화랑 - a tale of curiosity [ON HOLD]

🌸chapter fifteen🌸

The four of them finally made their way to the palace doors. Ah Ro practically made Sun Woo and Sam sprint their way there.

A guard - guarding the palace doors - stopped the boys from advancing into the palace, making the two huff in annoyance. "Names?" The guard asked.

Sun Woo and Sam were catching their breath as the man awaited their anwers. "Kim Sun Woo."

"Ji Dwi."

The guard then gave a perplexed look to Sam. "Ji Dwi?" He asked, causing Sam to nod his head. "What kind of name is that?"

Sam curved the side of his upper lip up, forming a snarl. "My birth name." He said. "Are you disrespecting my mother?"

"Of course not, Sir."

"Good." Sam bluntly said, pushing aside the guard as he stood infront of the doors. He looked back to see Ji-ae stood with Dan Sae and Ah Ro, giving him a worried expression. He quickly made his way down, meeting Ji-ae half way. "Why do you look like that?" He asked her, pointing fun at her furrowed brows.

She hit his hand away. "Hey." She said warningly, only to chortle slightly in response.

"What is it, Ji-ae?" Sam asked, looking at the said girl with all his attention.

She looked up to meet his eyes, biting down lightly on her lip. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" She asked. "I mean, your mother won't exactly be thrilled-"

"I decide when I want to show myself." Sam answered. "She can't decide that for me."

"I just don't think it's a brilliant idea...Ji Dwi." Ji-ae hesitated, casting a side glance around.

Sam huffed. "You come up with the name, and don't even remember it." He mused. "Typical."

"Hey." Ji-ae said, smacking him around the arm. "Turn around, you'll miss your turn." With that, Sam turned around and followed Sun Woo into the palace.

Ji-ae walked in with Dan Sae and Ah Ro, standing near the back next to Soo Hoo's sister. Amoungst all the Hwarang's she saw the ones that she knew, even Hansung who was subtly admiring his sword in his right hand. She then looked to see the Queen's and Sam's staring match, pure tension radiating from the point where their gazes met.

Sam then gets called forward, standing tall infront of Master We Hwa. "Ji Dwi." He announced. "You are inducted into the Hwarang of Silla."

Sam then takes the sword from Master We Hwa's hand. "Hwarng Ji Dwi." Sam shouted, making Ji-ae smile small. "I shall accept the royal decree." He finally declared, then walking back to his podium.

Now it was Sun Woo's turn to be inducted. He walked forward and Ji-ae heard Ah Ro clicking her tongue making Ji-ae look to her. "What's wrong with you?" Ji-ae asks the girl.

Ah Ro shakes her head, leaning towards Ji-ae, causing Ji-ae to do the same. "There's blood on his robe's sleeve." She whispered.

"And?" Ji-ae said, observing the red stain.

"He looks sloppy." Ah Ro said, pursing her lips. "He looks...scary."

Ji-ae sighed. "I think he looks pretty good." Ji-ae said. "He has that mysterious aura that girls like." Ah Ro slowly turned her head to see Ji-ae grinning to herself. "Plus, you can't deny the fact..." Ah Ro raised her hand up, positioning behind Ji-ae's head, "your brother is good looking." With that, Ah Ro swung her hand forward, slappng the crown of Ji-ae's head.

"Ow." Ji-ae said, holding onto her head. "What was that for?"

"Keep the fantasies about my brother to your self." Ah Ro said, squaring up to Ji-ae, which honestly made Ji-ae flinch. "Understand?" Ji-ae quickly nodded, looking back to the ceremony.