Chapter 47
“Dare,” he says. How grandly and magnificently he elevates me. Not disliking this, and because nothing seemed frightening as long as Hwi stayed by his side, Yun-seo’s lips softened into a smile.
“I want to be a good family member to you, my lord.”
Forming a bond with him meant becoming family, beyond simply becoming spouses. Though he hadn’t yet established a firm foundation for his aspirations and intentions, at least some things were clear.
A home to which he could always return, an embrace he could trust and seek comfort in, and a deep affection that would remain unchanged no matter what happened. Couldn’t such things be called family?
Hwi gazed down at Yun-seo with tender eyes, then soon covered Yun-seo’s eyes with his hand. Hwi’s fingertips tapped lightly around Yun-seo’s eyes. Under the gentle patting, deep sleep approached, and Yun-seo exhaled a sweet breath.
* * *
Yun-seo smoothed down his newly tailored, neat clothes with his hands. It felt awkward wearing silk garments after so long, but he liked how the blue color reminded him of the clear waters of Yongyu Lake that he had seen before. He was even more pleased that it matched well with the jade hairpin Hwi had gifted him.
After finishing his preparations, he took a light breath and went outside. In the middle of the courtyard stood Hwi, hands clasped behind his back. He was wearing a long robe of a slightly brighter color than the dark blue garments he usually wore.
Sensing his presence, Hwi turned around, and Yun-seo silently marveled at the handsome man’s face, which seemed especially radiant today.
Hwi took a step closer and looked Yun-seo up and down. Yun-seo tensed unnecessarily, curling and uncurling his toes as he waited for him to speak. But when only an enigmatic gaze continued, he couldn’t help but speak first.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?”
“The one who’s to become my husband is so beautiful that I’ve lost my words.”
It was Yun-seo who lost his words instead. His face grew hot, and he fumbled with his lips before averting his gaze.
“I didn’t know you were capable of such words, my lord.”
“I can say even more provocative things. Would you like me to try?”
“That’s enough.”
He was always desperate to tease him at every opportunity. Yun-seo passed by Hwi with a deliberately curt expression, and Hwi quickly moved closer, grabbing Yun-seo’s hand and holding it firmly.
“The blue color suits you well.”
“…You also look good in bright colors, my lord. Why do you always wear dark ones?”
“If you like it, I’ll dress like this from now on.”
It didn’t matter what color suited him as long as Hwi wore what was comfortable and pleasing to him, but his sweet response made Yun-seo’s fingertips tingle. As Yun-seo smiled idly and squeezed their joined hands, a servant approached and handed three flowers to the two of them.
With flowers in hand, Yun-seo and Hwi slowly walked toward the seaside shrine. On the way, stacked piles of rounded stones were scattered here and there. After passing through this path filled with many people’s wishes, they climbed the stairs, and a small shrine appeared.
An elderly shrine keeper came out to greet them respectfully. The keeper guided the two men to the Dragon Altar.
The Dragon Altar was located in the middle of a railing built along the cliff, not inside the shrine. Yun-seo stood side by side with Hwi in front of the altar. According to Great Yeong’s custom, before forming a marriage bond, the man would wear blue clothes and the woman red, offer flowers to the Dragon God, and make their vows. Standing there, the reality of getting married today finally sank in deeply.
Beyond the Dragon Altar stretched an endless, brilliant sea. The gentle breeze made wind chimes ring ethereally. A subtle floral scent drifted on the wind, brushing softly against their noses.
Yun-seo exchanged glances with Hwi briefly before placing one flower each on the Dragon Altar. After Hwi also offered his flower, the shrine keeper approached and poured prepared wine into cups.
Hwi raised his cup toward the sky, took a sip, then turned his body. He extended the cup toward Yun-seo, took another sip, and then sprinkled the remaining wine on the ground.
“With this, my heart and soul are bound to you, and I swear unwavering affection that will not change throughout my life.”
Hwi handed the cup to Yun-seo. As Yun-seo took it, the shrine keeper filled it with wine. The clear, swirling wine emitted a deep fragrance.
Yun-seo took a deep breath in and out, then, just as Hwi had done, raised the cup toward the sky and toward Hwi, taking a sip each time. Finally, he sprinkled wine on the ground and faced Hwi steadily.
“With this, my heart and soul are bound to you, and I swear unwavering affection that will not change throughout my life.”
The intensity of their gazes, filled with each other, deepened. After making vows before the deity, it truly felt as if their souls were bound, and an indescribable, fierce emotion boiled deep within his chest. As his protective energy also surged, Yun-seo tried to calm his stirred heart by taking a measured breath.
The shrine keeper collected the empty cups and lit incense in the burner. Then, taking out one incense stick, he waved it around Hwi and Yun-seo in turn.
“These two grooms have formed a union and sworn to live together for a hundred years. May the deity, with a compassionate heart, bestow blessings upon them.”
The two men, imbued with subtle incense, bowed their heads toward each other. The wind blew in succession, making the wind chimes ring like a melody celebrating their joyous occasion. Yun-seo gazed at the man who had now become his husband with eyes sparkling with joy and love.
Originally, there should have been longer and more complex procedures, but most were omitted and abbreviated. There was no blessing from many people including family members, nor was there an elaborately decorated grand ceremony, but Yun-seo felt no regret whatsoever. His heart swelled simply at the feeling of taking the first step into the solidly constructed world of the two of them.
Hwi extended his hand with a gentle smile. Yun-seo gladly took his hand and paid respects to the shrine keeper.
Just as they came down from the shrine filled with the colors of the sea, a palanquin and its bearers were waiting for Yun-seo. Yun-seo turned to Hwi with wide eyes.
“What is this?”
“No matter how modest our ceremony, shouldn’t you experience the feeling of a wedding procession?”
The palanquin was neither as plain as a groom’s would be, nor as ornate as a bride’s. It maintained a middle ground, elegant and refined. Though Yun-seo had ridden horses and carriages before, this was his first time in a palanquin.
“Then what about you, my lord?”
“I’ll follow behind, so wait for me.”
Hwi gently pinched Yun-seo’s cheek and let go. Yun-seo nodded with a smile and got into the palanquin without hesitation. Soon, the bearers lifted the palanquin, and the sensation of rising upward was quite pleasant.
As the palanquin door closed, Yun-seo relaxed his body comfortably. Becoming aware of his pounding heart, he placed his hand over his chest.
Finally, the man he had so desperately wanted had become his. He too had become the man’s partner, sworn before the deity as his beloved and spouse.
Slowly recalling everything from when he first met Hwi until now, he was struck by how life could flow in unexpected directions. Who could have known that he would even abandon his determination to leave this country?
Immersed in this most happy moment, thoughts of his family that he couldn’t separate from himself followed. Yun-seo clenched and unclenched his empty hand, making a firm resolution. Since he had left them behind, he needed to live well. Now Hwi was his family and husband. He wanted to build his life with him without looking back.
As he continued to strengthen his resolve, the palanquin was lowered. Yun-seo got out, greeted the bearers, and entered the main house. As he opened the closed door and was about to enter the main hall, he stopped upon discovering the changed appearance of the room.
On one side of the room where wedding candles were lit stood a folding screen painted with colorful peonies. On the bed lay a brocade blanket embroidered with a pair of mandarin ducks, with dried wisteria leaves scattered on the blanket and floor.
In the center was a table set with wine and food, and near the entrance, on a small table, lay neatly folded blue wedding clothes. While standing there in a daze, unable to enter due to this unexpected sight, Yun-seo sensed someone approaching from behind.
“I will assist you with bathing and dressing.”
Enchanted by the wedding chamber he was seeing for the first time, Yun-seo followed the servant to the bath. However, Yeondeok had always been responsible for assisting with his baths, and even those were simple services, so it was uncomfortable to receive someone else’s help, and he sent the servant away.
Incense must have been dissolved in the bathtub, as a deep orchid scent wafted through the air. Yun-seo slowly undressed and immersed himself in the water. The warm water embraced his entire body, melting away the tension he hadn’t realized he was holding, like snow under the sun.
After splashing water on his face and recalling the wedding chamber he had just seen, a quiet sigh escaped him. So that was the wedding chamber where the first night would take place. Tonight he would likely be embraced by Hwi and become one with him.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
