Yesung stretched unhurriedly. As he woke up, his brain registered that he’d been sleeping and he still had several hanbok to finish before the wedding. “AH!” He jerked up, anxiety already building in his system. Blinking the sleep out of his eyes, he looked around. ‘Looks like we fell asleep in the sewing room.’ Cloud laughed.

Yesung shrugged mentally at Cloud, already throwing off the blanket that had been tucked around him. He could hear Victoria in the front of the shop, laughing and joking with someone, her voice not showing any anxiety at all.

Yesung stood, stretching again, his body protesting the movement. Judging by the light peeking into the window of the sewing room, he realized he must have slept through the night. That meant the wedding was today, and he needed to be in tip top shape to deal with everyone involved with the wedding. 'Vicky says that your bath is drawn up and your clothes for today are already hanging out.' Cloud told him, amused. 'She finished the last of the hanbok last night while you were asleep.'

Yesung laughed. Jung Krystal had an ambitious and fast little shifter on her hands then if she'd finished 3 hanbok in record time. That meant the yangban in the front of the shop was happy and probably paying well for the rushed order.

He told Cloud to thank Victoria as he headed back to the bathing room to get ready for the wedding.

**

The Lee household was a frenzy of activity. The cooks had been busy since pre-dawn to start the feast that would be feeding the guests arriving for the wedding. Servants were rushing around adding tables and benches to the main celebration areas, setting up the pavilion covers over the tables to block the sunlight from overhead. Other servants were sweeping the courtyard areas and the walkways between the quarters to ensure that no dust would get in the way if a wind blew.

Donghae lay in his bed, listening to the sounds of the work going on outside. He’d been poked, prodded, tested and put on display this last week and while he’s exhausted from all the political posturing his family is doing with his wedding, he’s strangely calm about the whole affair. Choi Sulli had been groomed for being a Minister’s wife, although Donghae wasn’t sure he’d ever take over his father’s position in the Palace. He had yet to even take the government official exams to determine his place in public office. But his wife to be would be a stable pillar for him to lean on when he needed it before the exams, according to his parents.

Donghae exhaled slowly, letting his body relax. He knew he wouldn’t be going back to sleep, but it felt good to go into a meditative like state. He would need the familiar comfort of the meditative state later when he stood with his wife to be, taking the wedding rites and dealing with the extended families of both houses. Donghae frowned, thinking of the extended family members. Most of the Lee family in attendance had prepared for this wedding for over a month, many knowing that it didn’t matter whom he married, just that he was at the age to be married.

Overall the majority of the Lee family were humble, quiet people. Some were magistrates in smaller villages outside of the city, while others were clerks, or some even merchants of imported goods. Tea tended to be a good stable business for some, and he knew whenever he was in the presence of one of the tea masters because Seungri would sneeze and then apologize for his overly sensitive nose.

The thought of Seungri made Donghae pause. Ever since he’d come back from his stay at the doctor clinic, he’d been different. Donghae had assumed that the fall had disorientated the younger man at first because he seemed to be more cautious around others, but then Donghae realized that Seungri must have thought that whomever had attacked him on the road would come back after Donghae. It wasn’t uncommon for assassins to try to kill their target if they’d failed and not been discovered. It still frustrated Donghae that the assailants hadn’t been apprehended.

The security for the wedding celebration had been beefed up as well, especially since they’d gotten word the night before that His Majesty would be in attendance with Her Majesty. It was a special occasion, according to the missive sent to the Lee and Choi households the night before. Donghae’s father hadn’t mentioned anything important, but Donghae assumed it had something to do with the current power struggle in the Palace. The fact that the King was stepping out of the Palace for the first time since the previous King had stepped down from the royal duties was a big deal.

Donghae shook himself mentally. He should be focusing on his wedding rites and what was to come that day instead of politics! All too soon he heard the familiar shuffle of footsteps on the wooden floor and knew that it was one of the servants come to wake him for the day. He sighed and sat up, wishing the day was already over with and that it was the next morning already.

“Young master, it is time to wake and ready for the wedding.” The servant said through the door.

**

The day dawned perfectly for a wedding. There were no rain clouds in the sky, nor a strong wind to ruin carefully constructed hairstyles. The actual wedding was to take place privately amongst the closest of the families with the King and Queen in attendance to give their blessings on the marriage.

Yesung had arrived at the pavilion where the wedding was taking place, Victoria and a few other servants in tow. They would be allowed to attend the celebration afterwards, both to toast to the bride and groom, as well as be given praise for the wonderful tailoring job done for the groom’s garment.

“Have your shifter be alert to any unusual smells or sounds.” Yesung schooled Victoria on their way to the pavilion. “Seungri has told us that the Choi’s have some shifters in their employ, but the only one he could sniff out was the girl who will be coming to the Lee household as Miss Choi’s maid.” He said.

Victoria nodded. “So if I am alerted to the scent of a shifter, what do you want me to do?” She asked.

“Find out who it is if possible.” Yesung said. “Make a note of the person if you can’t get a name. How tall they are, any distinct facial features like moles or a particularly groomed beard. If they are talking to members of the Lees or Choi’s.”

“Got it. Should I not have my feline communicate with the other shifter if they are sniffed out?” Victoria asked.

“Don’t alert them to your presence as a shifter.” Yesung nodded. “The last thing we need is to spook any potential shifter and not get information.”

Heechul had heard from his contact in the Palace the day before the wedding when a serving boy had come looking for him. While the King and Queen were out of the palace, his contact would be out as well, one of the many servants that made up the retinue of the King and Queen who ensured both their Majesties safeties in both food, drink and guard. “The contact in the Palace knows to find me when she can, so if I disappear for a bit, don’t worry and enjoy yourself.” Yesung added as an afterthought.

The preparations for the wedding celebration were well managed by the time the Lee’s left for the pavilion. They would arrive first, followed shortly by the Choi’s. Any final adjustments for the bride and groom’s wedding garments would be done before they saw each other. Yesung stood back an hour later, his face smooth and calm. He had outdone himself with this wedding garment and probably would be the talk of the nobles for a few years before he outdid himself again at another Ministers’ heir’s wedding.

Donghae stood stiffly in the garment, afraid of ruining the moment as Yesung ran an eye over the garment, taking a moment to adjust a ribbon here or there, or straighten a line that had become crooked.

The new servant girl Yesung had brought with him seemed to know Seungri well, Donghae noted, catching the little glances Seungri sent the girl’s way. Well it was about time he started thinking of a suitable wife for Seungri now that Donghae was getting married.

The internal banter between the two was mostly their felines talking about what to expect when the celebration started. Seungri wanted to make sure that Victoria knew what to do if she got into any problems and needed help.

"Ok, I think you are ready Young master." Yesung said finally, stepping back with a smile on his face.

Donghae smiled at the tailor merchant, grateful the man was fast and efficient at his job. Donghae swallowed, knowing what he was about to say would be displeasing to his father if he ever heard it. “Thank you Merchant Kim, for everything.” He said sincerely, looking at the older man.

Yesung in a breath. He’d never had a yangban thank him for his work. In fact, it was practically unheard of for any male of a noble lineage to thank a merchant for their work. He found he was at a loss for words as he stared at the younger man, mouth gaping open unprofessionally.

Donghae smiled at the reaction he’d gotten from the Merchant. “Well, I suppose someone should let my father know I’m ready.” He said, the tension melting from him like water.

“I will go.” Seungri said, giving a bow.

After what seemed like an eternity, Seungri reappeared in the doorway, Minister Lee in tow.

“Ah, my son.” Minister Lee said, his face beaming brightly at his son. Even though he didn’t say it, he was proud of Donghae for taking this step. Granted, Minister Lee wasn’t wholly fond of Minister Choi, but it was a great advantage politically to align the Minister of War with the Minister of Justice in family bonds. The King had said in as much the last court session he’d attended. This would most likely be the last bit of happiness that they could give the King since the tensions with Japan were strung tight.

Donghae saw the unspoken pride in his father’s eyes. He felt a warm blossom of happiness in his chest at this sign of affection from his father. “Father.” He said formally, bowing carefully.

Donghae’s mother would not see him until he was at the center of the pavilion with his wife to be. They would meet at the entrance to the area before walking up to the Minister of Rites to recite the passages required for marriage.

Minister Lee escorted his son out of the room, Seungri immediately trailing after, followed by Yesung and Victoria. They stopped where Donghae would meet with Sulli before walking up the center walkway.

Minister Lee smiled at his son and clasped him about the shoulders, bringing Donghae’s attention to his face. “Today, my son, you take the next step in becoming a man.” He said, sounding a bit choked up.

It was the most emotion Donghae had seen or heard from his father since he’d past his first state exam to advance his studies. Donghae smiled nervously. When had he become nervous? Donghae wasn’t sure as he tried to intently listen to the words that his father was saying.

Donghae nodded at his father, who seemed satisfied at the action. He’d known his son would become more nervous, and today it showed. He gave Donghae a last squeeze on the shoulders before he signaled to Seungri, Yesung and Victoria to follow him to the pavilion.

Now alone, Donghae felt the heaviness of the wedding hanbok on his shoulders. He tried to channel his nervousness into meditating. It wouldn’t be long before his wife to be would be in front of him. Hearing soft footsteps, Donghae opened his eyes, and gasped in shock.

 

A/N: Not gonna lie, today has been pretty rough, though some of that I blame on the horrid hangover that hasn't totally gone away yet. They determined that the car my friend hit yesterday was the one who caused the accident. He'd pulled out in front of her and she smashed into the back passenger side of the car, flipped and landed in the intersection and died in route to the hospital. Like I said in my note earlier (while still slightly drunk, mostly hungover) that it's a dark reminder to always watch out for motorcyclists during the warm months.