Prophecy by Ellen Oh

Author:Ellen Oh
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins

25

When she and Kwan returned to the palace, it was in an uproar. Taejo looked relieved as he bounded up to them.

“Where’ve you been? The Oakcho and Tongey diplomats have arrived and are asking Guru for military aid. I spent the entire day pleading with our uncle to save my mother. This should help our cause,” he said in an excited babble. He led them to a separate building from the main palace while senior Guru military officers and advisers raced through the hallways to join the heated discussions.

The rectangular chamber held several long tables and chairs set along the length of the room, parallel with the walls. A raised dais stood at the front of the room with a formal table for King Eojin and his advisers.

Eojin had not yet arrived, but nearly all the spots on the long tables were filled by the military, diplomats, and their staffs.

Several heads turned sharply at her entrance.

“What is she doing here?”

“Since when have women been allowed in military meetings?”

“It’s disgraceful. Get her out of here!”

Kira caught the glare of Lord Yu, the ill-tempered senior diplomat of Tongey.

“Who do you think you are? Away with you, ignorant wench! You have no business here,” Lord Yu shouted, pointing his finger at her.

She heard Kwan cursing, ready to confront the ambassador. Kira stopped him with a shake of her head.

“It’s all right, Oppa,” she said.

Kira fixed Lord Yu with a hard glare. “It seems you believe that you have some authority over me. I fear you are mistaken.”

“How dare you! This is a man’s world and you do not belong here,” Lord Yu shouted. “Guards, remove this creature!”

The Guru guards stationed in the room did not move from their positions.

“As I said, you have no authority over me.” Kira inclined her head briefly and walked away.

She returned to Taejo’s side and stood behind the prince’s chair at the end of the long table. Her cousin looked ill at ease—a boy among men. But he was there to represent Hansong. Kira gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze as King Eojin entered with his entourage. Within seconds of Eojin’s greeting, the ambassadors went on the offensive.

“Your Majesty, I insist that you order that insolent female from the meeting!” Lord Yu demanded.

Eojin raised an eyebrow. “By ‘insolent female,’ do you mean my one and only niece, daughter of my beloved older sister and the great General Kang? A member of the distinguished saulabi army and personal bodyguard to the crown prince of Hansong?”

He kept his eyes on Lord Yu, causing the diplomat to squirm.

“No, the insolent female stays,” Eojin said. “Now let us focus our attention on the matter at hand.”

Kira displayed no emotion but she felt a warm glow of pride.

“We were saddened to hear of King Sinwon’s death. He is a great loss.” Eojin addressed the Oakcho diplomats who bowed in acknowledgment.

“Our king has been murdered also,” Lord Yu cut in.

Eojin regarded the diplomat with a grave expression. “Yes, it is a terrible tragedy,” he said.

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