Minister Dae Wong and his company rode their horses and immediately went to the public market in order to get back on track to the palace. When they were on the public market, they were ambushed by Chil Yook's group.
"Minister, why are you such in a hurry?", Chil Yook asked.
"Chil Yook!", Minister Dae Wong uttered in shock. His astonishment turned into anger.
"Get out of the way! You tricked us! All of you!", Minister Dae Wong shouted.
"Tricked? What does he mean? Does it mean that he talked to that monk already? Change of plan. I need to prevent him from talking to the King.", Chil Yook wondered.
"You need to answer to the King!", Minister Dae Wong shouted.
Chil Yook pulled his swords and attacked the Minister's group. The Minister's two hwarangs get down from the horse and pulled their swords as well to defend the Minister.
"Step back, My Lord. We got this!"
Minister Dae Wong lashed his horse and ran away with the almanac while the hwarangs fight. Chil Yook chased him.
"Let's not make this difficult, Minister!", Chil Yook shouted while chasing him.
"No! Shut up! How dare you say that to me?"
"I warned you, Minister. Now, we have to do this the hard way." Chil Yook glared, gritted his teeth as he go faster.
The chasing continued until they were in the forest already. When Chil Yook was about a few inches away from the Minister, he jumped out from his horse and grabbed him. The two fell and rolled. The almanac stucked out from the Minister's hand. Chil Yook instantly get up before the Minister. He had the chance to get the almanac before Minister Dae Wong who's twitching in pain.
"You! GIVE... IT... BACK.", Minister Dae Wong stuttered in pain while trying to get up. His voice was not that audible.
"Have you met the monk already, Minister?", Chil Yook asked and he grabbed the Minister's collar.
Minister Dae Wong groaned. "Get your filthy hands off me! How dare you touch a council member!"
"Based on your answer, I guess that's a yes. Now, I need to change the plans. Who cares of what you've discovered? You will never reach the palace on time." Chil Yook glared at Minister Dae Wong and punched him on his jaw. The Minister immediately lost his consciousness.
----
The palace was busy preparing for the upcoming ceremony. All 14 hwarang groups were gathered by the Prime Minister in the main palace grounds. A few moments later, the governors with their provincial hwarangs came to the palace.
"Governors! What a nice surprise! I am so happy that you deployed these hwarangs here in the palace." The Prime Minister smiled at them.
"Oh, My Lord. You honor us. Anything for you." The other governors gave awkward looks.
"Oh, I mean anything for the Kingdom." The Prime Minister laughed. The governors laughed as well.
"So, lets go back to business?"
The Prime Minister did an attendance check. He mentioned all the names of the provinces and checked how many hwarangs were present. They were oriented to their respected positions.
"Alright, listen up! Hwarang of Silla. Now that you know all of your positions, I am requiring you to be vigilant and observant at all times. A lot of people will be coming to this ceremony. Who knows if other's intention is to cause a ruckus here in the palace? Remember that we are doing these for the sake of the people and for Silla.", the Prime Minister firmly said.
----
From the balcony of one of the pavilions, Minister Yeol and Minister Yoo are talking about the governors.
"Look at those disgusting governors. They are all pathetic!" Minister Yeol scoffed.
"I couldn't agree more. All of them looked like hunting dogs of the Prime Minister. Look at those governors; smiling and praising the Prime Minister. If I know, they're just asking more funds for the construction of their concubines' lavish houses." Minister Yoo shook his head.
"Yes, you're right. Of course, the Prime Minister would ask something in return. Come on, let's just go somewhere else. I can't stand the sight of those dogs ready to lick their owner's ass anytime.", Minister Yeol replied in disgust.
The two Ministers walked in the corridor and they saw Minister Hoon coming in.
"Pffft, oh, here's another dog." Minister Yoo chuckled.
"Excuse me, what did you just say?", Minister Hoon said in displeasure.
"What? What are you talking about?" Minister Yeol scowled defiantly.
"I heard you, Minister Yoo. You said that I am a dog." Minister Hoon cleared his throat.
"What? I didn't say that. Maybe you're deluded or something... Or maybe, it's your age. You can't hear things properly." Minister Yoo sniggered. Minister Hoon's eyes widened in disbelief. "How dare you say I am old? You disrespectful piece of..." He was interrupted by Minister Yoo.
"Ah Ah Ah! I didn't say you're old." Minister Yoo raised his index finger and laughed. "Come on, Minister Yeol, lets get out of here." The two looked at Minister Hoon with a funny face.
"Those two imbeciles. Who are they calling old?" Minister Hoon fixed his collar and sleeves.
----
The royal cooks prepared all the food needed. The priestesses also came to the palace to put all of the candles and incense to the man-made altar for the ceremony. The palace ground is very busy. The maids arranged all the tables, chairs and the red carpet in the middle of the palace ground, which stretches from the main gate up to the palace altar.
The Prime Minister and the King talked about the upcoming event in the King's room.
"Sire, I noticed that I didn't see Minister Dae Wong with you."
"I just ordered him to go out of the palace and do some... Errands.", the King replied.
"How about Chil Yook? I also noticed that he's not around with you.", the King added. The Prime Minister just frowned and smiled.
"I want to speak candidly since its just the two of us here. I know that you ordered Chil Yook to follow Dae Wong. I also know that Lady Jang works for you too and I don't need her help anymore. I have my ways to know the exact date of the eclipse. I will ignore these heinous acts as of now because I want to prioritize this event, but remember this, once you lay your finger to any of my people, you will have to answer it to me! Do you understand, Jung Ho?", the King said while staring fiercely at the Prime Minister's eyes.
The Prime Minister bowed his head and said yes. "Your Highness, just calm down. Do not think that way to my people. I am really offended."
The Prime Minister sneered.
"Can I speak candidly too?... You are very paranoid. Chil Yook knows what to do. Yes, I ordered him to follow Minister Dae Wong but trust me, he won't kill him."
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
"I also know that you ordered Minister Dae Wong to get the almanac from Lady Jang as well. I am also curious when the eclipse would be that is why I ordered Chil Yook to follow Minister Dae Wong to the person who might know how to read that one."
"You are really testing my patience!"
"If that's what you're thinking, then have it your way. There are a lot of things to prioritize aside from this paranoia that you have. Besides, you are not the only one who cares for this nation."
"Yes, I know that its not just me but I also know that its not you either. I know you and your rotten character. You are a cunning, conceited and selfish person. "
"Okay, if that's what you say. I need to leave now. I need to make sure that all the hwarangs are well oriented for their assigned positions later on." The Prime Minister smirked.
----
In the Province of Manno (Modern day Jincheon), two yellow hwarangs went to a noble man's house. The house is a wide bungalow with a garden outside. It is surrounded with tall walls and is guarded by purple colored hwarangs.
"We have a letter for the royal maid. This is from the King. Is she inside?"
One of the hwarang guards went inside to call the royal maid.
"My Lady, a palace hwarang is outside. They said that they have a letter for you."
The old royal maid, just as age of Lady Min curiously went out and talked to the palace hwarangs.
"Yes? You said that you have a letter from the King?" The two hwarangs just gave the letter and left.
The old royal maid went inside the house and read the letter. She almost jumped in joy.
"Young Lord, good news! It's a letter from the King. He's asking you to go back to the palace and report to his chamber. This is it!"
"Really? Is that true? I can come back?", said by a ten year old kid who wears a green royal robe while reading a book on a small table.
"Yes, Lord Jung Min, you can come back to the palace."
"What for? My own father abandoned me here. He's busy doing his job as the Prime Minister. He doesn't want to see me. He thinks that I am a bad luck for him. He even said that he lost my mom because of me." Jung Min bowed his head and walked away.
"Young Lord, wait! Please don't say that. I am sure your father didn't mean to say that to you.", the royal maid said as she embraced him from his back.
"Look at me, Young Lord. You are a special kid. I have seen your talents and your strengths at a young age. But above them all, I have seen your good heart. I believe in you." She placed her right palm in Jung Min's chest. He felt the warmth of love he's longing for years from his father.
Jung Min smiled. "Lets go, Young Lord?" Jung Min bit his thin, red lips. "Yes, lets go. I want to meet my uncle, the King. He is more concerned for me more than my father."
----
The Prime Minister left the King's room and walked in the palace grounds while talking to Lady Min.
"I will go to the 'prison'. I want to talk to Lady Jang.", he whispered.
"Yes, My Lord." Lady Min bowed her head.
The Prime Minister went outside the palace riding his small, crimson, fancy one man palanquin. He went to the forest at the Eastern portion of the kingdom, few miles away from the Capital. He stopped at the middle of the woods and stepped out. He ordered his men to guard the palanquin.
He walked shortly through the tall bushes and stops in the front of a small house. The house looks abandoned with some fallen branches of trees on the top of its roof. On the inside, it looks like a storage of kimchi with big jars covered with loin cloth. Lady Min removed the leaves and dead branches from the floor and then a wooden door was exposed. She opened it with a silver key and it leads to an underground. The Prime Minister went down the stairs leading to a dark, scary place where there were people who were illegally detained. There were ten prison rooms there, five on the left, and five on the right, which are very small and it has holes on the walls for air to come in. It was a very dreadful place. There are torches to serve as a source of light. The people there are very sick and almost dying. At the last prison room at the left, Lady Jang was to be seen wearing a white long robe.
"Lady Jang, our Lord is here to talk to you.", Lady Min said.
"My... Lord", Lady Jang said softly because she's very thirsty.
"You will be released today to help the King in the ceremony. By the way, I have already read your mail. You were saying that the Queen will have twins. It seems like Chil Yook was right with his reports. After the ceremony, we need to do something with the twins."
A hwarang opened the cell. "Thank you... So much, My Lord." Lady Jang kneeled and repeatedly kissed the feet of the Prime Minister.
----
Minister Dae Wong gained his consciousness. He was shocked to see that he was tied in the big tree while Chil Yook is browsing the almanac.
"Hello! Did you have sweet dreams? Its been half an hour since you were sleeping like a Princess. You look innocent with those sweet eyes and long curly eyelashes. No wonder why a lot of people, either male of female are attracted to you even if you're getting older.", Chil Yook said as he laughed.
"Stop the non-sense! Get me out of here!", Minister Dae Wong said while grunting.
"Ha Ha Ha, oh, I like the sound of your grunts... But no. I won't release you... Hmmm, what's with the fuss about this book? It looks non-sense to me. I can't understand a thing."
"Let go of me! I will report this to the King! Aren't you afraid that the King might kill you?"
"Pffft, no! He's weak. I'm sure the Prime Minister can save me. Besides, he can control your King." Chil Yook sarcastically scoffed.
"Don't you realize that he only uses you? Unlike the King, the Prime Minister doesn't care about his people. When you become worthless, he will dump you. TRUST... ME!" Minister Dae Wong looked fiercely at Chil Yook.
"You talk too much for a man. Blah Blah Blah..." Chil Yook went near to Minister Dae Wong and get his face closer to him.
"W-Wh-What are you doing? Stay back!", Minister Dae Wong shouted.
"You look so nervous... Just relax. This won't hurt."
Chil Yook gripped the Minister's chin and held it still. The Minister closed his eyes. Chil Yook grinned, gagged him with a cloth and tie it around his head.
"There, you won't be able to talk now. Stay there until the ceremony is finished. Enjoy the view Minister... And oh, be careful with the snakes, Hisss." Chil Yook blinked and ran off.
----
At the Queen's chamber, all the nurses led by Dong Hee were preparing all the stuff needed for the Queen's delivery.
"This is it, Dong Hee. I can feel that today is my due date. My tummy really hurts! Ahhh!!!", the Queen screamed. This is the day that her twins will be born. As a matter of fact, its not just her tummy that hurts. It's her whole body. She cannot describe how intense the pain is and she cannot locate it either. One thing is for sure; its just very painful.
"We're here for you, Your Grace. Please don't worry. We will take care of you.", Dong Hee said.
"Thank you, but please take care of my babies. Please promise me..." Dong Hee froze. The words of the King kept playing on her head. She kept on thinking who among the two should she follow.
"Your Grace, please take your rest. Don't talk that much. Here, please drink this tonic. It will relieve the pain that you feel."
"Your Grace...", she whispered.
----
"All dressed up?", asked by the Prime Minister.
"Yes, My Lord. Thank you very much for this.", Lady Jang replied.
"I am just doing this because you are needed in this stupid ceremony. The whole kingdom needs your presence now, Lady Jang. After the event, pray to the Heavens numerous times."
"One more thing, about the twins, you said that there is a high possibility that they would be born on the day of the eclipse... But I just have a question.", the Prime Minister asked with curiosity.
"What is it, Your Lordship?", Lady Jang asked.
"Who among them will bring the kingdom to its highest glory and who among them will destroy it? Like any sign or birthmark?"
"I don't know, My Lord. Out of nowhere, I saw a premonition about two Kings who were sitting on two thrones. After that, I saw the palace on its highest glory. Foreign cities are praising our kingdom, technologies have been more advanced and all people are happy, then suddenly I also saw famine, disasters and a serious pandemic. Other empires were fighting just to conquer our kingdom and make the people their slaves."
"That was interesting... Wait a minute, you said two Kings on two thrones? What could that be? Never in history that our kingdom had two reigning kings at the same time. That's against the law. It must mean something else." One can notice that he was worried about what Lady Jang just said.
"Hurry up you two. I will go to my palanquin and wait for Chil Yook. He might be here any moment from now."
The Prime Minister went back to his palanquin. After a few hours, Chil Yook came. This time, he was just alone.
"Where is the Prime Minister?", Chil Yook asked one of the hwarangs guarding the palanquin.
The Prime Minister stepped out of the palanquin.
"Chil Yook, you came just in time. Why are you alone? Where are your two hwarangs?", the Prime Minister asked.
"It was a long story. They were killed by Minister Dae Wong's men but I also managed to finish them too."
"What about Dae Wong? Where is he?"
"Don't worry, My Lord. He's enjoying the beautiful view of Anju while I tie him in a tall tree." Chil Yook grinned.
"Alright, well, the main thing. Hand it over to me now."
Chil Yook handed the almanac to the Prime Minister. He was very happy to see the almanac. It was a euphoric feeling for him. They noticed a strange spark in his eyes.
"Congratulations, My Lord."
"Thank you but not yet. I don't have any plans to steal the throne from him right now. No one will know the truth and this might be the first step in weakening the King."
The two ladies saw Chil Yook. "Oh, thank Heavens! You're back." Lady Jang smiled. Chil Yook just gave a brief look at the two ladies.
"Wow! You got that back! I guess its a good thing that even though no one among us could read that one, the King still won't have the idea on when the eclipse will happen.", Lady Min said in amusement.
"Yes, you are right. No one among us could read this almanac but who cares? The important thing is the King won't ever know when the eclipse will happen. He's the so called father of the nation, so it's him who will answer to the people.", the Prime Minister agreed.
"But what if the eclipse didn't really happen? What would be the sense of this whole almanac fiasco?", Lady Jang curiously asked.
"I doubt it! I really don't believe with that stupid idea that the planets' and stars' alignments have something to do with the solar eclipse but hypothetically speaking, if the eclipse didn't really happen, well I guess I have to implement my next plan already."