NOBLE BIRTH.

Lord Han Seung Yoo rode his brown stallion fast across the hills, he was dashing against the wind and the mild dancing of bamboo trees.

The earth there was beneath his feet rumbled as the dust scattered into the air, with him was a message that he hoped would turn out to be fair.

At last after riding for a while he saw in a distance a large gathering of houses with rooftops soaring up high, the bright beauty of the sun possessed the then yellow firmament.

He didn't stop for anything and he went on forward, first through the capital Gates and then through the fairly empty streets.

He managed to stop a short while later, when in front of him stood an entrance whose pillars were made of the finest wood and limestone.

High above the doors was a plaque in black and gold and it spelt out the words "HAN MANOR."

As though by instinct, the doors of the beautiful manor were flung open and in a distance the old man who while appearing to be in his late thirties gazed at the vast expanse of the courtyard as his eyes surveyed the place.

"My Lord," He heard someone say and his gaze moved on much nearer to someone whom he had not noticed a while ago.

"Mr. Song?" He said with a feel of anxiety in his words.

Before the old servant would say a word, a mild cry came to his ears having emerged from one of the many rooms that made up the Villa.

The rider unmounted his horse and rushed in the direction that he was certain the noise was coming from.

At the time, most of the people in the manor including the family members were gathered outside his very own quarters and all of them seemed to be awaiting some piece of good news.

The cries from inside were soon to simmer down as the master of the house stepped way close to the doors of his own chamber.

"What are you thinking?" an old woman spoke up to him and asked.

He ceased there and then to move as he turned to look at the woman who had spoken.

"Can't you be a little bit patient?" The woman added.

"Alright mother." The master of the house replied.

He then stood silent and looked at the doors for a while as the seconds turned into awfully long minutes that he'd started to fear something bad.

At last, when the cries that came from inside ceased, the gentle and the fairly loud cry of a child emerged which was enough for everyone outside to jubilate.

The doors of the Chambers were opened and then from inside a doctor walked up to them.

"They are both safe and well." He said.

The master of the house didn't wait any further than that as he quickly made his way inside where he found his wife lying on the floor along with a few other women around her.

He looked around as he saw some bloodstained clothes but then his eyes caught sight of something bouncing in a golden shoal.

He smiled as his eyes became teary.

"It is a boy." The doctor who was inside said as he got the baby and brought it towards it's father.

He stared at the child who was non the less very beautiful and warm, still having his eyes closed he'd only hoped they would open soon.

"I am sorry my dear, I failed to give you a daughter as you had wished this time around." The woman who had been in her labours weakly said as she looked up to her husband.

"Kim Geumsang." He called above his voice that the people outside trembled.

"You did well." He then added in a calm and tender voice that everyone else sighed in relief.

"Yes, life is complete with sons and daughters, you have given me a third commander I have no doubts that the next shall be a daughter." He said.

"You're love is indeed immeasurable my husband and I am very glad that you are so compassionate and we'll only hope." Lady Kim said.

"Thank you my dearest, my ancestors are pleased you have given another heir." The master said as he turned around with the baby in his hands.

He faced all the servants and the people of his household as he smiled and gently shook his son.

"The heavens have graced me a third time and they have sent me a son on this auspicious day of CHOPAIL, send out word to the land and other members of the family, today, a son has been born in the Han Villa and all are invited for a feast." Lord Han said.

"Yes Master." every one said as they bowed down their heads and slowly withdrew from the Master's Chambers.

"Our Master has in deed been blessed." They said.

The servants left the Villa and flocked the market to buy some gifts and things in preparation for the feast as the Messengers spread word around the entire capital and far to the great beyond.

The news of the influential Lord Han, the great great grand Child of King Chayeol through his sister the Princess Chushin having a son made them happy and livelier.

"Lord Han is indeed a very lucky man, a third son,sure the heavens have blessed him." A couple of men talked amongst themselves while dining at a bar.

"You haven't seen anything yet to begin with, it issaid that he earnestly wanted to have a daughter this time around." another said.

"Why is that, any man in his place would be proud to have a son." the third said.

"He has a lot of people watching him. It is still believed that most Hans look to him yet the royals despise him for being a royal blood from the Han and Lee families since he could have a claim to the throne." The second said.

"He is an upright man and a just official, he may not have a very high position but at least he can't endanger his family, he is past that." The first said.

"Every one fears him because I heard that there was a prophecy about three years ago from the palace, it said that from the Han Manor, men who would have power would emerge." The third said.

"In deed, it might have instilled fear in the Royal family members." The second said.

As they talked and gossiped among themselves, not so far from their table was a man who was sipping at his own bowl of wine.

He was dressed in an all black attire and he was paying keen attention to what was being said as he tightly held onto his sword.

"He is indeed extravagant when celebrating the birth of all his children." The first man said.

"We might as well make an appearance at the feast, after all I can not miss the opportunity to taste some of the best, most expensive and rarest wines in the land for free." The third said.

"I couldn't agree with you more, it is what makes his feasts so flawless." The first said.

"Hahahaha." they chuckled.

"Waiter, clear the table." the veiled man said as he stood up from his seat and left on the table a big tael of silver.

His face was hidden by his very big beaded hat and but he seemed to wear a smile on his face as he made his way out.

Lord Han back at the manor was in the company of his wife and his sleeping new born child as he wore a smile that was widening every time on his face.

"He really has a good aura around him, it feels so strong." Lord Han said.

"He gave me the hardest time more than his brothers who came before him." Lady Kim said.

"But he shall make a fine child and he'll bring pride to this family." Lord Han said.

"You sound so sure." Lady Kim said.

"He was born on this auspicious day that I can not help but ask myself why of all days in the year and the month it had to be this one." Lord Han said.

"It must be fate." Lady Kim said.

"Exactly, the heavens have graced and favored this child from my legs and I can tell that he will be very different from his brothers." Lord Han said.

"Have you thought of a name for him?" Lady Kim asked.

Lord Han ceased for a while as he looked at the child and studied it very well.

"I think we'll name him Seunghyeon." Lord Han said.

"What is with a common name, I made a promise to my father, I'd name one of my sons after him." Lady Kim said.

"I don't think I shall have a son again so I thought that this one would bear that name."Lady Kim added.

"HAN SEUNGHYEONJEONG." Lord Han said.

"It is beautiful." Lady Kim said.

"A fine name for a fine son." Lord Han replied.

"With you and our children, what more could I ever ask?" Lady Kim said.

"I am sure even the Queen will be Happy for you, after all you are her best friend." Lord Han said as they chuckled between themselves.

Away in the palace of Gaesungseong, the King Gwangyang stood on a pavilion as he looked down at the rooftops of the capital.

"Jeonha." his head eunuch called him as he bowed his head.

"What is the matter Mr. Oh?" The King asked.

"Soohyun is here to see you." the head eunuch said.

"Let him be." The King said and at once the eunuch departed as the man in black made his way towards the King.

"How has been the kingdom?" the King asked.

"The usual, I managed to still trace most of the smuggling routes in the capital by some officials in the government, I additionally managed to track down and watch some of those I suspected." The man replied.

"Keep a keen eye for every thing that is happening and inform me firsthand, we shall wait to expose them later." The King said.

"As you wish your Majesty." The man said.

"Anything else that you wish to tell me?" King Gwangyang asked.

"Your Majesty, how may I begin by telling you that I am worried." The man replied.

"Soohyun, who worries for the land, me it's King or you, its subject?" King Gwangyang asked.

"You do your Majesty, much greater than I ever do." the man replied.

"Then tell me what is it that bothers you the most?" King Gwangyang asked.

"I fear that you might not like to hear this." The man replied.

"Go ahead Soohyun, my loyal servant speaks what he sees best for me." King Gwangyang said.

"Another son has been born in the Han Manor today." The man replied.

The King smiled as he breathed in and out lightly as though it was the best piece of news he had heard the whole morning.

"On such an auspicious day, that extravagant Villa will have an excuse to spend quite a fortune after all." The King said.

"What should I do your Majesty?" The man asked.

"Survey the premises and inform me on anything that happens there, the guests and all those in attendance for the supposed feast my servants keep talking about." King Gwangyang said.

"Yes your Majesty." The man replied as he bowed his head and made his departure while the King watched the capital still unmoved.

The Head eunuch returned into the King's presence shortly after his conversation with his spy.

"I hear that Lord Han Seung Yoo's wife delivered today." King Gwangyang said curiously.

"Apparently your Majesty." the Head Eunuch replied.

"Send over the Prime Minister and the Queen as my representatives to the Han family lantern feast." The King said.

"Yes your Majesty." The Head eunuch replied as he bowed his head and also departed at once.

"What a festive day for the Hans this one is!" King Gwangyang exclaimed to himself as he smiled at the massive land that was his to lead and to lead he was to do alone.