THE QUEEN SEOHYEONG [ENGLISH]

I will never forget that day. Its still warm in my memory when I came home after play with my friend—Han Nam Il—saw that father and mother are waiting in the yard. When I walked in, they smiled. At first I felt awkward with that smile; there was something strange. Just as I expected, the elders of my family were all present at the house that afternoon. They smiled meaningfully and invited me to sit down in a very polite language.

Im sick of hearing the polite language they use when talking to me. The strangeness didn stop there; my parents no longer called me with my full name. They seem reluctant or afraid to call my name.

My heart hurts. It hurts when they use to call me with your highness. I knew immediately that I had passed the second round of the Crown Princess selection that I had been through some time ago. Fate seems to want to take away my happiness.

At the age of ten, I had to separate from my parents. The palace choosen me to be the consort of Crown Prince Uiyang. Another girl might scream with delight upon learning that she has been chosen to be the Crown Princess of Joseon. But I feel like my happiness is being snatched away by heaven. The selection only stopped at the second stage, all at the wishes of the palace elders. They chose me as the best candidate for the throne of the future queen. I should have felt proud of that assessment, but I wasn the slightest bit proud. I feel burdened.

As if it wasn enough with the burden I had to bear as the Crown Princess, heaven gave an unexpected surprise. That day was the fourth day I stayed at the palace, in Byeolgung to be exact. A Senior Court Lady strives to train and teach court etiquette.

I remember well that the sun was shining brightly when a young court lady ran through the main entrance of Byeolgung. A young palace maid cried and knelt down in front of the sanggung senior who trained me. Haltingly, a young palace maid announced that the King—my father-in-law—passed away.

My heart is broken.

However, my heart broke when I realized another reality that I was about to face. The fact that I will immediately ascend the throne as a Queen

Im scared. Im afraid of the throne Ill sit on in the future.

…

”See you tomorrow, Brother Nam Il! ”

Heo Jung-Eun smiled as she waved her hand before entering the house. The cute girl smiled broadly at her best friend, Han Nam Il, who lived not far from her house. After Nam Il was no longer visible in her vision, Jung Eun entered the house.

Jung Eun entered the house with a smile still on her sweet face. However, that smile faded when she found her parents waiting. Jung Eun felt something strange when she saw the behavior of her parents. They smiled and bowed slightly to him. It made she feel uncomfortable.

”Mother, Father, why are you outside like this? ”

Jung Eun asked, frowning at the behavior of her parents, who were clearly very unusual.

Madam Min smiled and stepped closer to her only daughter. Her hands gently smoothed the Jung Euns hair.

”Please. Come on in. Everyone is waiting for you. ”

Jung Eun did not understand her mothers strange attitude. Inside, the sweet girl wondered.

”Mother, why are you speaking so formally to me? What is this, really? Ho, why are you dressed so neatly on an afternoon like this? ”

”Youd better go in first. Inside the room, you will find the answer. Please. ”

Mr. Heo spoke up. The man did not answer his daughters question. His hands directed Jung Eun to immediately enter the house.

Jung Eun was forced to step up and obey the orders given by her parents. Slowly, the girl directed her steps towards the main building of they house. In her heart, Jung Eun is confused by the attitude shown by her parents. The girl felt that something bad was going on.

Once the door to the main room of her house opened, Jung Eun got another surprise that she never imagined. Inside the main room, there are already ten people who seem to be waiting for Jung Euns presence. Jung Eun recognized the faces, one by one, sitting in the main room of her house as her familys elders. Feelings of discomfort are getting stronger and controlling Jung Euns heart at this time.

Jung Eun turned and found her parents smiling at her. However, the smile that her parents showed was not the usual smile that Jung Eun gets. It was a respectful smile. Jung Eun did not like the smile.

”Congratulations to lady of the Hong family, was selected as Crown Princess. We are very proud and honored. Our family has the honor of being chosen to be a royal family. Once again, congratulations, Lady Hong. ”

All the elders of the Jung Eun family smiled and bowed respectfully to her, who was still standing in the doorway. Jung Eun was wide-eyed to hear the congratulations that had just been spoken by one of her familys elders. Jung Eun turned back to her parents, who were still standing behind. The girls gaze seemed to beg for an explanation for all the strange events this afternoon.

As if to understand the confusion that was depicted on Jung Euns face, Madam Min returned a smile. The noble lady looked at her daughter gently.

”You have been chosen to be the crown princess, Your Highness. We hope that you can bring blessings and peace to this country in the future. ”

Jung Euns heart ached when heard her parents speak formally again. However, the most painful thing for Jung Eun is that her mother and father will never call her again by her birth name. Tears fell down her cheeks withou