Eps 8 : A Girl with a bow and arrow
The scent of lavender flowers rises along with the thin hot steam that rises, spreading the calming and refreshing scent of lavender throughout the room. Right in the middle of the room, there is a large pool, and not far from the pool, there is a piece of wood that serves as a place to store clothes. A red robe with a golden dragon crest was neatly draped over the wood.
Yi Baek leaned back comfortably while bathing, trying to get rid of the tiredness that plagued his body. The man with the title of viceroy of Joseon is in the middle of one of the stress releases he can enjoy; taking a warm bath with his favorite lavender scent.
Yi Baek only wore his underwear in the form of a hanbok of long thin white pants, while his upper body was left exposed. The chest with pale skin and masculine curves looks wet and seductive. Yi Baek really enjoyed his bath time very much. It can be seen from the several times Yi Baek hides his dark irises by closing his eyelids.
The calm and comfortable atmosphere that Yi Baek felt was slightly disturbed when he heard Eunuch Jang's voice asking for permission to enter the room. In a lazy tone, Yi Baek gave his response and let his loyal servant enter.
Without even opening his eyelids, Yi Baek asks a question about Eunuch Jang's intentions, which disturbs his composure.
"What's wrong, Eunuch Jang?" Yi Baek asked in a completely lazy tone of voice. "If there's nothing too important, it's best to leave me alone," he added.
"Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I would like to convey a message from the royal advisor, Seo Jong-Dae. He asked to see you, Your Majesty."
"Seo Jong Dae?"
His forehead automatically formed an arch when he heard the name of his literature Master, who was now serving as royal advisor to him, asking for a meeting. If Jong-Dae asks for a meeting, Yi Baek knows there must be something important he wants to talk about.
"Let him in, Eunuch Jang!" Yi Baek commanded with his hands, parting the surface of the water and making ripples.
Eunuch Jang is surprised to hear Yi Baek's order to invite Seo Jong-Dae to come to him immediately. Seo Jong-Dae was indeed outside the room where Yi Baek was taking a hot bath at the moment, but Eunuch Jang felt that the King was not in a good mood to meet a state official in wet clothes.
"But Your Majesty, wouldn't it seem presumptuous for Advisor Seo to meet you in this condition? I think its...."
Yi Baek pointed his two black beads at Eunuch Jang with a piercing glare. That gaze was able to make Eunuch Jang stop speaking and choose to lower his head as deeply as possible.
"I'm not asking for your opinion at this time, Eunuch Jang. Just do my bidding," Yi Baek hissed.
Eunuch Jang nodded and decided to immediately carry out the King's orders. The man in the green jade robe didn't want to worsen King Yeongan's mood. In less than five minutes, the door to the room where Yi Baek was bathing opened again, and a man in a red robe entered the room with his head slightly bowed.
"Your Majesty..." said Seo Jong-Dae while bowing respectfully. King Yeongan kept his head down, as if he didn't want to look at King Yeongan.
"Master!" Yi Baek replied to Jong-Dae's greeting. "I'm sorry that I accepted you in this state. Did something happen?"
Seo Jong-Dae smiled faintly at Yi Baek's apology; it actually made Jong-Dae feel bad for disturbing Yi Baek's leisure time with his arrival.
"No, Your Majesty. I should be the one apologizing for interrupting your time. But I have something important to tell you."
Yi Baek nodded his head, hearing the reason for Seo Jong-Dae's sudden appearance. Yi Baek tries to listen to what Jong-Dae is about to explain to him as his hands play with the ripples on the surface of the pool he is soaking in.
"I know there is something important Master Song has to say. Go ahead, I'll listen to it."
"Your Majesty the King, I have received news that the palace secretariat has announced the restriction of marriage to the public by order of Queen Dowager. I'm afraid this has not been approved by you considering that every time you discuss the topic of marriage in daily meetings, you always refuse to discuss it."
Yi Baek chuckled, noticing the uneasy tone implied by Jong-Dae's report. Yi Baek then looked straight at Jong-Dae and chuckled again, realizing that the anxiety was evident in the expression of his literature Master.
"I appreciate the report Master Song gave. I know Master Song must be worried if Queen Dowager acts against my approval. However, Master Song does not need to be concerned about this. I have acknowledged and allowed the Queen Dowager to hold the election of a new queen."
Seo Jong-Dae was surprised to hear Yi Baek's reply. The man quickly lifted his face and looked back at Yi Baek. Really, Jong-Dae couldn't understand why Yi Baek could act so unexpectedly like this.
"Your Majesty, why are you acting like this?"
Yi Baek chuckled again. Then, Yi Baek rose from his bathing position, causing small waves to wash over the surface of the soaking pool. He then came out of the pool and took a bathrobe to cover his exposed chest and reveal his masculine curves before turning back to face Seo Jong-Dae.
"Why? Was Master Song surprised by my decision? " Yi Baek paused with a laugh once again, finding the curious expression on his Master's face. Slowly, the man sat down on a chair close to where Eunuch Jang hung his king's red robe.
"Even so, I am still worried that the Queen Dowager will take advantage of you in this matter, Your Majesty. However, the Queen Dowager will not waste this opportunity to secure her position in the future."
"I understand. The childless royal member like her seemed to be feeling restless all the time. Even though she can feel relieved now, I won't let it go that easily, Master Song. I put special conditions on him."
"Is it possible? Did you put any special conditions on... " Jong-Dae was at a loss for words to continue. The young royal advisor was taken aback by the fact that he would later receive from King Yeongan.
Yi Baek turned his attention back to Jong-Dae and yet again, laughter erupted from him. "Yes, Master Song. I asked Queen Dowager to find a queen who can do archery."
"After all this time, you still can't forget that girl, Your Majesty?" Jong-Dae asked with a wistful smile.
Yi Baek lowered his head and took a deep breath. Yi Baek confirmed the question Jong-Dae asked. "I'll never forget it, Master Song," Yi Baek said with a longing voice.
...
The news of the marriage restriction has reached the people. Several royal officials had posted leaflets on the scattered bulletin boards. Not only that, the royal officers also read the order to the lower classes of society.
As a result, all the people today are discussing the topic of selecting a new queen and predicting what kind of queen will be accompanying King Yeongan in the future. Not only that, the people also discussed the sudden and unexpected death of Crown Princess Souin five years ago. Indirectly, rumors about King Yeongan, who likes torturing women, are blowing again.
In the midst of the people who are busy talking about various news about King Yeongan, a girl doesn't seem to care about her surroundings. The girl sauntered through the crowd of people seen along the street. The girl also didn't care about the surprised look that made her forehead frown every time she took a step. Until the girl stopped in front of a house that was quite magnificent and then pushed the gate and stepped inside.
While whistling, the girl stepped cheerfully and occasionally smiled in response to the greetings given by the servants in the noble house. The round and shining irises circulated to pay attention to the atmosphere in the magnificent house. Before something hit the head and stopped his observation.
TUK
"YAA!"
The girl grumbled in annoyance as she rubbed her aching head with one hand. With an annoyed face, the girl turned around to find out what and who was being such an annoying person to her.
"YA! Why are you wearing clothes like that again, eh?"
A man wearing a silk hanbok typical of noble men was pointing a fan at the girl. His eyes were sharp and angry when he saw the clothes his brother was wearing.
"Old Brother...."
The girl gasped to find her brother again, caught her dressed like a boy and dull, like a child of the common people. The girl could only show off a row of neat teeth when her older brother approached her.
"What exactly are you wearing?! This! This! "What are you really thinking, huh?"
The older brother tugged at the shabby clothes his sister was wearing.
The girl moved to avoid her brother, who would definitely continue to interrogate her. In her heart, the girl cursed her misfortune because her brother came home early from his duty. Truly, this was the unluckiest day of his life.
"Older Brother, I was just playing around with this outfit for a bit. Why do you look so annoyed? I don't do anything embarrassing."
The noble man was annoyed to hear his sister continue to argue. Still, with one hand holding the shabby clothes worn by his younger brother, the man couldn't believe his younger brother was acting wild again.
"Is this what you always do whenever I'm not home? You should behave and practice embroidery! How could our family have such a terrible noble daughter like you? "
"Old Brothers! You're outrageous! There's nothing wrong with me playing a little outside the house. Besides, I don't like staying at home and practicing embroidery or whatever!"
The older brother again could only shake his head at his sister's complaint. Truly, the noble man didn't understand what really made his little sister unlike most noble girls. Her sister would rather hunt for hours in the forest than learn to embroider. She had run out of ways to deal with his only brother. Until his irises fell on two objects that were disturbed behind his sister's back.
As fast as lightning, the man forcibly snatched the two things his brother had draped on his back. Obviously, this caused resistance from his sister. After all, those two things were his little brother's favorite things—the bow and arrow.
"Old Brothers! What are you doing? Give it to me! "screamed she as she gave her brother a fight.
"No! Until you can act like a noble girl, then I will return this thing."
"Old Brothers! You're not fair! I hate you!!"
The girl screamed in annoyance when she saw her sister's back getting further away from her. Her sweet face was bent so perfectly that she didn't notice the presence of her maid, who was right behind her.
"Miss!"
The girl turned quickly towards the back. His eyes gave his maid an annoyed look. "Aish! You want me to die young, huh?!"
The maid couldn't help but giggle amused seeing her young lady in shock. "Sorry to startle you, Miss. It's just, have you heard the good news today?"
"What good news?" grabbed the girl in a curt tone.
"Young Master will submit Miss to the election of a new queen which will be held next week. Didn't Young Master tell you about this?"
The girl was silent trying to digest the maid's words before she finally woke up and shouted loudly. "What? Older Brother registered me for the Queen's selection!"