Chapter 10
Yeon-guk had long been famous for producing refined and beautiful women.
It was said to be because the land was fertile and the water pure, allowing people to eat and drink only the finest things. In that sense, beautiful women were seen as a symbol of the nation’s prosperity.
And yet, among them all, Soa stood out especially today.
Her face, slightly thinner after several days of illness, gave her a gentle and poetic air.
The pale pink fabric of her jeogori was finely woven, and embroidered upon it was a single bird that looked just like her.
Her upright posture, dignified and composed, made her stand apart even among the gathered maidens.
“…So you’ve finally arrived.”
Prime Minister Yoon turned to look at Soa.
Though the palace was a place she had visited many times, the fact that she was here to participate in the selection made him uneasy.
Soa had told him repeatedly that she could come alone, but perhaps because she had changed subtly after her private meeting with the queen, he had come personally to see her off.
“You don’t have to go. Even now—”
“Father.”
“Yes, Soa.”
“There’s something I haven’t said to you yet.”
“What is it?”
Soa lifted her bowed head.
He had personally found her beautiful flower shoes, and yet now he was speaking so weakly.
Soa was the daughter of Yeon-guk’s prime minister.
The only child of a prestigious family and the daughter of a woman once renowned for her kindness and wisdom.
“I know that you have cherished me all this time. And I know that I could never repay that kindness in my lifetime.”
“Soa…”
“You once said this, Father. That loving someone means wanting to protect them. That you wanted to protect Mother for your entire life, and that it still pains you that you couldn’t.”
“……”
“I don’t fully understand what love is. But I want to protect His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“……”
Thud, thud.
A breeze blew, and delicate petals clinging to branches fluttered down.
Even beneath the falling flowers, Soa’s posture did not waver.
It was the stance of someone who had made a firm resolve.
“There are many things I don’t know about the world. I was raised carefully within your arms. Now, I want to see the world with my own eyes. I want to know who I am and what I can do.”
“……”
Prime Minister Yoon saw the unshakable determination in Soa’s eyes as she spoke clearly and firmly.
This was the first time he had ever seen her like this.
When a child sets their will, a parent cannot break it.
He only clasped her hand tightly and then let go.
Before they realized it, they had arrived at the pavilion in front of the rear garden—the gathering place for the selection.
“All young ladies participating in the selection, please gather here.”
A stern-faced court lady stepped forward.
Soa bowed briefly to her father, then walked toward the court lady.
She could feel eyes staring at her from all directions.
Behind her, she heard whispered voices.
But such attention was familiar to her.
One of the women stepped up beside her.
It was Yeojeong, daughter of the Jang family, said to be the wealthiest family in the capital.
“You arrived on time. Have you been well?”
“…Yes. Thanks to you. Have you been well over the winter?”
Yeojeong smiled gently as she spoke, then glanced at Soa’s jeogori.
“A bird has flown in. How lovely.”
Yeojeong’s own jeogori was jade-colored, covered in rich red floral embroidery.
It was striking even from afar.
“Ah… it’s quite simple.”
“It suits you.”
“Does it? Miss Jang’s jeogori is also—”
“They say the Queen of Yeon-guk inherits a royal robe adorned with swallows. The bird embroidered on that robe is large and heavy. Compared to that, a sparrow is quite small and charming, wouldn’t you say?”
“……”
“They say everyone has clothing that suits them best.”
Yeojeong met Soa’s eyes.
Her red lips curved into a pretty smile, but her gaze was sharp.
Just as Soa was about to respond, court maids entered all at once, each holding a black cloth.
“Her Majesty the Queen has arrived.”
At the booming announcement, everyone bowed their heads.
Soa lowered her head calmly, listening to the unhurried, graceful footsteps approaching.
The steps stopped only when they reached the center.
“Thank you all for coming.”
As heads lifted, gasps of admiration erupted.
The queen wore a golden royal robe she had never worn before.
Just as Yeojeong had said, two swallows rested upon her shoulders, and the gold leaf on the robe glittered brilliantly in the sunlight.
“This gathering is to select the Crown Princess who will one day become the Queen of Yeon-guk and inherit this royal robe.”
“……”
“First, she must be proper. Second, she must be healthy. Above all, she must be wise. Throughout this year’s selection, I will carefully observe each of you. And to the most suitable among you, I will pass on everything I possess.”
As the queen’s gaze swept over the women, it eventually reached Soa.
‘Would you really ruin everything over a single woman? Do you know how this position was earned, how it was protected?’
The queen’s cold, sharp voice echoed in Soa’s ears.
Yet Soa stood calmly, hands folded, composed.
The Queen’s gaze did not linger and soon moved on.
“Then let us begin, with joy in our hearts.”
With that, the queen turned away.
The court lady who had been waiting spoke again.
“The first round.”
At her words, the maids stepped forward and stood before each participant.
A young-looking maid approached Soa and bowed.
“Please follow me.”
Soa obeyed and followed her.
They entered a large building with at least ten modest rooms.
The maid led Soa into one room and gently placed her hand on the knot of Soa’s clothes.
“I will begin removing your garments.”
Thus began the first trial.
***
The examination started with stripping completely to check for scars or marks.
Then they were soaked in water mixed with wax and strong herbs to see if any areas of skin changed color.
Deer’s blood was placed on their arms to test chastity.
After that, they were made to soak their feet in cold water to see how long they could endure.
Then heavy weights were hung from their bodies to test whether their thighs and hips were healthy, measuring how quickly they could walk.
Soa endured every test without flinching.
She knew what would be tested through rumors and books, but experiencing it was entirely different.
“I can’t do this anymore! Stop!”
One woman screamed during a test that required sitting while several dozen books were stacked on her thighs.
By the time the sun began to set, only half of the original participants remained.
“You may change into these clothes.”
All of them were then given identical garments.
The clothes were made of rough, yellowish-white fabric—plain, with no beauty to speak of.
“Thank you.”
Soa thanked the maid who had assisted her throughout the tests.
She also did not forget to hand her a rice cake she had tucked away just in case.
“I brought this in case I met a child. I’m glad I can give it to you.”
The maid hesitated, then nodded and popped the rice cake into her mouth.
The way she chewed reminded Soa of Jeongi happily eating snacks.
When would she see Jeongi again?
Jeongi had cried when sending her off—she was probably still sniffling and chatting with Gilli by now.
“Please come this way.”
The maid placed Soa’s original clothes into a box, along with the belongings she had brought from home, then wrapped it tightly in cloth.
Carrying the bundle, they stepped outside.
Yeojeong was already there, adjusting her clothes with a displeased frown.
When she saw Soa, she quickly composed herself.
As the remaining participants gathered, the queen appeared once more.
“We will now formally begin palace residence. I have personally prepared a small banquet to congratulate those who passed the first round.”
“We are honored, Your Majesty.”
The modest banquet was held in a pavilion before the queen’s residence.
Though the dishes looked delicious, no one moved.
Each cup before them was already filled with something.
“Now, lift your cups.”
The queen said this while looking directly at Soa.
