Chung-ha in Joseon

Chapter 10

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before...but now I guess it seems harder to watch you still be in love with another woman."

"You're eight years too late."

~~~

It was still night, an hour had passed since they were done. Chung-ha laid asleep on his chest, opening her eyes every 20 minutes to see if he was still there if all this was some dream. But there Tae-min was, slowly caressing her arm with his knuckles, he was even holding her hand that rested in the middle of his upper torso.

Though Tae-min wasn't sleeping. Chung-ha noticed that he was just looking up at the ceiling. You could see sleep in his eyes but also him fighting sleep at the same time. "Are you not going to rest?" Chung-ha asked, Tae-min shook his head. "I'm not that tired anymore."

"But you said you were earlier, is everything okay?"
Tae-min nodded in response "Don't worry about me, you just rest."

"Is it about the wedding? How soon is it?" Chung-ha proceeded anyways. After she didn't receive an answer; she sat up to look at his face. Tae-min couldn't meet her eyes.
After a long pause, he replied, "It's in two days. But that's not why I don't want to rest."

Chung-ha tilted her head, making her hair fall beautifully down her shoulders. "I know that if I close my eyes the next day will come faster. I want to be present as long as I can. Time goes by so fast...I hate it. But anyways I don't mean to try and end such a lovely night off bad, that's why I didn't want to say anything."

"I understand, I don't either. Fear sometimes crosses my mind. I didn't want to say this either...but usually when I'm happy something bad always seems to happen ..." Chung-ha said.

Tae-min finally looked her in the eyes, "...Me too." he said
She laid back on his chest, "Let's think about something else," Chung-ha said.

A moment of silence happened until Tae-min broke it.
"What would you name our future children?"

Chung-ha chuckled"Thinking about kids already? We aren't even married yet,"
"I know, but it's nice to imagine," Tae-min said.

"Mmm, for a male...Lee Jung-Su...And for female.." Chung-ha said.

"Lee Hae-won, it's my mother's name," Tae-min responded. "That's a pretty name."

"Very."
Their conversation went on for a while, Tae-min eventually dozed off to sleep, and once Chung-ha saw him sleeping she did the same.

For the time they were talking, Tae-min explained they will leave tomorrow night. He apologized that it's all so rushed, but the sooner the better. He also said he wishes things were different, Chung-ha agreed.

~~~

Tae-min woke up first, it was out of instinct. He knew he'd have to wake up earlier then usual to make his way back to the palace. Tae-min gently pulled himself out of Chung-ha's arms and left her a note saying that he will come back to visit during the evening and his free hours. Tae-min also said when she gets hungry, the lady who owns the building serves breakfast, and that she can help herself when she likes.

Chung-ha saw the note and did what was said. She helped herself to Maeun-tang (fish head soup) with rice and afterward a sliced peach. It was light on the stomach.

After eating she changed clothes and pondered around, these were one of the few days of her being fully rested. It's been a while since Chung-ha could get a good night's rest.

Each time Chung-ha sat down she felt a slight sting to her area, she was warned to take it easy after the first time. She even bled a little from the slight tearing of the hymen.

~~~A few hours later.

"How did your meeting with the government officials go my dear?" Ji-Eun asked Min-ho. They were both in the Kings Quarters.

Min-ho had been lying to her about his kisaeng visits, he decided to go during the morning. There we very few people he told about the visits, so if she were to find out he knows exactly who.

"It was wonderful, a lot of my worries has been put to rest."

"Such as?"

"Now Ji-Eun, you know I can't discuss kingdom matters with you."