A/N: This imagine is set during the Joseon Era (probably between 1400s-1700s) when the Lee family ruled. I know that Jin is a Kim, but for now, change it to Lee. The royal titles you are about to see are from my mother and a website (link below):
I turned my head towards Eunuch Han as he gave me a small smile. He was aging towards forty years, but still had much patience and energy to handle me at times. Eunuch Han was like an uncle to me more than someone meant to serve me, and was good for advice.
"What is it?" I asked, sitting properly on the floor, trying to look as royal as possible.
"Well, Seja..." Eunuch Han answered playfully.
"The King has granted your wish: you can go out of the palace for a day."
I whipped my head towards Eunuch Han to see if he was joking or not. He handed me a green silk scroll and I quickly unrolled it to find my father's, the King's, calligraphy, stating what Eunuch Han just said.
My eyes widened with joy as I abruptly ordered Eunuch Han to get me some "normal clothes" so that people couldn't easily recognize. Eunuch Han walked out of my quarters and I began to jump from excitement.
It's so suffocating in the palace at times and Father rarely lets me go out due to possible attempts at the crown.
Let's see what happens today...
***********
Town Square
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"Finally!"
I took a deep breath in the middle of the street where colorful stalls lined the perimeter, selling foods, spices, accessories, silks, all things that the town could use.
Even though I was walking alone, I knew Aba-mama sent a few guards to secretly guard me against any possible attackers. But since many of the villagers did not know my face very well, I was not afraid that I would be recognized.
I strolled down the dirt paths as I observed the people here. Everyone was here, from slaves to high-ranking officials and nobles, handmaidens accompanying the young daughters of the nobles. It was quite a different sight than from the constant red or blue-robed teachers and nobles I saw every day. Seeing how everyone mixed together in one place felt refreshing because I was sick of the same old routine in the palace.
"Oh my!"
A few shouts from the distance caught my attention. I briskly walked to the area where the shouts were coming from. A crowd formed a circle around two people, and I saw a vendor and a child. The child was wearing rags and looked as if he wasn't fed for a very long time. I saw in his hands a piece of rice cake which was most likely stolen from the man shouting at him.
"You thief!" The vendor bellowed at him, making the boy shake in fright. He clutched onto the rice cake tighter as the vendor raised his hand.
The vendor was about to hit the trembling boy when suddenly a slender hand caught his wrist. I push through the crowd to see who the person was, despite the grumbling from people. It was a young woman who held the man's wrist in the air.
(Below is a picture of what she is wearing.)
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She had a look of rage in her eyes which made the vendor do a double-take. She let go of his wrist and he backed away slowly. The woman took out two coins and threw it to him.
"That," she spat out. "will compensate for your stolen food, no?"
The vendor quickly nodded and hurried back to his stall. The crowd began to disperse, fearing that the unknown woman would turn her rage on them. I stood where I was, not moving an inch, observing her. She looked like she was around my age, now that she's calmed down. Her black hair was styled into a simple long braid.
She kneeled towards the child and gave him a warm smile. After an exchange of words, the boy's face grew into a large smile and he ran off, food in hand. The girl laughed and it was melodious. I was intrigued by her and decided to introduce myself.
She started walking in my direction as I was walking towards her, and she passed by me. But I bumped into her hard enough to make her fall onto the ground.
Pretending to look shocked, I quickly helped her up.
"I am so sorry Miss! Are you okay?"
She dusted herself off and sent me a kind smile that melted my heart a little.
"I am okay and thank you, sir, for helping me up. Now I must go now-"
"Wait," I interrupted her, wanting to stay with her for a little more. What's going on with me today?
"As a proper apology from a proper gentleman, I want to buy you something to eat, is that okay?"
The girl looked somewhat apprehensive at this request then slightly nodded her head. I gave her a bright smile and took her hand in mind. We dashed towards a nearby restaurant and took a seat.
The girl positioned herself to face the street, observing the people that walked by. Suddenly she turned towards me and asked,
"What is your name?"
I had a small panic attack when I realized that she was asking for my name. If I told her that my name was Lee Seokjin, she might know that I was the Crown Prince. So to not risk anything, I faked a name instead.
"My name is Lee Yeong. What is your's?"
She looked slightly startled then replied quietly. I didn't hear it for the first time, so I asked her to repeat it. She looked at me before saying her name again,
"My name is Jang Myeong-ok."
"Myeong-ok...what a beautiful name for a beautiful girl..."
