Under The Sky Of A Thousand Lanterns

Chapter 5: The Royal Feast

Su-ji had come to meet Prince Wallace of Qing at the castle steps. The Prime Minister and the Queen Dowager, her mother had suggested to her that an informal greeting would make the Prince feel welcome. Though against the marriage, Su-ji knew it would not be wise to insult the Prince and make enemies of the Qing Empire.

To make the first meeting intimate, it would be better to meet him at the castle entrance rather than in the hall like strangers. Su-ji stood radiant. Her complexion was fair, and her dark eyes were a deep brown. Her silk green and black hanbok were embroidered with the most sophisticated golden patterns, and gold hung from her head to her toes. Her crown was made of gold and silver.

The scent of a sweet floral flower, with armfuls of pink berries and lilies, lingered in the air around her. General Minho and Jia besides her, and her court ladies behind them all dressed in colorful hanboks but Su-ji's presence still overshadowed everything around her.

She stood tall and poised like a ruler, showing more confidence than she felt as her legs trembled underneath her skirt. She needed to calm herself. She was no nervous child. She could not be seen to be afraid, yet her heart pounded loudly against her chest, then trumpets proclaimed the arrival of the Prince of Qing.

His letter explained that the Prince was traveling and decided to visit the Empress since he was on route. As the second Prince he was not held to the same responsibilities as his older brother, the Crown Prince, but Su-ji heard from the Prime Minister that he was the Empire's favorite regardless.

Prince Wallace appeared younger than she had imagined. He seemed to be in his late twenties and had a rough complexion. He was tall, he towered over Su-ji. His expression was gentle but with curiosity. He was dressed as a warrior, not a Prince- full armor with the crest on his breastplate and a sword on his side, yet regal. Besides him stood men of great stature.

He smiled at Su-ji and she smiled back, standing tall.

He was breathtakingly handsome, with beautiful eyes that showed intelligence, shrewdness, and perhaps a streak of cruelty. His arresting eyes made Su-ji uncomfortable. She had heard stories about the second Prince of Qing. He is brave and fought in the front lines of many battles. He was only fourteen when he first fought beside the Empire.

The rest of the meeting went by in a haze. There was no barrier of language, as they both spoke the language of each other. After a brief exchange of greetings, Su-ji recommended the Prince rest after their long journey and meet in the evening for the banquet.

***

Early evening, Su-ji avoided the manor the Prince was sheltered at, hosted by the Prime Minister. Her mind was in a strange state, as she recalled the attack on her by the black mask swordsman who claimed to be the rightful heir to the throne. She spent the day in the library, reading about the massacre. There were no drawings of the young Prince.

He would have been only fourteen years old when he was killed. Su-ji was only eight years old when that tragedy occurred. If he were alive, he would without a doubt be in his early twenties. When her father served along with the Empire, she set a foot in the palace. She was raised in a village far away from the Capital. Her gut tightens when she thinks that her fortune was due to the misfortunate of another.

As the day went by, Su-ji laid on the cushion in her waiting room, wondering what her future holds. Would there be harmony? War? Would it be possible for her to fight for a throne that is not rightfully hers by blood?

By nighttime, her court ladies helped her dress for the banquet. Su-ji tried to keep a cheerful face, but she was too distracted. Her red hanbok was glamorous than the one she wore earlier in the day. Embroidered with woven with gold and silver threads. So beautiful yet heavy and uncomfortable. Her once long black hair was piled up and decorated as if it was her wedding day. Her dark brilliance of her eyes and the alluring red of her mouth stood out. She found it ridiculous.