Over Time

Time - 3

Chapter 3

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From afar, some of palace maids were busy bringing something with their hands. The guards were also busy to help the palace maids to decorate the outdoor main hall. They were busy to put bunch of flags with different colors tied to poles to create a colorful roof. Some were serious, few were laughing together and the rest couldn't stop talk about rumors.

"Have you seen the princess' future husband?" One of maids asked her friend.

"Ani, why? Have you seen him? How is he?" Her friend looked up to her while took out the small seat pillows.

"Yes, I saw him hihi~ he is very very handsome~!"

"Ow ya~h! If I was you, I won't say it out loud~" her friend lightly smacked her arm.

"Ah wae~? I can't help it since he is really handsome hehe~ ah... Gongju-mama is really lucky" the maid stopped her work and started to dream about her as the princess and going to marry the handsome man she saw the other day.

"Are you going to finish your work or stay in the cloud?" A voice surprised both of maids.

"H-hyoyeon manim1... W-we are going to finish it" both of maids speed up their pace while the head of palace maids shook her haid slowly.

"Youngsters these days..."

--

Meanwhile at other side of the palace....

The King, the Queen also the Grand Queen (mother of the King) were having tea at one of the gazebos. The king and the queen talked to each other in happy mood. While the King made joke to the Queen, he couldnt help but notice his mother's silence.

"Eomma-mama, I can't help but notice your silence. If eomma-mama wants, can you tell this son of yours what is in your mind?" The King smiled softly to his beloved mother.

"Jeonha, forgive this old woman. I can't help but notice the youngest prince Mooseok is here. This old woman still has motherhood over him. Can you not send him away again? Can't he stay here with us? His mother, Concubine Zhang Li Yin, was one of my best friends when she was alive. I really loved her like sisters. And I love Prince Mooseok like my own son, like you dear him as real brother. Cant he stay?" The Grand Queen shed her tears. And as her son, the King really hated to see his beloved mother's tears.

"Eomma-mama, you know how people in this golden cage look at him. We never know which one is friend and which one is enemy. I risk too much to keep you close to me, despite all murder threats that address to you. Eomma-mama, I can't risk prince Mooseok's life or anyone's life. Please understand this son of yours, Eomma-mama..." The king looked away, couldn't stand seeing the plea of his mother.

The queen looked at the two persons in front of her. She realized she was between her husband and mother-in-law. She understood completely her husband was sad to turn his beloved mother's request. And she also knew her mother-in-law was in grief, not be able to took care of her best friend's child.

"Daebi-mama2, I know Jeonha doesn't mean to cast Prince Mooseok away," the Queen took the Queen Dowager's hand in hers then rubbed it softly. The Queen looked at her husband, but only found the husband looked away, she only let out an invisible smile.

"Daebi-mama, Prince Mooseok is one of Jeonha's dear brothers. Do you remember Prince Choikang from the pretty nippon3, concubine Ayumi?," the Grand Queen nodded her head. Of course she remembered. Prince Choikang was also the brother that the King loved as much as he loved Prince Mooseok. Son of Concubine Ayumi, a daughter of Japan's minister. He was 3 years older than Prince Mooseok and 1 year younger than the King himself.

Prince Choikang was known as a rude person but never cross the line. The Grand Queen chuckled as she remembered how Prince Choikang had a big appetite for food. He wasn't a picky eater, but once he eats, he never stops. But to protect Prince Choikang from his enemy, the King decided to make Prince Choikang as Joseon Ambassador in Japan.

"Yes, of course I remember him. He is also a lovely son. I wish how Prince Mooseok and Prince Choikang could live with us here....," the Grand Queen smiled.

"I'm sure Jeonha do everything he could in his power to protect people of this country and his family. So don't worry, Daebi-mama..," Listened upon his wise wife's words to calm his mother down brought a smile on the King's face. He took a mental note to spoil his Queen more tonight.

"Now Daebi-mama, I supposed we talk about good things around us. Like the engagement banquet for Sooyeon gongju, and Minister Kim Taewoo's son, Kim Kyungtak?" The Queen smiled.

"Ah right, I can't believe my grand-daughter finally will step into marriage. Where is she right now, Jungjeon4?"

"I'm sure she is in her quarter, getting ready for tonight, Daebi-mama."

"Then what we are waiting for? Let's go there and help her. I don't think the palace maids know what they are doing.. Hahaha~"

--


"My Lord, you need to eat. You've been here since morning, and it's in the middle of the day now. You also need to be prepared for the engagement banquet tonight," A slave talked to someone who enjoyed the sun's light at the gazebo. But, there wasn't any answer or movement, so the slave tried again.

"Lord Mooseok, y-"

"Han, you talk too much these days. I know what I need to do and I am not hungry. And let me enjoy this moment. I never feel this peace since we travel a lot. So shush and go play something somewhere, Han."

"Aish, My Lord, I'm just worried about you. But since you are fine, I will go then," Han scoffed but only to earned his Lord's chuckle.

Mooseok went to lied on his back again and put his hands at the back of his head as the support. He looked at the sky. It was a sunny day, the sky was so clear. He could see how blue the sky was, and how fluffy the clouds were. It reminded him at the old days when his mother still alive.

He remembered one of the sunny days when he was still a kid. His mother would sit here, at the gazebo he was now. She would bring her silk handkerchief to sew it with a peacock's feather embroidery. Yes, peacock's feather was his beloved mother's signature. It represented his mother's heart. Love, compassion, kindness and patience.

He also remembered how his father, the deceased King, would come and play with him. He knew his father was a fair man. His love was only for the Grand Queen, but he never abandoned his concubines. He cared about them. But, jealousy was being a jealousy. And the greed became stronger. Some concubines wanted more than their status as concubines.

He was once ever ask his mother, why she didn't want like other concubines wanted. His mother only smiled as she patted his head lovingly and said, 'why I want something more when I have more than I ever ask for? I have you, your father's care, and a place to live. Greed won't lead us to anywhere we want but miserable life. Always grateful for everything you have, my dear Prince Mooseok.'

The Grand Queen was a nice person too. She never mistreated him, and always thought of him as her own son. Some of concubines, included his mother, became the Grand Queen's best friends. It leaded few misunderstanding among the concubines. But his mother did not mind about it. She liked being the Grand Queen's friend. Beside, once you got in the main palace, either you were a concubine or palace maid, you never can get out. Your life was bind by the palace. And had a friend was one of things that could make his mother happy.

Mooseok smiled upon his memories with his mother. If only his mother still alived, maybe he could get married and let his son or daughter played with his grandmother. He chuckled as he woke up from his position. Married... He still had no thought of it. He liked being free right now. He shook his head and streched his body.