화랑 - a tale of curiosity [ON HOLD]

🌸chapter eight🌸

Today was the day that Silla celebrated the King with a parade through the town, which Ji-ae found amusing since she knew the King would not make an appearance. He hasn't made an appearance at any one of these parades according to Sam because he couldn't, and that upset Ji-ae when she remembered how he forced a smile, but she had to keep a straight head for him.

She was currently helping the queen get ready. Laying out hairpins with decorative birds, and gold decorative chains that would act as the queens belt. It was all very pretty. When one of the other women had placed the final garment on the Queen, Ji-ae grabbed the gold chain from the pillow and placed it around the Queen's waist; carefully, clipping it together at the back and then proceeding to slide the bird hair pins into the Queen's hair. When all the finishing touches were added to the Queen's attire, they all lowly bowed to the Queen and then left the room.

Ji-ae made her way towards her room, singing softly as she made her way around the palace. She found her way to her door, opening it wide, only to see a mannequin standing right in the middle of her room, styling a golden hanbok. She stepped into her room, closing the door behind her and analyzed the room to see if the person was still present, but she found no one.

She took light steps towards the mannequin and looked in awe at the design on the material, instantly falling in love. It was made of gold silk, adorned with traditional patterns on either side of the skirt. The top half was also red but at either side a golden embroidered pheasant was stitched on and ended with the tail being on the back. Then the vest type garment that accompanied the hanbok - that fitted over the top - was black, with traditional patterns also present on it. However, Ji-ae's favorite details were the golden lotus flowers around the hem of each sleeve. It was her mother's favorite flower.

She took no time in putting it on and then fixing the next garment properly as she looked into the mirror. She pulled her hair back into a half-up, half-down style, and proceeded to place hair pins into her hair but a knock sounded at the door. She placed the pin back down and walked over to the door, watching as one of the Queen's maids had walked in, a pillow lined with eccentric accessories on it.

"Can I help you?" Ji-ae asked, removing her hands from the bun in her hair.

"The Queen sent these for you. She wishes that you wear them for the parade." The maid enlightened Ji-ae, making the said girl gawk at the girl.

"Why?" Ji-ae asked, taking steps forward towards the girl. Ji-ae overlooked each piece, admiring the way the jewels - that they were embellished with - reflected the sun rays that entered through the balcony in the room. "They look expensive." Ji-ae said, to scared to pick them up.

"They are a gift. Please, do accept them." The girl bowed her head, causing Ji-ae to remove the pillow from her hands, bowing her head towards the girl.

"Thank you." Ji-ae said, still gawking at the girl, who then bowed her head before exiting the room and closing the door behind her.

Ji-ae looked to the now bare mannequin and to the accessories on the pillow. Both, must have been from the Queen she figured and continued with putting on the given accessories. Ji-ae delicately slid the pins - that also had a decorative bird on the end - into her hair and then proceeded in tying the metal belt around her waist.

She then looked in the mirror, giving a content sigh and then formed a smile on her lips. She then took her bow and quiver, attaching it around her torso, and continued into exiting her room. She weaved her way through all the palace's hallways and connected rooms, to finally make it to the front of the palace. Ji-ae stopped in her tracks when the henchman that was content on killing her was in front of her. She looked to him as he too looked back to her. She expected him to come running over with his sword raised, or snarl at her, but he didn't. He remained silent, instantly looking away from her and walking away. Ji-ae watched him as he walked away, causing her to follow in after him.