Until Forever

PART 2 - Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

 

Wyeolsong Castle (The Queen’s Residence)

A large group of peasants gathered in the Palace Training Grounds. Most of them have come to volunteer in defending the Queen, others to await news. They had been apprehensive and confused ever since they received reports of the sudden uprising allegedly perpetrated by no other than the Sangdaedunghimself. Adding to the confusion was the fact that only a few days ago they had been hearing rumours of the impending wedding between the Queen and the Sangdaedung Lord Bidam, so how could the Sangdaedung be rising up in arms at this time? Was it really true that Lord Bidam’s forces had taken over the MyeongwhalSanseong fortress?

Too many questions and too many speculations circulated amongst the crowds and they knew that only the Queen could quell their fears. One thing that they were sure of, though, was that if the Queen needed their help they would willingly stake their lives to protect her and the Kingdom. Her reforms in taxation and her bold agricultural programs had benefited them immensely. She had shown them compassion and had given them something that no other noble had even dared to insinuate.She had given them hope. Now, they felt that they owed her their own livelihood, if not their very lives.

            The Queen looked out at the crowd from the War Room. She knew that they needed some kind of assurance from her. They had followed her lead ever since she came into power and although they were now frightened and uneasy, they still showed overwhelming support. They had all read the notices posted in the village square demanding the abdication of the Queen,saying that all their problems stemmed from the fact that they have a female ruler and because of this the other kingdoms look down on them. The notices claimed that their alliance with the Tang Dynasty was now being threatened because of Her Majesty’s refusal to step down and it’s the people’s duty to take action and oust the Queen in order to save their Heavenly Kingdom.

            She still found it hard to believe that all this uproar was instigated by Lord Bidam.

Why did he turn against me like this, she kept on asking herself.  At first she thought that it was only a misunderstanding, that it was just another one of his followers’ schemes. It was only when she received the ring that she had given Bidam before they parted that her fears were finally confirmed. It was found on the body of the dead palace guard, Heuk San, when it was returned that morning to the palace. With it was a written declaration of Bidam’s mutiny.

What happened to you, Bidam? Can’t you really trust me? Or was this your real intention even from the start?She asked herself while sadly stroking the ring that symbolized the devotion that she could not fully show him yet, the ring that now ironically signified his utter rejection of her.

She looked up again at the crowd as she stifled the tears that were beginning to choke her and put the ring inside her pocket. I cannot abandon them now. They need me more than you need me, Bidam.

            Al Cheon entered the room and found the Queen sitting in front of the window, looking out at the throng in the Palace Training Grounds. He felt sorry for her. He knew that inside this situation with her betrothed must be tearing her apart. He had stood by her side ever since the assassination of her twin sister, Princess Cheonmyeong, and had since devoted his life in her service.

Over the years he had come to admire her innate strength and resilience. He had witnessed her courage and fortitude in the battlefield when she was still a Nangdo[1]. He had seen how she had defied all odds and became the first female ruler of Silla. She had evolved and matured before his eyes and he couldn’t help but feel a deep affection for the woman she had become.