Secret of the Two Kings (89 CHAPTERS - ON HOLD)

제 11 부

As the wind murmured on the cold forest floor, sun-pecked foliage flew and fused with the minuscule troops of wild daisy pollen in the mid-air. Squirrels, badgers, and cousins left their small footprint tracks on the ground, after foraging some nuts and seeds for their young ones. The once rumbling sound of the water flowing down the stream, competing who would pour down first on the tributaries, fell silent. The unimaginable stature of the pine canopies limited the faint beam of light coming from Heaven's ball of fire, leaving the entire place blue despite the green colors of the leaves.

An X mark in the spot. The treasure was yet to be found. In an old, hoary tree, an insentient serpent had wrapped Dae Wong's body. His ghastly pale face and dewdrops of sweat on the forehead were the witnesses of a series of unfortunate events he had gone through. As his weak eyes sensed the limited light from the sun, it voluntarily hoisted open. Squinting at the new surroundings, his dry, cracked lips opened, and he murmured, "Where am I?"

A moment of seconds passed before he learned that he was tied around a tree. He groaned and tried to escape by attempting the slightest wiggle but he broke off when his wound, a devil he could not remember, begged to be noticed.

"What happened to me?"

With a hoarse voice coming from his desert-dry throat, he cried for help. However, it seemed like no ears were interested to listen to his desperate plea. He needed to break free and arrive at the palace on time. His desire was burning but his body was dwindling. The determination to continue fired up on his mind, but his weak body opposed him constantly.

"Help... Help me!" First try, it was a faulty firecracker. Unstable and shaky.

"Anybody... please... help me." Another one. Weak and imperceptible.

Then on the third try, he fainted.

~~•~~

In the palace, the King gathered all officers from different departments in the main hall. It was the final briefing for the upcoming ceremony, which would happen in a few hours. A fresh, colorful fiesta of different colors of uniform had thronged the area. All lent their ears to their ruler.

"Everyone, is everything ready? The hwarangs and their positions in every part of the palace, the food for the offering and the people, the receptionists to organize the order of the visitors, the candles and incense—everything!" the King asked. His voice sounded like a leopard who smokes ten packs of cigars a day.

Jae Joong may not had noticed, but he had been on a loop of asking the same things, only spiced up by different word arrangements. Other people had wondered about the King's tensed gestures—the continual craning of his head towards the door, his fast-paced stuttered way of talking, and the frequent blinking of his eyes. It appeared to them that it was because of the insurmountable pressure, brought by the privilege to deliver such honor—to broadcast and interpret the judgment of the Heavens. He was born and destined to be the mediator between the gods and the people. A prestigious glory that would make the precedent monarchs rise from their graves.

Jung Ho bowed his head, partially annoyed for reiterating the whole thought for the second time. "Yes Sire, the hwarangs have been oriented with their positions. A thousand gratitude to our governors here. Such a significant increase in our security force is more than enough to protect even the outskirts of Seorabeol. If the purpose of security were to be discussed, then we ought to be out of here, for everything is masterfully under control."

"Thank you for your report, Prime Minister. Extend my gratitude to the governors," the King said.

"Certainly, Sire. I'd be more than happy to oblige." The Prime Minister dipped his head, hiding his smirk subtly.