Chapter Text
Yoonoh never like superstition, no matter how people and life as it is revolves around them, even how the kingdom should be running is with the foundation of superstition. He started to notice his dislike when he was ten years old, was a happy child of the king's second concubine, but that soon changed because one Oracle had a vision that he will bring a big change in the future. That one prophecy changed his life, no longer was he one of the princes who matter less than the queen's heir. Suddenly the role of the Crown Prince was bestowed on him, life became hard and dull for him, growing cold under the hatred and disagreement of many people in the kingdom. His childhood ended way too early that he couldn't even remember if he ever feel truly happy then.
Years later, it happened again when he was thirteen years old, just a couple more years to come age and officially getting the role of the Crown Prince, that the palace Oracle had another vision about him. He still remembers the concern and a rather disturbing expression on the king's and the queen's face, the palace hall felt cold and too vast, hollowing as the air relays the voice of the Oracle.
"Prince Yoonoh, the moon will affect your fate as the mark engraved in your skin and flesh. You will bring either peace or ruin upon us shall you not choose wisely, beware of the golden eyes."
As if his relationship with the queen wasn't bad enough already, that prophecy made it worse, she grew from hating him to resenting him. It wasn't once or twice that the palace people heard the queen arguing with the king that it had been a very bad idea to chose Yoonoh as the next king, ambition clear that she wanted her son to take on the role as it was rightfully his. But the king still holds a higher power than her and her plight goes unheard. And so, life gets harder and Yoonoh came to hate all things connected to superstition, they don't make sense to him. How could something stupid like visions dictate his whole life? It was utter nonsense for him and he is, a logical person who believes in hard facts, things he sees for himself.
Came his fifteen birthday, he will take on a new name and be celebrated in May for his coming of age. Jaehyun was the name personally gifted to him by the king to welcome his new life as an adult, long hair tied up and hidden behind the black tall hat in Gwallye ceremony. The now crown Prince Jaehyun sat not too far from where the king was sitting behind the bamboo curtains, not a sight allowed to be seen even by the eyes of nobles as the king was considered as God. He, too, will sit there in the future, he dislike the thought. It seems too lonely of a life for him, he would rather have a close relation with his subjects, alas it wasn't allowed. He doesn't want to be king.
As the fleeting anxious thought passed his mind, the crowd screams, contrasting the previous bout of merry laughter which was filling the premise of the celebration. Jaehyun reflexively stood up from his seat, heart took up a mile when a fire suddenly breaks out in the middle of the palace yard. So great was the fire it seems about to swallow all which present, but Jaehyun noticed there was something peculiar about the fire despite the fear building up in his gut. The fire brings no heat, like a mirage fooling the eyes to create terror, they burn relentlessly yet nothing truly eaten away. Perhaps it was bravery or stupid curiosity when Jaehyun took a step closer rather than away from the fire, reaching out to touch it.
Immediately when his skin almost touches the fire, a strong twirl of the fire along with a gush of wind hit him almost knocking him over. Then, a pale hand materialized and caught his wrist, claws almost digging into his flesh that Jaehyun almost missed the wide, terrifying grin on the equally pale face with jade eyes, "how kind of you Prince, to seek me before I did."
Panic. They burst in his gut as fear recognized foe, because the one which caught him was unmistakably not human. With double strength exploding from horror, he tried to pry his hand free, but it was futile since the hand around his wrist held power greater than any human will ever be. There was a scream scratching his in throat, hard ache drumming in his heart even to his ears, eyes already foreseeing his death before the fire burn brighter and bigger around him, swallowing him whole. White tethering the edges of his sight, bringing along the void sense of darkness and before the tornado of fire took all of him, the last thing he saw was the majestic white tails behind the creature.
A Gumiho.
According to who was present, Jaehyun disappeared along with the fire which flew to the sky, he was found in a faraway forest after missing for days with high fever and a mark of burnt flesh looking like an ancient illustration of a fox on the length of his right arm. His fever burns so high he was drifting between life and death, no amount of medicines and the palace witch doctor's efforts could heal him. The third week after he was found finally he come about, experiencing bouts of twisted images and unceasing voices he couldn't decipher in his head, nausea be his sole companion in bed for more than a month. Until he realized, the images and voices in his head were thoughts of the people around him.
Suddenly, he no longer was an ordinary human. The fear, the knowledge of what people are thinking, isolate him further and heart growing cold. He feels safe no more, even those about the king, terrified him and gradually, trust fading and no one could soothe him like oblivion once comforted him. And when he grew older, the king fell sick, he rises up as the new king to sit on his lonely crown, detached from the world with no one to trust and accompanied with never ending voices which decaying his heart.
--
"It's just doesn't make sense."
Jaehyun pressed a thumb to his temple and rise the little cup filled with liquor to his lips with his other hand. The haze which the liquid could offer does best to muffle the voices in his head, "what doesn't make sense?"
The palace advisor lifted his head to stare at him, perhaps the only few people who are allowed to do that, "the evidences, your majesty, they don't make sense. These cases have become quite a sensation amongst the people as of lately, so we need to resolve it soon, but the evidences starting to make me suspicious that there are people who deliberately did this to stir doubt about you, your majesty."
"And what do you think is amiss, Minhyung? That they might grow doubtful towards me?" Because it's ridiculous, the doubt already existed ever since they heard of him being captured by a gumiho. There are reasons enough to doubt him fitting to be king, alas it still happened.
"All these killings, your majesty, the people who were murdered are all looking like some beasts fed on them, chest gaping and organs missing. But there were no signs of animals in the premises, no footprints, fur or the likes as if these bodies are placed there after the ripping just to make a show. People are made to believe that there are certain ferocious animals roaming the streets at night, but there is no sighting nor evidence to confirm that. How is that possible, to have none at all?"
Jaehyun took another sip and relish on the way the liquid burns his throat, floating his head although still capable enough to hear the thoughts swarming in the little advisor's head, "You think these are the doings of people who wanted to take me down by stirring doubts and possibly raising numbers to enable a coup?"
"Your past is a rather convincing reason, your majesty," Minhyung said solemnly.
"Because who would want to be ruled by a gumiho, am I right?" He chuckled humorlessly, "after thirteen years and you would think people will forget that."
"They don't. Not when the killing keeps happening and increasing the frequency," Minhyung sighed.
If Jaehyun have to be honest, he rather like the advisor. He has a way with his words, he keep and let out what are fitting for him, in a way he's manipulative and calculating. But not entirely for a bad cause and he didn't hide what he's feeling. He didn't lie, he just withheld some information and it wasn't for his selfish favor. The man is simply being rightful in his own way and Jaehyun appreciate him, it had been a good choice to point him as his advisor. But was there trust for him? Jaehyun didn't think so, he's also calculating his steps with this man.
The guards in the hallway outside his chamber made a warning noise of someone's arrival, "the queen requested a permission to be allowed entrance."
Well, that is enough to trigger his headache more than the issue which they're currently discussing. With a long sigh, he answers, "she may."
"Your majesty," Minhyung whispered with unsaid question.
"Leave it for later, Minhyung, I find it unpleasant to have her shadow on my tail."
"Careful, your majesty, such words can be taken differently by certain people."
"They're allowed to have their delusion if they wanted, you should know by now I don't really care," he scoffed.
"You should be, your majesty. You should see how it is in the kingdom, should panic arises, king or God, they would try to bring you down."
"Huh," Jaehyun pours himself another cup of liquor the same time the queen walking into the chamber in her graceful steps and beautiful gown. The advisor took steps away with a deep bow at the arrival and avoid to raise his head in the queen's presence.
"I will be taking my leave, your majesty," he said with much humble and bowed again to the queen before walking out backward, "Your highness."
The space immediately feels tighter with just them alone and Jaehyun despise the scratching voices of the queen in his head, still he tries to play his part, "and to what did I owe the honor of your visit, Cheungcha?"
The woman bows down before him out of customary because despite he's her husband, he's still the king and higher than her, "it's been a while since we last shared a conversation, your majesty."
"I believe it was two weeks?"
"It's been a month, your majesty," she answered with slightly emphasized tone, "I've been wondering how you're doing, your majesty."
"I've been doing fine, Cheungcha," he sips on the liquor, not sparing another glance toward the woman, "until you came through the door."
She stills in her bowing stance, "have I been not to your satisfaction, your majesty? I could be should you tell me what you wanted."
Jaehyun didn't even bother to hide the sigh which spilling out his mouth, "it's been three years, Cheungcha, you should have known there was no need for pretense between us. As we both know, not any of us want this marriage to happen, yet it did and we can't do anything about it."
The woman raised her head at that, allowed herself to look into his eyes, "it is only your assumption which came to such conclusion, I have not been forced upon this marriage as it was my own choice."
Jaehyun almost laugh at such bold words, as if he didn't hear her thoughts as clear as crystals that it was only ambition running in her veins, he couldn't mask his mocking smile though, "really? And what is the reason of your sudden visit?"
"I could not rest well at the growing rumors of why there's still no heir present for the kingdom, your majesty, even after the three consorts you've taken in."
Perhaps three years is more than enough for the queen's patience to run thin, he thinks, "what of it? Do they suggest you to visit the palace doctors?"
There was silence for a moment, "the palace grounds held almost no secret to the ears within it, they are mostly questioning your visits, your majesty."
"And you're insulted, as your family is," he muttered, not in the least bit concerned, "You came to ask me to visit you tonight."
"It is our duty to produce an heir, your majesty, if I will not do the consorts are wishing for your visit as well."
"You wish it would be you, that's why you came to me before they do. After all, as the queen you're granted audience with me easier than they could."
The woman was fast to try to reply, and yet wasn't fast enough, "your majesty-"
"Cheungcha," he cuts in, "You should be more insulted that they regard you merely as a tool to make children, shouldn't you?"
And that, was something the queen couldn't reply to, so Jaehyun gesture to the door as politely as he could to chase out someone, "Your visit has been pleasant, but I have matters I need to do, please see yourself out, Cheungcha."
Just like that, as if nothing happened, Jaehyun forget about her as soon as she walked out his chamber. Perhaps he did consider giving her a visit later that day, but his mind goes back to what Minhyung had said to him at the end of their interrupted conversation. It was an idea much more interesting than visiting his queen's chamber, too much that he couldn't wait another moment and asked the guards outside his chamber to call in his advisor and his personal guards.
--
"This doesn't seem to be a good idea, absolutely ridiculous if you ask me."
"Come on Doyoung, let loose your tight ass for a little bit, would you? This is fun for all of us," the guard who's taller than the other two, flapping his rather ordinary gown in excitement.
"Minhyung said this is a very bad idea, so why are we still doing this? The king should never leave the palace, there is too much risk not to mention it is not allowed, Youngho. This is not fun, this is idiotic."
"Hey, are you not to obey what your king wants you to do?" Jaehyun snorted, wiggling a bit under the cheap robe he's wearing having not accustomed to anything other than silk and expensive materials on his skin.
"Disguising as rich merchants with you is not my job requirement, your majesty," Doyoung grunted.
"I chose you to be my personal guard, Doyoung, not my mother and I should be able to do what I want," he pulled Doyoung's gown a bit to fix it, "Minhyung, despite his dismay, agreed to prepare a poser of me shall certain situation arises before I come back."
"Oh queen mother will have our heads if she hears about this," he lamented.
"Problem is solved if you speak no word about this Doyoung," Youngho shrugged, "although, why do you want to do this Jaehyun?"
"Hey, address him correctly," Doyoung warned.
"Hush, Doyoung, are we not childhood friends before I am a king? Don't be so uptight. And I want to see my people, that should be normalized."
"I like that, no king ever do this and I'm in for shits like this," Youngho snorted a laugh.
"Could you please be less vulgar with your words? At least in front of the king?" Doyoung protested.
"He said we're his friends first, why should I? As if we don't enjoy the share of vulgar words in our youth."
"I don't mind, in fact, his rather vulgar words make our disguise all the more convincing," Jaehyun smiled.
"But in all honesty, why in the God's name are you doing this?" Doyoung said in exasperation.
"The strange murders have reached even me and I want it solved soon. If I have no knowing about the outside world, how am I capable to see which is right and wrong should the reports goes to me? I have to see it with my own eyes," he said while eyes wander around, "words could not describe enough for me to know the truth. And dare I say, they're different than how I always imagined it to be, some places are worse than I thought."
"You have a point there, but you could have asked us if you don't trust these reports," Youngho said.
"Could I? I'd rather have my own judgement than through your eyes which inevitably filtered by your own judgement, which isn't necessarily wrong, but you know what I'm trying to say."
"Just say that you want to go out of your prison," Doyoung sighed, catching the two looking at him weirdly, "what?"
"The truth which you said, yet it's more problematic than what we had said," Youngho laughed. "Anyway, where do you want to go, Jaehyun?"
"Around, everywhere, I want to see my people," then they start walking around, sometimes greets people who greet them out of courtesy, but mostly avoided them due their attire which show their status which visibly higher than commoners.
"Maybe we should disguise as commoners if these attire gives such reaction," Jaehyun said.
"Being commoners grants you little entrance to certain places and it'll be inconvenient," Youngho replied, "beside wearing commoners doesn't mean it could hide your charisma from sitting on the throne for years, Jaehyun, it shows and it'll cause more suspicion."
"Entrance to what kind of place?" Jaehyun look up and see rows of colorful houses which, despite being rather lifeless in the day, still attention grabbing they are, "where are you taking me?"
"Isn't this the gisaeng neighborhood?" Doyoung realized with a soft gasp, "what is in your mind Youngho?"
"I figured Jaehyun is tired of the court women and this could be a good entertainment?" He shrugged.
"It's still bright daylight!" Doyoung protested.
"We're not going to that kind of house, calm your tits," Youngho rolled his eyes with a grunt.
"Gisaeng neighborhood? The ones of the court?" Jaehyun asked in confusion.
"The houses, yeah. But there are establishment of their own despite all of them answer to the court, all over the country they are. The independent establishments vary, from the ones which service the night and ones which aren't. Which I'm guessing Youngho is bringing us to the ones which aren't?" Doyoung narrowed his eyes to the other man.
"Half right," he grins, "they have ladies who are for the night and those who are not."
"Are we not going to see about the strange killings?" Jaehyun grew even more confused.
"What can we see about that? There's nothing there, unless if there's a fresh kill happening, then that's a different story. The crime scenes are already wiped clean, nothing you can see," Youngho said. "So I figured why not go for fun? The slaves of the country with aristocrats minds are enough to impress, beside they holds much information many does not know, since they're at the core of our social structure. It'll be killing two birds with one stone."
"Is there nothing we can do about it? It's apparent the happenings caused tension in the people," Jaehyun can say so because he heard and seen what are in these people's minds. They're scared, wary and not trusting even those who are close to them.
"They are mostly scared of you, Jaehyun. Who likes it when their king could be a gumiho? Silly if you ask me, how could supernatural beings like that be real? Imaginative minds more likely," Youngho snorted.
"But according to Jaehyun's story, it is," Doyoung argued.
"Wasn't it panic which created such memory? It was nature abnormality which caused the fire tornado and brought Jaehyun, the mark on his arm is nothing less than a burnt scar which coincidentally in the shape of a... fox."
"I wasn't one who believes such too, but it appears they could be real," if he didn't acquire a strange ability, he too, would question his memory. But it was undeniably real.
Youngho sighed skeptically, "whatever it is, the fact remains that people are more convinced that the palace people doesn't care for their well being, that's the main problem."
"The system really adds to the fear, unfortunately," Doyoung agreed.
"Although only some, we do care, after all we're connected to each other in one structure, what's to be done to relieve such suspicion?"
"Do you?"
All three men got surprised at the sudden voice coming from behind them, finding a man in rough clothing material staring at them, unquestionably a commoner or perhaps even less. He stood there unwavering even in the eyes of the three men, tied black hair reached over his shoulder framing his white milk like skin and big round eyes. He has thin lips with high nose, jawline sharp yet there's beauty unlike man nor woman. There's charisma exuding from him despite his attire, which is enough to spark interest within the three men.
"Pardon?" Doyoung asked finally after a moment of inspection, a hand travelling to the belt of his sword on his waist.
"My apologies, I've been told to never eavesdrop, but one couldn't help hearing things when they're spoken quite loudly," the man bowed with a smile, eyes showing nothing but sarcasm. "Are you perhaps nobles?"
"What did you hear?" This time it was Youngho who's standing in front of Jaehyun and reached for the hilt of his sword, "we're not nobles, just merchants passing by."
The man threw his head back a little as he mouthed, 'ah', obviously not believing what Youngho told him, "I beg to differ, your reaction by reaching for your sword was enough to tell that you're not what you said you are. Rich merchants often came to visit here with less grandiose for an outfit."
"And are you one of those visitors to be here since no man allowed to live in these houses?" Doyoung asked, visibly irked, "also because you seem not the least bit bothered to speak rudely to the ones you supposed as nobles?"
"You can have my head if you want, that tells more that you're not supposed to be here at all," he grinned, "and add more oil into the fire within the belief that you people don't care about us. But that's not even your concern because we could do nothing about it since we are just, dolls without face for you."
Jaehyun knows it's time to speak up, "that is not true, we care about all of you despite how it may seem."
He didn't realize the worried look of his two guards are giving him until the man chuckled, "I think you just admitted that you're a noble, my Lord. But do you, really care? I think not."
"Tell me your name, then maybe we can see eye to eye, everyone of us is the same human and not less."
"Spoken like wisdom, but I wonder about the practice. I'm more convinced you'll use my name to end me rather than anything else," he smirked.
"Then maybe I could show you otherwise," Jaehyun said softly, "Are you not still talking to me for a reason?"
"Perhaps you will not end me right away," he said still with a challenging smile, "the name is Taeyong, my Lord, and I'm sure the courtesy doesn't apply to you to tell me your name. But you'll never find me and this will be the first and the last of our conversation."
"I could tell you my name-" he stopped when two hands gripping his forearm along with a warning look from his two guards.
"I'd rather not, good day my Lord," he grinned, then walk away without bowing nor did he look back.
"That man is dead," Youngho hissed.
"If we weren't in disguise, yes. But unfortunately we can do nothing in this circumstance. That rude mouth of his will kill him sooner or later," Doyoung huffed.
"His fearless attitude rather intrigued me," Jaehyun muttered, "I'm curious about what more he has to say."
"Is this you telling us to find out who he is?" Youngho grunted.
"Yes, find him, no matter what," Jaehyun ordered before he, too, walk away from the scene. Because aside from the brazen words the man had spoken to him, it is the fact that he could not hear the man's mind which intrigued him far more so.
"Find him you must."
--
Two weeks after that, they still find nothing not even with their best Intel, until Doyoung requested the more traditional way of seeking. A stake out and stalking the person of interest, which hasn't been done because there's a risk of the palace people becoming aware of such inspection, which may rise questions and Jaehyun don't want them to sniff him out for whatever reason. Youngho, as the ever sly person he is, managed to do it without being known by these palace people and not even Jaehyun could ask him how he did that.
"All the hundreds Taeyong we have found are not him, and there's no Taeyong nor any man live in the neighborhood since the gisaeng houses forbidden to house any man. But," Youngho left it hanging for a suspense seen from the way he's smirking, "interestingly, we did find him getting in and out a certain house twice, since he rarely seen outside it was a harsh stake out. Hojang is required to list every slaves and gisaengs there are in our country in giseok rolls, obviously there was no Taeyong in it since he's a man. Or, he could be not a man. Either he or she's a gisaeng disguising as a man whenever she takes a walk, or he's a man these gisaeng hid in that house. Which means the Haengsu gisaeng are to be punished with death sentence if this is true, which I believe you wouldn't do that because you're a very reasonable human with beliefs that they may have a reason to do this."
Jaehyun crossed his hands in thought, "you're absolutely right and now I'm more keen to know which is true."
"Should I make arrangements?" Youngho grinned, pleased at the prosperity that he could enjoy the gisaeng entertainment later.
"Tell Minhyung too, we will need his help in the palace to make my absent possible."
"Right away, your majesty," he winked, then he went away not without skipping in his steps.
After many arguments and yelling from both Youngho and Minhyung, finally the king's advisor relented not before they went through a week of persuasion. This time, the three men with two more trusted guards -per Doyoung and Minhyung's request- set out for the gisaeng establishment house in the question. The house was rather ordinary looking, much similar to the other kind of houses, they're not for the court and rather for the respectable men in the heart of Korea. Gisaeng is a form of arts and intelligence, they bring color and culture to their dance, music and poems alike. Although majority of them are arts entertainers, some do offer the service of the night.
This house was no different, some do offer only arts, the others may offer more. The Haengsu gisaeng as always, are the one who greeted them at the front, listing the customers to be informed further on the next day to the Hojang. The Haengsu of the house was a mature, middle aged lady, elegant in her stance and gestures. Looking pleased at their arrival and brings out many of the ladies to entertain them with music and dance and occasionally reciting poems, talented in the art of conversation.
Not long, some of the few who are accompanying Jaehyun, offer their night with pretty smiles and flutters of their smooth fingers, but they weren't the one he's been looking for. He thinks, maybe the person will not be present or show themselves in this manner, if they are indeed was a hidden person. That is, until a new select few of dancers coming in with their best and most beautiful gown. Colorful materials, bright jewelry, fresh make up and elegant scent rushing in at the dance filing the room following the unceasing music. Long, silky black hair tighten up into a neat bun fixed with accessories and pale fingers and face moving like flowing air and floating like water. How utterly beautiful the person was and unlike the face he had the pleasure to know about a month ago.
Nevertheless, one of the people dancing in front of him is unmistakably the man he saw and been looking for. Jaehyun waits, watching and favoring the sight before him, a dance smoother than any he has ever seen and curiosity mounts brighter in his chest. And he waits until the dance come to finish and when those big, beautiful eyes finally landed on him, attention solely for him. Jaehyun didn't miss the way those eyes widened in surprise, he may be able to hear and see the thoughts of all the people present in the room, but just like the last time, it was only this person's he couldn't read. Yet, even without his ability, he could understand recognition in the person's eyes.
"You," Jaehyun called, patience was no more, "what is your name?"
The person, who look nothing else but a lady in front of him, stared at him with an intensity which he couldn't decipher, but perhaps it was fear and wariness. They keep staring at each other for a long moment, nobody was saying anything nor was anyone answering his question. Until the woman beside him answer in hesitation, "her name is Taehee, my Lord."
"Taehee," Jaehyun says the name and it flows smoothly off his tongue, a smile grows on his lips wondering which side of this person is the truth, "Taehee, I've taken a liking to you, your dance was so graceful that I cannot help but be enchanted with you. I'm interested to hear more from you, either songs or poems."
Taehee, stay quiet and motionless, eyes never leaving him as if they're looking into the eyes of a tiger about to launch on them. It was the same lady beside him who answered for them, "my Lord, Taehee would be honored to perform for you, although unfortunately the night had grew too late and-"
"I'm proposing for her to stay with me for the night," he quickly suggested, causing a few surprised gasps to fill the room and he could hear the horrors in their mind. Sadly he couldn't really understand the reason of such horrors since the voices are too loud and overlapping in his mind.
Then the Haengsu coming in to give a piece of her mind, "forgive me my Lord, but Taehee was not for the night as she's mainly our dancer and unfortunately, I beg your forgiveness that we must decline your request."
"Rest assured madam, all I wanted from her was to converse, I will not touch her in any way," Jaehyun said and he couldn't ignore the looks both Youngho and Doyoung are giving him.
"But, my Lord-"
"Are you to refuse me, madam?" He rises his tone a little bit to emphasize that he will not be refused.
The Haengsu looked so troubled, perhaps even terrified, but reluctantly she bowed down and agreed, "I will ready the room for your stay, my Lord. Please take care of Taehee."
When the house lady walking out the room with the dancers, including Taehee, Jaehyun didn't miss the angry look the person is giving him as they walk away. And so, purely out of amusement, he winked and raises his cup in their direction for a mock salute, mouthing, 'I see you.'
The night grows late, stars presenting themselves in the dark sky when Jaehyun already sitting alone in the designated room waiting for the person of interest to enter. And enter they did after a long moment, changed out of their dancing gown and into a more casual one although still thick with embroidery and jewelry. The person stood by the door after they slide it closed, heaving a breath before finally looking to Jaehyun with an undeniably fake smile.
"You asked for me, my Lord? May I know what kind of entertainment would please you the best?"
Jaehyun stared, chuckling at the ridiculousness of the situation, "You know, you might think you're a good actor or actress, but you don't fool me in the slightest."
"Actor or actress? Whatever do you mean, my Lord?" They grinned.
"How long are you going to keep standing there? Have a seat with me and I'll tell you what I meant," he patted the cushion beside him on the floor.
Without hiding the grunt rolling out of their mouth, Taehee walked over and sitting down although a distance away from him, "would you like more liquor to accompany you, my Lord?"
Jaehyun hummed, leaning his face on his hand, "depends, it'll be a good idea unless you're trying to make me drunk and possibly make it easier for you to run away from me."
"Oh my, why would you think so?" They chuckled much in fake amusement, more like mockery which the king could almost taste in his mouth. Even in the confines of the room and quiet voices in his head, he still couldn't read this person. Just who is this person?
And so he asked right away, "You know, there's no need to play fool any longer, Taeyong. If that name was even real."
The person scoffed, shifting in their seat that they're no longer sitting formally. Not playing any mask, at least partially because he replied with, "I think you mistook me for someone else."
"Oh really? I don't think so, Taehee or Taeyong whoever you really are, because your reaction tells a lot," he retaliate with the same words the person had said to him at their first meeting. "Who are you?"
"The same question you couldn't answer, isn't it, my Lord? Tell me why I should give you the answer when you wouldn't do the same?"
"You just admitted that you're the same person as the Taeyong I had the pleasure to know," Jaehyun smiled in satisfaction even though it was short lived because the person is clever if not having a silver tongue.
"I admitted to nothing, but since it's a game you seem want to play, I play along, my Lord," they grinned, looking smug and borderline insulting.
"If I am what you claimed to be, a noble, you're aware you could lose your head just from saying those words alone."
"Oh? Have I ever claimed such before? I just know you're a merchant seeking company from us, are you a noble my Lord?" They feigned surprise and amusement.
Very clever, Jaehyun thought, he had laid the trap and they avoided it with ease. He wonders if the years of depending on his ability to read people's thoughts dulling his ability to unravel people with the skill of conversation alone. Rather than the king trying to expose the gisaeng, this feels more like the opposite.
"Are you a man or are you a woman?" He asked without holding back, eyes not letting a single twitch of the person to escape him. But the person doesn't look in the slightest bit caught out of their guard, still graceful on their seat with ever present smile, beautiful and mysterious.
"That's a rather rude question, is it not, my Lord?"
Again, they evaded so cleverly without admitting anything. Just how will Jaehyun open this person's seemingly lots of locks? "From your looks it's hard to tell whether you're a woman or a man, it's just a curious question."
The gisaeng hummed still with a smile, "who I am in front of you right now, my Lord? In this place?"
Jaehyun thinks over it for a moment if he could reply with something which will take a chunk out of the person's armor, yet he could only answer with, "a gisaeng."
"Then I am," they smiled, getting the ceramic bottle of liquor, "let me pour you something to drink."
"You know, I could just force you into telling me the truth," he said as he let his cup to be filed with the clear burning liquid.
"Well then do so, my Lord. But the mystery wouldn't last and there's no fun in that, wouldn't it?"
"Are you not afraid to die, Taeyong?"
"The name is Taehee my Lord, and no, I don't. If it's in the hand of someone's boredom and curiosity, then there's no shame on me to keep what I think is my justice."
"In other words, it's my shame to kill someone just for my satisfaction."
"Your words, not mine," they chuckled.
"In a way you believe that shame could stop people like me, as you implied, to do something which could put you into disadvantage, am I right?"
"I wouldn't dare to say that pride is what people care about the most," the slender, pale fingers smoothed their gown companied with a meaningful smile.
Jaehyun laughed, "You really have your ways with words, Taehee."
"We artists are to be skilled with many forms of arts, including words, my Lord."
"Alright," he gave in with a snort, motioning for the gisaeng to fill his cup again, "let's see if you're such an artist tonight, impress me."
"I would be delighted for the honor, my Lord."
--
"So?"
Jaehyun look to Youngho who seems sleepy and exhausted that morning, "no answer, they really good at evading, can't say I'm not truly impressed. I'm even more intrigued now."
"Really? You spent all night without getting anything?" The guard grunted, shooing the two other guards to walk far away behind them to avoid being heard.
"At this rate the next thing we know you'll ask us to do this outing again," Doyoung sighed, only to grow wary when Jaehyun smiled to him, "what... no."
"You're right Doyoung, you just read my mind."
"Just to know if he's a man or a woman? Really Jaehyun? Do I need to get worried now?" Youngho deadpanned.
"Or is it because you think he will have to be punished accordingly if he's really a man?" Doyoung asked.
"You really think I'm the kind of person who will do that?" Jaehyun lifted an eyebrow.
Both Doyoung and Youngho makes a sour face, "then you're either having fun or you're obsessed."
"They're an interesting person," after so many years, Jaehyun can say being with someone who he couldn't read their mind really is a fresh breeze in his life, a bit scary but more than that, it's refreshing. It feels like he's just a normal person with them, a person with flaws and without the heavy burden of many people's lives on his shoulder. Just him, Jaehyun.
After that and the fact that no issues arise with his visits, Minhyung stopped being so wary of letting him have his outing as long as he didn't neglect his duties as the king. Actually, he was pleased because Jaehyun being much more productive due to it, so he didn't even bat an eyelash whenever he asked the palace advisor to allow him out. Some people are welcoming his increase of productivity while some are not since it's harder for them to find excuses to paint him bad.
Even after quite a number of their visits to the establishment house, Jaehyun still learn so little about Taehee or Taeyong, but he does find pleasure in the person's beautiful voice and poems, their enchanting dances and alluring melodies from their instruments. What was curiosity turning into something else when Jaehyun found himself staring for quite a long moment at the person's charming appearance. He often drinks in the sight of sunlight upon their pretty pale skin and bewitched at the silver moonlight caressing their black hair and curve of eyelashes. Their shadows following Jaehyun like everlasting after images in his mind, persistent and seemingly refuse to leave him in peace.
"Good evening, pretty one," Jaehyun smirked, watching the person of interest walking in the same room they were designated at for the past few visits by the Haengsu gisaeng, who no longer wary to welcome the king since he had withheld his promise to not touch Taehee.
And just like always, the person is wearing a beautiful gown of many layers and colors which still incapable of rivaling the charm of the person wearing it, "I wonder why are you so keen to see me, my Lord, even though the most we had done was to argue among ourselves. Perhaps you like to have a debate? Which I'm sure you could have a partner in such conversation better than I am."
"True, there are many people try to argue with me just about anything that I do in my life. But none of them see me like you did to me."
"And how did I see you, pray tell? Maybe then I could avoid looking at you like that so you would come back no longer," they huffed before sitting down with a gayageum on their lap, adjusting the strings while talking all the same, "what kind of music would you like to hear today or to debate about, my Lord?"
"I hardly have enough knowledge about music that I could debate about it with you, an artist. Impress me like you usually did," he's sliding closer to Taehee so he could appreciate the music along with watching the gorgeous lean fingers dancing across the strings. "You're always looking at me with curiosity, as strange as it sounds, they calm me."
Taehee look up with a frown, "I couldn't believe that it was only me who's looking at you with curiosity, my Lord. It's easy to see that few of the ladies here give you the same curiosity."
"They did, but yours is different," he's reaching out to brush at the little black strands which coming off the neat hair bun of the person, keep touching it when he get no refusal from the gesture. "Your curiosity seems to merely focusing on my person and not who I might be, status or wealth. You just see me, the person who you think is trying to annoy you."
They give him a disinterested look, "if there's one thing I can truly be sure about, is that you are definitely annoying me."
Jaehyun laughs, "see? You hold back nothing at all, it's really refreshing."
Music starts to fill the space as the fingers picking at the strings, elegant and soothing, "the way you said it, makes it sound lonely, you know."
"It is lonely," he hummed, leaning back on the stacked cushions by the wall near them, "no matter how many people surrounding you, if they don't see the real you, it's lonely isn't it? You're there, but not really there at the same time."
Taehee's fingers didn't falter even though they appear to be in thoughts, quite an impressive talent of multitasking, "we do seek to be seen without secrets nor the need to hide, but sadly such a life is merely a fantasy for many of us."
"I don't feel like that when I'm with you though," Jaehyun smiled when Taehee stares at him, "I don't feel the need to choose the words I should and should not say. With you, I just said it all without restriction."
"For once you flattered me," they chuckled lightly, "but how do you know that I'm different than others? It could be only a manifestation of what you wanted to believe. Who's to say what you assumed are true?"
"I know they are, I've dealt with so many people that I can see it clearly. Who wanted to use me, to fool me, lied to me. I know them all."
"There's still possibilities what you think is right, are your own way to perceive it in ways you wanted or believed it to be," they argued in a soft voice yet stern on their principles.
'It would be if I didn't have the ability to read people', Jaehyun thought, smiling at the irony of his life, "believe me, I know."
Taehee sighed, "it's hard to argue when you believe what you want to believe in."
"Then keep trying to prove your point, I never said I don't agree with what you said. They're true, it's just that I do know what I know," he shrugged, sliding in closer again that he could breathe in the fresh smell of flowers from the person. "Am I wrong about you?"
The music stops when the gisaeng turned their face to put their attention solely on Jaehyun, "I don't feel the need to hide from you either. Do you think it's a lie or the truth?"
Perhaps it's the first time after so long that Jaehyun need to gaze back into a pair of eyes with the intention to read beyond what is seen. And it shook him a bit, how curious and insecure it made him to not know. Although, there's a tugging at his heart when he look at their eyes and as nerving as it is, Jaehyun is more taken in than feeling scared, "with you, I never know."
"Oh?" Taehee smiled teasingly with a jerk of an eyebrow, "and why would that be?"
"Who knows? You're unlike anyone else," he smiled too, warmth under his skin.
"Are you trying to say that I'm special?" They snicker, continue playing the instrument.
"I think you are."
Many times he asked himself just what is this strange fixation he has towards this person, he never feels quite like this with anybody. He thinks his queen and consorts are beautiful, very pleasant to his eyes, but there was merely visual enjoyment if not tainted with ill feelings because he's forced to welcome their presence for the kingdom's sake. But with this Taehee, Jaehyun feels his heart sings along with what he appreciate to see, there's a stirring which he couldn't understand yet very pleasant and not at all alarming.
What if the person is a man? Jaehyun also wonders at times, it is less unnerving to think about his fondness if the person was a woman. But understandably there's a wariness whenever he thinks that the gisaeng might be a man, will his interest be mere companionship? Or will he welcome it the same just like if the person is a woman? He tried not to think about it too much, after all his infatuation knows no name nor explanation, but when he starts losing sleep over it, he knows he's gone too far with his feelings.
--
"The starry night is too beautiful it's painful to look at, is it the beauty of the stars or is it the fear of the darkness surrounding them do we see?" Clear, soft voice reciting a poem.
Jaehyun stared, forsaking the liquor in his cup to truly enjoy the beauty of the person and their words which flew with grace from the luscious, thin lips,
"we feel the darkness greater than the beauty which exist because we fear of the unknown than appreciating what was harmless."
Taehee turned to face him from their own pretty handwriting of a poem on the scroll, "Are we constantly scared then?"
"I think we are, but it's hard to admit being weak right? So we say we enjoy it, to ignore the fear within," he said, eyes no longer looking at the beautiful person in front of him and instead into the distance.
"Is being afraid means weakness?" The gisaeng sliding closer, bending the knees to their chest and hugs it.
"If it's not weakness, what is it? Do you think fear has other merit than proving that we're a coward?" He's laying down to rest his head on a pillow, turning a bit to stare at the person again.
"I would like to think fear exist so we can be less stupid and knows better before doing something which we could regret. They keep us alive longer and helps us grow into a better person, don't you think?" Taehee smiled.
Jaehyun thinks about it, deeply and he could somewhat understand, "what is cowardice then?"
"Good question," they hummed, "maybe... not wanting to understand or moving forward despite knowing better?"
Jaehyun frowned, "why wouldn't they? If they know better they wouldn't do that, right? Isn't that being stupid rather than being a coward?"
"Like hatred, many people hate without clear reason, they just did and try to justify it even though it's nonsense. Because they just want to feel good by denying which threatening them or something which they refuse to understand, right? I'm not talking about the fear which exist due to certain reasons, but fear which is mainly due to envy or ego which they denied to admit. Isn't that cowardice then?"
Is it cowardice then, if I fear to accept my infatuation for you because I don't know who you truly are? Jaehyun thought, slipping an arm under his head. "If it's like that, what do you think they should do to stop being a coward?"
"I don't know, that's up to them," Taehee shrugged, "for me, I'll try to understand it and be honest about it, no matter how scary it is."
He always appreciates this person's beautiful art, but at times like this, he really adores their mind, a strength which so profound and intelligence which many may envied, "I think more than the appearance, love grows from the acknowledge of how someone's minds work."
An eyebrow jerked up on Taehee's face, "Are you implying you're in love with my mind?" They chuckled.
Jaehyun snorted a laugh, "there's no words fit to describe what I want to say, but yeah, maybe in a way. I love to have such talks like this with you, they broaden my world and beliefs."
The gisaeng bit their lower lip to hide a smile, "You know, if you love my mind, that means you appreciate my true self, which I can't hide even though I'm doing a play. A soul can't hide after all, they'll flow out deliberately or not, so I'll take that as a compliment that you appreciate my person than what I may look like."
He turned to Taehee again, starring at each other for a quiet moment, "Are you doing a play right now?"
"Who knows?" They smiles, wide and warm, unconsciously leaning down to Jaehyun, "but I think I'm letting you see what's deep inside me."
"Since when?" Jaehyun whispered, a spot pulsating in his chest, their faces aren't too close, but enough to make him self conscious.
"Since you stopped asking who I really am and just enjoy arguing with me about poems and views on life."
His eyes fleeting from the wide, pretty eyes down to the pink lips, hand unconsciously reaching out to touch, which the person caught his wrist gently causing him to look up and see the smile adorning the face he came to adore, "and where do you think your eyes and hand wandering to, my Lord?"
"Are you hiding from me still?" He whispered, heart start picking up a pace when their faces grow closer that he could see the tiny mole on the person's lip.
"If I am?" Taehee whispered back, leaning down even closer.
"Would you show yourself to me then?"
They smiled, "what if it will disappoint you? Would you just leave me or would you make sure to make my life is a living hell?"
"And what disappointment would it be?" Jaehyun inhaled, lifting his head a bit to get even closer, tension filling the quiet room.
"It could be anything," Taehee whispered even lower, breath teasing Jaehyun's lips.
"As you said it, I'm attracted to your mind rather than what you may appear, will I get disappointed if I care more about your person?"
There's something twirling in their deep eyes and Jaehyun feel a bit regretful he couldn't read their mind. But then Taehee leaned down until their lips met, soft and fleeting, warmth easily forgotten when the person leaning away to stare into Jaehyun's eyes again. Taehee pulls at his wrist and placed it on their chest, attention intent on Jaehyun's expression as he's smoothing his hand on the silk gown, feeling heartbeats under his palm.
Jaehyun is very familiar with the feels of women, but this was different, the body he's allowed to touch feels very similar to his own. He knows not every woman always has full bosom, but it is undeniable that this was not the case. This is the body of a man which is hovering on him, he looks up to see Taehee still staring at him, as if waiting, as if calculating. He didn't miss seeing the fear within the dark eyes.
Strangely, there were no apprehension nor doubts when the words spilling out his lips in a whisper, "Taeyong..."
There's a small smile on the thin lips despite the fear, "will you beheaded me now that I'm not Taehee but instead Taeyong?"
He waits, looking into the eyes beyond what is seen, "there must be a reason as to why you allowed me to see you when you could have chosen to stay hidden, is there?" He whispered, gliding both his hands over the covered body that now he could feel the broad shoulder which is unmistakably a man.
"There is, as it is the hope that what I've seen and heard from you stay true even now," he exhaled slowly after a whisper, as if his chest is too full and eyes glistening with growing tears.
"I saw you first, Taeyong, way before I know Taehee. It was then when I first felt interest towards you, is that not answer enough?"
He chuckled softly, "I believed your interest was due to my brash words and curiosity to make me suffer."
"I think it's more fitting to say that I've taken an interest in the way you could speak your thoughts without fear and then..." he brings a hand to brush the black strands hanging over the beautiful pale face, "I fell for the way your mind works, no one have thoughts quite like you."
The person now Jaehyun could clearly address as Taeyong, smiling warmly much like a welcoming embrace, "and I could no longer deny the desire to truly be seen by you who could understand my thoughts."
Jaehyun sitting up bringing along Taeyong in his hold, keeping him there close to him, "does your desire runs only to be seen by me?"
Taeyong didn't reply right away, still staring into his eyes as if he's searching for the truth before he whispered, "tell me your name, my Lord."
He almost tells him his true name, but then he couldn't expose his identity like that even to Taeyong. Having his identity known isn't just about him, but also the people behind him and who to tell that Taeyong could accept the true him? With this man, Jaehyun want, longs to be just a man who chose to be drenched with what they could have. Like any normal people could have. And so, not without an ache in his heart, it was his turn to continue wearing his mask in Taeyong's presence.
"Yoonoh is my name, Taeyong."
"Yoonoh..." he whispered, slender, pale fingers slowly caressing his lips, eyes following the gesture, "kiss me Yoonoh-shii."
Without hesitation Jaehyun leaning forward to catch the slightly open supple lips with his, kissing the man in his embrace gently not yet diving too deep. But when there's arms coiling around his head, Jaehyun didn't waste a second longer to pry open the soft lips with his tongue and taste the hotness of Taeyong's mouth, something taste sweet inside that he couldn't hold himself back from kissing the man even deeper. His fingers digging into the long black hair while his other hand holding the lean waist, pushing forward until he have Taeyong panting under him.
A part of him questioning if what he's doing is right, to be with a fellow man like this, but his heart sings in honesty that nothing ever feels even close enough to how right being with Taeyong is. It feels natural, feels like this was what he's been searching for, like the place he belongs to. His chest caught fire when a leg hooking over his lower back and Taeyong kissing him back in fervor that soft moans pouring out his swelling lips.
"Yoonoh..." Taeyong lets out with an exhale to his mouth, "wait-"
Yoonoh, his name when he was just a person, the him who was still with passion and not the king that he is now with a cold heart. Yoonoh, the person with warm heart and love. Yet, as liberated as he is, there's a feeling of wrongness hearing that name being called by Taeyong who's showing his true self risking everything even his life to him. But the worry abruptly dies when he feels a hardness poking at his lower stomach.
With a gasp Jaehyun leaning away to look down to their lower bodies, the bulge not really obvious due to the thick layers of clothes Taeyong is wearing, but it is undeniably there. When he looks back to the man's face who's under him, he sees red blooming in the usually pale face.
"I- I told you to wait," he muttered bashfully, hiding his face with both his hands, "I'm sorry, it just happens."
Jaehyun chuckled, kissing the hands before prying them away so he could look at his beautiful face, "it's cute how you're always so confident yet now you're being shy."
"Shut up..." he said in a sulking and embarrassed tone, pushing at Jaehyun's chest.
"It's okay, it's not only you," he whispered, kissing his lips again as he's grinding down, eliciting a mix of gasp and moan out of Taeyong when their hardness colliding together. Jaehyun brings his hand to Taeyong's chest, caressing the still clothed skin until suddenly he felt an electrical jolt running up to his right arm and burning exactly where the mark rest.
"What was that?" Taeyong asked in a surprised tone, eyes wide and his hand stroking his chest.
"You- you felt that too?" Jaehyun asked back no less surprised.
"Yeah, that felt like... I don't know, my chest feels burning, what was that?"
"I don't know..." Jaehyun replied, holding his right arm still feeling the burning under his skin.
"Is your arm hurting?"
"Yeah..." he's straightened up, surprise and worry toning down the desire within their guts.
"Why? Should I see it for you? We got medicine here..." Taeyong sitting up too.
No, he couldn't possibly show the mark, that will expose who he really is, "it's okay, maybe it's better for me to go home now."
Taeyong's eyes widened for a moment before something akin to sadness taking over his face, "so soon? Usually you stayed the night."
Jaehyun smiled, unease start creeping in his gut, "let's meet another time, Taeyong."
Something in the man's eyes softens at the call of his name, "yes, I would love to see you soon, Yoonoh-shii."
That was the first time they closed their night with a kiss instead a mere good night greeting.