The King's private chambers were lit by several tall candles and lanterns. It was evening and Kim Moon-gun lay sleeping blissfully on King Yeongan's silk beddings in a graceful pose.
The peaceful scene was suddenly shattered by the distant sounds of footsteps, and they seemed to be getting nearer and nearer.
Moon-gun's eyes jerked open and he sat up with a start.
Whose footsteps were those, Moon-gun bemused, robbing his eyes and trying to remember where he was.
He looked around and suddenly recollections came to him. He was in the King's private chambers. He must fallen asleep while waiting for what would happen to his fate.
Then to his frightened horror the footsteps seemed to be at the very entrance. Moon-gun looked frantically around, desperately seeking a hiding place before whoever it was entered.
Two Court ladies slide open the doors for King Yeongan.
The King entered and he was followed by his Chief Eunuch. To the King's surprise he found his chambers empty.
He looked around very carefully this time and yet there was no sign of another human.
"I know you are here and I know you can hear my voice," the King said testify.
There was no sound, no moment and no reply.
"If you do not show yourself I will expose you myself."
Kim Moon-gun remained still without breathing, his eyes widened with consternation. He listened tentatively to what was going to happen next.
He heard laughter.
Was the King laughing?
What did he find so amusing?
Then Moon-gun turned slowly, as he did so the sleeve of his robe brushed ever so lightly against the beautifully painted screen as he was hiding behind it.
Like the rising sea wave the screen came crashing down revealing the very person the King was seeking.
Kim Moon-gun turned and his eyes became united with the King's eyes. Once again, Moon-gun became aware of King Yeongan's tremendous height and broad shoulders.
King Yeongan's eyes narrowed as he watched the newly appointed Royal Secretary closely to interpret his reasoning for hiding behind the screen.
The King's smile became mysterious and a secret sensual desire lurked behind his eyes.
"Well, well, the saying still holds true. Nothing stays hidden forever."
Kim Moon-gun fell to his knees and bowed his head.
"Come here."
King Yeongan commanded.
Moon-gun stood up and came closer to the King with his head still bowed.
He had the impression that the King was enjoying his torment. Giving out orders and having them obeyed.
"Why were you hiding?"
"Will, His Majesty have me guillotine?"
Moon-gun answered with another question as their eyes met once again in a battle of wills.
"If that was my desire your head would not be still be on your shoulders."
Kim Moon-gun could feel the full force of the King's gaze and he stared back unflinchingly.
"Then if I may ask, why does the King torment me so?"
"I delight in tormenting you. And so long as you remain the Royal Secretary I will keep tormenting you to my heart's content," King Yeongan answered simply with a frown.
With a bold courage Moon-gun challenged the King: "If it is the King's aim to frighten me, then His Majesty has failed."
"So the little kitten is finally showing his claws," the King said.
Then he turned to his Chief Eunuch.
"Eunuch Jo."
Eunuch Jo stepped forward to hear his master's request.
"Bring me a Geogmungo instrument."
Eunuch Jo bowed his head and quietly left the chamber.
Why was the King requesting for a Geogmungo?
Moon-gun wondered with perturbation.
What devious scheme is he plotting now?
The doors slide open once again and Eunuch Jo entered followed by a young Eunuch with cute boyish features who was carrying a Geogmungo instrument.
King Yeongan finally sat down as the instrument was placed before Kim Moon-gun.
"Play."
King Yeongan simply prescribed.
Then it was followed by a warning: "If I find no pleasure in your execution you will be whipped by my decree."
Kim Moon-gun sat down and lifted up the Geogmungo instrument onto his lap before beginning to play it.
As a child he had watched his father play the Geogmungo numerous times for his mother's pleasure. And as he got older his mother taught him how to play the instrument just like his father.
After he had finished playing the instrument, King Yeongan turned to his Chief Eunuch and said.
"Have him removed from before my sight."
Did the King not enjoy it? Was he irritated by his style of play?
These were the questions that went through Kim Moon-gun's mind as he tried to read the King's expression. He failed.
Eunuch Jo bowed and left.
Moments later two burly Eunuchs came in and took Moon-gun by the arms and quickly carried him out against his will.
He tried to resist but was over powered. So he asked his captors: "Where are you taking me?"
The Eunuchs remained silent and kept dragging him along as he resisted.
"What are you going to do to me?"
He got no answer.
Kim Moon-gun was taken along down a long narrow corridor until the Eunuchs stopped before chamber.
The two Court ladies standing at the entrance slide the doors open.
Kim Moon-gun was placed safely inside and Eunuchs disappeared as quickly as they had appeared.
Moon-gun looked around the chamber and was struck by it's elegance and beauty.
There was a beautifully painted screen, all the dark wooden cabinets and chests were gold embossed. There were brightly coloured silk beddings on the floor and a gleaming Buddhist desk near it. And there were a number of vases filled beautiful, colourful fragrant flowers.
Kim Moon-gun was still in a state of admiration when the young Eunuch who had brought the Geogmungo instrument entered the chamber.
He bowed before Moon-gun.
"I am Bi-Chan and I have been appointed to serve you. Please, if you have any needs or requests I will attend to them."
"Why am I brought here?"
"Because this will be your living quarters."
"My living quarters?"
"Yes."
"Why is that so?"
"Because the King wanted it so."
"The King wants me to live in the Palace?"
Moon-gun was astonished.
"Yes, in fact two Palace guards and two Court ladies have been dispatched to your home to collect your things and bring them to the Palace."
"The King really wants me to live here?"
Moon-gun asked again as he looked around still not believing what was happening.
"Yes," Eunuch Bi-Chan expressed with assurance, "His Majesty had the chamber redecorated just for you."
The doors slide open again and two Court ladies came carrying two low tables arrayed with the most delicious looking foods.
"Compliments from His Majesty the King," one of the Court ladies said as they down the tables.
Moon-gun smiled with gratitude and then he sat down to eat his dinner.
Feeling more relaxed for the first time since he entered the Palace.
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