The Art of Villainy (SEVENTEEN)
A Question in the Evening Wind
The morning sun broke through the thin clouds like a golden promise as a grand lacquered carriage, pulled by four white horses, moved steadily along the imperial stone road. Riding in the carriage was Minister Jung Hoseok, seated beside his beloved only son, Jisoo. With them followed a small caravan of loyal servants, carrying embroidered trunks and delicately packed parcels. Inside the carriage, the scent of jasmine lingered, and silken curtains swayed gently with each turn of the road.
The capital city of Hanseong grew clearer in the distance—a majestic sprawl of curved tiled roofs, towering city gates, and bustling roads paved in stone. Plum and cherry trees lined the entranceways, their blossoms falling like soft snow onto the heads of travelers. The streets buzzed with life as citizens prepared for the annual Spring Moon Festival. Crimson banners hung between wooden beams, vendors sold candied fruits and silk fans, and laughter echoed from every tea house and lantern shop.
Inside the carriage, Hoseok leaned toward Jisoo, eyes fond and voice rich with affection
minister Jung Hoseok
Ah, you'll love it here, my flower. The Spring Moon Festival is a marvel. Lanterns of every color. Dancers in the street. And the pastries—oh, the pastries!
minister Jung Hoseok
(Grinned, placing a sweet in Jisoo's palm) These are made only during the festival. You must try it.
Joshua, dressed in soft rose robes and a pale jade belt
Jung Jisoo/Joshua
(Appreciative smile) Thank you, Father.
minister Jung Hoseok
(Beamed) You look so beautiful today. Like your mother did when she came to court for the first time. I only wish she were here to see you
Jung Jisoo/Joshua
(Looked down, touched) I only hope I make you proud.
minister Jung Hoseok
You already do
minister Jung Hoseok
Now remember, General Choi is an old friend of mine. He and his family will take good care of you while I handle affairs at court.
The carriage gradually came to a halt in front of a large estate, nestled within one of the city’s central noble districts. The house was stately but warm, with climbing ivy curling around columns and golden lanterns hanging at the entrance. Waiting at the steps were two figures: a tall alpha in dark robes with sharp eyes, and a beautiful omega dressed in soft lavender silks.
As soon as the carriage door opened, Lord Hoseok stepped out and turned to offer his hand to Joshua
minister Jung Hoseok
Come, sweetheart
Jung Jisoo/Joshua
(Accepted the hand and stepped down gracefully, bowing in traditional noble fashion)
Greetings, General Choi and Madam Omega choi. I’m honored to be in your home.
General Choi Namjoon
(Raised an impressed brow) Such poise for someone so young.
Choi seokjin
(Beamed) And so polite too. Please, come in. The tea is waiting.
minister Jung Hoseok
Ah, Namjoon
minister Jung Hoseok
(Laughed as the two alphas clasped arms in greeting) Your house hasn’t changed. Still smells like cherrywood and Seokjin’s baking.
General Choi Namjoon
Some things are too good to change
As the men stepped aside to talk, Seokjin gently guided Jisoo through the spacious halls and into a side wing of the house.
Choi seokjin
(Smiled) I thought I’d take you to meet someone special
Jung Jisoo/Joshua
Who? (curious)
Choi seokjin
My mother-in-law. Namjoon’s grandmother.
Jung Jisoo/Joshua
(Laughed softly) Then I hope I don’t disappoint.
They entered a sunlit sitting room where an elderly woman with silver hair and wise eyes sat with embroidery in her lap. She looked up, surprised as Joshua bowed deeply.
Jung Jisoo/Joshua
Lady Choi, it’s an honor to meet you.
Choi seokjin
(Respectfully) There’s someone I’d like you to meet.
At the sound of the voice, she looked up—her expression calm, composed, and discerning. But when Jisoo stepped forward and bowed with perfect etiquette, she paused, her eyes narrowing with interest.
Jung Jisoo/Joshua
Elder Lady Choi
Jung Jisoo/Joshua
(Gracefully, voice light and sweet) It’s an honor to meet you. I am Jisoo, son of Lord Jung Hoseok.
At that, a flicker of recognition crossed her face, and a rare smile tugged at her lips.
Grandma Choi
(Murmured, setting aside her needle) So this is the boy
Choi seokjin
(Chuckled softly) The very one.
Lady Choi studied Jisoo with quiet intensity, then gestured to the cushion beside her.
Grandma Choi
Come. Sit with me.
Choi seokjin
go (whispered softly)
Jisoo did as he was told, his movements fluid and gentle.
Grandma Choi
Can you embroider?
Jung Jisoo/Joshua
I’ve been practicing
Grandma Choi
(Modestly) Would you like to assist me ?
At her nod, Jisoo unfolded a square of silk from his pouch. The fabric was a soft ivory, and delicate cherry blossoms, hand-stitched with pink and white threads, bloomed across it.
The room fell silent for a moment.
Grandma Choi
(Leaned in, inspecting it) Delicate, but steady. You have a good hand.
Jung Jisoo/Joshua
Father said My mother was gifted at it
Jung Jisoo/Joshua
After she passed, I continued on my own. It brings me peace.
Grandma Choi
She must have been beautiful
Choi seokjin
And you can see her in him
They fell into a peaceful silence, watching Jisoo carefully guide the thread along a plum blossom petal on Lady Choi’s embroidery hoop. Time passed gently.
Later, when Jisoo stepped out to wash his hands before tea, Grandmother Choi glanced toward Seokjin with a knowing look.
Grandma Choi
(Quietly) That is Hoseok’s child.
Choi seokjin
(Tilted his head) You seem… pleased.
Grandma Choi
Much more than I expected to be
Choi seokjin
They say he’s arrogant. High and mighty. But I see a gentle heart, a fragile soul and he respects elders
Grandma Choi
(smiled fondly) Hoseok has raised him with love and dignity—and it shows.
Just then, Jisoo’s soft footsteps returned from the corridor, his eyes bright from washing and his sleeves carefully rolled back down.
Lady Choi looked at him again, then returned to her embroidery.
But this time, when she passed him the thread, it wasn’t just instruction—it was trust.
As Jisoo walked back through the corridors, he made his way toward the rear wing of the estate. The warm conversations with Seokjin and Lady Choi still lingered gently in his mind, but he needed a moment to himself—to breathe, to gather his thoughts.
The evening light had begun to settle over the mansion, casting soft gold and amber hues across the wooden floors. Shadows stretched long through the halls as the sun began its slow descent behind the distant hills.
Jisoo quietly slipped through a side door and stepped into the private back courtyard.
Jisoo sat beneath the largest tree, his hanbok soft and pale against the deepening twilight. The falling petals clung to his sleeves, to his hair, as if nature itself couldn’t help but adorn him. In the fading light, his features looked almost unreal—gentle, distant, like a spirit caught between worlds.
He closed his eyes, breathing in the evening stillness, the quiet lull of wind through branches.
“He asked, ‘Who are you?’ Strange—I’ve been wondering the same."
Author
what do you think who is this Unknown 🤔
Comments
*@workofgod*
maybe suengcheol?
update soon 💕
2025-05-13
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