Imagine 43 : Artificial Love

1721 ; Hwanghan Village, Hwanghae Province, Korea

—

Ae Ri

"Hwanghan, Hwanghae!" my father, Hae-il said and stood. As the leader of our village cheered with a loud, booming voice, he raised the bowl of rice wine for a toast.

"Hwanghan, Hwanghae!" the rest of the village and I chorused happily, our hands holding up bowls of rice wine in the cold autumn air.

We proceed to drink, and with a clap of appa's large hands, the musicians spared no time and the beats of the hourglass janggu drums, the chirps of the daegeum flutes, and strings of notes from the gayageum zithers filled the night sky with a cheerful tune, despite it being dark and windy. 

As the crackle of the large bonfire keeps me warm, I couldn't help but chuckle when father took mother's hand and began to dance with the rest of the adults.

Contently I watched all the flickering shadows and elaborate dance moves. Even my good friend Mi Jung had gotten up to dance with the man she liked, the popular, masculine, and good looking Minki Kiwoo, heartthrob of Hwanghan Village.

I caught her eye and smiled when she looked over at times; Mi Jung was smiling so much as if her lips were permanently that way. And she should. I heard that she was going to confess tonight, during Hwanghan's celebration of the Gods.

I decided to get up and walk around and pay a tribute to some of the temples not far from our celebration. I was thankful for the bright lanterns lightning my way towards the temple, as well as the kind elders who paid me company as I arrived.

"Aigoo-ya, Ae Ri-ya!" the kind grandmother from my neighborhood said as I bowed in greeting.

"Annyeonghashimnikka halmoni." I greeted her as the halmoni and her two friends smiled.

"Why aren't you over at the celebration dancing?" she asked as I replied, "Ah, I wanted to pay respect to the gods and get some fresh air."

"It's loud there, isn't it?" halmoni said as I nodded and smiled in agreement.

"Our old ears can't stand the loud music!" one of halmoni's friends laughed.

"But dancing is so much fun! Should we drop by before returning home?" halmoni's second friend asked as the elders agreed and bid me a warm good bye.

I made my way to four temples, starting with the Sun God's temple and prayed for the warmth of the sun these coming cold months, for him to bless us with food to eat from the energy of the sun.

Then, the Water God to pray for clean and abundant water for our villages' river and lakes.

I prayed at the temple of the Earth God to ask for good soil and make sure that the earth will help us as we grow crops and hunt for animals.

And lastly, I made my way to the last temple: the temple of the Moon Goddess.

Even though she was the only goddess and is seen as the weaker out of the three major gods, I treasure the Moon Goddess the most. By giving us a bright light in the ink-spilled night, she guides her way to the helpless and illuminates the beauty of the sparkling dots my father deemed byul, or star.

She is also praised for helping my mother when she gave birth to me at night, the beams of the bright white light shining on my mother's stomach was said to be mesmerizing as I finally came out, loudly bashing and crying. But as my father rose me up to the light of the moon, I had calmed down and fell asleep.

And because of the Moon Goddess, I had been named after her, the bright Goddess Mae Ri of the Moon.

"May I be blessed by you, Goddess Mae Ri for the rest of my life as you have brought me into this world." I murmured, my palms together and in front of my face as I closed my eyes.

I knelt down and placed the Moonflower (morning glory) from my hair and onto the ground, for it is said that the Moon Goddess would protect me from head to toe. There were already many Moonflowers on the floor, some even beginning to fully bloom.

Walking back to the celebration, another loud dance  song was being played, and mother and father were sitting down, now tired from the dancing they did.

"Did mother and father have fun?" I asked, sitting down as they turned to me.

"I-I'm sure the gods would appreciate our dances to honor them— I'm tired to the bone!" father joked as my parents both panted.

"I'll be with my mother dear." Mother said before heading towards grandmother's table.

"A great celebration, isn't it?" father asked a while later as I replied, "Yes father."

"Did you go and pray just now? I was looking for you and couldn't find you."

"Yes father. Did you need me for something?" I asked as he turned to me, a seriousness filling his face.

"How about we go somewhere more... quiet? I need to speak to you about an urgent matter."

I nodded and followed father towards a more quiet place: the moonflower gazebo that he had built when I was born.

We sat down, and immediately, father spoke.

"Your mother and I... we have thought about getting you married."

"Married? But father, I'm not–" I spoke, thinking the news was absurd.

"Someone has asked for your hand. And it could be better for you Ae Ri-ya. Your mother and I are concerned about my health and that I may pass earlier than expected."

"Appa, that's nonsense! Who said you'd pass so easily? You're the strongest man I know!"

Father sighed and muttered, "I'm worried about you as well. You're growing into a beautiful young woman, Ae Ri. You're no longer the young child you were years ago."

"I know...but do I really have to get married father?" I asked as he gave me a look.

Appa clears his throat and responds with, "Your husband to be has already asked me for your hand, and we have told him that you would respond yourself."

"How much longer to I have?" I asked as the crickets chirped. "To give him my answer?"

"You're supposed to give him your answer tonight after the celebration." father spoke as my eyes widened.

"Then why did you decide to tell me just now? Father, you should've told me earlier!"

"Be quiet!" father's loud voice shook the air as my heart beated faster. "I'm doing this for your own good, Ae Ri. I'm getting old... I'm getting sick. I-I may even be getting a similar sickness as your uncle Han-il."

"Han-il samcheon? You mean that blood illness? Appa, why didn't you tell me that it was this serious?!"

"I was scared that if I told you, then you wouldn't have agreed to the marriage. Please Ae Ri-ya. I may not live much longer as I keep coughing up my own blood. I need a strong man like me to fill in my place as village chief."

"I-I'll—"

"Thank you Ae Ri-ya." Father said and walked away, leaving me dumbfounded.

"I'll see." I finished speaking as father was completely out of earshot.

Feeling devastated, I headed towards the celebration and saw Mi Jung beckoned me to come over.

"Ae Ri-ya! I heard that you're getting betrothed tonight!" my best friend said giddily as I furrowed my brows.

"Mi Jung, how did you know that?" I asked.

"Well, everyone in the village already knew and the doctors that checked up on your father knew and soon we all found out about the blood illness similar to your uncles'."

"Jinja? Was I the only one who didn't know?"

"I think so... we didn't want to tell you. Anyways, I'll meet you at the gazebo after I confess to Minki Kiwoo at the blossoms!"

—

I walked back home, trying to calm myself before returning to the celebration to meet the one I'm supposed to marry.

How was I going to love someone I don't know and don't love? Was my parent's marriage like that too? An unhappy love?

But no. Mother and father love each other, I know that for sure. They're happy. Then why can't I be?

As I sat on my bed and looked out the window to see the bright full moon, the moon's shadows had caught my attention as they fell onto my little prayer table.

I had made a small prayer table beside my bed for the Moon Goddess so that she could protect me at night and keep evil and spirits away.

I couldn't believe my eyes as the many Moonflowers that I had laid daily for the Goddess had started turning black.

I quickly grabbed my pillow for protection and fell back and sat up again. What was happening?

Rubbing my eyes and hoping that I wasn't delusional, I still kept seeing the delicate white flowers turn black slowly at once.

"Please protect me, please protect me, please protect me, Moon Goddess Mae Ri!" I whisper-chanted loudly into my pillow as fear engulfed me.

As nothing happened, I peeked out of my pillow and saw the moonlight falling into my prayer table.

In the Moonflower's place was a black note with white letters.

—

As the celebration came to an end and most of the villagers went back home, I headed towards the moonflower gazebo just like father asked me to.

I sat down and waited for a while before footsteps were heard and a familiar handsome face was illuminated from the moon.

"Ae Ri..." he called me, smiling softly.

"K-Kiwoo-ya..." I stuttered and stood, surprised that he was here. "What are you doing here? Did Mi Jung talk to you yet?"

No answer.

"Did you say yes?" I asked.

"I... I turned Mi Jung down." Minki Kiwoo said as my eyes widened.

"What? How could you? Did you know that she likes you so much?" he nodded. "Then why would you turn her down? Where is she?"

"I-I don't know. She ran away when I gave my answer. Listen, Ae Ri-ya—"

"I'm going to look for Mi Jung." I stated, starting a fast jog.

"Ae Ri-ya." Minki Kiwoo grabbed my hand.

"What?" I asked harshly, my eyes throwing daggers at the jerk.

"I'm the one who wants to marry you." he spoke softly as I looked at his red face.

"B-But what about Mi Jung?" I asked, my voice shaky.

"I like her, but I like you more. I already asked your father for your hand and he agreed. Marry me Ae Ri-ya." Minki Kiwoo said with sincerity.

I pulled my hand away from his and he throws me a look. "I'll give you my answer soon. I'm going to find Mi Jung first. Wait here, alright?" I spoke, running to find my best friend.

How could Minki Kiwoo do this? Bwo? He likes Mi Jung but likes me more?

Bullshit.

He only likes me because I'm the chief's daughter, that's all. So he can get my father's title. All the little boys who tried to catch my attention when I was young are all the same.

"Her father's the chief. You should befriend her, son."

"You could be the chief if you marry his daughter. Go court her!"

"You'll be rich and respected if you just get his daughter to fall in love with you!"

Lies. They're all liars.

Minki Kiwoo's just the same.

Running towards Mi Jung's house, the temples, the celebration spot, our hangout place, I couldn't find my best friend.

Where is she?

I suddenly remembered that Mi Jung said something about blossoms.

The Moonflower blossoms! The flower patch near the forest...

'Please be there Mi Jung-ah.' I thought as I heard sniffling.

"Mi Jung!" I called her as her red eyes greeted me.

"Go away you backstabber!" Mi Jung said loudly. "You knew that he'd like you more!"

"Mi Jung I didn't know anything I swear! My father told me that someone was asking for my hand and I didn't expect it to be Kiwoo! I didn't know anything! And I didn't give him an answer or an answer to fulfill my father's wish." I said as she looked at me with kinder eyes. "And I'm scared Mi Jung-ah. I don't want to marry and I know that Kiwoo is just using me... I'll go back and reject him. I'm not doing this for you, but me. I don't like him and I'm not going to marry him like my father wants me to."

"Really?" Mi Jung asked as I nodded.

"Really."

"But won't your father get mad?" Mi Jung asked, her tears gone now.

"I'm sure he will. But I will find a person to be chief when I'm gone."

"When you're gone? Ae Ri-ah, what are you talking about? You're leaving?"

"I might. But I will be watching the village from time to time. I'm writing a letter as if I ran away, and you're the only one I trust the most. Please don't tell anyone Mi Jung-ah. Jebal." My eyes begged hers and she nods.

"I will. When are you leaving? Where are you going?" Mi Jung asked as I explained everything.

—

"I'm leaving after writing the letter and rejecting Kiwoo. I've been accepted to be one of her children!"

"Really?! The goddess gave you the note?! But... That's why you're leaving?" Mi Jung asked, upset.

"There's another reason as well, but I won't be sure until I see the rumor for myself."

"You mean... Minki Kiwoo?"

I nodded. "It's a reason why I as a best friend is concerned for your liking towards him. Who knows if the rumor is true? I'm also escaping if it does happen."

"I'm sure Minki Kiwoo isn't that type of person... I do hope that you'll come back Ae Ri-ah. I really do. I'll miss you so much but I'll keep your promise!"

"Remember that it's me when you see a black moonflower, alright? And I'll visit if I can... thank you Mi Jung-ah. I'll never forget you." I hugged my best friend tightly for the last time. "I hope you'll be safe and may you live a long life. Take care of my parents for me, alright? Now hurry and go home."

"I will. Go now before time is up." Mi Jung said as I nodded.

Swiftly running home, I wrote my departing letter, made sure I had two important things before I left: the locket necklace my parents gave me for my 18th birthday, and... the letter I received from the goddess Mae Ri herself.

—

'This is it...' I thought, feeling frightened. 'If Minki Kiwoo is the person the rumors say...'

I was still surprised that Kiwoo was waiting for me at the gazebo. But like the rumors say, once midnight hits and you don't answer, you'll be dead anyways. At least that's what one of his maids said and spread the word before she "mysteriously disappeared."

"Ae Ri." Kiwoo said and breathed out. "Finally. Are you here to give me my answer?"

"I'm sorry for making you wait so long."

"Mi Jung is fine, right? I didn't mean to hurt her like that."

"Yes, Mi Jung is fine. And I'm sure you didn't hurt her that much."

"Anyways, what is your answer to my proposal?"

"May I give it to you at the blossoms? It was my dream to be proposed at the moonflower blossoms because I adore them so much." I spoke, hoping that he'd agree.

"B-But the gazebo is perfect already, why not say it here?"

"I want the blossoms Kiwoo. You understand, right? It's so romantic that way." I smiled and watched him turn pink.

"Of course. If that's what the lady wants, she shall have."

I began walking and Kiwoo catches up to me. I smile at him, and hope that he doesn't see through my facade.

According to the rumors, there are many mysteries surrounding Minki Kiwoo.

01. He's had many lovers, but all of them mysteriously disappeared over time.

02. He always asks for a woman's hand at night and expects an answer before midnight.

03. If you don't give him an answer at midnight, you shall be his wife.

04. He will give you the keys to every room but will not let you enter a certain room in his house. If you do, you are killed.

05. If you reject him right away, one of these would soon happen to you: you would be ridden with a horrible disease, he would get extremely angry and try to kill you. The last thing is very weird but it is said that Minki Kiwoo has been living for centuries and that his agelessness comes from drinking the blood of virgin women as he turns into a pale creature with red eyes.

The last one I'm not so sure about but it does sound similar to the myths of the Moon goddesses' "children of the night."

But based on the information one of his maids had said when Kiwoo was on a trip to the city, rumors spread and our village is now skeptical of the handsome man's words.

Maybe that's also a reason why father asked me to take his hand. To solve this mystery.

Kiwoo and I soon arrive at the blossoms, and as he suddenly turns around to gather some Moonflowers, I quickly took the tiny bottle from my hand and drank the tiny amount of red liquid inside.

Heart beating faster, senses feeling stronger, it took my body a moment before this new energy surrounded my body. Is this the power of the goddesses' children?

Hiding the bottle in my hand as he stood up, Minki Kiwoo gave me a soft smile and held the bundle of moonflowers in one hand.

"I, Minki Kiwoo, would like to ask the beautiful Ae Ri for her hand in marriage." He states and looks into my eyes.

I blink and muster the most flattered face I could, and grab the bundle of flowers.

"Does the lady agree?" He asks as I realize that it indeed was almost midnight as a soft bell chimed in the distance, signaling how many hours has passed.

If it was midnight now, I've got to go!

"I.... do." I say as Kiwoo's facial expression turns soft. "Not."

In a flash, I was greeted with bright red eyes as I threw the flowers in his face and began to run for my life.

With the new energy from the red liquid, I realized that I could run at least ten times faster than I used to and that I was equally pissing Kiwoo off that he couldn't catch and kill me.

"Come back here Ae Ri!" Kiwoo roared in a sing-song tune, chasing me from behind.

Heading into the forest, I hoped that I could find where the Goddess Mae Ri wanted me to be in order to escape.

I quickly recited the spell she gave me as I ran, and wished to reach the secret moonflower tree as I ended.

Eyes darting around for the white petals and feet running as fast as they could, I could feel my new powers slowly draining.

I had found the tree just as I entered the deep forest, but at the same time, Minki Kiwoo mustered enough speed and strength to catch up.

Scratching my arm, I yelled out in pain but continued to recite the spell as Kiwoo snarled at me with an abnormal face. My wound healed immediately from my new power, and Kiwoo looked at me in shock.

So the rumors were true after all.

"Well, I've got you now my dear. I'm giving you one more chance—"

I had saw the portal that the goddess mentioned opening up behind Kiwoo and made a run for it.

With my powers dwindling, I pushed myself to run faster before I would get caught. However, KiWoo's claws scratched my right arm and leg, and I finally fell through the portal, not knowing that I became unconscious.

❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁ ❀ ❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁

To: Ae Ri
My loyal follower, I am aware of your
situation and would like repay you back for your loyalty for these many years. I'll give you the chance to become a child of the moon. Find the secret moon tree and recite the spell below to open the portal. I've given you a vial to use for your escape. Good luck my dear.

~ Mae Ri ❀

p.s. : use the vial wisely in a time of danger.

❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁ ❀ ❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁❁

—

a/n: happy halloween guise OUO

oh and inspo for kiwoo's four letter name from:
dok go ma tae from an iu drama and i thought that a four letter name was interesting so yee.

i have like three more chapters coming up and i've been starting this since liek... septemberish? i don't remember but this is all i've been writing for the past few months ;-;

don't eat too much candy and have fun trick or treating while i can't