화랑 - a tale of curiosity [ON HOLD]

🌸chapter five🌸

"Your highness, Master We Hwa has come to see you." Ji-ae walked into the queen's chambers, notifying her of the official's arrival. The queen had women dressed in light blue garments follow her out, followed closely by Ji-ae. However, Ji-ae wore one of more value. Ji-ae's was white and had little detail on it, but it did. Golden lotus flowers were on the hem of her hanbok and on the sleeves. The queen - unbeknownst to Ji-ae - had a soft spot for her for a reason she could not fathom, but the girl reminded her of someone, so she purposely made her stand out from the rest of the people within the palace.

They walked to the throne room where the queen proposed her idea to the official standing before her. However, Ji-ae was bored and so she took a seat on the steps looking up to the throne. The official looked at her wearily but the queen left it ignored.

"The officials will strongly oppose the idea." Master We Hwa spoke.

"If I was afraid of opposition, I would never have begun." Was the queen's response. Ji-ae secretly admired the queen's confidence.

"Then give me full authority." We Hwa said in a questioning, but commanding tone.

"I decided on it when I first went to see you in jail." The queen said and Ji-ae furrowed her brows. This official was in jail for a time? Ji-ae looked behind her to see the queen eyeing the official confidently.

"When will you tell the world?" He asked.

"Now that you have decided to become the instructor. I shall tell Silla of my intentions." The queen then motioned for her servants to bring fourth a table and a selection of brushes for the Master. He sat on the floor as a girl placed the brushes down and he reached over to them. He held his robe's sleeve out of the way to avoid the ink and then trailed back and soaked the brush in the black ink and started swirling calligraphy onto the pieces of paper in front of him. Ji-ae couldn't read from where she was sat, so she slowly stood up and walked around to read the paper.

"Hwarang." She read quietly to herself. She seemed a bit unsure of the collective name but looked up to the queen.

"A new group of people for Silla." The highest official then said.

"Hwarang. Men as beautiful as flowers." The queen said, and the two were as serious as ever. Ji-ae thought to herself. These men are going to be soldiers, not performers. You need to protect the king, not entertain him. But, it was as though Master We Hwa read her thoughts and started talking about his aim.

"Regardless of genology, these loyal commanders will lay down their lives for the nation and it's people." Ji-ae smirked, content with his words. "These wide and benevolent commanders will ensure the future of Silla. They will receive the people's adoration and respect. They will be beautiful and special. This is the future of Silla that I shall create." Master We Hwa looked to Ji-ae as she walked back to stand in front of the queen. "It is Hwarang."

Ji-ae looked to both her sides and realized that the old official was looking at her. She shifted uncomfortably and it only made him chortle to himself.

"I shall make Silla strong with Hwarang." The queen said and their conversation ended there.

The queen ordered men to ride down to the public notice board and place the paper - outlining Hwarang - onto it's surface. Ji-ae saw this as a chance to collect her belongings from the Inn, she turned to see the queen but she was already stood behind her.

"Your highness--"

"You want to leave already?" The queen said, cutting Ji-ae off.

"Only for a few hours, your highness. If it's possible, I would like to go and retrieve my belongings from my residence." Ji-ae bowed slightly and awaited the queen's answer, and when she slowly nodded she smiled.