ROYAL COURT: PART ONE

The peaceful and relaxing afternoon of the palace was interrupted by the noise emitting from the Geunjeongjeon, the hall of diligence governance. Officials littered the hall in preparation for the royal session about to begin. Assuming their places, the civil officials were lined in rows on the left side of the hall, with the high-ranking officials positioned at the front and the low-ranking ones situated at the back .

At the right side of the hall were the military officials, similarly arranged by rank,with the Minister of war Ryu Ji Hwan heading the row. Prime Minister Daeho stood tall among the civil officials on the left. With both Ministers standing closest to the throne at the head of the hall.

The Queen and king's arrival was announced as the wide double doors of the hall opened. All the officials in the hall bowed their heads to pay their respects as they both walked in.

Seol Na followed behind the king who strode towards his throne at a commanding pace. Her chin up as she walked through the sea of officials, although the officials had their heads in a bow, there were quiet murmurs among the crowd about the Queen's presence in court today, as it was rare to have the Queen attend the Royal court or more or less attend together with the king.

Seol Na's expression remained stoic she settled into the seat they had prepared for her near the king. Even though she and the king were on rocky terms, she had purposefully waited for his palanquin to arrive at the entrance before she entered so it could seem that they arrived together, this little act of hers seem like nothing but sent a strong message across.

When both monarchies had settled down, the king signaled for the session to begin.

Prime Minister Daeho, the old minister in his late sixties cleared his throat, his head hung low in a bow as he addressed the king.

"Jeonha…." He called slowly, his voice reverberating through the grand hall,silencing any quiet murmurs among the officials.

"With your permission"he paused.

"This court would like to continue from where we stopped in discussing the unfortunate events ravaging the outskirts of our great kingdom of Jocheon".

Prime minister Daeho raised his head to see the king's expression and with a slight nod from the king he continued.

"The plague. The unforgivable act anchored by our enemies from the Qung has left our great empire vulnerable. His expression falling at the weight of his announcement.

"Our defense is at a critical point as we have spent months wasting resources on a plague, whereby a cure has yet to be found by our physicians.

"Jeonha…." He mouthed slowly once again and continued.

"I am afraid we don't have the luxury of pampering this plague any longer , just as we discussed we need to take matters into our own hands before things get out of hand". He finished woefully, his expression looked pitiful as he immersed himself in a deep bow and the hall broke out in murmurs once again.

Ryu Ji hwan watched the old man's act and sighed within himself, he was not the only one, a small number of officials scattered around the hall voiced their disapproval in quiet side talks once again disrupting the peace.

Seol Na watched the episode of divided officials, her eyes lingering on the Prime Minister. He was a crafty fellow. Hearing it from her father alone wasn't enough_ she now saw it firsthand. The man knew how to play his cards well. Shifting uncomfortably in her seat, her gaze drifted back to the king whose stoic expression remained unchanged. Something about his calm demeanor vexed her, perhaps because she already knew who he would rule in favor of..

"Jeonha….", a deep, smooth voice rumbled throughout the entire hall, drawing all eyes to it's bearer. The voice belonged to the right chancellor Han Ji yun. In a deep bow,he spoke calmly.

"I am fully aware of the burden of leadership upon your shoulders and I do not wish to make light of it" he announced.

"But I plead with you to reconsider burning down the villages, the Prime Minister's claim is preposterous, we ca….

"HAN JI YUN!!!!"

A shout came out of the crowd of officials at the right, interrupting his words , it was no other than the left chancellor Hwang joo won, he continued, with a playful smile.

"I suggest you think carefully, chancellor. Disrespecting certain figures in court is a mistake you may soon regret." The voice warned lightly as if reprimanding a child.

Han ji yun raised his head locking eyes with Hwang joo won's gaze. A faint flicker of defiance crossed his face, though his lips remained pressed tight, revealing nothing further. This old fool got some nerves.