Damian Liang and the Counseling Court had arrived at the Whitehall Palace.
The young nobleman had waited for so long to come to England and search for his eternal lover. But what Damian didn’t know was that Yingtai was actually betrothed to another man that was his age.
Shortly thereafter, the Seven Nobles had made do with settling themselves inside a bunker of the famed Tower of London.
Yingtai was obeying the words from her own father. But her thoughts were swinging from each side from her late daydreams. She twiddled her fingers as well. This was a sign that she was nervous.
What if my father does not approve of me? He must, though!
Yingtai stepped forward to the throne room, where the king Henry VIII was waiting for her.
He was best known for his desirable red hair and pale white skin. But he was also known for his hunter personality and his drunken attitude with women.
Yingtai folded her hands, and took a deep breath, bowing to the king.
“Please,” he said in a deep voice, “There is no need for formalities. Let me get a look at you!”
The king had caressed Yingtai’s forehead and cheeks.
“My dearest, darlingest daughter! My Elizabeth.”
Yingtai was shocked.
My real name…is Elizabeth? After the previous queen of England?
Yingtai, now renamed Elizabeth, slowly stepped away.
“My real name is Elizabeth, Father?” asked Yingtai.
“O, Yes,” said the King, “After my last wife, Elizabeth Canty.”
Tom Canty: Minister of Scotland. That was his sister! But she was executed for unlawful seduction! Bloody Mary!
“Why, Bess,” said Henry, “Why is thou so frightened? Thou art as if you’ve encountered a ghost! What has troubled you, my child?”
Yingtai came back to her senses.
“My apologies, Father,” she said, “I had not visited a palace in many years. I was in China for most of my life. But why was I given away?”
When the King heard these words from his own real daughter, he reluctantly said, “My sixth wife, Catherine Boylen, gave birth to you. I wanted a son to rule the country and not a woman. When my nephew, Edward, said he had a dream of becoming king, I had both yours and his mother executed, I became his legal father and as of right now, he is your brother.”
So Mary is the youngest, then.
“But Mary is my oldest, and your sister.”
Yingtai gasped.
I am in the wrong!
“I am so proud of her, almost as proud as you.”
The King gave an egregious chuckle. Yingtai was then left alone and horrified.
“I was born under a family of those that plead insanity! O, what shall I do? What shall I inform Damian?”
In the evening, everyone, but Damian, was asleep. He was writing a little letter to Yingtai. When it was finished, he then snuck out to Whitehall Palace.
He then saw the post slot and pushed the letter inside.
And then, Yingtai had seen the little paper. She took it and ran all the way to her bedroom. She read:
To my dearest Yingtai,
I am longing to see you again. We had never been apart for so long. You do not know how much I’ve missed you!
I heard that you were the Princess of England. My mother once told me, if I could love the one I love, then I can marry the one I love. But that would mean I would have to marry you and become the King of England. And I’m certain no one would approve of a Korean noble marrying an English princess. But I have no choice! I must marry you! Tomorrow, I shall come to see you!
- Damian Liang, Noble of Silla.
Tears escaped from Yingtai’s eyes. And then, she cried for the rest of the night, Calling out Damian’s name.
“Where art thou, Damian? Where art thou, Damian?”