“And I have no intention of disrupting it.” The court lady arches a sharp brow. “My guests and I will wait at the back of the room until an appropriate time.”
The guards exchange a nervous glance and let us through, in the face of JoSanggung’s imposing presence. She soundlessly opens the door to the audience hall and motions us through. We scurry to a dark corner in the back.
Even though morning light filters into the audience hall and light orbs dot the ceiling, the room remains dim and somber. Yet the Queen of Water is anything but. She is beautiful and radiant as she sits on a stunning throne made of fuchsia, blue, and purple coral, which undulates gently around her.
Her impish face holds a touch of mischief as she listens to the high officials drone on and on about one tedious topic after another. I shift on my feet, deathly bored and growing more impatient by the minute. But when a court lady steps down from the dais to accept a scroll from an official, JoSanggungmakes a quick motion with her hand, signaling her.
The other court lady shows no outward sign of recognition. But after she presents the scroll to the queen, she takes a step back and seemingly fades into the shadows. Then she swiftly and silently makes her way toward us, hugging the side wall.
“Haesan, what is going on?” his aunt whispers, reaching for his hand. “Is something wrong?”
“We need an audience with the queen,Gomo.” Haesan covers her hand with both of his. “The Realm of Four Kingdoms is in danger. Sunny will explain everything.”
Troubled eyes flit toward me, then she says, “I will tell the queen. But do not approach the dais until you are summoned.”
I’m awed by the implicit trust between Haesan and his aunt. She simply took him at his word. As GangSanggunghurries back to the dais, I shoot him a worried glance, wiping my clammy hands down my jeans. He nods at me in reassurance.
“I will take it into consideration,” the Queen of Water says in a crystalline voice, dismissing the latest droning official.
But before the next official can vomit superfluous nonsense to sound self-important, GangSanggungapproaches the throne and whispers in the queen’s ear. Curiosity sharpens the queen’s features before she nods her assent. GangSanggungbows low to the queen, then motions for us to approach the dais.
“Go,” JoSanggungurges us. “Do not keep the queen waiting.”
The audience hall is filled with rows and rows of high officials. I walk to the last row and clear my throat at their silk-cloaked backs. When nothing happens, I clear my throat louder. The officials turn around without moving an inch and look down their noses at me.
“Pardon us, my lords,” Haesan says circumspectly, but his sheer size and strength warn the arrogant officials not to mess with him. “The queen wants us to approach the dais.”
They shuffle half a step to make a narrow path down the middle for us, and Haesan and I walk toward the dais. But their mutterings soon grow sharp and shrill as they realize I’m agumiho. I didn’t dampen my magic—I can’t make allies while lying about my identity.
I feel their rage and hatred prickle the back of my neck, but I stand before the Queen of Water and bow. “Your Majesty.”
She offers me a cursory nod but addresses Haesan. “Have you grown even bigger since I last saw you?”
“I’ve reached the age of twenty-four, Your Majesty.” He blushes. “I believe I am done growing any taller.”
“I meant to the side.” The queen waves her hand to encompass his humongous form. “You’ve definitely gotten broader.”
“Perhaps.” He coughs into his fist. “May I present Cho Mihwa to you. She is a trusted friend, and one of the most accomplished suhoshin cadets of this year. She wishes to bring a matter of great urgency to your attention, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm,” the Queen of Water says noncommittally, then narrows her eyes at me. “Nice clothespin. A gift from someone special?”
“Shit.” I snatch it off my nose and hiss at Haesan, “Why didn’t you tell me I still had this ridiculous thing on my face?”
“I thought you enjoyed wearing it,” he answers without guile.
“You thought ...” I exhale a long breath, fighting for patience. “Your Majesty, the Kingdom of Mountains needs your help. I have come to implore you to send troops to aid them against the Kingdom of Sky’s invasion.”
“That war is a travesty, especially when the new king brought such hope to those poor people.” The queen purses her lips. “Their peace lasted mere days.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.” I take a small step closer. “The people of the Kingdom of Mountains and the new king did nothing to deserve this war.”
“Hmm,” she says again. I suppress the annoyance pinching my insides. “While I agree with your sentiment, it is a serious matter to risk the lives of my soldiers to defend another kingdom.”
The high officials agree loudly with their queen. I can’t stop my annoyance from flaring into full-fledged irritation. My instinct tells me that the Queen of Water is being difficult on purpose.
“The war in the Kingdom of Mountains affects all the kingdoms.” I struggle to keep my tone appropriately deferential. “It affects every being in this realm.”
“How so?” The queen arches her brow coolly, even though the corners of her eyes tighten slightly.
