Chereads / Unexpected road to nostalgia / Chapter 6 - Chapter V: The den of the Beast

Chapter 6 - Chapter V: The den of the Beast

The training to understand the technique of the tool went unexpectedly well given it was the first time his hands touched such fragile and soft thread, though somehow it felt like he had been doing this for years and years.

It wasn't long until he had finished the ordered robe, it was beautiful, yet simple. The detailing wasn't too complicated thankfully which made him able to work just a little bit faster.

Iseul's mentor was impressed by the work he had created, calling it better than his last and that he was back to his usual working flow; Producing one art piece after another with each new one being better than the old. Iseul was happy to hear the new robe has reached the expectation, it meant he was able to get out of this prince's order sooner than expected, or so he thought.

Iseul looked around for a box and a deliveryman to bring the robe to the prince but didn't seem to notice his Mentor getting up from his own instrument to guide him towards their destination.

They were supposed to bring it themselves..? He had to face him again? And in his own chambers as well... This couldn't be any worse of fate. What if the prince wouldn't like the robes, would he still unsheathe his hwando and cut him regardless...

He felt goosebumps raising on his arms before looking at his mentor "I don't want to go... Master Kim I really don't... The prince scares me..." but Tae shook his head and let out a sigh "I'm aware, dear," he said before lightly squeezing Iseul's shoulders "But you have to, it's your work after all."

He was right, one who created the art must deliver it themselves, especially to a man of status who deserves the utmost of respect after being disrespected so by yours truly.

That was it, this was the moment he had to safely bring the robes to the prince he feared. There he was, shuffling over the street, hands and eyes glued onto the robe to make sure no speck of dirt lands on it, that would be the worst case scenario... For the robe the prince awaited so long for to be ruined by just a tiny little splash.

Luckily, the streets were near empty due to the sky turning dark and just the fiery lights rippling in the wet muddy floor, it had started to become late, late enough for Iseul to feel sleepy after working on this robe all day after just overcoming pure shock.

Arriving at the prince's grounds made his heart jump out of his chest, especially when a guard welcomed him at the gate "You must be Iseul Yoon, correct?" the guard asked to which Iseul nodded nervously, a small droplet of sweat running from his forehead down to his soft jawline.

"Yes-" The guard spoke while already making his way to a large hanok house, it was gorgeous, the flickering lights from inside shining through the paper "The lord is waiting inside for you, take off your shoes before entering.

They're filthy," "Ye... Yes sir" Iseul replied after hurrying after the guard who took large steps, making him fall behind easily. There Iseul was... Right in front of the beast's den... The door slightly open as a long strip of flight fell from the opening, up on his silhouette to light up his doll like shaped eyes.

He cleared his throat "My lord..." he mumbled "My lord your Gonryon-" Suddenly a large hand charged towards him, grabbing onto the collar of his robes, pulling him inside.

Iseul trembled as his eyes instinctively closed tightly, wrinkles forming all around before he could feel tears building up in his eyes "I'm- I am... So sorry!" He began to apologize before a threatening silence filled between whoever just grabbed a hold of him.

"Quit your whining," a stern low voice complained with a soft growl hidden beneath it, making Iseul's eyes open wide as they were met with the prince's.

The prince let go off of him, letting Iseul drop onto the paper floor, still holding onto the robe for dear life, leaning his chest on it for a softer landing "up on your feet," the prince demanded. Iseul struggled up onto his feet and looked down at the robes before holding it out to the prince who scanned over the boy's arms poking out of his arms "Such libertine peasant showing your body like that to your lord, what are you, a prostitute?" "What?!" Iseul snapped out in shock, they were just his arms?

Oh right... Different era. He quickly put the robes onto a low risen dark wooden table and pulled his sleeves down to cover just about halfway over his palms.

He felt offended, but he knew he couldn't say anything about it, something he really had to get used to... Yes in the modern age he was a rather quiet person, but when it came to insults and unjust, he knew when to speak up for himself and others, but here he couldn't do that or he'd possibly be beheaded with no one to fight for him.

Iseul bowed deeply for the lord before quickly heading back to the door he came from, but then "Did I say you could leave?" oh no... What does he want? "I haven't even inspected if I liked your craft, weaver," right, he's stressing too much, of course the man had to inspect whether he truly liked the gonryongpo or not.

"Well, what are you waiting on? Put it on me," the prince spoke, making Iseul let out a yelp.

Was he a servant and personal dresser of this damned prince now too? He trembled on the paper ground, slowly stepping closed to the well built prince.

He hesitated and slowly helped the man out of his already worn gonryongpo; He was too slow, starting to get on Jun-Suk Jang's nerves. The prince groaned "You good for nothing," the man hissed as he ripped off his own robe, then stood there waiting for Iseul to help him into the new one.

Iseul had no idea how to put such robes on... Especially on someone else whose shoulders he barely reached with his forehead, he had to say something "My lord... I-" Iseul began, clearing his throat "I have not the slightest idea how to help you dress in these robes..." making the prince glare at him.

Such an annoying yet intriguing peasant.