As the first day of the new year dawns, the royal palace buzzes with excitement, anticipation hanging thick in the air. Today marks the grand celebration of New Year's Day, a time for revelry and merriment in the esteemed halls of the palace.
"Heh, I'm seeing a Chosun feast for the first time! This is exciting, hehe," Diana muses to herself, her eyes alight with curiosity as she takes in the vibrant atmosphere.
But amidst the festivities, a sense of urgency gnaws at her conscience. "Oh wait, I don't have time for this," she realizes with a start, glancing around to find that her colleagues have already departed for the feast without her.
"Come over to the eastern tent! We'll be spending some time over there!" Soyong's voice rings out from the crowd, drawing Diana's attention.
"Hmm, the eastern tent... Which side did the Sun come up today again...?" Diana mutters to herself, her brow furrowing in concentration as she tries to recall the layout of the palace grounds.
Navigating her way through the bustling corridors, Diana eventually arrives at the designated tent where her friends await.
"Hey, isn't that...?" Diana's voice trails off as she catches sight of a familiar figure in the distance.
Peeking out from behind a nearby pillar, Diana watches intently as the man she had bumped into days earlier engages in conversation with another gentleman.
"Huh, he's got some looks, too," Diana muses to herself, her gaze lingering on the man's clean-cut features and intense demeanor. "A clean-cut face with that dangerous, sharp mood... Hey, wait a second."
A flicker of recognition sparks within her as she realizes the significance of the man's presence—a revelation that sends a shiver down her spine.
A warning bell tolls in the recesses of Diana's mind, a faint echo of unease that sends a shiver down her spine.
"...On the day we secretly followed some men. It sounds similar to the voice I heard that day... No, not similar... It's almost identical!" she realizes with a start, her heart quickening its pace.
Raising her gaze, Diana scans the bustling crowd in search of the familiar figure, but to her dismay, the man has vanished from sight.
"...Where did he go?" she wonders aloud, her thoughts racing as she tries to make sense of the situation.
Before she can dwell on her predicament any longer, a voice interrupts her reverie.
"I see you're looking for someone. Or are you perhaps lost your way?"
Startled, Diana whirls around to find the man standing beside her, a slight smile playing at the corners of his lips. How did he manage to approach her without her noticing?
"I'm just looking for someone," Diana replies cautiously, her instincts urging her to tread carefully.
"Is that so?" the man inquires, his tone inscrutable.
"Yes, they work at the Royal Tailors with me and-..." Diana begins, but she hesitates, suddenly wary of divulging too much information to a stranger.
"Well, I can help you out. It shouldn't take long, I suppose," the man offers, his expression earnest.
"Huh? No- I'm really fine," Diana insists, her unease growing with each passing moment.
"But how could I ever leave a beautiful lady in trouble alone?" the man counters smoothly, his words laced with charm. "I am not a gentleman if I do not help you out here."
Despite his kind demeanor, Diana's discomfort only intensifies, prompting her to take a cautious step backwards. But the man remains unfazed, his gaze unwavering as he observes her with keen interest.
"You have a very different air about you compared to others in here, my lady," he remarks, his tone thoughtful.
"Huh...?" Diana murmurs, her confusion deepening.
"You don't quite feel like a normal tailor..." the man continues, his words sending a chill down Diana's spine.
As he closes the distance between them, Diana's apprehension reaches its peak. But before she can react, the man extends his hand towards her, his gaze locking with hers in a silent challenge.
"Why don't we leave this noisy feast and have a private word together? I would also like... to talk about 'him' with you, as well," he suggests, his tone tinged with an unsettling sense of urgency.
Diana's confusion deepens as the mysterious stranger mentions "him," prompting Young to intervene with a steely resolve.
"'Him'?" Diana echoes, her brow furrowing in bewilderment.
"That's enough. Don't you dare speak to her," Young interjects firmly, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
Diana's gaze shifts to Taesoo, who stands beside her, his presence a reassuring anchor in the midst of uncertainty.
"I suppose you're skilled at being impolite to your superiors, Officer Baek," the stranger retorts, his tone dripping with disdain.
A thick tension hangs in the air between the two men, each refusing to back down from the standoff.
"Let's go, my lady," Young declares, his voice tinged with suppressed anger.
"Oh... Okay," Diana replies meekly, sensing the gravity of the situation.
"Hmm, but- If this lady is such an important person, shouldn't you take a great deal more of a care for her?" the stranger persists, his words laced with provocation.
"That is none of your concern, my lord," Young replies tersely, his jaw clenched in frustration.
As Young guides her away from the confrontation, Diana can't help but notice the tension radiating from his form, a silent testament to the turmoil brewing beneath the surface.
"Young, are you alright?" she inquires, concern etched in her voice.
"...Yes, I'm fine," Young assures her, though his strained expression betrays his true emotions.
"Baek-ik Jung..." he mutters under his breath, the name laden with bitterness.
"Baek-ik Jung...?" Diana repeats, her curiosity piqued by the mention of the stranger's name.
But before she can delve further into the matter, Young silences her with a grave look.
"My lady, today's the festival. I only want you to have a joyful New Year's Day," he urges, a note of urgency in his tone.
Sensing that further inquiries would only add to the tension, Diana reluctantly relents.
"It seems like I shouldn't ask him about this further," she muses to herself, a sense of unease settling over her.
"How deep are we involved in each other's lives?" she wonders silently, her thoughts swirling with unanswered questions.
Amidst the delicate balance between the men and herself, Diana recognizes the importance of maintaining harmony and avoiding unnecessary conflicts. With the knowledge that their time in this unfamiliar world is temporary, she refrains from probing further into the mysteries surrounding them, despite her curiosity and concern.
As the festivities unfold at the grand banquet, Diana finds herself mesmerized by the spectacle before her.
"...Wow," she breathes, her eyes widening in wonder at the dazzling array of attractions and splendid attire adorning the guests.
But her awe reaches its peak when she catches sight of the King of Chosun himself, resplendent in his regal attire, standing alongside his grandson, Lord Sung.
"Oh, wow... I didn't expect to see the King of Chosun himself—live and well in front of my eyes," Diana remarks, her voice filled with awe.
Before she can finish her thought, her gaze is drawn to Kooju, who stands alone at a distance, his expression clouded with a palpable sense of melancholy.
"He's here, too. Well, I guess I can't go say hi right now... But... why does he look so sullen?" Diana wonders, her concern growing with each passing moment.
But her musings are interrupted by urgent cries that echo through the banquet hall.
"Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty!!!"
The festive atmosphere is shattered as panic grips the crowd. Diana watches in horror as the King collapses to the ground.
"Diana! I need to go find His Highness! Where would you go?" Young's urgent voice breaks through the chaos, his eyes searching hers for direction.
"I-I should-...!" Diana stammers, her mind racing as she scans the room for Sung, seeking assistance from a royal physician.
Amidst the chaos, she catches sight of Kooju, his expression darkening further with concern, adding another layer of complexity to the unfolding events.
Diana's heart races with urgency as she determines to find Sung amidst the chaos of the banquet hall.
"I need to go find Sung...! Sorry, Young! I need to go!" she declares, her voice strained with determination.
But as she sets off in search of him, uncertainty grips her, halting her steps in their tracks.
"I didn't know where I was heading," Diana admits to herself, her breaths coming in short gasps as she struggles to navigate the crowded corridors.
"Hey! Diana! Where are you heading to in such a hurry?" Soyong's voice breaks through the tumult, drawing Diana's attention.
"To Sung- I mean, to His Highness...!" Diana replies, her voice tinged with urgency.
"What?! Hey. I know you're close with His Highness personally, but you can't just approach him when everyone's watching!" Soyong admonishes, her tone laced with concern.
"Oh... But still... wouldn't there be a way...? I just need to see him from a distance..." Diana murmurs, her thoughts racing as she weighs her options.
Soyong lets out a sigh, her gaze scanning the surroundings for a solution.
"Alright, follow me. Everyone's too busy that they won't notice us," she decides, leading Diana through a secluded hallway towards the King's Chamber.
From a distance, Diana watches as Sung tends to the fallen King, his expression wrought with concern and distraction.
"I've never seen him so distracted. I wanted to ask if he was okay. I wanted to comfort him," Diana reflects, her heart aching with a longing she cannot voice.
But as she stands on the threshold, a silent witness to the unfolding tragedy, she realizes the unspoken barriers that separate them, the invisible lines she cannot cross.
Meanwhile, back at the Royal Tailors, the Chief Tailor delivers grim news to the assembled officials.
"His Majesty... has ordered us to weave his shroud," she announces, her words hanging heavy in the air.
The news sends a ripple of shock through the room, each person grappling with the gravity of the task at hand.
"There is a condition we need to meet when we make the shroud," the Chief Tailor continues, her voice steady despite the weight of her words. "The King's shroud should be made with 9 layers of royal attires. And His Majesty himself has specifically chosen one of the 9 layers of attires. He wanted to wear the Dragon embroidered Royal Robe of the days he achieved his greatest works."
As the reality of the situation sinks in, Diana can only watch in silence, her heart heavy with the burden of impending loss.
As the Chief Tailor's words sink in, a heavy silence settles over the gathered officials, each grappling with the daunting task ahead.
"...This is going to be difficult," Soyong remarks, her voice tinged with apprehension.
Diana furrows her brow, her mind racing with questions. "I mean, the Royal Robe of the days he achieved his greatest works...? So, did we keep that robe until this day?" she wonders aloud, seeking clarification.
Soyong shakes her head, her expression somber. "No, it is lost by now," she admits, her voice barely above a whisper.
Leaning closer to Diana, Soyong confides in a hushed tone. "It's the Royal Robe he wore around the time his son was born."
Diana's heart sinks at the revelation, a pang of sorrow washing over her. "...By his son, it should mean the prince who have passed away. Then, what should we do...?" she murmurs, her thoughts spinning with uncertainty.
But as she ponders the dilemma, a sudden realization strikes her.
"...Maybe I could make it with 'that'..." Diana whispers, her eyes widening with newfound determination.
Frantically scanning the room for any sign of dissent or hesitation, Diana senses an opportunity amidst the uncertainty.
"...There may be a reward if I show myself worthy on this task. Which means—it might be the golden opportunity to get the golden thread," she realizes, her pulse quickening with excitement.
With a newfound sense of purpose, Diana braces herself for the challenges that lie ahead, determined to seize the opportunity that fate has presented her with.