The Pheasant, that fell from the Sky || Hwarang

- 26 -

The feast stretched over more than two hours. In that time the food servants brought in two more servings before disappearing again, while Yeseul and the other drink servants had to keep pouring drinks. Two times Yeseul had to go back to the servant's room to refill her jug. Those six guests of her just drank so much.

»Are you alright?«, Yeowool had asked as she poured his last cup. She was exhausted from all the things she did today, all the rushing and standing around, but she would have to hide it from the guests and Lady Ok. However, she could be honest to him.

»My feet hurt, but otherwise I'm fine«, she answered. He gave her a sympathetic look, for more wasn't time as Yeseul couldn't allow herself to stay next to him any longer.

After everyone finished eating the food servants began to clear the sobans and the drink servants were called back into the servant's room. As soon as Yeseul spotted an empty chair she let herself fall on it. She wished she could call it a day. Maybe her time has come and she could go back to her shared room. She looked around herself. The other servants filled up the empty jugs again and lined them up on a table. Yeseul wondered where the Palace got so much alcohol from. She should probably start helping them, but suddenly she felt so heavy and her feet didn't see the need to move. She gave herself just a short moment.

»Miss Yeseul«, Lady Ok suddenly said in a strict voice, »Go grab a tray, fill it with cups full of alcohol and go serve the guests! No time to be lazy.«

»Yes, Madame«, Yeseul replied immediately and got on her feet. She got one of the round trays, put 15 small ceramic cups on it and filled them with alcohol. Lady Ok stopped her in the door frame.

»Go around and offer them to the guests. Come back when these are empty«, the Court Lady ordered, »And keep your head low.«

»Yes, Madame.« Yeseul left the room and entered the throne room again. She shortly looked around. The guests had spread out and stood in small groups making conversations with each other. As there already were a few servants in the entrance area of the throne room, Yeseul made her way further back. She decided to walk up to one group consisting of five ministers. Without any word they each took a cup. Some drank it immediately and put the cup back on the tray but for the other she would have to wait. So, she waited a while, her head kept low, until the last minister put his cup back on the tray as well. She bowed lightly and as she turned away from them, she rotated the tray, so the full cups faced away from her, so they were easier to grab.

Next Yeseul approached a group of three Hwarang she didn't know. They each took a cup and one even uttered a small »Thank you«. The three of them chugged the alcohol down in one gulp before exchanging the empty cup for a full one, laughing and chugging this one down as well. They turned away from her, signalling her they had enough.

A woman dressed in an elegant, expensive looking, dark blue, dark green and gold hanbok, was the next person Yeseul approached. She must be part of the Royal Family, Yeseul suspected, even her black hair was neatly put up and secured by a big golden hairpin in the back. She looked like she could be a little older than 40 years old. The lady took a cup and was about to drink when she was interrupted by a minister that came up to her. Yeseul stood still, waiting.

»Princess Yoongmyeong, it's been a while since we met«, the minister greeted. So Yeseul was right with assuming she was part of the Royal Family.

»Yes indeed, Minister Jeong, it's been a while since I was at the Palace«, she answered nobly. Minister Jeong took a cup as well.

»Why don't we cheer to our new king, Princess Yoongmyeong? He is finally here«, the minister suggested.