Regard Gold as Stone. Part IV

Later on, when the craziness overtook the palace, and he was barking orders and organizing his men, drawing plans, calculating risks and potential losses, Choi Young's heart was strangely at peace. Even with the dark cloud looming over his head, the promise of certain storm on the horizon and possibility of another long and lonely fight away form home, he was calm and assured that it all would work itself out. He had carved out a sanctuary of love and serenity amongst the eye of the hurricane, where in the small clinic room Eun Soo was warm and welcoming in his arms before this new disaster took his time and attention away from her.

He remembered her taste on his lips and how frustrated he was with the heat; and that she wore so many annoying layers of clothes he to had to conquer and keep above his head, while trying to do something so important it required all of his attention and concentration. But it was so hard to focus, because he was melting and his mind was blank and his body was dying to jump inside of her, but it was not the time. He decided to do this for her and for her only. He could feel, see and hear everything, to become a witness to her losing sense of reality, just like he was, only he could still keep his eyes open when he lifted his head up to grab some air and catch a glimpse of her rosy face from the heat of the moment and the humidity of the summer day heat, and then go back into the warmth and darkness between her thighs, the one sacred place only he was allowed to worship and, therefore, all the more deserving his ministrations, because it was only for him to be with her and for her - with him.

When at last, she shook, he smiled into her because her voice was so dear when she was calling him Daejang, begging for more and to stop at the same time, and he moved to catch her as her body's tension was released fast and with a zing, like a bowstring, reverberating, freefalling, and her hands no longer able to keep her upright. Her legs were quivering, and her fingers shaking, and her body quaking, and her eyelashes trembling and her lips ajar for breath and his name and his love, and he caught her so that she would not fall off the stupid little desk that was sturdy enough to hold her, but not big enough, so that he could care for her in comfort.

He remembered her big eyes filled with abandon and exhaustion of the long day and sweetness of intimacy, and also hidden fear, because he was a little too hasty and rushed toward her like there was a bigger reason behind how much he wanted her and he was not willing to wait till they were in comfort of their home and their bed. Last time he behaved like that, he was about to leave for a long campaign and like an alcoholic holding onto the last bottle of wine, he was trying to drink her till the very last drop and fill himself up with her taste and her smell for months to come.

Choi Young caught her eyes with his and reassured her, "I'm here." And with those words, Eun Soo body's released once more, but with a different kind of relief from worry, making her let out a nervous giggle and close her eyes with heavy lids before she opened up them again and coolly scolded him, "Look what you have done to me!"

So he looked, like she ordered, bathing her in the light from his suddenly very bright, with swirls of caramel and cinnamon eyes, and she immediately went limp in his arms, blinded and humbled. Choi Young placed her carefully on the floor, still holding her to make sure she found her balance on still slightly wobbly legs.

He wanted a moment to himself, to calm his burning body which was too excited, guided by some silly notion of its own that everything was just a prelude to what was about to occur next. He imagined an ice-cold lake and jumping into it...

"Are you listening to me, Daejang?"

"Yes, Imja."

"The table and the mess on the floor, are you going to clean it up? Oh my, the scroll!" She flailed her arms in horror, and crouched down to pick up the precious papers.

He was mentally still submerged into the icy lake. It was helping, but her voice was a distraction and was rendering all his hard work useless.

"Imja. I have a plan. Trust me and please, don't talk for a minute."

"You are always telling me to be quiet. I can't be seen like that," she pointed at her wrinkled clothes.

Choi Young imagined that his ears froze shut and that none of the sounds could penetrate through the thick wall of ice. He already took out a carefully folded set of clothing from a linen cabinet and handed it to her, "Let me help you change."

"And what would people think of a sudden switch of my outfit?" she pouted, turning his back to him so that he could undo the belt and drag the outer layer down her shoulders, letting it fall to the floor, and then the second and third layer. Choi Young closed his eyes, moving as quickly as he could, willing his hands not to feel the softness of her skin, still damp from his loving, clinging to his touch.

"Put it on," he almost harshly shoved the clean clothes to her. And grabbing fabric gathered by her feet, used it to dab the ink puddle.

"Are you crazy? These were my favorite work clothes!"

"I'll buy you new ones." He replied calmly. "You spilled the ink on your clothes and had to put on different ones. Everybody knows how clumsy you are and won't give it a second thought."

"Fine. Then you owe me a trip to the market." She smiled mischievously and innocent at the same time.

All the ice melted and desire he was trying to cool transformed into gentle tenderness. Choi Young let out light and velvety laughter, not a loud gregarious belly laugh common in warrior gatherings of his male counterparts. It was the kind only Eun Soo was privy to during their most treasured and private times together, slightly shy and reserved, yet free and joyful. With this laughter he completely disarmed still half dressed or rather half naked woman, who froze, looking at him in awe. The General laughed that her genuine disinterest in money was only matched by her complete obliviousness to how much she loved spending it. He was deliriously happy that his wife was full of contradictions, yet so consistent and when it truly mattered, could not care less if he was penniless or swimming in gold; she always knew right from wrong and did not require sage advice to make choices in life. He enjoyed spoiling her with uselessly beautiful possessions because this was one of the few ways in which he could make her life just a little bit more comfortable compared to luxuries of Heaven. Whether it was stone or jingling coins, gold was a means to an end and he did not mind using it once in a while if it made the woman he loved smile.

A timid thump on the door followed by a rather boisterous masculine voice. "Dr. Yoo, I have a message for the General."

Choi Young suppressed his unrestrained expression of pure joy. Still with a wide and silly smile on his face, he put a finger to Eun Soo's lips. She smiled and conspiratorially winked back at him. Behind the door, the messenger walked back and force impatiently, waiting for her response and not receiving it, tramped away.

She sighed and continued wrapping the fabric around her torso, while Choi Young silently finished closing her caftan by sashing it at the waist. He picked up her hair pin from the floor and skillfully put her hair up in a bun.

"Dr. Yoo, sorry to disturb you, but they are looking for the General." Now High Doctor himself made the announcement by the door and immediately left, clearly having a lot more tact and understanding than his ill equipped for such task predecessor.

It was already the third attempt within the last half an hour, and no matter how annoying or even entertaining the situation was, it obviously required Choi Young's attention. His features expressed concern, followed by his usual thoughtful expression. "Imja, I have to see what this is about."

"Wait," Eun Soo turned around, grabbing his arm. "You don't look presentable." She smoothed his hair, brushing it with his fingers and looked him up and down, walking all around him, pulling collar here and a sleeve there till she was satisfied. "Now, you may face the world. See you later," she smiled and gave him a small wave.

He awkwardly waved back and picked up his sword where he put it, before unlocking the door. Then remembering something important, he pointed at her forehead, "You have an ink smudge there," and walked out.

"What is going on?" Commanding tone, putting fear into his subordinates sounded out the window and Eun Soo sneaked a pick at two Woodalchi trembling in front of Choi Young.

"Poor souls," she said. "It can't be helped, they came at the wrong time," and bashfully giggled into her palm.