이무기의 복 (Mourning Bride)

4. The Dragon Pond

San got a good night's sleep after Seonghwa's medicines had weighed his limbs and drawn him into colourful dreams. When he awoke in his chambers, his pain had subsided and the imoogi was motivated to start his first day, not dictated by the required court procedures. Today, he could explore, so he hoped Seonghwa would leave him an option to go outside since San missed the peace of nature surrounding him.

San rolled from his bed and appreciated the drawings on the paper-lined walls. They showed stories in the artistic swirls of colours and shapes. The tale seemed to be one of a dragon king before San and his adventures after coming down to this world to live with the humans. As San regarded it, he followed the story through all four corners of his bright room. The dragon described coming down from the Five Peaks to mingle with the inhabitants of what was called Baekje back then. The people received him with sacrificial presents; with fruit, livestock and servants for him to make use of. The king the dragon got married to was old and stern. He died two years later in the war, and the king's young son overtook the throne with his insufficient experience. As he grew up, he got more tyrannical and forced the mighty dragon king into submission.

Upon angering the dragon king, floods drowned most of the fields' harvest and a long and harsh winter gnawed at the people's lives. Only after the king had apologised while kneeling in front of the dragon in its true form, the rain ceased. After that, harmony returned to the lands for as long as the dragon so wished.

The story ended in the far left corner behind the door. San stared at the painting of the dragon in its true form. It lay stretched out in the inner courtyard and its tail curled around its shining red body. This dragon had its long and coiling beard hair already, and its four-clawed hands cradled its dragon bead. Fascinated by the shining ball of white light, San lost himself in his dreams about the day he would be a veritable dragon, too. He would also have a glimmering bead that reflected light, like the pearls he adored so much. He would have a thumb and be able to hold things, and his dragon form would become bigger and mature.

San would have to stay during Hongjoong's reign and probably that of his children. The first one hundred years spent here were his training as patron dragon and would raise his skill in his understanding of humans. Afterwards, he would return to the five peaks and search for a mate to hope for the rare lucky chance of offspring.

Footsteps in front of the door ripped San from his thoughts.

"Your majesty? It is time to rise. Soon, the royal shaman will arrive to pick you up." The voice speaking was deep and smooth, but none San had heard before.

"Then please send the maids over to help me change," San called back. The silhouette of the man disappeared. Moments later, San asked the maids to come in as they cleaned up his room, provided him with clothes, tied up his hair, and opened the windows.

San found himself in the living area of his residence. The room was decorated with expensive art and pottery, but it didn't feel personal. While everything was suited to a dragon ruler inhabiting the chambers, San wasn't drawn to anything. As he sat down in the corner with the tea prepared for him and Seonghwa, an unfamiliar man approached him. His face was collected as he bowed deeply in front of San.

"Dragon king. It's an honour to meet you. My name is Kang Yeosang; I am the housekeeper of your residence. I act as your speaking method in case you have any requests about your accommodations, the meals prepared for you, or any other matter within these walls." He had the same deep voice as the person from earlier. It didn't match his placid exterior.

San grinned at him and brushed his hair back over his shoulder.

"I am delighted to make your acquaintance. Shall I refer to you by your last name, or may I call you Yeosang?"