Lee Mansion

The Lee mansion was bustling with people.

The maids were rushing in and out of the courtyards carrying huge plates filled with delicious food.

A wide array of meat, vegetables and soup dishes were taken into the main hall from the kitchen along with side dishes, sauces and desserts.

There were some dishes smoking with the steamed meat, two consequent maids passed carrying gallibi plates one filled with grilled short ribs and the other with grilled scallops.

The fermented scent of soy sauce lingered there even after they moved several paces ahead.

Then there were trays of bulgogi, roasted meat and mountains of meat pancakes. 

The spicy aroma was so overpowering you could smell it outside at the street.

The children on the street were eyeing the trays laden with sweets. There were rice cakes of all sorts of colors and flavors.

The greedy children were accompanied by teens and adults who were gathered outside the Lee mansion to watch the festivities of the marriage ceremony of the Young Lord – Lee Sung Hu.

Inside the mansion, Madam Lee was walking with a tense expression on her face.

She was wearing a heavily embroidered Hanbok. A jeweled pin was clasped in her bun at the back of her head.

"Madam... please have some tea." Her stewardess spoke as a young maid brought a teacup towards her.

"I cannot Sook He... I am about to die with frustration here."

Sook He came a few steps closer; she bent her head and in an obedient manner spoke again,
"Madam, Young Lord will arrive shortly. You must not agitate yourself this much. Besides the bridal party will not reach here till next sun rise."

Perhaps it was the assurance in the voice of her old confidante, or she had a little trust in his son's filiality, these words calmed Madam Lee to some extent, and she sat down on the cushion to sip the warm tea.

The Lee family's young master was about to be married to a lady from the Honam Province.

She was from a very influential family and was perfectly fit for the standard and prestige of Lee household.

Madam Lee had met her once five years ago and was impressed by her delicate features and obedient nature.

When Marquis Lee her husband spoke to her about the possible betrothal this year, early in Summer, she eagerly agreed to make her daughter in law, her Sung Hu's bride.

But the problem was Lee Sung Hu himself, he was gone on a mission for the past thirty days and even though he originally agreed to return ten days ago but he was still not to be seen anywhere.

She cannot understand why a son from her family thought it was too easy being a Magistrate and joined the elite force of the palace.

Only a few handful people knew about his position and they tried to cover up for him whenever necessary.

But, this... this cannot be covered up! No one else can take place of the groom if he didn't arrive on time.

Thinking about all of this made her frown once again.

Some time later, when the night was still young, a young man sat on a table in a crowded inn.

He was wearing a navy-blue robe which appeared to be a bit bigger on his thin body.

His eyes were red as if he was drunk or was crying for too long.

The inn lady placed the bowl of naengmyeon in front of him and left.

The man was picking at his food when his ears caught a name from the conversation drifting from the table to his left.

"Ai... I tell you, Lee family's young lord got really lucky.." a bearded man was saying, his speech was slurred a bit under the influence of alcohol.

"You... Eeck...are right but there is so much work these days," another chipped in.

"I may be glad for a helper... seriously," the third spoke waving his rice wine jug.

"No joke! If someone fall from the sky today and tell me he will be runner in the mansion I will take his responsibility in a blink..." the first man spoke again.

The man listened to every word carefully while eating some of his food.

He was looking for an opportunity and looks like his fate was set.

He found these drunkards who may become his key to the secluded Lee mansion.

Too good he will be meeting this young lord soon... then he will decide if he got lucky or unlucky.

Thinking about the Young Lord made his face contorted in a painful expression, he swallowed the bitter taste rising into her mouth and got ready to follow the drunk servants who were going back to the mansion.

A few paces before the mansion he threw a stone on one of them.

Since they were so drunk, he knew one of them will naturally trip and that's exactly what followed.

He quickly rushed to them.
"My misters... are you alright?"

"Oi..my ankle... is it broken," the bearded man from earlier shouted in pain.

"Aigo! Mister let me help you.." he quickly helped the injured man.

The other two servants couldn't thank him enough. They were not in the condition to help with their drunk state.

"Where is your home young lad?" asked the third man who was asking for a helper earlier.

"I..uh.. don't have one at the moment. I arrived today from Gangwon and could not find work all day." His voice was a little embarrassed.

"Oh...so you are in luck lad," announced the injured man on his back.

He half carried; half dragged the injured servant while following the other two.

After a short while, they reached at the back gate of the mansion.

The guard stopped them when he saw a new face among them but the injured man who now seemed partially sober spoke quickly.

"He is my nephew, Dol Mog. I called him to work as a helper."

"Oh, so this is your nephew Head Chef Nam," the guard was somewhat respectful towards Head Chef.

He didn't forget the way he was saved by Head Chef when he was a freshly recruited guard and somehow got the false charge of stealing food from kitchens.

He let the new man, now called Dol Mog in.

Dol Mog quietly followed them into the quarters and thank them for their help.

It was much later that night when Dol Mog was lying on his thin mattress on the floor that his face contorted again.

Tears escaped from his eyes as a half whisper tore from his pink lips "Oraboni...."