They had a lot of spectators, while walking through the streets of Gyeongju towards the palace. Iseul tried to match the long strides the boys took, but had to skip a few times.

Apparently word had gotten out about the visit of the selection participants to the king, because the closer they came to the palace, the more people gathered together. Groups of young ladies and several gisaeng stood giggling and whispering behind their hands. Seeing their colorful dresses and the shimmering ornaments in their hair, Iseul felt a pang of remorse. She really hoped the selection would be over soon, one way or another. She wanted to braid her hair again and wear pretty jewelry.

Suddenly a voice she recognized immediately shouted: "Iseul! Iseul, over here!"

She tried to maintain her pace, while she turned her head at the same time in the direction she'd heard Do-yun's shout from. It didn't work out quite as well as she'd hoped and when she stumbled, Chul-yeo's hand shot out from behind at the same time Jae-sung wrapped his arm around her waist to steady her.

Peels of laughter erupted together with squeals of delight, and thoroughly humiliated, Iseul pulled herself free from the helping hands and with newfound determination she strode forwards. She was more upset with herself for allowing her friends call to rattle her so than with Do-yun for distracting her. No matter how much she missed her dear friends, it was no reason for her to react like that. Luckily the headmaster hadn't seemed to notice her stumbling. The rest of the way she didn't look left or right and kept her lips firmly pressed together.

Only when the group entered the palace grounds, did she release her restrained posture. There was simply too much to see.

She wasn't the only one with gawking eyes. When she looked over her shoulder, she saw the Jee brothers also in awe. Jae-sung wasn't fazed at all. She reckoned he'd been here before with his father, who was a fifth head court official.

The headmaster marched them straight to the main building. The beautiful pavilion with it's outward curved roofs and decorated eaves stood amidst several others, and surrounding them on two sides was a huge pond. Wishing she would one day get the chance to examine the place more closely, Iseul found a whole new motivation for wanting to win the selection.

She caught Jae-sung's half-smile just when they crossed the threshold and quickly she lowered her head.

Winning the selection depended greatly on how well she behaved between these walls. Her manners needed to be perfect, not only for herself, but also because she was her grandfathers granddaughter. Her behavior would reflect back on him and she didn't want to give him any cause to be ashamed of her.

The first glance she had of the king, gave her goosebumps all over. He was sitting on his throne, that stood before a magnificently carved wall. Were those trees? Or ... no, smoke or birds? Jae-sung's elbow prodded her out of her reverie and she was just in time to make a bow with the rest of the group.

The king was smiling and so some of her nerves evaporated. He made a welcoming gesture and said with a bellowing voice: "Here they are, the best of Silla's youth. You make me proud today."

He stood up and everyone bowed again. Iseul was almost too late because she caught sight of her grandfather, who gave her an encouraging nod. When they rose, the king invited them to follow him and so they left the main hall. The court officials stayed behind. What would they think about the group they'd just seen? Would they all support the idea of a random youth becoming the next crown prince or princess? At least she knew some did. Her grandfather and Hojin's father of course. But the others? While she walked outside to an open pavilion that had been made ready to receive the guests with tea and refreshments, she caught a few glimpses of faces that were definitely not very happy with the prospects.

She was still deep in thought about what it would mean for her to be chosen and end up with the likes of them in her court, when they were allowed to sit on the pillows behind the small tables that were set. Because they entered the pavilion in the same order they entered the palace main hall, she was very awkwardly seated between Hojin and Jae-sung. Even though the refreshments looked delicious, she was sure she wouldn't be able to swallow one bite.

When the king began to speak again, she quickly focused her attention on him.

"All of your answers to my posed question were satisfactory. Some straightforward and some demanding a little more ... shall we say, explanation." A servant brought forth a tray with the scrolls that held the answers of the thirteen and Iseul held her breath as the king picked up the first one.

It wasn't hers and she exhaled. While the king read the answer out loud and began to question the one who wrote it, maids began to pour tea in the porcelain cups. No one dared to pick up the cup until the king was ready with his cross examination. The first answer had been one of the straightforward ones. Strengthen the borders and send gifts that show wealth. Iseul thought that was what's already been done for years. The king didn't have any questions for the Hwarang who wrote it. The second answer that was read aloud suggested parading the Hwarang regularly at certain borders. Setting up demonstrations of power and such. It was a smart suggestion and she saw the king would definitely take that in consideration.

When all of the tea had been poured, the king lifted up his cup and everyone followed his example. Good tea was served at the right temperature to drink, but when Iseul picked up her cup to take a sip, she burned her lips and barely managed to set down the cup before she coughed and placed her hands in front of her mouth.

Through watery eyes she saw Jae-Sung lean over to her. Concern was written on his face. She blinked rapidly to get rid of the unwanted tears and fearfully she looked at the king. His eyebrows were frowned and there was disappointment in his eyes. That changed however, when Jae-sung lifted her cup to his own lips and carefully tasted it.

"It's too hot, Your Majesty. She burned herself."

Even though it wasn't her fault, Iseul felt humiliated. She was grateful for Jae-sung for coming to her aid, but she couldn't look the king in the eye anymore. This was the second time today she made a spectacle and she feared the reflection it would have on her chances.

The king, on learning what had been the cause of the interruption, ordered a full investigation. His anger was not directed at her, but she still shrunk a little as he yelled at the servants. When he offered her the assistance of his own physician, she hastily declined. "I'm alright, Your Majesty, the pain is already fading."

It was a lie, her top lip was completely numb and she feared it showed on the outside, but this meeting was too important and she didn't want to be excused because of some stupid error. Because that's what it had been, hadn't it? A mistake? Some ignorant servant girl who forgot to check the temperature?

When she looked at Jae-sung, at how he narrowed his eyes and slowly looked around with a pensive expression, she began to wonder if it perhaps hadn't been a simple miscalculation at all.