The double doors were pushed open wide and for a moment Iseul widened her eyes to adjust to the dark interior. She waited for Jae-sung to take the lead, but when she turned around he gave a small nod. So she mustered up her courage and lifted her skirts to walk up the few steps.

With her head held high she tried to move graciously as well as determined, all the while focusing to examine the men standing left and right of the isle and at the same time eyeing the king to discover what his reason was for calling them here. She discovered So-yeong in front of the row on her left and sighed in relief. She briefly caught sight of her grandfather and his reassuring smile eradicated the last of her fears.

When she reached the end of the row and stood next to her grandfather, she bowed low before the king and took the place her grandfather subtly pointed out to her. A little to the side, but clearly in front of him and So-yeong. Jae-sung bowed next and took his place beside his father, who stood next to her grandfather. When she dared to look at Minister Go there was a slightly annoyed, but overall resigned expression on his face. Like he had already accepted that the outcome of the contest would not be favorable to him, but didn't mind as long as he could keep his position.

For the first time Iseul thought about who she would want to work with, if and when she would be queen, and she was surprised to find the first name that popped up in her head was that of Jae-sung.

A little smile formed on her lips as she looked around her grandfather to where her former adversary stood. When she made eye contact her heart did a little flip and quickly she refocused on the king who was about to speak.

"My three last participants. Allow me to congratulate you on reaching this point. No matter the outcome, you will all receive ample reward. One of you will, at the end of this day, be chosen as the next successor to the throne of Silla. The other two will have the chance to take part in this council."

Iseul's eyebrows shot up. That was a life altering change indeed. For Jae-sung perhaps not so much, but So-yeong was the son of a minor official who barely made it passed the doors. His elevation tot council member would surely give great status to his whole family. She saw how his chest expanded and bit on her lip to hide her smile. She barely had time to register that the king had all but given away his choice, because there had never been a woman in the council before and she doubted that would change anytime soon.

If she became queen one day, would she be able to make decisions like that? Could she offer a place in the council to, say, Chul-yeo? She decided to discuss it with Jae-sung, but first the king had more to say.

"Before that ultimate decision is made, however, I wish for you to present yourselves to this council. Begin."

Iseul felt a slight nudge and all of a sudden she was the center of everyone's attention. She swallowed. It was probably best to get used to that feeling.

With a low bow to the king, she walked back to the middle of the red velvet carpet and turned toward the men who looked at her with varying expressions. She should probably be grateful Hojin's father was no longer among the men that now assessed her.

She bowed her head to them and then lifted her chin. The moment she opened her mouth to introduce herself, the front doors opened with a bang and a heavy breathing soldier ran a few steps until he doubled over on the carpet and before passing out wheezed: "Baek-Baekje is attacking!"

There was an arrow sticking in his shoulder and for a moment Iseul froze. Then all of a sudden the whole court was in an uproar. Several officials began shouting and the king stood up. Iseul was still standing in the middle of the room, but a moment later she felt Jae-sung pulling her aside. She knew it was him, even before she saw his face. Together they listened to the king giving orders. A physician was called in and after a while the soldier was brought to.

Down on his knees he notified the king of an alarming conspiracy between Minister Bae and the kingdom of Baekje. The soldier belonged to the border patrol and ordered by his superior he left his company to warn the king. An army was on it's way and would be here in less than two days.

Everyone faced the king as he mauled over his options. In Iseul's opinion there wasn't much else he could do but order Silla's own army to gather and march up to meet the enemy. That conclusion the king also reached and with a stern expression he ordered the assemblage of the Royal Guard.

In a flurry the council disbanded, but before Iseul could decide which way to go, Jae-sung pulled her with him out the door and into the shadows of the building, where they were quickly hidden by some shrubbery. Nobody could see them and sounds of retreating footsteps faded in the distance as shouts were heard all around.

She wanted to ask what he was doing, but before she could open her mouth his lips came crashing down on hers. Her heart seemed to stop beating for a moment and she promptly forgot how to breathe.

The kiss lasted but a second and when Jae-sung moved back she sharply inhaled.

"Forgive me, your highness." There was a slight smirk on his face, but the smile didn't reach his eyes and an unsettling feeling began to take root in her stomach.

"I had to do that, in case ..." He didn't finish his sentence for which Iseul was grateful.

She wanted to ask why, but Jae-sung looked over her head and with some urgency explained: "I will join the Hwarang and go and fight."

"No –"

"I have to. Hojin is there, I have to stop him, or you'll never be safe." He lifted his arm and rested his fingers on her cheek. Iseul almost closed her eyes.

Before she could find words to speak his hand fell down and without another word he left. She tried to follow him, but with his wide steps he was already halfway the courtyard by the time she rounded the corner.

A frantic Nari caught sight of her and screamed her name, while she and the other servants ran over to her. Iseul could only look at the back of the receding Hwarang. "Stay safe," she whispered. And in her mind she added: "And come back to me."