The wedding frenzy had gripped the city. The lifting of marriage prohibition had driven worried parents to get their young ones to tie marital knots within days. People flocked to the markets, including women who were seldom seen otherwise, to buy materials for the groom and the bride. Marriage chests traversed the streets every day.
"Did you hear it? The marriage procession is in fifty days or so."
Drawing her head skirt closer, Jay Yi inspected the paints she wanted to buy, her hands going through the motions desultorily, her mind not on the colours but on Hwan, her ears plastered to the conversation between two noble ladies browsing through a chest full of fancy norigae materials that needed to be custom ordered, befitting the social station of the buyer.
"We still don't know who the lady is," the taller woman said.
"His Majesty has kept the selection under wraps from the beginning."
"Anyway, who cares as long as the ban is lifted. Another year and my daughter would have been out of marriageable age."
"I heard the Dosun Sang family's daughter had tried running away with her betrothed a month ago," they laughed over shared gossip.
Two weeks ago, a wave of jubliation had swept the country with the removal of the marriage ban. The King had chosen his Queen.
Jay Yi had been home that afternoon, her life a rolling meadow with no corners or end, sitting on the steps, inspecting a handiwork.
"I can't believe how talented you are, Shin Dai-ri!" Jay Yi gushed at the little girl, who went pink with pleasure. Giving the perfect rows of stitches an admiring glance, Jay Yi held the fabric at arm's length, turning it this way and that to examine the overall effect. "I can see the wind blowing her hair, her dress billowing - it's precious!"
"Khamzahamnida Aasshi! You will look so pretty when you wear this jacket."
Jay Yi patted her head with affection. "Where is your sister?"
"Tai-ri is still stitching the skirt. She said she will make you the prettiest sang you have ever seen!"
"Did you both practice your taekkyon today?"
"Yes! I won all the bouts because she is so slow and misses the steps," Dai-ri complained, though her delight at besting her sister was evident.
"You should not underestimate her. One day, she might become better than me," Jay Yi laughed.
"Never!" the girl exclaimed passionately, all the suns and moons of hero worship dancing in her eyes.
The front gate burst open, an agitated Ga-ram rushing in. Seeing Jay Yi, she skidded to a stop, the sides of her skirts bunched up in the fists of her hands.
"What's wrong, Ga-ram?" Jay Yi rose from the steps.
"Aasshi, the marriage ban has been lifted!" Ga-ram exclaimed.
Jay Yi's heart sank. Breathing deeply, she fought to bring her emotions under control. She had to be strong. In some ways, this was closure, wasn't it?
Jay Yi turned to the little girl. "Go to your sister. Tell her I will see her work shortly." Dai ri scamped away.
Enveloping Ga-ram in an affectionate hug, Jay Yi said warmly. "That is wonderful! You will be the prettiest bride! I will dress you up and send you to Master Myung Jin with a chest full of silk!"
Ga-ram coloured up. "Aasshi!"
A few days prior, Myung Jin's parents stormed Manyeodang, declaring they would take him off the family registry for being an unfilial son. On the surface, it looked terrible. However, Jay Yi was astute enough to realise they possibly did it to set Myung Jin free and allow him to follow his heart in every way he wished. She wondered if Hwan had anything to do with it.
"I cannot leave you alone, Aasshi!"
"Who said I will be alone? Manyeodang is only a little over two miles away! If I run, I can be there in less than a quarter of an hour."
"Does - does this mean we might not see His Majesty again?" Ga-ram asked., giving Jay Yi a speaking glance.
"Why would that be? Marriage does not mean he needs to give up on friends."
Ga-ram looked at her earnestly. "I am so sorry, Aasshi; I....I know your heart must be hurting. Will you be all right?" The quiver of distress in her voice was unmistakable as she squeezed Jay Yi's hands sympathetically.
No, she would not be.
Jay Yi dragged her hands down the front of her skirt, smoothing away invisible wrinkles, her eyes focusing on the deliberate motion of her hands while she fought for control to keep her voice steady. "Maybe not right away, but it will get better. One day, I will be," she could not lie to her best friend.
Arranging her skirts to spread around her as she settled comfortably on the steps later that evening, Jay Yi had mulled if she would really be all right. She had not seen him since the evening she had impulsively invited him for tea over two months ago. She had desperately wanted to be his first woman because she knew she could never be his only one. Now, she probably would not see him for a very long time. She missed Hwan in ways that were hard to put into words. Sometimes, a passing fragrance would make her feel he was right next to her; some days, she would wait impatiently to find out if Ga-ram would bring a message for them to meet. Sometimes, she heard him calling her name. She would run out, only to meet an empty street.
Deep inside, she knew he would come to her, needing her not as an investigator but as a friend and woman; they needed each other too much not to, but it would never be the same. She was not someone who could easily share her man with another woman, especially when that woman inherently possessed greater claims to him. It was not a comforting thought, and Jay Yi's sore heart needed comfort as twilight deepened into night, the steps getting colder, as they always did every night that she sat waiting for him.
The apricot blossoms swayed gently in the wind that was neither warm nor cold, just right, reflecting the sudden peace Jay Yi felt because, much as it pained her, she knew she would do anything to have Hwan in her life somehow, no matter how insignificant her role in his life was, even if that meant she compromised herself and every virtue she was raised with.
She still had her pride, though. Drawing herself straight, she picked up her skirts to go in. She would not make it easy for him. If it ever came to it, Hwan would have to prove his need for her was as great, if not greater.
Jay Yi had slept peacefully since that night, her dreams often filled with soft grass under her feet, the sun's smouldering rays sparkling everything around her, and Hwan - smiling as she sometimes walked and sometimes ran ahead of him jauntily.
However, today, the reality of hearing it first-hand turned her mouth saw dusty dry. Jay Yi pushed the box of paints away. The lady chosen was probably in the detached Palace by now. She wondered if the Palace had retained the same Filial Hall of Piety that Crown Princess Han had stayed in or if they had shifted elsewhere.
What does it have to do with you?
Her life would continue as if the monumental shift was not happening. She should hurry back home. Her students would be there in half an hour. Quickly picking up two ink slabs and jars of coloured paint, Jay Yi paid and returned to her sanctuary.
The Palace
Two weeks prior
Your Majesty, you did not leave Maiden Jay Yi alone, did you? Your hearts are already one. What are you waiting for? Joseon is in peace under your reign; please look after your heart. Please don't make her feel lonely anymore.
No matter how many times Hwan read Sung On's letter, his friend's affectionate rebuke was no gentler.
The crisp black ink characters stood boldly against the grainy surface of the paper laid on the table before him, bringing a nostalgic wave of the past's fading echoes and the promise of something new emerging on the horizon. A friendship strengthened, a bond irreplaceable, a gift which was not quite one, and yet, was the kind that could have shattered fragile glass but ultimately forged iron-like bonds.
Sung On had stepped out of his way without artifice, but not unconditionally. The message was loud and clear - Hwan should have already done what Sung On expected him to do a year ago.
Carefully folding the letter into a neat rectangle, Hwan placed it in the chest that held many of his memories since childhood. He retrieved a scroll from his treasure chest. A blazing sun overpowered the simple but powerful drawing, casting its fiery brilliance on the obscure lines of a pink-blossomed apricot tree. Jay Yi had drawn it during one of their joint drawing sessions during his confinement. He had only realised its significance after she had left the Palace.
If it were up to him alone, Hwan would have made sure Jay Yi never felt lonely for a single day of her life since she met him. Or that is what he thought. Did he, ultimately, overthink?
When Hwan assumed the responsibilities of the throne, things were primarily black and white, good or bad, beautiful or ugly in his mind.
He had thought he could not make Jay Yi happy if he brought her to the Palace as his Concubine. It took him a long time to accept that the title truly did not matter because she was the only one he cherished.
Yet, he could not deny he wasn't someone willing to settle for less either. His inner turmoil simmered like water just waiting to boil over. His sleepless nights tossed him around like a tattered sail in the midst of a tempest as he tried to fathom a solution. He had become sick with worry and loneliness, thinking Jay Yi might not wait for him, and committed transgressions that would always twist his conscience even though Jay Yi had forgiven him.
Listening to her defending the dismal life in Palace had made his heart sing. If there were someone who could infuse fiery energy into this dreary Palace, it would be her.
In the year gone by, he had grown wiser and had learned the art of compromise. Now, his Court would need to know and accept it, too. His mind was made up. He would not wait for the apricot tree in Jay Yi's courtyard to lose its buds this year.
He would make them bloom in his heart and never let the sun set on those blossoms again.
All twelve families failing to make the cut to selection had already made the rest of the fight much easier to overcome.
The only question was, how would he go about easing the news on those who mattered to him the most - his father and, most importantly, Minister Han. Without their support, he would struggle personally, as well as with certain court factions who could manifest their displeasure in various ways, even though he had faith in Scholar Cho to help him tide over the objections of the scholars, if any, who in any case seldom interfered with the choices the King made about his women.
The winter sun's hollow beams from the eastern window drew attention to the dancing dust particles as a Court lady appeared with his morning tea, followed by a handful of servants who went about setting the place. A flicker of movement caught his eye, and he glimpsed Eunuch Kim and two others beyond the door, whispering to each other. They immediately straightened as they realised his eyes were on them, their faces creased into barely suppressed smiles as the doors closed on them.
Hwan had been increasingly aware of strange whispers and stifled smirks around him. He had tried to pry.
"Your Majesty, we were talking about Eunuch Sang, who was caught stealing sweets from Court Lady Nam. We didn't know he had such a sweet tooth!"
Did he look like a fool to them?
"Your Majesty, the chefs have been complaining about food being returned untouched from the Royal Palace."
Did they find that funny? Of course, asking outright about their infantile snickering behind his back would be below his dignity.
What was it that they were being so secretive about? He already had developed a headache from his constant lack of sleep and was finding himself low on tolerance for this blatantly indecorous behaviour. The disagreeable furrows of irritation darkened his face.
Hwan knew he was being put upon because they knew he could not get too angry at them. Each of them would give up their life before they would see any harm befall him, and Hwan valued loyalty over everything else.
Sighing, Hwan threw a glance at Tae Kang, who had come in with a report from the Capital. He seemed to be in an unusually good mood, Hwan observed absently.
The Court scribe soon made an appearance and took his seat.
The Ministers and state officials were already at the door with their reports. The last month's brutal winter had not seen any decrease in the border skirmishes with the Jurchens. The Ming and Mongolian envoys had been in and out of Hanyang with their worries about the growing influence of a few particular clans along the Ming and Mongolian borders. Both supporting and opposing his propositions on tax overhaul, scrolls soon piled up on the table.
The morning hours flew by.
The mid-morning snacks arrived. Hwan had no appetite but made a show to wash down a piece or two with his tea.
His entire retinue followed a very worried Court Physician, Kim Si Joo, for his weekly medical appointment.
Physician Kim Si Joo spent substantial time examining Hwan while Left State Councilor Han Joong-Eon, Chief State Councilor Kim An-Jik and the newly appointed Right State Minister Son Kwang-Eop stood aside respectfully, surrounded by his entire retinue of eunuchs and court ladies.
"Your Majesty, you continue to not have an appetite because you cannot digest, and it is over a year now that you have had sleepless nights."
Physician Kim looked sombre. Everyone in the Court seemed to have an air of melancholy.
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What happened? The smirks had all but vanished from the faces around him.
"My apologies, Your Majesty. I have been trying acupuncture and various medicines, and nothing has worked," Physician Kim said worriedly.
Not his fault. Hwan often threw out most of the medications anyway. Could the reason be something else? It could not be. Otherwise, why did he feel so exhilaratingly alive when he was with Jay Yi, his appetite restored, his sleep almost numbingly peaceful for at least a couple of days after meeting her?
Nevertheless, Physician Kim's tone triggered a twinge of worry in him.
"Is my illness serious?"
"I deserve to die, Your Majesty!" Physician Kim was now indeed sounding desperately worried. "I diagnosed you with the wrong disease."
"What?" Perplexed, Hwan looked at him.
"I finally figured out what it was."
Hwan looked at him askance.
"The condition is called Eum Heo Hwa Dong."
Hwan repeated it after Physician Kim, like a parrot, completely befuddled. Despite reading several medical books, he had never heard anything about this strange-sounding disease. Hwan could sense restless movements from everyone around him.
"Your Majesty, you lack yin energy. Therefore, you are hot and sweaty, lack appetite, have no energy and cannot sleep."
And? Hwan waited with trepidation. So did everyone else around him. The collective withholding of breath would have been amusing if it did not sound so grave.
Physician Kim bowed his head and declared loudly, "In simple words, it's called lovesickness."
What?
Dumbfounded, Hwan stared at the man. How dare he......
The chuckles, the giggles, the subdued whispers - all fell into place. His own inner Court had bamboozled him. The rolling wave of mirth shaking all the shoulders in his chamber bore witness to their con.
His naturally introverted, shy spirit surged forth with a maddening force, drowning him in a tidal wave of embarrassment.
The dratted scribe was faithfully recording every moment of his humiliating ordeal in the annals of history.
"Please do not write that," Hwan requested.
The scribe furiously scribbled.
"Come on, I told you not to write it!"
The pen got busier.
"The timing makes perfect sense, Your Majesty," Eunuch So said, his tone promising more humiliation. Hwan did not like the sound of it. At all.
"It started when Eunuch Go moved to the private residence," Tae Kang quipped peskily from beside Eunuch So, his eyes dancing in merriment.
"Be Quiet!" Hwan thundered. He did not know where to look. This was not how Hwan had envisioned informing his Court about his feelings. In fact, he never planned to ever speak about his feelings. How utterly scandalous! "Lovesickness? It is not, of course, it is not."
"It is indeed lovesickness, Your Majesty!" Physician Kim declared decisively.
What must Minister Han think of him! He could feel his skin almost peel off with the heat of mortification.
"It is not!" Hwan tried to assure the ministers.
Then he noticed all three ministers were openly stifling their laughter.
"There is no way it is not, Your Majesty!" Eunuch So asserted with certainty.
"It's no way it is not!" this time, it was Eunuch Kim.
"I do not know why you all are doing this," Hwan tried to wriggle out.
The entire entourage sank to their knees, their forehead on the floor in insolent entreaty. "There's no way it is not, Your Majesty!" They chorused, with Tae Kang's impertinent giggles burning Hwan's ears to cinders.
Changgyeong Palace - the residence of the Old King
Still trying to ebb over the tide of mortification, Hwan faced his father. The three Ministers he trusted with his life sat behind Hwan as he tried to pull his thoughts together.
Hwan looked at everything but his father. The old but polished wooden desk behind which his father was sitting, the small chest by the wall, the customary quilt and the cushions, the ornate table beside the bed, a small spot on the floor separating his father and him....
The old King studied his son, an amused smile on his face. "Are you going to sit there all night?"
"Err, Abbamama," still unsure how exactly to word his request - no, not request - his decision, he once more cleared his throat, "I have finally decided on the candidate for the Queen."
"I heard about this unnamed candidate from other sources almost four months ago," The King informed dryly.
"Right," Hwan tried again. "The candidate is, er, a little unusual." Some more throat clearing later, "but I assure you, she is perfectly suitable…."
Taking pity on Hwan, the old King extended a sheet of paper to him. "Here, I want you to look at this."
Uncertain, Hwan reached for it. Cautiously, he unfolded the paper.
It was a horoscope. Matched horoscope. Of two people - Min Jay Yi and Yi Hwan. Stunned, he looked at his father.
"How come...." Hwan could not form words.
"I might have lacked as a King and a father, but it does not mean I am blind, Your Majesty," the old royal said gently.
Hwan turned to his ministers and then back to his father. "How did you know..." he choked.
"Is it important?" His father's eyes were suspiciously moist in the dusky light of the lamps.
Minister Han's kind voice spoke up from behind, "We are all aware, Your Majesty. That child has been responsible for so much good that has happened to this country because she persevered despite being so wronged by all of us. She is the right person for this country now and for you."
"But you must have known she does not fulfil all the criteria..."
"The Marriage directorate has already waived the restrictions of having both parents on an exception basis, and your father, His Royal Highness, sanctioned it. We have the signature of all the important retainers in the Court, and her fugitive records have been impugned," Right Minster Son informed Hwan. "You can still have the adoptive parents if you want, but after this waiver, they can simply be guardians, which would be enough to fulfil the formality of sending the marriage proposal to them as her clan family."
Minister Kim added, "All we need now is your seal of approval, Your Majesty."
His father looked old, but the lines on his face were peaceful and happy. "Do not misread this, Your Majesty, we did not make this decision lightly. We are not doing this just for you. I had bent the rules already with the late Crown Princess Han. Would something this insignificant hold us back from doing what is right, Yi Hwan?"
Manyeodang
The dawn was slowly brightening into the day. People were just starting to hurry to their routine activities. Hwan filled his chest with a deep, cold breath as Tae Kang knocked on the door.
To his astonishment, Mun Jeon opened it. Hwan groaned. What was he doing here so early in the morning?
"Scholar Park! What a pleasant surprise!"
"Isn't it a little early for you to be here?"
"Not at all! Master Ki-Kom completed his water clock, and we have been testing it since the first crow of the morning."
Silently wishing him to perdition, Hwan almost turned around to leave. Myung Jin ambled into view and froze.
"Your M-m-" At Hwan's warning glare, "You are here...I mean, how...what brings you here so early, Scholar Park?" Myung Jin barely salvaged the slip.
"I wished to see Ga-ram over something important. Is she here yet?"
"She should be in any time now," Myung Jin said.
When Ga-ram entered about half an hour later, all three of them were engrossed in the mechanics of a water wheel while Tae Kang sat on the side polishing his blade. This project had been Hwan's personal endeavour for a long time owing to its monumental inefficiencies that hindered its proper use for agriculture. Myung Jin planned to submit the improvements to the Palace and the water clock on Joseon Science Day in spring. All of them were savouring the hot tea that Mun Jeon had brewed. Mun Jeon had raised his brows as Tae Kang rushed in to taste the tea directly from the kettle before Hwan could pour some into his cup. "I have no intention of dying of poison just to kill your obnoxious master," Mun Jeon turned his head to look haughtily at Tae Kang, who glowered right back.
The man had some fine hidden talents, Hwan mused amusingly. He really wanted to dislike that man, but the more Hwan met him, the more he liked him.
Ga-ram, of course, dropped the bag she was carrying with a gasp as soon as her eyes fell on Hwan. She fell to her knees, flustered. Myung Jin and Tae Kang joined her as they quickly gathered the small medicinal pouches, returning them to the knapsack.
"I heard some good news is in order, Master Kim and Jung Ga-ram?" Hwan said kindly.
Ga-ram stood up, her head bent low as she clutched the bag.
"It's now Kom Myung Jin, Scholar Park," Myung Jin declared airily. "I no longer belong to the Kim family tree," he finished, the pang of sadness quite evident though he tried to bluster through it.
"I see. So Master Kom Myung Jin, when will you marry Jung Ga-ram?" Hwan asked bluntly.
Myung Jin looked at him in shock. "Ah, people in Hanyang can keep no secret!" He looked at Ga-ram. "She does not want to marry right now," Myung Jin grumbled. "She does not want to leave Lady Min Jay Yi alone. And I support her. Lady Min needs her at the moment." None of them met his eyes.
Surprisingly, Mun Jeon left them alone, going across the room to give them space. Tae Kang joined him, pretending to study the myriad of posters detailing many different forms of bodies.
Hwan stepped closer. "Jung Ga-ram, I need your help."
Ga-ram looked surprised but nodded.
"Can you help pack Jay Yi's things behind her?"
Ga-ram's head snapped up in confusion. "W-what do you mean?"
"I am taking her home," Hwan looked at her calmly. "My home. Our home"
"You are taking her - where?" Covering her mouth with both her hands, eyes wide as the plates they ate on, Ga-ram burst out in disbelief.
"When you get to the villa tonight, she won't be there," Hwan said. "Though she might not agree immediately, however, I will not take no for an answer. I came to tell you that. So if you want, you can come with me now and see her off."
"But - how - are you not-?" Ga-ram sent a shaken glance to him, not daring to complete the sentence, aware Mun Jeon was listening.
"No, there is no one else."
"Is that...does that mean.." Myung Jin was shaking his head in disbelief, "Is it what I understand it to be?"
"It is. She is the one," Hwan tried to clear the air without going into details, aware of their audience.
For the second time, Ga-ram sank to her knees. And started crying.
It was Hwan's turn to be flustered. Looking at Myung Jin helplessly, Hwan exclaimed, "I did not mean to upset....." he trailed off, unsure what to do.
"I-I am not upset." Ga-ram looked up at Hwan. "Thank you, thank you!" She hunched over her knees, sobbing, her head between her hands, her forehead touching the ground. "Thank you!"
Myung Jin sank beside Ga-ram, putting his arms loosely around her and awkwardly patting her. "There, there, my lady, it is all right now, is it not?"
"I am not your lady," Ga-ram found her voice back as she shook off his arms, embarrassed.
"For me, you are," Myung Jin said patiently.
Swiftly getting back on her feet, Ga-ram bowed. "Aasshi will agree, Scholar Park. There is nothing more that she wants in this world than to be by your side."
"And there's nothing I've desired more than to have her as my wife," Hwan replied softly, smiling.
"Can I join you in an hour or so?" Ga-ram asked.
Hwan appreciated her astuteness.
Mun Jeon, who had obviously not been trying too hard not to eavesdrop, strolled over.
"So, I take it that you are marrying Lady Min finally?"
Four pairs of eyes locked on Mun Jeon, two dumbfounded, one glowering, one wary.
"It's none of your business," Tae Kang interjected.
"Yes," Hwan replied, ignoring Kang, "I am indeed marrying Lady Min."
Mun Jeon nodded. "I am happy to hear it." He paused, clenching hands behind his back. "I also wanted to thank you," he was sincere.
Still wary, Hwan waited for him to finish.
"As you advised, I had sent another petition for Lady Choi's release from the royal Crown Princess bond. It has been accepted. I heard His Majesty took a special interest in the case. It seems he has released all three women chosen for the late Crown Prince from the bond. And her father does not seem averse to the idea of having me as his son-in-law anymore."
Not sure what to reply, Hwan nodded again. "I am glad."
"I was wondering if you had put in a word with His Majesty," Mun Jeon inquired conversationally.
"I assure you I did not," Hwan kept his gaze steady as he fibbed.
Mun Jeon gave him an odd look. "Scholar Park, I recently visited Gaeseong as I had some family matters to take care of. I heard some strange rumours there."
Aware that Myung Jin and Ga-ram had gone pale and speechless, and Tae Kang stiff with attention, Hwan put on the blank face he had mastered in the last few years, first as the Crown Prince who could trust no one and then as the King who had learned to conceal his thoughts from his Court.
"Some time ago, a noble lady was accosted by some miscreants accusing her of some unspeakable crime, and the Crown Prince himself appeared, rescuing her from the mob and almost killing the leader of those men in the process. The people of Gaeseong have not stopped speaking about the then Crown Prince and now His Majesty's magnificence. It's quite a folklore."
A sense of inevitability spread over Hwan.
"Your gold sangtugwan is extraordinary," Mun Jeon openly admired it, "especially the jade stone."
Hwan had forgotten about the little crown at the top of his head encasing his bun that he had not purposely hidden today, a dead giveaway of his royal stature.
"Can I say something if you don't mind?" Mun Jeon asked pleasantly.
His cover was blown. "I need to be more careful in the future?" Hwan asked with resignation.
"Your alley thief costume was a little overboard," Mun Jeon's eyes crinkled with amusement as he smiled. Then he bowed deeply. "Please keep Lady Min safe, Your Majesty. I know she tends to see the best in everything, but it will not be easy for either of you." His voice was kind and accepting.
Giving up on the dissembling, Hwan nodded. "I will keep her safe and do everything I can to keep her happy. I give you my word, Master Mun."
An appreciative look lighted his eyes as he bowed again.
Ga-ram spluttered. "H-how did you know, Master Mun?"
"Too many little things to count. I have had my doubts for a while. Scholar Park is a very possessive man. Did you not find it strange that he had nothing to say at Min Jay Yi's passionate defence of His Majesty?" Mun Jeon chortled. "And then his extraordinary memory and the lengths you all went to cover the blunder that evening made me sure," Mun Jeon laughed. "Gaeseong confirmed it." Mun Jeon turned to Hwan, suddenly sombre. "Joseon Queens are not allowed outside of the Palace. Does this mean we shall never see Lady Min again?" The sadness in his voice was honest as four pairs of eyes latched onto Hwan.
"Do you think there is a wall in this world that can restrain Jay Yi?" Hwan gave a genuinely amused chuckle in reply.
Jay Yi's villa
Hwan quietly watched Jay Yi, engrossed in teaching the children, her straight, dainty back to him, her voice loud and clear as the sunny morning rays. The apricot blossoms fluttered in their full splendour, some of the petals floating around, a few finding their way to his majestic, exquisite silk blue-grey hanbok, with small, delicate spring flowers woven into the rich fabric, a wide belt encircling his perfectly proportioned waist, the tunic fitting his tall, broad frame like a second skin.
He knew he looked his best, though some sleep would have been nice. Last night, he had tossed and turned, his insides churning in anticipation and nervousness.
Lessons completed; Jay Yi gathered her books. As eager little footsteps filled the long gallery attached to the open living room portico, Hwan's nervousness returned, his hands clammy. Clutching them behind his back, he turned around, his mind going blank as he furiously tried to recall all the flowery sentences he had practiced he would say all night.
He watched the children exit the gate, forcing his mind to calm down.
"Who is it?" Jay Yi asked from behind him.
Summoning his formidable will, Hwan forced himself to relax and turned around.
The shocked gasp on her face turned into an enchanting happiness. She quickly dropped the books she was carrying to the floor and hurried to his side.
"What brings His Majesty all the way here?"
He had not seen her in over two months. Her eyes shone, and her skin glowed in the sun's tender caress. She seemed to have been happy, which made him a tad unhappy. She must have heard of the marriage announcement. Did she accept it this easily? He had at least expected her to pine for him just as he pined for her.
"Have you been well? Your face looks good. You must be really doing well," he sulked a little.
Jay Yi smiled. "And you, Your Maje-"
"I have not been well," he complained.
Jay Yi's face grew worried.
"The Palace is so quiet without you! It does not feel like a place where people live."
An impish grin spread across her face.
Hwan looked at her, his heart in his mouth. He forgot every fancy sentence he had mastered and said the first thing that popped into his mind. "Come with me."
Her smile faltered as she tried to absorb what he was saying. She looked away from him momentarily and then asked, "Will you really keep your promise?"
Promise? He looked at her blankly.
"You promised me you would make me your head eunuch."
Hwan stared at her. What the -
"What kind of eunuch rides one of those?" Hwan scoffed, pointing to the gate with his head.
Her vision of the gate thus far was obscured by his body. Jay Yi peeked around him to see what he was referring to.
The beautiful gama {palanquin}, manned by royal guards sat at the gate, patiently waiting for its new occupant to grace its space. Hwan’s royal seal emblazoned on top screamed to anyone who cared - The King of Joseon was here to take his woman home.
Her face crumpled as the realisation hit her. She stared at him.
"I know it is late," Hwan said huskily, "but this is my answer to your confession that day."
Jay Yi looked down, myriad expressions fleeting across her beautiful, expressive face. She looked up and smiled again.
"You took too long, do you not think?"
The sass! Of course, she would not be his Jay Yi without it.
"You always talk too much!" He said gruffly, pointing an annoyed finger at her.
"Don't you like it?" She clasped her hands behind her back, defiant as always.
He never had any defence against her. He adored it. He looked away, trying to control his urge to sweep her into his arms.
"Well, I do not dislike it," he acceded, trying very hard to look annoyed.
"Stop beating around the bush and speak properly," dropping all pretence, Jay Yi demanded of him. "I must hear your answer properly since you took so long." She looked down, pouting prettily, twisting a small fold of her rust silk skirt between her fingers, "I confessed my love all alone, and you took this long. So, without hearing a proper answer," she turned away from him, "I will never -"
"I love you, Jay Yi!"
Jay Yi froze, slowly turning, her face furrowing into a tide of joyous incredulity.
"I, too, love you, Jay Yi," Hwan heard himself say, his voice almost broken as he realised there was nothing he could say to her that he already had not told her before with his body and soul. With his heart in his eyes, he extended his hand.
Jay swallowed, her eyes moist, and looked at his outstretched hand and then back at him.
Trust me. Please, trust me, Jay Yi. Ears pounding with apprehension, Hwan pleaded silently as he gave her an imploring look, beseeching her with a slight nod to take his hand.
Jay Yi looked down at his outstretched hand again and, after what seemed like an eternity, hesitantly, almost surreally, placed her small one in his large palm.
Hwan's heart soared as he dragged her to him, enveloping her tiny, familiar body within his massive one, her head resting sideways on his chest, her arms around him.
He felt Jay Yi's tensed-up, curled-into-fists hands slowly unfurling, her hands pressing on his back gingerly, embracing him completely for the very first time. He could hear the hammering of her heart and sense the serene slump of her shoulders of someone who had come home. The lyrical song in his blood was loud, with the promises of the buds of her heart blooming into his.
There was no tomorrow without her.