Polite smiles were written on the faces of the two gentlemen as they bow down and give courtesy to Her Majesty The Queen.
The two men are calm and composed in front of the royalty despite the fact that they have no idea why they were being called. Both of them hoping it would be something good.
"I suppose you were wondering why I would request an audience with the authors of children's stories." said the Queen.
The two only replied with their uncertain smiles. Praying to God that their book's popularity had not cause any trouble.
"Relax. I find your collection of folktales are quite brilliant actually."
Both of them released a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"But I must say, I was terribly disturbed when I read your version of the Little Cinder Girl."
It seems that the whole palace had gone quiet from the Queen's honest opinion.
"Well some people swear there really was some kind of magic involved with the story."
"And some claims her shoes are made of fur but there are some who insisted it was glass. Well, I guess we never know." said the other.
The Queen smiled at them reassuringly then waved at one of her servants who carried a small chest and raised it up to the Queen.
"Forgive me Your Majesty, but may I inquire who's in that painting?" one of the author's asked.
The painting of a woman was the first thing he noticed upon entering the palace hall. The woman in the said painting was undeniably beautiful but what's intriguing about it was her expression in the said painting. It was natural for portraits to have beautiful women as the subject but they were always drawn smiling or at their best appearance to heighten their beauty but this said woman in the painting did the opposite.
She had the saddest smile he had ever seen but in spite of that, she's still the most beautiful woman he had laid his eyes on.
The Queen opened the chest in front of her and pulled out a shiny glass slipper. The two men gasped.
"Her name was Jung Soojung and this is her glass slipper."
The Queen gave a proud smile as she lets the realization sink in.
"Perhaps you would allow me to make the record straight."
The two gentlemen were too astounded, they cannot find words to say.
"Now then... what is that phrase you used? Oh yes! Once upon a time, there lived a young girl who loved her father very much..........."
