Less Than a Hundred Years
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Author's Ramblings: Review answering time!
Sora Aijin: thank you for the kind correction, usually people don't care and point out how I have misused words. I will note the difference and fix the mistake. I am well aware Eun Soo is over thirty, that is the whole idea of the edict, you'll see later on. I like to think that while Eun Soo was away her wait was only a year long, while Choi Young waited for five years, that would make them the same age when she returns. Time can be funny like that and it's up to interpretation.
Lauren: I am very glad you like my interpretation of Choi Young, and hope not to disappoint you while continuing the story. I hope you continue to enjoy both my stories (LTAHY and Contemporary), and trust me, K_love1 and I are far from over with Contemporary.
Kerry: Tae Hyun means both Honor and Dignity, it was the Oracle's way of dispersing the evil surrounding both parents. I don't think the Oracle will be making another appearance but she is a brave woman indeed.
Jaedeon Sierra: I'm glad you logged and left your review! Thank you for your kind words an keep reading, I hope to make longer chapters but sometimes it's hard to write while trying not to fall asleep.
Jupiter Lily: I wonder if you are sneaking into my files and reading, how could you figure out not one, but two future events? You are good!
SueAnna: It's better late than never, right? I am very proud of this story and hope you continue to read it!
To the Rest: trust me I read the reviews you all leave and I am very happy you like this little story so much. I want to thank you all for the support again, because I am writing this to share my love for Faith and see how many out there love it too. Passerby, all those Guests, and Kerry… Faithling… I love you all!

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Prompt: Years

In the years he'd served as leader to the WooDalChi, Choi Young had never had to do a thing like the one he was about to do. HE rarely explained his actions to the king, been a trusted servant, enough to do as he pleased and only showing his results; but after having changed the living space of two of his subordinates under the care of the King, the General was sure some debates would occur when the court found out.

He called for a private meeting with the King, and although the man had been surprised at the decorum and how Choi Young moved through the channels used by any commoner, the meeting was granted without much trouble. Eyes closed Choi Young waited in the King's office, breathing deeply and calming his hypersensitive nerves; he'd been on edge for longer than really needed, even when the inmediate treat was currently nonexistent. The King entered the chamber, and the General stood, eyes still closed, listening ot the rustling of clothes and the way the King moved towards him. Finally opening his eyes, Choi Young acknowledged the King's arrival with a bow, which was tense, but full of the propriety and respect required for royals.

"General, I am surprised to have witnessed your request for a private meeting. Please sit." The General thanks the King and they both sat, tea was ordered and for a few minutes they sat in silence; Choi Young staring forward, while the King settled in his side. Do Chi moved out of the office, and they were finally alone. "Tell me, why have you call this meeting?"

"I need to explain something to his Majesty in hopes you will understand several changes I will be instituting in the WooDalChi barracks." King Gongmin stared at him, curious. "But first I must tell you of something the WooDalChi kids and I did, over ten years ago."

The King waited, and Choi Young took his silence as acceptance to continue.

"When I started in my position as WooDalChi leader the King wanted to rid himself of what was left of the Red Crecent Moon army still living, so he sent us through several missions until I was the only one to return."

"yes you explained this to me before."

"I was given a room in the barracks, the promise of riches and what I wanted the most a bed."

"General?"

"I was sent with a hundred WooDalChis to a battle in aid of Yuan, to destroy a small rebellion that was overrunning the country side. They were using children as shields, their parents had been murdered; so we were ordered to bring peace back to this country."

"I expect you did so smoothly?"

"Not as smoothly as I would have hoped. We were attacked suddenly, by a force stronger than expected." Choi Young lost himself in the memory of that night, surprised at how vivid it was after years of wishing to forget it, of not thinking about it… his memory sometimes served as a double edged sword… "Most of the woodalchi had been injured, or murdered, while the Vice General, who was a lieutenant back then was kidnapped. The vandals required provisions and money, so they expected to have Goryeo feed them."

"For a lieutenant?"

"They thought they had kidnapped the Captain."

"You?"

"Yes." The General was quiet for a minute, lost in the memories of the events that followed. "I am not ashamed of what I did then, but it has hunted me to this day."

"You went in to rescue the lieutenant?"

"Yes; along with three more men I managed to rescue the Vice General."

"What happened?"

"We managed to defeat and entire unit; sixty men were slaughtered in detail I shall not give you." The King was sure that if he ever got to heard the detail fo the story, he wouldn't have liked to know the details, so the King sighed.

"How does this affect the present?"

"Those men who survived the attack are the ones who stole the High Doctor away." The King nodded.

"Before we go any further, general there is something I would like to tell you…"

"The Vice General already told me of the edict. A sneaky move sir." The King smiled at the man's honesty and moved his hand to ask for the parchment where the information was. Do Chi was quick to fetch hit and handed it over to Gongmin, who spread the item over the table. "I understand why you wrote it, but there is some discomfort from my part." Said Choi Young, tactfully, aware that the document had not been stamped with the royal seal.

"And what is that?"

"My bride is the High Doctor, and is obviously over thirty. She has already managed to make me believe she does not wish to work, but I know her better. She is a mother, a woman, and a doctor, sir. How can we stop her from working."

"The edict is very clear, General: no woman under thirty can work as High Doctor, but she can continue to work as doctor, probably on call for the Queen's care, or if she prefers to care for the WooDalChi." The assistant to the King also delivered the seal, and Choi Young watched without been able to fight much, how the King lifted the seal, wetted the reddish part so constantly used and stamped the will of the king and people of Goryeo over the document. He should be happy, he knew, but Choi Young felt a little defeated; his wife was now stuck to the position of a simple doctor. "She can continue to work, but not at the royal clinic. Besides she now has a child, she will be quite busy with little Tae Hyun from now on."

It didn't work like that, but Choi Young wasn't about to fight the King's opinion.

"As for your story; how can I help?"

"I have already ordered the Vice General to move his family to the apartment you have so gracefully provided. I am sure that as soon as the work in our home is done we could provide the necessary protection for our families, but I wanted to King ot understand why I was moving people around."

"This men will attempt to attack you again, General?"

"I killed their families, sir, if there is a grudge I hope it is only against me and not my family."

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New Year's was one of her favorite holidays.

Eun Soo dressed the child with some clothes the Queen had sent, then urged the now limping and walking Deok Man to wash up and dress, while Dae Man was already helping with the decorations. When Choi Young arrived he found Lady Choi delivering food and lots of drinks, looking as exasperated as the general felt.

"What's going on?"

"Your wife wishes to celebrate New Year's. I have tried to stop her but she is relentless."

"Indeed she is." And Choi Young handed his aunt the edict by the King. "It has finally happened," He commented, moving to one of the prepared tables, serving himself some wine and drinking it quickly. Meanwhile the woman unfolded the paper and read. "I am not exactly thrilled with this decision, but we will have to do."

The woman's eyes widened slightly, but as she closed and sealed the document, she sighed. "Well, now we have a good point when your bridge wants to leave the apartment. Or to ignore the injured soldiers at your doorstep." Choi Young took a second drink, and then set the cup down, turning to his aunt. "She dressed the boy with the festive clothes the Queen sent, they look huge on the baby."

"You don't seem to mind my wife is no longer employed."

"I don't. I like her at home, when she is safe."

"She wasn't safe before giving birth."

A tense silence followed and Lady Choi simply slapped by back softly, "She will be safe from now on." And the security of her words made the man sigh. "Come see the child." And although stoic as ever the feeling of excitement over the child's new clothes was quite evident. Choi Young smiled softly, putting aside his worry and walked behind his aunt. As general and commander he had been invited to several parties to celebrate the new year, but he was yet to decide which to assist. With the Vice General around he had hoped he would have an excuse not to leave, but alas his wife had planned a party now.

Lady Choi moved to the nursery and lifted the baby from the crib; the child was wide aware and staring at the falling snow outside the large open window, apparently excited with the fall. The little hat the child wore looked cute and soft, the colorful clothes made his skin shine and red… Choi Young took the child from his aunt's arms and stared at him with a smile. "You look quite handsome in your clothes. But aunt, aren't this the clothes for the child's dol?"

"Yes, they are. But your wife said she wanted to use them more than once."

"Oh! Choi Young-ssi is here!" Called Eun Soo, appearing form the side; her hair was wet and she wore Choi Young's new bathrobe. "I bet you already heard about my little celebration."

"I informed him." Said Lady Choi, smiling.

"Then quickly go change, we all should celebrate New Year's with new clothes, for good luck!"

"I see…" And turning to her nephew, the older woman smiled and walked out the door, ordering the servant girls to start preparing dinner.

"Imja," He said softly, entering the room while still carrying his son. "What are you doing?"

"I wanted to have a party to celebrate new Year's, can't we?"

"It's all prepared for but right now…"

"I'm fine, and the baby is all dressed up for the occasion. It's just a little dinner party, then everyone will go home and be merry, alright?"

"Who is everybody?"

"Dae Man, Deok Man, Choong-sik and his family. Your aunt of course and I will let the servant girls join us along with my two bodyguards."

"That's close to fifteen people, Imja."

"So?"

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The dinner party, as Eun Soo had called it, was delightful. The visitors showered the small family with lots of blessings and well wishes for the New Year, the food was good, the men drank till they couldn't stand, and when Choi Young was forced to take Deok Man to his room, before the boy collapsed in a drunken stupor; he realized that he wasn't angry at all. He was actually quite cheerful himself. Imja had not drank beyond the initial cup, because whatever she drank or ate the child would too, and she simply played hostess; she was really good at that. The servant girls thanked her for almost fifteen minutes for having been allowed to celebrate, then Eun Soo asked Lady Choi to return and check on the Queen, who was at the royal banquet, that she would clean up.

When they were alone, the night was still young, and although Choi Young himself had drank quite enough wine to make him tipsy, he didn't want to go to bed yet. Their child was asleep, they were alone, and they still had leftovers of the meal to enjoy.

"So, when the clock is nearing midnight," Continued Eun Soo, explaining the traditions of another distant land to her husband. "The huge ball is lighted up and it starts dropping until it reaches the platform and lots of fireworks are released."

"Like the ones we saw at Gahbae?"

"A lot more fireworks, but yes." The man drank what was left of wine in his cup, and pulled Eun Soo to sit beside him, holding her close. She must miss her world in dates like this; reason why he listened to her stories. "My clock stopped running a long time ago, so I'm not sure if it's New Year's yet. Do you want to hear how my year was?" HE nodded, curios. "I found the man I love after been apart for so long, I married him, we got into lots of troubles but I kissed him so much I always forgot if I was in troubles or mad at him, I got a house, I had a child, I got two dogs and lots of food. The best parts were the baby and the kissing. And that I can't believe I still love him so much. Choi Young-ssi, how was your year?" She asked softly, curious to his response, he remained quiet for a while and then smiled.

"I married Imja, we traveled, got into troubles, and had a baby. We got wet under the rain, we played in snow, fought, got jealous and made love. My favorite part was also the baby, and the love making." He smiled, making her blush. "I want to have many years like this one, beside Imja." She smiled, nuzzling his nose with hers, and kissed him.

"Many, many years."

"And I want to celebrate with her too."

"Me too." And finally he kissed her, taking hold of her shoulders with his heated hands; she felt how he pushed her to bed, his intentions obvious, and her hands attempted to stop him. "But the New Year's…"

"Every day is New Year's for me, Eun Soo, as long as you are beside me."

And together, they celebrated the New Year.

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Author's Ramblings: Happy New Year!