#*tlutm

[primaverina]

two lovers under the moon 🌕 | chapter 15

—“Were you waiting for me, hyung-nim?”

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[primaverina]

two lovers under the moon 🌕

jinkook

joseon au

former lovers to strangers to lovers

angst, romance, second chances, eventual happy ending

references to persuasion by jane austen

15/?

SUMMARY - Their paths cross once more, five years after their greatest heartbreak, after everything was lost. Jeongguk returns to Hanyang in glory and is determined to do it all differently. Seokjin suffers the loss of his family's status and faces heartbreak once again. Can they overcome the pain and grief of their separation, or will their fates break apart for good?

🔗 archiveofourown.org/works/47991130

[primaverina]

two lovers under the moon, chapter 15 -- deleted scene

NOTE: I originally planned to have this scene take place when Seokjin goes to work hungover after going out with the Office of Royal Decrees, but ultimately ended up cutting because I didn't think it would benefit the story and while writing this. I had planned for Seokjin to know he was going to Wonju from the very beginning of the chapter and it appears in some of his inner monologue (that I didn't like how it affected the overall chapter development, so I moved that plot point to the end). It's still a cute scene that shows some of Jeongguk's personality so I still want to share it. Although it didn't end up published, we can pretend this has happened behind the scenes at some point. :)

--

Seokjin carried out the rest of the day dazed by the remnants of his hangover and the conversation with First Historian Yang. By the time he left the palace with everyone else from the Office of Royal Decrees, late into the evening and shivering in his thin uniform, his thoughts were directed only towards a hot meal and the warm comfort of his bed.

“The Vice Minister of Defense can be strange, no?”

At the mention of Jeongguk’s title, Seokjin snapped his head up and looked around. He could not easily spot the red robe among the other groups leaving the palace even with the generous torch lighting along the path.

“He has been looking that way for some time now,” said another one of the clerks. “The other day Heojoonie and I walked by him staring at a tree, and when we came by some time later, he had not moved at all. They say he walks around the Ministry of Defense like a ghost, too.”

Seokjin finally found Jeongguk not too far off ahead of their group, crouched down at the farthest side of the walkway, his head lowered and looking at something, shrouded in shadows. It did look odd for a red-robed minister to be in such a position and alone.

It was not a cause for concern—something had likely caught his attention. Jeongguk had an endless sense of curiosity for even the smallest of things.

“Is he talking to the ground?”

Their group approached and it became clear that Jeongguk was speaking to something, in an endearing, baby-like voice.

“Your Excellency,” called one of the clerks. “What in the world are you doing?”

The clerks at the Office of Royal Decrees had seemingly lost all their fear of speaking directly to Jeongguk since that day that he interfered on Seokjin’s behalf. Once past the first impression as a renowned military figure, Jeongguk’s demeanor was so mild and his person so approachable that it was easy to be friendly with him, and the clerks discovered that fairly quickly.  Seokjin often found himself amused when he happened to observe the manner with which his peers at the Office of Royal Decrees treated Jeongguk.

Jeongguk looked up at being called, his face without a trace of its usual stoic seriousness. He looked very young and innocent. An expression that was too often covered up by the weight of his responsibilities, in Seokjin’s estimation. 

“Ah, hello,” Jeongguk greeted. “I found a frog here.”

The clerks gathered around him. Seokjin stayed at the fringe of the group and observed from the side.

Indeed, Jeongguk was bent over a frog small enough to fit in a child’s palm. Its big yellow eyes were trained on Jeongguk’s every move as he made space for some of the clerks to take a look.

“Why are you talking to it, Your Excellency?”

Jeongguk looked amused. “Why, I have to be kind to my food before I eat it.”

The small frog croaked and blinked its bulbous eyes at Jeongguk in reply.

The clerks around him shifted uncomfortably. “Eat it? That thing?” one asked. “I hear these things do make a good soup, but…” said another.

Jeongguk nodded and held out both of his hands to the frog, which the frog unhesitatingly hopped into. “Yes, a fine soup this little fellow will make for me,” he said, speaking to the little creature. He rose to his feet and the clerks around him quickly dispersed to give him room to move. 

“What sort of soup would you even make, Your Excellency?” asked a clerk standing next to Seokjin.

Jeongguk’s gaze turned in their direction and stopped at Seokjin. He looked surprised, very surprised, at the sight of him. Seokjin froze when their eyes met, also startled that he was noticed so immediately.

“I—I will have to ask my cook,” Jeongguk replied, averting his gaze as his face darkened with a flush. “Please excuse me. Have a good night.”

A murmur carried over the clerks as Jeongguk walked away at a quick pace and was soon out of sight into the busy main market street. 

Seokjin watched him go with a silent sigh. Ever since the day that Jeongguk interfered on his behalf with the Royal Secretariat, his behavior towards him was awkward and stilted. Seokjin’s attempts to keep a distance and spare any unnecessary meetings between them did not seem to improve Jeongguk’s reception of him.

Only a few weeks more, thought Seokjin, and we will not see each other like this.

“Well, as I said, he can be strange!” exclaimed a clerk, taking Seokjin out of his thoughts. “Talking to his food before eating it!”

This comment made Seokjin smile. Jeongguk’s sense of humor was too subtle for his peers.

“A man like him can have beef every day! Why eat like a bandit?”

The clerks continued exclaiming amongst themselves in this manner as they continued on their way out of the palace.

“Clerk Kim—I mean, my lord, why are you smiling? Do you find His Excellency’s strangeness amusing?”

Seokjin was startled at being addressed. One of the clerks walking beside him was looking at him oddly and the rest soon followed, all silently waiting for him to speak.

He clasped his hands behind his back and was glad for the frosty night air that cooled his warm face as he replied. “You all are more amusing. His Excellency was very clearly joking about eating the frog.”

“I doubt it! During the war, some had nothing but grass to eat! Especially in the north where His Excellency was stationed!”

The war did not resume until Jeongguk long left his station in the north and went south, but it was knowledge only someone like Seokjin, who closely and anxiously followed Jeongguk’s movements in the military, would know. 

The clerks were eventually distracted by the sight of their favorite inn and a general agreement was made to stop for the evening. Seokjin quickly excused himself and parted ways with them at the earliest opportunity, having had enough drinking and chatter last night.

He was glad for the quiet, dark walk alone. His head, which had felt heavy all day, seemed to lighten as he followed the familiar path to Jimin’s house. He lamented that the evenings were now grown so dark and cold that he could not venture out into the woods to sit by the stream anymore. Part of him missed fishing with the old men and the other townspeople he came across on his walks.

There was a part of him, too, that looked round as he walked without meaning to, in search of a familiar red robe that was likely walking the same path from the palace. But the owner of that red robe was nowhere to be seen.

No, Seokjin must be content with solitude, and gain from the reflection it provided him, painful at times and sweet at times as it could be. Thankfully, he had pleasant things to look back on from the work day, and let it fill his thoughts the rest of the way home.

[primaverina]

two lovers under the moon q&a

(qs by me lol)

-What year is the fic set in?

The fic is set in the mid-late sixteenth century, right after the Imjin Wars.

-Are any of the characters inspired by real-life people?

I took a lot of inspiration for Jeongguk's character from Admiral Yi Sun-Shin, a renowned military figure of the Imjin Wars. None of the other characters have real-life counterparts (mostly because I think a lot of the historical figures of the time were terrible people lol).

-Why did you choose Changdeokgung as the main palace?

After the Imjin Wars, Gyeongbokgung was significantly damaged. Changdeokgung was at times the main palace for Joseon monarchs. Changdeokgung also has Huwon ("Secret Garden") that I think is gorgeous, especially during autumn. A few scenes in the fic take place around Huwon.

I did run into a problem with choosing Changdeokgung as the main palace though--Yukjo Street, or the Outer Palace, where the Six Ministries were historically located, was right outside of Gyeongbokgung. So though the Outer Palace at Changdeokgung is where the ministries are located in the fic, it's actually incorrect (don't come for me sorry!!).

-What is the time span of the story?

The story begins in late August/early September (much like Jane Austen's Persuasion). I predict it will go into spring of the following year.

-How do you choose the quotes at the beginning of each chapter?

A lot of BTS songs just fit the vibe lol. The quotes from Persuasion are taken directly from the part of the novel I'm covering in the fic. As for the poems, I have many saved that I think fit the story. I have a ton I haven't used yet (and likely won't get to).

-Where do you find your references for the fic?

I do a lot of my own research. For a general overview of topics, I rely on Wikipedia and the resources cited in the articles. I've also read history books on the era and, as I mention in my author's notes, I watch a lot of sageuks!

-Where do you find the pictures for your moodboards?

Pinterest! I have a board dedicated to inspo pics for the fic. I would share it but it's on my private personal account. 😭

-What are your main inspirations for the story?

Here is where I admit my lack of originality. I read a fic called Persuade My Heart by Mymanicmarie (a Rurouni Kenshin Persuasion AU) many years ago and after a recent reread it gave me the idea to write my own Persuasion AU set in Joseon. One of my favorite sageuks, Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung, is another major inspiration (if anyone has watched it, I have basically stolen the historian plotline and inserted some of the characters from the drama into this fic (with some characterization modifications) lol). And, of course, the novel the story is based on, Persuasion by Jane Austen.

--If anyone has questions about the fic that you would like to see answered, please lmk and I will add them to this post.

[primaverina]

joseon government basics

hi! i am putting this post together for a simple breakdown of what government looked like during the joseon dynasty to go with two lovers under the moon. i hope this information is helpful!

HEAD OF GOVERNMENT

King — usually had the final say in everything, but some kings were overpowered by powerful ministers and political factions.

HIGHEST GOVERNMENT OFFICE

State Council — Lead by the Chief State Councilor with the Minister of the Left and Minister of the Right directly beneath him. The most powerful officials in government.

SIX MINISTRIES

These were the primary bodies of government and were directly under the king and State Council. The six ministries were:

Ministry of Personnel: Oversaw all assignments and position movements for civil officials.

Ministry of Rites: Oversaw all rituals, gwageo examinations, etc.

Ministry of Taxation: Oversaw revenue, finances, and collected taxes for the government.

Ministry of Justice: Heard cases and gave out punishments.

Ministry of Defense/War/Military Affairs: Oversaw the military. This included military officials and conscription.

Ministry of Public Works: Oversaw construction, roads, etc.

THREE OFFICES

These governing bodies provided direct checks and balances for the king and the government. The Three Offices were:

Office of the Censors: Checked the power of the king. Had the ability to remonstrate, or call out, the king if they felt he was not acting or governing virtuously.

Office of the Inspector General: Monitored the government, particularly government officials, for corruption.

Office of Special Advisors: Oversaw the royal library and did research for the king. They also met with the king to have discussions on Confucian philosophy. (Some officials on the State Council served in the Office of Special Advisors concurrently.)

LESSER OFFICES

Smaller, but no less important, administrative divisions of government.

Office of the Royal Secretariat: Each minister had a secretary from this office and passed down decrees (or orders) from the king. 

Office of Records/Royal Decrees: Maintained all the administrative and historical records for the government. Historians employed here wrote down the daily activities of the government.

Royal Investigation Bureau: Worked directly under the king.

Sungkyunkwan/Royal Academy: The royal university where top candidates studied for the gwageo exams. A few Joseon kings also studied here.

CIVIL OFFICIAL RANKS

Ranks were determined by number (1-9, with 1 being the highest and 9 being the lowest) and further divided into senior and junior ranks (i.e., second senior rank and second junior rank) for a total of 18 ranks. The hierarchy is as follows:

-First senior rank — the highest ranked official (I think the only first senior rank official could be the Chief State Councilor)

-Ninth junior rank — the lowest ranked official (think like…the most entry-level of entry-level)

The only way to move up the ranks was through promotions and those were all handled by the Ministry of Personnel. Promotions happened by merit or by connections. You can imagine how most of them went. I’m not sure how totally right this is but I believe civil officials were selected for 3 year terms which could be renewed or they could step down or seek higher posts.

One thing to note about working as a civil official meant that you were constantly rotated by the Ministry of Personnel to different places to avoid corruptive practices. So you could be assigned a cushy post in one place and an absolutely horrible one in another even if you were fairly highly ranked. (If I’m not mistaken, I believe this practice continues in S. Korea in certain professions (prosecutors come to mind).)

—

And that’s it! This is as much information as you will need to understand the political/government part of two lovers under the moon. I’ll try to make one about the military if I end up delving into that more for the story.