Episode 3:

Gain The King's Interest

A rising warmth signaled the beginning of summer, and all the gardens had turned into tapestries of vibrant color. His new irrigation system was a success. It required less labor and resources as well. Implementing it in the season’s crops would increase the amount of usable harvest. 

Cheol kneeled on the steps of a terrace garden, between rows of lilies. The stargazers had withered a bit now, but perhaps they’d survive another week or two. 

“Your Majesty,” his attendant cried, his face wrinkled with desperation. His green hanbok brought out the sickly olive tone of his face. Cheol certainly didn’t want him to puke all over his flowers. “You cannot be here right now. What will the people think, seeing you act like a common farmer.” 

Straightening, Cheol slowly descended the steps, his hand brushing the tops of the flourishing azalea bushes. “That I’m a splendid ruler, taking time to assess the success of my own experiments for the greater good of my Kingdom. Am I wrong, attendant Ji?” 

He bowed his head. They were always so fearful of him, even when he teased them. It was rather vexing. “No, your Majesty.”

“Cheol!” 

His attendant turned to the woman running toward them, appalled. “How dare you use his Majesty’s na-oh. Lady Yi.” He bowed again. Hye-jin ignored him, walking past him to Cheol, who gave her a charming smile.

“I’m guessing you’re not here to admire my gardens,” Cheol said, eyeing the papers in her hand. It must be quite urgent if she ran all the way here. The servant waited to watch things unfold, and Cheol couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “We’d like to talk in private. Wait by the door to my office.” 

“But your Majesty!” the attendant squealed.

“Attendant Ji, would you like to keep your job?” 

“Let’s go, everyone,” the attendant said, still pouting, as he herded the rest of the staff away.

“You should get rid of the lot of them,” Hye-jin murmured, watching them go, her glare as icy as ever. She wore a blue and green hanbok today, with patterns of bluebirds. It didn’t suit the Hye-jin he knew very well, but he supposed that went for all of his advisors. None of them really fit in here. Someone had even managed to tug her hair into a tight braid with a bright blue ribbon. 

“They’d just be replaced by another round,” he replied, looking down at the rose bushes near the azaleas. “So, what was it you wanted to talk about?”

“We finished going through all the applicants for the position of your consort.” 

Ah, his least favorite subject. The officials had been nagging him for years now, ever since he ascended the throne. He was surprised they were so eager to have him marry, considering how his father had turned out, but apparently status beat caution for them. Not only did they want him to marry, but they also had no qualms about sending him their own daughters. Foolish men. He’d finally decided to humor them, although they weren’t very amused at the selection process. Their reactions had been worth it.

“We narrowed it down to twenty,” Hye-jin said, scanning the paperwork. “Sun hated most of them.”

“Sun hates most people.” 

“More than half left crying because of him.” Hye-jin shook her head. “You know how protective he is.” 

The poppies were starting to bloom now, too. “It’s for the better. If they start crying because of Sun’s comments they won’t be able to handle the Palace. Was there anyone he did like?” 

Hye-jin hummed, as she always did when trying to remember something. “Yes. His name was Hae Min-jun. He said he ‘liked his nerve’. The boy was lying through his teeth, you see, but he acted well enough we were almost fooled.” 

Cheol laughed. “He’d fit right in here.” A man. What could a man be seeking in becoming the consort of a King? Fame and glory could be found in the Academy or on the battlefield. Consorts, on the other hand, were bound to their spouses, forever confined to the Inner Palace. Who would willingly sign up for a lifetime of servitude when they had so many other options. “Send him an invite.” 

“Seriously?” Hye-jin asked. 

The sky had turned grey, the clouds gathering in shifting billows. “Why not? It could be interesting.”

“You’re really going to let a person who lied in the interview process into your home?”  

“Yes, that sounds about right.” He began to stroll back along the path to the Throne Hall, not in the mood for getting caught in the rain. “And send some tulips with the palanquin,” he added. “I want to get off on the right foot with him.” 

“I have a bad feeling about this,” she called after him. 

The first droplets had started to fall. Hye-jin quickly matched his pace. “He’s a commoner, Hye-jin. We can get rid of him if he causes a ruckus.”

. End of Episode .