This story marked the beginning of a forgotten era in Korean history, the one the books have failed to tell.
Drums thundered the entire palace, marking the commencement of a sacred ceremony. The palace guards unbarred the eight wooden main gates, and people from different parts of the kingdom entered. Noblemen and their families rode their palanquins which were carried by their servants, while common people held hands with their families gluing their eyes to the picturesque designs of the palace pavilions, the grandeur of the courtesans' and the court ladies' colorful dresses, and the impressive statures of the palace guards with their long, sharp spears, and iron-plated vest armors.
In the middle of palace main grounds, a red carpet transversed from the tall wooden gate up to an altar specially built for the ceremony. The altar looked like a long wooden stage with a rectangular table filled with food, incense, and candles at its center.
Sitting at the middle of the altar, the King scanned the immeasurable number of people. Like a real son of the Heavens, his angelic, hazel eyes shone as a smile etched from his silent lips. His dark hair fitted perfectly to his golden crown with bits of gold stones dangling as accessories. The white royal robe, with black embroideries of random patterns at the end of big, long sleeves, gently caressed every part of his tall and lean physique.
On his sides, five each on left and right were the ten noble council members or Hwabaek. All of them wore their uniform purple colored cloaks and a black, cylindrical hat. The rich people and their families sat below the altar - both on the left and right side, while all common people stood on the palace grounds. Palace guards served as human barriers between the classes. There were also guards lining up on two isles of the red carpet, and even around the perimeter of the whole palace main grounds to guard the palace against any unexpected encounters.
"His Highness graces you all!" announced by one council member.
The King walked down the altar through the center wooden stairs and stood in front of everyone. All people bowed their heads and genuflected. He raised his right arm and pointed his palm to the people. That was a symbol of the King's blessing.
Coming from the wooden gate, the Head Priestess, a woman in her early twenties, walked down the red carpet gracefully. The slow gust of wind swayed her long, white robe slowly but not her coal-black hair delicately braided with a silver pin.
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Behind her were a group of soldiers marching down the red carpet in two lines. In the solemnity of the ceremony, the stomps of the soldiers' boots accompanied by the clattering sound of the iron accessories dangling in their armors reverberated to the whole palace grounds.
At the center of the palace grounds, a hexagonal structure which looks like a water well stood solely like a sacred gem no one should touch. The Head Priestess placed the jar on top, while the soldiers marched to their assigned positions.
"Behold the legendary well in which our founder Park Hyeokgeose was born... the Najeong!" she preached. The people placed their palms together and uttered individual prayers.
As she walked towards the altar, a group of young men wearing different colors of robes and baggy pants dashed into the sacred structure and surrounded it while they dance. They did some fighting stunts, rolls, and backflips. It was a dance for good fortune and abundance.
"Your Highness, behold the power of the Heavens as they give you their blessings to lead the Kingdom of Silla. According to our founder, Park Hyeokgeose, the Kings hold the mandate of the Heavens and shall be the father of the nation!" the Head Priestess by the name of Lady Jang preached as she raised her arms to the skies.
The King walked to the sacred structure, held the jar, and raised his arms to the sky.
"People of Silla... As your King and father of the nation, I would like to send my utmost gratitude for your presence in this very sacred ceremony. This ceremony only happens very rarely, and this might serve as our guide in the future years of our kingdom. I would like to convey to you that the solar eclipse will not occur for the first time in its cycle. This means that we will have very bountiful and abundant years ahead!" King Jae Joong, the present ruler of the kingdom, claimed.
All started to cheer with happiness and excitement on their faces. All of them hope that they will not experience hunger, strife, or any other nefarious occurrences.
"Long live, the King!"
"Long live, Silla!"
In every group of white sheep, there will always be a black one. As the saying goes, a council member sitting on the King's right side clapped his hands slowly.
"You did it, Sire. You won. I lost."
__________
NOTES:
Hwabaek (화백) - a council of nobles in the Silla Kingdom. They discuss different issues in the kingdom such as throne succession, declaration of war, laws and reforms, etc.
Najeong (나정) - a legendary well where Park Hyeokgeose, the founder of Silla Kingdom was born
Najeong (나정) - a legendary well where Park Hyeokgeose, the founder of Silla Kingdom was born [https://em.wattpad.com/067faca815a8eee6e9eeb969794252424f7d3974/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6645706e57497741536c68777a673d3d2d3538303334333531352e3135343162623462353633633537663639333436313839303831352e706e67?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]