Bab 8: Welcome back

" Is she your sister? " Yoorim asked out of curiosity when they were moving around hoping to find an empty space to sit.

" No but she is like one " Ji-soo replied nonchalantly

" There, there, there's an empty spot there, come on let's go" She said when she spotted two empty seats at the last row at the end of the court.

" She seemed familiar though like I may have seen her somewhere" Yoorim commented when they were seated.

" Perhaps you may have, she is the ruler of water and...."

" Woah " Yoorim gasped interrupting Ji-soo

" She is ? "

" Yes she is " Ji-soo said reassuringly.

" Hey why didn't you tell me sooner " Yoorim complained but before Ji-soo could answer to that a court guard struck the Jing( a Korean gong) to get everyone's attention.

" The supreme ruler is here " the guard announced as Sangho walked into the court with four others following him behind and stood in front of the court.

Everyone stood up, bowed in respect to him and sat back down.

" Thank you all for honoring my invitation, I have called you all out today to welcome a very important and anticipated guest" He paused and looked through the crowd to see if everyone was paying attention and this built a feeling of suspense in the crowd.

" For over a year now, the Hugyeja (meaning the heir) has been away on the mountains training and learning intensely.

Today she has finished her training and has returned to serve the Sai court and also join the Deungdae students to train. Please welcome with me hugyeja Ji-woo.

Crowd cheered and gave a standing ovation as Ji-woo walked in, in full training regalia.

Ji-soo's eyes lit up like she had seen stars, her sister was back.

She remembered when Ji-woo was embarking on the journey to the mountains after the selection ritual had ended.

" Can I go with her" Young Ji-soo pleaded with her father while tugging at his garment.

" No you can't but don't worry your sister will be back before you know it, so hang in there and wait for her okay" Sangho said as he ran this hands through her hair.

" Ji-woo was already inside the carriage and she didn't want to see Ji-soo lest she'll cry.

" Okay now I have to go " Sangho said and went into the carriage.

" Bye Ji-woo, I hope to see you soon" she said with tearful eyes and turned to her mother who had been standing behind her pacifying her the whole time.

The carriage took off but Ji-soo stood there waving at them until she could no longer see the carriage anymore.

She broke into tears and collapsed in her mother's hands.

Tears had started escaping from her eyes again as she stared at Ji-woo.

" I'm happy to be back and I'm grateful to all of you who came out to welcome me. I promise to do my best, thank you very much " Ji-woo stated and the crowd gave her another applause.