gratuity
@dalsiwan
the estate that belonged to the supreme commander of the military boasted one of the more finer architectures in joseon. it was a gift from the king himself, presented to them when they had officiated their matrimony. she was, after all, the princess of the ming dynasty and the king honored their alliance with her country. their property spread acres wide. intricate designs trimmed with vibrant colors of red lacquer and gold to ward off evil spirits. opulent bridges, pagodas and gates that stretch to the heavens occupy their sprawling fortress home. the princess could be found here, sitting daintily in an open pavilion as she waited for her special visitor to arrive.
in front of her is a table made from mother of pearls and a piping pot of jasmine mint tea. next to her, a carefully wrapped gift―draped in fine silk and jewels. ziyi grows restless as time passes with no avail; the squeamish wails of the teapot refusing to help soothe her qualms. she berates herself for feeling this way. it was only general im, a face she had seen everyday from the moment she stepped off the ship, years ago. he was given to her like a present, wrapped in armor and metal when she first arrived. she spent the next few days following the general around like a small puppy. everything was terrifying, and everything would never be the ming dynasty ever again… but general im had been there to soften the fall from the very beginning. he had been appointed as her bodyguard since.
the princess is suddenly interrupted from her memories when the announcement for the arrival of her guest rings through the corridors. she voices back her permission, attempting to calm her delight when the general finally entered the pavilion. it had been days since she’s last seen him, probably the most they’ve been away from each other since his return from battle. it had made her heart skip a beat when she saw he was as dashing as ever. here he was, grand general im: her husband’s right hand man, her most beloved companion in all of joseon, and recently.. another freshly engaged yangban.
“general im,” she greets, a small smile breaking across her face, “i’ve been waiting.”
