Chapter 74 (1/2)

Oran held his hand and sat down at the next table. Dukwol bowed his head to Kyosul and Bipaan several times before heading to the table.

Though Dukwol had a gentle impression, Kyosul felt uncomfortable around him. Perhaps she felt that way because of the sharp glittering of his dark eyes.

While staring at the next table for a moment, she pulled on Bipaan’s collar and said, “Well, isn’t Prince Dukwol older than Your Majesty?”

Bipaan turned his head to her for a moment, turned it back and closed his eyes as if he felt her question was ridiculous. She noticed that his eyelashes were long and he looked like a cold statue. She thought he would ignore her, so she turned her head forward towards the table, but then, he spoke, “The only thing important in the palace is one’s birth and position. I am the Crown Prince, born to the Queen and the Emperor, but Dukwol is the son of Concubine Su. Even though Dukwol is older than me, he should respect me by all means.”

At that moment, a large trumpet announced the beginning of the banquet.

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Ohyulje and the Queen rose from their seats, followed by First Concubine Ye and Second Concubine Su. When all of them stood up, a little trumpet sounded and prompted all the guests at the four tiers of the banquet hall to rise from their seats, turned around, and look at the highest tier where the Emperor and the Queen were seated.

All of them bowed to them and cheered loudly, “Long Live the Emperor! We’re honored to see you.”

As soon as they stood up, they bowed to the emperor couple once again and shouted, “Long Live the Queen. We’re honored to see you!”

Then, they offered greetings for the third time, “Long Live Concubine Su! Please accept our congratulations on your birthday from the bottom of our hearts. We wish you every blessing.”

When all of them were done greeting Concbuine Su, Ohylje raised his right hand.

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“Thanks all for coming to celebrate my concubine’s birthday today. Have a great time at this banquet that I arranged for her.”

Concluding his short introduction, Ohyulje folded his hands behind his back. Though Kyosul thought her act might seem discourteous, she looked at them closely. It was a golden chance for her to observe them at a proper distance.

Though he was old, Emperor Ohyulje was big and stout, with a white beard down to his chest. The Queen, who Kyosul heard was older than the emperor, looked much younger than him, smiling often. She prettied herself up more than anyone else here. As the summer was not yet over, she put a short, white fur shawl around her neck. Upon a closer look, however, it was not a fur shawl but her pet weasel, which was white and long.

On Ohyulje’s left was Concubine Su standing with a big smile, dressed in orange and yellow. While the Queen wore ornaments made mainly of jade and unusually colored gemstones, Concubine Su wore more subdued jewelry. As the jewels reflected the sun, her big wig gleamed white. As she was the heroine of today’s banquet, her dress stood out, and it seemed too much for the middle-aged concubine.

Finally, Kyosul noticed a woman standing next to Concubine Su, looking at her with a gentle smile. Her eyes trembled at Concubine Ye. Her attire was more elegant than graceful. She heard from the court ladies that she was most favored by the emperor at the moment.

Kyosul seemed to know why she enjoyed the emperor’s favor more than younger concubines even though she was a middle-aged woman. Kyosul couldn’t take her eyes off Concubine Ye. It was not just because of her stunning beauty, but because she was Prince Ruhae’s biological mother.

Now that Ohyulje was seated, Kyosul also took a seat and looked at the next table. Yomin was still alone at the third table. Even when the banquet began Ruhae seemed not to think of attending the party.

“Crown Princess!” When Bipaan called her, she looked back at him in astonishment.

Bipaan looked at her and said, “If you’re worried that Prince Yomin is sitting alone there, you can go to her table.”

“Oh no, Your Majesty! I’m fine.”

She vowed she would show proper manners here, but she was rebuked again. Besides, she was caught checking out where Yomin was seated. She blushed because she was afraid Bipaan might have noticed the real reason for her looking there.

Kyosul blushed and looked down.

The courtyard was paved with large rocks, and dancers in beautiful costumes entered. However, Kyosul was full of other thoughts while she was looking at the beautiful and gorgeous dancers.

Bipaan certainly knew that the reason why Kyosul kept looking to the left was not because she was worried about Yomin. Nevertheless, his indirect asking while pretending not to know troubled her mind more than his direct asking. It was far scarier.

After the dancing was over, there ensued various talent shows as well as the officials offering gifts, but Kyosul couldn’t concentrate. Though she was served a sumptuous feast, she nibbled at it just several times. It wasn’t until after sunset that the banquet was over. The royal families seated on the first and second tiers rose first.

Leaving the banquet, Kyosul was about to head for the East Palace when Bipaan grabbed her wrist.