The Rise Of An Empress

The Initial Step of Ritual

"Your highnesses just have to keep their hand on the mouth of the jar, and there's a little hole in the mouth of this jar. This golden snake can detect smell of dragon treasure and representative. So,to whom the snake won't react like something intruder,he will the most eligible candidate. And before starting it,I want to say it's totally normal if we can't find anyone. It's only part of ritual. I will request honourable concubines to start their process," The chief monk bows.

"Does that make any sense? What if it bites? Isn't there anyway except this snake related? I am not feeling secured about it. Who will take responsibility of our life?" Kyungsoo says his bit higher voice suddenly.

"Your highness,it doesn't harm anyone unless anyone tries to invade dragon goddess's treasure. These type of snake are guard of dragon temple. I would not dare to say something that can risk your life," Monk Kang tries to explain.

"I am taking responsibility of concubines' life, Kyungsoo. Do my concubines still need any other assurance? Anyone of you are free to start it. Climb up the stairs ,all of you," Chanyeol orders in firm voice.

But all of them remains silent and doesn't move a bit which makes Chanyeol annoyed," So none of you want to do willingly? Why you are not still moving? Do I have to do select? Able consort Kim, do it."

Slowly the concubines starts to climb up the stairs and stands on one side of the temple stage.

"Kim Minseok," Chanyeol just utters the name.

"What if I refuse to do it? I don't feel good at least with the snake," Minseok says in lower voice.

"Are you making me feeling lowered on my concubines in such ritual? It's my order now. Obey my order,if you don't want break our marriage relationship. Everyone of my married concubines will do it,no matter what," Chanyeol says in angry voice.

In spite of unwillingness Minseok steps towards the little table. Minseok looks at the coiled snake inside jar. He just have to touch the mouth of jar lightly. Is the snake sleeping?

With fear he keeps his right hand on the jar. When he touches the mouth of the jar, right then in blink of eyes the snake releases itself from coiled position and hits the jar angrily with tail and body, which causes formation of several cracks on the wall of the jar. Minseok screams in fear.

Chanyeol signs towards the maid to help shaking Minseok to help to climb down the staircase.

"Kyungsoo...Your turn..."

"I can't pass this part I know. I am surrendering before doing it. Do I still have to do it?" Kyungsoo says in trembling voice looking at the jar.

"Do you want to make me repeat? My order," Chanyeol says in cold voice.

Kyungsoo looks at the moving snake of the jar. What if it bites? He has to do so lightly. Kyungsoo decides just to touch railing of the mouth of the jar. As he touches the jar,the snake spirals more violently making the jar into several pieces and fall on the floor. The snake has already turned his head into terrible hood.

Kyungsoo steps back in fear of death, screams like mad as he felt the snake's ice cold skin on the hand for fraction of second. Tears starts to overflow his eyes. He knew he can't pass it,but didn't know the snake will react such violently.

Chanyeol again signs the maids to help Kyungsoo.

Now only Baekhyun is left.

"Your highness," The chief monk bows towards Baekhyun showing him the way to snake.

"What he needs to do? To touch it?" Chanyeol panics before Baekhyun moves.

" Your highness just have to touch the floor infront the snake. It can smell you from such distance. Don't be afraid it won't harm you, your highness," the chief monk tries to assure Baekhyun with smile.

Baekhyun just nods. The snake is really not looking calm as before. It's looking so furious with hood now. As Baekhyun steps slowly ,the snake bit turns towards the direction from where Baekhyun is coming. It can understand the sound of footsteps coming near it.

Baekhyun kneels down from a bit distance, and starts to spread his hand infront to touch the floor. The snake isn't reacting yet, seeming like it's taking preparation for next step so silently.

Baekhyun closes his eyes. He is not afraid,he is ready even if it bites. He feels his hand has touched the floor.

Chanyeol feels his heart is missing it's beat. No,the snake inside jar and snake outside jar is totally different thing. He should stop it right now. Just he should order to give Baekhyun another chance with snake inside jar,at least not like this dangerous challenge.

Making him speechless he notices the snake's hood to touch Baekhyun's hand. Chanyeol with feared eyes notice Baekhyun isn't still moving. Is he okay? The snake has hurt him?He wants to shout,but he feels he has lost his voice after noticing Baekhyun moves bit closer to the snake.

Baekhyun opens his eyes as persistent ice cold touch. The snake's head is now resting on his hand like it's sleeping. It's not looking so ferocious now, the hood had gone.

Baekhyun gets closer and tries to touch it's half coiled body carefully. He is not afraid anymore. He can't find it's different from a sleeping kitten baby.

Making other's breath stop Baekhyun stands up with the snake in his hand and keeps the sleepy snake on the table.

"Show your respect to the representative of dragon goddess... Concubine Byun...After thousands years Goreyo has found someone like him... He can now save us," The chief monk announces in loud voice as drum starts to make loud sound everyone to be attentive.

But it was not needed. Everyone was already emerged in such unbelievable things. Everyone bows down and says,

"Save us, your highness."

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