Chapter Text
The house, though uncharacteristically quiet, is still as neat and well-maintained as ever. Usually the chattering and laughter of women of the house are everywhere to be heard. It's a sort of sound that Jeonghan extremely enjoys, loves being in the warm vicinity of his family.
Lately, though, it hasn't been as warm. Now the house is less sunshine and rainbows, and more cloudy and chilly. Now that their mother -the sun of the household, so to speak- is sick and bedridden, that familiar atmosphere is nowhere to be found.
Jeonghan and his two younger sisters still try their best. They do whatever they can to fill in her empty space, and keep the house as welcoming as possible, especially for their hardworking father to come to after an arduous day of work. And, perhaps, just perhaps, their older brother to return to.
Nevertheless, the times are hard, and none of the members of the family are having a good time. Their mother has been sick for more than a month now, with no signs of recovery in sight. Since then, the whole family has been in shambles. Their carpenter father started to stay in his workshop excessively to take as many orders as possible. The daughters, Youngmi and Nara don't have it easy either, with Youngmi's beloved breaking the engagement after rumors of their financial problems filled the city, and both daughters taking on laborious tasks to make up for the lack of money for their mother's healing devices. Their eldest brother Jiwan, being far away in the capital as a military officer, possibly hasn't even heard the news of their sick mother. Everyone in the family knows that as soon as he receives their letter, he'll be at their doorstep at the earliest opportunity.
And Jeonghan, he had to let go of the job he cherished so much (a consultant in beauty in both hair and makeup, sometimes even fashion, an artist if you will) to leave their town to search the bigger ones for a healer who can finally provide them with a cure that doesn't merely prevent the symptoms from worsening, but thoroughly cures their mother's sickness.
Today's no different from what has become his normality. By the time Jeonghan puts on his coat and is ready to leave, everyone else has already left to deal with their own daily hustles. He bids his half awake mother goodbye, and leaves the house to go to one of the adjacent cities. He has searched three of them so far, all but to no avail. The healers he has found all travelled to his hometown, only to tremendously fail at coming up with a working cure, leaving them with less money, and even less hope.
This, of course, doesn't hinder Jeonghan from doing his best. Although his previous occupation brought him relatively good money, asking his younger sisters to do this task and continuously travel all these miles was too much of a dangerous request, and too draining for his aging father.
So Jeonghan does what has to be done; he takes the fatigue and the demanding act of constantly commuting back and forth on foot. It doesn't matter how far he has to go, he'll go as far as the capital if he has to, anything to keep his family safe and sound, giving them at least a glitter of hope.
Today's destined town isn't too far away, close enough for him to be back home by this time tomorrow if he doesn't make any long stops. But he'll have to check the safety of the road for a night walk, probing for any signs of danger, of men with malicious intentions. He doesn't have anything of value on him, save for some bread and water he'll probably finish by nighttime, being devoured by fatigue and hunger. But he's unfortunately learned the hard way that money and food aren't always what attracts the rogues and troublemakers of the deserted roads. So although the thought of being away from his family, his mother, for more than a few hours does make him unsettled, it's the price he has to pay to get back to them safely.
Being morning, almost everyone at the town is at work now. A few women and children come across him on their ways and wave him hellos as he passes them with a nod and a smile. He's always been popular in his town, praised for his delicate beauty and pleasant manners. His popularity is even more exceptional among women his age, many of them hoping of catching his eye and attention, at least this was the case before his family got into bankruptcy.
After several hours of endless walking, he finally reaches the destinated town, and opts to seek its renowned healer. He manages by asking the townspeople he stumbles upon, and makes his way to the remote cottage they point to. The detachedness of it, and its relative minuteness (at least in case of a healer's house) somewhat baffles Jeonghan. But when he steps Infront of the door, and the owner opens the door for him, it all clicks.
The healer of this town is a woman.
No wonder this healer isn't showered in presents and commendations. No matter how efficient and praiseworthy her job is, the townspeople and specifically its governor would not pay her half as much attention as they would a male healer. Female healers are a scarcity, in most towns like his almost nonexistent. But Jeonghan knows the cure to his mother's illness doesn't lay in the hands of gender, but skillfulness and expertise. So he greets the healer with a smile that puffs up his cheeks, and explains his case.
"Oh dear, that sounds like an extreme matter," she says once Jeonghan is done speaking. "It is," he nods, his voice somber and barely stable. "None of the healers that have examined her could find anything. But...please, could you also have a look? It would mean a lot and, of course I would pay you for your time."
"Alright dear, I will do my best," she says with a gentle smile. "Why don't you come in and explain more about her conditions and the comments the other healers gave? I know they couldn't come up with a cure, but their observations could also come in handy."
And so Jeonghan does that. It's not hard as he's memorized every single detail about his mother's sickness, has spent hours awake at night overthinking the words of the healers. "She can't be saved," "There's not much hope," "It's better you spend the remaining time by her side."
"By the sound of it, she's battling with a scarce illness. So even if I don't find a diagnosis or solution right off the bat, I might be able to find one in a book or by doing some inquiries. So don't lose hope even if I can't give you a straightforward answer upon examination, alright?"
Jeonghan nods his head, grateful that she's even considering what might seem a lost cause to many others.
"But it's late now," the healer continues. "Why don't you stay here a night, and we'll leave tomorrow morning?"
"I..." Jeonghan hesitates, a hint of blush on his cheeks as he murmurs, "I didn't really bring money for accomodation, ma'am."
"Oh, it's alright," she says with a wave of her hand, her smile not fading one bit. "You can stay with us free of charge."
"Us?"
"Me and my daughter of course. In fact, she'll probably be here soon. I'm sure she wouldn't mind a guest as good-looking as yourself staying with us for a night or so," she teases, her smile turning into a grin, causing Jeonghan's blush to deepen. "Thank you ma'am."
And so he stays, and helps the healer with preparing dinner as well as putting the antidotes and herbs that were scattered here and there as a result of the day's work in place.
As the healer mentioned, the daughter shows up not an hour later. Though she is taken back by the sight of a stranger in their house, her features show signs of preexisting surprise.
"Oh, hello. Who's our guest, mother?" The daughter -Luna- asks, probably also bewildered at the sight of Jeonghan putting away the belongings of her mother.
"That's our guest for tonight," her mother replies. "His mother is in need of help and I'll be going back with him to his town tomorrow to check on her, so he's staying with us for the night. Is anything the matter, sweetheart? You seemed quite shocked as you entered."
"Right," Luna says as she approaches them with a paper in her hands. "An officer has just arrived to town," she says breathlessly, as if she could not wait to share the news. "He's sticking these papers all over the walls." She holds it up to show them the writings on the paper:
"The glorious ball in honour of Prince Seungcheol
All the women around the kingdom aged between 18 and 25 are invited to attend the great gala held by their royal highnesses for Crown Prince Seungcheol"
Oh wow, Jeonghan thinks. He's heard of the crown prince not accepting any hand in marriage despite being in his mid twenties. But he had no idea the king and queen's desperation would drive them to do something so out of the ordinary.
"I must go mother!" the daughter exclaims, bringing Jeonghan out of his thoughts. "Even if the prince doesn't choose me, I mean very unlikely that he will even take a look at me, I might still be able to meet some people and just...just being in the capital, in the royal palace would be a dream come true!"
Jeonghan feels a pang of jealousy rise in his heart. His sisters should also have the luxury to dream about the loyal palace and crown prince. But here they are, their minds filled with nothing but long hours of work to bring home as much money as they can.
The healer gives her daughter a gentle smile, "alright sweetheart, I don't see any reason why you wouldn't be able to go."
"I need money though," she pouts, though her eyes light up. "I don't really have a suitable dress."
"Well," the healer gives Jeonghan a look. "Seems like you're in luck, your savior arrived today." Jeonghan blushes at the nickname, not sure to whether appreciate being called a savior given the money he's about to lose.
"Oh," the daughter says, as if recalling Jeonghan's existence and gives him a glance. "Thank you sir!"
He lets out a laugh at the fresh title, and shakes his head, suddenly feeling older than he should.
Eventually they have dinner, with Luna explaining all about her day and how the girls in the town are all ready to attend the ball. Jeonghan can already imagine the fanfare that has stirred up in his hometown; he wonders whether his sisters have caught a glimpse or overheard the gossips throughout their nonstopping work load.
After a dreamless night as a result of of the arduous journey of the day, they head to his town first thing in the morning. At the perseverance and steadiness of the healer during their journey, Jeonghan can tell she's used to travelling long distances. And it gives him hope. Because if she's constantly asked for even from miles away, then it most probably indicates her dexterity. Not that the previous healers lacked it, his mother's sickness is just too rare to be known by the average healer who hasn't come across it beforehand.
Soon they arrive at his house, and his sisters are there to welcome them, having taken a few hours off to be there for their brother and the healer's arrival. They lead the way to their mother's bedside, and the healer wastes no time in getting to work.
"Well?" Youngmi says once the healer is done with her examination.
"It's..." the healer lets out a sigh. "The good news is, I know the cure."
Jeonghan's eyes widen. Finally.
"And the bad news?" Nara asks.
"It's not to be found in our kingdom."
Oh..
"As far as I know, the cure to your mother's sickness lies in a plant called Vironsa. I believe it exists in Sawol."
Sawol, the neighboring kingdom in north, is the farthest one from their hometown. There is no way Jeonghan could reach it by foot, and they did not have the means to cover a carriage's costs.
"But that's good news, right? I mean it's far, sure, but it's doable? Only an inconvenience," Nara says looking at Jeonghan and Youngmi back and forth.
Their sisters, having spent their whole lives in their small town, don't truly have the capability of grasping the long distances it takes to reach other towns, let alone kingdoms. With that being said, Jeonghan interrupts the healer when she locks eyes with him and opens her mouth to probably protest. "Right, it might be a bit harder for me to reach. But I'll manage."
The healer remains quiet in understanding, and gives them a nod with pursed lips. After paying her, Jeonghan sees her out and thanks her for the work she's done, while her sisters stay by their mother's side.
"How could you handle going to Sawol, dear? Surely, you don't plan to get there by foot?" she asks, worry evident in her tone despite having met him only yesterday. It warms Jeonghan's heart, even if it doesn't mean much once she departs.
He shakes his head. Even if they had the means to cover the amount of food and drink necessary for him to reach the kingdom, there's no way of telling whether their mother would stay alive until he comes back. "I'll think of something, ma'am."
Her eyes soften, and she returns a few coins to his hands. "It's not much, but it would ease my conscience."
"I- but what about your daughter?" Jeonghan asks in shock. None of the other healers, none of their own townspeople have ever stepped out of their way to lend them a hand, let alone cutting their own wage to do so.
The healer chuckles at his words and shakes her head, "I think my daughter can manage to wear a less expensive dress to the prince's gala."
The prince's gala...Jeonghan thanks the healer once more and rushes back inside, excited to share this news with his sisters in case they haven't heard.
"We have," Youngmi says with a roll of her eyes. "Surely you don't expect us to go, Hannie? We can't leave mother alone like that."
"At least one of you could," Jeonghan says with a frown. "You already have a dress, and it wouldn't take much to reach the capital by carriage-"
"By carriage?!" Nara nearly screams. "Hannie you can't possibily think that have that much money to spare?"
It would be costy, but not nearly as much as what it would take to reach Sawol.
"Even if we did," Youngmi says. "It would take us a couple of days, all of which could earn us money. Between going to the fancy ball thrown for the Crown Prince who, let's face it won't even spare us a glance, and making money, I'm choosing the latter."
Jeonghan sighs. It seems he can't convince his sisters, and he can't really blame them either. Money's been real tight lately, and they must feel a certain responsibility towards it. Still, he wishes his sisters could enjoy what has become a "dream come true" for many women, as the healer's daughter mentioned.
Soon their father arrives home, and they share the news with him. He looks at Jeonghan sceptically. Although he has also never set foot in any other town in their kingdom, his knowledge regarding its geography excels that of his daughters. "Are you sure you could do it, Jeonghan? Isn't Sawol too far away?"
Jeonghan shakes his head firmly, "I can manage, father."
"I know you are capable, son. You have more than proven it to us. But frankly you have no knowledge of Sawol, how matters are dealt there, and neither do we."
"I need you to put your trust in me," Jeonghan says with a feigned confidence. "I'm well aware that neither the journey nor finding the herb are going to be easy tasks. But I have to do everything in my power for mother, for us."
As he expected, his father relents rather easily, knowing there's not another way to help his poor wife. So he nods his head and gives Jeonghan a pat on the shoulder. "I'm very lucky to have children like you."
Later that night when his sisters go to bed, Jeonghan's father finds him alone and hands him a bag of money. "Take this, son. I explicitly asked your sister not to hand you any of their own money. My poor girls have already done more than they should," he says with a grim face. It hurts Jeonghan to see his father, any of his family members really, so beaten down and solemn. He would do anything to get rid of that. "You have already done more than you should. I am sorry I cannot provide you with more."
"Thank you father, it's more than enough to cover my journey. I really appreciate it," he says with a smile.
As he's lying in his bed once his father goes to sleep, Jeonghan for some reason can't get the crown prince's gala out of his head, and it's not merely the thought of his sisters losing the chance to attend something be so glamorous. Deep down, he knows they would have had a better chance of finding some sort of solution there than he has of successfully reaching Sawol and getting a hold of the herb.
What if...
Jeonghan doesn't dwell on it much. Lets himself move before any opposing thoughts (rational ones, probably) threaten to hold him back. He gathers all his remaining beauty devices, and sneaks into his sisters' room to find the most elegant gown they have, which doesn't really have much elegance to it but he does with what he can. "I'm sorry loves," he whispers as he readily puts the coins the healer handed to him in their closet as some sort of compensation. With what his father gave him, he has enough to ride a carriage for parts of his journey to the capital and walking the rest. He puts everything he's gathered alongside anything edible he can find, save for a few to remain for his family for tomorrow morning, into his a bag and writes his family a note. He tells them of his plans to reach Sawol as soon as possible by departing earlier, and asks them to wish him luck on his journey.
Luck, is most probably truly what he's in need of as he embarks on his journey to the capital.