Phases of the moon

Part 9

Even though she has failed before, it did not stop Yongsun to stop looking for ways on how she would be able to grow her seeds into a tiny sprout. She did feel disappointed at first but Wheein and Ahreum had encouraged her and that is all that she needed to pursue her goal once again. She has to remind herself that she was not a quitter. A Kim does not give up without giving a fight, her dad used to say to her whenever she sulks, whining and complaining about how things did not go on her way.

She hums happily, her body swaying side by side, riding the melody of the song. She buries the seeds under the soil— not too far from the surface as it may not get the light it needs or worse, may not even germinate at all to grow into a sprout. She just gently presses the soil to keep it secured. Carefully sprinkling water into the soil as to not drown the seeds. She grimaces when she remembered that she may have watered it more than necessary, especially that the seeds may not need a lot of water since they are in Wolgwang where the temperature is lower than Cheon-il. There is no need to put a lot of water.

Her hands have gotten dirty because of the soil. She is careful not to touch her clothes so that it would not get dirty. She also needs to wash her hands soon or else Wheein will nag her again. Speaking of Wheein, she is a bit late. Yongsun looks out to the door as she waits for Wheein whom she has asked something for earlier, however, the latter has yet to return. Since she is going to wash up anyway, she used the time left to play with the soil. She breathes in a short burst of air, tilting her head to the side, observing that the soil is indeed way too different from Cheon-il. If her seeds still would not sprout, then she really needs to find ways on how to improve the soil in order for her plants to grow.

The door creaks, stealing her attention and instead of Wheein, she sees Chorong with the things she asked Wheein to fetch earlier.

"Oh," she stares at Chorong after the latter greeted her, "Where is Wheein?"

Chorong gently places the basin of water on the side so that she could wash her hands in it.

"Wheein has offered to prepare for your bath instead and asked me to get these for you, your highness,"

"Oh, yes. I did tell her that," she nods since Wheein knows better than anyone what she uses in her bath. Ever since she has stepped foot inside the palace, it was only Wheein who has accompanied her in her bath. Aside from the fact that she has only asked for Wheein, it is also because she knows that she will get uncomfortable taking a bath with strangers helping her. Instead of having it to relax her body, it will just probably stress her out.

"Thank you, Chorong!" she smiles as she dries her hand with the clean cloth Chorong has given her.

The woman was not looking at her so she follows her line of sight. It was the new patch of soil from where she had planted a new set of seeds. She is probably curious about it so Yongsun decides to fill her in with what she is up to.

"I just finished planting which explains why I had dirty hands earlier," she then lets Chorong see her now clean hands. The latter must have taken aback by her soiled appearance. Now that she sees it closely, the hem of her sleeves did have dirt on it. Yongsun definitely is a mess when she comes in contact with soil even though she did try her best to keep herself clean. She chuckles inwardly as she remembers how her teachers and attendants aside would scold her because she always ends up dirty when she steps foot outside. They have always reminded her that as the princess, she should always keep a neat and clean appearance.

"I think Ahreum mentioned it before," Chorong replies, her eyes back to Yongsun.

"Do you like gardening?" Yongsun randomly asks as she goes out, Chorong a few steps behind her carrying the basin and towel in her hands. She did not answer immediately thinking that Yongsun was not talking to her but then she realizes shortly that it was just the two of them.