"it's a beautiful day, you know."
she rolled over in her bed, groaning as the sunlight hit her eyes. her brother stood at the door- already dressed and clearly ready to go to the market.
"i don't want to go out today," she whined, wanting to wallow in her loneliness and hopefully, when the sun started to set, she could sneak out to her father's study and read some of the books he had stashed for her. her mother of course, did not approve of her un- ladylike practices, saying that she should memorize poetry instead to please her future husband. whenever her mother went into these rants, her father would roll his eyes playfully, and then wink at her.
sure, their family went against cultural norms, but it wasn't like there was someone inside the secure walls of their home that would go and expose them.
not when it was the greatest wish of many slaves in the surrounding area to work for them; being known for being a fair, kind, and virtuous family.
as for herself, she hadn't decided on a slave yet.
sometimes she would go along with her brother to the market and catch glimpses of the slave auctions, but not once had any of them appealed to her. her father said that it didnt matter if she got a woman or a man, although he had added cheekily that he would prefer it if she didnt marry one of the rich neighbors.
it wasn't uncommon per se for a woman to purchase a male, however at her young, blossoming age, 'just at the perfect stage to be married to an influential young man', it would surely seem strange.
as for their neighbors' sons...
her father thought she was much too educated and 'more delicate than a chrysanthemum' for the other boys' rather immature personas.
but her mother was growing increasing impatient as well as insistent, and she found herself backed against a wall; she could either buy a slave and use it as an excuse or she could be married off and lose her freedom forever.
she glanced at her brother who was staring at her expectantly.
"fine. ill go to the market with you."
🏵•🏵•🏵
the market was hot, dusty, and crowded.
people stared as she and her brother exited separate carriages. they bowed in unison to the guards and slaves that accompanied them, wordlessly giving thanks.
with her bright yellow hanbok that rivaled the sunflowers that grew in the fields, she strode alongside her brother in his blue clothes. people bowed respectfully to them, their colorful robes depicting that they were of high rank. some people recognized them as the children of a yangban, yelling greetings that they returned with smiles and promises to visit their stands.
"what are you here for, anyways?"
yechan, her brother chuckled and spun around. "does there even need to be a reason? the market is always so full of life. it makes me feel better to be around so many people. and," he nodded to a stand selling slingshots and other trinkets. "its nice to support the community."
she rolled her eyes and sighed, eyes roaming the brilliant colors around her. people gathered around merchants selling produce, grapes and peaches permeating the summer air and making it smell incredibly sweet.
others offered dazzling collections of the finest silk, the lovely colors enticing her to buy just one bolt, just one for her seamstress to make a new hanbok for the hot summer days.
