The Last Imoogi

Uncle Is A Good Actor

Early the next morning, Han Sanggeung and two other female servants rushed into Park Sandara's room with everything they needed in preparation for the wedding. They brought her wedding clothes which consists of white upper garment and a wine red skirt, a green outer robes, a pair of red flower shoes, a white sash embroidered with peonies, a jade pin, and a wedding head piece.

"Agashi... How does it feel now that it's really happening?" Han Sanggung pried on her.

"I'm starting to feel anxious," Sandara answered honestly. They meticulously dressed her up and seeing her own reflection on the mirror made her even fidgety.

Is the groom feeling the same way too? She couldn't help but wonder. What does the royal uncle look like? She could just hope he doesn't look too old for her. Or too serious. Or too domineering. She hoped he was nice and gentle and kind. Of course she hoped he was someone who would allow her to visit home. Or at least someone who could give her something to keep her busy when he's away.

But what does she really know? She could only wish.

By the time she turned around, the two other servants gasped in awe at her. She raised her eyebrows and turned to Han Sanggung and found the old lady looking at her with adoration.

"Beautiful! How very beautiful!" The old lady exclaimed before pushing her down the chair. The old lady expertly combed her hair and pulled it back to a bun, adorning it with a jade pin. Han Sanggung sighed in regret. With this beauty and innocence, a golden phoenix or dragon pin suited her best, but those were only for the queen and consorts.

Finally, a head piece was put on top of her head. Han Sanggung signaled her two assistants to help Sandara get up and they all marveled at her beauty. "Oh, before I forgot!" Han Sanggung rushed to put two red paper dots on her cheeks. She didn't dare put much make up on her for her natural beauty shone through. She just made her purse her lips on a red paper that added a bit of color to her face. Finally, they put the outer robes on her before hanging the peony embroidered white sash over her forearms.

"All set." Han Sanggung announced and Sandara gave her a nervous smile.

"Can I see my parents now?" She was really getting nervous by the time and Han Sanggung felt it as well. The palace lady simply nodded her head and made the two servants assist her while she lead the way.

It was a custom for a bride to greet her parents before the wedding, same thing with the groom to his parents, but Sandara was aware of all the tedious ceremonies long before that Han Sanggung didn't have a hard time guiding her. Sandara was fully aware she was doing a good start but something kept her anxious as the hours dragged.

And little by little, her imagination about marriage and romance started to shatter.

The auspicious hour was coming, and as Sandara took a peep outside, she felt uncomfortable. At the yard behind the main hall was a wedding table, with just some few offerings. The royal guards were scattered outside in disguise, and the servants were all dispersed. It also seemed there were no visitors coming. The only people left were the wedding officiator who was Han Sanggung's relative, and Han Sanggung herself.

At this, Sandara felt a stab in her heart. Must her wedding look this ordinary? When her father said that the wedding would be a simple ceremony, she didn't expect it would look this pitiful. There were no colorful ribbons, no decorations, no banquet, no special food and drinks. In short, it wasn't obvious at all that a wedding was going to happen that day.

Still, Sandara kept it all to herself. She smiled when her mother worried for her and she nodded when her father asked her if she was fine. When she hugged her parents, all she ever saw were their pained hearts and troubled thoughts, all which fueled more of her worries.