Under The Sky Of A Thousand Lanterns

Chapter 7: Unexpected Friends

The court had just been dismissed. Su-ji and her subjects were gathered in the sitting room in the Empress's manor. She sent Jia for Seung-gi as soon as she finished with her state affairs and trainings against the advisement of General Minho. Bored of waiting, Su-ji paced back and forth, eyes on the entrance as her ladies and General Minho watched her uncomfortably in silence.

It was a sight unseen for the young Empress to be so impatient, but she could not help but wander what is taking Jia so long. She should be back with Seung-gi already. At that moment, the Empress's manor footman entered and kept his eyes on the floor, "The Empress Dowager arrives to see Your Majesty," he announces.

Su-ji exhaled annoyingly, "What does mother want now?" she muttered underneath her breath, and nodded to Senior Court Lady Yoo, the head of her ladies gesturing for her to accept.

"Show her in at once," replied Lady Yoo.

When her mother entered the sitting room, Su-ji was sitting at a chair by the window. The Empress Dowager saw at once that she was upset, and quickly made her way towards her daughter.

"What's happened?" she asked, settling besides her daughter.

"Nothing," replied Su-ji, slightly embarrassed by her mother's reaction.

"I can see something is wrong," insisted the Empress Dowager, "Your cheeks are flushed." Su-ji opened her mouth to protest but the footman came again, announcing the arrival of Jia. Upon hearing the announcement, Su-ji nearly jumped, her heart gave a ridiculous jump and gestured to Lady Yoo.

"She may enter," Lady Yoo addressed the footman.

"Mother, I have things to attend to," she said getting up, "We'll speak later." The Empress Dowager stared at her daughter baffled by the change she saw in her but got to her feet without speaking a word.

Su-ji's eyes remained glued at door as Jia cautiously entered into the room and bowed. Su-ji waited for Seung-gi to follow behind her but there was no one. Jia kept her eyes to the ground,

"Your Majesty, Master Park sends his apologies but Seung-gi had to return to his village due to an emergency," Jia said breathlessly.

"Seung-gi?" her mother spoke, eyes widen, "Did you say Seung-gi?"

"Mother not now," retorted Su-ji, clearing upset, "We'll speak later." The room fell silent at the blunt dismissal of the Empress Dowager as Su-ji and her stunned turned to leave, clearing upset. Once the Empress Dowager left, Su-ji exhaled, and turned to Jia, "What Emergency?"

"Master Park said it had to do with his father," answered Jia, "Master Park did not have any other information, Your Majesty."

The Empress was besides herself with anger. What could be more important than the Empress? She thought. "I would like to be alone," Su-ji ordered, as all her subjects quickly scrambled to leave the room.

***

During lunch, Su-ji had no appetite, but she had told her mother they would speak, and as the day progressed, thoughts of Seung-gi overwhelmed her. She began to wonder if Seung-gi purposely lied to avoid coming to the palace.

He would not dare. She comforted herself.

"Su-ji you look exhausted," The Empress Dowager interrupted her thoughts, "Is everything alright?"

Su-ji glanced up and noticed her mother's alarm and felt sorry for causing her worry. "I'm fine," she replied, "What did you need to speak about?"

"I came to speak to you about your birthday," she replied, "But who is Seung-gi?"

Su-ji fell silent for a moment. She had no idea how to answer the question. It was inappropriate to address a subject as a friend, which is why she wanted him to come to court so she can give him an official job at the palace.