When I woke up, I found myself lying on a couch in what I surmised was one of the palace rooms. I could see the emperor conversing with two men who had also been by his side earlier in the throne room. One was middle-aged and obviously upset, while the other was a tall, broad-shouldered young man who looked like he could lift a horse. After another moment Soo-Won realized I was awake and hurried over with an apologetic smile.
"I'm glad to see that you are awake, Miss Lily," he said cheerily.
I merely stared at him, completely dumbfounded. Seeing that I wasn't going to reply he cleared his throat and continued, "I apologize about earlier. I can imagine that it must have been a shock for you."
This allusion to the events that had just passed finally broke my silence. "Your majesty," I ventured timidly, "about earlier…what did you mean?"
"Exactly what I said," he replied matter-of-factly, "I intend to make you my bride and the queen of this kingdom, if you will have me."
At this the stern looking, middle-aged man who was with him snorted, "If she will have you? Nonsense!" but was quickly silenced by a look from Soo-Won.
Turning his attention back to me, he took my hands and said softly, "So what do you say, Lily? Will you be my bride?"
I could feel myself blushing again, but I managed to stammer. "B-But your majesty…why me?"
He smiled and answered, "You are the only one who passed my test." Seeing my confused expression, he explained, "To make things more interesting, I wore my crown upside down, having decided that the woman who was brave enough to speak up and tell me would be my wife. You were the only girl in the whole room who did so."
I stared at him in disbelief for a moment then sighed inwardly. He really was unbelievable. To him, all of this was nothing more than a game.
Keeping my thoughts to myself, I said politely, "But your majesty, by law I belong to the Kawashima family. I cannot leave their service without their consent."
He waved his hand impatiently. "Don't worry about that; it's already been taken care of."
I caught my breath at his words. "You can't mean…I'm free?"
He nodded succinctly in reply. I sank back down to the sofa, taking in this news. To think that after all these years, I had been freed so easily. Although it was true that I had originally started working at the Kawashima Estate by choice, once I entered, I had become nothing more than a slave and was unable to leave.
I was on the verge of jumping up and hugging him when a new thought occurred to me. If I became the emperor's wife, I wouldn't really be free. It would be like entering a new kind of bondage. I had read enough books to know that being queen was not as glamorous as it was made out to be. I had no desire to be the victim of an assassination plot or a member of a harem with many women competing for his attention. I appraised Soo-Won silently. He seemed kind enough, but if he was anything like the rumors said, he would certainly use for me his pleasure for a week or two and then quickly replace me another woman. I shuddered involuntarily at the thought. But what could I do? It's not like I had a choice in the matter. Unless... A crazy plan began to take shape in the back of my mind. It was risky, but if it worked…
I pushed away my fears and said in the most confident voice I could muster, "I will be your wife, if you agree to a few conditions."
He looked a bit surprised, but asked me what they were. Taking a deep breath to keep my voice from shaking, I continued.
"First, I would like to have a year of courtship before the official wedding ceremony. Of course, we will also save all intimacy," I could feel the color in my cheeks rising, "for when we are married."
"Is there anything else, Miss Lily?" he said in a tone that made me wonder if he was teasing me.
My head was pounding at the idiocy of what I was about to say, but I had come this far so I barreled on. "U-Um, also I would like the right to break the engagement and leave, with sufficient compensation, if you form a romantic relationship with other women during this time, i-if that's alright."
The whole time I was speaking I had been looking at the ground, but once I finished, I stole a glance around the room. Soo-Won had a hard-to-read expression on his face, but he didn't look displeased. However, the older man who was with him was outraged.
"What on earth makes you think that you, a mere servant girl, have any right to bargain with the emperor?" he practically shouted at me, but Soo-Won quickly put up his hand to stop him.
"I accept," he said.
"Pardon me, your majesty?" I said incredulously, not believing my ears.
"I said I accept your conditions, Miss Lily," he repeated with a cheeky grin. "It sounds interesting."
I was stunned, but before I had time to say anything else, he clapped his hands and called, "Ayura! Tetora!"
Two very neat looking ladies entered the room. One was about my age while the other was much older, but still quite lovely. They were wearing matching aprons and had their hair pinned in coiled buns at the nape of their necks. Perfectly in sync, they bowed low while Soo-Won went through introductions.
"Lily, this is Ayura," he gestured first towards the older woman, "and Tetora. They will be your personal ladies' maids. Please don't hesitate to ask them for anything that you need."
I stared in wonder for a second, and then quickly nodded. The irony was not lost on me that just a few minutes ago I had been a servant myself, and now I had two maids ready to answer my every beck and call.
"Well then," he continued pleasantly, "we have much to talk about, but I'm sure that you are tired from your…eventful day. Rest up in your room for now, and we will see each other again at dinner. Ayura, Tetora," turning to the two women, "please take Lady Lily to her chambers."
At this the two ladies bowed even deeper, then moved to leave. Seeing that I was expected to follow them, I dropped a curtsy and then hurried behind them. As I took one final glance back before the door shut, I could still see Soo-Won staring at me strangely. As I was led through a maze of hallways, there was only one thing clear in my spinning mind. I was going to be free.