THE KING'S DAUGHTER

"What is it Your Highness?" Yushin asked.

"I want to talk to Bidam." Princess Deokman replied and Yushin widened his eyes very much surprised by the Princess's offer.

"Your Highness, is this what you want really?" He asked.

"Yes." Princess Deokman replied with a ghastly smile on her face and great determination in her eyes, she looked so serious and Yushin could tell that whatever it was that she was saying she meant it.

"Your Highness, I don't think that Bidam is someone that you can trust, you know his relationship with your Uncle." Yushin Rang said.

"And I also understand his relationship with Alcheon Rang." Princess Deokman said.

"Why must you take such a big risk?" Yushin Rang asked.

"Everything has a cause and everyone is useful to me much as their degree of usefulness varies, I don't think that Bidam is a very bad person but rather, I believe that I can also make him one of my people." Princess Deokman replied.

"You are so considerate but the more you'll keep doing that the more you'll be risking your life." Yushin Rang said.

"I understand that but for Shilla everything is worth it, before I can rule this Heavenly Kingdom I need to Begin by possessing some of its talents." Princess Deokman said.

"Your Highness, am I not enough?" Yushin Rang asked.

"You can slay anyone in the world for me and to me you are the most abundant resource that this life has given.

I'm not grateful to heaven and neither am I grateful to Gaya, I am grateful to you Yushin Rang because even if all the others may abandon me I am most confident that in you I can trust." Princess Deokman said as she held Yushin's hand in her own.

"You know that I can never bear to see you cry?" Yushin said.

"And you can also not bear to watch me die." Princess Deokman said.

"Through fire and ice you have me Your Highness and should by fault Bidam dare to lay a hand on you, I shall bury him with his entire clan and his entire household." Yushin assured.

"Thank you." Princess Deokman said in appreciation.

"I'll take my leave." Yushin Rang said as he stood up and he bowed his head before walking out of the Princess' Chambers.

Reaching outside, he turned around and he looked at the doors.

"Everything has a cause and everyone is useful to me much as their degree of usefulness varies, I don't think that Bidam is a very bad person but rather, I believe that I can also make him one of my people." He recalled what he had been told.

"You could see Bidam Your Highness, but I can't trust him." He said to himself inwardly while he turned around to go away.

He halted when right in front of him Alcheon was standing.

"Yushin." Alcheon called.

"Alcheon." He replied.

"Is everything alright?" Alcheon Rang asked.

"Yes." Yushin replied bluntly as he nodded.

"You seem bothered." Alcheon insisted.

"It's alright." Yushin replied.

"You can tell me anything." Alcheon said.

"Which part of I am fine don't you understand?" Yushin snapped.

Alcheon was quietened.

"Her Highness is concerned about all of us." Yushin said." We should return the favour and at least show some concern towards her." He added.

"Yes." Alcheon replied.

"You can not serve two Masters at the same time and in the same way you can not share your devotion with someone else.

If it is Shilla let it be Shilla, Princess Deokman let it be Princess Deokman, Seungman Rang let it be Seungman Rang, for a true man there is no lying in between." Yushin Rang said as he walked away.

Alcheon seemed to hint on what he was trying to say but he too looked at the Princess' quarters and he lost the courage of going inside that he turned around and also walked away.

It was very early in the morning and King Jinpyeong was seated inside the court with his daughter Princess Deokman on his right.

"Greetings Your Majesty." The Courtiers said in unison, "Greetings Your Highness." They added as they turned to Princess Deokman.

Seated right across from the Princess was the Queen Sungman herself who stared at the Princess and seemed to show a sense of reserve.

"Congratulations Your Majesty." Galmunwang Gukban said, "Paekche was heavily defeated and repelled and Sokham still stands as our own on this very day." He added as he bowed his head.

"Thank you so much but none of that would have happened had it not been for the Her Highness the Princess Deokman who thanks to her wise organisation skills she was able to crush a force of forty thousand Soldiers with one of nearly thirty." King Jinpyeong said as he turned to his daughter and he smiled.

"Thank you father." Princess Deokman said with a smile on her face.

"Shilla owes you so much because had it not been for you then we wouldn't have seen this glorious day." King Jinpyeong remarked.

"My sole efforts would have been fruitless, I am surrounded by remarkable talents that have enabled us all realize the peaceful and the strong Shilla that we live in today.

The Likes of Yushin and Gopheung Rang spared tireless efforts, the finalists of the Hwarang games showed their most remarkable composure and leadership skills, Bidam Rang and Haesul Rang without rank fought most vigorously and I can at least concur that as the Keeper of the Hwarang of our Heavenly Kingdom, their talents didn't go to waste." Princess Deokman said.

"Seungman Rang?" King Jinpyeong asked.

"I was moved a couple of months ago when a girl turned up requesting to join Shilla's flower knights and I gave her the opportunity to prove herself worthy which she did by making it this far.

The soldiers were empowered to fight and they called her the white warrior and to Paekche we created a standard that unlike any other of the three Kingdoms never has for a woman to be headstrong and just as patriotic as a man." Princess Deokman said.

"I am pleased with Your Highness and you indeed bear the aura of a Ruler in your visage." King Jinpyeong remarked.

"Her Highness is in deed very smart Your Majesty." Ichan Seulbu said.

"Shilla is most blessed and Samhan shall be most grateful." King Jinpyeong said.

"Your Majesty, as a result of the ultimate Victory I would wish to make a request." Ichan Seulbu said.

"Whatever it is, please say it." King Jinpyeong replied.

"If Your Majesty is willing, these seven characters that Her Highness has just mentioned to us should be rewarded and in the spirit of the country this shall encourage their peers and all the others to master a similar courage and devotion and boost their morale to fight harder for the Kingdom." Ichan Seulbu replied.

"Yes Your Majesty." Princess Deokman agreed as she looked at the Queen who was seated across from her and had only maintained her quietness.

"Yushin Rang, Gopheung Rang and Alcheon Rang shall be created Generals and in addition for Kim Yushin his skill and Charisma makes him a rare talent that I find him fit to bear the Hwarang title of GUKSEON." King Jinpyeong said, "Bidam Rang and Junghwan Rang I shall create Pungwoljis." He added.

"Haesul Rang shall henceforth from this moment become a Hwarang-do and Seungman Rang the only woman that had the spirit of the nation at heart and showed her competence amongst men is befitting of the role of Wonhwa which for her I have reinstated in the hopes that she would be an outsider no more." King Jinpyeong said.

"On their behalf Your Majesty, allow me to thank you." Princess Deokman said as she bowed her head.

"Good character and bravery, service towards the nation along with devotion and Loyalty should be rewarded because thanks to these even in a period of uncertainty and unpreparedness, Shilla can continue to stand and we all shall achieve our forefathers' dream of Uniting all the Three Kingdoms of the Samhan." King Jinpyeong said.

"Thank you Your Majesty." Everyone said in unison as they bowed their heads.

"Excuse me Your Majesty, I believe that there is still another issue for us to report." Galmunwang Gukban said.

"What is it?" King Jinpyeong asked.

"We were ill-advised and had it not been for the Princess perhaps the Capital would have fallen to the Paekcheans." Gukban said.

"But we were victorious." King Jinpyeong said.

"Nevertheless precautions should be taken and this being a matter of the state I propose that it should be looked into and all those responsible should be punished." Gukban said.

"I second his idea Your Majesty." Ichan Seulbu said.

"I understand that all of you as fellow statesmen are in deed concerned about what happened and even I am uneasy but no man is perfect.

We can concur that heaven was with the Princess and also with us but had it been Amak Fortress under siege then we wouldn't be thanking Her Highness.

The Queen played her part in sharing the burdens with me and she along with Princess Deokman made it much lighter on my shoulders.

I have no intentions of punishing anyone because a victory for one is a victory for us all, in the streets where they are celebrating this is the best gift that we can give them and ensure that we remain united.

I shall hear no more of this." King Jinpyeong said.

"Yes Your Majesty." Everyone said in unison.

"You are all dismissed." King Jinpyeong said as he stood up from his throne.

"Thank you Your Majesty." Everyone replied while he walked away.

Princess Deokman having bowed her head she raised it up and looked at the Queen in her eyes while she smiled back at her.

The two women stepped away from their seats and they walked out proudly side to side while the Courtiers followed after them.

"It appears that His Majesty is unwilling to punish Her Highness." Ichan Seulbu said as he descended the stairs from the throne room with Gukban.

"I find it to be quite suspicious." Gukban said.

"He must have a reason for it." Ichan Seulbu remarked.

"My brother." Gukban replied.

"Or perhaps he just doesn't want to implicate the Queen." Ichan Seulbu said.

"Some still find the choice of his successor rather vague and now that the Queen is pregnant he could use that as an excuse.

His Majesty is old right now and Princess Deokman is still building a league of her own supporters.

Yushin Rang and Alcheon Rang have already sky rocketed to the positions of Generals so he is consolidating her place in the army, Yushin is additionally a Gukseon so she's further tightening her grip on the Hwarang.

Seungman Rang is the best choice of an ally because perhaps because of her the women shall be willing to accept her Highness.

He hasn't toppled the Queen because not much has settled and if he threw his sword first then he would provoke my brother who has been preparing for ages and right now if a coup were to take place the Princess would be at a disadvantage." Gukban said.

"I see." Ichan Seulbu said.

"There is already the issue of the female Ruler Jin which was recently and it hasn't entirely been buried so if it were to be brought up again the the divergence created by the war would be of no use." Gukban said.

"In your own opinion perhaps the King has already made a choice of his successor?" Ichan Seulbu asked.

"He can not be partial for now and neither can he appear to be transparent, I believe that the Courtiers can be kept in the dark a little bit longer." Gukban replied.

Galmunwang Baekban was being escorted by Haek Ga who walked up closely to him.

"The Queen wasn't apprehended?" Haek Ga asked.

"It's good enough for us." Galmunwang Baekban replied.

"But it is quite suspicious." Haek Ga said.

"The King is favouring both the future heir in the womb of the Queen and at the same time the Princess who is intelligent and already of age." Galmunwang Baekban replied.

"You can't blame him, they are both his children after all." Haek Ga remarked.

"But only one of them can become King." Baekban replied.

"And who is it most likely to be Your Excellency?" Haek Ga asked.

"Perhaps the Female Ruler Jin in the Prophecy is holding him back for the time being he still wants to hope in the unborn child that the Queen is carrying." Baekban replied.

"Weren't we supposed to propose to him that he chooses his heir Your Excellency?" Haek Ga asked.

"Given the current conditions we can as well be a bit more patient." Baekban replied, "We might rush things and end up destroying the golden opportunity before us." He added.

"Yes Your Excellency." Haek Ga replied.

Princess Deokman was walking with the Queen.

"You are quite lucky." She said.

"Perhaps." Queen Sungman replied.

"Congratulations." Princess Deokman said.

"Upon what?" Queen Sungman asked.

"You went unpunished." Princess Deokman replied

"I should congratulate you." Queen Sungman said.

"Because Shilla won?" Princess Deokman asked.

"Because Shilla had you." Queen Sungman replied

"The both of us make quite a very good team of contenders because I can't think of anyone who is as capable as you are." Princess Deokman said.

"What makes you say that?" Queen Sungman asked.

"I am not perhaps as scheming as you are but the way that you realized what I wanted the most leaves me awed." Princess Deokman replied.

"I never figured out that you wished to be King." Queen Sungman said.

"Then who did?" Princess Deokman asked.

"The Priest." Queen Sungman replied.

"The one whose knowledge of the stars is most accurate and the one who can predict the weather and seasons?" Princess Deokman asked.

"Perhaps he was godsent to me." Queen Sungman said.

"And you as well wish to rule out heavenly kingdom?" Princess Deokman asked.

"Quite unfeasible it may seem but seeing that our aspirations and dreams are quite similar I am more and more encouraged to do so." Queen Sungman replied.

"How sure are you that I am the female Ruler Jin and that ruler is not you?" Princess Deokman asked.

"I am not so sure either but I must use it to my advantage since we are after the same goal." Queen Sungman replied.

"I must have been shortsighted." Princess Deokman said.

"Marriage is an option for you but for me it is the only choice, where I am from to be remembered you must be great even if it means burying enough bodies in the ground beneath you." Queen Sungman said.

"That is the difference between us." Princess Deokman remarked.

"You wish to redeem yourself?" Queen Sungman asked.

"You wish to be remembered and that is why you seek power while I on the other hand wish to end war and unite this peninsular as well as bring about a revolution in which women can be competent rulers and we don't have to be discriminated because we are born women." Princess Deokman replied.

"Then I expect you of all people to understand how fulfilling it is for the name of a woman to go down into the pages of History." Queen Sungman said.

"Through cruelty?" Princess Deokman asked.

"Whatever it takes." Queen Sungman replied.

"Mishil would have wanted the same but the path that she took made her a usurper and a power hungry woman.

Queen Sado wanted the same and the path that she took made her a heroine.

You wish to make me a foe of yours in your own resistance and you forget that you are the very person that is tearing Shilla apart because rather than fighting the real enemy Gorguryeo or Paekche you are fighting a person from within your home with whom you attach a particular degree of kinship." Princess Deokman said. "Should Shilla vanish because of Your actions then could you please tell me yourself who will remember you?" Princess Deokman asked.

"Even when I am nobody who shall remember me?" Queen Sungman asked.

The Princess was silent.

"There are only two people that history remembers and those are the heroes and the villains, who is who is decided by the Victor and the one that is vanquished and there is nothing in the world that could ever change that as bystanders and spectators have no place there." Queen Sungman added.

"Then you must brace yourself for whatever I am going to hurl towards you." Princess Deokman said.

"Lest I win I shall be the woman that birthed the successor of the next generation and ousted a usurper that nearly broke tradition and it shall be known that way." Queen Sungman replied.

"I am ready when you are Your Highness but I hope that you are prepared to either gain everything or lose all." Princess Deokman said as she bowed her head and joined by her own ladies in waiting she sashayed away.

"Your Highness." Bora said as she walked up closely to the Queen.

"Don't worry so much and nothing is unchanged, we only need the perfect opportunity to strike." Queen Sungman said.

"Yes Your Highness." Bora said.

"Write a letter in detail and inform Galmunwang Baekban of our plan so that he and his people get prepared." Queen Sungman said.

"Yes Your Highness." Bora replied as they continued into her Chambers.

Seungman was seated in her Chambers when she heard a loud knock on her door.

she stood up from where she was brandishing her sword and she walked up towards the door of her Chambers.

She opened them and there she caught sight of Yushin Rang who was standing with his arm leaning against the door post.

"Yushin Rang." She said as she bowed her head.

"Can I come in?" Yushin asked.

"Yes." Seungman replied as she stepped aside.

"Thank you." He said as he walked inside while his eyes surveyed the premises carefully.

"Is there anything wrong?" Seungman asked.

"No." Yushin Rang replied.

"I wasn't expecting anyone to come here and see me." Seungman said.

"I just came to congratulate you as well as to tell you that the King has decided to elevate you to the position of Wonhwa in the Hwarang." Yushin replied.

"What?" Seungman said a little bit surprised.

"You were outstanding in the battle against Paekche and Her Highness praised you in front of the Courtiers.

You have also become endeared to some of the Nangdos and you shouldn't feel left out as it is." Yushin Rang replied.

"I'm grateful to Her Highness." Seungman said as her face lit up with a smile.

"That's one of the two reasons that I came here to see you." Yushin said in a more serious tone all of a sudden.

"What is the other reason?" Seungman asked.

"It's about you and Alcheon Rang." Yushin replied.

"Is there anything that is wrong?" Seungman asked.

"I can tell that the both of you feel affectionate towards one another but I am asking you for the sake of Her Highness thinking you to be much more understanding towards her being a woman as well, suffocate them." Yushin Rang said straightforwardly.

"I wish it was that easy." Seungman said.

"It shouldn't be so hard if you do it much earlier." Yushin Rang said.

"I still don't understand." Seungman said.

"But I do." Yushin replied.

"What do you understand?" Seungman suddenly asked on top of her voice.

"Alcheon Rang is not a man that you can love and even you know that, your love and affection towards him is no a relief but it is a burden and something that puts his life in grave danger." Yushin replied.

Seungman was frozen.

"Would you have any idea what he has to lose when you are endangered, any idea what he has to suffer from to protect you.

Anyone knows how loyal he is to the Princess and the best that you can do is to try and also be loyal to him but for them to get to her they'd have to go through you.

For decades I suppressed what it was that I felt towards Her Highness, I even had to endure marrying someone else at that but do you think that I was comfortable?" Yushin asked. "For the both of them to have us in their lives we can never be assets but we must resign to the life of being liabilities because I know where you are and I know Alcheon Rang so well if he were to choose to die for you out of love he would do it." He added.

Seungman moved to her bed and she sat down.

"He is the only one that understands me." Seungman remarked.

"But for you and him, love is something that you can only keep and an emotion that you can never show the world.

Me and you are very much alike and we are both warriors, sadly our calling was never to command but to protect and serve.

I persisted with Gaya through thick and thin so that I myself I would give it up to her, she wouldn't have to feel so distant with it's people and out of her benevolence she would turn them all into her very own.

I'd conquer lands for her if she wanted to and even if it was the mighty Tang I would help her fight to claim it and make it her own because I was enslaved by my passion for her and she was the perfect representation of a Unified Shilla.

Because of her I can keep living and even when I can not love her for her sake easing the burden if the Crown she intends to wear is good enough for me." Yushin Rang said as he turned to look at Seungman.

"Alcheon should be the same to you and seeing him hurt isn't something that I think you can bear with for the rest of your life." Yushin Rang said.

"I get it." Seungman said, "Can you leave me alone?" she asked.

"I know that it is painful but there is no wound that time can not heal." Yushin Rang replied as he faced the door that had ushered him in and he immediately walked out leaving his words lingering in Seungman's head.

Yushin Rang was lingering throughout the Nangdos quarters when he stopped at the Knight Corps' dorm.

He walked inside while all the eyes turned to him with utmost respect as he made his way through their nest and his eyes lingered from side to side while he appeared to be looking for someone.

Eventually he caught sight of Bidam who was seated and was leaning against the window sill, his head was tilted and facing up at the clear blue sky.

"Bidam." He called him but he appeared to be lost in his thoughts.

"Bidam." He called the second time as his feet dragged him closer.

"Bidam." He finalized as he placed his hand on his shoulder and Bidam was startled.

"Yushin Rang." He said as he faced him and he stepped down appearing only a couple of inches much shorter than him.

"Come with me." Yushin Rang said as he ceased his right arm and he dragged him through until they were eventually outside.

"What do you want to say to me?" Bidam asked.

"I am not the one who wishes to see you?" Yushin Rang replied.

"Who does?" Bidam asked.

"Her Highness Princess Deokman." Yushin replied.

"Princess Deokman?" Bidam asked.

"Yes." Yushin confirmed.

Bidam was hesitant to comply but he nonetheless gave in.

"Fine." He said stutteringly as Yushin wasted no time to lead the way while he followed closely at his back.

Disinterest was in the air but the two seemed just fine not trying to let it show, eventually the two walked up to the Palace and they found themselves standing right in front of the Princess' doors.

They stared at them for a while.

"Are we going in?" Bidam asked.

"First try looking closely." Yushin replied and Bidam stared at the red, green and yellow structure.

"What do you hear?" Yushin Rang asked.

"It's quiet." Bidam replied.

"It has always been this way." Yushin said.

"Why are you telling me this?" Bidam asked.

"You must know." Yushin replied.

"Know what?" Bidam asked.

"She is lonely and quiet like this and she has been condemned to remain so for the rest of her life." Yushin replied.

Bidam smirked.

"Forgive me why would I bother with someone's loneliness?" Bidam asked.

"Go on inside." Yushin replied as he pointed at the doors towards which Bidam ascended and he walked through.

The room was quiet inside and as his eyes gazed about the place he caught sight if the Princess who was seated down and massaging her forehead with her left hand while a beautiful portrait of a woman hang above her on the wall that was behind.

Princess Deokman seemed to notice the presence of someone else in her room and she raised her head to see who it was.

"Bidam Rang?" She called.

"Your Highness." He said as he bowed his head at that time noticing how beautiful she looked like.

"Sit down." Princess Deokman said as she smiled heartily while pointing at the chair that was right next to her and Bidam was surprised.

He had never sat at a table with anyone all his life other than Alcheon Rang and his other Nangdos and yet the Princess seemed to show no degree of resentment as she offered him the chance.

"Your Highness, I am a common warrior." Bidam said.

"I know." Princess Deokman replied, "It's alright." She added.

"If you say so." Bidam said as he sat down and he looked at the Princess closely.

"Why did you wish to see me Your Highness?" Bidam asked.

"I am impressed by Your talents, my father has created you a Pungwolji and I want to make you one of my people and perhaps one of my best executions." Princess Deokman replied.

Bidam was surprised.

"Your Highness." He said as he appeared to be having a hard time trying to believe her words.

"I understand if my offer is grandiose." Princess Deokman remarked.

"Since when and why would you have an interest in me Your Highness?" Bidam asked.

"When we were fighting at Sokham and perhaps long before that, I had a dream." Princess Deokman said, "That dream of mine then became the very cause of my devotion and that devotion turned into the reason that I had to keep living in this world." She added.

"Very many people would have rather thought it unfeasible and all the others would have perhaps taken it to be a woman's wishful thinking.

Like my great grandfather King Jinheung I too perceived a time when Shilla was great and an even better one when all the three Kingdoms of the Samhan were united into one.

I knew from a very young age that I cherished this nation so much and from cherishing it came my desire to rule it and from desiring to rule it came my desire to become Our Heavenly Kingdom's first female King." Princess Deokman replied straightforwardly.

"Can I laugh at you Your Highness?" Bidam asked.

"Feel free." Princess Deokman said and Bidam could only find the courage to smile.

"From Bak Hyeokgyeose no woman ever dared to reign over the realm in her own right." Bidam said.

"There is always a first time for everything." Princess Deokman added.

"Why must you dwell on this instead when it is bound to create for you enemies and perhaps even distance you from the people that you love?" Bidam asked.

"Because I love Shilla." Princess Deokman replied, "People shall come and go but Shilla shall remain for generations and Generations to come." She added.

"You are a politician and perhaps I can not see through you but all of you promise the same thing and when power is in your hands you fail to relinquish it while you do nothing." Bidam said.

"Why do you think I chose this path, I would have also married the man of my dreams, I would have given birth to children and I would have raised a home.

I didn't because I am fearful not for myself but for the men of Shilla, they that have corrupted power and can live up to nothing more than the expectations of their bodily desires.

What hurts me more than that is the thought that me being a woman I am the only one who is most considerate and most prudent in my own sight, who hurts when people die and starve and others are separated away from their families." Princess Deokman replied.

"We have able Courtiers but believe it or not, this Shilla that I like is enduring because of our King and me otherwise slowly by slowly, their usurpation actions are tearing the Shilla I am confident you love apart." She added.

"What have I to hold dear, what have I to give up for the grandiose manifestation of this country as a man?" Bidam asked.

"Your heart Bidam, your talent, your hand and perhaps even your wisdom itself." Princess Deokman replied.

"What you are asking of me is something that even I can't see in myself, how then can I live up to your expectations?" Bidam asked.

"I am not asking you to live up to my expectations, I am only asking you to fight for Shilla, let the others abandon it but you a child of Samhan you should know better." Princess Deokman replied.

"Why do you want to be our Heavenly Kingdom's ruler?" Bidam asked.

"Why do you think I hang Mishil's portrait on the wall behind me?" Princess Deokman asked him.