Chapter 15

The Samjinnal festival, also known as Double Three Day, had crept upon them in a passing breeze. The day when the festivities began, Gongju city was in turmoil. Like every other seasonal custom, the Samjinnal festival marked a moment in the everchanging seasons, namely the beginning of spring. People, from nobles to commoners, took advantage of the third day of the lunar month in order to have fun and enjoy the scenery.

As the trees were in full bloom and the birds started to return, the area around the city was growing more popular. Outings were usually organized during this time of year, as well as other activities, such as archery competitions and games. Hence, this was a time of merriment for all social classes.

Kim Jong-Seo's family was waiting for this event with anticipation. It would be the last festival they celebrated in Gongju until their next return. In a week's time they were to set for Hanyang, the capital city of Joseon, not knowing when they would return. Since Jun-Ho was about to take on the role of the Crown Prince's tutor and Kim Jong-Seo had business at the Ministry, the entire family, together with their servants were to move into their main house in the capital.

Seeing how both Jun-Ho and Shin practiced their arrow shooting, they looked forward to taking part in the competition. An area just outside the city gates had been cleared and prepared to host this grand event. All men, regardless of age and status could participate, thus ensuring a long list of people waiting to register.

The young women of the family were waiting for the walks and the games held in the marketplace. Nerveless, Jung-Hee had made it perfectly clear she would also go to the archery competition and cheer for her brothers.

Yoon-Yi happily agreed to accompany her. Everyone else's excitement was infectious, and she soon started to look forward to the festival as well. After all, it was a once in a lifetime chance to see for herself how people celebrated in Joseon, in the year 1452. For the first time since she got there, she was feeling really enthusiastic about going out and exploring.

That morning Yoon-Yi dressed up in the new clothes Jung-Hee had given her and arranged her hair in a customary style, fixing it with the silver hairpin. The red of the ribbon, along with the pink and green of the dress made her skin appear whiter. Her brown hair shined and framed her face beautifully, while the red flower attached to the pin looked as though it was alive between her locks.

Jung-Hee also looked more beautiful than ever, wearing her white and pink hanbok. Her hair was covered in small pins and jewels, glittering at every turn of her head.

When the girls stepped outside the house, they saw Jun-Ho and Shin waiting for them. Yoon-Yi's breath caught in her throat. They both looked stunningly handsome. Jun-Ho was draped in soft light colors that highlighted his delicate face and brown eyes. The soft fabric of his attire flowed beautifully and moved in ripples whenever he took a step. His expression was that of pure excitement, his smile dazzling like the sun.

Meanwhile, Shin chose a dark colored costume, made of a thicker fabric. The sleeves were tightened around his wrists and the trousers embraced his ankles. He wore a black and white overcoat that hung behind his back like a cape. His raven-black hair was half tied, the loose strands flowing behind him in the breeze. It made his face look paler and his eyes even blacker.

In contrast to Jun-Ho's happy smile, Shin wore a serious expression. If possible, he looked even grimmer than usual. When his eyes set upon Yoon-Yi his jaw clenched slightly and he refused to look her in the eye.

Yoon-Yi noticed the two men were talking. Well, Jun-Ho did most of the talking, while Shin barely opened his mouth.

"Honestly, could you look more disgruntled than this? This is a festival day, not wartime." Jun-Ho was asking, a teasing note in his voice.

"I do not look disgruntled."

"What do you call this expression, then? A new form of happiness?" Jun-Ho demanded, raising his eyebrows, and crossing his arms.

"I just look… serious I suppose." Shin supplied, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other. "There is no need for me to be grinning like an idiot, now is there?"

"Thanks for that little brother. It's good to know what you think of me." Jun-Ho snorted, clapping Shin over the back.

"I didn't…" Shin started, looking positively mortified, but the appearance of the two girls cut his words short.

"Ah there you are." Jun-Ho exclaimed while they glided towards them. "You two look beautiful." He said, looking from one to the other. "We are honored to be walking alongside two gorgeous flowers, aren't we Shin?" He looked at the dark-haired man, but Shin's face turned stonelike.

"Thank you." Yoon-Yi replied timidly, while Jung-Hee merely waved her hand elegantly, smiling at her brother.

Yoon-Yi risked a small glance at Shin but seeing him look so serious, she quickly looked away.

"Where are we going first?" Jung-He asked, her face mirroring her brother's enthusiasm.

"The archery competition, of course." The men replied in the same voice, making the girls chuckle.

They picked up their bows and led the way through the maze of streets and people. Compared to the last time she went out, Yoon-Yi was now able to see Gongju city properly. Her head was turning in so many directions that her neck soon started to ache.

They were just passing through the marketplace and the noises hit her ears painfully. Children were either screaming or playing, while women and men were talking animatedly. The shops were filled and assaulted by buyers.

Heading for the closest stall, they went and bought a few round-shaped rice cakes and some green-colored ones. Yoon-Yi looked at them curiously, sniffing them before trying one of each.

"These are delicious!" she cried out in excitement after finishing both rice cakes. "I have never eaten anything like this."

Sure, she had tried rice cakes when she was in her own time, but neither one tasted like these. It amazed her how different food tasted in Joseon compared to Korea.

The other three looked at her in astonishment, then their expressions changed to that of amusement. Laughing and munching on their snacks, the four young people headed towards the southern gate. Beyond them was the place where the archery competition was being held.

Quite a few people were already gathered there when they arrived. Everyone looked excited as they took their turn to shoot. Jun-Ho and Shin went to take their place, while Jung-Hee and Yoon-Yi made their way to the side of the field. From there they could have a better view of the contestants.

Jung-Ho and Shin effortlessly eliminated many of the other participants. They did not even break a sweat, while some of the others had flushed faces and their foreheads were covered with beads of sweat. Neither one of the two missed their targets and they quickly moved up the ranks until it was time to compete with each other.

Yoon-Yi watched breathlessly as the first four rounds ended in perfect scores for both of them. It was clear that they were equally good archers, therefore she wondered who would win the match. She saw Jun-Ho grinning at them, and she waved her hand, smiling widely.

"It's the final shot now." She heard Jung-Hee muttering, her eyes nervously gazing between Jun-Ho and Shin.

Both men looked serious as they positioned their arrows and tensed their bows. Jun-Ho was the first to release it, his arrow landing next to the other four, in the red circle that represented the middle of the target. He beamed and turned to wink at his sister and Yoon-Yi.

But Yoon-Yi did not see that. Her eyes were fixed on Shin, who appeared to take his time releasing the arrow. His arms were tensed, just like the bow string, and his face looked strained in concentration. His eyes were narrowed, and a deep frown appeared on his forehead. Five seconds passed and he still did not take the shot.

'Why is he hesitating? I mean, he had no problem hitting the target in the first four attempts, so what is happening with him now?' Yoon-Yi wondered silently, staring at him nervously.

Then Shin's eyes found hers across the field. He gazed at her intently for a brief second and she could swear she saw his mouth twitch in frustration. No one knew his mind was working furiously, debating his next move.

'What if I… would it be possible to do it differently this time?' He heard a small voice muttering inside his head.

Shin bored his eyes into Yoon-Yi's, looking as if he was fighting something invisible. His arm was starting to grow tired while he tried to reach a decision.

'Why are you doing this now? You know there is no point. Nothing will change. Shoot the damn arrow like you initially planned and stop dreaming useless things.' He berated himself, shoving the small voice in the depths of his mind.

A second later, he looked back at the target and released his arrow. Yoon-Yi held her breath and clenched her fingers into fists, almost not daring to look. The arrow hit just millimeters outside the red circle.

Everybody boomed in excitement, clapping and congratulating Jun-Ho for his win. Based on their reaction, it looked like everybody expected Jun-Ho to win this last match. As the two young men left the field, the others kept shooting enthusiastic glances at Jun-Ho, saying how the son of the great general Kim Jong-Seo had inherited his father's skills. Some even came close to him and bowed their heads respectfully.

All this time, Shin kept himself one step behind Jun-Ho, his head slightly bent down. Despite the fact that he was receiving scornful looks from almost everyone, his face betrayed no emotion. Even when people started whispering about him, not one muscle moved on his face. He simply followed Jun-Ho through the crowd in complete silence.

Yoon-Yi, on the other hand, frowned at this display of injustice. Shin may not have been Kim Jong-Seo's real son, but he was close enough. What right did those people have to treat him like that? He was just as good as Jun-Ho when it came to archery.

'Maybe even better.' A voice whispered in her mind. She quickly shook her head, dismissing the thought.

During the time they spent outside after the archery competition, Yoon-Yi kept trying to catch Shin's eyes, but he stubbornly avoided her. He walked behind them, just a step away, making it impossible for her to approach him in a conversation. After tripping several times due to always looking back and having to cling onto Jun-Ho for support, she finally gave it up as a lost cause.