THE GREAT QUEEN SEONDEOK

Princess Deokman was seated in her Chambers when Boyeong walked in while she was drinking some tea.

"Your Highness." She said as she bowed her head.

"What is it?" Princess Deokman asked.

"Her Highness Princess Seungman is here and she requests to have an audience with you." Boyeong replied.

"Please let her in." Princess Deokman said.

"Aye." Boyeong replied as she walked out if the room while Seungman entered dressed in a black and white hanbok.

"Your Highness." Seungman said as she bowed her head.

"Please have a seat." Princess Deokman said.

"Yes Your Highness." Seungman replied as she say down on a chair that was right next to her.

"It's already been a very long while and you are still in mourning?" Princess Deokman remarked.

"Once in a while I must take time to recall my father, I could have killed the man that took his life but nevertheless the undeniable fact as that it won't bring him back to life." Seungman replied.

"I understand." Princess Deokman said.

"How is His Majesty?" Seungman asked.

"The Physicians are still trying their level best but even up to now he is still in a Coma." Princess Deokman replied.

"It's been months." Seungman said.

"I heard that you had a very comfortable stay at Gokhyeonwangsa Temple?" Princess Deokman said.

"I needed some time to think things through, practice my calligraphy and write sutras, pray and also enhance my poetry." Seungman said.

"You have been studying books about the Geography of the country and military scripts and manuals, you've taken a keen interest in Political affairs and you have reviewed most of the political memoirs of the past Kings." Princess Deokman said.

"You have good eyes Your Highness." Seungman said.

"I asked some people to watch you and let nothing bad come upon you, one way or another I need you so much." Princess Deokman said.

"Your Highness, aren't your enemies defeated?" Seungman asked.

"Even when the latter have fallen others shall rise in their stead, were these not the words that our Uncle told you before he breathed his last?" Princess Deokman asked.

"In my place there shall be more people that shall rise in resistance to you women, you bring about revolution but I only wish to tell you that it is sad that fate can't be changed and your legacy at one point shall spell out the very doom for this country." She recalled Galmunwang Baekban saying.

"Yes." Seungman replied.

"When I think about that possibility my heart can not be at ease." Princess Deokman said.

"And neither can mine." Seungman replied.

"Either way Seungman, we are both women and our hard work to get this far shall go to waste unless we can join forces and then we rise up against our foes." Princess Deokman said.

"Your Highness, you boast quite a remarkable retinue and you have the Hwarang, Yushin is a strong military talent and Alcheon Rang though by my side can do good in your service." Seungman said.

"But you know him much better than I do even he is willing to follow you everywhere that you go." Princess Deokman remarked.

"After all that you have given him I am sure that he won't turn you down." Seungman said.

"You aren't forsaking me." Princess Deokman said.

"I wouldn't." Seungman replied.

"What is it that you want?" Princess Deokman asked.

"I can hold power and I can wield it behind the scenes, you know that even I have very Grand ambitions and you understand that even I am strong.

Shilla needs a Sovereign bit alongside her a helping hand which I can not offer unless you permit me.

The Civil war itself with Chilsuk and Seokpum Rang's rebellion greatly devastated the country which needs rebuilding at the moment, the army suffered casualties so it must be prepared in advance.

My father is an influential Courtier, Ichan Seulbu is dead, Eulje has become the Sangdaedeung and this is a moment of reorganization throughout Shilla.

By the time that the King dies and you ascend the throne then here is my guarantee that Paekche and Gorguryeo shall rise up immediately in the hopes of conquering our lands.

The best that I can do is to prepare Shilla for that turbulent phase and also establish relations with the other Aristocratic families throughout the country.

If we must then the presence of all these factors shall make it much more favourable and easy to sustain ourselves so that we can withstand the storm that is ahead." Seungman replied.

"I was considering all that but what about the farmers, if we must prepare for war then alongside weaponry and the troops there is nothing more efficient than the food supplies and rations." Princess Deokman said.

"We shall divide our role and you'll handle the farmers while I handle the army." Seungman replied.

"I believe that is quite negotiable." Princess Deokman said, "But I wanted to see you in Court." Princess Deokman added.

"Don't you think that the Courtiers shall be offended?" Seungman asked.

"Many of the Courtiers have only acceded to fill the vacuum of the fallen ones and my intention from the very beginning was to refine the court with talents and to also benefit the nation." Princess Deokman said.

"But to have those talents on your side you mustn't provoke them to turn against you." Seungman replied.

"Your father is growing old and tired of court life and I am certain that he wishes to spend the rest of his days with your mother loving her and taking care of her.

You are his only legitimate issue which makes you the best successor for his position." Princess Deokman said.

"There has never been a female Galmunwang." Seungman said.

"And there has never been a female King." Princess Deokman replied.

"Your Highness." Seungman said.

"You are my blood and you share so much with me in common, when I am with you there is an assurance that I can reach greater things.

Being my cousin and a fellow woman I trust you the most in the political arena and with your intelligence along with mine we could be the most powerful women in Shilla and we would control the Nation and bring it to florish." Princess Deokman said.

"I understand Your Highness." Seungman replied.

"So what do you say?" Princess Deokman asked.

"Yes." Seungman replied.

Princess Deokman smiled as she sipped at her cup of tea.

"Could you not blame me for what I am about to say?" Princess Deokman asked.

"What is it Your Highness?" Seungman asked.

"I have a very keen interest in you." Princess Deokman said.

"I noticed." Seungman replied.

"For me you aren't just going to be a cousin and neither are you going to be a Galmunwang alone." Princess Deokman said.

"You overestimate me perhaps." Seungman humbly said.

"Me and you can't make this Shilla the country that we want it to be unless we gain possession of it not just as regents or powerful Courtiers but as legitimate rulers." Princess Deokman said.

Seungman who was bringing her cup of tea towards her lips she immediately put it down.

"Your Highness, I hope that your words are as clear as I am hearing them?" Seungman said.

"I mean each and everyone of the words that I have said." Princess Deokman replied.

"Is this it?" Seungman asked.

"A General and those other titles aren't enough and yet at the same time like myself you are a Seonggol.

As women we have defied the world in very many ways and as women the both of us have done exceedingly and abundantly, much more than anyone else could have asked or thought." Princess Deokman said.

"I know what you are going to say and I trust that you know my answer." Seungman replied as she sipped at her cup of tea.

"Then it is a good one." Princess Deokman replied, "After all if as a woman my intention is to ascend to the throne then there is no problem if another can succeed me and take my place should I go on before." Princess Deokman added.

"Your Highness has always been remarkable at both identifying talents and verifying them, you now have an eye for potential rulers." Seungman said.

"If your heart wants it and it is you that I trust, we battled the female Ruler Jin, we still must prove those scholars, aristocrats and historians wrong about her being one of us." Princess Deokman replied.

"I understand Your Highness, I have given it my thought as well, I understand what it is that you are trying to say and to know where you are coming from is something that I can guarantee I am doing very well." Seungman said.

"I want to foster you as my own." Princess Deokman said, "You can be the sister for me that I can discuss politics with." She added.

"It doesn't have to be so obvious right now, a snake only strikes when it is certain that it's enemy is not watching.

If you must maintain those Courtiers dancing to your tunes until you can determine which ones amongst them can be trusted and which ones must be abandoned then time can tell.

You never know that a surprise that comes too soon could be the very moment that the enemy needs to be excited to rebel." Seungman replied.

"Don't worry, I shall keep that in mind." Princess Deokman said.

"There are a lot of dregs that survived the first fall and there are a lot of people that have witnessed the bloody baptism of fire.

Your father has sons with Royal Consorts and he also has male relatives both distant and far, for the both of us who remain as the few verifiable Seonggols with an intention to reign, our caution must come excessively especially with those that are nearest to us." Seungman said.

"I am confident." Princess Deokman said, "There is nothing that the both of us can not do." She added.

"If you trust me Your Highness, I won't let you down." Seungman said.

"I understand that you won't but it is not me that you must promise, our heavenly kingdom needs that vow a lot more." Princess Deokman said.

"Yes." Seungman replied.

"I'll send over some snacks to Ganglyeoghan for you to feast on the political buffet." Princess Deokman said.

"I trust that they shall be to my very best liking." Seungman replied as she stood up and bowed her head.

"I'll take my leave your Highness." She added as she bowed her head.

"We won't meet so frequently but I shall see you around." Princess Deokman replied as Seungman turned around and she walked out of the room.

Seungman descended the stairs and there she found Damhyeong and Haesul Rang waiting for her.

"Your Highness." They said as they bowed their heads.

"It's been a while since I enjoyed the serenity of Seoraebeol." Seungman said.

"Ganglyeoghan Palace has been preparing for your arrival." Haesul Rang said.

"Then I suppose we shouldn't keep them waiting any longer." Seungman replied.

"Yes Your Highness." They all replied in unison.

"Let's go." She ordered.

"Aye." They replied as she led the way out of the Palace followed by her ladies in waiting and her personal guards.

Princess Deokman was inside her chambers when Yushin Rang walked in.

"Your Highness." he said as he bowed his head.

"It's about time you arrived." Princess Deokman said.

"It's nothing Your Highness, I heard that you were first having a conversation with Seungman I didn't dare bother the both of you." Yushin Rang replied.

"Alright." Princess Deokman said.

"Is there anything that you wanted from me?" Yushin Rang asked.

"Yes." Princess Deokman replied.

"What is it Your Highness?" Yushin Rang asked.

"I wish to consolidate you as Commander in Chief of the Royal Army." Princess Deokman replied.

"Your Highness, I believe that this life has already granted me very many honours of which the most important one was to serve you." Yushin Rang replied.

"Then perhaps in serving me you should make do and command the very people that should protect me." Princess Deokman said.

"Yes Your Highness." Yushin Rang replied.

"Our primary foes could have been vanquished but I haven't ascended the throne yet and there isn't any possibility or assurance that my ascension won't face any further opposition.

Regardless of the situation I am much more confident that one way or another with my people in power can I guard the throne of our Heavenly Kingdom and with you by my side I shall fear no man." Princess Deokman said.

"Your Highness has so much confidence in me, I won't let you down." Yushin Rang said.

"I know you won't." Princess Deokman said as she smiled confidently at him.

Galmunwang Gukban and Lady Wolmyeong stood at the entrance of Ganglyeoghan Palace and there a Palanquin arrived outside and it halted.

While it was placed on the ground, it's door was opened and from it Seungman stepped out as she set her eyes onto the plaque that hang above the gates.

Her eyes going further inside she caught sight of her parents that she moved closer and closer to them.

"Seungman." Galmunwang Gukban said.

"Mother, father, greetings." Seungman replied as she bowed her head before she embraced them into a hug.

She showed her best composure and her silence which wasn't the type of person that she had been before.

"Come in." Her parents said as they led her into the Courtyard which was already filled with so many people that were all busy with decorations and were moving up and down.

"What's the occasion?" Seungman asked.

"You are returning to Seoraebeol after so many months, how could we possibly not welcome you in the most auspicious way." Lady Wolmyeong said.

"Thank you mother." Seungman replied.

"Aiyoo, you are still in mourning?" Lady Wolmyeong asked.

"Perhaps I had to meditate and I needed some time to think about myself." Seungman replied.

"It's good if you were able to cultivate your mind." Galmunwang Gukban said.

"I am back but everything in Seoraebeol looks to be normal I still don't understand why both your moods are sombre." Seungman said.

"There hasn't been much going on, the King hasn't yet recovered and one can say that there is too much tranquil that has got most of us suspicious." Galmunwang Gukban replied.

"I understand, following the failure of the Rebellion I am much afraid that given that some people were spared they could still possibly be bearing evil intentions." Seungman said.

"We did make many enemies and we can't be to certain that they are entirely defeated." Galmunwang Gukban remarked.

"That's why I chose to come back to Seoraebeol Seungman said.

"Why dear?" Lady Wolmyeong asked.

"The more that I am away I realize I could mourn father for as long as I want but you are still my parents that I love and since you protected me it is now my chance to protect you." Seungman replied.

"We are both old." Lady Wolmyeong said

"As long as you can love happily that is more than enough for the both of us." Galmunwang Gukban added.

"I understand your concerns, but even I personally love Shilla and I have learnt so much more there is to learn about it." Seungman said.

"I see, you are very wise in your intellect." Galmunwang Gukban said.

"I wish to ask of you both one thing." Seungman said.

"What is it?" Galmunwang Gukban asked.

"I want to have my share of the family inheritance." Seungman replied.

"It's all yours to take." Galmunwang Gukban said.

"Not for myself." Seungman replied.

"If it's not for you then whose is it?" Lady Wolmyeong asked.

"There is still so much for me to accomplish, the wealth that you have all gathered over the years is but a fraction which I intend to multiply until I am very powerful to possess this country." Seungman replied.

"Are you going to rebel?" Galmunwang Gukban asked.

"No." Seungman replied.

"It only sounds that way." Lady Wolmyeong said.

"I know that you would wish that I got married to a loving husband and that at least I raised a family of my own but if I must be selfish, I don't wish to be selfish when it comes to a man but I want to be selfish when it comes to Shilla." Seungman replied.

"My dear, shall you tread for yourself a similar path as Her Highness Princess Deokman?" Lady Wolmyeong asked.

"Perhaps." Seungman replied, "I want to be the first female Galmunwang but much more than that I noticed that unless I indulge myself in the politics of this country I won't be able to rule it when the time comes." She added.

"Rule it?" Galmunwang Gukban asked.

"Yes Father." Seungman replied with a smile on her face.

"Why must you say this to us, I believe that we have buried way too many people because of these politics you don't hope that we should also bury our daughter as well." Lady Wolmyeong said.

"Father knows why?" Seungman replied and Lady Wolmyeong turned to her husband.

"Dear, what does she mean?" Lady Wolmyeong asked.

"When you were pregnant and I had just learnt of the news back then, I went to the temple in Chopalhye and after I received a vision I consulted with Master Gongsung." Galmunwang Gukban replied.

"And what did he say?" Lady Wolmyeong asked.

"Our Daughter was destined for greatness and regardless of what we do he made me realize that even up to this day it can never erase the fact that she will at one point mark the very last of the Seonggol Kings to reign over Shilla." Galmunwang Gukban replied.

"That was the true essence of the Prophecy, the phase of the rebel was something that my Uncle Galmunwang Baekban manipulated so that he would have his way and kill me." Seungman replied.

"Kill you?" Lady Wolmyeong said.

"There was nothing to be bitter between himself and I, his only fear was that he kept a grandmaster of divination whose whereabouts now still unknown but if there is a reason that he was pushed to persecute me and Princess Deokman at that time so that he would become the ruler of our Heavenly Kingdom it was because that Grandmaster had told him that the Seonggol born child born of his brother shall be the very one to seal his bane." Seungman replied.

"How did you learnt about this?" Lady Wolmyeong asked.

"I was so confident I would have tried to rule this country Seventeen years ago, had it not been for the thought of you coming or myself learning that you would be my bane I wouldn't have hesitated." Galmunwang Baekban said to me." She replied.

"So all this time he simply rebelled out of fear?" Lady Wolmyeong asked.

"Perhaps." Galmunwang Gukban said.

"Regardless of the situation and the circumstance I must guard against any possibility that could hinder my most grandiose dream and it might in deed sound too vexatious but it is something that I am most confident shall in the end work out for me." Seungman replied.

"Alright." Lady Wolmyeong replied.

Princess Deokman was in her Chambers when the doors were flung open and Boyeong walked in.

"Your Highness." She said quickly.

"What is it?" Princess Deokman asked.

"His Majesty the King." Boyeong replied.

"Father?" Princess Deokman replied as she hurriedly got up and she rushed all the way to Ilsan Palace, there she found Princess Cheonmyeong waiting along with Kim Yongsu and some Royal physicians.

"How is His Majesty?" Princess Deokman asked their leader.

"His Majesty might have regained consciousness but I am afraid to say that he won't survive this night." The Physician replied.

"What?" Princess Deokman asked.

"It is the last radiance of the setting sun." The Royal Physician replied as Seungman stumbled while she tightly held her chest.

"Can I see him?" Princess Deokman asked.

"We have all seen him, he was requesting to at least see you." Princess Cheonmyeong replied and at once her sister strode into the room.

Arriving there, she looked at her father who was lying down on the bed and when she was a couple of metres away from him, he seemed to have noticed her presence that he opened his eyes.

"Deokman?" He called.

"Father?" She replied.

"It feels like I have been having a very long dream." King Jinpyeong said.

"You were only sleeping." Princess Deokman replied as she sat by the bed.

"I am too old that even I have lost track of time." King Jinpyeong said.

"We all grow old father, I remember that seventeen years ago even as a young girl when I could look at you I could see that you were strong." Princess Deokman said.

"I desired to push up to a hundred years but I pulled out a bit too soon." King Jinpyeong said.

"Don't say that." Princess Deokman said.

"I can only hold the Crown responsible, it's weight so unbearable that I had only wished to bring you up like any other carefree Princess." King Jinpyeong said.

"But I am a King's Daughter and I learnt from you that even above my own welfare I loved Shilla so much." Princess Deokman said.

"I know that you do." King Jinpyeong said, "I ceased to fight that and I only decided to embrace it." He added.

"Thank you." Princess Deokman said.

"No thank you." King Jinpyeong replied.

"Sometimes I know I wasn't the best daughter." Princess Deokman said

"But for you to love my Kingdom perhaps much more than I loved it was the most wonderful thing that you ever did to me." King Jinpyeong said.

"We quarreled oftenly, I threw tantrums, I thought that perhaps if I was very wise you would be so proud of me, now that I look back I realised that all I needed was to have your blood flowing through my veins and that was enough." Princess Deokman said.

"For any parent as long as their children can live then it makes them proud enough and I trust you not to be the greatest or the best but only to be the most capable there is to succeed me." King Jinpyeong Said.

"Father, don't say that, you know that Galmunwang Baekban has been defeated and as you wished he has been slain." Princess Deokman said.

"A sibling rivalry bitter as this one is sometimes unavoidable when ut comes to politics, win or lose, the result is the same that for a monarch you are forever destined to be alone for each and every day of your life." King Jinpyeong said.

"I always thought that I would have Princess Cheonmyeong by my side." Princess Deokman said.

"Where is Seungman?" King Jinpyeong asked.

"She is at Ganglyeoghan Palace, she just came back from Gokhyeonwangsa Temple yesterday." Princess Deokman replied.

"That girl is excellent and that girl is marvellous, in her you can confide your deepest secrets and perhaps with her the burden of ruling doesn't have to weigh so much on your shoulders." King Jinpyeong said.

"Thank you father, I know that." Princess Deokman said.

"If you can keep all arms in power each shall contend with the other's might and that shall hinder another from dominating.

If you can bring your friends very close, closer should be your enemies for you to watch and closest should be the very people that you trust shall never betray you." King Jinpyeong said.

Every man has a weakness that doesn't leave you as an exception as well but what most weaknesses can also be is also the very strengths upon which you should build all your dreams and grandiose achievements." King Jinpyeong added.

"Yes father." Princess Deokman replied.

"I am convinced that there is no task that you can not do and I guarantee that you have been commissioned by Heaven for greatness so it should be your embrace.

You can accomplish what your forefather King Jinheung wanted from where I have stopped and please stand not weak and frail but strong and mighty in every fight to claim victory as your own.

In the end of it all see not just division and truimph over disaster but try even if you must die doing it to unite the Three Kingdoms of Samhan." King Jinpyeong said.

"This is my calling, this is my greatest dream, I have listened with my whole heart and I have devoted my all, I won't let those that preceded us down and I wish to create a standard for those that shall succeed us one day, I won't let you down." Princess Deokman said.

King Jinpyeong raised both his hands and he tightly held his daughter's hand.

"I see the whole world crumbling and everything is slowly turning dark, my eyelids are heavy and I am breathing but breaking slowly and slowly.

It feels so cold right now and I want to shiver but I can not, my bones are stiff at the moment my lips feel dry as my throat is doing at the very moment." King Jinpyeong said.

"A good night's sleep will do." Princess Deokman said.

"Guard my Kingdom Deokman, protect it." King Jinpyeong said.

"Yes Father." Princess Deokman replied as he started to slowly close his eyes.

"Remember even if you must die doing it to unite the Three Kingdoms of Samhan." he added and there and then his hand let go and fell down while he breathed his last.

"Your Majesty?" Princess Deokman called.

"Your Majesty?" She cried out at that moment when everyone else who was inside walked in.

Princess Cheonmyeong and Lady Manmyeong seeing him first they exploded in tears while Princess Deokman withdrew.

"I am sorry Your Highness, the King is dead." The Royal Physician said after he examined the body.

Yushin Rang who was around turned around and looked at Princess Deokman.

"Long Live the King." He said as he went down onto his knees and everyone who was present in the room did the same as well.

"His Majesty has loved us all equally and he has blessed us all with the abundance if heaven, he has cared for each and everyone of us as his own and he has decreed that I ascend the throne in his place." Princess Deokman said.

"Your Majesty, we await your orders." Yushin Rang said.

"Have word sent out throughout the Kingdom and let it be made known to all men and scholars, women and children alike, let all Creation rejoice and let their praise go up to heaven, Long Live Queen Seondeok, the First Female King of Shilla." Princess Deokman said.

"Yes Your Highness." Yushin Rang replied.

"Everyone in their respective positions travelled around the whole Palace and then the whole city as they wire plain white attires and the Palace itself was decorated with black and white decorating to give it a full appearance, the King had died and they had a New RULER Queen Seondeok.

The members of the Royal family had gathered in the courtyard which was stationed right outside the throne room and there They mourned while the King's body was covered in flowers and a few incense sticks were being burned around it.

There right behind his casket there was a golden plaque and on it were the words, "KING JINPYEONG OF SHILLA."

Princess Deokman walked from the crowds and there she spread ashes as not long after, the King's body was carried away in a procession towards Gyeongsang Province while she stood at the pavilion that overlooked the Capital.

She was still dressed in her mourning attire when Seungman walked up to her also dressed the same

"Your Majesty." She called.

"Haven't we buried too many people already?" Princess Deokman asked.

"I am afraid not." Seungman replied.

"Of course." Princess Deokman said.

"You can't be too certain that there won't be too many traitors next time and you also won't be too certain which of your closest relatives and disciples will either fall sick or die fighting for you whether in battle or in resistance." Seungman replied.

"There is so much for me to do." Princess Deokman said.

"All the same there is a very great burden for the both of us to bear." Seungman replied.

"I agree." Princess Deokman said.

"I am humbled." Seungman replied.

"All this is the land of our ancestors and before our eyes the vast expanse of Seoraebeol, the heart of Shilla." Princess Deokman said.

"It's all yours now." Seungman said.

"And some day it shall be yours as well." Princess Deokman said.

"We must guard and we must keep, with our blood we must protect and with our own hands and swords we must strangle and slay.

We are inhumane, we can no longer love despite being very close to the most wonderful men in the world that make us feel alive.

Our hearts are to be hard like stone and we can never show how soft we are, only stern in each and every way that we should present ourselves.

No transparency, give only what is asked of you and show the world what they want to see, no one can know when we shed our tears and no one can be there to console us or offer their shoulders as the abode for our comfort." Seungman said.

"Alas, the throne has taken from us much more than it has given." Princess Deokman said.

"It is time Your Majesty, it's our time to rise." Seungman replied as she smiled with Princess Deokman while the both of them looked at the lovely city of theirs.

Princess Deokman was getting dressed in the Royal robes and outside in the Courtyard people had gathered as the aristocratic families were dressed in all their splendour while the Courtiers looked no different.

There Courtyard beamed with so much celebration and dancers all over the place entertained the guests as Kim Yongchun stepped forward on a nearby platform with a scroll in his hand.

The Dancers concluded and the attention shifted to him.

"BY THE WILL OF HEAVEN, THE ROYAL DYNASTY SHALL RESUME, WITH ALL CREATION ON ITS KNEES WE GIVE THANKS AND TODAY A NEW LIGHT SHALL SHINE THROUGHOUT THE KINGDOM, WE LOOK TO A FUTURE WHOSE AUGUST SHALL FOREVER REMAIN UNCHALLENGED AND BEFORE US ALL TODAY, OUR HEAVENLY KINGDOM OF SHILLA BE GRACED WITH THE REIGN OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN SEONDEOK NOW AND FOREVER." Kim Yongchun read.

Immediately the gates of the Courtyard were opened and Queen Seondeok appeared in her scarlet robes with black and gold, they were adorned with intricate Phoenix designs and she had a very long train that stretched up to ten feet long.

She marched down the red carpet as she reached the foot of the stairs where she looked at the throne soaring above.

Slowly she mounted them one by one and the moment that she arrived she moved around it and eventually halted in front of it and raised her hands.

"Long Live Your Majesty." Everyone said in unison as they went down onto their knees and they bowed their heads.

Staring at the Kingdom honouring her she was content that was the very beginning of a golden age for her Shilla to then fluorish she smiled.