When Peony Blooms #AMBW

Chapter 22: "Underneath the Moonlit Canopy"

The morning broke with a solemn quietness, the birdsong unable to penetrate the veil of sadness that hung in the air. So-ra had chosen this day for the ceremony to honor her mother's death. It was the last day before the peony flowers faded, and the perfect time to pay her respects; the vibrant pink and maroon blooms brought a glimmer of joy within the weight of sadness.

Traditionally, it was the Crown Prince who would accompany her on this day. A silent companion through the rites and rituals, providing silent comfort in the shared loss. But today, his duties to the council were pulling him away, leaving So-ra with a hollow sense of loneliness. Seo-jin, aware of the change in their routine, offered his companionship. 

The two moved through the palace gardens, making their way towards the small shrine erected in Ji-yeon's memory.  The usual lively chatter and bustling activities of the palace seemed to retreat, creating a respectful hush for her silent procession. The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the lush greenery. The shrine stood amidst a bed of blooming flowers, a beautiful testament to Ji-yeon's vibrant spirit.

Together, they lit incense and paid their respects, the smoky tendrils of the incense spiraling up into the clear blue sky. The scent of it, mixed with the fresh aroma of the flowers around them, created an atmosphere of serene melancholy. So-ra knelt down, closing her eyes and offering a prayer of gratitude for the life her mother had lived. In that moment of devotion, the air around her seemed to vibrate with a comforting peace, and a sense of love. She opened her eyes and gently touched one of the peonies, taking in its beauty and its life.

So-ra and Seo-jin spent the rest of the day in reflective silence, So-ra sharing stories and memories of Ji-yeon. Seo-jin, though he didn't know her personally, listened attentively, letting So-ra's recollections paint a picture of a woman he never knew but could appreciate.

"She used to love Jade," So-ra said fondly as they walked through the gardens. "She said that when I got married she would give me the best." With a glimmer of mischief in her eyes, So-ra extended her hand and showed him a Jade ring on her finger—a gift from the Crown Prince.

As the Sun's rays descended towards the horizon, So-ra and Seo-jin were drawn to the intimate water feature nestled within the majestic confines of the royal compound. A spectacular conflagration of tangerine and rose erupted across the firmament, casting an alluring mirage from the sky upon the placid mirror of the pond.

In the heart of this moment, they offered a tiny luminary, a tea light, to the patient waters. It floated freely, dancing with the rhythm of their hearts as it embarked on a leisurely journey across the pond, its flickering flame creating a single star on earth.

The water was a living mirror, a shimmering canvas that absorbed the day's last light. Immaculately clear, it seemed as though it had been touched by the very hand of nature herself, a flawless, serene face that reflected the world above with startling accuracy. The silken surface, disturbed only by the quiet touch of the breeze, would ripple delicately, causing the reflected images to dance and distort in a whimsical ballet.

Yet, beneath this tranquil tableau was a depth that hinted at mysteries untold. It was an unbroken expanse of silvery-blue calmness, which was unflinching and inviting in equal measure. It was as much a participant in this melancholic farewell as So-ra and Seo-jin themselves, silently accepting the tea light, gently cradling it on its surface, and guiding it on its somber journey.

The water was, in essence, a silent storyteller. A listener to their unvoiced farewell.

For So-ra, though the absence of the Crown Prince was felt, Seo-jin's presence offered her a comforting stability.

Meanwhile, As the royal court congregated for the council meeting, a sense of restlessness pervaded the grand hall. Even the usual stoic faces of the ministers betrayed a hint of anticipation. The air was charged, every murmur and gesture magnified in the echo chamber of the grand palace's filigreed walls.