화랑 - a tale of curiosity [ON HOLD]

🌸chapter nineteen🌸

Ji-ae bounces on the spot outside the dungeons where the Queen is, nervously waiting on news of her father. She wasn't aloud to enter for an unknown reason, but as soon as she heard the familiar sound of shoes, she snapped her head up.

"What are you going to do with him?" Ji-ae asks instantly as the Queen walks back out, up from the dungeons. The Queen merely shrugs her shoulders, a sinister smile playing on her lips.

"Death." She nochantly responded with, making Ji-ae subtly nod. "Why?" The Queen asked.

Ji-ae pursed her lips into a soft line. "Nothing." She says instead, keeping her screaming thoughts to herself.

"Don't tell me you believe that we should keep him alive, Ji-ae?" She mused, shaking her head. "He killed your mother. My best friend." She said, diverting their way to the pond. "I'll make sure he dies either way."

"Can I at least see him?" Ji-ae asked, licking her lips. "Like, every so often."

"Why would you want to see a murderer every so often?"

"He is my father after all, he's still human." Ji-ae reasoned, only to get a chortle in response. "Even if he's insane."

The Queen laughed bluntly, taking in a sharp breath. "He will die by public execution." She stated, looking at her and Ji-ae's reflection in the water. "When though, is another matter for another day."

"Public execution?" Ji-ae asked, bewildered, staring wide eyed.

"Yes." The Queen said. "End of discussion." When the Queen said that, Ji-ae knew that there was no point in talking back. She watched as the Queen took seat on the grass surrounding the pond. "Now, about your arrangements in the Hwarang house."

"My what?" Ji-ae asked, taking a seat beside her. "What about my father?"

"I think it's best if you are as far away from him as possible." The Queen reasoned, picking the petals off of the flowers and throwing them into the lake. "As from a moment's time, when those carriages are filled with your essentials." The Queen said, pointing the main yard of the palace behind Ji-ae. "You shall be leaving."

Ji-ae snapped her head behind her, shaking her head at the idea. "I don't want to."

"You have no choice."

"I'm not a Hwarang." Ji-ae stated, flailing her hands. "You can't expect me to live with all those men."

The Queen chortled. "Aren't you seeing one of those men?" Ji-ae pursed her lips, giving the Queen an answer. "Shouldn't you be happy?"

"But still with other men." Ji-ae stated. "I still don't want to do it."

"You're doing it." The Queen finalised, getting back off of the floor. "And that is the final decision."

"I didn't get to make a decision."

"Did you forget why Sam brought you here?" The Queen said, taking a step forward.

"To protect me." Ji-ae answered in a whisper.

"And that is what I am doing." The Queen said. "You vowed to do as I say, and I say you get on your horse and go to the Hwarang house."

"I don't see what I can do there." Ji-ae said, furrowing her brows.

The Queen smiled. "You'll be an artist." She said. "Hwarang's very own artist." The Queen said, smiling. "Master We Hwa is waiting for you. Goodbye, Ji-ae." The Queen placed a delicate kiss on Ji-ae's forehead and then began walking away, back across the bridge and towards the palace.

Ji-ae stood still, not quite comprehending the suituation, but the hand of maid on her waist - guiding her to the horse - knocked her from her thoughts, and soon she found herself leaving through the palace gates.