Beauty and the Beast

5 Years Ago

Once upon a time, on the outskirts of a small water front village, next to the river, bordering the woods, was a single cottage. In that cottage lived a young widow and his three sons. But that wasn't the reason they live so secluded nor was it what his sons would grow up to believe.

Dr. Choi Seung-hyun was dubbed the village lunatic after his beloved wife passed away moments after giving birth to their youngest son. The traumatic events that occurred afterwards took a toll on his metal state and widowed with three children ages five, two, and days old. After that day, he gave up his passion for healing the ill and locked himself away in his home to care for his boys – all who had their mother's beauty and enchantments.

Late at night, though, while his sons enjoyed a slumber filled with love and joy, Dr. Choi would descend to the homes basement, which he had converted into his 'laboratory'. He'd spend hours researching and creating new spells. He worked and perfected the potion recipes his wife had left behind in hopes that one day one of his sons would discover their true potential and begin their journey into their family history.

He was losing sleep but he didn't care. He lived for the toothy smiled that greeted him in the mornings. Those sticky, wet kisses he loved so much and remined him of his beloved Bom. Even if she was gone, she still lived within the boys – Jiyong, Minho, and Jimin. She may not be their physically there to see their sons grow but he could feel her presence living within Jimin's soul. He could see the way the young boy would look at his brothers and have the smile any parent would give their children on his face.

He sees so much of her in their bumbling toddler, he knows she's there with them. The boy inherited so much more than his brothers did. He was blessed with the same loving heart that would do anything for his family.

As the boys grew and became their own person, he couldn't help but grow more attached to his baby. Ji-Yong, and Minho were well known within the youth community in the village. Known as GD and Mino, famous troublemakers and heartbreakers with the young maidens. They spent more time drinking and having fun at the pub then help their father and younger brother around the house.

Seung-hyun was going on 18 hours of no sleep, trying to perfect the new healing potion he had created when he heard commotion above his head. He cured to himself as he slammed his quill on his work desk. One of his sons was up, meaning he missed the sun-rise. For the first time in the 13 or so years that his loving wife was gone had he missed the sun-rise.

She loved waking up early to greet the sun, saying it remined her of home and running barefoot in her kingdom's garden with her younger sisters. In her small, thin, strong hands would be a nice hot mug of freshly brewed coffee. He closed his tired eyes. She always looked beautiful in anything she wore. He pictured their last sun-rise together.

Fall had already fallen on the village. The morning October air had a chill crisp to it, yet Bom still got out of bed to greet the sun. And she looked beautiful. He followed her out of bed to be sure he wouldn't hurt herself or their child. He smiled as he joined her on their porch. Her long black hair was still a mess from sleep, her face puffy, and a cute pout on her plush lips. Wrapped around her, protecting her belly against the cold was a baby blue blanket – her bare feet barely covered by the blanket. He could tell she was a little frustrated she couldn't climb up to the roof or hug her knees to her chest anymore.

"Minho should really learn how to clean up after himself. Hurt my toe," he heard his youngest hiss, forgetting everything he was taught about honorifics.

The doctor turns towards the small, makeshift window he created and noticed the sun had yet to rise. Turning back to his workstation, Seung-Hyun capped his ink bottle and stood from his chair. He made his way up the stairs and was greeted by the scent of freshly brewed coffee. He followed the rich scent of dark roast out to the front of his home but saw nothing.