Going to the temple was always a burden. The atmosphere demanded constant quiet and decency. As a child, I'd been able to run around the fields and play with the help of the chief priestess, but as a teenager, after catching the eye of the chief priestess, even casual outings were forbidden. What if I could have lived a normal teenage life? Couldn't I have enjoyed my days like everyone else? Now, conformed to the priestess's strictures of decency and cleanliness, the curious and lively nature of my childhood seemed to have vanished.
Passing through the main gate of the temple, I walked briskly through a garden lined with oddly twisted pine trees, beneath which lay neatly arranged white sand. This garden, leading to the central area of the temple where the chief priestess resided, was filled with a unique fragrance, creating the illusion of entering another world for visitors. The white sand was laid to prevent weeds from growing, giving the impression of the trees resting on a sheet of white paper, making the place seem even more tranquil and refined. As I entered, the attendants who had been clearing the sand in the garden backed away. As I passed through the garden and entered the central area of the temple, I saw her half-lying on a platform draped in red curtains in the distance.
"Tell them I'm here."
I dressed neatly and asked the attendant at the door.
"Highest priestess, priestess Seol has arrived. Shall we call you in?"
"Do so."
I heard the old man's voice, now worn out. The attendant nodded, and I resumed walking forward at a brisk pace. The now elderly Supreme Priestess should have chosen her successor, but she was enjoying her power and political maneuvering, and hadn't chosen a successor. I wondered what she was planning, but it didn't matter. I was leaving this evening.
"Seol-ah, are you feeling better?"
"Yes, my lady."
I answered politely, clasping my hands together. The priestess gestured for me to come closer. I climbed onto the platform and stood right next to her as she lay there.
"Now, stop arguing and come into the temple."
"However, I am not fully recovered yet..."
She interrupted me, taking my hand in hers. The feel of her wrinkled hand gave me goosebumps.
"I intend to appoint you as my successor..."
"Yes? I am lacking, so I am not a successor..."
"Seol-ah, I already know. That you are hiding your divine powers... I want the one with the strongest divine powers to become my successor."
"I, I don't want that!"
I was so startled that I shook the Supreme Priestess's hand away. No! The successor...!!! She seemed to have expected me to shake her hand, but she remained relaxed.
"Is there any other reason?"
"That's not right. I just don't want that position."
The old man slowly rose from his seat. Then he picked up the teacup on the table, moistened his lips, and smiled faintly.
"There's a man in Saga. Is he the problem?"
" ..."
"If I step forward, don't you know that getting rid of someone like that is nothing?"
I couldn't say anything. Who spoke? A congressman? Because the house was empty during the war, the only person who knew of Kyeol's existence was the congressman.
"I like you because you have nowhere to go. The temple is the only place you have left. Think carefully about who has fed and raised you, a five-year-old child abandoned by your father. And who chose that child, who should have been a servant, to become a priestess and brought her here?"
"Highest priestess, but I don't want that position."
Her expression was stern.
"Give me a day. Sagado and the man come and clean up."
She stood up from the stage, looked at me in a daze, and motioned for me to leave, as if she had nothing more to say. I couldn't stay there any longer, so I left. I had to return to Saga. My heart was pounding. I saw Gyeol leave, so I reassured myself that it would be okay. I had to leave.