Chapter 2 

Of the 100 families that had taken power and rose in favoritism by the late King, only a dozen approximately still exists to this very day and only a few have remained in their old status of wealth and prosperity. Sitting warmly in their silk and portrait filled rooms with their Byzantine carpets and the porcelain tea cups and saucers they had imported from the center of Edo.

The families had either split their allegiances towards the King and his allies, while the chosen few chose to support their common people and rebel for a new King and a new kingdom without the control of the corrupted and malice royal family that had a tight grip for nearly a thousand years – it was those who chose to side with the people who remained alive today.

Many of them had made truces and formed alliances with one of the other few remaining families, securing a pact to make sure they would be by each other’s side if ever war breaks out and the nation crumbles apart. The Jung clan of the Eastern Provinces and the Kim clan of the North Western Provinces have been united in kinship and have been in an alliance for more than a hundred years, celebrating the millennium of their pact on this very day.

            Hundreds of servants and cooks have gathered in the massive villa of the Sunset Pavilion that was located on the high hill a few kilometers away from the Kim Clan’s manor house. Colorful red banners, golden colored and embroidered table clothes spread across the chestnut wooden tables and plates and cups of the finest china and chopsticks cut from refined metal that were mined from great mountains millions of miles away.

Bells chimed as the wind blew forcefully against them and horses’ hooves were heard clacking loudly against the muddy grounds. The common folk chattered and whispered discreetly as an elegantly decorated blue colored carriage appeared right in front of the pavilion’s main entrance. 

            “Make way for Lord and Lady Jung!” The Head Guardsman halted all the ongoing commotion surrounding the outside of the pavilion and his fellow guardsmen all stood straightly as they assist the nobles who have arrived in an extravagant and grandiose manner. With their banner men and tradesmen following closely behind them, hundreds of their men have accompanied them towards their travel towards the North Western Provinces.

The wooden door slid open and a well-dressed and feminine young woman came out gracefully as she stepped out of the gold embellished palanquin, as she gripped on her handmaiden gently to make sure she would come out safely.

A sapphire gemstone on her hairpiece reflected against the shining sun as she smiled graciously at the common people who stopped in their steps as she looked at them. Her purple colored blouse shirt had the seal of their family embroidered on it with such detail and the quality of her silk, cerulean skirt shone against the shining sun.

            “Lady Sooyeon, the Kim clan are waiting inside the pavilion.” Her handmaiden who was named Ara bowed repeatedly and stood prettily next to the noble lady, though looking deficient and dull next to her nicely dressed superior.

Though it seemed like her attention was drifting towards something else, instead Sooyeon kept her eyes fixed on a family of beggars who had lived by the orphanage near the pavilion, dressed in ragged clothes and choked in sickness and hunger.

Sooyeon lifted the hem of her skirt and ran towards them, to the panic of her older brother Yunho who had just dismounted himself off his beloved horse who was named Yellowthunder. “Sooyeon-ah!” He called out hurriedly, running over to her at the quickest pace he could but it seemed like he was too late.

“My Lady, it is the most thankful you have come here to visit us.” An old and gaunt woman smiled tiredly as she looked up at the noble lady who had approached them. She coughed endlessly as a spit of green, gangly saliva flew out of and she grabbed her falling out, grey wool cloth to embrace her frail body.

            “If you only have a few cents to spare, My Lady – Please help us poor folk.” The old woman’s grandchild, a tiny child with skinny, delicate arms and was deliberately underfed and anorexic begged endlessly as she bowed towards the young lady and as tears fell from the child’s eyes.

The wails and pleas of the fellow common people who had taken shelter by the slums and by the corners of the streets had been heard and Sooyeon frowned in sympathy in which she had felt bad in the condition in which they had to suffer. “Please help us, My Lady!” “My Lady, My Lady! The less fortunate need your help!”

“Excuse me little one, but please do not treat my sister in that manner.” Their constant complaints were interrupted by the appearance of Jung Yunho, the young lady’s older brother who was the new heir and lord to the Jung family name and inheritance after their father had willingly given it to him to spend the rest of his life serving the King in the capital city. He wore a dark navy colored hanbok that was made from the best material and had complemented the color scheme his sister had worn for the event.

 He smiled sweetly and circled an arm around his sister’s shoulder, though he spoke in a venomous and icy tone that sent a wave of fear and threat down their broken spines as soon as his smile faded out into a frown.  “I am so sorry, Lord Jung!” The elderly woman and her grandchild bowed in repentance repeatedly, over and over again as their bodies touched the cold, pavement ground.

Sooyeon hesitated as her brother reprimanded the common people who were now sorrowful and ashamed of what they have done. “No, brother – It is all right. They have not disturbed me, I approached them and they have asked for assistance. The people have served us well and it is our turn to finally give back to them.” She tenderly took out a few coins from her pocket and placed a copper coin into each of their mud ridden palms, in which they gratefully accepted.

Yunho eyed at her in great surprise, not expecting she would generously give alms to every single one of the common folk who had begged from her. She grinned charmingly at him as they walked away and she held on firmly onto the arm he had politely offered for her to hold on.

            “Sister, I knew grandmother told you to be generous, but not that generous?” They paused after he had asked her with a baffling expression. “We have to make good impressions to the less fortunate, in case we would need their assistance later on.” Sooyeon whispered cautiously into his ear, making sure none of them would hear anything she had said.

He knew what she meant. It was the common people who had served the royal and noble families into fighting their battles for them and basically fought through the cold winters, swarms of pilling bodies and bloodshed fields of metal and tears whenever that time would come. Their grandmother had always been the true weapon behind all those years in which they had enjoyed prosperity and wealth, just as she had carefully advised both Sooyeon and him to be very careful of every move they made.

            After a hundred years of the founding of a new government under another branch of the royal family, the kingdom has still been in a fragile and weak state, even after the implementation of new powers and the tightening of the customs and the laws of the kingdom to keep things all secured and together. Yunho knew that no matter how unshakable and robust the kingdom may look like to others, it would crumble into ashes if conflict sparked within the higher officials and the path to the throne would be left empty again.

“You shouldn’t have even reprimanded them that seriously and demandingly as well, brother. The common people do look up to you as a knight and a chivalrous man who was the greatest warrior with the sword in the kingdom other than the King’s guards themselves.” She uttered to break the awkward silence between the two of them, decreasing her volume as they entered through the pavilion’s gates and went past the heavily alert and vigilant guards that eyed them curiously.

“They may see me as a good and righteous man and I try to fulfill that image for our family name but I will not tolerate them treating you like some bank who gives them whatever they want.” He responded defensively, stopping right in front of the pavilion’s main entrance and looked at her sincerely. “Good and righteous – Yeah right.” She rolled her eyes at him as she continued to walk up the wooden stairs of the main entrance.

He glanced at her from afar for a few seconds, understanding what her expression was trying to tell him and nodded in a disgruntled fashion, as she laughed in victory as it seemed as if she had won the argument between the two of them again. “I’m not even going to try to keep up with this argument, sister.” He grunted softly.

Red and gold streamers etched with messages of good luck and encouragement have flown up high from the wooden posts that stood high and kept the roof erect and supported. Court ladies and slaves bowed respectfully at the high born nobles that had just passed through them.

Porcelain and ceramic plates were heard gently clattering against each other as they were placed on top of golden silk tablecloths and were put aside delicately painted teacups and kettles. Two court ladies curtsied at the two nobles and smiled politely as they spoke.

            “Welcome, Lord and Lady Jung. Lord Kim Heechul and Lord Kim Jaejoong have been waiting by the West Wing of the pavilion.” A petite and slim young lady with clear eyes and a high forehead, who went by the title of Lady Jini elevated her hand towards the western direction in which she had pointed to.

Yunho looked at his sister and grinned in response, giving off a charm that swooned most of the court ladies. “Thank you, Lady Jini. Your services to the Kim clan have been faithful and as their allies, we are most thankful.” He spoke in a careful and flirtatious tone, winking as his sister and her handmaidens have started to walk towards the western end of the pavilion.

The halls have been draped in commissions and paintings that have histories and origins that trace back to a hundred years, the names and the fading out images of their ancestors paved out proudly alongside some of the families’ priceless artworks in which they had carefully kept an eye on.

The Kim clan and the Jung clan have both never left their presence in the political court and scene in not only the capital but in also in the provinces in which they had an utmost control over. Lord Heechul is currently serving a term in the Ministry of Taxation in the capital, closely watching over the money that had entered and left the palace’s finances as a senior second ranked official.

Loud sounds of chatter and murmur bounced from the walls and were heard even from the halls, the roaring laughter and drunken slurs echoing loud enough even for a nearly-deaf man to hear. Wooden doors slid open and two guardsmen stood by the doors, immediately recognizing the familiar guests and bowed politely to them.

Among the crowded hordes of people that had gathered in a cramped circle that were busy spilling the gossip with one another and talking about the rumors that reached them immediately, it was Kim Jaejoong and Kim Heechul who they both noticed immediately before getting lost between the faces.

            “Ah, Lady Sooyeon and Lord Yunho – I am glad all of you were able to make it. Why don’t some of you have some soju and loosen up for now?” Heechul, who was currently flirting with some of the courtesans and concubines who had accompanied their guests, excused himself and lunged himself forward out of the crowd to speak to two of his greatest friends and allies.

Yunho bowed his head with a cheeky smile and Sooyeon curtsied gracefully in a manner that seemed overused and repeatedly in a way that it seemed as if they had been doing that routine their entire lives, even as little children who could barely speak or stand.

Coming from the other hall, Lord Heechul’s younger brother, Lord Jaejoong entered quietly into the scene and was greeted immediately by their most honored visitors for the night. In pearl red, he clearly stood out from the crowd and had the aura of a true lord.

“Thank you for coming today, Lord and Lady Jung. We have prepared the best tea imported from the Kingdom of Nippon and we have some delicacies, and snacks as well from all over the world. Take a seat if any of you don’t mind and the tea will be coming in no time.” Jaejoong spoke up formally and bowed respectfully at them.

“It is our greatest honor to make our way here and be invited by your family in this milestone event, Lord Kim. We do hope our simple gifts may start the event with a bang.” Sooyeon spoke softly as they were accompanied to the large, oak table and sat on red embroidered pillows imported all the way from Mongolia.

Two court ladies dressed in a rich emerald color came in through the sliding doors and held precious gifts on the porcelain tray they held as they slowly walked in. The one who stood by Sooyeon’s side on the left had a velvet pouch knotted with golden thread and a phoenix hairpin engraved with the finest stones and materials.

On the other hand, the maid who had stood next to Lord Yunho had a long, edged sword that had been so long it had been wider than the width of a man’s broad shoulders and was protected with thick, dark leather that had been marked with the seals of one of the greatest blade smiths in the land.

Both had taken the items from their side and offered them to their family's ally and lay them gently across the wooden table, surrounded by teacups and kettles of great value. The lords of the Kim clan had taken the gift gratefully and had thanked them with sincere gratitude.

“You are spoiling us all, the two of you! We are most thankful and I am sure my wife Boa would love this hairpin you have personally given us.” Lord Heechul laughs boisterously as he reaches forward to the hairpin and the velvet pouch that has been given to their family.

“And the sword is a beautiful thing just to look at. What more if it was used in battle?” Lord Jaejoong took hold of the sword carefully and brought out the blade slowly to admire its shimmer and its sharp edges.

“She is with child again, am I right? From the letters she has been writing my sister, it seems like she has never been as happy as now.” Lord Yunho clears his throat as he casually speaks of the lord’s expecting wife and takes a sip of the tea that has just been poured for him.

Silence fills the air as no one speaks for a few seconds among the four high nobles, as it has been a well-known fact, even among the common people that this has been Lady Boa’s first pregnancy since the tragic incident of a miscarriage had happened nearly a year ago.

            “Oh yes, she has been with child for almost four months on this very day. We have been more careful this time as she had chosen to isolate herself in her chambers upon the start of her third month to ensure that things will go better this time.” Lord Heechul speaks solemnly, just as a bottle of soju has been served on the table and he therefore takes a sip of the alcohol for himself.

            “How about you, Lord Yunho? There have been rumors that you would have been betrothed to one of the many noble ladies in the kingdom.” Lord Jaejoong chirps teasingly and a light chuckle is heard between the two of them.

            “There may have been possibilities, but our family has not made any proper negotiations with any other noble family on who I’d marry and on the dowry. Though, my sister, Lady Sooyeon would be betrothed Lord Changmin of the Shim Clan in the next few months.” Lord Yunho shook his head tiredly as he glances at his sister.

Sooyeon frowns secretly to herself, as if she felt that talking about the betrothal in such an early period of time had made her so uncomfortable. She had only met her future husband a few times when the families met to secure the contract and has only found a portion of his nature of a few love letters sent right after the betrothal has been finalized.

As much as the new agreement between the two clans may have benefitted them in the share of wealth and exchange of dowry once she had been married off to that family- she had secretly hoped that maybe her husband would be a good man who would love her and cherish her not only for the money and her title, but for who really was.

            “A betrothal – Why haven’t you told us earlier, Lady Jung? We should have made the event even grander as we have now since a marriage is something we must celebrate and our family is incredibly happy for you and your future husband.” Lord Heechul reacts in complete surprise and congratulates her energetically as he takes out a golden fan with flowers and branches sewn onto them and fans himself with it.

            “We wanted to keep it a surprise of course! We did not want to make the news spread too quickly or problems may arise in the future. I personally want to invite your entire family, which includes your parents and some of your household to the official betrothal ceremony that will be held in a few months.” Lady Sooyeon takes some fresh beef from the food pile and graciously placed them in once she had finished speaking.

Lord Jaejoong turned his head to his left and looked at his older brother as he asked for his consent and opinion, who then nodded without hesitation and took another shot from his glass of soju.

            “Our entire family will be there for sure, Lady Jung. It would be such a dishonor to foil our century long alliance by not attending a milestone in your family’s history and our history as allies.” The younger Lord of the Kim clan responded firmly as he made a promise on behalf of his family name. He later ordered to one of the court ladies to bring out a ‘certain amount of coins’ as part of the betrothal gift to the Jung family.

            “Now, speak to me about that child Lady Soojung? A darling girl she is just like you, Lady Sooyeon and was only little since I had last seen her as she studied in the capital with your father Lord Jung?” Just as a pile of important files, books and papers had arrived on the desks as sent by the Kim clan’s head eunuch, Heechul had grabbed a bowl of soup for himself and asked casually about the Jung clan’s younger daughter.

The youngest daughter of the Jung clan was named Jung Soojung and had been 3 years apart from Sooyeon and 4 years apart from Jung Yunho. It was a well-known fact among the Jung clan and the Kim clan that by the time she had been born, her two older siblings have already been sent overseas to continue their education and training in politics and society.

She had been sent to the capital at the young age of 7 just like her older siblings had, just in time for when it was their turn to return to their manor and take care of their household in their father’s absence.

Soojung was a pale girl of sickly physique and was of intimidating nature, with a sharp tongue that may have put the Queen Dowager in shame. Though like her brother, she was of tall and lanky stature and has already been the same height as her elder sister though she has not reached her peak height already.

           “I believe the Choi clan has pursued interests in forming a bond of marriage between her and their youngest son. We have not been able to discuss about it with father and with Soojung herself, so there is no secure claim in this agreement whatsoever.” Sooyeon takes another gulp of the tea and requests that the chess board be put in front of them for a game.

            “Now, now – Enough of the family gossip and betrothal gossips; It’s about time we begin to discuss about financial and security matters that have not been touched upon for decades.” Jaejoong coughed sternly as the last pile of letters and books that have gone dusty after being stored forever in the archives have finally been brought in front of them.

A certain dark red book that had been the thickest and seemingly the oldest book in the pile as its paper had been turning brown and dry as its pages, even from afar made it seem as if it would break apart only if you turned a few pages.

Sooyeon reached forward to grasp and take the book in her own hands, the dust flying off in the air as it dropped heavily on the sturdy table. “History of the Hundred Years War” was the name of this mysterious book and all of those who she sat beside looked up as they had realized she had chosen to read a book that no one ever dares to talk about.

She glanced through and browsed through every single page until she had reached somewhat the seventeenth page, with the letters scrambled all over the page that have been smudged and illegible to be comprehended as its words eventually faded out into the paper.

            “Now, we must speak of how to keep our alliance stronger even with the possibilities of … unrest breaking out within the court in the capital or falling out with the king.” She spoke cunningly, her ambition and desire upon advancement thinly seeping out through her glare as she had taken out a soaked brush that has been dropped in ink.

            “Lord Choi in the capital has risen to become a crucial member of the State Council in the past few months, and I believe the recent law on the distribution of the lands among the common people and the nobles has been his doing as well.” Lord Yunho pointed out and presented a letter sent by one of their spies in the capital.

            “The Kwon Clan has always been ahead in their game of snaking their way towards the King’s grasp. There may have been claims that the Crown Prince had planned to take Lady Kwon Yuri as his mistress.” Lord Heechul sighed and sipped on what seemed like his seventh shot of soju, his words becoming sloppy and dragging.

Sooyeon looked at all of them and read their expressions to see what they had been trying to hide from all of them, as she tucked in the loose hair falling behind her ear and readjusted her posture.

            “And how about your father – How is he doing in court?” She asked curiously, glancing at both of the lords in the Kim clan directly through their eyes.

Silence filled the hall and tension built within the four of them as no one had the urge to speak up to such a controversial question at the moment.

            “He had been ousted from his position in the Ministry of Personnel just because of some manipulation happening behind the scenes!” Lord Heechul threw his hat to the ground and screamed angrily and furiously, rudely walking out of the hall as his anger fumed within him.

The Kim clan had always thought they would always have the King in their grasp and that they would always be in favor of him, thought that may not always be the case.

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