A true blessing was gifted to Kim Soyong.
The best pleasure known to humankind.
She felt a positive effect right away as her healthy appetite was back for the first time since labor. Her boundless energy made Court Lady Choi suspicious she was up to some mischief. She just felt so light and relaxed – oh, she never felt happier!
Continue readingThere were days in Wonbeom’s life when he avoided his future wife under any excuse he could come up with. The reason did not matter as long as he could be away from the one woman who made him feel so confused about his own feelings.
Being from the Kim clan, Soyong was the incarnation of everything he despised: a corrupt and spoiled woman. Just like her whole family, she didn’t hesitate to bribe the eunuchs to gain more information about the King.
Wonbeom doubted she had ever faced rejection in her life. And he knew his refusal to meet with her probably left her questioning what was wrong with him.
Many things were wrong with Wonbeom: his deceased family, his brokenness and nightmares, his weakness in the eyes of the whole palace… and his dark secret. The one he hid deep down. A secret that could have destroyed him completely: Wonbeom liked that spoiled, cruel woman.
Continue readingRed has always been one of Soyong’s favorite colors and she loves to use different tones in her clothes and makeup, and even in embroidery with bright flowers or a beautiful sunset. And of course, her dreams of the King were filled with a beautiful scarlet Gonryongpo1Gonryongpo – Scarlett dragon robe..
Now Soyong rejects the red jeogori2Jeogori – is an upper garment. Also could be named dangui. Court Lady Choi offers for the royal conference. Instead, Soyong uses a matte green one with a pastel yellow chima3Chima – a skirt. and jewelry inspired by the forest leaves. It’s not her usual fierce look when she goes to battle, but the blood from her nightmare doesn’t let go and she doesn’t need an extra source of anxiety.
“How do I look?” Soyong asks her friends once Yeon finishes applying an intense pink balm on her lips.
“Like a fairy,” Hong Yeon quickly responds, causing Soyong’s shy smile.
People rarely called her that because of her bad temper in the past. “Harpy” was the word servants in the palace liked the most. Her father used to refer to her as a quivering doe for her delicate and obeying nature when she was still living in her natal home. Her orabeoni4Orabeoni – how sister refers to her brother in the family. loved nothing more than to tease her, calling her a stubborn mule.
Continue readingThe stillness of the late night after a tremendously emotional evening makes everything feel so surreal.
Soyong is surrounded by people the whole day, the conversations a never-ending stream of words until suddenly there are none.
No words.
No people.
Just Soyong and Wonbeom are left alone in the silent room.
Continue readingSoyong felt death’s cold presence ever since she was young.
She was born in exchange for her mother’s life and the guilt over that never left her. Every single birthday she was reminded about her family’s loss.
Instead of celebrating growing older, she had memorial day rituals and her usually cheerful dad wishing her a happy birthday in a sorrowful tone. On those days she always felt miserable and thought about death more than a young lady should.
The emptiness in her heart and constant desire to prove her worth to the family and her father led Soyong to her breaking point. She wanted to meet her mother so desperately, and when she was the most vulnerable, Soyong heard the solution: death could reunite her with her late mother.
Reading the book her mother once owned wasn’t enough for Soyong anymore and she decided to take that radical piece of advice.
Continue readingSeonjeongjeon Hall1Seonjeongjeon Hall – King’s study. is the sacred place where the Kings of Joseon decided the national affairs and arranged meetings to discuss the political matters.
It’s the place where the history is made.
And because of that Wonbeom can’t bear the thought of his comfortable study being occupied by a bunch of people now. The unfamiliar woman plays on gayageum some calm melody and if Wonbeom see a couple of kisaengs dancing with fans in their hands he wouldn’t be surprised.
Continue readingWonbeom always thought about himself as a patient man. After all, even his plans to avenge his family and take over the throne were thoughtfully plotted for two years.
So even though he can’t catch the moment when his baby kicks in Soyong’s womb, he isn’t upset. It’s just not the time for him to feel it yet.
“I am sorry, Your Majesty,” Soyong murmurs in a sorrowful voice, still pressing his palms against her belly. “The baby was kicking just a moment ago!”
Continue readingA gentle wind sways willows leaves on long slim branches making calming almost musical noise. Twenty fifth King of Joseon, King Cheoljong, also known by his given name Wonbeom, is enjoying his walk by the gardens and big green fields that are a part of the palace. His mood is up today because he’s going to meet his beloved future wife. Correction, second wife. But in his heart, she’s one and only. The gardens are full of various beautiful flowers and blooming trees but none of them is exactly what Wonbeom is looking for.
Continue readingEveryone has a favorite part of their day and for Cheoljong it is when the Head Eunuchs informs him that the appeals are finished for the day.
After that announcement, the King is free to do whatever he pleases. He may dedicate the rest of the day to training or studying, but today he has more important and enjoyable activities in mind. Today he has dinner planned with his Queen in Daejojeon Hall1Daejojeon Hall – Queen of Joseon residence after the wedding.. And maybe more than just dinner, he hopes.
Continue readingHanyang1Hanyang was the capital and largest city in Joseon. It was the center of the country’s government and home to the royal family and high ministers. As a result, the city hosted a constant undercurrent of political intrigue between various factions vying for control of the government. Now it’s Seoul – the capital of the Republic of Korea (South Korea). is a huge and noisy city. It is so different from the village Wonbeom was forced to live in after he and what was left of his family went into exile. At day, the Hanyang streets remind him of rivers running through the forest as people weave and scuttle between hanoks2Hanok – a house. in their hurry to be somewhere. Others haggle with sellers at the market or converse in an open tavern.
Continue reading