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Ae Shin enjoys the darkness that night brings. She enjoys the stillness that can only be brought upon by the moon and his tranquil pull. The way the noise of hustle ceases and crickets come out to chat reminds Ae Shin that peace exists despite all she has witnessed. She slides the door open, just enough for moonlight to interrupt the darkness of her quarters. Ms Haman tosses in her sleep and groans, groggily muttering about the holes in Mr Haengrang’s attire.
Ae Shin turns to her sleeping figure and finds her lips curving upwards:
Only with darkness, the moon is allowed to shine.
Only with moonlight, the people of Joseon are allowed peace.
With the sun, there is no peace in Joseon. The sun is unrelenting and fierce, her heat threatens to burn everything she touches. Labourers slave away in the piercing heat, their skin burnt and sweat dripping. Nobelity flock to the streets, and vendors are hollering. The loud hum of the tram passes by every time another order is taken at the bakery: the tram bell ringing to signal its arrival and coins clattering against the wooden tabletop.
The chaos is overwhelming, and Ae Shin is reminded of how grateful she is to travel in her palanquin, hidden away from the sun.
And yet, there are moments where Ae Shin finds peace as the sun continues to blaze: next to him. He who remains calm despite all the odds with the wide span of his shoulders casting a shadow on her face. The fleeting darkness puts Ae Shin at easyーthe stillness in his voice and glimmer of his grin.
Ae Shin allows herself to let out a soft chuckle at the thought of him and wonders if they met under different circumstances, would they be allowed to exist. After all, Eugene Choi only came to Joseon due to the darkness that looms over the country. In fact, the man may have brought that very darkness to Joseon.
Without that darkness, Eugene Choi would never have met Ae Shin.
Without that darkness, Ae Shin would never have felt that pull towards Eugene Choi.
It becomes hard to tell who allowed for this to happen: who was the one who peaked through the small cracks and who brought allowing darkness for the light to sneak in.
Tonight, like many nights prior, Ae Shin leans her cheek on the wooden frame of the sliding door, wondering if, at this very moment, he is thinking of her too.