episode_0176

Silence.

The lively atmosphere that filled the banquet hall just moments ago was now replaced by a profound stillness, interrupted only by the absence of music.

Even the bustling sounds of the commoners outside the palace walls had suddenly quieted down…

As the vibrant, multicolored lanterns that illuminated the banquet hall pushed back the darkness dimmed, a peculiar tension began to permeate the now shadowed interior of the hall.

It felt different from the solemn silence before.

More like…

The nervous anticipation one feels sitting in the pitch-black audience seats just before a play begins?

Regardless of age or gender, everyone seemed to be fixated at the empty center of the banquet hall, their eyes sparkling with excitement, as if intuitively sensing that something intriguing was about to unfold.

‘What kind of performance could possibly evoke such anticipation?’

I found myself curious.

I, too, felt a sense of eager anticipation, expecting to encounter something new and exciting.

Not to mention the pride exuded by Emperor Okhwang himself, coupled with the fact that this was a performance taking place in none other than the Heavenly Realm.

While it’s true that I hadn’t fully embraced cultural activities in Yuldo Country, it wasn’t as though I completely shunned them either during my time in my hometown.

Although there were no cinemas or theaters like those in my homeland, I did make occasional visits to see traditional performances like mask dances or puppet shows…

However, these performances always seemed to fall within my expectations… Or did they?

Ah! This is not to say they weren’t enjoyable at all!

They were incredibly entertaining.

There was a rawness to them, lacking the refined professionalism of modern productions.

Perhaps due to the medieval setting and the absence of a systematic educational system like in modern times, the performances here didn’t boast as many intricate techniques or skills, but their charm was more than sufficient.

Especially the performers.

No matter how simple the performances may have seemed compared to modern standards, where would you find proper safety measures in a place like this?

And when combined with the medieval era’s inadequate healthcare system?

Wow… Where else could you find a performance as nerve-wracking and thrilling as this?

In terms of thrills, it was even more exhilarating than modern shows.

While the genre itself wasn’t much different from traditional Korean performances, it was undeniably a world apart from our own country…

Being able to experience Yuldo Country’s oral literature through storytellers and puppet shows must have been incredibly fascinating.

The immersive quality of it all was particularly outstanding.

With no TVs or smartphones in medieval society, interest in performances was inherently different from back home, leading the audience to wholeheartedly immerse themselves in the show,

Men and women of all ages gathered closely together, gasping and cheering at the performers’ tales, passionately responding to the villains and cheering for the heroes, their reactions shining brightly…

The feeling of being part of the scene, where the audience, seemingly possessing the whole world in their responses, enthusiastically engaged with the performers, clapping and genuinely participating, was a unique joy that one could only truly understand by being there.

So, when I say that my expectations weren’t exceeded, it was more of a slight disappointment due to the similarity in genres?

Even if there were differences in content, the performances were all present in Korea as well.

Well, as a mere humble hunter, I couldn’t witness the cultural activities of the upper class, so who knows what unique performances exist on that side…

Anyway, the performances I witnessed were as described.

So, how excited do you think I am right now!

Given that it’s the Heavenly Realm, an experience that is bound to be novel? And on top of that, a glimpse into the cultural life of the upper class that I haven’t seen before?

Considering how much I enjoy and revel in these things, being a former web novel writer, it’s only natural that I’m thrilled!

Ding-a-ling~

‘Ah! Is it finally starting?’

At that moment, the tranquil banquet hall was filled with the sound of string instruments.

“Wow…”

The sound was so pure and clear that an exclamation of admiration escaped me involuntarily.

It seemed vaguely familiar, reminiscent of the sound of a gayageum, perhaps.

The sound was somewhat reminiscent of Western harp music…

“Who could be playing this music?”

The appearance of the instruments, the way they were played…

Various things made me curious, so I looked around, but strangely, I couldn’t pinpoint where the music was coming from.

Hwaaak..!

Gradually, the dimly lit center of the empty banquet hall brightened. As if that place was a stage, people’s attention began to focus on the illuminated space,

“Huh? Why is that…?”

What puzzled me was that there was a low wall blocking the passage between the audience seats and the stage, making it impossible for people to pass through.

“I don’t know what kind of performance this is, but how are the performers supposed to enter if they weren’t already seated at the stage?”

Naturally, these questions arose.

If that place had been the typical setup with the audience facing the stage, one would naturally assume there was a separate area behind the stage for performers. But…

With the stage placed in the middle and surrounded by circular seating, there seemed to be no visible way for people to enter or exit, causing confusion about the performance…!

Ding-a-ling~ Ding-ling-ling~

The beautiful sound of the mysterious instrument that had piqued my curiosity started to grow louder.

“Where? Where is it?”

As the sound increased, it meant the musician was getting closer.

Therefore, despite trying to spot the approaching musician by turning my head in all directions…

The musician still remained unseen.

“What? Where is it? The sound is definitely getting louder… Wait, could it be…?”

The blocked audience seats and stage.

Even after looking around, the musician was nowhere to be seen.

So, the answer was…

“Above…?”

In a flash…!

Looking up towards the high ceiling of the banquet hall…

Beautiful fairies dressed in colorful winged robes, each holding an instrument, were slowly descending while twirling around.

“Oh…? Hui-sun…? It must be…! There’s our Hui-sun…!”

“Alright, is everyone ready?”

“Yes, Hui-sun Mama.”

*Phew…*

Hui-sun secretly sighed, calming her nerves.

Throughout her life, she had always participated in insignificant dances during banquets, but planning choreography and songs from the beginning and leading the dance herself was a first.

She was the youngest among the fairies.

Not only among the princess fairies who inherited the blood of the Jade Emperor but also among those who received the duty of a fairy through innate virtue and practice, she was the youngest.

Perhaps due to this, very few fairies paid attention to her opinions.

Even those who did were mostly neutral, and her close aides, Yeon and Rin, were the only ones clearly on her side.

Originally, the older sisters with strong factions would have organized the banquet and choreographed the dance, but…

All her older sisters were currently being punished.

That’s why she had to plan everything by leading the neutral fairies and those loyal to her aides, Yeon and Rin.

-“It is the law of Heaven and the decree of His Majesty. We will follow Hui-sun Mama’s words, but we hope you do not ask too much of us. However, if you allow us to use the choreography and music from the previous banquet, we will do our best to comply.”

-“What insolence towards Mama…! Can you call yourselves virtuous after such behavior…!”

-“Ha! Have you not yet realized why your master received punishment in the past?”

“……”

It was not an easy task.

While the neutral fairies somewhat followed her words…

Yeon and Rin, as loyal to her as they were, also remained loyal to her older sisters.

No matter how much Yeon and Rin rebuked them for their foolish remarks, would they even bat an eye?

Moreover, she was a princess fairy, but still quite young.

Always oppressed by her sisters, ostracized and bullied, Heesun was a pushover.

But that didn’t mean she would just sit back quietly.

This banquet was extremely important to her as well.

It was a banquet for her beloved husband and for herself.

And… at the same time, it was a banquet for the precious little one in her womb.

So, even in a somewhat amusing situation where she had to prepare the banquet for herself, she readily agreed to host the event.

Of course, it wouldn’t have mattered if she didn’t host the banquet herself.

Perhaps when asked if her subordinates would host the event for her, it was almost like forgiving one of her sisters for a moment and subtly suggesting that they should be put in charge for the time being.

Their resistance to her probably had something to do with their opposition to her extending her influence even under Mama’s name.

The fairies following her sisters probably hoped for their own forgiveness from their masters…

After being forgiven for a while, it was obvious that they would then start thinking about the next steps.

But all those plans going awry must have been infuriating.

-“It’s clear that our Mama still harbors ill feelings! Why bother hosting a banquet for yourself when you could just sit back and enjoy?”

So, it wasn’t particularly strange to hear such murmurs behind her back.

However, contrary to their thoughts, she held no ill will towards her sisters at all.

There was only one reason why she decided to host this banquet.

Rather than quietly enjoying the banquet, she wanted to showcase her performance to her beloved husband.

Her music and dance that she wanted to show him so badly…

If not now, when would she have the chance to show him?

One thing was certain: if she missed this opportunity, she would have to wait a long time until the little one grew up and she finished postpartum recovery… during which her belly would grow fuller.

Moreover, even after waiting for that long period, who knew when she could return to her family again!

Furthermore, she had promised to bear many children for her husband….

Perhaps this was truly a last chance.

“So, I absolutely cannot miss this opportunity!”

She vowed fiercely, clenching her adorable fist.

No longer haunted by nightmares, the fragile Heesun yearning for Mama’s touch, the weak Heesun crying under her sisters’ bullying, was no more.

Heesun, the youngest fairy, always gentle and fragile, but…

As a hunter’s wife, as a mother of one, Heesun was strong.