Forbidden: A Tale Untold (JenLisa)

Part 3 - The Weird Entourage

Goryeo Kingdom - Late September 1390

It was a jovial weather for that fine morn. Autumn was peeking its door and the view on the east had never been better. Maple leaves start to shade its color and the breeze was pleasant and comforting. Early bird starts to flocked its wings hunting for their catch amongst the vast meadow. The warm, humid season finally starts to dwindle, giving way to its chillier sibling.

Right at the horse's stable, an angelic beauty was tending to her prized horse, a great white stallion. A friendship gift from the young kingdom of Ming. Her captivating catliked eyes shined with happiness. She was very fond of horses. Though riding it was a great challenge for her, as she got light-headed easily with the fast pace of the horse trotting along the rough terrain of the underdeveloped Hanyang's outskirt.

The news came late last night. The king father had summoned his royal children to come forth into their main palace in Hanyang (now Seoul). The prince and princesses were staying in their summer palace in Mongmyeoksan (now Namsan Mountain), facing an extensive pristine forest below. The view of the whole of Hanyang could be seen from their palace. It also works as a fort, if the enemy dare come in to attack the kingdom. Kaesong was supposed to be their main capital, however their king father preferred the west capital as their main capital, which was Hanyang.

The reason for the summoned was because there were Siamese retinues from the kingdom of Ayutthaya, first of its kind, to be sojourning into Goryeo. Founded only around fifty years before, the young kingdom was still establishing their hold in its region. Initially there were about five ships which took sail from their kingdom, but only one survived the rough sea. It seems that the captain of the ship was skilled enough to salvaged their ship and its men from the hellish waters. The journey from Chao Phraya to Hangang (now Han) River was long and belligerent, navigating from Ao Sayam (now Gulf Thai) to Hwanghae (Yellow Sea) for months on end. It was believed that only those of unsound minds dared to have crossed the perilous thalassic route.

"Princess Gyeeonghwa, are you there?" Suwan's merry voice was heard from outside the stable looking for the king's second child. Suwan was the princess's sanggung (main/senior maid), the closest to her apart from her siblings. She was responsible for all of the princess's affairs. From her morning routine to her sleeping comforts. A daughter of a noble, she was brought into the palace at a young age and they have been together since.

"Yes, this princess is here." Replied the princess.

Entered the gungnyeo.

"My dear, dear gongju (princess). How many times did Wangje (the king) forbid you in entering these kinds of places? It is unfit for a princess. It's already enough that we have her highness Princess Suknyeong acting like a boy, we don't need another." The gungnyeo lectured her princess.

The princess chuckled at her gungnyeo. How lucky were the horses to hear her beautiful laughter. The gungnyeo bent down and fetched the tail of the princess's hanbok, dusting it off from the soil that had accumulated on the otherwise splendid silk.

"My dear, dear Suwan. Suknyeong-eonnim (elder sister) isn't really acting like a boy. Her highness just likes to play with boy's stuffs." She shrugged, smiling.

"Yes, but whichever her highness Princess Suknyeong preferences is, it is best your highness don't follow on your eonnim-mama (royal elder sister) footstep. Wangje will not like it." Suwan shook her head. "At the age of fifteen, it is about time your highness are to be married."

"But this princess don't want to get married. This princess want to stay with abamama (king father) and eomamama (queen mother) forever. Let Suknyeong-eonnim get married. Her highness is already sixteen anyway." Replied the princess sulking.