Lying on her bed, Iseul turned and turned but was unable to find the position in which she could find some sleep. She still couldn't believe it. What was her grandfather thinking? It would have been easy to accept he would want her to marry the future king of Silla, but to become the monarch herself ...

Her father had been shocked as well, but after her grandfather explained what had made the king come to this conclusion, she had seen the sparkle in his eyes. He was away often, as he was an ambassador to one of the neighboring kingdoms, but Iseul was glad he was around to speak up for her. In the end objections didn't matter. There was no choice, she had to partake in the selection and if it were up to the men of her family, she would one day sit on the throne.

She rose, balled her fists, released the air from her lungs and dropped backwards once more.

Sufficed to say, she was a wreck in the morning.

🌸

"Iseul, what is wrong with you? Are you ill?" her mother cried as soon as she entered the main room of the house.

"No." Iseul sounded groggy, so she cleared her throat and explained: "I couldn't sleep. Did father tell you?"

Her mother clapped her hands and the joyous expression on her face was all the answer she needed.

Sitting down she wailed: "How can I possibly be queen? I don't know anything about councils and court. Can't I just marry the future king?"

"Hush, girl," her mother admonished, waving a spoon at her, "it's what your grandfather decided. He and your father will take care of everything, so just make sure you represent our family as best as you can."

They had breakfast without discussing the matter further. Her father and grandfather had already left for work and soon buzzing among the servants returning from the market, told her the announcement had been made.

🌸

As she had expected, not long after her friends came looking for her.

"Iseul, is it true? Is the king going to find a new heir?"

"Did the king really decide that both men and women can enter? How is that possible?"

The two girls that ambushed her calmed down after a few minutes of sprouting questions and Iseul was finally able to answer. "It's true. My grandfather told us yesterday. Apparently the king wants the best possible candidate for the job, so he will allow every able-bodied youth to participate."

Bae Do-yun, a round-faced girl with pretty eyes half whispered, leaning forward: "I heard they will even allow commoners to enter. Can you believe it? How can Silla have a commoner as king?"

Before Iseul could reply, her other friend, Go Binna, softly asked: "Are you going to enter?"

The question immediately made Do-yun forget her earlier rant. She sucked in her breath and looked at Iseul with wide eyes.

When she gave one, curt nod, Do-yun clasped her hands together. "I knew it. I knew you would. Oh, just imagine if you would become the crown princess. Queen Iseul, ah, that sounds marvelous."

Iseul sighed. Binna placed a hand on her arm and concern was written on her face when she surmised: "It's not your choice, isn't it?"

At once Do-yun stopped jumping up and down. "Oh, are you being forced?"

Heaving a deep sigh again, Iseul shoved her arms though the elbows of her friends and pulled them towards the gate. "It's fine. Even when I enter, I will never be elected. What do I have to offer?"

They stepped over the threshold and walked in the direction of the busy market-street.

Binna merely padded her hand, but Do-yun almost yelled: "Are you kidding? There is no one as smart as you, nor as pretty. You will be a perfect queen."

Scoffing, Iseul shook her head. But then a twinkle appeared in her eyes and she looked at her friends and said: "I know of one way I won't be so lost in the selection." She pulled her friends a little closer. "That is if you will join me."

She was sure Do-yun at least would want to, but to her utter disappointment, the girl who was usually in for an adventure, now lowered her head.

"For you, I'd like to, but my grandfather already decided that Hojin will be the one representing our family. In no way am I allowed to interfere with his chances."

Pressing her lips together and frowning, Iseul overthought her friends dilemma. "Your cousin has a very high probability of becoming the next crown prince," she finally admitted. "I actually thought they would simply choose him and be done with it."

Binna nodded, although looking not very happy about it. She had always been a little scared of Do-yun's cousin. "It must be because Prime Minister Sohn asked for a selection. His influence at court will be secured when you will be chosen, Iseul." When she realized what she had said, she clamped her mouth shut with both hands. "Oh, I'm sorry, that was a terrible thing to say. I really like your grandfather, he has always been kind to me."

Iseul laughed and padded Binna's hand in return. "Don't worry about it. You said nothing but the truth. It's true that Hojin's father and my grandfather have been each others greatest rivals for years. Both have equally as much to gain as to loose."

She steered the girls in the direction of the main area, where a large group had gathered around the announcement board. "And what about you, Binna, will you be my friend and ally in the lion's den?"

Smiling again, the timid girl shook her head. "I will always be your friend, and I will root for you as much as I can. But my brother is Hwarang and he will enter the selection."

"Of course!" Do-yun squealed, "the incredible Jae-sung, ah, what a handsome king he will make."

"Ya, Do-yun, don't betray me, will you." Iseul pulled one arm free and hit her friend on her shoulder.

"Ouch! Sorry, Iseul. But you can't blame me, you have to admit, he is dreamy."

"All Hwarang are dreamy, that's why they are called Hwarang," Iseul grumbled and Binna giggled: "It would be horrible if he were chosen, he's too arrogant as it is."

"He sure is, remember that time I tripped and fell in the pond when we were kids. He wouldn't even lift a finger to help me. I'll tell you, if Jae-sung is selected, I will leave the country."

As Iseul gave her own reply that assured her friend she wholeheartedly agreed, a voice from behind caused her to bite her tongue.

"Be sure to remember to bring the kite you dropped on my head, when you leave."