My Ultimate Ambition

He knew it was expected, but the moment she began, it was as if everyone in the hall had disappeared. Even the chatter noise of the ministers and chirping sounds of birds had gone completely silent. Instead of a crowded room, he just heard her and saw as her coy smile grew bigger on the attention she commanded. The moment quite literally revolved around her as she gave a detailed explanation of her painting.

Tapping into the clear painting of herself which looked realistic, she smiled, sending shivers down the spine of the observers.

Her canvas didn't have much things as Seo-yun's but the depicted emotions were well felt. A clear blue sky, peaceful and fruitful gardens, small beautiful river and Daejong standing over a cliff; his hands possessively holding unto a woman's shoulders. A woman looking like her.

"The most innate desire of every emperor which they dare not show this world is this" she pointed at the highlight of the painting. "A prosperous nation is first as it comes from the duty of their nation, a peaceful nation with beautiful sceneries and of course with a woman they truly love. Not that gotten by marriage of convenience and definitely not one decided by their parents, but one their heart beats for and they can be vulnerable with. A simple meal with this woman and of course with their children. A peaceful night with her bereft of politics, beautiful garden he can relax without fear of being assassinated." she paused as she caressed her painting.

"They just want to be regular dads to their children, a husband to their beloved and a moonlight shining over a simple meal. First-hand, they are men before they're emperors."

Exhaling deeply, she smiled with eyes full of emotion as she felt Daejong's eyes moisten. The atmosphere was kinda tense as the people were lost for words, because they believed everything she said and almost felt sorry for previous emperors.

Daejong nodded emotionally as he forced back a lump clogging his throat. 'Trully, the woman he chose is really extraordinary and on a different level.' he beamed proud with pride.

When critics heard everything she said, they were skeptical about Seo-yun who might be biting more than she can chew. But as she concluded and Seo-yun raised a motion against her, any hesitance they felt seemed to be evaporated into thin air. Not only was the summary an instant success, critics predicted it would go down in history as one of the greatest and most brilliant selection ever made.

"As we've all heard and with the unmasked conviction of a fair process, I shall hereby select the most worthy woman fit to be my empress" Daejong rose from his throne and majestically walked down to them, his beautiful white embroidered robe flaying like he's on cloud. He stopped before Yoona, smiled in satisfaction as he reached out to hold her hands.

"A moment please your majesty" Seo-yun interrupted and knelt before him. A uproar was heard as ministers gasped in shock at her effrontery. While dowager who already felt herself powerless as she promised not to interfere with his choice this time, jerked up with the instinct of a harem woman tinged with excitement. She already almost choked on her drink as Daejong's predictable preference churned her stomach and so felt a bit relieved with Seo-yun's action.

"I dare to request the emperor to conduct a body inspection on us!"

Yoona felt her heart sink as her fingers coiled inside her sweaty palm. She already smelt trouble but actually facing it humbled her self-esteem.

"I can vouch for Sukwon and of course I believe before you were selected to be my woman, the court ladies conducted such on you" he defended ferociously as his voice were like a lion's roar. He didn't understand why Seo-yun would ruin his moment as it was definitely game over for her.

Dowager smirked in contentment at the turn out but wondered how such could have escaped her memory but was happy to hear it. It would be a pure miracle if Yoona was with little blemish as she was a supposedly wild low-class girl . She wondered why Seo-yun could suddenly request for body inspection but stood up to back Seo-yun up. Come what may, she wasn't braking any rule at all.

"It's necessary, Daejong. It's our custom and tradition."

"I can vouch for her!"

"It still has to be done why are you so against it? "

"Royal mother, didn't you hear me say I can vouch Yoona. If there's doubt about it conduct on Seo-yun alone!" his eyes were almost red with anger. What was it about inspection out of the blue. Hatefully, he glared at Seo-yun who quickly looked down but still said something in defense.

"She's scarred!"

Everyone gasped at her bold utterance. Yoona's face seemed to lose a bit of colour but her composure wasn't lost.

"How do you know?" he almost lost his composure for the umpteenth time.

"There's no harm in checking, my son. If you can vouch for her then there's no point in not letting us confirm it too" Dowager kept on at her game. Whatever it was that gave Seo-yun audacity, she likes it, a lot.

"I'll let them check me,your majesty"Yoona finally spoke. Daejong made to protest but was hushed by her.

"I have nothing to hide,Instead, the emperor will witness this process! " she concluded and nodded in understanding at him.

"No way! only I and the court ladies has right to"

"It doesn't matter if the emperor sees my body too. I'm still his woman and he's entitled to see my body!"

"It's never done!"Dowager screamed out in anger.

"I don't trust the judges and if he's not there, I won't oblige!"

"I'll witness the process too!"he finally spoke out impatiently. He needed to get done with everything.

Fine! have it your way!" Dowager reluctantly agreed.

Seo-yun smirked at her, Yoona smirked back.

Off they went to the private room.

"Strip Sukwon!" a palace chief maid said. An older woman with years of experience and who knew something fishy was going on. She still had her duties anyway.

"As you wish!"

She twirled to solely face Daejong. Smiled at Seo-yun, then untied her top knot. Afterwards, she loosed her band and let all her garments crumble on the floor. Only a thin see through pink underwear barricaded them from seeing her n.a.k.e.dness.

Daejong's temperature rose and so was his hunger. While feasting his eyes longingly on her for the first time, he couldn't help but blush. It's actually his first sane time of seeing a woman's n.a.k.e.d body and strangely he was upset. Upset and jealous others saw what he saw, even though they were woman.

"Okay, we're done here. Cover yourself Sukwon" His husky voice came out as surprise to him. His little member which laid asleep awoke and disturbingly threatened to burst his pants.

"Not so fast, your majesty!"

Seo-yun who felt jealous at her body structure wanted to show off hers first before going for her biggest kill. "I'm yet to strip too."

"I'm not interested in seeing in your nude!" he harshly replied.

"Then, I hope you are interested in seeing this particular nude!"

She rushed at Yoona and tugged off what little clothing she still had on. They both gasped as Daejong gasped too.

Daejong was so flabbergasted he felt himself instinctively move forward to close her body. On the other hand, Seo-yun gasped at the distinctively clear skin of her thighs. She was informed of a scar sitting stubbornly on her thighs caused by an arrow, but it was gone. Her thighs seemed to be whiter than snow bereft of any blemish.

"Sukeui!" Yoona finally screamed as she gathered her clothes to wear.

"Where is it? Where is it Sukwon!" she maniacally screamed out in exasperation. How is it that her final hope has been dashed against a hard rock?

"What do you mean?" Dowager and Yoona simultaneously queried.

"The scar. Where is it?" a solitary tear rolled off her cheeks and she tried whisking her clothes away from her to feel her thighs as Yoona struggled to keep her off.

"Stop!" Daejong roared.

"Why are you so sure she has a scar?"

"Because... because..." she stammered. She didn't dare reveal an assassin told her so, then it wouldn't end with just taking whatever little title she has, her family would be exterminated on the charges of treason and contempt against the crown. Even Dowager empress wouldn't take her sides.

"Forgive me,your majesty! I was just delusional and hallucinated just now" her body lowered in defeat as she kowtowed before him.

"Let's return for the announcement" hurriedly he left as his engorged body mass seemed to grow more painful.

Grand dowager empress who silently prayed for the outcome perked up at their return. Sullen looks engraved on Seo-yun and dowager's face was enough story of what transpired.

Daejong still jittery but composed exteriorly walked for the second time to them, held Seo-yun's hands and watched her face bloom into flowers of smile. Minister Choi and the West faction almost fainted due to pulsating feeling of euphoria their hearts produced.Grand dowager's eyes dilated with shock as she watched Yoona's face for any answers of what was going on, she saw her confident, unfazed and unperturbed by the little happening.

"I announce that Seo-yun shall remain level two consort and not stray into paths that may bring dishonour to the Choi family and of course my royal family!"

He threw back her hands like a dirty piece of rag, held Yoona's hands gently as electrifying feelings clouded his mind; aftermath of what he just witnessed and drew her to face the hall with him.

"I hereby select, Yoona of the Kim clan of Madong as my empress!"

"Congratulations, your majesty emperor!"

"Long live the empress!!!"

Seo-yun cried noisily as Daejong dared play with her feelings and emotions. If he was going to choose Yoona, why make fun of her first?

The hall was noisy as excitement seemed to be transferred from West to South faction.

A loud minister was heard crying out in joy. "Aigoo, aigoo! My heart almost leaped off as I thought Choi's daughter was about to be selected. As expected, our emperor chose our party and candidate!"

Yoona's smile was unbelievably infectious, she slowly let off a breath she didn't even know she held. Finally, everything she wants is being given to her one by one.

Strutting an inch close to Seo-yun she smirked and as custom demands, she knelt before the empress to kowtow thrice as sign of respect. That moment killed everything she was and her tears poured out like a river.

"I, Choi Seo-yun congratulate the new empress and vow to serve her faithfully as my superior"

Yoona smirked once more in satisfaction as she sauntered out with the emperor holding on tightly to her hands.

As soon as the emperor announced his empress and left with her, the energy in the hall became vibrant as South faction and grand dowager flurried in and out of the hall with a single purpose; to celebrate. Palace staff began to scramble as they had designed her palace according to Sukeui taste, again! The ladies-in-wating waited in line to greet her, royal chefs rustled up a most decent meal to impress her and the maids hurried to keep her palace clean and sparkling, her favorite flowers neatly arranged in her quarters. The unexpected choice of empress stunned the people but nevertheless was accepted with high expectations of a kind leader .