Chapter Text
White water lilies floated on the clear water over which a wooden bridge had been built. On one side of the bridge was a path that led to a gazebo. Around the small building was a garden full of shrubs and flowers: peony, violets, forsythia, coral calla, even wild roses and many other various beauties, the names of which Dokja did not know. The man entered the gazebo and took tea off the tray, placing it on a small table.
He knew that he should leave the place now, since he had already done his job, but just that look attracted him. The whole area had such a pleasant and soft atmosphere that simply electrified Dokja's whole body. A fresh breeze wafting the scent of plants wrapped around his body, and a gentle smile came over the man's face. Maybe if he stays here a few more moments, no one will notice his prolonged disappearance.
However, in the distance stood a person that Kim Dokja did not notice. It was a man, tall and well-built. His sharp eyes watched Dokja's actions with no small amount of interest. He crossed his arms over his chest, continuing to watch this person in the gazebo, but not even twitching to approach him.
Dokja was still there, gleefully looking at the bushes of wild roses that had grown tall enough to reach the gazebo.
- Maybe no one would notice if I picked a single rose? The bush is full of these flowers. - Dokja thinks.
With this thought, he gently plucks the flower and raises it to his face, inhaling its sweet blossom.
Letting out a slight exhale through his nose, Dokja puts the flower behind his ear. That was a nice feeling, somehow nostalgic. However, such moments are fleeting.
"Kim Dokja! Where are you!?"
Dokja was frightened by the voice of one of the head servant. Running out of the gazebo, a flower fell out of his hair, but he ignored it, running as fast as he could to avoid being caught. It was common knowledge that the emperor did not allow anyone to be in the garden longer than his task needed. Dokja's luck was that he was allowed to enter the emperor's private garden anyway. Perhaps someday he will still have the opportunity to enter it. For now, he must return to as soon as possible and find some excuse for his disappearance.
The man who had been watching him came out of hiding as Dokja disappeared on the other side of the bridge. He approached the gazebo. He bent down and picked up a flower that had fallen out of the other man's hand. He put it gently to his lips.
- Kim Dokja... So that's his name. - said the man.
Without saying anything more, he entered the gazebo and sat down at the table, already drinking slightly colder tea
But a few moments of watching this intriguing man were worth the cold tea, even if Joonghyuk hated drinking such tea with all his heart
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Dokja was a little breathless when he reached the palace, or rather the main square.
- Dokja-ssi, what took you so long? - a woman asked, approaching the younger man.
The head servant was a beautiful woman with chocolate-colored hair and eyes that sparkled with joy and peace. Her name was Yoo Sangah, and she was of a similar age to Dokja, although he took to addressing her with polite phrases (she often chastised him for it, saying it made her look older).
- I most sincerely apologize, Sangah-nim! It's just that the imperial garden bewitched me and I couldn't move. - replied the man, and a slight smile creased his lips.
- It's okay, we know how much you love plants and the emperor. - the woman giggled and rolled her eyes.
The black-haired man grabbed his heart, pretending to be hurt by his friend's remark. It was not known from today that Dokja greatly admired the emperor. Although he had not yet had the opportunity to see him, he had heard many rumors about him and his divine appearance. Of course, looks are not everything, the man was also incredibly intelligent, even a born commander.
- Oh, always so honest. I don't know if it's bad luck or good fortune that I didn't see him in the gardens today. - stated the man.
The two moved toward the garden, which was open to anyone visiting the imperial walls. It was obviously not as breathtaking as the emperor's private garden, but it was also beautiful and decorated with many pretty shrubs and flowers that were already more common and Dokja knew most of their names.
- I think it's luck, because the emperor would probably sentence you to an immediate flogging and then execution. - said the brunette. - I have heard rumors, about a servant who had his hands cut off because he touched flowers in the imperial garden.
A cold chill came through the man's spine, his hands began to sweat at the thought that they would be cut off.
"Well, let's hope it's just a rumor."
And Kim Dokja sincerely hoped that they were just rumors that were created to scare others into staying away from His Majesty's private garden. He really wouldn't want his life, which was going well so far, to be ruined by his foolish actions.
- Dokja-ssi, have you heard about the upcoming party? - asked Yoo Sangah, slightly correcting her hair, which was tied up in a tight bun.
Dokja shook his head, waiting as the woman continued.
"It will be a party in honor of Princess Mia's birthday. And I was wondering if you would be able to help us in the kitchen? Lately our staff has been quite shrunken, due to illnesses."
"When will it be held?"
"I believe next week."
Dokja blinked. The party will be held next week, and Yoo Sangah is only now asking him for help?
He furrowed his brow and looked at the woman.
- Oh, I also only found out about it today. Usually princess birthdays are as private and small parties, but I think she talked her brother into it. - replied the brunette awkwardly.
The man sighed and scratched the back of his neck. Of course he couldn't refuse to help them.
- Of course I will help you, Sangah-ssi. - smiled the black-haired man.
- Thank you very much, Dokja-ssi! - said the woman. - Now come on, the preparations are already underway.
She grabbed the man's sleeve and pulled him towards the palace.
"And what is the exact date of the party?"
"Wednesday."
Today was a Sunday afternoon.
Dokja didn't even know how to respond to this and simply accepted the fact that he would spend the next three days and nights in the kitchen.
When they went inside, the work was already being done. Fortunately, there were more people than Dokja thought there would be, so he breathed a small sigh of relief.
He was pulled again by Yoo Sangah and instructed on what to do.
He was first assigned to peel and cut vegetables, and then to wash dishes and parts of the kitchen.
And so passed the rest of the day for Dokj.
After twenty-three o'clock, Yoo Sangah announced the end of work and everyone dispersed to their rooms.
The night was warm, a little sultry, but a light breeze blew and washed the sweat off Dokja's face. His body was wet, his hanbok sticking to him. He grabbed his long hair, pushing it back over his shoulder. He should probably wash up, but tomorrow would be another hard day's work.
He went into his room and undressed. He carefully put his clothes aside to dry from his sweat and changed into a loose white robe. He opened the window to let in air to dry his clothes faster and to clear his mind.
"This day has been hard."
And with that thought, Dokja drifted off to sleep, wrapped in the warm wind and soothed by the song of a chorus of crickets
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The next morning, the man was awakened by a knock on his door.
Still sleepy, not even knowing what time it was, he opened the door and saw Yoo Sangah.
The woman was pale, breathing heavily, and worry, perhaps even fear, was painted all over her face.
- Sangah-ssi, what is going on? - asked a concerned Dokja.
- Dokja-ssi ... the emperor ... - she began to speak, and her voice trembled. - He asks for your presence.
Dokja immediately turned pale and almost fell to the floor.
Damn, was he caught yesterday? So this will be his end? He will be whipped and then hanged for his stupidity.
"Was it said why...?"
The brunette shook her head.
- Dokja-ssi. I'm so worried. What if you got caught yesterday? Are you sure no one was there? - lamented the woman.
The black-haired man furrowed his brow and tried to remember if he was sure he hadn't seen anyone there.
- I didn't see a living soul there. - he answered truthfully.
Yoo Sangah patted her cheeks and sighed heavily.
- Please wash quickly and put on your best clothes. The emperor expects your immediate presence in the main square. - the woman said and left Dokj alone.
The man wasted no moment. He took his one of the more expensive hanbok and immediately headed for the bathhouse to quickly clean his body.
Fortunately, the bathhouse was empty, due to the early hour, so Dokja washed himself and his hair (which was disgustingly streaked with his yesterday's sweat: Dokja shuddered to the point of touching it. He was so tired yesterday that he didn't notice).
After a quick bath, Dokja dried his hair as much as he could and got dressed. His hanbok was not some unusual thing: a purple jacket along with black boots stood out against the white robe underneath and the pants.
He took one last look in the mirror and walked out, presumably setting off to hear his death sentence. Well, at least he will look good on his last day of life.
When he entered the main square, he was greeted by the sight of a group of servants who accompany the Emperor on a daily basis, and of course, Yoo Sangah, who looked like she was about to faint.
And the Emperor.
The man was tall, probably two or three heads taller than Dokja. Rumors did not lie that the emperor was a favorite of the Gods, who endowed him with beauty. He had long, shiny black hair that flowed down his back like a cascade. His face looked as if it was carved in stone, his expression was cold, but his blue eyes shone brightly, the only ones showing any emotion.
Kim Dokja didn't know whether he was frozen or enchanted when he encountered eye contact with the emperor.
His knees suddenly felt soft, his heart beat loudly and went up to his throat. However, he managed to calm down and knelt before the emperor, breaking eye contact with him, burying his face in the ground.
- What is this humble servant rewarded with the presence of this honorable emperor? - Dokja spoke up.
"You are Kim Dokja, aren't you?"
The cold and deep voice spoke, and Dokja trembled and shrank even more, clenching his hands into fists.
"Yes, my lord."
The taller man approached him until Dokja could see his feet next to his face.
"Raise your head."
The black-haired man swallowed his saliva nervously, but raised his head anyway, looking into those mesmerizing and oh-so-divine eyes.
- As of today, you work as a gardener in this emperor's garden. - stated the man. - Your quarters will be moved to the main palace. We will talk about the rest of the things at today's meeting.
What? Did he hear correctly? Not only will his life not be lost, but he also gets a change of position and a place to live? Oh, maybe he has actually overworked himself and is now hallucinating?
But no, those wild blue eyes were too real to be a dream or a hallucination.
- Oh, this subordinate is a hundred times grateful for your graciousness. - replied Dokja, his voice trembling slightly when he said this.
- In that case, Kim Dokja, this emperor expects your presence this afternoon in his garden. - said the emperor. - This is the end of our conversation. All of you go back to your work.
And with those words, the man left, followed by a group of his servants, leaving Kim Dokja kneeling and stunned, staring at the emperor's back.
His trance was interrupted by Yoo Sangah, who ran up to him.
- Dokja-ssi! Is everything okay? - she asked worriedly.
- Oh, I do... think so. I'm just surprised. I was expecting to see an immediate execution and death in the main square. - giggled the black-haired man.
The brunette sighed quietly and helped the man up, leading him to their rooms.
- Me too, Dokja-ssi. I really thought you would be punished. Maybe these are really just rumors about a cold emperor who loves his garden too much. - pondered the woman. - Although I don't quite understand why the emperor made the decision to change your job.
- I do too, but does it matter? We should celebrate my little promotion, right? - said the man.
Dokja stepped slightly away from the woman and made a few circles around his own axis, his clothes wrapped around his body, his laughter echoing around the high walls.
"Come on, Sangah-ssi, I'll cook a delicious breakfast for us."
And they both joyfully ran to the kitchen, laughing and talking.