My Ultimate Ambition

After the incident of the previous day, they took the long trip back to the palace. Hurried servants bustled up with their arms laden with bags and gifts. The couple walked hand-in-hand to pay obeisance to the elders of the palace, the princess waited outside to burst into her father's arms; a behavior unbefitting a royal prince according to her grandmother but that which she craved as a child.

To covet every moment of the winter's short days filled with royal duties, the couple traditionally celebrated the winter solstice by watching the morning sunrise. Bundled up by the fire, they enjoyed their morning tea which was made even sweeter by each other's presence. Sure, the roaring fire did play a part in warming her up, but it was him that kept her from freezing from the frigid weather. Warm heart, warm hands; his love and attention burned brighter than any flame, warming her from inside out.It was a sacred time for them as their different duties and tight schedules neither allowed them leisure nor an alone time. 

Soon the Panja envoy arrived the kingdom bearing gifts and paying ordinance to the monarchy. Some royal Panja women joined in the train to investigate what type of empress they had under the guise of keeping her company.

Yoona, who knew she would be center of attraction during their welcoming banquet, hoped to impress the women and etch herself in their memory. She will be holding an extravagant banquet and hoped the emperor would give his support.

Sticking to tradition, she made sure the royal mamas seat and table were slightly elevated than hers, gourmet chefs prepared the most exquisite cuisines, the banquet hall was truly remarkable and had a touch of elegance and wealth. The bright colours of the decorations felt starkly different from the unembellished galas she was used to attending. It wasn't that the previous galas were shabby by any means, but the sleek marble staircases, and the overuse of the colour ivory had simply grown weary. Meanwhile, this royal ball was adorned with every colour of the rainbow, each hue glowing like a glittering jewel.

It was typically considered rude to flaunt one's wealth, but tonight's ball is an exception to the rule. Each time there was a major event like royal marriage, birth of a child, birthday celebrations of reigning royal families, envoys from neighbouring countries graced the occasion.

As she pondered on what to wear to the banquet from the numerous lines of clothes brought in by her palace maids, she reflected on her favorite past events looks. Zeroing in on a particular flower embroidered gown she wore once, she realized it would be a waste to not wear it so as dazzle her invitees, but the colour wasn't really in compliance with her mood.

The colour white didn't begin to explain the way she felt; the fiery passion, bubbling joy nor the bliss of true romance. Because of this, she didn't want to put on an ivory gown to the ball. Instead, she opted for a beautiful dress that mirrored exactly how her heart felt as she walked down to greet her guests.

"Welcome, your majesty!" She heard them chorus.

She smiled brightly as the head envoy lady handed her a stupendous bouquet of tulip flower, a Panja custom meaning acceptance and loyalty. This signified, they'll be loyal to her country and offers friendship.

Yoona nodded at her attendants to offer her gift too, in acceptance of their newfound friendship. In response, a laugh which upturned her lips escaped from the panja woman for there was no other reason for their gift but to prosper their tiny nation, the mission seemed complete and successful. 

A white peac.o.c.k in a handmade cage was given to them, It was as white as snow, it's feather glistening in the cool winter sun. The season had only begun few weeks earlier, but, according to legend, it's arrival meant the winter would be especially long__ not to mention, as harsh as it is lengthy. Offering peac.o.c.k meant, they would weather the winter together.

The two royal women arrived simultaneously in commencement of the ball. Dances, music and other entertainments were offered, foods of assorted varieties were served and as the dowagers saw the satisfaction in the faces of theirs guests, they couldn't help but admire their empress. Their pride was oozing as they were truly impressed and had no complaints whatsoever on her expenses and conducts.

The dowagers soon retired as the empress was tasked to tour their guests to admire some strategic places in the palace with the concubines. Wherever she went, the party went with her. Her cheerful energy nearly sprung off of her, adding life and vitality to them despite the cold weather. Her contagious smile and bright aura shone brighter than the Shu sun in the hottest of season and her radiant look brightened up the atmosphere and frigid weather. The toured was filled with coy smiles and laughs, poetry, and question and answer session and lasted nearly three hours. By the end, she was huffing and puffing from exhaustion , even so, she couldn't ignore them as they brought more fun in clamour to impress her and she had done to them.

After a long while, she took a break and begged to take her leave.

Leaving the fun to them, her heart was so big it felt it would burst. She handed the guests to the concubines as the hostesses as she waltzed out through the powdery wintry roads. A faint whine stole her attention as she turned to the direction to see a shivering dog drenched in ice. Commanding the dog be brought to her, she wrapped it with her furred jacket while promising to bring warmth and safety to it, the servants took the dog from her to be fed and warmed by the fire as commanded. 

With her head spinning, she felt wide awake as she sprawled out on her bed as the servants gently took her garments away. Her hands were feet and toes shivered under the blanket, the chief maid and other servants warmed up her room and make hot tea for her, she silently watched their deligence and relaxed to let them take care of her.

Being an empress is not all about fairytales and royal balls. There is alot of pressure behind the title and sometimes it becomes too much for her. Her duties at the palace are endless, leaving her desperate for a break from reality. On some tough days her mother-in-law contributes more to her woes, she skirts responsibilities for the day, ventures into the palace woods, reasoning she wouldn't be missed so long she returns before dark.

Whenever she feel overwhelmed, she goes to her palace garden where the peaceful ground and trees gave her a renewed sense of calm. The people might think she was made of steel, only they didn't know she was human and sometimes loses her sanity.

The concubines helplessly had accepted her as their master. While the former empress wasn't a trouble giver and was extremely good, she was also a good leader. Though she was strict and harsh in her punishments to the women who broke few palace rules, she was as generous in giving out rewards for good deeds. She was a remarkable and amazing woman, hence they all have deep respect for her and her way of running the harem.They had also mapped out how to stay on her good side; make no trouble and there will be no problem, except one person; Seo-yun! Their only complaint was the emperor's lack of attention as it was all given to the empress. It had been the case with the deceased empress as it seemed the emperor was loyal only to his legitimate wife. They all believed that as opposed to Seo-yun who knew Daejong was only loyal to one woman; the present bitch with the cloak of an empress.

Seo-yun was tired of being cast aside while Yoona got all the riches, fame, admiration, glory and honor. She believed it was time for her to take her place on the throne and the first step was making each and every single person present her people. She suddenly took charge of the hostess position mirroring the empress earlier aura, the panja women head envoy who had lived her life in the palace as a princess, through the antics of harem women who fought and sought power saw through her. She made a hasty departure and an apology blaming it on her poor health, the rest of the women followed in her footsteps, begged to leave as they were exhausted too, moreover, the empress they wanted to charm with their wits was long gone.

Fueled by their spurning, she gathered her servants who were left with her, and set off to her palace to plan on how to regain what was rightfully hers. 

A letter awaited her on her return; a promise of a future she so desperately wanted.

...

A young man sat embittered by the past events and rumours slipping out from the palace of the emperor and empress true devotion to each other. Their show of love protrayed of subtle romance in every single thing they did, down to simplest thing as sharing a meal together. Tales told of their fiery passion and how Daejong has broken so many customs emperors never broke, such as sharing a room with her every single night. The public watched their romance blossom like a real life fairytale unfolding. From their matching couple's dress to their evening strolls, every detail of the affair was gossiped all over the palace. The woman was about to become the kind of empress every lady dreamed of, and thousands of people watched the dream come to life.

"Master, don't allow yourself get upset so as not to flare up the poison!"

A young who seemed to be his servant and right-hand man voiced out as he rose up to wipe off the dried drool used to fool his father.

Who would believe the moron only son of the most powerful minister whom was hidden from the world was a young healthy man whose vein flowed with adrenaline. Who would also believe the grim reaper and legendary assassin who was ruthless and whom no one knew of his origin was the first and legitimate son of Minsiter Choi. Many people, his father inclusive, had sought of his service but no one knew of his location as his existence itself was elusive and illusionary.

He had no greed for power or wealth till she came along and tumbled his calm heart into a tumultuous raging fire. He would make sure she takes responsibility for his sleepless night and endless daydreams which would start by taking her throne away from her.

"Has my sister received my secret letter?" His gruff voice was so scaringly commandeering the servant shuddered and answered in affirmation.

He, Choi In Sung will make Daejong take her throne and abandon her, while he saves her like a knight in shining armor and make her the one and only queen of his underground palace.

It seemed so simple, but is it really?