sungkyungkwan; the tale part one
Mar. 12th, 2019 11:11 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
yryumiTHEIR PERSONAL STORIES
THE KING
“Is he still not awake?”
“He is still sleeping, Your Royal Highness”
“That’s good! Now I can – “
“I do not think it is alright for you to bother His Majesty right now, Your Royal Highness. Have you forgotten about what happened the other – Your Royal Highness! “
“Be quiet, Lisa! You are making him stir!”
“I dislike waking up to voices inside my room. And I detest more opening my eyes to the sight of my sister with a pillow on her hands.” His Majesty, Kim Namjoon, opened his eyes to glare at his sister that is four steps away from his bed, with two pillows in her hands and a wicked grin on her face. “Kim Jennie, what do you think you are do – “ he was cut off when a pillow hit him squarely on the face. He heard the giggles and he slowly took the pillow away from his face as he stared hard at his sister “Run” he only said before he jumped from his bed and throw the pillow he was holding on his sister’s head. He can see Lisa, Jennie’s personal attendant, shaking her head at them. However, he knows, there’s a fond smile on her lips. There were more high-pitched screams and laughter inside his room before the usual I yield! I yield, brother! I yield! can be heard. No one bats an eyelash. It is a normal occurrence in the morning, after all. Even the whine about more lesson?! that was heard next is a normal occurrence as well.
“What? Brother, again? I thought you run out of lessons to throw at me when I disturb your sleep!”
“The world is wide and vast. So as the lessons I am going to throw at you whenever you disturb my slumber. Do you even retain the lessons I always give you? I find it hard to believe that you dislike my lessons still.”
“It is not as if I hate them. But what is the use of all the lessons you are making me learn, when in this Palace, you are already the King?” Jennie mumbled. He sighed, he knew his sister did not just disturb his sleep (everyday) just for the fun of it. He knows she is feeling lonely. He knows she misses him because ever since he was told he is the King, (unofficially of course because his mother is still the Queen and reigning monarch in the eyes of their people) he has been busy and swamped up with works, the only time he can see his sister and can talk to him is during breakfast and dinner.
He knows, so he kneels in front of his sister and make her look him in the eyes as he tells her “Being part of the Royal Family is not an easy feat. We have to always take precautions because we hold so much power in this land. People are greedy, they lust for power. They would do anything to take all of this away from us. And for that reason, I have to be knowledgeable about anything and everything. Because the enemy is unknown. I believe we are born as part of the Royal Family for a reason, Jennie. Our Father fought for this land and protect it. Our Mother is doing her best to do the same. And, I, have a responsibility to claim. I am doing this not just for the people of this land, but also for my family and for the people who believes in me. For the people who have faith in me. Do not cry, Jennie.” He wiped his sister’s tears as he continued “If, and only if, the enemy succeeded on bringing me down, at least I have you to continue our legacy. You and I think the same when it is for the betterment of our people.”
His sister throws her arms around him as she cried on his chest, “I know that! I know! I am aware, completely aware!” Ah, finally. Finally, he knows the hidden fear of his sister. The reason of his morning-annoy-dear-brother-namjoon-ritual. “But you cannot say that as easily! You must know how to defend yourself too, Brother! You even gave Lisa to me when she should have-“
“Only the best, for my sister” he interrupted
“I worry about you because when you assigned Lisa to me, you just made yourself 100% available for assassination attempts. And with how clumsy you are, you might even accidentally kill yourself before the enemy does!”
“Hey!”
“You can’t be lax even inside the palace, brother. Because even in the Palace, enemy lurks around.”
“I know, I am aware. That is why I assigned someone I trust to you. Because enemies always go first to the people closest to the target.” He replied, patting her head in a calming manner. She sighed on his shoulder and he pulled her on a tight hug before he murmured,” We need to eat. You have a long day ahead of you.” Somehow, that statement made her gasp and she scrambled away from him, giving him a glare the confused him as she said “I am going to implant ideas on Professor Seojoon’s head. Just you wait for my revenge.” She left Namjoon staring at her with wide eyes while Lisa giggles at the siblings’ antics.
THE BROTHERS
“Jungkookie, the pot is starting to boi–“ before he can even touch the pot, a hand caught his wrist and he was dragged away from the pot and fire.
“Hyung, I told you, you can only instruct, no touching of things in here, please.” Jungkook scolded, walking back to the pot and true to Taehyung’s words it is now boiling. Even with the lid on, Taehyung still guessed it right.
“That was just one time, Kuk-ah.” He can hear the pout in Taehyung’s voice as he said that, making him roll his eyes. “One time for the pot, one time for the table. And the most unbelievable, the craziest of all, that one time you almost set yourself on fire. You are right, that was just one time! Hyung, you are suited as a scholar. You are not really suited for the position of physician ”
“But I need to be a physician so that I can fight back, you know that, Jungkook.”
“You can’t have everything, hyung.” Jungkook softly said, knowing his hyung has always been frustrated with his lack of coordination and bizarre incidents since they were kids. “That’s where people you trust enters right?” he added, looking on his shoulder to smile at his hyung who also beamed at him at his statement.
“You are right.” And for a second something flashed on his face, something he is very familiar with. “What are you thinking, hyung?” Jungkook murmured, curious. His hyung always has great ideas you see, even when they get punish afterwards. “Joining Sungkyungkwan. I saw the post in the town earlier. And you are going with me.”
“Wha-but I am-“Taehyung cut in “I know a perfect excuse for you. Joining will be an opportunity for us, Jungkookie. One, we will be away from here and Sungkyungkwan will keep us safe. Two, we are going to be standing on the same ground with grandfather, at last!”
Jungkook thought about it, the entrance exam for Sungkyungkwan is ‘the most difficult I have ever encounter in my life!’ is what the nobles always tell them. Pompous nobles who think they are great just because they entered the entrance exam of Sungkyungkwan. Why did they even try joining the exam when they have that knd of attitude? “Hmmm. It’ll be an easy exam for you, hyung.” he joked, but not really. And Taehyung knows that’s why he laughed while he says “I hope so”
They continued working after that.
Ever since he was a child, Jungkook has been treated rudely by the people he called family. From a young age, he had learned he doesn’t have a place on the home his ‘family’ owned. ‘You were not even supposed to be born, bastard son’. For a long time, he believed them. But when the real family came to live with the grandfather, he was not even greeted by his so-called father. He can understand if the wife won’t greet him but the denial and rejection that he received from his own father pains him more than the stick his grandfather lways hit him with. He was hiding under the house, crying, when Taehyung, his half-brother, saw him for the first time. Little Jungkook thought he would get angry at him or hit him because he is crying, the people in the house do not like crying, you see. But he looked at him worriedly, asked him what’s wrong, and offered him the food he was eating. Good timing too because grandfather didn’t let me eat breakfast and lunch. The older looked at him horrified with what he just said. Since then, he had noticed that his older brother Taetae kept on looking out for him. Gives him enough food, lets him sleep on the futon with him, especially when the weather is cold. He always greets Jungkook with a warm smile on his face, always invites him to play with him, and become Jungkook’s unofficial teacher. You cannot read?! Taehyung gasped at that. Jungkook looked at his lap in shame but his big brother only cleared his throat and when he looked up, Taetae was wearing a serious face that only a 10-year-old can portray, and told him, “From now on, call me Teacher Taetae”
One day, when Taehyung was fifteen and busy with attending school, Jungkook who was not allowed to go to school, was fourteen and is always at home. It was Friday, and one can leave early if he/she is already done with their lesson. As usual, Taehyung finished everything early. And he was excited to go home for his brother. He entered the house but didn’t see anyone. He kept on looking for his brother but didn’t see him everywhere. He had circled the big house thrice already, tripped more than that and still no luck. He tried going to the vacant house next to theirs. He had circled the place once and was about to circle it one more time just to be sure when he tripped on his feet and rolled down the slope to the little shed a few meters away from the house. There, he heard sniffles and when he knocked on the door, his heart broke at his brother’s broken words “I am sorry I am sorry Please forgive me. Do not punish Taehyungie hyung please” There was a bolt locking the little shed from the outside, but it was easy for him to detach it. He didn’t make any noise; afraid he’ll cry and cause a scene. As soon as he was able to open the shed, he couldn't stop his tears because there are bruises on his brother's face and arm. He was afraid he’d see more under his clothes. “Taehyungie hyung I’m sorry” Jungkook sniffled when he looked up and saw Taehyung instead of his father and grandfather. “Do not apologize. I am sorry, hyung was late” Tehyung said instead, wiping his eyes with his sleeve as he kneel down in front of Jungkook and carefully hugged him.
After tucking Jungkook on his bed that night, his wounds taken care of and his stomach full, he told him, Jungkook-ah, keep yourself close to people you don’t trust. Deceive them with the illusion that they know things about you and have you figure out but in reality they just saw the surface that you let them see, not the whole and real you. On the other hand, never close yourself to the people you trust with all your heart and soul, to the people you call ‘family’, be open to them, never wear a mask when you are with them because a family sees through you and will always worry and will be in so much pain if you deceive them, do you understand hyung? Oh! When I say ‘family’ I’m saying the people you see as family, as real family, okay? Just because you have the same blood flowing inside of you, doesn’t mean you have to tell anything and everything to the family who treats you like dirt, like you are no one. I’ll tell you this, you are the only real family I have in this household, but because I am wearing a mask, the other people in this household don’t know that I don’t like their way of doing things. Got it, Kukkie? Hyung will always be here for you. You are a good and kind person, alright? Hyung will protect you so don’t hide from me, okay?’
‘because hyung will do his best . hyung will take you away from here and will give you a new family’
It occurred to him then, that the family he once asked for has been given to him already, when he met his brother for the first time since he was 9. Kim Taehyung becomes Jeon Jungkook’s only family, he also become his only parent, and only friend. From then on, he promised to himself, he would do everything in his power, to keep his hyung happy.
THE ORPHAN
His mother’s favorite story is her own love story with his father.
Her story would always start with ‘How I met your father? Hm let’s see’ that would always make his father shake his head and fondly smile at her.
She told him they were both from a noble family “But because I am a force of nature, the rules of my family suffocated me. I am someone who cannot be tied down. I want to be free.”
And his father would always say “so I help her on achieving the freedom she had always wanted.”
And his child mind asked “Why did you help, mother?”
“Because, Yoongi, when you love someone, you would always want the best for them, only the best.”
"Shortly after we ran away, we got married and you were conceived. My parents still looked for me, so we didn’t think it's alright to stay in one place, we were afraid you would be taken from us. But once the King passed a decree stating ‘No one should be forced to a marriage. When one party declines, the other party must not force the party who declines. And any kind of forcing is punishable by law.’ After that decree was implemented, we were able to settle down here in the South and then you were born and then here we are!”
His father would always remind him, love is powerful. It can make a sheltered woman, who always rely to his husband, strong. Strong enough that she can protect not just her children but the legacy her husband had started. When you love someone, you love them wholeheartedly. I never once regretted running away with your mother. So what if we are poor compare to our lives before? We are happy, content, and we can still buy everything we wants. His mother would always tell his father she approved of that kind of thinking with a grin on her face.
Ever since he knew the story of his parents, he wished for a love the same or greater than what his parents had experienced. He prayed for it, never once skipping on his prayer. He will wait. His parents always tell him, be diligent and be consistent. When he lost both of his parents from an arson (everyone was sure about it) he added his parents on his prayers.
Without his parents around, Yoongi started working on his own to survive. He started manual labor, then tried working in the market and any other work that would help his body on being conditioned. Aside from working, he kept on studying too. His parents are scholars. That’s the only thing he knew from them. he never asked because it was the life they gave up for them to be together and they didn’t tell him anything about their families aside from being 'one of the nobles'.
They have a mini library in their small house that he enjoyed visiting when both of his parents are at home. They would always open a book for him and would read it to him and explained more than what is written in the book. It was his parent's wish for him to be able to enter Sungkyungkwan, and either he be a Seonbi or a Hwarang. "Being a Hwarang and Seonbi is a great honor" his father told him before. "But they are also people who are next to be assassinated beside the Royal Family" his mother would always interject "so knowledge won't be enough. You have to strengthen your body too. Are you going to be a warrior or an archer?"
"I want to be both" he remembered mumbling about that and asking his parents "can't I be both? A Hwarang can be many right?" They heartily laughed at him and softly told him he can be both or many "as long as you put your heart, soul, and your mind to things you want to do, you can achieve it". His father’s soft and proud voice stamped being a Hwarang as his dream.
It has been three years since then, since their untimely death. He has been working nonstop while he continued his studying every night. He knows he is not the brightest. But he has been studying for more than three years and has been working his body to easily adapt to a new environment. So it seems proper, it seems enough that he is going to enter the next Sungkyungkwan exam that will be held and open to all. He still has two weeks to prepare.
He has a reason why he wants to enter Sungkyungkwan. Aside from the fact that it’ll give him more opportunity for work and for his future, it is also because his parents never failed to remind him about the kindness of the Royal Family, they never failed to instill it in Yoongi’s mind that the Royal Family are important people that are in need of their own people’s participation. Who can help the Royal Family when their people wouldn’t even listen to them? When their people wouldn’t care about others but only themselves? Only care for more power to themselves? People are greedy with power. Those who are greedy lust for it and do not want to be stripped out of it. It is the opposite that they want. They want more. More power. The Hwarang and the Seonbi, though, they offer the help the Royal Family very much needed.
The Queen was able to protect his children for years. But the land is slowly stirring. And soon, soon the Crown Prince would be the King. And even if he hadn't seen him even once, Min Yoongi is still willing to lay down his life for the said King.
THE WARRIOR
Jung Hoseok came from a family of warrior. His brothers trained with his uncles and father to be able for them to not be behind when recruitment for the army comes up.
Hoseok is different though. He might have the skills but he is lacking the determination, the motivation. His brothers would always give him a stink eye because their father gives him special treatment. He is not for the field and fighting anyway, he would always reason out. But the truth, Hoseok just do not have any reason to fight. His father would always look at him disapprovingly whenever he catches him saying those words. “Hoseok-ah, that is not how a scholar would think and say. If you’re not going to open your eyes and mind, and be serious, I would rather you do not attend the exam and you should stay here and help your mother and sister instead.”
“Sorry, father. They just got on my nerves.” He mumbled back, feeling dejected. But his father is not yet finished with him. “Why did you want to enter Sungkyungkwan again? And do not think about your brothers. They are not you and they do not have your brain.” His brothers looked affronted but didn’t deny what their father had said. Hoseok shyly told his father the reason why he wants to enter Sungkyungkwan.
“I want to be a Seonbi because I want to help the people and the Royal Family. I do not want to just fight. I also want to share my knowledge to others. I am more than capable to be one of the scholars but I would also want to learn other things. And being a Seonbi would give me the opportunity for that. Limited people are chosen on each part of this land to enter Sungkyungkwan, and through them, I would like to learn more about the other parts of this land. I would like to share and gain some knowledge in return. And to be able to contribute more for the betterment of this land and its people. Becoming an official Seonbi is my dream, it is my reason to fight. I would also like to learn how to be a Hwarang. For I am willing to lay down my life for the King.”
Leave it to his father to know how to lift him up. His father ruffled his hair as he added, “He is not officially the King though.” And he scrunched his nose as he also added, “But he would be soon, so..”
His father ruffled his hair once more and shouted to his siblings to get ready who hastily shuffled and went outside the house. Hoseok continued his studies with the sound of his father’s voice. Thrust! Side! Block!
THE DOCTOR AND THE APPRENTICE
He was sent by his hyungnim to buy more supplies of rosewood, basil, cilantro leaves, and chamomile flowers in his hyungnim’s sister’s store. He took his time on scanning the area for plants that he might have forgotten they needed before he made up his mind and added lemon balm on his purchase. He waves Youna noona goodbye! happily before exiting the store with a spring on his steps. Jimin is excited for the new day. They have been quite busy at the workroom since many people are suffering from fever, coughs, and colds. He can’t wait to help his hyungnim and he can’t wait to learn more about medicines! The exam is only a week away now. And he is starting to get anxious but his hyung’s relax demeanor always manages to calm him.
He was near their place when he sees a postman walking up to the door. Letter! He ran the remaining distance between him and the postman. Abruptly stopping in front of the said postman, making him jump in shock. “Letter!” he beams at the postman who chuckled at him.
“Here you go, Jimin. Two letters.” He bid him goodbye after saying Thank you, Uncle!
As soon as Uncle Postman turned the corner, Jimin hastily opened the door, closing it with one hand as he busied himself with the letter reading if he knew where it come from. And he did know. He entered their workplace with a loud “Hyungnim!” he is glad his hyung is not easy to startle, or maybe he is just used to him being loud. “We received two letters, Jin hyung!”
“Oh? From who?” His hyung asked, though he sounded like he already knows who it is from
“From Taetae!” he said with a grin, setting aside the herbs he bought on the vacant table, he opened the letters, ignoring Jin’s I really don’t know if I should encourage you on calling our patron Kim Taehyung ‘Taetae’ or not. But you won’t listen to me anyway. “He sent us another set of list of plants and herbs that can help us with the fever outbreak. Also a set of plants that have may benefits. He even put the limit of each plant. Oh? A common poison but can treat other diseases. Just keep in mind the dose, overdosing can make the patient addicted to the medicine and might even lead to death.”
Jimin became silent and he stared at the letter he was holding, eyes glazing over. Jin stopped grinding the rosewoods as he turned his attention to Jimin. “What is it, Jimin?” Jin asked softly
“Taetae wrote a list of toxic plants that has common appearance with other plants. And a list of plants that have benefits but certain parts are toxic.” Jimin replied in a small voice. Jin stared at him for a minute before walking up to him and putting a hand on his shoulder. “It was not your fault, Jimin-ah.”
“I know, hyung. It has been two years. I am done blaming myself with what happened.”
“Mother? Did you drink your medicine already? Mother? Are you awake?” Jimin tried shaking his mother, tried waking her up. He just got back from their flower garden. His mother always asks for him to pick the plant’s leaves she had planted in their garden, says it’s her medicine. And it was easy for Jimin to figure out what flower garden plant his mother was talking about, because in a garden full of different kinds of flowers, it is the only flower garden plant he didn’t recall planting himself. “Mother?” His mother didn’t stir and Jimin can feel the tell-tale sign of panic attack. He quickly dashes outside their house. Barefooted, he run towards the place where he knows their physician resides. “Hyung! Hyungnim!” Jimin harshly knocked to the door without stopping. When Jin was able to open the door, he instantly held his hand. “Hyungnim –mother- please –hyungnim!”
Even with broken sentences, Jin understood and he hurriedly locked his workplace, trailing behind Jimin when the younger sprinted to their house. When Jin was able to enter the house and saw Jimin’s mother lying on the floor, the first thing he noticed are the leaves. “Foxglove?” he asked Jimin, picking a leaf as he kneel down beside the younger to examine Jimin’s mother’s face and body. He knew it was too late. But he still did his usual examination for Jimin’s sake. When he can’t prolong it anymore, he shook his head to Jimin who instantly cried and embraced his mother to his chest.
“Jimin-ah, why are there many foxglove leaves in here?” he softly asked the 17-year-old. “You have to tell hyung. Excessive ingestion of foxglove is fatal.” Jimin whipped his head fast enough Jin got worried he might have hurt his neck. Jimin was sniffling and his lips were trembling as he said “She said, it’s her medicine. And-and- that she needs me to pick some for her morning tea and after dinner t-tea.”
“Jimin-ah, what did she tell you?” Jin doesn’t like where this is going. The middle-aged woman has knowledge for plants. It is from her that Jimin learned and it is also because of her that Jimin got fascinated and wanted to be a physician someday and be his apprentice. But it looked like, she withheld some information from her son. “She said medicine for good heart. She has been drinking it diligently for days now, hyung.”
Jin grabbed Jimin to an embrace. “Oh, Jimin, I am sorry.” He held the younger tight before he added “It is for the heart. But the leaves are the poisonous part of the plant.” As if understanding what he really meant, Jimin hold on to him and cried more, apologizing. “Do not apologize. You did not know. She withheld it from you. You did not know.”
“Hyung, Taetae drew the differences that would tell we’ve got the right plant. Whoah, hyung Taetae is amazing!” Jin hit him lightly on the head as he grumbled, “Stop calling our patron, Taetae! Are you even in the same age?” Jimin mumbled an I can feel it in my bones! And we are gonna be friends! “What are you, a sorcerer?”
Jimin ignored his comment and just continued bubbling “I don’t know. Maybe he is a professor at Sungkyungkwan. And of course! Hyungnim is a well-known physician afterall.” Jin just raised a brow at that statement. “Oh? So are you excited for the exam now? And if he’s a professor, you have to be respectful!”
“I can’t wait for the exam, hyung! Of course because we worked hard for it! For the upcoming exam! I can’t wait to go to Sungkyungkwan and be a physician! Maybe i'll change field and be a Seonbi! Or a Hwarang!”
“Yeah yeah yeah” Jin mumbled, walking back to his stool to continue working for the orders.
“Oh and it’ll be, Professor Taetae!”
“Park Jimin, work for the orders, now!” Jin barked, rolling his eyes when the younger just laughed at him.
Putting one Park Jimin under his wings, he felt he became a young parent instead of having a new younger brother. And he didn’t know but his sister’s words (she was giggling when she told him that) about the exam seems foreboding “I wonder how many are they accepting this year? Maybe 5 people again. You are going to be a young single parent for 5 people, oppa! Once you enter Sungkyungkwan and see their wide and excited eyes, you cannot help but be their single parent. I am sure of it!"