The Voice

Eun Sook continued her story. “‘What’s your name?’ the king murmured. “‘Su Bin,’ she breathed. “‘That’s a beautiful name,’ he muttered softly. “And she smiled.  ‘What’s your name?’ “‘Yong Joon,’…

“So the king worked hard with his fellow hwarang to become the best leaders they could be for Silla.  They spent hours practicing martial arts, swordplay, and debate.  They had…

“Can we talk about it?” he asked as soon as he returned to their bedchamber that night.She shook her head.  She’d been waiting for him.  Despite being unable to nap…

Eun Sook spent an hour pacing the floor of his bedchamber.  She wanted to confront him.  She was afraid to confront him.  She feared asking him for his real identity. …

He wasn’t able to stay with her for the rest of the afternoon.  After spending just a few minutes with her, he begged her forgiveness before leaving his bedchamber.  And…

In the late afternoon, she was interrupted by a maid coming to deliver her tea.  She followed the girl out, catching the door before she left.  The two guards looked…

She took a deep breath.  And found the courage to meet his eyes.  But she still didn’t know what to say.  The man had just devastated her heart.  In the…

“Why do you call me Sookie?” she whispered that night as they lay quietly side by side in his bed. Just then, she felt his fingers brush hers.  But, though his…

The following day, he awoke first.  As the early rays of the morning sun were silently invading his bedchamber.  He rolled to his side to study the woman lying next…

Her voice then continued her story, “Several weeks passed mostly in peace for the king and the hwarang.  As well as for their noble leader.  But then, one day, events…