The Voice

“Are you…asking me to be your concubine?” she finally found the courage to utter the words that had been haunting her for a while.“What?” he gasped as he gazed down…

He entered his office the next evening just as the sun was setting.  When she’d arisen early that morning, she’d found him gone.  He had not returned at all during…

She reached down and plucked at her elegant robe nervously.  Was she in trouble?  She knew her ideas were revolutionary. “Do you believe then that a true bone can be king?”“True…

As she fingered those gorgeous robes, Eun Sook pondered her prince.  Her prince.  He must be a prince.  There was no better explanation for his presence here in the palace. …

She’d waited all day for him to return.  She’d busied herself writing her stories out on parchment.  She’d actually enjoyed her time alone.  Her imagination had been full of light, and the most…

The day began well enough.  Everything went as planned.  He ascended the throne.  Seon Woo and the hwarang arrived and bowed before him.  They pledged their allegiance to King Jin…

His next two days were filled to overflowing with meetings.  And orders.  Giving them.  To officers.  And servants alike.He also had to quickly learn how the palace functioned.  So he…

He returned before nightfall.  Just as he had promised.  Again.  This morning.  Before he’d left for the day.Eun Sook was waiting for him.  She’d bathed.  She’d even washed her hair. …

He broke his promise.  He didn’t return until the moon was high in the sky.  And when he came in, his head was bent.  His posture, even at a blurry…

He strode down the hallway.  An hour ago, he’d confronted his mother.  She’d demanded that he marry Sook Myeong if he wanted her to abdicate his throne.  He had refused. …