"Young lady, we have to hurry up. Your mother is ready to go, and everyone is waiting for you. Plus, we do not want to be late. It is not appropriate, and your father will—"
"I know, I know, Nara… he will get mad and make a scene when he comes back home. Yeah, yeah, yeah," said Hana to her maiden while taking a last look at herself in the tall mirror. "I am ready. Don't forget to take the fan decorated with peonies. It matches my dress. Ugh, it will be hot today," she added with a large hand gesture, exhaling as she opened the sliding door, holding her chin up and her back straight.
"All right, my lady. I have it!" responded Nara, hurrying to help her put on her pink embroidered shoes.
"Oh, Hana, you look beautiful! Your presence resembles a fresh bouquet of peonies. I am sure that Her Majesty the Queen will adore you," said her mother, moving toward her and taking her arm.
"Of course she will adore me. I'm all pink, Mother. Who does not love pink?" said Hana, rolling her eyes and smiling from the corner of her rosy lips.
The two noble ladies, accompanied by their maids, stepped into their palanquins with covered windows and headed straight to the Palace.
Four men carried each palanquin on their shoulders, walking at a steady pace, trying not to shake the ladies seated inside.
The maids walked silently beside them, heads slightly bowed. They wore the same style of clothing: long-sleeved beige tops and dark blue skirts — the typical attire for maidens of that household.
"Ugh, why is it so hot today?" asked Hana in an annoyed tone, opening the curtain and aggressively waving her small fan.
"Please have just a little more patience, my lady. We are almost there, and we will have refreshments," Nara tried to comfort her.
"Hana, put down the curtain!" shouted her mother from her own palanquin when she saw her face exposed. "You cannot let anyone see your face. It is not suitable for a noble young lady such as yourself. We do not want these peasant hooligans drooling over your beauty," she continued arrogantly.
Nara quickly lowered the curtain, and the convoy continued toward the Palace.
Nobleman Jang, Hana's father and the Minister of Finance at the Palace, had instructed his wife to take their daughter to visit the Queen. Every year, at the beginning of July, the Queen Mother celebrated her birthday. Although Minister Jang was a respected and well-positioned man at Court, he never missed an opportunity to strengthen his ties with the royal family. He loved power, he loved wealth, and having the right connections was essential for a long and successful career within the Palace.
As every year, he tasked his wife with purchasing the most expensive gifts and presenting them personally to Her Majesty. The mere fact that his family visited the Queen would provoke envy among other noblemen, as meeting a royal was no simple matter. However, Minister Jang knew which strings to pull to obtain what he desired.
When they arrived at the large wooden gates of the Palace, the carriers lowered the palanquins and lifted the front curtains so the ladies could step out. With the assistance of their maids, Lady Jang emerged first, followed by her seventeen-year-old daughter.
Hana was tall and slim, with an oval-shaped face and fair skin. Her slim lips were tinted a light pink, and her sharp nose and bold black eyes gave her a noble yet spoiled appearance. A long black braid cascaded down her back to her hips, tied with a pink bow.
To visit the Queen required the finest garments, and as every year, she had new clothes made especially for this occasion. She wore a faded pink long-sleeved silk top tied with a red ribbon and a bright pink silk skirt. Her flat shoes were embroidered with pink peonies and red trim. It was a pink reverie — enchanting to some, overwhelming to others.
Arranging their skirts, accompanied by their maidens a step behind, the Jang ladies entered the Palace. Heads held high, hands folded neatly — left over right — they walked confidently toward the Queen's quarters.
Nara followed one step behind Hana, carrying two large boxes wrapped in pink silk. Her head was slightly bowed, hiding a round face with fair skin and rare, captivating hazel eyes framed by long dark lashes beneath curved black brows. Her full lips held a natural pink tone, and her small, delicate nose completed a perfectly balanced face. Her thick black braid reached her lower back. She was a beauty beyond her social status.
The four women stopped before the sliding doors of the Queen's chambers. On either side stood court ladies dressed in dark green garments. In the center was the Queen's lady-in-waiting, Lady Kim, a woman in her fifties with gray hair gathered into a bun. All kept their heads bowed in accordance with Palace protocol.
"We are here to see Her Majesty the Queen. I am Lady Jang, wife of Minister Jang, and this is my daughter, Hana. We wish to present our—"
She was interrupted by shouting from inside the chamber.
Suddenly, the rice-paper doors slid open, and a man burst out, fuming with rage.
"Crown Prince! Crown Prince! Listen to me!" called an elderly woman from within.
On his way out, he failed to notice the women waiting outside and collided with them. He knocked into Hana, who stumbled into the court ladies, and nearly stepped over Nara, who fell to the ground, scattering the gift boxes across the floor.
Lee Sun was seething after yet another argument with his mother, the Queen, who insisted he must marry soon to secure the throne. After his father's death a year earlier, he had taken over the governance of Joseon. Many ministers and nobles sought to undermine him, hoping to replace him with his six-year-old half-brother, the son of a concubine — a child they could easily control.
Corruption had flourished during his father's illness. Unqualified men had risen to high positions, and poverty beyond the Palace walls had worsened.
Lee Sun knew marriage was necessary to solidify his rule. He hated the idea, but he had to think of his kingdom and his loyal people. His mother's pressure, however, exhausted him.
Today, when he visited to wish her a happy birthday, she had once again demanded he select a bride and complete the marriage before Chuseok, the harvest festival.
"Crown Prince, this is not a request. It is an order!" she had declared.
Now, realizing he had knocked the women aside, he bent down, picked up the two boxes, and extended his arm to help Nara up.
Nara blushed when she noticed her skirts had lifted slightly, exposing her ankles. Seeing his broad hand extended toward her, she quickly stood on her own, adjusting her garments. She glanced around for the gifts but saw them already in his arms.
Lee Sun watched her flustered movements and felt an unexpected smile form within him.
"I am sorry. I did not see you," he said, handing her the boxes.
Though she knew it was forbidden, Nara lifted her gaze for a brief second.
She saw a tall man with broad shoulders slightly bent toward her. His deep black eyes seemed to pierce the soul. Full lips and a sharp nose gave him a strong yet refined appearance. His sharp jawline and lightly olive complexion set him apart from ordinary men.
"I am sorry, Your Highness. I was in your way," she said breathlessly, lowering her eyes again.
For a fleeting second, Lee Sun noticed her captivating hazel eyes, her milky skin flushed like cherry blossoms, and her soft red lips — and something in his chest tightened.
"I apologize for our clumsy maid's mistake, Your Highness. Please forgive us," Lady Jang intervened quickly, pulling Hana forward. "My daughter will ensure the maid is punished for this embarrassment."
"It was my fault. No one will be punished," Lee Sun replied sharply. "Tell your daughter to watch where she is walking."
Then, glancing at Hana's attire, he added coldly, "And who is wearing all this pink? It is irritating."
He turned and walked away, followed by a procession of maids and eunuchs.
Hana stood stunned and furious. She slapped at her skirt and stomped her foot.
"Do not make a scene! We are about to enter the Queen's chamber. Smile and greet her properly. We will address this later. Straighten your back," Lady Jang whispered firmly.
Hana glared at Nara, then composed herself and followed her mother.
Lady Kim announced their arrival, and after receiving approval, opened the doors.
They entered quietly and approached the Queen, seated on cushions behind a low table in the softly lit chamber.
They bowed deeply, palms facing downward before their foreheads, then sat.
Lady Jang placed the two packages before the Queen.
"We offer these in celebration of Your Majesty's birthday. Our family wishes you blessings and happiness," she said, bowing again.
"Thank you, Lady Jang. I appreciate your presence," replied the Queen, her gaze shifting to Hana. "And this must be your daughter. She has grown into a fine young lady."
"Yes, Your Majesty. She is my only child. Thank you for your kind words."
"How old are you?" the Queen asked.
"I am seventeen, Your Majesty. I will turn eighteen in December," Hana replied with a graceful bow.
"And she is your only child?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. We have raised her to be a good wife and capable household leader."
The Queen smiled thoughtfully.
"Lady Jang, she is of marriageable age. Your family is noble and respectable. What would you think if I recommended her for the upcoming selection of brides for my son, the Crown Prince?"
Lady Jang bowed, barely containing her excitement.
"Your Majesty is most generous. It would be our honor to serve the Crown Prince and the kingdom."
"It would be my pleasure to support her candidacy," said the Queen with a subtle smile. "I was just discussing marriage with my son. Did you happen to meet him outside?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Hana replied slowly, her eyes gleaming. "I have just had a glimpse of him."