It was a sunny day in winter, the weather was fragrant with cold and rife with unknown. There was this glow replaced with gloom which was vague but there, it isn't that people didn't admit the feeling but it was too hard to believe.

In a room somewhere in the palace, abounded with colors, decorated with ribbons and overwhelmed with still-life paintings, a woman laid pale on a bed. A white dove perched on her open window with an olive in its beak which elicited a weak smile from her, her part in the huge web of life called destiny seemed to have come to end. Finally, she can be free at last.

Ruefully, she rotated her weak eyeball round the room and smiled deeper despite the weakness of her body.

In a garden porch sat another woman, she could pass for a modern day Monalisa as she glowed despite the wane on her pretty face. On her beautiful hands was a notebook which she read from, she wasn't perfect so she bought all research book related to her pending case.

In her enrapture, a human male, dr.a.p.ed in red robe of a dragon, one who could also pass as a god crept behind her with a silly look on his face. You know what, forget what I said about a god, he looked stupid with such silly grin.

"Booooo!," was a sound he made to an unsuspecting innocent female who was lost in the knowledge of her book.

She yelped, turned around angrily to caution whoever it was that unsettled her. Like a spring in winter, her face lit with astonishment and positive wonder.

"Your Majesty,"she greeted as she made a humble bow.

"It's just the two of us, my dear. No need to be humble," he replied light-hearted. It's always a bliss meeting with her and also perfect for his sanity. Every moment is treasured and that's his most rewarding experience in a boring and busy palace.

She smiled respectfully at him and made to answer him when a soldier ran inside the garden unceremoniously, his lips moved but she didn't figure out exactly what he said. There was this connection somewhere that pulled her, her legs moved forward in a race. As she ran, Daejong fell behind her heels, dignity and whatnot hung on the air.

When the masters ran, the servants were not left behind. They all sprinted towards the empress' palace to meet a mournful atmosphere, her chief courtmaid welcomed them immediately and led them in.

Pale beyond imagination, she laid peaceful on her bed in a trance of sleep. Her eyes lit up when she saw Myung OK and her hands struggled to wrap around her neck.

"Your Majesty, what is wrong, You were getting better yesterday." was her wail as she felt her deteriorating pulse.

"Myung OK, don't cry for me, it will break my heart."

She looked at Daejong who zoned out at the door. "Forgive me my liege, this empress is unable to greet you customarily."

He seemed to return as he found himself beside her bed.

"Hwanghu, I'm sorry," he sobbed sincerely.

She smiled at him and felt good at his touch, at least, she was able to be with him in her final moments.

"Myung OK, I want to ask for a favor," she held her unconsciously.

"My Nari, my poor pitiful child will be lonely if I'm not here. Will you be my child's mother?"

She seemed to recollect her child was a royal princess as she turned to face Daejong.

"Your Majesty, I want you to grant me a request. No, it's my utmost desire and sincerest wish, but first, you must take an oath,"

He rubbed her skinny and pale fingers indulgently.

"For this empress that has never asked me of anything throughout our marriage, I will grant any wish humanly possible," he swore.

"Make Myung OK the empress," was her bombshell."It has to be her for my Nari to be safe, I know you don't really fancy women because of your beloved, but until you find her, make Myung OK the most powerful woman in Shu,"

He held her lovingly and without hesitation swore to grant the wish. "If that's what my empress wants, that's what my empress will get." For him who has been guilty for not treating her right, he would grant her any wish, though she was his empress, she never used her power on him and remained in her boundary. They may not have been best of friends, but they understood and respected each other.

She sighed in relief and thanked him immensely and turned weakly to Myung OK. "Little sister, please be my husband's wife and my child's mother,"

Myung OK sobbed so loudly she was sniffing. "Your Majesty, please stay with us and play all this roles."

Empress smiled at her display, she knew she would be this heartbroken but she can't turn back the time.

"Daejong, if there is a next life, I wish to be your elder sister so that I can earn a right to take care of you all I want," she chuckled at her own words but continued, "... and spank you all I want," she joked. She wanted to be remembered with a smile not tears.

As she was laughing at his shocked expression, beautiful Nari was led into the room all dolled up with layers of colorful clothes and rosy cheeks. On sighting her mother, she ran to lay on her bossom. For a 4 years child, she was quite sensitive and knew something was wrong, from her mother's bossom she waved at her courtmaid who arrived with a plate of cookies.

"Royal mother, Nari made some cookies for you and prayed for your longevity and good health with it"

"Really? aww.. my baby is all grown up, she can even cook!" Her maternal love was original and beautiful to look at, her happiness knew no bound. Yes, she had done many things to get this child, she had even wiped off Daejong memory with the fear her child might be erased if he knew of her existence, but if given the same chance again, she will repeat the history.

She was helped up with Myung OK serving as her pillar. "Feed Mama."

After a bite or two, she fed her child too and made her promise to be a good girl. "Nari, if am not here, Auntie Myung OK will take care of you, OK?," the child nodded and was led out by her maids on the empress instruction.

Daejong held her hands again.

In a trance, she talked continuously. "Never you allow my child be with Seo-yun, never you make Seo-yun the empress and never you allow her in the harem. Her father will try to use her control you, your Majesty. Protect Myung OK from her at all cost for she will fight her for the red robe," she babbled on and on about either her child or Myung OK, continuously she made him swear loudly or she will haunt him.

Suddenly, she stopped talking and smiled at Myung OK who she laid in her embrace, she turned to him with a mean face and warned finally, "Kang Soon, If you dare hurt Myung OK, I will torment you forever!"

Everyone was perplexed at her sudden outburst but was more shocked when her hands which she used to warn him fell to her side. On her face was a peaceful smile which screamed of freedom.

"Your Majesty! Hwanghu!," they both screamed simultaneously.