Suitors and Strangers

Chapter Seven (Pil)

"Sa Ra!" exclaims Joon Seo as she spots her friend near where she last saw Lady Oh. She brings her friend into a tight hug and sighs in relief as she sees she's not hurt in any way. "You're okay right? No has hurt you, right?"

"Yes I'm doing well, ma'am," says Sa Ra as she smiles at her friend and then turns a bit pale then tries to hide it. Joon Seo turns around and spots both Prince Jung and Prince Won looking over at Yeom. Just by the look in Prince Won's eyes, Joon Seo knows he's up to no good and will not let him get away with anything he tries.

"Joon Seo?" comes a warm voice from behind both girls and both turn around to see who called her. To her surprise, Prince Wang Yo is standing there and she plasters on a fake smile as she links her arm with Sa Ra's arm.

"Your Majesty," says Joon Seo as she and Sa Ra bow to him. "What brings you to the garden? I assumed you were with your brothers, getting ready for tonight."

"I was, but I grew increasingly bored," he says as he has the most unconvincing smile Joon Seo has ever seen. She accidentally makes eye contact with him and gasps silently. His brown eyes show something that can only be described as a mix of lust and anger. She grew a bit pale, which warns Sa Ra and she quickly tries to get her lady away from Prince Wang Yo.

"Excuse me, Prince, but my lady is needed in her room to continue getting prepared," says Sa Ra in an almost commanding tone. Before he can stop them, Sa Ra walks past him and takes Joon Seo to her room.

"Thank you, Sa Ra," says Joon Seo as she sits across her friend. "Ever since I came here, he's taken a weird liking to me and it's just not right. His eyes just now... They were... Why would he show that?"

"He was probably trying to scare you, Joon Seo," says Sa Ra as she brings tea over to her lady to calm her down. Joon Seo takes it and watches the door as many ladies enter her room and bring in many gifts from the many suitors the King's advisors have brought to him. She notices a small box and has Sa Ra bring it to her. As she inspects it, she can't help but smile. It's the same incense box she wanted as a child and she knows exactly who brought it to her. She doesn't get much of a chance to inspect it further as she is dragged to the seamstress for the final fitting of her dress. She can't help but feel like it's a burden for she's being treated as if she's a princess although she is just a concubine's daughter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Night time could not have gotten here sooner. As it is now time for her to soon make her appearance, Joon Seo is dressed, her make up done and hair done, but her nerves are still jumpy. She can't help but feel excited as today is the first birthday she will get to spend with her real father. Her uncles really didn't care for her but her mother always made sure to get her gifts and make a grand party for her on her birthdays. Wang So has always been there for her birthdays, well at least when he wasn't on some suicide mission Concubine Kang had usually sent him on.

"Joon Seo! Sa Ra!" exclaims Princess Yeon Hwa as she and Queen Hwangbo approach the two ladies as they make their way to their spots.

"Your Highness," says Joon Seo and she and Sa Ra bow to the women. "I see you two are getting ready for the feast. I hope you enjoy yourselves tonight. I'm excited to ce-"

"Princess, Queen Hwangbo, Lady Joon Seo," says Ji Mong as he comes up to the women and then looks at Joon Seo. "This way please madam. The King wishes for you to sit closer to him and your brothers. Please, follow me." Joon Seo follows Ji Mong as she excuses herself from Yeon Hwa and Queen Hwangbo; Sa Ra follows.

Suddenly, Joon Seo is greeted with loud cheering and music is played loudly as she enters the yard. Ji Mong and Sa Ra smile as Joon Seo has a big, cheerful smile, one that no one has seen on her for over a few months. She laughs and dances with Sa Ra at their places while the King and the princes seem to enjoy themselves as well. Joon Seo notices that the King is troubled by something and as soon as she takes notice of this, the King stands up and everything gets quiet.

"There is something I must confess to everyone here," says the King as he walks down from his seat and towards the middle of the yard. The princes and the King's advisors all tense up and lean in a bit to see what this information is. "I have a huge burden that i placed upon Queen Hwangbo and Concubine Kang. I hope all of you will truly accept my apology and hopefully we can become a stronger family." Unknown to everyone, Wang So has gotten up and waled to stand next to Joon Seo's seat. Sa Ra takes notice but doesn't raise the alarm although it takes everything in her to not to get up and make herself a barrier between her lady and the wolf-dog. "I would like to first congratulate Joon Seo on her wonderful birthday today. Joon Seo, will you please come here?" As she stands, Wang So escorts her to the King, who is not surprised like everyone else is. "My beautiful daughter, you have your mother's eyes."

"My mother?" asks Joon Seo, confusion and fear settling into her face. "What about my mother?"

"Concubine Kang is not your birthmother," says the King and things are so silent you would hear the beating of a butterfly's wings. Joon Seo cannot believe what she is hearing. How can the one person who has raised her most of her life, not be her birthmother?

"I am," says Queen Hwangbo as she stands up and holds her head high. Joon Seo turns to look at the queen and looks into her deep, sad eyes. "I have waited for this day for so long, Joon Seo. I know this is probably not the way you had imagined finding out about your birthmother but it was the best way the King and I could do it without having to hold such a long meeting to introduce you to everyone. Yeon Hwa, meet your sister." Yeon Hwa and Joon Seo look at one another. Before anyone says anything else, Wang So speaks up.

"Your Majesty," he says loudly with a slight smile on his face. "I do really believe this is not the best of times, but have you thought over which four suitors you have personally chosen for Joon Seo?"

"Actually yes I have," says he King as he and everyone return to their seats. "They are..."

"Wang So..." Everyone gasps as they are surprise by such an outcome.

"Wang Yo..." Joon Seo glares daggers at the prince as he hides a smug look.

"Choo Oh Joong..." The young man stands up from sitting next to his father. Oh Joong is a teacher to one of the princes.

"And Jeom Ji Kyu." The youngest advisor to the King stands and soon everyone is cheering for the suitors. But Joon Seo notices Wang Won about to speak up and notices Sa Ra get a bit anxious so she gets up quickly and begins singing a song Concubine Kang used to sing to her when she was younger. As she does she signals for Sa Ra to leave and once she is done, she excuses herself and goes to find Sa Ra.

That's the last thing Joon Seo remembers before waking up in a burning building. She tries to yell for help but she seems to not have a voice. The smoke beings to build around her and it begins to burn her eyes and throat. She coughs and prays for someone to find her.

"Please," she whispers. "Please let someone find me. I can't die. At least, not now. I need to protect Sa Ra!"