Your Highness {NamJin}

epilogue

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A sea of fine cloth, colorful fabrics and shining jewels flowed over the palace gardens. They followed the beacon of light that seemed to hover over the stone path like ducklings would follow their mother. The light was seen in her animated, lively face and the bright violet robes that billowed in the wind like wisteria; her eyes glittered like stars in the sky of her complexion.

She led the women through the gardens earnestly, as if she'd never seen the royal gardens before. Her heart was clearly at ease, and it seemed that her spirit found itself at home among the peonies and the chrysanthemums in the gardens. She decided to stop before a budding tree and turn around to face the ladies of the harem.

"Isn't it beautiful this time of year?" she asked, picking a blossom off the tree and smelling it in her hands. "I propose we take our midday meal here. What say you all?"

The women bowed daintily, lowering their eyes in respect. "You are wise, Lady Kim," they chanted.

Seonbi nodded towards her attendants, asking them to fetch a light repast for her and the women of the harem. They hurried off quickly, obeying her word without question.

"Lady Yeonhi, did you bring your gayageum? I would appreciate your playing, if it suits you."

"I will send my servant for it, my lady," Yeonhi smiled, bowing towards Seonbi. "I have been composing a few pieces of my own. I hope it would please you if I play one for you."

"I am honored, sister. Please do not hesitate."

Yeonhi bowed, her heart spilling with gratitude.

Seonbi was given the title of Grand Lady upon her marriage to Second Lord Kim; she was responsible for overseeing the harem and ensuring that the women lived in harmony together. Because the two kings had no need for a harem at the moment, Seonbi did not want them to be idle -- instead, she encouraged them to further their studies in any subject they pleased and often sent them touring throughout the country as paragons of virtue and goodness. She wanted them to be the examples that the nation's women would follow: they would be educated, well-mannered and respectful.

"Sisters, how have your studies been? Have you done anything of interest as of late?" she asked, looking around at the scattered women around her.

A lady bowed towards her and greeted her amicably.

"Song Hyera greets you, my lady," the woman began. "I've taken an interest in the history of the nation. However, the librarian will not let me near the scrolls."

"The librarian?" Yeonhi said, shaking her head. "You mean Librarian An?"

"Yes, Yeonhi. He always stares at me whenever I enter the library. The other scholars don't seem to mind, but he won't let me near the older scrolls. He says I'm too clumsy to handle them. Come to think of it, he won't let me anywhere out of his sight at all!"

"I may have to speak to this An," Seonbi declared, shaking her head. "We should take a trip there together, Sister Hyera. I'll arrange for us to visit tomorrow."

"An Baekju is a stubborn man, sisters. Please be careful," Yeonhi cautioned. "I heard he was once friends with Soo Yejun before he was killed."

All the women turned their heads towards Yeonhi, their faces expressing their utter disbelief.

"It seems a new librarian will be appointed soon," Hyera said, turning to face the flowers once more.

No sooner had she spoken that Seonbi's husband and daughter, Second Lord Kim and Princess Kim, came strolling hand in hand to the gardens. The younger Lord of the North joined his daughter after they both attended a meeting of all the regional lords in the palace, and they wished to relax in the gardens afterward. When they found Seonbi in the gardens with the harem, they were happy to meet up with her again.