Suitors and Strangers

Chapter Five (Pil)

"Joon Seo," says the King as his sons walk out after his announcement about Joon  Seo and his plan to marry her off into a family that is worthy of her talents. "I wish to speak to you alone." Joon Set stays behind as Wang Yo, Wang So, and Yeon Hwa look back at her then leave. However, Wang So looks back once more at Joon Seo, hoping to find away to get her out of this marriage. 

"Yes, Your Majesty?" asks Joon Seo as she bows to the King. Although she knows he's her father, she has never once referred to him as 'Father' because she doesn't really know him too well. 

"How have you been?" he asks with a gentle smile his face as he looks as his youngest daughter once again. "Has there been any problems? No one has given you any troubles?"

"No, Your Majesty," chuckles Joon Seo as she sees her father worrying about her for once. "Everyone has been kind and patient with me. I-"

"Your Majesty!" comes a woman's voice and Joon Seo quickly bows and moves out of the way. Without even looking up, Joon Seo knows exactly who this woman is.

"Is there something wrong, Queen Yoo?" asks the King as his first wife walks quickly into the his throne room in obvious distress.

"How could you allow that girl into the palace!?" exclaims Queen Yoo as she walks up to the King and doesn't notice Joon Seo, and he takes advantage of it.

"She is my daughter and I will allow whoever I wish into the palace,"  says the King looking at Queen Yoo. "She will know who's daughter she is and who her real family is and where she truly belongs."

"She is Concubine Kang's  daughter!" snaps Queen Yoo as she takes a step closer to the King. He stops her and makes a motion with his hand. At his command, Joon Seo Walks up to her father and bows to Queen Yoo.

"Greetings, Your Majesty," says Joon Seo as she bows to the Queen once again. All Queen Yoo does is glare at the young girl; her hatred for her oozes out of her eyes and demeanor. "I didn't wish to create such turmoil at the palace. If His Majesty will allow it, then I will go back to my mother and never return."

"You will do no such thing," says Queen Hwangbo as she walks into the throne room followed by Prince Jung, Wang Yo, and Yeon Hwa. "She is like my daughter and she will stay here until her marriage, Queen Yo. His Majesty has said so himself. It is a royal command." Queen Yoo and Queen Hwangbo simply have a stare off.

"Your Majesty," says Wang Yo as he bows next to his mother. "I have a suitor in mind for Joon Seo."

"And who is that?" asks the King, interested in his second oldest son's request.

"Me, Your Majesty," says Wang Yo as his mother, Queen Hwangbo, and Yeon Hwa gasp. Prince Jung looks blankly at his brother. Joon Seo doesn't look up as she is frozen in fear. She and Jung cannot believe that he is proposing such an idea to the King.

"But you already have a wife," says the King, not really wanting to allow his son to court his daughter. "Are you ready to take on a second wife so soon?"

"Father," says Wang Yo as he stands and looks at him, almost pleading; Joon Seo saw through his facade. "I have always had feelings for Joon Seo since I first saw her when she lived here. However, before I could build a relationship with her, she was moved back to her home. There hasn't been a day that I haven't wondered how she has been or if she is healthy.  So please, Father, allow me to be with the one I truly love."

"I'll consider it," says the King after a few moments of silence. He takes a long sigh, then dismisses them.

"I can't believe him!" says Queen Hwangbo as she, Yeon Hwa, and Joon Seo sit in her quarters. "He has the audacity to say something like that!"

"Mother," says Yeon Hwa, hoping to calm her down. "Why are you so upset? I understand that you see Joon Seo as your own daughter, but isn't it in her best interest to marry Wang Yo?" Joon Seo does not hear the rest of the conversation as she is distraught by what just happened.

"Your Highness," says a lady outside of Queen Hwangbo's quarters. "Prince Wang Yo has requested an audience with Joon Seo."

"Bring him in," says Queen Hwangbo as she plasters on a fake smile and Yeon Hwa gets Joon Seo back into reality.

"Your Highness," says Wang Yo as he enters her quarters. As the doors are closing behind him, Joon Seo catches a glimpse of Sa Ra and Lady Oh. She begins to wonder what might have happened.

"Joon Seo," says Yeon Hwa into her friend's ear. "Wang Yo just asked you something."

"Hmm?" replies Joon Seo with a confused look and looks at Wang Yo. He chuckles, but his eyes show his anger.

"I asked you if you would like to walk around the palace grounds with me," he says with  sly smile. It takes everything in Joon Seo to not retch in disgust and run out of the place and search for Wang So.

"She cannot go today, Prince Wang Yo," says Queen Hwangbo as she keeps that smile on her face. "Joon Seo has another suitor to meet today. I'm terribly sorry for this inconvenience, but she has to go now. Yeon Hwa, you know where to take her, correct?"

"Yes, mother," says Yeon Hwa as she grabs onto Joon Seo's arm and leads her out of the quarters. Wang Yo stands to follow them but is stopped by Ji Mong.  He simply glares at him as his mother comes by to speak to him.

Meanwhile, Yeon Hwa has left Joon Seo near the edge of the lake and so she takes this opportunity to look into the water's reflection to see if she could spot rare birds flying behind her. As she is distracted by a great big hawk that seems to have been following her, someone is watching her from a few feet away. She stands and looks to see where the hawk had landed.

"He seems to like you," says Prince Wang So as he pets the hawk sitting on his arm.

"W-Wang So!" exclaims Joon Seo as her heart almost beats out of her heart. "I mean, Your Highness." She bows deeply and doesn't look up at him.

"Since when have you ever referred to me as 'Your Highness'?" asks Wang So as he walks towards Jon Seo. Unknown to them, Yeon Hwa is spying on them as she wants to know what their relationship is.

"Since I came back to the palace, Your Highness," says Joon Seo, still not looking up at him. He scoffs. "I am Princess Yeon Hwa's playmate, therefore, I cannot accept any feelings you have for me, Your Highness."

"I don't care," he says as he is now merely a foot away from her. "Will you please look up at me?"

She looks up at him and she is stunned by his bright smile. Yeon Hwa, who is hiding near by, is anger by this and shocked as well. Wang So has never looked at her or any other woman like that before. She keeps watching them as they walk around the garden. When they are departing, Wang So hands Joon Seo a small pendant. Yeon Hwa's jealousy has reached it's limit ans she vows something terrible.

"Joon Seo," says Yeon Haw with venom in her voice. She is now in her room and is gripping a handkerchief so tightly her ladies are warning her to let go of it. "I vow to separate you from Wang So, even if it means for me to risk my position as the Princess of Goryeo!"

*******************************************************************************************

A few days later, Joon Seo is being dragged all over the place as tomorrow is her birthday and the King has a great announcement to give to his sons, the Queens, and just about everyone in Goryeo. Joon Seo hasn't seen Sa Ra ever since she spotted her with Lady Oh and although she should be worrying about getting ready for tomorrow, her friend's safety and health is always on her mind.