Eps 13 : Light Petals in The Palace

"Your Majesty must pay your respects slowly. The two candles on your right and left are used so that you can salute gently and quietly. " Obviously, Court Lady Nam is a senior court lady who will become Jung Yeon Hee's main assistant after being crowned queen later.

Today's sun was not yet fully at the top of the sky, but Jung Yeon Hee had been woken up since dawn to start practicing for the wedding procession. Yeon Hee is currently practicing saluting.

Yeon Hee had a hard time bowing respectfully. Her head felt heavy, making it difficult for her to lower her head. Yeon Hee smirked again. The girl's hand went up to fix the position of the daesu—the crowns the queen and crown princess wear at their weddings and coronations, made of hair coils and decorated with hair ornaments and ribbons—which rested on top of her head.

Seeing Yeon Hee having a hard time again, Court Lady Nam couldn't help but smile. Through her body movements, Court Lady Nam encourages Yeon Hee not to be discouraged during her wedding preparations.

For Yeon Hee, who used to be reckless, this wedding preparation training was very painful. The traditional dress she wore at her wedding ceremony was layered, so that it was very difficult for her to move. Not to mention the crown she was wearing—daesu, which was no less heavy. Yeon Hee wanted to scream and take off her wedding ceremony clothes as quickly as possible.

As if Yeon Hee's suffering today wasn't enough, her next training is to practice walking while holding a paeok—an ivory stick that represents the authority of power. Yeon Hee is expected to walk as gracefully as possible. That's why on Yeon Hee's arms were placed two plates. This is done so that Yeon Hee's arm doesn't move much.

"Your Majesty must go slowly. "This plate is placed so that your arm does not move much during walking and still holds the paeok properly," explained Court Lady Nam to Yeon Hee, who is now trying to walk without making any movement in her arm.

Unlike what Yeon Hee had previously thought, this walking practice was more difficult than saluting practice. Yeon Hee not only had to hold the plate so it wouldn't fall, but Yeon Hee also had to hold on to the headdress she was wearing. During the walking exercise, the plate that was placed on Yeon Hee's arm fell twice.

PRAANG

PRAANG

PRAANG

Yeon Hee glanced at Court Lady Nam. The girl grimaced as she looked at the broken plates scattered on the floor. Seeing Yeon Hee, who seemed to be unable to concentrate anymore, Court Lady Nam couldn't help but take a deep breath.

"I'm sorry, Court Lady Nam," said Yeon Hee, who looked back at the broken plate on the floor.

Court Lady Nam shook her head and smiled faintly. Court Lady Nam knows very well that Yeon Hee's training looks simple. But in doing so, it is not that simple. There are many rules that must be remembered in the royal wedding tradition.

"It's alright, Your Majesty. I feel like you need to rest, "concluded Court Lady Nam while looking gently at Yeon Hee.

Yeon Hee breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Court Lady Nam's decision. "Finally I can be free from this heavy dress and crown. Thank you, Court Lady Nam," muttered Yeon Hee, who was now starting to sit on the floor feeling like her back was going to break.

"You can rest for a while, Your Majesty. The training will last for five days in a row, so you have to do your best."

Yeon Hee listened to Court Lady Nam's advice with a tired expression. The girl couldn't wait to be able to rest and take off all her ceremonial clothes. So, Yeon Hee responded to Court Lady Nam's advice in a bored tone.

"Ye... ye... ye... Court Lady Nam. I understand, "replied Yeon Hee while trying to hold back sleep.

Court Lady Nam couldn't help but smile at the behavior of the future Queen. As silence fell on Yeon Hee's temporary residence in the palace pavilion, the Court Lady's announcement from the palace sewing department sounded at the entrance of Yeon Hee's room.

Hearing the announcement, Yeon Hee suddenly frowned. The girl immediately cast a questioning gaze at Court Lady Nam. And as if understanding the meaning of the surprised look Yeon Hee gave, Court Lady Nam immediately gave an explanation before inviting the Court Lady of the sewing department into the room.

"Your Majesty, the Court Lady of the Palace Sewing has brought you some new clothes. This afternoon, you are invited to a tea party with the Queen Dowager at the Hwol-gak pavilion. Therefore, Queen Dowager has prepared some new clothes for you."

Yeon Hee rolled her eyes at Court Lady Nam's explanation. Really, he didn't expect Queen Dowager Park to invite him to tea this afternoon. Immediately, a sense of restlessness enveloped Yeon Hee's heart.

"The Queen Dowager invited me to afternoon tea?" Good grief! Can't you pass a message if I don't feel good to him? Please, Court Lady Nam, I'm not ready to meet the Queen Dowager face-to-face. I...."

Yeon Hee didn't continue her words, realizing Court Lady Nam was trying to hold back her laughter because she saw her so nervous. It gave rise to a faint blush on both cheeks. Jung Yeon Hee could only lower her head, holding back embarrassment.

"You should immediately choose which clothes you will wear when attending the Queen Dowager's tea party this afternoon," said Court Lady Nam, as if to clarify that Yeon Hee could not be absent from the invitation.

...

Yeon Hee grumbled softly because time was running so fast. She had just closed her eyes for about half an hour when Court Lady Nam woke her up and asked to get ready for Queen Dowager Park tea. Yeon Hee is clearly annoyed that she still feels tired from a day of practicing wedding preparations. Although annoyed, Yeon Hee can only vent it by grumbling.

Jung Yeon Hee looked stunning this afternoon in a spring-style hanbok. Her black hair was neatly arranged in a braid and a daenggi adorned her thick silk braid. Her outward appearance contrasts sharply with the expression on her lovely face. Jung Yeon Hee is in a bad mood this afternoon.

With hasty steps, Yeon Hee walked out of the Byeolgung pavilion towards the Hwol-gak pavilion, where Queen Dowager Park's afternoon tea was being held. Not caring about several court ladies trailing behind her, Yeon Hee moved quickly while lifting her chima to make it easier to move.

Yeon Hee's annoyance vanished in the blink of an eye when she stepped into the courtyard of Hwol-gak's pavilion. The noble girl was stunned at how beautiful the pavilion was. It's not wrong if he had heard Court Lady Nam say that the Hwol-gak pavilion is one of the most beautiful pavilions in the palace.

Yeon Hee immediately forgot her anger. The girl ran a little while looking at the flower garden with a sparkling gaze. His laughter occasionally resonated as he touched some of his favorite flower bushes. Until Yeon Hee chose to stop and enjoy the view from a small bridge above the koi fish pond.

"Court Lady Nam, why didn't you tell me that this pavilion is so pretty? At least that way, I definitely won't feel annoyed because I'm going to visit this beautiful pavilion, "Yeon Hee protested, her gaze fixed on the plum blossom trees.

"Is it true that this pavilion is so beautiful? What if your beauty cannot match this pavilion?"

A deep voice that clearly wasn't Court Lady Nam's voice sounded right behind Yeon Hee. Suddenly, she immediately turned around and was surprised to find King Yeongan standing not far from her current place.

To be honest, Yeon Hee was stunned to see King Yeongan's visual this afternoon. A golden orange glow from the evening sun hit part of the king's face. The radiance framed King Yeongan's face very well, making his aura of a supreme leader radiate irresistibly. For a moment, Yeon Hee was at a loss for words.

Yi Baek smirked at his future wife—Jung Yeon Hee froze on the spot. Either the girl was admiring the visuals or she was completely shocked. Seeing that Yeon Hee could only freeze on the spot, Yi Baek didn't miss the opportunity to approach the girl. He took step by step to close the distance between them.

Until then, Yi Baek was standing in front of Yeon Hee. Yi Baek drew his gaze closer to Yeon Hee, his brown irises piercing.

"You have not answered my question. And I don't like being hanged for an answer, My Queen," Yi Baek whispered in Yeon Hee's ear.