The sun was shining brightly in Seorabeol, the capital of Silla. A horse palanquin made its way in the direction of the Wolseong Palace, making every Silla citizen’s head turn as their eyes caught the palanquin’s unique designs while trying to get a glimpse of who is inside despite that the windows are closed.

“Hasn’t the Princess already arrived?” one citizen mused.

“I heard it’s a Princess from another country looking for a husband.” one middle aged woman told another.

“She must be from a foreign country, seeing how different her carriage looks like.” the maidens whispers to each other.

“Or just visiting because of the festival!” one suggests.

As the carriage neared the palace, the guards who have been stationed in the gates started to open the big barrel doors. The palace servants gathered around in line by the entrance, heads bowed and hands clasped together in front of their stomachs.

The horses carrying the palanquin entered the gates and were put into a halt. A few seconds after, the small door opened and a petite woman who was identified as the maid due to her simple and low clothing stepped out of the palanquin first— turning around towards the door and holding out her right hand. Another hand from inside the palanquin reached out towards the maid’s outstretched hand and a pair of feet steps out.

The palace servants bowed lower as a young maiden came out of the palanquin and they all greeted her in chorus.

“Welcome back, M’lady.”

The young woman looks at them before travelling her eyes towards the palace in front of her; the sun shining brightly over the place. She sighs, smiling softly.

‘It’s good to be back.’

The Queen Regent Ji Soo was sitting on her chair inside her quarters, patiently waiting at the arrival of someone as important like her daughter, Princess Sookmyung. Outside, she could barely hear sets of footsteps nearing her quarters. The footsteps stopped, and Moyeong, her personal maid’s voice was heard outside the door.

“Your highness, Lady Heo has arrived to see you.”

The doors to the Queen’s quarters immediately opened, and the young maiden who arrived from before entered the room. She bowed deeply to the Silla’s Queen before looking at her with a smile.

“Lady Heo Chunhwa greets you, your highness. It has been a long time.” the young maiden greets.

The Queen travels her eyes from Chunhwa’s styled hair, to her face, then to the two moles under her left eye which was definitely Heo Chunhwa’s trademark. She then noticed the different style of clothing that the young maiden was wearing— a hanbok which design seems to be inspired from the North. Queen Ji Soo couldn’t help but offer her one of her rare smiles as she thinks how beautiful this maiden, who was once a young and little child, grew up so much.

“It has been a very long time indeed, Chunhwa.”

“I have presumed your arrival will be in a later date, I didn’t expect for you to arrive in Silla this early— not that I mind.” Queen Ji Soo says over their afternoon tea.

Shortly after Chunhwa was led to her sleeping quarters to place her clothes and things after giving her greetings to the Queen, Queen Ji Soo invited her to have an afternoon tea. Chunhwa had brought presents from the North and one of them is an aromatic tea that she politely suggests they should try.

“Ah yes, your highness.” Chunhwa replies, placing her tea cup down the table. “I actually remembered that the Moon Festival will happen a couple of days from now. I wanted to be here before the festival to watch the performers and see the lanterns. Also,”

Chunhwa looks at the Queen with a small smile.

“I had promised Princess Sookmyung that I will return to Silla as soon as possible after hearing that she is finally returning to the country.”

Queen Ji Soo looked at her as she nods her head in understanding.

“It’s no surprise,” she says, “The two of you were like real siblings even when you were younger.”

Chunhwa couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

“It is indeed, your highness. However, it seems that I haven’t seen her yet after arriving here in the palace.”

“She is currently visiting the Hwarang House as I have asked her a favour. She will come back here later so you two can see each other.” Queen Ji Soo supplies for her.

“Hwarang House?” the young maiden asks curiously, hearing the foreign word come out from the Queen’s lips.

“That’s right.” the Queen answers, “They are a group of Silla’s most beautiful men I created to be the King’s warriors once he takes over the throne when the right time comes.”

At the mention of the King, Chunhwa’s heart stilled and then skipped a beat.

“Is that so, your highness?” she tries to cover her reaction with another small smile. “Well, since you have asked the Princess a favour towards the future warriors of Silla, is there anything that I can also do to help them with?”

At that offer, an idea seemed to come into the Queen’s mind. She looked at Chunhwa with a concluding smile.

“Actually, I do think there is something you could help the King’s Hwarang with.”

Author's Note:

I hope you guys like the first chapter!
Comments and Feedback are appreciated!

- flyingjunmyeons [20170421]