December of the year 949 was particularly cold. The astronomer informed the king that cold winds coming from Siberia and passing through the cold deserts of Khitan will be felt in Songak. The chilly weather will only end in the third week of December, when the winds will finally go to the Yellow Sea and to the Land of Wa. Also, it was just in time for the festival. Goryeo was truly lucky that year. After the political tribulations, they finally got themselves a rightful and just king. There were no droughts, barely any crimes, and business was good. Most of all, Goryeo will be able to celebrate the exorcism rite festival in peace. If they were lucky, they might just witness the first snow on the day of the festival.

Days before the exorcism rites, a rumor among civilians and vendors was already spreading like wildfire. Guessing by the increase in shipment of goods and people working double-time for the festival, it was probably a good rumor.

"Ya! Did you hear? The King and the Queen will visit the market after the exorcism rites!," one of the merchants muttered while he was fixing his display table.

"Where in the world did you hear that from, ahjussi?," one of the merchant's helper boy asked him incredulously.

"I think it's true," an older neighboring merchant butt in. "I believe I saw the King when he was still an 18-year old prince, running around the market place."

"That was seven years ago, ahjussi."

"You're right. Ever since that day, I haven't seen the 4th prince during the festival. However, around five or six years ago, I suddenly saw a noble couple that I knew weren't Songak residents." the others started listening to him intently. "You know this city, almost everybody knows each other. Anyway, I've never seen this couple before, yet they were strangely familiar."

"Could those two be the King when he was still a prince, and the Queen when she was still a court lady?,"

"I believe so! The man did not have a mask, and his face was smooth, but he had the same nose and the same cheekbones of the 4th prince."

"Wow... I'd really like to meet the King and the Queen," the helper boy declared.

"Eh? Why would you want that?," his master asked.

"I have a strong feeling that Pyeha would be the one who can change my fate someday," he smiled. Of course, he received a knock on the head from his master. He was still a servant boy after all. But hopefully, not for long.

"I will appoint Jung as the Fangxiangshi because of his knowledge in martial arts. Wook will be the Chan Soo. My other brothers and nephews will perform as Jin Ja. Any questions?," So declared.

The King had a short meeting with his brothers, nephews, and some court officials. The Queen was also present.

"Pyeha, don't you think it's proper for Wook hyung-nim to be the Fangxiangshi?," Jung asked, seemingly doubting himself.

"Wook-ie is skilled in swordsmanship and archery, but you are an expert in hand-to-hand combat. The latter is more useful as a Fangxhiangshi, Jung-ah," So answered. After Jung's question, everyone nodded their heads in approval of the King's decision.

"If no one else has questions, then you are all dismissed." the princes and court officials exited the throne room, leaving the King and Queen behind.

So was fixing his scrolls when Soo cleared her throat daintily, trying to catch her husband's attention. So averted his attention to his wife, who was standing still in front of the throne. He knew she was wearing her expression of mischievousness, and he rolled his eyes as he knew what was to come from his beloved wife.

"Soo-ya, what is it?," he asked obliviously, or at least he made it seem like he did not know what his wife was going to ask.

"Have you forgotten our tradition?," Soo pouted. She leaned closer to the railings of the throne, placing her hands on it and resting her head.

He raised his brows in defiance and smirked. "Evidently not since I just assigned the masters of ceremony for the exorcism rites."

"No, not that! I meant our tradition for six years already!," she answered in annoyance.

"Eh? What do you me..." So tried to say casually. "Oh! That tradition! The one where you abduct a prince and drag him into the cold streets of the marketplace to see girly lanterns."

"I did not abduct you! You willingly came." the Queen scoffed indignantly. "And if I did not know better, I would say you actually like it!"

"Oh, really? Well I- I-"

"I mean, we were barely 19 years old when we first escaped the palace to visit the marketplace. I still vividly remember how your face turns red when I would hold your hand," Soo smirked back. Two can play the teasing game.

So could not hide the reddening of his cheeks and the aversion of his gaze. Truth be told, their short-lived rendezvous before their coronation was some of the highlights of his life. For a few hours, they would forget the vileness of the palace to go out and experience the chilly winds of December. They have done it for almost six years now, and he really did not want to break their tradition; he was merely teasing her.

"Araso, araso." he answered his wife in defeat, though, he never had a chance of winning in the first place. "We will sneak out after the rites."

The exorcism rites went smoothly, much to the King's pleasure. They also held a short ceremony for King Hyejong, who was the Fangxiangshi for many years during King Taejo's reign. In the palace, everyone knew how much the King loved his brother Moo. After many stories were told, everyone finally knew who saved So the night he acquired his scar and was bleeding his face out.

The King and Queen immediately left after the exorcism rites, retreating to their chambers with the pretense that they were tired. They excused their attendants, telling them that they will get ready for bed themselves. It was not such an absurd request, the royal couple usually handled personal care themselves anyway. When they finally got to their room, Soo immediately removed the King's headdress and tied his hair in a high ponytail. So did the same by helping Soo get out of her heavy robes, wigs, and intricate hairpins. They dressed appropriately for the festival, quite lavish but not enough to catch attention.

Years of living in the palace as a troublesome prince and a senior court lady had its advantages. They knew every nook and cranny, every single passage way, and even the areas that were least guarded. The couple sneaked out casually, hands tied together and heart fluttering. Sometimes they would whisper and utter jokes, to which Soo would shush his husband lest they be heard.

They finally reached the marketplace, and it seemed like the party was just starting, although it was almost nine in the evening. Colorful lanterns were hung through cords in between trees. There were numerous stalls of sweets, rice cakes, accessories, and even toys. A group of performers were parading all over the place, and a crowd was trailing behind them. Some tight rope performers were readying their equipment on the side of the town, and civilians were scurrying about to view the spectacle.

"Pyeha, look!," Soo pointed at some toy displays. "Do you think our newborn niece will like this?,"

"I reckon Eun has already bought and made all the possible toys in the world for her," So answers smartly, and Soo pouts in response.

"But we have not given her anything yet since she was born a week ago," the Queen huffs in frustration. She scans the marketplace for better gifts. "Ah, I know! Did you bring some silver? Let's buy a few yards of good silk. I thought of something good."

The couple proceeded to a store known to be the supplier of the royal household. Everything there was undoubtedly expensive, and only nobles and royals could afford the the exquisite fabrics being sold. As such, the store owner has been inside the palace many times in order to cater to the needs of the royal family. When the King and Queen entered his store's premises, he could not help but draw an audible gasp.

"P-Pyeha! Hwanghu!," he immediately scrambled to his knees and bowed down entirely, his face on the floor. "You... You really are here. I- ah... W-What brings you h-here?,"

"Please stand up, ahjussi," So smiled at the aged store owner. "The Queen and I are here to buy some good silk."

While the couple was scanning around and surveying the silk that was being presented to them, a nosy helper boy overheard how the fabric store owner addressed his customers.

The Queen chose a light pink silk that the store owner said came from Nanjing, and was one of the finest silks that he had. So paid for the fabric, and let his wife out of the store by the waist. They joined the festivities once again, and ate a few snacks along the way. After almost an hour of walking around, they finally arrived at their destination, the pond in Songak where all the big and extravagant lanterns were displayed and floated.

So and Soo usually prayed for well-being, protection, and guidance when they were younger. But this time, they came to the prayer pond for something specific. The imperial couple walked towards the lantern of the jumping carp, and looked at each other longingly. They joined their hands in prayer, and mumbled words that could only be heard by them and their hearts. When So finished, he hugged his wife by the shoulders, bringing a hand to her belly while lightly pecking a kiss on her temple.

"Let's go home." So whispered. Yes, maybe... Finally, the palace could be called home.

As they walked back, a grimy boy no older than 12 stumbled upon them. He bowed down low in acknowledgement and whispered. "I know who you are, Pyeha. Everyone in Goryeo knows what you've been through. I just hope, one day, you can help a slave like me."

The next day, the King and Queen visited the southern residences in the palace, the house of the 10th prince and Lady Park. Soo stayed up all night to sew the silk that they bought, and honestly, upon seeing the results of his wife's work, So could not understand what it was that Soo made. But since she had a satisfied face after finishing the sewing, he was satisfied for her too.

"Eun-ie, Deok-ah!," So shouted. They came unannounced and there were very few eunuchs and court ladies in the southern residences that day.

"Hyung-nim! Soo-ya!," Eun and Soon Deok came out from one of the rooms. Soon Deok was carrying their baby, and she looked pale and tired, but she was still standing firmly and smiling brightly.

"Oh, sorry. I meant Pyeha and Soo Hwanghu." Eun grinned.

"It's fine Eun," So smiled affectionately at his younger brother. "Soo-ya and I brought a gift that we thought you might like. Although, I don't exactly know..."

"It's a baby cloth sling!," she smiled triumphantly. Everyone looked at her like she was some weird object.

"A what?," they all said in unison.

"Here, let me put it on you Deok-ah." Soon Deok gave the baby to Eun to hold for a second while Soo wrapped the silk around her shoulder. She reached out for her niece and placed her inside the cloth. Everyone's eyes went wide after seeing Soo's invention.

"Soo-ya, you're a genius!," Eun laughed absentmindedly while admiring Soo's handiwork.

"Thank you, Your Majesties! Now I can take care of our baby without tiring my body too much, thanks to this support cloth." Soon Deok smiled appreciatively while holding Soo's hands.

"You are so lucky to have many doting uncles and aunts around you, my beautiful Wang Min." Eun smiled fondly at his daughter while he cooed her and poked her chubby cheeks.

Author's Notes:

This chapter has so many symbolism and foretelling embedded in it. I don't want to elaborate it, since it would take away the artistry of the writing LOL. But I will enumerate it, and I hope that each and everyone of my readers will find out and appreciate the meaning.

1. The slave child

2. Jumping carp

3. Eun and Deok's child

Anyway, I read that "Min" means brightness, and I thought it was so apt for Eun and Soon Deok's first child. I hope you guys enjoyed! Please tell me if you like or dislike this way of storytelling where consecutive scenes were narrated in one chapter.

BTW, I also edited chapter two and removed the part where So emancipated slaves since it breaks my narrative LOL. It will come in time in this story.