a village in the south eastern region.

Dowager: a woman of high social rank who has a title from her dead husband.

First-ranked Vice-Premier (Senior Vice-Premier): takes over duties of the Premier at the time of the latter's incapacity. Highest ranked office holder.

Hwarot or Hwal-Ot: a full dress (hanbok) for the princess and daughter of a king by a concubine, formal dress for the upper class, and bridal wear for ordinary women during the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties. It is usually worn over the jeorgori (jacket) and skirt.