Cheondeokjeon

Throne Room

"You have to draw me exactly how I look." So instructed the court artist as he watched the man skillfully apply more color to the drawing, He nodded as his talented hand moved smoothly, stopping only to view his king with a critical eye. "I need it to feel like they are looking at me even when they are looking at the drawing."

Ji Mong leaned over, frowning curiously as the drawing of So came to life. "Isn't the point of the drawing to show what you would look like in your older years, Pyeha?" He laced his hands behind his back. He shot a glance at the throne, then turn to So, chiding him. "You're not sitting in your throne. People would not know if you are a prince or a king. This will confuse people."

So raised a brow at his astronomer's inquiry, carefully explaining. "I'm still very young. Why draw a picture to hang after I die?" He smiled coolly, adding. "This drawing is a gift for one person. My queen."

Ji Mong grimaced slightly at the mention of Hae Soo. "Yes, Pyeha." He answered, attempting to remain neutral, resigned to this change of historical events for now.

"Have you brought the list of auspicious dates for the coronation of the queen?" So inquired as he turned his attention back to the artist busy with his sketching.

"I have calculated the most favorable dates for the marriage and coronation." Ji Mong replied, reaching into his sleeve for the report.

"Give the report to Eunuch Kim. I will have Baek Ah look the dates over." So ordered. "You may leave."

"Very good, Pyeha." The astronomer said as he handed the report over the aging court official, then headed out of the throne room without a backward glance.

So cocked his head as the artist silently continued to work as though nothing had transpired around him. Curious, So inquired. "What is your name?"

The young man stopped drawing. "Yi Neong, Pyeha." He bowed his head, respectfully avoiding the king's eyes.

"Raise your head." So commanded. Yi Neong lifted his head to look at his king. "Do not repeat what you hear within this room."

"Yes, Pyeha." He kowtowed low again, fearful of insulting So. Pens and brushes lay scattered about, the drawing unfinished under his knees.

"Please, continue with your work." So instructed. Yi Neong nodded but found that his hands were trembling too badly to continue.

"Prince Baek Ah has arrived, Pyeha." Eunuch Kim called out as the attendants opened the door for the young advisor.

So greeted his younger brother with a grin. "Ji Mong has brought the report of the favorable days for Soo's coronation."

"Very Good. Hae Soo will want to look it over, don't you think?" Baek Ah grinned at So as Eunuch Kim handed him the report. The Wang prince bent down to inspect the drawing of So, noticing Yi Neong's trembling hands. "You are very talented." Baek Ah smiled encouragingly at the artist, then glanced up at So. "Since you intend this drawing for Soo, why not have him draw her as well?"

So eyed his brother speculatively, then asked, "Do you think Soo would sit still long enough for a drawing?"

"It's hard to tell with Soo-ya." Baek Ah replied with a laugh as he opened the report to peruse. So returned his attention to the artist, still kneeling, frozen with anticipation. "Would you be able to finish the future queen's portrait before coronation?"

Yi Neong breathed a sigh of relief, standing he accepted the assignment. "Yes, Pyeha. I am most honored."

"I will send the guards for you tomorrow at dawn. You will be escorted to Manwoldae Palace instead of Cheondeokjeon." So regally informed Yi Neong. "Lady Hae Soo will be expecting you. Do you have everything you need to complete my drawing?"

"Yes, Pyeha, I can work on the drawing tonight at my residence." Yi Neong nodded with a grateful smile. Bending down, he carefully rolled the drawing, storing it away, then gathered up his supplies and awaited the king's command.

"You may leave." So got to his feet while two attendants removed the chair. Eunuch Kim showed Yi Neong out of the throne room and safely down the hall.

Baek Ah looked up from the report when So paced the floor, eyeing the throne. "What do you suggest, Baek Ah?"

"Soo is not like other women. I think she will want to be the one to choose the date. However, the New Year is only a couple of months away, I feel the sooner she is crowned, the better." Baek Ah studiously considered the variables as So came to a halt before his scribing table. "The envoy from the Song Dynasty will arrive during the New Year holiday therefore a queen would demonstrate Goryeo's stability in our own right."

"We must not give the ministers the chance to object." So concluded and Baek Ah nodded. "Once the date is set, the decree will be revealed to the public at the same time as to the ministers. We must keep our eyes and ears open for any treasonous plots. The time between the decree and the coronation will be the most dangerous."

Manwoldae

"Pyeha!" Grinning, Soo threw open the doors to the library with a harried Eunuch Yi trailing behind her. "Queen Shinjeong received a reply from the Ahn family." She waved the letter excitedly at So.

"Lady Hae, rushing about like this is not good for the baby." The elderly court official scolded her before remembering to bow to the king.

The Head Eunuch gave Soo a look of fond exasperation when she patted him affectionately on the back. "Aigoo! You and Eunuch Kim are such worry warts. We're fine."

So coughed, trying hard not to laugh at the eunuch's plight. The head eunuch and his queen-to-be turned their attention to him. "We'll take our tea here in the library, Eunuch Yi." He causally informed the eunuch.

"Very good, Pyeha." Eunuch Yi sighed, capitulating to Soo's stubborn will. He smiled to himself as he softly closed the library doors behind him. Despite her breach of etiquette, he enjoyed his future queen's good nature and free spirit.

"What is this about, Soo-ya?" So asked as Soo pulled back the chair at the desk and handed the letter to him.

"It's about the glass for the atrium, Pyeha. Apparently, Ahn Beom In is still alive and his son is willing to take on the project. If we are able to import the glass from Silla then it would cut the cost. It would be best if the materials were local."

So carefully read through the letter as Soo waited with bated breath for him to finish. He set the letter aside. "Tell me more about this project."

"While I was head of the Damiwon, many of the flowers, teas, and fruits we use are imported from India or Song Dynasty and even as far as Rome or Bulgaria, I figured we could cut some of the import cost by buying seeds as well as dried fruits. We could grow roses or lemon trees within the atrium. Even exotic spices to create more teas with." Soo stood up and paced, ticking off the reasons for So to be in favor of the atrium.

"Soo, at this time, most of my master builders are in the Yalu Valley building fortresses against Khitan." So carefully explained, hating Soo's dejected sigh. Then he cocked his head in consideration, remembering their encounter with Do Yun the night of the Lantern Festival. "I think I know of someone I can consult with over the cost of this project."

She squealed with glee as she bounced around the desk, throwing herself into his arms. She gave him a quick kiss on the lips as she happily settled into his lap. "Soo-ya, will kissing me be your response to all our stately affairs?" He inquired as he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

"Only when we agree." She nodded at him before his head dipped down to meet her lips, then lifted his head. "Hae Soo, Ji Mong has given me three dates which are favorable to our wedding and the coronation. I would like you to look them over and pick the one you like. Once that is done, I will have the decree released a week before the date."

"A week before the date?" Soo raised her brows at him. "But that hardly gives us enough time to prepare."

"Do not worry, Soo-ya. Once you choose the date, messengers will be sent to my clan and to your cousin to give them time to arrive." So answered, attempting to ease her mind. "Baek Ah and I have it planned out. The court artist will be here in the morning to start on your portrait."

"Portrait?" Soo bit her lip, then struggled to stand up. So helped her to her feet. With a slight frown, she quietly asked, "Isn't this rather fast?"

"Soo, I wanted to marry you years ago. It's not fast enough." He sighed, understanding her sudden attack of nerves. "I know you feel overwhelmed at the thought of becoming a queen, however I have faith in you." He held her hand, soothing her with his confidence. "I remember the first day we met, you demanded an apology from me. You were going to get an apology from Wang Eun. It was the second time that day you scolded me." He grinned, feeling nostalgic. "Your words have stayed with me through the years and have guided me as a king. You helped me be the best man I know how to be, Soo-ya. You will be a just and beloved queen because that is the kind of person you are and have always been no matter how daunting the circumstances. You have never compromised."

"Thank you for having faith in me, Pyeha." Soo gave a soft chuckle at the memory. She had followed him out of the courtyard and down the stairs, demanding he stop and apologize to her for treating her like a parcel.

"Who are you?" He inquired smoothly, curious about her.

"Me? Who am I?" She faced him head on ready for a fight, sighing she answered. "Hae Soo. I am Hae Soo."

"I'm not asking your name." So replied, amused by this girl's audacity to not only strike a prince, but to expect an apology for the actions of a royal. "What is your position that you act that way to a prince?"

"I told you to apologize. Why are you asking me my rank like I'm in the military?" She demanded, refusing to let him get the upper hand. "Are you going to ignore me if I'm a servant, but apologize if I'm a princess? Gosh, this funny neighborhood."

"So you want to hear an apology." So said intrigued at her daring to stand her ground and challenge him when other men would have cowered.

"Yeah, not just from you, but from the little prince too." Soo stubbornly nodded, pointing up the stairs at the courtyard. "I will get an apology from him too." So laughed at her, then she said. "The higher up you are, the more you should care about justice. Don't you agree?"

"All right." So nodded in consent. "However..." He sauntered over to her. "Once you hear 'sorry' from me..." Leaning close enough to see her pretty brown eyes widen. "You will have to die. That's fine though, right?" She blinked up at him. "Then, I'm sor..."

The feisty girl broke eye contact and cried out. "Lady Hae!" Amused, he watched as she hid behind her cousin's back, guiding the noble woman away from him while giving him a baleful glare. Hae Soo.

"Only you, Soo." So said as he stared lovingly up into her pretty brown eyes. He laid his hand on the side of her belly feeling the baby move. "It has been you since the beginning. You've taught me so much over the years. Thank you, Hae Soo, for being my friend, for loving me, for carrying my child, and for being my queen."

Soo searched his dark eyes realizing that she had to travel a thousand years back in time to find the love of her life in the man before her. No matter what fate had in store for them, they would always be. She knew that for certain. "I wouldn't have it any other way, my love." She smiled down at him, her hand touched the left side of his face, lightly caressing the scar under his eye.

Manwoldae

December 1st, 949 A.D.

Soo peered at her reflection in the mirror as Lady Han added the last touches to her royal hanbok. "I'm so big, I can't wear the belt." Soo complained to her lady in waiting.

"You are beautiful, nonetheless, my queen." Lady Han replied politely.

Soo turned around, catching the woman's hands. "Please, don't behave differently toward me, Lady Han. I would not be able to bear it. Promise me."

"I promise." Landy Han nodded with a warm smile. "I'll always remain faithful and loyal to you."

"Thank you." Soo said softly, grateful. "You have been a friend as well as my lady-in-waiting. I appreciate that. I hope that never changes."

"I will protect all you hold dear with my life, my queen." Lady Han vowed, then held out the royal blue silk robe with crimson lining. Gold dragons and phoenixes decorated the silk. The head dress felt heavy to Soo. She wished she did not have to wear it during the procession. "Would it be too shocking if I went without the head dress?" Soo sighed as she reached up to touch the points on either side of the elaborately decorated hat.

"Yes, it would." Lady Han raised her brows at Soo in wonder and amusement as she placed a fur lined coat around Soo and led her out of her royal quarters and into the main courtyard. Soo shivered a little. There was a chill in the air, but no snow lay on the ground. Hong Hae Seung Go took Soo's hand, bowing slightly. "You have redeemed yourself, cousin." He said with a curt nod.

Soo peered at the unfamiliar faces of her 'family' standing around Seung Go. She missed Myung Hee, the only Hae she counted as family, then she thought about her parents in the 21st century, wishing they could have met So. Her mother would have loved her son-in-law. Blinking back the tears, she whispered. "I wish my parents were here."

"You are a good daughter." Seung Go patted her hand, trying to comfort her as he helped her into the palanquin then headed for his mount. The procession moved forward, travelling through the town and market place toward Cheondeokjeon Palace.

Do Yun stood with his wife and daughter as the procession passed through the streets. Earlier that day, he had received the king's request to give his opinion on the new queen's project. He had sent his reply back with the messenger and would visit Gwangjong's court the next day. He was curious about who the new Goryeo Queen was.

"Eomma! Appa!" His daughter cried out in excitement, tugging on their sleeves. "It's her! It's the lady from the lantern festival!"

"Omo!" Eun Ji uttered, startled as she recognized Soo from the night she sold her the wooden peony hairpin and exchanged pleasantries about their pregnancies. Turning to her husband, she gasped. "We were visited by the king and queen!"

Do Yun nodded as his wife's eyes got bigger. "Why didn't you tell me?!" She exclaimed, happy and flustered. She remembered how kind and warm Soo was. Such a friendly, down to earth woman. She grinned at the thought of having such a wonderful queen. "Long live the queen! May many blessings come!" She shouted out in glee.

Quickly the cry echoed through out the town and could be heard by the palace.

Cheondeokjeon Palace Courtyard

So waited patiently for his bride and queen. The beads on his head dress swayed gently when he moved. Jung and Baek Ah stood close behind him with the ministers lined up after the princes. He knew the ministers had been shaken by his latest decree to allow commoners to take the official exams and the coronation of Lady Hae Soo was not sitting well with them either.

At first the cries ringing out from the market place put him on edge, then he relaxed when he realized they were cries of acceptance of Soo as queen. The people had recognized her as their queen. He sighed with a smile, the ministers would have no choice now.

The procession halted before So. Seung Go dismounted from his horse and went to Soo to help her out of the palanquin. The head of the Hong Hae Clan approached So and handed Soo over to him with a bow. So gently squeezed Soo's hand.

Ji Mong watched as everyone filed inside the palace, then turned to follow them leaving the royal couple behind with the attendants. Resigned, he followed the party into the throne room to officiate the matrimony of Soo to So and to crown a new queen.

Soon So and Soo entered the throne room, slowly marching toward the throne. Soo appeared graceful despite her advanced pregnancy. As they sat side by side, Ji Mong handed Soo the jade dragon seal. "Hong Hae Soo will be the new Queen. Work well with the ministers. Let us celebrate this matrimony."

Hong Hae Seung Go moved to stand before the royal couple. "Congratulations on being proclaimed the Queen. Long live the Queen. May many blessings come!"

Cries of long live the queen rose through the throne room as Hae Soo was proclaimed the new Queen of Goryeo.