The Pheasant, that fell from the Sky || Hwarang

- 36 -

A group of eight palace maids rushed towards the big pavilion that stood in the royal garden. Yeseul was one of them. Court Lady Ok had ordered her just a few minutes ago to help the palace maids. King Jinheung held a small banquet and they were supposed to serve him and his guests. From the whispers of the maids around her Yeseul had heard that the King's guests were a delegation of Hwarang. The maids had been very excited by the news. Understandable, after all a group of handsome warriors being at the Palace wasn't something that happened daily. Yeseul hoped but at the same time was almost sure that Yeowool would be part of the delegation which excited her a lot. It had been three days since they had bid goodbye at the wall to his mother's residence. She missed him.

The group arrived at the empty pavilion, went up the wooden stairs and stood at their spots. Keeping their heads low they waited for the King and his guests to arrive. It didn't take long until they heard the footsteps of a group of people. Yeseul dared a quick glance. She saw King Jinheung leading a group of, she did a quick count, fourteen Hwarang. They wore their purple and white robes. A smile formed on her face as she spotted Yeowool in the second row of the meticulously coordinated system they organized themselves in. He walked next to Banryu and just behind Seonu and Suho. Yeowool's eyes found Yeseul's as well. Happy he smiled back at her. Quickly Yeseul got back into position as the group got closer.

The King and the Hwarang sat down at one of the soban each. King Jinheung at the head of course. Seonu to the King's right, followed by Banryu and five other Hwarang unknown by name to Yeseul. Suho sat to King Jinheung's left, followed by Yeowool and five other Hwarang. Content Yeseul notices that according to her spot she would take care of Suho and Yeowool. Suho must've noticed as well as he nudged Yeowool, nodded backwards to where Yeseul stood behind them and laughed lightly. She doubted Yeowool hadn't already noticed.

Court Lady Ok, who stood close to the entrance to the pavilion gave the signal to bring the first course. In order the maids left the pavilion, quickly went to the kitchen and got the trays with the first meal for two people. Only the maid that was designated to King Jinheung had only one meal on her tray. As quick as they left, they got back and started putting the courses on the soban. The King was already asking Seonu about the current training situation of the Hwarang as Yeseul set the tray on the floor in front of Yeowool's table and started putting all bowls and plates as well as a silver cup on the soban. A little sad Yeseul had to discover that the soban stood closer to each other than they had at the coronation, so she wasn't able to say anything to Yeowool.

»Hello Yeseul«, Yeowool mumble quietly making Yeseul smile slightly. She didn't dare to answer also because she had to go on to Suho. He had noticed their small interaction and had a cheeky grin on his face.

»Hwarang Suho, how are you experiencing this experimental training method?«, King Jinheung asked the Hwarang Yeseul was currently serving making him drop the cheeky grin.

»I find it to be a welcome break after graduating. I often find myself being more concentrated during the four hours of daily training. Though I must say that the lack of group coordinated training concerns me a bit. Especially those manoeuvres must be trained often to be perfected«, Suho answered eloquently. Yeseul got back on her spot.

»I understand your arguments«, King Jinheung said, »I'll have the Hwarang House reopened soon. Silla unfortunately has to start preparing.« Preparing? Yeseul was surprised. Now the King spoke to all his guests. »Silla's relationship to the Kingdom of Baekje is slowly growing worse. Taking in consideration possible outcomes to this situation, I unfortunately must tell you to train meticulously.« Whispers started going around between the Hwarang on the other end of the pavilion. Yeseul saw Seonu, Suho, Banryu and Yeowool exchanging looks.