I am dying soon…
I have up to three months before my time comes…
I wish I had not made physician lady Jang-Guem leave…
But I love her…
So much, that I let her run away with the man she truly loves…that's right, I had power over everything I ever wanted, and had the power to make her stay by my side until the end…
But, I decided to let her go…
Seeing her love another man other than me was too painful…
I wanted her to leave here, and live with her love, without being bound to this place by me and my illness…
If there was anything else I could want, I want to see her happy…
After I die, I want to see her live with her lover, help curing illnesses for the weak and poor like she had always done, have children of her own, Nothing would make me more happier…
Than to see Jang-Guem, my first love, smile…
Since I have very little time left, I want to respect Jang-Guem's wishes, and go for my morning walks inhaling the fresh air mother nature has provided…
As usual, I had my guards and servants behind me, as I take my morning walk. I find it very uneasy to have people follow you when you want to be alone to think about your troubles. After my morning walks, I went back inside to rest. Then, I take my medications, and eat the food Madam Min had prepared for me…
The food was delicious, but not as delicious as Jang-Guem's food. She always has a different food that was very healthy yet tasty for me…
The day went by quickly, and it was already sun down…
So, I decided to take my evening walks as well…
As I walk across the bridge, I see a young woman, about Jang-Guem's age…
Though she did not sense my presence,
She sang a lovely song…
"If asked to come, will he really come?
If asked to leave, will he really leave?
Even after waiting for countless days,
we will not be together…
Nay, nay, it is nay,
You cannot come, so take me instead
You cannot come, so take me instead"
She then, clenched her hands together, as if praying, and tears drip from her face.
One of my silly servants yelled at her.
"You! Hyun-Ae! What do you think you are doing!"
The young girl was startled. She turned to see me and my servants. She was beautiful.
"how dare you block the king's way!" she turned back to me, and said,
"I am sorry your majesty, I will deal with her later." she gave a slight bow. I felt bad that I interrupted her singing, and praying…
"it is fine," I replied
"but your majesty, she blocked your path, I must punish her…"
"nonsense, there is no need for that." I walked up to her, looking down at her small fragile body.
"why were you praying…?" I asked her. She stood there with her mouth shut.
"why were you crying…?" she wiped the rest of your tears.
"its alright, you don't have to tell me," I bowed to her and walked away… I wanted to know what she was doing that evening, so I invited her to eat with me.
The Madams in the imperial kitchen had put her in beautiful red silk clothing. She was beautiful, and so radiant, she sat in front of me, while the Lofty Madams presented us with food. We were finally alone.
For a moment, we did not say a word. Until I said,
"so, why were you praying..?" she was silent, and tried to look away.
"please tell me, I wont hurt you…" I grabbed one of her hands, and clenched it with mine. She jumped in surprise.
"please tell me," I told her as I stared into her dark eyes.
For a moment, she looked away again. Then she turned back, and said to me, "I was praying for you." I was shocked.
"I prayed that you will soon recover from this illness…" no one has ever done that for me, at least, not that I know of.
"why were you crying…?" she frowned at me.
"I am worried that you will not recover. The palace would have lost such a wonderful generous king such as yourself." her words had put me to ease at the thought of my illness. It had gave me warmth to my heart.
"why..? Why would you do such thing for a king such as I..?" she sat there quietly. She slowly opened he mouth, and said,
"Because I fell in love with you…"