THE TEST

"Didnt I tell you? Suk-bin is a very dangerous woman, how can she accuse me of poisoning her son?" The queen rants to the king.

"Now is not the time to be like this Queen, Yeoning is still laying unconscious."

"So what are you going to do regarding the false accusations made against me?" she asks again.

"Just ignore them, I am turning a blind eye to it too."

"You trust me to that extent?" The queen asks with a smile.

"Not that I trust you, but I know you won't be stupid enough to attack my son right under my nose, with poison."

Immediately, the smile on the queen's face turns to a frown. "You still don't trust me? Even after all these years?"

"Please retire to your chambers, as soon as the mourning is over, focus on the marriage procedures."

"Then what about Suk-bin?" She asks again. "Isn't she leaving the palace anymore?"

"Not after when her son was poisoned by someone she isn't sure of." He sighs heavily. "I will appoint the crown prince soon."

"I hope you make the right decision."

"Do you consider appointing your son as crown prince the right decision?"

"It's only right you appoint the queen's son as the crown prince." She replies whispering.

"I will observe the both of them, and choose without being biased, which one of them is fit or qualified to be the king."

"Observe them? How?"

************

"How do you intend on doing that your majesty?" Jawon asks.

"I will put the both of them to a test." He replies and drops the brush which he was using to write something. "One of them must be better than the other."

"So, you are judging them on what grounds?" He asks again.

"Their hearts." He picks up the paper and runs his eyes through it for a moment, then drops it again. "I need to find out what they feel for the people they are going to govern."

"Then I guess you are taking them outside the palace walls."

"Of course." The king nods gently with smiles. "The people I govern are outside the palace, not here."

"When are you starting the test?"

"As soon as Prince Yeoning regains consciousness."

*************

She stops walking immediately she sees a young lady standing in front of her chambers. "Who is this?" She asks no one in particular.

"That's Jang Ok Jung your majesty." Lady Sung replies.

"How dare she come here?" The queen asks again and approaches her furiously. "Look here." She calls the attention of Ok Jung.

"Your majesty." She bows on sight of the queen.

"What are you doing here?"

"I got lost on my way to see the prince."

The queen humps. "See the prince for what? You aren't even married, yet you already pay him outrageous visits."

"I only came here when I heard he was poisoned by a mysterious monster." OkJung whispers and gently raises her head.

"How dare you? Are you accusing me of poisoning Prince Yeoning too?"

"No." She shakes her head. "How can I dare accuse the queen of the nation of such?"

"You had better not try anything funny if you want to walk out if the palace alive."

OkJung moves a bit closer to the queen and whispers. "I heard there is a terrible creature hunting people down in the palace."

The queen frowns a bit and asks. "What are you talking about?"

"No one is sure of the monster yet, but one thing is for sure. I will protect Yeoning from that monster."

"Is that a threat?!" The queen asks raising her voice.

"Just make sure I don't marry him, cause If I do, the first thing I will take from you is." She points to the queen's chambers. "GYOTAEJEONG."

She jolts back a bit with fear, cold sweats already covered her fore head. "Who on earth are you to threaten me?"

Ok King smiles and bows. "I will see you later your majesty." She walks out.

"Your majesty." Lady Sung runs to her madam and holds her with both hands. "What happened? What did she tell you that left you in this manner?"

"Are you sure you took care of the poison seller and left no traces at all?" She asks whispering.

"I am very sure of that your majesty."

"What made her so confident in herself? She was threatening me with boldness."

"I am sure she is just buffing, she can't do anything."

"Get me Tae won."

***********

"Any positive news yet?" Dong ju asks his superior as he walks behind him alongside Baek Dol.

"Not yet." Man Ho shakes his head. "What about you guys? Have you seen or heard of anything yet?"

"Still as the same sir, I eve-" Baek Dol stops talking in a rush as soon as he sees Ok Jung walking towards them, he finds himself clinching his fists and moves a few steps back in fear. "She is the one." He whispers as she finally walks past him.

"Hey!" Dong Ju hits his head. "Get it together, I brought you here to look for someone not to fantasize over a pretty noble lady."

"She is the one." He whispers still looking at her.

"What are you talking about?" Man Ho asks.

"That is who we are looking for."

"Don't be ridiculous, how can a woman possibly take on-"

"Will I not know who turned me to a disable?!" He asks loudly cutting Man Ho off.

"Dong Ju, follow that lady and find out who she is."

"Yes sir." He nods and takes off.

"I knew it, I said it, that person was looking too beautiful to be a man, I should have followed my instincts and looked for a man for the past two years." Baek Dol rants.

"I will not spare you if she isn't the one we are looking for, I will kill you myself if you are wrong."

"I will take my own life if I am wrong." Baek Dol says sternly.