Rite of Passage

Precious Slave

Using the date of Yeri's letters as a reference, Eunbi and Yena decided Sakura's birthday should be the last Saturday of March. It was believed to be the approximate time Yeri discovered Sakura thirteen years ago. They chose the "last Saturday" out of convenience since it has been a traditional festive or ceremonial day for the Tokkiz Royal Court for almost a hundred years.

On the last Saturday of March, Saku arrived early in the morning in the Princess Compound along with his most trusted adults who also have access to the letters. Eunbi has prepared her studies for Saku to read all of Yeri's letters as part of his rite of passage. Ceremonially, Yena hands the bag of letters over to Saku, and he will read them all alone behind the closed door.

It takes almost an hour before Saku opens the studies door again.

Chats among Eunbi, Jaeyeon, Chaewon, and Yena in the dining hall immediately stop when they hear the clicking sound from the door knot.

Saku looks pale as a piece of paper, slightly panting and trembling when he opens the door and can barely move.

"Saku-chan, are you alright?" Jaeyeon is the first to rush to Saku and holds the boy's shoulder.

"I'm fine, hyeong," Saku says weakly, but he manages to stand firm on his feet with stern and dry eyes, thanks to the extra harsh physical and psychological training in the South arranged by Eunbi right after her birthday to prepare him for the rite of passage.

Jaeyeon and Yena take Saku by his arms and put him down at the dining table. Chaewon dismisses all the servants and brings Saku a glass of water.

"Saku-chan," after a long while, Eunbi is the first to speak, "what is your revelation?"

Saku looks into the Princess's eyes, "who am I?"

"How do you think?" Eunbi asks back.

Saku's gaze turns complicated. Anger, agony, simultaneously with profound sadness and a slight regret. "I now understand why mama didn't tell me the details." He gulps down the whole glass of water and thinks for a long time before he says, "I am not what I think I am."

The adults nod for encouragement.

Saku thinks again and breathes in deeply before he continues. "I used to think I was just an ordinary slave girl from a poor family with a seriously sick mother. I know mama was not my biological mother. She told me that my family was looted and killed by robbers. I didn't give much thought to my birth parents as serious crimes were not uncommon after the war. After all, mama loved me so much that I should only be faithful to her. I know my body is a little bit different from other children, and that's all. Mama didn't tell me much, and now I know why." He then turns to Eunbi, "Your Highness, you have once told me that I am a holy child. I never believed in it. But now, when I relate everything, I think I am more than that."

Eunbi smiles – the Princess Regent has rarely smiled since she resumed her work half a year ago. "That's impressive, Saku-chan."

"But it is too overwhelming," Saku continues with tightly furrowed brows, "the mysterious undestroyable dress, the secret martial arts guidebook, together with the deadly force; the slaughter, the light bubble, the missing dead bodies, the lost memories. Also, the Nirvi dressed as a female, and Arukasian celestial...I am so confused."

"Maybe I can explain a bit on the secret guidebook?" Jaeyeon clears his throat and raises his voice. "Its name is Cheonin Bimil, which means 'Celestial Secret' in Tokkizan. The book was believed to be the secret weapon of the Arukasian royal family to stay in power but was lost during a chaotic war. It contains the method of the most powerful martial arts, Cheonin Musul, which can transform a commoner into a celestial and obtain the Arukasian throne. No living person has ever witnessed the real force of the Cheonin Musul, so no one can prove the force that you possess or Sa Jihoon obtained is Cheonin Musul. However, according to Yeri's letter, I have all the reasons to believe that the majestic force is Cheonin Musul, and the text imprinted on magical fabric and sewed under a little girl's dress is Cheonin Bimil."

"But if it is such a precious guidebook, why would it be hidden under a little girl's dress?" Yena is the first to ask.

"Maybe it was just to divert the enemies' attention, or maybe the baby girl was someone who needed a high level of protection?" Jaeyeon responds.

"Highly possible." Yena sounds a bit excited, "This family who owned the Cheonin Bimil reflects that they are not just any ordinary Arukasians. It might be a very wealthy and influential family. Although we never know why they were leaving Arukas, it should be common at that time. They have brought along valuable treasure which attracted the robbers' attention..."

"Probably not robbers," Eunbi cuts in, "according to Yeri, the robbers – well, presumably the robbers, did not take their property until Yeri went there a second time, along with the bodies. Why would robbers clean up the crime scene after a robbery and pretend nothing has happened? Why did they have to kill small children if they just came for treasures? It was a murder aiming to kill the whole family; staging a robbery was to divert people's attention."

Eunbi sounds decisive, but Jaeyeon disagrees, "yes, and no. Let's put it this way. Someone killed a family in a barren valley, but their property was left at the crime site and only taken away later. There can be two explanations. Firstly, the assassins just wanted to kill the family; they didn't come for their property. However, that doesn't rule out the second reason that the assassins aimed to kill the family for Cheonin Bimil. Many stories were told about people killing each other to own the secret book. Also, there is a possibility that the family who owned the Cheonin Bimil might be good at Cheonin Musul too. Remember the dead bodies were in broken pieces? Maybe the assassins got killed too when they triggered the majestic force? That's why it took a few days before the other members of the assassination group came and collected everything. They took away the bodies because they were searching for the secret book. But they failed because the girl that has the secret text on her body was taken away by Yeri."

Chaewon suddenly speaks, "maybe the clue lies on the girl is not a girl."

Everyone is startled at Chaewon's comment.

"You all have overlooked the significance of Saku's gender in the whole incident. Saku's gender ambiguity was probably what had saved him." Chaewon says cooly, "Yeri's observations are important. Although Saku is a Nirvi, his bodily function and male vibe are so strong that I don't think his birth parents, who owned the Cheonin Bimil, would raise him as a girl. If the assassins came for the Cheonin Bimil, the first thing they would do is to kill the most senior patriarch and kill or kidnap the most junior heir. The assassins would probably know about their male heir. When they must act fast, they tend to pay less attention to women and girls, which saved the young heir's life."

Everyone becomes speechless on Chaewon's analysis.

"My Lady, you mean..." Saku feels that he is trembling from within. "My birth parents knew what might happen, so they deliberately dressed me up as a girl to hide my real identity...to protect me? Then I was mistaken as a girl and grew up under another gender identity?"

"Well, you can understand as such, but we cannot say it is a mistake as you also have your female part as a Nirvi." Chaewon nods and shakes her head at the same time. "Also, you have been discovered mainly because of the light bubble. I am sure it is related to the magic fabric you were wearing. I cannot tell if the magical power came from the fabric or from the text, but I can be sure they produced a supernatural power to protect its wearer. Theoretically, you can be anyone in that family, but I doubt they will hide their most precious treasure with a servant boy."

Eunbi stares at Chaewon and keeps mum.

Saku's expression is now more confused than at the beginning. "Then who are they?"

 

***

 

The atmosphere in the dining hall became so heavy that Eunbi announced it was time to leave for the coming-of-age party organized by Yuri and other palace staff. Everyone, including Yujin, was welcome to the Red Hall today because it is Saku's Rite of Passage. The baby sways his little arms according to the music and talks excitedly in a language only his father can understand, amusing everybody around him.

According to the Arukas tradition, Yuri requested Saku to present his artistic talents at the ceremony at the rite of passage.

Saku never thought that he had any artistic talent. He doesn't have a good voice like Chaewon and Eunbi when it comes to singing, and he doesn't have a flexible body like Jaeyeon and Yena when it comes to dancing. So he spent a long time practicing drawing and calligraphy. The work he presents is a painting of the Music Corridor based on memory and research, with all the significant people in his life being drawn into the picture. On an empty corner, he has written verses in beautiful calligraphy. When it is show time, Saku straightens his clothes and signals Yuri to start. With music playing in the background, Saku recites what he has written in both Tokkizan and Arukasian languages in his child-like voice.

Both ends of the Corridor, connected like a double-trunk tree,
Oblivious to the differences, noble hearts set a slave child free.
Shelter him with t
he wings of Wand and Sword,
Raise him up with the law of Heaven and god.
Protector of the Continent!
Wisdom and love thrive when he takes off and shines,
Defend the Right Way until the end of time.

Eunbi suddenly feels her chest swelling with pride, and tears start to well in her eyes.

Yujin waved his little hands, seemingly trying to echo with Uncle Saku. Jaeyeon quickly stuffs a pacifier into his mouth.

When everyone stands up applauding, Eunbi can't stop her tears anymore; luckily, Anna notices it and quickly hands her a handkerchief.

What happened last year had nearly strained their relationship; Eunbi has even thought about laying off Anna or asking Chaewon to transfer her to other royal premises. However, the matter was resolved with satisfaction; Anna promised to mind only her own business and be faithful to Eunbi for the rest of her stay.

"Anna, Saku has told me that you always don't feel well during your period. I will give you some remedy, and you should get better after taking it." When Anna was serving Eunbi lactating Yujin, the Princess suddenly said, "by the way, Saku has confessed everything."

"Your Highness..." Anna immediately turned pale.

"He has made a big mistake, and you, too, played a key role in this matter," Eunbi says casually, but Anna, being extremely clever, instantly understood what the Princess means.

She quickly knelt to plead guilty: "Your Highness, I swear, I have never mentioned this to anyone, and I will never do this in the future."

"Fine." Eunbi paused a bit, "I have forgiven him, but you must never mention this in front of Saku again. He needs time to repent and forget. I will arrange for him to go to South Castle, so he will learn how to handle his life."

Eunbi feels a hand on her shoulder, and it is Queen Joohyun.

"You really bought home a treasure."

"Eh?"

The Queen smiles, "a precious slave."

Eunbi squeezes a smile, "no, mother, it is our fortune to have saved him!"

Palace staff and friends circle Saku and congratulate him. After a while, Yuri claps her hands and calls for attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I believe that everyone has prepared a lot of gifts for Saku. Why don't we start the next session now?"

Everyone becomes quiet when Kim Chaewon takes the stage, but she is just there to announce that Queen Joohyun will personally host the gift-giving session.

This is not a standard procedure, so everyone waits for some drama. They don't have to wait long. One minute later, three royal guards enter the Red Hall with three mannequins, two of human size and one shorter, all covered with cloth.

Saku immediately steps ahead and stands in front of the Queen.

The Queen also stands up and announces solemnly, "Saku, Royal Knight of the Blaze, The Honorable Knight of the Blood & Iron, on behalf of His Majesty the King, I congratulate you on your coming of age and entering the adult world. You will take on the responsibility of preserving virtue and righteousness and defending justice and peace with kindness and compassion. His Majesty will present his gift to you in person when he summons you later in the afternoon, and I am not going overboard to announce it now. However, the Princess, Prince Consort, and I have also prepared some gifts for you." The Queen looks at the guards, and one of the guards lifts the cloth from the short mannequin.

A shiny black saddle is sitting on the short mannequin. Eunbi stepped forward, put her hand on the saddle, and says, "this is only half of my gift, and the other half is in the stable."

Saku eyes instantly lit up, "Yena?"

Eunbi smiles, "Choi Yena is in this room with us."

Saku pouts in disappointment when Yena walks over and puts her arms around the lad's shoulders. "You keep yelling, Yena! Yena! when you ride Horse Yena and whip her – did you ever care about the feeling of Choi Yena?"

Eunbi chuckles, "Yena-ssi, why don't you rename it 'Smily'? Is that yellow Smiley your trademark?" Then she turns to Saku, "From now on, Smily belongs to you. You will take it to the Northeastern Prairie and let it mate with the strongest wild horse, and the Heavenly foal she gave birth to will be mine."

Saku can't help grinning like a child and thanks Eunbi repeatedly.

Queen Joohyun then looks at the second guard. The guard immediately removes the cloth of one of the full-size mannequins, showing an exquisite black cloak.

People gasp when they see the cloak.

The guard immediately takes down the cloak and shows it to the Queen. Joohyun nods. Another guard quickly helps to spread the cloak and shows Saku the side with a large embroidery made of gold and colorful thread. It is a coat of arms that combines a white wolf, a rabbit, and a Tokkiz shield with a wing-spreading eagle on top. The coat of arms is a typical style of the Tokkiz Court. Saku finds it hard to believe this cloak is his present, especially about the coat of arms that he has never seen. Before he can ask, the Queen says, "Saku, this coat of arms is a gift from the King; he will explain it to you in person later."

Saku bows deeply and thanks the Majesties. The Queen nods and turns to Jaeyeon.

The third guard gets the cue and pulls the cloth from the last mannequin. It is a suit of armor with two small teeth-baring wolf heads on each shoulder. They look mighty and cute at the same time.

Jaeyeon adjusts the helmet and says, "Saku, the armor is specially designed for you. These little wolf heads allow you to clamp the cloak tightly during battle. I hope the armor can protect you on the battlefield in place of me, and I am confident that you will become a great warrior one day."

Saku immediately straightens himself and salutes Jaeyeon.

"Very good!" Joohyun clenches her hands together and announces, "I know you have all prepared gifts for Saku, so that I will stop here. Hodong has also prepared a lot of food, and I believe everyone is hungry, so let's start feasting too!" Queen Joohyun finished and heads toward the dining area.

Chaewon is the first to walk over to Saku and gives him a magic wand.

"Saku-chan, this is a wand that Great Yoonjung has used. It can channel your energy and make it more focused to increase your energy in another way. I believe you will become a great mage in the future."

Saku grins from ear to ear, being praised by Chaewon.

Yena is the next. She takes out a small item from her pocket that looks like a fruit pit.

"This is a hand-carved insect whistle using olive pits produced in Jigumina. It is used to summon and control insects – and you must practice and get familiarized with the Yoonjung Method of borrowing energies to use it."

Saku nodded vigorously. Then, Yuri suddenly emerges from Yena's back and hands Saku a plain dagger that is extremely thin and light.

"This dagger is specially designed and used by Alukas assassins. You can hide it in your boots, buckle it by your thigh, or even underneath your coat. It is handy in unconventional combat."

Saku takes the dagger and immediately slips it into his boot. Yuri then hands him a lute, "this is something to accompany you when you are going to the Prairie – you actually have a good voice, do you know?"

Yuri then gives Saku a bear hug. Yena quickly seizes the opportunity to put her arms around the two.

"Hey! What are you doing?" Yuri pushes Yena away, but Yena catches her hand and puts Yuri into her embrace.

"Yah! Choi Yena! Everyone is watching!" Yuri protests.

Saku is too familiar with this kind of drama when he took lessons in Yuri's home, so he turns her back against the couple and says hello to Nako and Kwangbae and the baby Hitomi.

 


Author's Notes

There will be 2 more chapters to go. There are still many mysteries about Saku's real identity, and the next chapter will reveal the truth of the most important one. Stay tuned!

 

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gumgumtara
Thank you for waiting until the end. This story is approaching its end and will be updated soon.

Comments

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jupiterupsky #1
Chapter 33: for me Im a new kkubi shipper for only four months.Thanks for your great works as Im now really attracted by the doubtless chemistry between the two girls.Im so happy to have the chance to being fed by new kkubi works(there's nothing newly updated in chinese fanfic websites.Sooo sad)
48_jnnc
#2
Chapter 33: As sad as it is that this story has come to an end, the open ending makes me relieved that Saku's journey is still ongoing.

I said a few months back that as a shipper I'd like them to end up together. But story-wise the ending is just perfect. Throughout their lifetimes they cross paths but don't end up together in a romantic sense. But sometimes there is something much more than being lovers and that is being each other's pillars, as what they have done in the blood pact. It further emphasizes the responsibility they carry and the sacrifices they must give to fulfill their life's purpose. It's still fine since they're still "together." Though now only in heart and thought since Saku's gone to the Northern Prairie.

And I agree regarding your sentiments on the kkubi ship and writing fanfics for them. I also have a lot of stories in store for them but somehow I don't know where to take the motivation to write them. I miss the feeling of writing about them but there's also this feeling that it's fine to let it be and leave it only as a memory. Oh, and should you decide to write a sequel featuring Le Sserafim members, I'm here waiting to read about it. Thank you for the update Gumgum-nim, great job as always! ^_^
Sernji
#3
Chapter 32: Oh my god, you're back. Sorry for being late 😅 but holy , I'm so glad and happy about this update.
PRlNCESSA
#4
Chapter 12: OMG WOW
yeonier #5
Chapter 32: You're back! Thank you for writing this!

Is Chaewon gonna be the first to know about Eunbi's feeling for Saku? Or is it gonna be Jjaeyeon? It is quite interesting how Eunbi felt jealous at Anna tho 😂

I hope Jjaeyeon doesn't change into violent tho, I feel like this is gonna be the first to many

Will be waiting for the updates!!
48_jnnc
#6
Chapter 32: Gumgum-nim! You're finally back! 😭💕

Damn... the prince and princess... Jjaeyeon might discover Eunbi's growing feelings for Saku... and might confront him about it. If that happens I hope Jjaeyeon won't feel strong animosity against Saku. But seeing how Jjaeyeon is becoming... he's gotten quite unpredictable now.

Eunbi and Saku ahhhh. As a shipper I want them to end up together but considering all that happened in the previous chapters and this one as well... Oh and Saku saying Anna has Eunbi's scent. Kinda like a foreshadowing of what will happen later that night. It could be that Saku's conversation with Jjaeyeon triggered the potion to lose effect.

Anyways, looking forward to Le Sserafim's appearance in the sequel. Thank you for the update authornim! ^_^
Sernji
#7
Chapter 31: I know it's been a while, but take all the time you need till you're ready, author-nim. Wishing you a great holiday season!
Sernji
#8
Chapter 31: I've been lurking for a while now, and I'm truly sad yet at the same time hopeful for this story's conclusion. I read this in the middle of my high school years and now I'm graduating soon.

Been a blast! I look forward to whatever project you do next, author-nim.
Noob1e
#9
Chapter 31: Awwww we're near the end 🤧 I really enjoy reading this fic but i wonder about Jaeyeon's pov. Surely he must have felt that something weird happened since Eunbi barely shows him any affection
reigngrey #10
Chapter 31: I am a bit sad that it will end soon but i am looking forward the conclusion of this story