“The rain won't fall.” I dropped the bombshell, I don’t know but I seemed to like her expression when I did this. “Why do you think so, Your Grace?” distress became visible on her face, which I found adorable that she cared about things like this, unlike a 21st century teen whose priorities were different.

I shifted in my sit as I got ready to lie, I began “During this time of the year, especially the first month of the year, rain doesn’t fall regularly only once surprisingly and brings high tempera... heat when it falls.” I explained, realizing how Hana always felt whenever she made those evil comments to shatter my hope.

“Really, Your Grace?” she answered looking sad. Am sorry Dong yi but I was bored. “Hmm hmm, but Dong yi?” trying my hardest to look serious. “Yes, Your Grace.” She answered looking like she was denied lunch. but why do I feel like it's my fault? It’s so strange. “But don’t tell anyone I said that.” I smiled persuasively at the young child.

“Yes, Your Grace.” She said no longer interested in the rites, we continued talking while the ceremony dragged.

An uproar began as a group of angry men started to rebel at the gate of the temple. I looked and saw General Yi and some other guards blocking the angry mob from approaching the gate, in curiosity I asked her who was those people who looked ready to barge in and disperse everything, hoping to get a very long gist.

“Those are farmers blaming the food crisis on the King; they believe the heaven has rejected the King. If he can’t appease the heavens, he would have to abdicate the throne to the prince of the court and be exiled to pay for his sins.” She answered as she returned her focus to the gate with a sad expression. “The King can’t make the rain, he’s just a mere man.” anger and fear filled me over the obvious ignorance of these people.

“No Your Grace, don’t say that, the King represents the Sun, the son of heaven an...” dong Yi corrected but I stopped her. “Dong Yi, your King is an ordinary man, like those men outside. The difference is that he has a crown on his head. Besides, he can’t make the rain fall, only the heaven chooses when. ” I finished as I looked back at the King still diligently doing the practice.

Dong yi stared at her mistress who did not know that every word she just said was an offence to the crown but, because she was ignorant and kind, unlike her former mistress she had served since she was ten, she would not report this part to his Majesty.

The noise outside began to grow more into a distraction until it overshadowed the prayers the high priestess was shouting. I looked afar off and saw General Yi stopping the angry men from flooding into the temple grounds.

I admired him for enthusiastically doing his duty, before I quickly looked forward to see His Majesty performing the rites relentlessly over again for the umpteenth time. It was really admirable but I pitied him because his throne depended on something he could not control or did not even have power over and the only way to keep it was not even guaranteed.

When the King was about to repeat the ritual again, a eunuch came, bowed and whispered into his ear and he nods before dropping to his knees to continue the ritual. There! I quickly spotted it, the wrinkles of sadness that flickered on his face and I found myself praying that a miracle happens even if it was something not related but... anything!!

I was so sure of what I saw even if it went as quickly as it came. I mean, I could relate to this kind of situation, I had similar occurrence in my life, which made me want to help because I knew better in situations like this. “Faith without works is nothing” as the teacher at my sunday school would say and knowing what I was about to do would cause stirs and alot of things that I would not be able to handle, I still decided to do it.

I abruptly got up and decided I would walked to the King, and although I could not tell where or when this unknown courage came from but it was there and I could feel it.

Amidst all the stares and gasps, I could not care less, at least I was going to show some effort than let him stand alone in this unjust and ignorant tradition, even though it was a very stupid impulsive behaviour.

Let's forget all those motivational mumbo jumbo, I was scared like heck. The real plan was, I would try to use my uniqueness to draw attention and join the rite, then say the heavens heard the prayer and decided to think about and when they answered, it would rain overflowing. Great plan right?? I know!!

As I began walking towards his direction, I could hear Dong Yi's worried voice calling out me, asking where I was going and I was sure she was following me behind. With the veil over my face, I could see people's expression of surprise and confusion as they gave way, but they couldn't see mine of total scare. When I came out of the crowd in front of the whole capital because this number was too small for a whole nation so I guess the whole city and every one stared at me, in a twinkle of an eye, I realized two things.

One, it was a stupid decision, what was I thinking?? Did I even think? No I didn't! And now it was too late to back out, which is number two.

I looked at Dong Yi who just got to my side and gave her a squeeze on her shoulder as I walked to where the King was, hoping my head would still remain on my body after I got to where he stood.... And it did.

Well, after the guards surrounded me brandishing their swords, I almost went on my period after I saw myself get acquainted to the beheader in two seconds. You should have seen how Majestic I walked at first like I owned the place. He had to ask them to stand down and bid me to come. Don't think it was easy the way I make it.

I got to where he was standing feeling all mushy inside. He towered over me and smiled like he has been expecting me and I was on time. I bowed for the first time and watched satisfaction cover his face. Among the stares surprise and anticipation, I preformed the ritual stances I had seen him do, many times. All eyes on me, even the noise at the entrance stopped as everyone looked with keen interest and everywhere became silent.

Soon enough the King joined me and we both continued to perform the ritual regardless. After the fifith time, the wind just had to come in unexpectedly as I stood to repeat the stance for the last time before my whole 'the heaven is thinking about it part' and it blew off my veil exposing my unique face to the every naked eyes of every human standing there.

Remember that silence that i talked about? Yeah, it disappeared.

Well, it started with a couple... nah a handful of gasps then graduated to whisperings, loud whispers then mummified into murmurings and before I knew what was up, the whole place was as noisy as a poultry farm. Geez! How would I turn this to my favor?? I guess this is the part where we just, you know, jump into the next scene, ya' know improv' yeah..

I gathered every boldness I had pumped from standing with the King doing all those stances and turned to the whole throng. I slowly started to lifting up my hands to the heavens like I was lifting up the holy communion but really, I was buying myself time until they would decide to stone me, but the place became quiet again which, I noticed as closed my eyes and prayed my last.

I decided to drink the last water of my life. So I took steps to where there was a cauldron of water and drew a cupful. I drank the first, the second and third but when it got the fourth I remembered the King might go along with me, because he allowed me so, I drew and gave him to drink, which he did, the fourth and the fifth.

Ha! Yes, Incase they might want to burn alive I drew again and poured it on my self from head to the toe and continued until I was drenched completely. Now I am thankful for that squat I did because my ass feels amazing.

When I was sure ready for whatever mode of annihilation they would prefer. I sat back on the ground waiting for death next to the King who had been watching at me all this while. When he saw me sit, he followed and sat with me before the priestess did and as dong Yi saw me with my eyes closed, she did too. Minutes later every man that had come to witness the ritual, sat on the floor like I did with eyes closed and all we could hear was the wind, no voice, no movement just birds and probably insects but no death decision was being taken I hoped.

The wind blew chills into my bones and the air became cold like death was on the way as the night drew nigh. From trickles it came, to a flood it became, the rain that is. It started to drizzle and then later, it poured. I first thought, it was the death sentence and I forced my eyes closed so as not to see what worse thing was happening to the King but no, the voices and shouts of what sounded like celebration made me open them to see rain pouring like a flood on us.

I turned to see the King still sitting with me even when everyone had gotten up out of excitement to celebrate. He turned to me and smiled as the dimples became beautiful ditches in the rain and it got me almost stretching my hands to touch them, thankfully I resisted the urge to do so. Not long after the people began to celebrate, someone shouted from outside the temple ‘Finally, the heavens has sent their own to us, hail the heaven sent, hail the heavens sent'.

The King stood first before he gave me his hands which I accepted to stand up before bowing. As I looked at the people before us, I saw the priestess bow to him before me which I don't know made me feel like I was part of this people. I couldn't help but smile.

People looked at my direction and before I could register what they were doing, they began to pick up the chant and soon enough the whole temple sounded with the voice of the people loudly chanting ‘hail the heavens sent’. My eyes met with the King's and we held each other’s gaze for so long that we didn't even realize we had stared the longest this time until, Dong yi rushed to my side as she happily shouted. “Your Grace, you did it, you called to the heavens for our sake, thank you so much, thank you, thank you,” grinning as if her life depended on it.

I smiled widely and nod at her but deep inside me, I knew I had nothing do with it, I just wanted to boost the King’s morale, I never expected the rain to fall, but it did and I'm thankful. At least the King wouldn’t lose his throne over this issue and become a psychopathic tyrant then start a war when I was yet to even know my way back home, which alone made me happy. The ride to the palace, a one of joy for the King, the people and obviously me.

The King made me ride with him and we sat opposite each other inside the carriage. While I was trying to contain myself, he wasn’t helpful. He kept peeking glances at me while returning the waves the citizens gave in respect and joy. Sometimes he'd look at me in total appreciation, smiling. When we passed the waving citizens, he closed the curtain of the small window and turned his attention fully to me.

“Thank you, for what you've done for us, but how do I thank you enough for this favour you have done, not just for me but for my people?” ‘Silence’ I didn't know what to say him and lemme be honest, i was just trying to be cautious by thinking what to say and when I got it, he was done waiting.

“Ha yes, you do not speak my words” looking like he just discovered a big truth. I wanted to say something to him but I didn't want to at the same time, I was so nervous. “Do you understand my words?” with curiosity and expectation very clear in his tone, so I decided to nod making us happy as he continued.

“Do you have a name?” he looked at me and I in affirmation nods as he continued, “What is it?” but this time I hesitated because I had seen alot of Koreans 'Bibian-lize' my name and I wasn't ready for my name to be 'hiroshima-ed' right now and I knew I would love it when he does so, I'm sorry... “You do not talk? Or you do not see me worthy, talking to?” I just stared at him enjoying the silent treatment and thinking what should I say next, but why is he impatient?

“If you cannot say it, could I give you one?” now that's what I'm talking about, I let curiousity overtake me as I wondered what name I would get today from him. I nod and smiled “What about... Haneul? It refers to the heaven” no way! There's a crazy lady I know that bears that name, I shook my head for no,

“Tae Yang... Refers to the sun” I disagreed again with a smile. ‘I definitely do not know how to rap. . ’ I remarked, “Then what about Ga Ui, still a no?” I disagreed and looked away thinking what kind of the nam naming battle I just consented to, but I quickly turned my head his direction when I heard what he called me, ‘What about that?” he said smiling satisfied that I might like it “You like that one?’ I just stared at him because I just made a sentence with the same name he just mentioned at the same time, “I could tell you like it; it would be your name as long as you stay here.”

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A.N

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