San got a good night's sleep after Seonghwa's medicines had weighed his limbs and drawn him into colourful dreams. When he awoke in his chambers, his pain had subsided and the imoogi was motivated to start his first day, not dictated by the required court procedures. Today, he could explore, so he hoped Seonghwa would leave him an option to go outside since San missed the peace of nature surrounding him.

San rolled from his bed and appreciated the drawings on the paper-lined walls. They showed stories in the artistic swirls of colours and shapes. The tale seemed to be one of a dragon king before San and his adventures after coming down to this world to live with the humans. As San regarded it, he followed the story through all four corners of his bright room. The dragon described coming down from the Five Peaks to mingle with the inhabitants of what was called Baekje back then. The people received him with sacrificial presents; with fruit, livestock and servants for him to make use of. The king the dragon got married to was old and stern. He died two years later in the war, and the king's young son overtook the throne with his insufficient experience. As he grew up, he got more tyrannical and forced the mighty dragon king into submission.

Upon angering the dragon king, floods drowned most of the fields' harvest and a long and harsh winter gnawed at the people's lives. Only after the king had apologised while kneeling in front of the dragon in its true form, the rain ceased. After that, harmony returned to the lands for as long as the dragon so wished.

The story ended in the far left corner behind the door. San stared at the painting of the dragon in its true form. It lay stretched out in the inner courtyard and its tail curled around its shining red body. This dragon had its long and coiling beard hair already, and its four-clawed hands cradled its dragon bead. Fascinated by the shining ball of white light, San lost himself in his dreams about the day he would be a veritable dragon, too. He would also have a glimmering bead that reflected light, like the pearls he adored so much. He would have a thumb and be able to hold things, and his dragon form would become bigger and mature.

San would have to stay during Hongjoong's reign and probably that of his children. The first one hundred years spent here were his training as patron dragon and would raise his skill in his understanding of humans. Afterwards, he would return to the five peaks and search for a mate to hope for the rare lucky chance of offspring.

Footsteps in front of the door ripped San from his thoughts.

"Your majesty? It is time to rise. Soon, the royal shaman will arrive to pick you up." The voice speaking was deep and smooth, but none San had heard before.

"Then please send the maids over to help me change," San called back. The silhouette of the man disappeared. Moments later, San asked the maids to come in as they cleaned up his room, provided him with clothes, tied up his hair, and opened the windows.

San found himself in the living area of his residence. The room was decorated with expensive art and pottery, but it didn't feel personal. While everything was suited to a dragon ruler inhabiting the chambers, San wasn't drawn to anything. As he sat down in the corner with the tea prepared for him and Seonghwa, an unfamiliar man approached him. His face was collected as he bowed deeply in front of San.

"Dragon king. It's an honour to meet you. My name is Kang Yeosang; I am the housekeeper of your residence. I act as your speaking method in case you have any requests about your accommodations, the meals prepared for you, or any other matter within these walls." He had the same deep voice as the person from earlier. It didn't match his placid exterior.

San grinned at him and brushed his hair back over his shoulder.

"I am delighted to make your acquaintance. Shall I refer to you by your last name, or may I call you Yeosang?"

Yeosang bowed deeper, honoured by San's benevolence when San merely wanted to be polite.

"My king, you have full might to call me whatever you deem fit."

Smile softening, San nodded at him to rise.

"Then let's call each other by our first names. I want to have a good relationship with you."

"Thank you, King San," Yeosang uttered praises under his breath as he bowed again and backed away when the main doors opened to make room for Seonghwa. As the shaman strode in, San's eyes got stuck on the dangling noraegi. Its golden ornament swayed from his waist hypnotically.

As he sat to share tea with San, San dragged his eyes up to the man's face. His usual mellow smile crooked his plush lips.

"Good morning. Did you rest well?"

San nodded as he sipped his steaming tea.

"Your medicines easily made me sleep; I feel fantastic."

Seonghwa's smile broadened.

"I am relieved to hear that. Do you feel in enough health to explore the gardens with me today? I want to introduce you to the showplace of the upcoming ritual, so we may prepare accordingly."

Elation flooded San's stomach. He looked forward to the ritual, even if he feared the attention and messing up. Hongjoong seemed kind enough not to mind, but his court might.

"I will gladly accompany you," San beamed. Seonghwa hurried to finish his tea so they could go soon.

On their walk outside, Seonghwa crossed his hands behind his back in a fashion of casual strolling. San did the same and wrapped his claws around each other clumsily. The sand crunched under his shoes.

"To the west, behind the main palace, we will find the main gardens. The king often uses them for relaxation and healing. If you wish, you may indulge in hobbies like calligraphy or poetry out here. The walks you take around the gardens will refresh your senses." Seonghwa led them over a canopied stone path. The wooden pillars left and right held up the painted roof, dotted with cherry blossoms.

They entered the gardens effortlessly since a straight path led from San's residence past Hongjoong's main building and to a paradise of nature that greened hesitantly with spring. Massive rocks formed intricate formations as the base of all order in the garden. The stones matched those found on the hill rising behind the palace, with its lush forests untouched by man. The same woodland seemed to creep over the palace walls to decorate the gardens with its rich needle trees and gnarly branches. Instead of manual adjustments, nature blended with its natural flow. San spotted persimmon trees and bamboo that wove ceaselessly to form walking passages meant for isolation from the busy daily life. Little corners offered places to sit on benches and relax, while others featured stone tables surrounded by the cusps of bright flowers that would hang sweetly over the work nurtured by nature.

San appreciated the evergreens that gave the garden charm at all times of the year. He was sure with the addition of flowers; it was easy to get lost here and forget all royal duties.

The gardens weren't massive, but they blended into the forest so well, they seemed to stretch forever. San walked the mysterious paths shrouded by bushes and trees behind Seonghwa's head of pink hair, already losing himself in the tranquillity nature offered.

"You will be delighted to hear the palace has its own pond. You may find a connection to your home there."

Excited, San craned his neck to spy the pond in question. He saw some birds milling around as they picked apart seeds to find food. They hummed their melodies while seated on the peonies that framed the pathway between rocks leading to the pond.

Lotus plants cultivated the square shape of the pond. A single bridge led over to the round island and the pavilion in its midst. Small bushes surrounded the wooden structure painted with Buddhist symbols. The mighty roof was sloped to ward off evil and featured wooden ornaments carved into its linings. Since the skies were grey, the water surface shining through the greens reflected only dull clouds. Yet, the beauty of the gardens was undeniable.

As San and Seonghwa walked the colourfully painted bridge and entered the sacred seclusion of the pavilion, San basked in the atmosphere of his home. The birds conveyed their happiness to see him with elated chirps, and he felt the fishes in the pond interested to meet him.

"The sacred procession will lead you from the temple until here. Once the ritual ends and you transform into your dragon form, you will enter your element, the water, and we will greet you there. Hongjoong will be the only one on this side of the bridge and he will receive your blessing. This is where you will find your dragon bead, as well." Awe laced Seonghwa's voice. He, too, had been brought up by scholars who handed down the tradition for five hundred years. No human alive had ever seen a ritual like this before, and they thrummed with the same anticipation as San.

Seonghwa showed San around the comfortable pavilion and its serene corners. Since the days were still cold, nobody came out here for work yet. Uncaring about the temperatures, San much rather would move in here into this tiny space and away from everyone but to the water.

Since the pond was built by humans, it didn't feature the same untouched peace as San's home did, even if this country's people always tried hard for that. Yet, it was the closest to home San could be, and already the healing properties of the steady serenity filled his mind.

From here, the view of the palace was spectacular, and the skies seemed to melt with the flat buildings and their moderate height that never obtruded. San couldn't see down the hill and into the city, but the hills in the distance that called him to his home filled him with yearning.

Seonghwa quietly stood by his side and allowed San to bloom with the might of his emotions. His homesickness coupled with the overwhelming sense of belonging and peace he hadn't found in Hanyang so far. The secretive smile curling around the shaman's lips told San that Seonghwa enjoyed seeing him taken by his transcendence.

Once the dragon had calmed and the craving gaze in his eyes had subsided, Seonghwa shifted where they stood in the opening to the pavilion. Once San had matured, he would return to his home. It was the only way granted, for he had to make a deal with the humans t become a worthy dragon. Before they didn't pay respect to each other, San would be trapped here forever. Already, he wished for the day of the ritual to come soon so that he could gaze upon the palace from his home.

"What do you think? Will you be able to do it?" Seonghwa asked. His tone was subdued as not to disrupt the surrounding nature, and he had crossed his arms in front of his jade garments.

San nodded, still enchanted.

"I will. These gardens will help me sort my mind. We can start the preparations whenever you wish."

Seonghwa's smile fit the magic woven by their surroundings.

"In a couple of moons, on the day of Hangawi, we will celebrate our last harvest under the blessing of the prior dragon king and hope for your grace, so it may be yet another success next year. As the autumn equinox approaches, you may finish your last celebrations. On the eighth full moon of the year, we will celebrate for three days and three nights for your grace."

San gulped at the grandeur of his ceremony. The entire country would cheer for him and grant him their praise. While he would mature, he also had to repay the respect they had for him.

"I will teach you everything you need to know about our culture and the tradition you need to fulfil. Fret not about lacking abilities, for I will guide your path."

His terror bled out of him as San regarded Seonghwa's beauty. Ever so glorious in the embrace of nature, the shaman reached to caress San's back. His fingers skimmed over his ridge carefully so they wouldn't hurt themselves. A pleased shudder ran down San's spine.

"Thank you," San breathed, alleviated. Seonghwa pointed his chin at the palace building.

"It's my biggest honour to be the one able to guide a dragon to his ritual. Shall we meet the king now? I am sure you missed him."

San did. He was curious about the man he was married to, and he wished they could spend more time together.

When he agreed, Seonghwa led them back over the bridge and to the stifling walls that had lost some menace during their time outside.