Chapter 062. The Lost Kingdom (1)
Clear bells rang through the air.
The first ceremony of the Fifteenth Day Festival had begun.
The world was still dark, but the eastern sky was slowly turning bright with dawn.
The people of Beopsindang washed their hands in clear water gathered inside stone basins.
They purified themselves with steam mixed with the scent of bamboo.
A procession of priests wearing white official robes and hats moved through Beopsindang, making it seem as though white waves were flowing across the grounds.
Each carried flowers, cups of wine, bells, or other ceremonial objects.
High Priest Seongha, Manu, and several junior priests boarded a boat and traveled toward the center of the lake behind Beopsindang.
The sound of the boat cutting through the water echoed through the solemn silence.
The priests hung a white lantern representing the moon from the left branch of the tree in the middle of the lake.
A red lantern representing the sun was hung from the right branch.
Seongha's low voice recited the sacred words.
"With the sacred light of the sun and moon shining upon us, we shall make the Fifteenth Day Festival a great ceremony praying for the prosperity of Hui Kingdom."
Today as well, Seongha looked noble and dignified.
His sculpted face rested above the raised collar of his pure white robes.
His long sharp eyes, straight nose, and thin curved lips made it difficult to look away.
Cheongyeon glanced at him without realizing it.
Then her face turned red.
One person had apparently become foolish after giving away her heart.
That beautiful and impressive man is mine.
She still could not quite believe it.
In this vast world, recognizing another person's preciousness and being able to exchange hearts with them felt like a miracle.
Perhaps she had spent so many lonely years in that distant city in the sky precisely so she could eventually meet someone this precious.
Because she had been too excited to sleep properly, memories of the previous night floated before her eyes like a dream.
[Today, I broke the priestly taboo forbidding me from becoming close to a woman.]
Seongha had tightly held Cheongyeon's hand as they crossed the star-filled river back toward Beopsindang.
Despite the seriousness of saying he had broken a sacred taboo, his expression had actually looked relieved.
[After the Fifteenth Day Festival ends, I will return my position as a priest.]
He had paused.
[I will also give up my status as the eldest son of the Jin Clan.]
Cheongyeon had been greatly surprised.
[Then what will you do afterward...?]
Seongha had pulled her closer.
[Even after leaving the priesthood, serving the Heavenly Maiden will still be my duty.]
Then he smiled.
[We will travel all across the world together.]
[We can watch the people you enjoy watching.]
[We can buy snacks...]
Cheongyeon had laughed and rested her head against his shoulder.
Someday, when everything was over...
Perhaps the two of them could go somewhere no one else lived and stay there together.
Just like their days in Cheonhui Kingdom.
A breeze moved across the lake.
The blue sky became waves.
Clouds drifted across the water.
Cheongyeon brought her hands together and prayed to the gods of heaven and earth who protected Hui Kingdom.
She prayed that this moment could remain for a long time.
And that the Fifteenth Day Festival would pass without anything happening.
Her eyes remained tightly closed.
There was sincere devotion in her expression.
Afterward, the priests became busy reviewing the ceremony order and procession route.
Beopsindang's forces were divided into two main groups.
Seongha, Manu, and the other priests would travel to the palace first to conduct the royal ceremonies.
Cheongyeon, the people of Cheonsingak, musicians, and performers would first participate in a procession around the city.
Reaching the palace courtyard would be the final stage.
There, before the king, nobles, and foreign delegations, Cheongyeon would perform the Heavenly Divine Dance.
The people of Beopsindang were secretly looking forward to the performance.
Rumors had already spread that Cheongyeon's skill improved every day and that her dancing had become beautiful.
As everyone hurried around preparing for the day's schedule, Cheongyeon's eyes met Seongha's.
He normally pretended to be completely indifferent in front of others.
But while passing nearby, he quietly smiled with his eyes.
Embarrassed, Cheongyeon quickly lowered her head.
That single glance carried their disappointment at having to spend time apart.
It was also a secret signal between them.
Let's both get through today safely.
"Such a cool autumn wind today."
Manu suddenly appeared near Seongha like a wild dog that had smelled something interesting.
"Yet it seems spring has arrived inside Priest Jin's heart."
Seongha immediately turned away and ignored him, completely blocking Manu's teasing.
Unable to get any entertainment from Seongha, Manu and the other priests gathered around Cheongyeon instead.
"Heavenly Maiden, we're only saying this just in case."
One priest spoke seriously.
"Please be careful not to trip over your long clothes. Imagine falling in front of the entire kingdom."
Another added,
"Remember to stop briefly on the stairs before entering the platform."
"Otherwise, we won't have time to release the flower petals at the right moment."
Cheongyeon narrowed her eyes playfully.
"I don't think you priests are in any position to worry about me."
They blinked.
"I saw someone shaking so badly while lighting incense that he nearly dropped it."
She smiled.
"And I also saw someone tell the musicians the wrong song order."
The priests immediately became embarrassed.
No one could tell whether the words they exchanged were teasing or encouragement.
Still, the conversations showed how close they had become.
They had shared countless memories after sweating together since late summer while preparing for the festival.
"I will wait for you at the palace."
Seongha bowed toward Cheongyeon.
Then he turned away.
The priests formed a line and followed him.
Cheongyeon watched Seongha's back for a long time.
Why did merely watching him walk away make her heart feel empty?
She shook her head, trying to chase away the strange loneliness.
Soon afterward, Cheongyeon entrusted herself to the maids of Cheonsingak for final preparations.
They brushed her hair.
Applied powder.
Her makeup was darker than usual.
Finally, they dressed her in the Heavenly Maiden costume prepared specifically for her.
The clothes fit Cheongyeon's body perfectly, emphasizing her delicate figure and shoulders.
Several layers of soft silk created different shades of color and shimmered gently.
