AmBw imagines K-actor Edition

Mr. Ramen

It was late in the morning, shop owners were selling everything from chickens to fine clothes. The streets were filled venders hawking their various wares and people rich and poor were haggling over prices. Servants were up and about running errands for their masters while others were accompanying their Lords and Lady's about town for leisurely strolls. It was also the time of day where the hungover men young, old, noble and poor alike after a night of drinking and whoring at the local brothel would make their way to the famous noodle house. The noodles made there were legendary and everyone regardless of their wealth enjoyed the food. It has been considered the best noodles in the country. Many important dignitaries have dined there and claimed the food to be an experience beyond compare. It was said that recipe for the noodles was taught to the owner by a very powerful witch but it never stopped people from frequenting the place. People even speculated that the King secretly visits once a month to have a taste of the famous noodles. The more powerful noble families were able to afford private rooms where they quietly dined with close friends and family. It was not uncommon for a wealthy family to dine at the noodle shop to celebrate a special occasion or just to parade their wealth. The owner did not discriminate against customers as his food was quite affordable. He did separate his more wealthy patrons from the working class who could not afford the luxury but were content with their noodles and soju on the wooden benches provided outside at the rear of the restaurant. It was fashioned as a open patio of sorts and local girls were hired as servers. It was well known that the serving girls ONLY offered food and drink and any patrons who thought otherwise were banned from the establishment. The owner of the restaurant was Kim Byung Yeon. He was the adopted son of nobleman Lee Moon Sik. His birth parents were minor nobles who had died when they came to swear their allegiance to the newly crowned king. Shortly after they arrived in the capital city, there was outbreak of sickness that caused many to die within that month. The Lee's were hosting the Kim's as the men were friends from their school days, when tragedy had struck their home. Lord Moon Sik was devastated that his dear friend and wife had not survived the illness leaving their 3 year old son behind. After speaking with his wife he adopted the boy as his own and invested the boy's inheritance so that the child could be wealthy enough to be a merchant and marry a decent girl when he was older. At the time the Lee's were childless but a year after the tragedy they were blessed with a son of their own. Now Moon Sik's wife Lady Park Suk-ui although born to a very wealthy family was not like most noble women of her class. She embraced Byung Yeon as if she gave birth to him herself and even after she had her own child; Lee Yeong she still loved Byung Yeon and treated him like a first son. Many of her counterparts though she was strange for behaving so with a child that was not hers but Park Sik-ui thought differently. She strongly believed that the Fates looked kindly upon her and blessed her with a child after being childless for 8 years of her marriage because of Byung Yeon. She remembers how she was whispered about and made to feel ashamed that she could not give her husband a son. While her marriage to Moon Sik was arranged the couple was very compatible and love grew quickly between the two. She often wondered why her husband never sought a concubine or a second wife. She even asked him one evening when he replied that he had no need for the headaches that came with managing a harem. Besides his wife was all that he needed and the Fates will soon bless them when they saw fit. And he was right. The boys grew up together and built a very strong bond. While Lee Yeong studied to be a scholar, Byung Yeon as a young man had studied various fighting techniques and was an elite royal guard for many years before he was given leave due to a leg injury. He decided to open a restaurant and in two years it became the successful place that it currently was. Most noblemen turned their noses up at work and merchants in general, but Byung Yeon learned from his adoptive father that money did not grow on trees. Having a few side businesses run by well paid managers is what kept their current standard of living. Besides it was better to have financial independence than dealing with family money that came with more burdens than advantages. Byung Yeon was in his restaurant kitchen kneading dough for his famous noodles while his younger brother continued to talk his ear off. He had a separate room where he mixed together his highly secret ingredients for his famous noodles. He usually mixed the needed amount of dough for the next day the night before. Then his kitchen staff would stretch and form the noodles in the morning after he let the dough rest over night. He was only half listening to his brother talk about his latest antics when their mother walked in the room. He was the first to notice her entrance and greeted her "Eomeoni, good evening" Yeong caught on that his mother was present and jumped up to hug her. "Good evening Eomeoni. Have I told you how beautiful you look today. That skin cream your using really makes you look younger each day." Park Suk-ui knew her son well. He has always been an affectionate boy but he usually wants something when he's laying the compliments on thickly. It also usually involved increasing his monthly allowance. "You my beloved should go home. I have some important news to discuss with your older brother." Yeong pouted but exited to room to give them privacy. If he pestered his brother enough he might let something slip. When the door closed Byung Yeon looked at his mother expectantly. He knew that she had something important to say if she came here to speak with him. "I'm sure that your father had informed you that an old business partner of his was relocating to Joseon with his daughter." Byung Yeon nodded that his father had told him but he wasn't sure what it had to do with him. "Since none of the local girls seemed to have caught your attention, I would like for you to welcome the girl and see if you would suit. Your 28 years old. It's past time that you settled down." Byung Yeon has always been a quiet person who liked to keep to himself. Outside of his family he only had one person he called friend. He was the son of another local noble. He was also a bit shy and awkward so he often gave off a cold vibe. He was very straight to the point and had no tolerance for nonsense. This was mostly the reason why he did not favour any of the local noble girls. He had high enough status to choose a wife from a good household but he wanted a woman with substance. Someone who dealt fairly with people regardless of class, was kind, honourable, and intelligent. He definitely had no need for a wife that was nothing but decoration. "The girl I am told is very smart and well mannered. She knows several languages and is quite traveled. Your father even told me that she was once in consideration as wife consort for the Crown Prince. That was quite interesting as the girl I was told was a Nubian woman." Lady Suk-ui was gaging her son's reaction as she described the girl. To the average person Byung Yeon was simply listening to his mother but Lady Suk-ui was able to detect some interest in her son. He was never one to follow the rules of society so she figured that if she wanted him to get married she would have to offer him something different. Although to be fair she understood his reluctance. Most girls of their rank were either silly girls who would bore him or sly vixens who stress him with their political scheming. Byung Yeon had no interest in the politics that was played amongst the nobility and would not want a wife who would drag him into it. Byung Yeon was intrigued but more so surprised. Why would a girl would who could have been a princess consider marrying someone like him. He said as much to his mother and she replied "From what I could learn the girl wants to live as simply as a girl of her status can. She had no interest in being apart of the lion's den the royal palace is. I must say the girl is not as I expected." Lady Suk-ui said thoughtfully. She could see that her son was now curious about the girl. The Nubian girl was also a great beauty. She had seen a portrait of her and was surprised that one so dark was that beautiful. But she wasn't going to tell her son that, she figured he would see soon enough when he actually met her.
It was two more days until Y/n arrived with her father. Her father had informed her that they would be meeting an old friend of his and he wanted her to marry his eldest son. Y/n was 21 years of age and was long over due for marriage. If she truly did not like the man her father would not force to marry him. Her father had told her that the eldest son was named Lee Byung Yeon. He was a very skilled fighter who was an elite member of the royal guard but left due to a leg injury. He currently ran a noodle shop that was very popular amongst both nobles and peasants. Y/n was very curious and impressed. He didn't seem a spoiled, over pampered noble son like most men of his peerage. They usually had over inflated egos; excessively indulging in whores, drinking, and gambling. Others were cruel and greedy, playing political games with no concern of the destruction their pursuit of power and wealth caused. Y/n shuddered. While she had been flattered, she was very relieved that she was not chosen as a potential wife of the Crown Prince. That would have been a nightmare. Especially since she was a foreigner and a Nubian woman at that. They finally stopped at a gorgeous home. At the gate Y/n saw a handsome older man and what she assumed to be his wife. Her father greeted the man and introduced her to them. "Lord Lee and Lady Lee this is my daughter Y/n. Y/n please greet our generous hosts." Y/n bowed and greeted her future in laws. Lady Lee spoke "You are even more beautiful in person. Come you must be tired from your travels, I'm sure your father and my husband have things to discuss. I will show you to your rooms so that you can rest before dinner tonight." Y/n blushed at the Lady's compliment and felt as ease at the genuine warmth that came from her. She was worried about how they would receive her. She was also nervous about meeting her future husband. Was he kind? Did he have a nice smile? Would he treat her well? All she knew was that he was 28 years old, owned a Ramen house and he used to be an elite guard for the Crown Prince. Unbeknownst to the girl and Lady Suk - ui, Byung Yeon was on his way home when he spotted a carriage at his house. He stopped out of curiosity and was stunned by the beauty of the dark skinned woman that emerged from the carriage. She had long dark brown curls that almost seemed to reach her waist. It looked so shiny as the sun hit her hair. She had large eyes and a wide nose but it suited her face very well. Her dark skin seemed to have a golden glow as the sun kissed it. His eyes lingered the most on her lips. They were plump and well shaped with a natural pink tint. He watched as she greeted his mother and father with a smile. For a moment he was jealous that his parents were bestowed the gift of her smile for it was brighter than the sun. It was after a few minutes that Byung Yeon realized that he was standing outside his home gawking like an idiot over a pretty girl. He also felt a bit uncomfortable as he had never been so strongly attracted to a woman before. He decided to wait until his physical excitement cooled before going home. The last thing he needed was for his parents or worse his younger brother to catch him. His father and brother would tease him endlessly. His mother would start preparing the marriage linens and a nursery. He chuckled thinking about his family, they really didn't act like people of their status should and he loved them the more for it.
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A/N
Don't worry there is going to be a part 2.