Why flowers wither {Completed}

More wet robes and feet

Yoo hwa visited the divination palace the morning she was suppose to hand over the rest of the King's will to the court.
She met the High priestess who gave her some comforting words about his Majesty, she said she had a feeling the King was still alive and he will return to her soon.
She stopped in front of the divination palace to remeinsce about their memories in the mud with the King that night years ago and an idea came to her to make a model of the scene where her shoe, his Royal belt and her hat were stuck in the mud, and the little tent beside it.
Leaving this thoughts behind she matched to Court where all the officials were unusually early.

"The Queen is entering" was announced.
As all the officials including her father bowed to the floor while Queen dowager, Queen mother, Prince Chin mae and Prince Moon Jae shik bowed deeply.

"Rise"
She said as she rose to the throne seat.
Without wasting much time she passed the will to the Court Minister to recite.

"The sacred will has been granted therefore hear and obey"
He unfolded it with the thumping hearts of everyone present at Court.
"I Goguryeo Wang Baek ah pass an order to bestow the weight of my throne to my elder brother Prince Moon Jae Shik if I don't return from this unimpeding war and...."
Everyone passed a long stare at his highness who was fixed at his position probably from how expected and yet so unexpected it is for him, he asked himself so many times.
'How can he ascend the throne?'
'How can he be the King of Goguryeo'
'Is this really happening?'
'Why did the King choose him?'

"Ehmm.."
The Court Minister cleared his throat for him to come forward and accept the Royal order.

He swiftly marched to the center going down on his two knees.

"I Prince Moon Jae Shik accept the Royal command, your favours are immeasureble your Majesty"
He lifted his head and his eyes met Yoo hwa's who was standing above him, he was then reminded of their conversation with Royal mother where she suggested to him to ask Yoo hwa to marry him formally, she said they could keep their relationship the way it is in case his Majesty returns but he needs a strong Queen like Yoo hwa by his side.
Even though his heart inclined towards it and still does, he knew it was the best thing not to go for it so he told Royal mother he could find a way for Yoo hwa to keep her position without their marriage.

"The Coronation will be tomorrow morning"
Announced lastly by the Court Minister.

************
Yoo hwa felt the need to leave the Palace after court so she dressed as a guard and set out with In su quietly following behind her.
When they were out of sight he joined her to ask where she was going.

"To the border"
She replied.
She wanted to sit at the border and wait for the King's possible return in hope just to make herself feel better.
And In su understood what she meant so he escorted her quietly.
They visited the temple and the mountain she sat with his Majesty, so they only made it to the border late noon.
Yoo hwa sat on the vast empty field staring ahead.

"Your Majesty shouldn't we return?"
In su suggested at sun set, but Yoo hwa remained quiet as she was still not ready to return.
After a few moments they could hear someone sighing.
"Hah! Hah! "
With full energy and the sound of hooves and wip in sync.
It had to be someone riding with full speed towards the border gate.
Yoo hwa stood up to make out who it was in anticipation.

"Isn't that..."

"It's a palace soldier"
In su finished.

"He could have gone with the Commander, In su hurry after him, he could have some urgent news for the palace"

"I should leave you al.."

"There's no time hurry"

In su too knew how urgent it was so he swiftly mounted his horse before the palace soldier could clear with the officers at the gate.

In su made it back in no time to the anticipating Queen.
He quickly dropped from his horse breathing heavily.

"Your Majesty..."

"Yes, what did he say?"she asked.

"He didn't ask him directly to if they have found his Majesty because he would suspect me of something"
"I told him the Queen sent me to wait at the border in case the Commander sends news"

"And..."

"He said he is on his way to report to the Queen"

"Hah!"
Yoo hwa sighed in disappointment and soon after realised she had to hurry to the palace to receive him too.
"We should hurry back"
She said marching to her horse.

"But your Majesty..."
"Can you wait for me here, I need to confirm something"
She turned to face him.

"He said something else didn't he?"

"No"

"Then what is it?"

"I noticed the end of his robe and feet were wet"

"Meaning he isn't really coming from the direction of Khitan but from Northern Wei, he must have crossed the river"

"I didn't want to give your Majesty false hope"

"Let's go"

They went to the river that disticts Gogouryeo and Northern Wei.
They halted from a distance in the dark and they could soon hear the low sound of continous paddling approaching.
They unmounted their horses exchanging eager looks.
The walked towards it trying to make out an image but it proved impossible.

"In su light the torch"
In su went back to their horses to do so lifting it up to her sight.
Almost immediately the light shone on her face she heard the light echo of her name.
She furrowed her eyebrows thinking she was imagining things.
Then she saw the same expression on In su's face.

"Yoo hwa!"
They heard again more clearly and it was indeed the voice of his Majesty.
Yoo hwa scurried to the direction of his voice to their right and they could now make out images of three men standing on a boat.

"Your Majesty"
She said in a low tone her voice abit shaky.
"Your Majesty!"
She shouted loosing all composure when she confirmed his structure.

"Wang hu!(My Queen)"

Yoo hwa couldn't wait for them to reach the bank she went forward stomping her feet in the water.

"Your majesty"
In su called her back with urgency.

Without much consideration his Majesty also jumped down the small boat to meet her.

"Your Majesty" she said for the last time looking up at him as his hands held her arms in place.
"Baek ah...it is you right?"

His cold hand slowly cupped her cheek as he searched her eyes.

"Ehmm.. It is I, Baek ah"

Yoo hwa wasn't even waiting for his reply for her to embrace him tightly like she was confirming to herself who he was or she was afraid to let go as he could slip away from her once again.

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