The Lotus Of East Palace
Chapter 9 (Yeon-Hwa)

When I woke up, we were already at an inn in Schere.

There is no point in me scolding those two little Dragons. We arrived at Schere safely five days earlier than planned and saved a considerable amount of travel. Shuu and Kaze looked satisfied as I was at a loss for words to scold them. In the Orient they are considered as great as Gods and Goddesses, never once in my life did I want to curse Gods and Goddesses as much as I wanted to curse them both for taking me flying in an unconscious state. I undo my intentions and let them win for this time. Now we just have to think about how to infiltrate the Schiereiland Palace where Anna lives. That's the hardest part.

"We can't just come and ask to be reunited with Princess Anastasia?" Ask Kaze.

"can't. We're not that important."

"We're important. We are the Twin Dragons." Shuu protested. The typical Jungian tribal logic pisses me off.

"Oh, please change your form to Dragon and knock on the door of the Palace! Let's see if they'll all bow down and worship you or shoot you with arrows and spears!"

They also fell silent. It seems like they understand that outside of Orient, they are not that great. I feel bad about making the Twin Dragons that previously existed only in legends become discouraged like that.

I let out a breath. "Again, no one would believe you if you were touting your identity as a Twin Dragon. Schiereiland is not Orient." I finally said. But those words did not necessarily treat their small-heartedness. "Wouldn't you keep your identities a secret? The Orient people who lost you may still be looking for you."

Shuu and Kaze remained silent. This time from the look on their faces, I guessed, it seemed like they were recalling something sad. I dare not ask. But Shuu must have read my mind so she looked at me and explained in a soft voice,

"Our sister Earithear was killed in Schiereiland. Our queen said Earithear was bombarded with poison darts by Nordhalbinsel soldiers who were guarding the border region of Schiereiland."

"Oh... Excuse me... I don't know—“ at all

"It's okay." Kaze replied directly. Sometimes the sweet girl is tougher than she looks. He even forced a smile on me. It's not that I forgive his actions that took me flying while I was asleep.

Shuu and Kaze then looked at each other for quite a while. I'm sure they're telepathic. Maybe plan another sneaky thing.

"You were once a spy at Schiereiland Palace." Kaze said later. I won't ask where he knows. They're Twin Dragons. I won't be surprised anymore. Shuu may also be able to know someone's past other than mind reading, then tell it to Kaze.

"true." My answer.

"Then how did you get into Schiereiland Palace last time?" This time it was Shuu who asked.

"There's a big event." I'm starting, "Royal dance party. The King and Queen of Schiereiland invited guests from various countries including Orient. I entered in disguise as one of the guests from the Orient, one of the Emperor's concubines as there were countless Emperor's concubines coming to the party. And after successfully entering, I disguised myself as a waiter by stealing the maid uniform in the storage shed. Then after the party was over, I disguised myself as a palace guard by paralyzing one of the guards on guard and taking his clothes. So onward."

"That sounds easy." Kaze nodded. Shuu who frowned seemed to disagree at all.

"It's not easy at all." My rebut. "Moreover, now King Alexis closed the doors of the Palace because Schiereiland is arguably still in the recovery stage after the return of the throne. The young king was worried that Schiereiland would be taken back from his hands."

"So there won't be a dance or something?" Shuu asked to make sure.

I nodded, "For the time being, there won't be. At least we should wait for either Princess Anastasia or King Alexis to marry their partner. Only then will the gates of the Palace be opened for celebration."

While saying that, I caught the two little Dragons back exchanging glances. I really hope to be able to telepathically come with them so that I can know what they are planning in silence.

The first Kaze turned towards me and said with a soothing smile—which did not calm me down at all, "Calm down. We can get in. You also. Just trust us."

I will never be able to trust them.

...****************...

The next day, I found myself alone in the three of us. Shuu and Kaze were nowhere. I try not to panic. They're Twin Dragons. They wouldn't have been so easily kidnapped. A small paper with scribbles on the nightstand made me breathe a sigh of relief.

"To Lee Yeon-Hwa, wait for us here. Don't go anywhere. Someone will come to pick you up at the palace later. From Kaze and Shuu."

There were many pictures of hearts and smiles on the paper so I knew that the one who made the letter was Kaze.

In the afternoon, I received a direct invitation from Grand Duchess Smirnoff to accompany her in a weekly tea ceremony at the Schiereiland Palace for the nobles. I don't even know who Grand Duchess Smirnoff is, but her guards and servants came up to me and prepared me to enter the Palace that afternoon. Grand Duchess Smirnoff, who turned out to be a close relative of the royal family, gave me a fancy dress and dressed me up so I looked like one of the Schiereiland nobles. We entered the palace without any suspicion.

"Your Highness Princess Anastasia told me to bring you in. After that, do what you want to do. I'll make sure you can meet him safely without any obstacles. You just have to remember one thing. Everyone thought Princess Anastasia was mute and her soul was still shaken by the events she had experienced recently before Schiereiland's return to power. Make sure there's no one around before you start talking to him. I'm sure you know more about the real story considering Princess Anastasia told me you were her friend."

That's the message from Grand Duchess Smirnoff. I guess we're the same age, but either because of her character or her character, she looks a lot more mature than me. For the size of a Grand Duchess who occupies her position because of inheritance and not because of marriage, you could say she is too young and too beautiful.

I finally got into Anna's room. He was sitting on his back, facing out the window. Even from the doorstep of her room, I could see hundreds of roses blooming outside her bedroom window. The rose petals were as red as her hair that was exposed to the rays of the twilight sun.

After the door closed, he looked back. Towards me. His smile expanded wide.

I really don't recognize him. How long haven't I seen him? He looked thinner than we had last met in Montreux, or maybe it was the effect of wearing an unusually tight corset that I was wearing right now. His wavy red hair had now extended past his shoulders. His head was decorated with tiara of gold and jewels. She wore a typical Schiereiland dress in white and gold shades and a sprinkling of diamonds that made her look even more radiant. A necklace with emerald gems hung beautifully on her neck. She was exactly a princess told in a fairy tale.

She remained the same Anna, who took care of me in the medicine room of Montreux Castle, who fought with me following the selection of personal bodyguards in the crystal Tulip garden of Nordhalbinsel Palace, which I was in, but inevitably I immediately felt like bowing respectfully before him the moment I saw him. She really looks like a royal princess, just like she should. If anyone saw him at this moment, no one would believe that he could fight with the sword.

I was just about to bow to her as I should have towards a royal princess, but she immediately ran up to me and hugged me tightly. "During the day, Honey!" Anna then let go of her embrace. He smiled broadly. His eyes glittered like the color of sunlight. "I heard your real name is Lee Yeon-Hwa. Kaze and Shuu have already told me everything. Which name do you prefer to call me?"

When I said that, the two Orient teenagers showed themselves from a corner of the room I hadn't noticed before while smiling in jail and waving at me.

"They came last night and told me everything. Let's sit down, and tell me everything in your version." Said Anna.

...****************...

So I explained everything to Anna. About myself. About my family. About my mom and dad and who they really are. Kaze and Shuu also listened in silence. I'm sure they're actually commenting on each other in their telepathy.

I also told him about the Snow Wolf as big as a horse who had always been chasing me which turned out to be General Elias Winterthur, the Queen's twin brother. I obviously can't go back to Nordhalbinsel because I've kicked him out of my house. But I also don't want to go back to Westeria and marry Raphael Ortiz and stay there forever. So I asked Anna to give me a job. This is another reason why I am willing to help the Twin Dragons to meet him.

"So in short..." Anna muttered as she spoke to herself, "You need a job that can keep you away from Westeria and from the pursuit of the Winterthur Wolf, you also want protection and reassurance that you won't live in anyone's pursuit?"

I nodded enthusiastically.

Anna looked at the Twin Dragons. The Twin Dragons blinked, looking at their Queen with astonished and adoring gazes. I began to suspect that Anna could also be telepathic with them.

"I have to make sure of one thing. Are you really the daughter of Lee Seo-Hwa, the Orient princess who disappeared years ago?"

"Then, doesn't that mean you're the true heir to the Orient throne?"

"I never thought so. I don't think I'm fit to wear a crown."

Anna laughed in response. I cringed in wonder. "sorry. It's just... Why do we think about the crown." His nose then turned serious and full of wisdom, he suddenly changed from Anna, my friend, my friend, being the authoritative Princess of Anastasia or even the reincarnation of the Great Queen of Zhera who I had thought existed only in legends and fairy tales, "Crown is not about fit or not worn. It is a great responsibility that must be borne by someone worthy. And we are not alone who can judge deservedly or not. Experience and practice will make the crown fit over your head. There is no perfect ruler, there is only an experienced and trained ruler."

"You quote it from a book." I'm guessing.

Beyond a doubt, my guess is correct. Anna smiled, "A book I accidentally found in the library recently. And it really slapped me when I read it. Because like you, I also once assumed that I wasn't fit to wear a crown."

"It slapped me too. Just got." I then shifted the topic, partly because I didn't want to think about the crown I could wear, partly because I was curious, "So what's your relationship with King Xavier?"

Anna's face blushed. His reaction was a pretty good answer for me. He even stuttered before being able to answer properly.

"We're not—bak—“

"So you were a couple? And now how? You liked her? Sorry, stupid question, I know. Is there anyone who doesn't like it? Oho! What possible... You guys getting married? Wait for... Don't-don't you already?"

"Why did you suddenly ask all that?"

"Kaze showed me something interesting." I turned my head towards Kaze who was now sitting upright and tense.

Anna glanced at him, waiting for an explanation.

"Just a piece of memory from a thousand years ago." Kaze explained. He no longer seems to use formal language on Anna. Shuu beside him nodded in agreement, supporting his twin sister.

"The story is long." Anna replied then after switching back to me. But her face that met with redness made me want to tease her. I haven't had a friend like this for a long time.

"Oh, come on, just tell me. We have tea and snacks here, I have plenty of time to listen to your story because now I'm unemployed." I said as I lifted my teacup and started sipping it.

"All right.. So you want a job?"

This time I sat up straight as if my friend was going to start an interview before I started hiring. I would even accept if he hired me to be his servant. Anything as long as I don't have to go back to Westeria and Nordhalbinsel. In Westeria there was a past, in Nordhalbinsel there was a wolf. Both are just as bad for me.

"Lee Yeon-Hwa, will you be my spy and go to the Orient?" Anna finally asked. "I heard you had some experience as a spy."

I cast a sharp look at Shuu. "I have experience with that..." I said later. I knew sooner or later I had to admit this to Anna. "I'm sorry. I swear I never divulged any important information about your kingdom to Selena."

"It's okay. It's over."

"So you need a spy in the Orient? To keep an eye on who exactly?"

"Crown Prince of the Orient empire. Prince Haru." Anna answered with glittering eyes.

...****************...

My conversation with Anna finally led me to Orient. Country that—although me and my parents are from there— I've never stepped on before. I never even dreamed I would set foot in this place.

Anna's plan was simple and easy. I will enter the Jade Palace occupied by Crown Prince Haru and his wife, Crown Princess Lee Sae-Byeok. I should be able to get in there any way, whether applying to be a waiter or any other way. Anna entrusted me with the business because she said I had experience in the field. I'll keep an eye on Prince Haru and report any information I have on the person Anna has sent me who will help me during the Orient. Then they would pass the information on to Anna and King Xavier.

Anna at the end still did not tell me about her relationship with King Xavier. He just said that they work together professionally for peace between countries and that's all. Though his expression, his mannerisms, the look in his eyes and the way he mentioned the name of the King really could not lie to anyone. When I asked Shuu and Kaze, they said something even stranger and I didn't understand,

"They were destined not to be together." Shuu. As he said so, he was more akin to a hundred-year-old ancestral spirit instead of a fifteen-year-old teenager.

"Daradly so... Maybe it's better this way." Kaze said, half pensively like a heartbroken young girl.

When I was just about to ask about General Leon to Anna, when the question was still on my mind and not really on the tip of my tongue, Shuu had already banned me first. Kaze whispered to me not to discuss the General I last knew was at Queen Eleanor's residence.

And I finally decided not to interfere in their affairs. I'm just gonna focus on my new job as a spy.

To be exact, there are four people who will help me during my time in the Orient. Two people I know enough, two others I've never met. The two people I knew were none other than the Twin Dragons. Shuu and Kaze.

Initially Anna does not allow Shuu and Kaze to return to the Orient. They are not safe there because of the Torakka— people with Dragon's eyes who might hunt them down to be handed back to the Emperor.  But Shuu and Kaze insist on helping their Queen at all costs. Shuu's argument reinforces that reason.

"We know Orient better than Yeon-Hwa. He's gonna need our help. And we can be the intermediary between Yeon-Hwa and you." Shuu no longer even calls me a 'noona'. Fair enough because he was not formal with Anna when she was their Queen and Anna did not mind at all.

Finally, with a heavy heart, like a mother releasing her two favorite children to leave, Anna allowed Shuu and Kaze to come with me. I don't mind at all. At the very least I will cooperate with two teenagers who have strength and devotion on par with Gods and Goddesses.

Two other people, who according to Anna's information will be able to help me, I'll meet today.

I don't count how many days I've been in Orient, maybe it's been two weeks or a month. I've made it into Jade Palace as one of the servants for Crown Princess Lee Sae-Byeok. So far everything has gone well. The information I got was also well conveyed to Anna. But the Twin Dragons could not roam freely in the streets of the Orient. So Anna sent these other two men to house the Twin Dragons as well to help me prepare whatever I needed.

Their name is Diana Vinogradoff, a woman from Schiereiland, with her Westeria husband named Riz. The couple owns a wine shop in the red district on the outskirts of the capital Jungdo. The wine shop is named Dong-gung, East Palace. And I just understood why it was named that way after actually getting to that place.

From the outside, the place looked like one of the brothels along the street in the area, but was more enclosed with a high stone fence and wooden gates that were always tightly closed. The person passing through the place would think it was a brothel that had been out of operation for a long time. Or maybe I'm the only one who thinks so. Because in fact, there are people who go inside to enjoy their wine which is said to be famous.

After a few hesitations, I finally decided to open the wooden gate. I was immediately stunned at the architecture of the tavern building. It is similar to the Palace building, but much smaller than the original Palace. A pond filled with lotus flowers is in the middle of the building. The people who came appeared to be from different countries. This place is a favorite of foreign tourists.

"Welcome, you want to order something?" Ask a man I thought was from Westeria because of his dark skin, but his Orient language is perfect. He was wearing the traditional Han clothing, Hanbok, which was deep purple. Then my eyes fell on her. For the Great Fire Dragon! This is beyond my expectations. How surprised I was, he was the owner of the eyes of Amethyst, the Navarro Clan of Westeria. They are considered the most dangerous in Westeria.

I tried not to tremble in fear and to remember the hint from Anna that was delivered through the Twin Dragons a few days ago. "I ordered Lotus cake." I said. That's the code I have to say to tell this couple that I'm Anna's spy messenger.

The man smiled kindly. A friendly smiling Navarro!

"Please, this way." Said.

...****************...