Five Days Later.
What's the occasion?" Chaeyeon asked as she helped Eunjeong out in the Royal Kitchen.
"Did you forget everything about yourself? You were never the type to forget important dates in the Royal Palace." Eunjeong replied.
Chaeyeon rolled her eyes." Let's just say I've changed."
Eunjeong eyed her from the corner of her eye. " Of course you've changed a lot. The Chaeyeon I grew up with would still be in bed by this time, will never pack her hair this neat and will never move around with a recuperating arm as if nothing happened." She stated.
" Wow, that's a lot. Enough about Chaeyeon, what's happening here? What's with the decorated environment?" Chaeyeon asked switching gears.
" Well, the princes are having a royal dance." Eunjeong said.
A dance? All this for a dance?
"Is that worth celebrating?" Chaeyeon couldn't help but ask.
Eunjeong looked at her fully. "Of course it is, it happens once in a lifetime. The next time there will be a royal dance will be after the death of the Crown Prince and that will not be happening anytime soon.
That's why whenever we're having the dance, it's always grand because the Crown Prince's position will be solidified." Eunjeong said.
"So the princes are going to be twirling like young maidens. That's going to be quite a sight." Chaeyeon said. Imagining the Fifth Prince swaying his stiff hips made her snicker.
"Chaeyeon, you still haven't realised why this is so exciting have you?" Eunjeong asked.
Chaeyeon raised a brow.
" The princes are going to be wearing masks to keep their faces hidden. Their masks are designed specially according to their birth positions."
Chaeyeon cut her off. "That implies the Princes can put on any masks of their choice. For all you know, the Fourth Prince could be the Crown Prince."
Eunjeong rolled her eyes and replied sarcastically." Forget the Fourth Prince, I would've been the Crown Prince."
Eunjeong added, " you have not heard about the tale behind the Royal Prince's headband have you? Anyone who takes of the headband on the Royal Prince's heads will automatically become betrothed to them."
Chaeyeon's mind drifted to the Fifth Prince.
Why he was so adamant on her not touching his hair.
Eunjeong continued, "The same tale surrounds the masks. It has the ability to recognize the Crown Prince and those of pure royalty. This way, if anyone has been impersonating the Crown Prince, they would not be able to put on the mask. It is also an evidence that royal blood flows through his veins and the rest of the princes."
" That sounds like something to look forward to." Chaeyeon mused.
" Now you get it." Eunjeong replied excitedly.
Chaeyeon pondered on Eunjeong's words. Solidify his position... Wearing of masks
If the person spying on the Crown Prince and the other who tried unsuccessfully to kill her were after the same thing like she was guessing, then the Crown Prince was likely to be in danger.
****
The Dance was to begin at dark. The night was brightened up with fireworks, the bustling streets with decorated lanterns.
The Royal Palace was the most spectacular place of all. With eye-catching murals hanging almost at every place. At the entrance of the Royal hall stood two golden dragon statues. It's presence serving as a reminder to onlookers of the King's authority and dignity.
Square glass lanterns hung under the eaves of the Royal Palace glowing softly as the night grew deeper.
Ministers, Province Governors, State magistrates and members of the Royal Court began trooping in.
The low resounding sounds of laughter and banter brought the night alive.
Chaeyeon could faintly hear the enticing melody of the gayaguem and changgo playing.
She had to admit a fine job was done to transform the large prison to a fancy one. "No wonder they are content staying here." She muttered to herself.
"Are servants allowed to watch the dance?" Chaeyeon asked.
" Why? You don't want to watch it?" Eunjeong questioned.
" I don't have a choice do I?"
Eunjeong hit her teasingly, "the Crown Prince will be there alright."
Chaeyeon chuckled. The more she thought about it, the more she realized Chaeyeon was very lucky and somewhat stupid.
"Can we go or not?" She asked again choosing not to reply Eunjeong's earlier statement.
Eunjeong circled an arm around Chaeyeon's neck. "You really think I went through all that hassle to explain the importance of this dance to you if we weren't going to watch it?"
" What?!!"
" Let's go!!" Eunjeong squealed.
By the time they arrived, the masked dance had already begun.
"I know a great spot." Eunjeong said still pulling Chaeyeon.
As they shuffled past the crowd, heads turned to look their way or rather to stare at Chaeyeon. The Nobles who had sighted her from afar couldn't help but look twice despite knowing she was a servant.
They both stood at Eunjeong's chosen spot. A place where a set of beautiful lotus lanterns were hanged.
Halfway through the dance, the princes came out dressed in a red and black attire and of course they were putting on different masks.
"The Crown Prince's mask is partly covered in gold." Eunjeong whispered. Chaeyeon let out a short ahhh.
The dance was much smoother than Chaeyeon had expected. The princes moved with constant rhythm and synchronization.
"Did I tell you there will be fireworks display at the end of the dance?" Eunjeong asked her eyes on the stage.
Chaeyeon was about replying when she suddenly noticed that a few more dancers had joined them. These dancers struggled to sync with the rest of the dancers.
They really have plans on attacking the Crown Prince.
She was so engrossed in what was about to unfold before her that she did not realize the approaching footsteps behind her.
One of the dancers moved towards the fireworks to light it up but as he did, the cackling light changed directions and lighted the ropes holding the lanterns in the air. As soon as the light got to a lantern, it exploded. The force of the explosion threw the dancer off balance.
The dance came to an abrupt end. Everyone unmoving in shock. The Crown Prince was the first to snap out of it.
"Put out the lights. Those are not fireworks!!"
But it seemed to be late as the cackling light was burning it's way fast towards it's next target: a set of beautiful lanterns, under which Chaeyeon stood.
YOU ARE READING
A Suicidal Bloom
Romance"Before becoming a soldier, you pledged to devote your body and soul to bring glory to our Nation right even if we die?" The general asked. "Yes sir." The soldier replied. "The ironic thing is, we don't fight to die, we fight to survive but unit on...
