The Pheasant, that fell from the Sky || Hwarang

- 23 -

The next morning Yeseul helped Jinheung dress into a white, black and red warrior robe. She didn't know where he was headed, as did none of the other servants, and she didn't dare to ask. After that she worked on the coronation robe together with the other seamstresses.

In the afternoon she met with Yeowool at the market. The Hwarang wore his dark hanbok again and smiled content as their met eyes.

»I got surprising news again«, he declared.

»What is it?«, Yeseul asked curious.

»Seonu is a Sacred Bone as well.«

»What? How?«

»He is the son of the Queens older brother Kim Hwikyung.«, he explained, »Making him be able to take the throne as well.«

»So there were two kings at the Hwarang House?«

»Yes. Jidwi came by today in the morning«, Yeowool told her, »He looked so different in his king's robe, so cold-hearted and cruel. People's personality changes along with their clothes, don't they? He told us that he saw how lazy we were and that he would help us to become strong warriors under the control of Silla's Royal Family. Then Seonu stood up against him and told him that he was weak. He said that the Hwarang should be free, something they taught us. Seonu told Jidwi that the Hwarang will decide for themselves if we will accept him as King. Poor Jidwi became a laughingstock to some of the Hwarang after he left.«

»What will you do?«, Yeseul asked.

»I don't know«, he answered pensive, »I'm not sure. A lot of the Hwarang see Seonu as the better potential king and we will probably decide together. For now I'll stay neutral as I always do.«

»Ah look, he's out with his concubine again«, they suddenly heard a loud whisper from a female voice.

»Shhh, shut up, you're too loud«, another female voice scolded her, »They'll end up hearing you!«

Yeseul looked around herself and took a step away from Yeowool. She got a little sad hearing this again. She wasn't his concubine. She was his friend and, now realising it as she thought about it, his lover. It made her feel embarrassed that the people kept calling her that when it wasn't true. It made her realise that they never could be more than that. She wasn't even a True Bone and he was a Sacred Bone. It was him forbidden to take her as something more than just a concubine.

Yeowool looked concerned at her sad face, took her hand and pulled her into an alley where he hugged her tightly. It comforted her to hear his heartbeat again and feel the warmth of his body.

»One should not listen to most rumours about oneself«, he told her as he caressed her back lightly. He leaned back a bit and gently took her chin to make her look at him.

»I love you«, he said smiling, »I love you. You know that, right?« A warm feeling spread in her chest as she heard these words again. It made her feel so happy. Yeseul nodded, now smiling again.

»I love you too«, she said. Yeowool leaned forward and kissed her. Yeseul returned the kiss. Carefully he went some steps forward making her step backwards until she felt the wooden wall on her back.

»I'll stay by your side«, Yeseul said determined looking him in the eyes after she ended the kiss, »Even if it's just as your concubine, if that's going to be my title. I'll stand by your side as your friend and lover.«

Yeowool brushed with his hand over her cheek.

»I'll stay by your side as well. As your friend and lover«, he replied, »And I promise I'll try to find a way to make you something more than just a concubine. To give you a title that will make you independent.«

»Now you're exaggerating. That's not possible«, she laughed lightly, »It's forbidden for you to make a covenant with me and a title is not in your power to give me.«

»Alright«, he laughed as well, »But I'll try to make you my official partner, if you want to.« Yeseul nodded before kissing him and cuddling back into his hug.

Now that they promised to stay by each other's side she was a little less scared of the future. But at the same time the problem of them not officially being allowed to be a couple still would exist. She didn't even want to directly be married to him, she just didn't want the title of being his concubine, but she would accept it if it was the only possible way for them to stay together. She wanted to belong with him as his friend and lover.

Back in the palace Yeseul thought about the situation with the two kings. Both Jinheung and Seonu could become king. As of now it seemed like Jinheung would become king. He was the king since the day the former king passed away. After all, his mother had only been his regent over the past years. Even though he was the king he wasn't really accepted especially when it came to the Hwarang, who seemed to prefer Seonu. A king without the support of his people wouldn't have it easy. Yeseul was scared that a war between the Hwarang with Seonu as their king and King Jinheung would break out. In that case she would be at a bad place here in the Palace. She had seen how the Hwarang had worked together perfectly when they robbed the shed and it hurt her heart a little to see this friendship strained by the fight over the throne. It made her sad thinking about how friendship had turned into rivalry.

Yeseul was concerned about the Hwarang's decision.