(( Did I ever tell anyone how much I hate my computer...
Anyway, back to the story ))
Meanwhile back in the Imperial City, three days had passed since the Emperor's announcement of Kyung Dae-Seung's elevation in status. Throughout the City, villagers cheered once they saw Kyung Dae-Seung who they saw as the man who saved Koryo.
Kyung Dae-Seung was much too shy and modest to accept so much adulation from the townspeople. He had spent the last three days looking over the positions that are filled in the royal court and the Central Committee, and looking over each persons that filled those positions.
"Minister Moon is an honest and loyal man. He does whatever he can for the Emperor and the Empire. Same goes for Minister Yim." he spoke while writing notes down.
"Minister Yi seems to be loyal, but he has switched sides with loyalties too many times in order to be fully trusted. I will have to deal with him later."
As he continues writing, Lieutenant Kim comes up to him with a sealed silk envelope. "This was just delivered by an imperial messenger, Imperial Guardian."
Kyung Dae-Seung sighs as he takes the envelope. "Please, Lieutenant, do not call me Imperial Guardian. You have been my teacher for many years and there is no need for us to stand on such a formality."
Lieutenant Kim shakes his head. "I apologize, but you are my Lord, and there is no other way to call you, Imperial Guardian.
Kyung Dae-Seung sighs once more as he opens the envelope. "Delivered by an Imperial messenger.... I wonder what the letter contains."
{Imperial Guardian,
I request that you attend an evening meal in the presence of the Imperial Family. Please do not refuse my request. I await a reply.
Son of Heaven}
Kyung Dae-Seung rubs his forehead. ~Eat dinner with the Imperial Family... I do not think it is proper... but my Emperor commands it.~ He puts the letter back in the envelope along with a reply stating that he would attend in the evening.
Hours later, Kyung Dae-Seung stands at the steps of the Imperial Palace. Wearing the most formal and elegant clothing he had styled for himself, he carries with him a small box of gifts for the Imperial House, as it would not be proper to just enter without a gift.
Attendent Cho comes down from the top of the steps to Kyung Dae-Seung. "Imperial Guardian, the Imperial Family awaits you. Please follow me."
Slowly, they made their way to the inner sanctium of the palace, until they reached a small sanctum where there were beautiful flowers all around and a luxurious dining area in the middle. In their seats were the Emperor, the Crown Prince, the two Princesses, and the Empress Dowager.
As Kyung Dae-Seung entered the sanctum, Princess Su-an tried her hardest but blushed a rose red anyway. No one else but her sister noticed this, and she whispered in her ear, ~The Imperial Guardian seems to have you fluttered, Sister.~ Su-an could only blush a deeper red.
As soon as Kyung reached the dining area, he placed his gifts on the ground and lowered his head to the floor. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I have kept you waiting. I ask for punishment!"
The Emperor laughs and rises out of his chair. ~For too long I have been a puppet to these warrior leaders, but Kyung Dae-Seung is different. When others barely saluted me, he bowed his head to the floor. When the crowds cheer for him, he directs their cheers to me. He is truly loyal.~
The Emperor walks to Kyung Dae-Seung and slowly helps him to his feet. When the Emperor first touched him, Kyung flinched, thinking that divinity should not touch him, but he rised with the Emperor and with his direction, headed to his seat, placed in front of Princess Su-an.
After dinner is served and the group has eaten, the Emperor asks for everyone to quiet. "Imperial Guardian, why is it you hold me so close to your heart?"
Kyung slightly staggers. "Why do you ask this, my Liege?"
The Emperor sighs. "Because ever since I was placed on the throne at the 1170 revolution, warrior leaders like Yi Ui-Bang and Chung Ju-Bu have ruled in my stead. Why do you bow to me when you can have more power than I?"
Kyung immedietely rises to his feet and bows his head to the ground. "Your Majesty, you are divine and rule the land with your benevolence. I am a common man, who with his piddling abilities, have risen to what I am today. I know who I serve, Your Majesty."
The Emperor laughs. "Good, good. You are truly loyal. Don't you think, Mother?"
The Empress Dowager, who had spent all this time studying Kyung Dae-Seung, had come to a decision. She smiles. "Yes, Emperor. I do think he is an outstanding man. He has an air of royalty himself, I believe." She looks over at the Emperor's daughters. "Su-an, please rise."
Princess Su-an stands up slowly, not knowing what her grandmother is thinking. She looks over at her brother, then at Kyung Dae-Seung. She blushes once more and this time, Kyung notices it.
"Kyung Dae-Seung!" starts the Empress Dowager. "You have protected the Imperial House with your life and have saved the regime from darkness. The reason we called you here was for a final examination for me. I have deemed you worthy."
Kyung's eyes dart from the Empress Dowager, to the Emperor, to the Crown Prince, then to Su-an.
"Imperial Guardian, I herby request that you take my granddaughter Su-an as your wife, and that you join the Imperial Family of Koryo."
Kyung's eyes lock into Su-an's and Su-an's into Kyung's. Slowly, his mouth opens to speak...