Desert • Flower | TaeJin || BOOK 3#

XXXIX. Healing the wounded and marking the path of light

"Are they coming? What? My lord-"

"I did the most reasonable thing: to ask for help from the crown being its main and for the moment, only benefactor. Not to say that, in good part, the good image with Japan depends on me. Jimin will most likely come too."

"Why?!"

"Several months ago I sent him a letter asking for help to heal Yune" Jin gives him a bad look. "I know you weren't going to send it, so I took matters into my own hands" Seok sniffs the ground. He detects something rotten, but he doesn't quite know where. "He answered me with a refusal, because his lord would not allow him to come unprotected, running any kind of risk. Being that a small retinue from the empire is coming, it is safest to join that trip."

"Why did you do that my lord? what if it made you think something you are not?" asks Jin with nervousness blooming from deep within him. Taehyung shakes his head.

"It's more important Yune's life."

"Sometimes I find you doesn't deal with much social interaction, my lord."

Taehyung blinks repetitively, not understanding. Jin, for his part, as steeped as he is in social relationships, is well aware of how a request can affect and thus, the manner of it. He has no doubt that Taehyung did it with a friendly and very approachable manner that in Jimin would sound strange, almost flirtatious. They are kisaengs and any man who makes an effort to communicate and ask for a favor is suspect.

Maybe he will come and nothing will happen, but measuring the possibilities is one of those things that must be done to avoid problems in the future. You never know. Jin pats his forearm.

"Better show me your letters before you send them. Lest next time you cause misunderstandings. Yes? No wonder some nobles won't even give you the benefit of the doubt."

"Because they underestimate me."

"Of course they do, but proving you're capable and shutting them up is part of your responsibility." Taehyung reddens slightly. He doesn't like to be too intimidating or firm. If the situation warrants it, he'll do it, he usually doesn't care a bit if they don't take him seriously or think he's incapable, that he doesn't deserve what he has.

The way of life he had with his adoptive parents was very sweet. One where he had to treat people well, indifferent to their position and avoid unpleasant behavior. Jin proposes to be a little more upright and stop with that over-the-top kindness to those who clearly don't deserve it.

~ * * * ~

All around the village there is murmuring, curious about the emperor's retinue heading to Kim Tae-Hyung's lands. Gossip begins to spread, the nobles whisper among themselves under the belief that they are coming to tell him to throw the Japanese out of here. Others notice that apart from the general of the empire's army. There is a person who only existed as a rumor.

A woman with blue hair and thick lips, inside a strange and colorful carriage with jade ornaments. Some agree to go and spy, others consider sending their dragons to find out what happens and in general, there is no silence that day because of the event.

Jungkook gets off his horse at the gates of Taehyung's big house. He notices that there is construction to expand it. He goes to the carriage, opens the door and offers his hand to help Jimin down. The kisaeng wears his hair combed in eonjun meori, several decorative tteoljam and the jeonmo tightly tied to protect his face from the sun.

"What a beautiful place." comments Jimin walking arm in arm with Jungkook.

"It's prettier than it was," Jungkook tells him. "It used to be more of a desert than this mix between heat and vegetation."

"Um, lovely."

"Good morning Lord Taehyung!" Taehyung approaches and Jin a couple of steps behind him. "I am pleased to announce the arrival of Jeon Jung-Kook, general and second prince of the Korean Empire" introduces one of them soldiers. Taehyung bows respectfully as does Jin. "In conjunction, to the emperor's official kisaeng, Park Ji-Min."

"It is a pleasure to welcome you to my home," greets Taehyung with a kind and smiling expression. "If you would like to come in. We have a snack prepared." he offers courtesies. They both nod, moving forward.

"Go to the Japanese colony to supervise how everything is going. Don't scare them or treat them badly. Just let them know we're here to help them with the problem they're having." The soldiers bow before leaving.

. . .

"So that's the problem," Jungkook mutters thoughtfully. "It will have to be discussed at a meeting of nobles. Our emperor is very angry about how his order of peace and acceptance of the Japanese among us is not being enforced." comments the general sipping his tea.

"I have done my best, but as you understand, we are dealing with older and foolish men who refuse to accept my words" Jungkook nods, he understands perfectly. "They have sent death threats both to me and to those under my care. The situation began to become untenable."

"I understand. Fortunately you asked for help now."

"Now that I would receive it, it was foolish of me not to ask for it." replies Taehyung amused. Jimin clears his throat.

"The emperor asked me to give a very important announcement" Jin raises an eyebrow. That can be very bad. "Due to the presence of so many Japanese population, the genuine concern and care of them in conjunction to the nearby meeting of the three crowns, he decided that the meeting will be held here. Where it is possible to confirm that the people of Japan are well treated and genuinely wish to stay here."

Taehyung opens and closes his mouth, somewhat frightened Why warn now? If he is not misinformed, that is barely two months and a few days away. Time flies by, before he knows it he'll have three emperors stuffed into his house.

"Here? There is a palace a little further north. I consider it more opportune to hold the meeting here." Jin interjects.

"And for our visitors to have such a long trip up here to prove the point? No. He wishes it to be here. With how large this dwelling is; the spacious and lovely gardens, I'd say it's a good idea" Jimin contradicts Jin who bites his lower lip. "In a few months Emperor Agust will be making a trip to Japan to visit Korean villages. It is best to be consistent with the courtesy given to us."

"I... I understand..."

Jimin gives a chuckle.

"You have a lovely house and gardens. May I tour them?" Taehyung gives a choked affirmative. "With your permission." he rises from his seat and retreats into the garden. Soo emerges and doesn't delay to lie down among the flowers, rolling in them. Jimin laughs, sometimes it's so childish.

"I'll go see what my men are doing" Jungkook announces getting up from his seat. "I will return near sundown, my lord. With permission." Jungkook withdraws and Taehyung holds his hands to his face. This will be a bit more complicated than I had in mind .

. . .

"So this is the girl."

"Who gave you permission to come in here?"

"Your lord, a few months ago. In a roundabout way." replies Jimin.

He is struck by the blonde hair. It doesn't look much like Agust. It's much more yellow than platinum. He drums his fingers on the glass covering it. She hasn't opened it, Jin can tell. He's just been there, watching her, for who knows how long.

"Why didn't you ask me for help?" Jin is silent. "I don't know if you've noticed, but you're very foolish. You always try to take care of everything by yourself. Even for things where you need help" Jimin notes in a whisper. "I guess that helps make you stronger."

"No. It doesn't." Jin assures with a pitiful gesture, moving closer and standing next to Jimin, watching the blonde girl sleep.

"What's her name?"

"Yune."

"And in Korean doesn't she have a name?"

"I didn't want her to feel forced to change her identity."

"Aw, Jin-Hyung always so adorable." Jimin jokes, Soo walks in between Yune's lips, not even needing to open the glass.