XV.. Miracles

“Expectancy is the atmosphere for miracles.” ~Edwin Louis Cole

Modern Day Seoul, South Korea.

Inside the Library.

Hae Jin tried to land her steps softly as she walked on the floor.

She enjoyed the quiet inside the library but realized it also made her feel uncomfortable. 

Every single noise she made seemed amplified inside a library.

The lady behind the counter looked up and met her eyes and seeing her approach gave her a small smile.

She recognized Hae Jin from her multiple trips to the library these past weeks.

She had answered many of her questions about where to locate Goryeo history resources.

Hae Jin sat by a corner table with a window view. 

She had picked this spot the first day she had started her research and had seemed to gravitate to the same table every day.

Her notebook, backpack, phone, laptop and books spread on the table.

She had started coming to the library the day after her meeting at the coffeeshop. 

She knew now, that her answers would need to come from books and research.

Her laptop stood open, and she typed King Gwangjong into the search engine.

The first thing she would do every time she arrived at the library is browse through his life as a King. 

She had read about the reforms during his reign.

She read slowly once more,

When he ascended the throne at the age of 25, the Kingdom was unstable….his first law was the emancipation of slaves….

King Gwangjong rewarded those who contributed to the progress of Goryeo… he instituted the national service examination, to expel people from powerful clans from positions of inherited power….He created the Daebi-won “houses of mercy” providing free medicine to the poor….

He saw the association of church and state….

King Gwangjong founded temples and chose the Abbot at Heinsa Temple to promote buddhism…

As her eyes reached his later years and death, she stopped.

Despite having read this part more than once, she still felt confused and sad when she read it again.

She continued,

In 971 an earthquake occurred in Goryeo, the nobles and the people blamed the King……

As she read the last line, the memory of King Taejo and the rain ritual

came back to her.

It seemed some things had not changed for King Taejo’s son after he became King.

The people had blamed King Taejo for the lack of rain, and therefore the rain ritual had happened.

The information she had been searching for followed.

In July, (fifth month of the lunar calendar), 975 after 26 years of reign, he developed a serious disease and died a few days later.

No matter how many times she read that line, it still hurt her to read those words.

Had he died alone?

There were so many things she wanted to understand about his years as King.

The books could only give her some of the answers.

She continued reading.

His son Wang Ju, succeeded him.His reign lasted only 6 years.

Once more Hae Jin stopped.

She stayed quiet in her thoughts and looked out the window.

Queen Daemok’s son, had become Crown Prince and King.

Her gaze returned to a different book on her table that contained information about Goryeo eclipses.

Her hand held a pencil and traveled to her notes.

She underlined the title, Goryeo Era Eclipses

This last book she had used to seek answers about her time travel.

She did not know if she was onto answers, if it was just a suspicion, or if this was all wishful thinking on her part to research eclipses and their consequences hoping for answers.

She read the dates she had jotted down alongside her calculations.

Her pencil point traveled to the last date she had written.

 Goryeo Eclipses in 975.

 Total eclipse.

December.975.

 Right next to it she had written,

King Gwangjong’s death 

July.  975.

She continued underlining the month on the last date, and as she applied more pressure on the pencil, the point snapped.

The sound of it breaking made her stop again.

He had missed the eclipse by 5 months.

She looked out the window once more.

The eclipse had happened on the same year of King Gwangjong’s death, but it happened 5 months after the King’s death.

Her thoughts traveled then to her meeting at the coffee shop.

The encounters over the last days had started her on this road to finding answers about time travel.

As Hae Jin sat in the library she set her pencil down, and reached for one of the books next to her.

It was a book of poems.

She browsed thru it until she found the poem she was looking for by Wang Wei, called Zhognan Mountain Retreat and located the familiar lines,

When the water has run dry.

Sit and watch the rising cloud.

She closed the book, and held it in her hands, wrapping her arms around it, holding it close to her heart.

She no longer believed in coincidences.

She reached inside her purse and pulled out the handkerchief, wondering if she needed to wait for the rising cloud

Or pray the cloud would find her first.

Moments later she reached inside her purse and found the invitation and read it one more time.

Nabi Enterprises Christmas Party was scrolled in gold on a white invitation.  

The invitation had arrived in the mail.

She had sent her response saying she would attend.

Pulling out the invitation to the party she had just left before coming to the library made her remember what had happened there.

She had arrived alone. 

Feeling more nervous than glad.

Despite the fancy white and gold decorations, the feel of the party was that of a corporate event.

The festive decorations, lights and the snow outside made the streets in Seoul seem like the sort of Christmas scenery she loved to see in post cards.

A true winter wonderland.

Despite the cold she would have preferred a walk outside to see the lights than standing by the buffet table with a drink in hand in a dress trying to appear casual and mingle.

She knew she was failing at both.

She knew what had her feeling nervous, it was the handkerchief and returning it that had made her show up today.

It was the questions that never left her head.

It was hoping that among these fractured conversations during these encounters she could find clues any clues to help her understand what was happening.

 She remembered the gallery and meeting him as she knelt crying after watching the exhibit.

He had walked quietly behind her.

A handkerchief had been extended to her then.

A familiar voice she hadn’t expected had said, “You seem to need this. “

She had stopped crying and looked up in shock to see his familiar face standing next to her, looking down at her with kind eyes.

An announcement at the door as the CEO for Nabi enterprises walked into the party was followed by applause, bringing her thoughts back to the party.

He stopped at the door for a moment and then spotted her as he walked slowly towards where she stood.

All eyes turned towards her.

She froze in place realizing he was about to reach her.

He stopped in front of her and greeted her warmly, “Welcome Ms. Hae Jin. 

Thank you for coming.”

Hae Jin had tried to prepare herself to meet him, and she had answered automatically, “Thank you for inviting me.”

She heard herself speak feeling disconnected from herself.

As if she watched this happening to someone else not her.

For a moment it was as if time stopped and she could almost feel the veil between her modern-day self and her Goryeo self-evaporating as memories of Goryeo came back.

“You’re looking very beautiful in red, the color suits you.” He said smiling.

 The compliment took her by surprise. Making him smile more.

“Thank you” she said.

“No tears today.” He added.

The mention of her crying at the gallery made her suddenly remember why she was here.

She pulled out the handkerchief saying, “I wanted to thank you for your help and return this to you and ask more about the exhibit and its origins. I was too emotional to really find out more about the artist, and the collection.” As she spoke she extended the handkerchief to him.

“Please keep it. I appreciate someone who appreciates good art. You looked so distraught.  I feel flattered that our collection moved you, and interests you so much. “

He then added, “Only a pure heart can truly appreciate how art imitates life. Christmas is a time for miracles.” He added winking at her and smiling again.

“We should schedule an appointment to meet and discuss the exhibit.  “As he said this Ji-Won who stood behind him greeted her with a nod.

“Thank you for joining us today. I look forward to meeting again.  “He said politely adding with a smile “Please enjoy the party.”

She said her goodbyes as she saw Nabin Enterprises CEO walk away to rejoin the rest of the party. Behind him walked Ji-Won.

There were so many things she still wanted to know and ask him. Her emotions stirred again as memories of their last meeting came back.

A part of her felt relief to see him here again. Alive and well.  

Especially now, she could confirm for the second time she had met King 

Wang Mu himself in the modern world.
 

An announcement over the library speakers said the library would be closing in 15 minutes making Hae Jin stop thinking about the Christmas party she had left earlier.

She had headed straight to the library after the party to keep herself from loosing her mind as questions she couldn’t answer would keep her from sleeping, and fill her every waking moment.

She slowly gathered her things, and prepared to go home.

It was Christmas Eve.

Outside she walked slowly on the sidewalk, as snow flurries continued to fall. 

Most people were celebrating or heading to parties to celebrate Christmas.

Pedestrians passed her by, and she could feel their excitement over the holiday.

Her feet left footprints in the snow.

Her heart felt tired and burdened.

A familiar pressure made her pound her chest lightly with her fist.

She continued walking.

The sudden quiet in the street made her look around.

A few shops remained opened.

She saw the pet store window she had been searching for and the light inside still on. 

She walked in following like a moth to the flame.

She entered the shop.

A bell on the door chimed as she opened it to enter. 

Christmas music played inside.

She slowly walked towards the back of the store.

A cage held what she was looking for, two white puppies she visited occasionally after her visits to the library.

It had comforted her to see them cuddling up against each other.

Sleeping next to each other for warmth, before she reached them, she saw a mother and daughter standing in front of them watching the puppies too.  

Behind the cage a large window pane overlooked a large Christmas tree with blinking lights in the outside plaza.

The little girl’s face could hardly contain her excitement as one of the puppies was pulled out of the cage and placed in her hands by an assistant.

The assistant brought a small blanket to wrap the puppy and provided instructions for feeding and caring for it.

As Hae Jin watched silently from a small distance, she smiled to see the little girl’s excitement.

“What will you name her?” Her mother asked.

The little girl stayed quiet thinking.

Then blurted out “Snowflake.”

Her mother added with a smile, “It’s like your new friend is a Christmas miracle.”

“Mom, what’s a miracle? “The little girl asked.

Her mother stayed silent for a moment considering, then answered, “It’s the moment your heart realizes magic has finally found you.”

Both mother and daughter had smiled at each other as the assistant had finished preparing a carrier for Snowflake to travel to her new home.

She heard the bell at the door chime again.

The store was quiet, empty of customers.

Hae Jin held in her hands the puppy left behind.

Snowflakes companion.

He was alone. 

The realization made her tears well up as she held his warm body in her hands.

Her tears continued to fall, and she tried to softly rub behind his ears.

She didn’t know if the motion with her fingers was her trying to console the puppy or if she was here expecting the puppy to console her.

The puppy seeing her tears started licking her nose. 

Its wet tongue took her by surprise.

She momentarily wished she had no rules in her apartment against pets.

She rubbed its warm fur against her cheek one last time considering its eyes.

“I’m sorry. I have to go” She said to him.

The Christmas lights on the tree outside continued blinking their light reflected into the store.

On and off.

After a long silence she prepared to return the puppy to its cage.

She reached up balancing the puppy in one hand towards the cage door.

The latch was stuck. 

Trying to balance the puppy and open the door was proving difficult, she tried looking around to spot the assistant.

She saw someone moving behind her, their image reflected on the window.

For a moment she stopped, then slightly rubbed her eyes with one hand.

Then she heard soft footsteps approaching and stop.

 A soft voice from behind her said,

“You never did listen. You never did stay in one place.”

Hearing that voice, she thought her heart would stop right there and then. 

The voice continued,   

“I told you to stay with me. I told you, you could not leave me without my permission.”

The familiarity of his voice and his words shifted her entire world.

She saw his reflection on the window pane in front of her. 

“The modern world suits you better than being a court lady.”He added with amusement and a smile.

Since waking up from her comma and recovering her memories the world she lived in every day was outlined in shades of grey.

Time slowed down for her as light and color streamed in with his every word.

The warmth of his voice was like rain to a desert.

Filling all the empty spaces.

She closed her eyes as her whole being stayed focused on the sound of his voice.

Afraid to move and break its spell on her.

As tears fell she didn’t even try to stop them. 

She feared her legs wouldn’t be able to hold her weight, as her body started visibly shaking.  

She couldn’t move.

She couldn’t turn.

 All she could do was hold her breath in expectation.

His warm embrace enveloped her slowly supporting her as he came up behind her wrapping his arms around her.

His hands reached for the latch to the cage and taking the puppy gently from her hands he returned it to its cage.

Her body remained in shock and frozen as her eyes opened traveling to her now empty hands.

“I missed you.” He whispered close to her ear as his chin came closer to her gently resting on her shoulder.

She looked up towards the Christmas tree and the window pane as modern versions of themselves now looked back at her locked in an embrace. 

She could see the trace of tears streaming down her cheeks. She could see his face, and his eyes looking at her. Both of their reflections on the window pane over imposed on the Christmas tree.

It’s lights now seemed brighter as if the entire world had filled up with hope.

A soft Christmas song continued playing inside the store.

She closed her eyes again feeling her hands in his.

His solid presence letting her heart slowly accept the magic unfolding.

“You will always be my person, Hae Jin. “He said in a soft voice for her ears alone,  "It is now our time for miracles. Merry Christmas.”

XIV. New Beginnings

“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”  ~Lao- Tsu

Year 975 (4th Month of the Lunar Calendar (June))

26^th Year of King Gwangjong’s Reign

At the Daemi-Won.

Lady Seol, walked through her early morning rounds. She visited the room where patients recovered, while four assistants followed behind her. One gave her a report.

The first earthquake had been followed by a second one two months later, and had quickly filled them to full capacity with patients.

It had taken almost two years to slowly recover from its aftermath.

As she looked around the room it no longer looked completely full.

Many had lost their homes and all their belongings.

In addition to supervising the patients and those working, she also needed to inspect the kitchen.

They served meals for the patients and continued to distribute rice to families in need after the earthquake.

This clinic had become a lifeline for the poor.

As she gave the last of her instructions to the ladies following her, she saw Geosa approaching and dismissed her attendants.

She had been awaiting his return for several weeks.

They walked outside together to afford themselves some privacy.

A crisp wind blew and the sun was out.

The breeze was a welcome respite in the middle of the summer heat.

 It felt good to be outside on a day like this.

She spent most of her days inside and rarely found a moment to step outside.

She closed her eyes and turned her face, letting the sun warm her for a minute.

The feeling of the wind and sun on her face helped to clear all the thoughts and worries running through her mind.

Geosa shared the silence with her for a moment, then greeted her.

“Welcome back.” She said to him.

“I am glad to be back Lady.” Geosa answered.

She stayed quiet allowing Geosa to speak.

“I have met with many of the monks in the surrounding villages.

They speak to the people every day as they ask for alms.

The people are slowly recovering.

Many have lost their homes, and everything in them.

Families have lost their loved ones too.

The people are blaming the King for the earthquake and for their misfortune.”

Geosa paused, remembering many of conversations he had had over the past month.

Lady Seol could tell seeing people in pain had taken its toll on Geosa. He looked tired.

“The monks remind the people that they have a King that cares for their welfare. The Daemin-won can help. They reminded the people that they are not alone.”

Geosa paused, then continued deep in thought, “I have visited Haeinsa Temple, Lady.....

The Queen fears this is the King’s weakest moments and believes enemies will strike the King in favor of a new King.

The Queen has sent a letter for you.” Geosa said, extending the letter to her. Then added,

 “The Abbot has also sent two monks who travel back with me. Leom and Gyeo. They will be returning to the Palace.”

Geosa then approached her and slowly placed a small box in her hands.

“The Queen prepared this herself. She has added instructions for its proper use. She asked that I personally deliver this to you.” He continued,

“She said, to tell you, her hopes are in you, Lady Seol.”

As she listened to his words, Lady Seol nodded acknowledging the Queen’s message.

“Also, our visitor has arrived. “Geosa added,

“He is waiting for you in the front courtyard.”

Lady Seol then addressed Geosa,

“You should join us for the morning meal. It will soon be ready.”

Before Geosa turned to enter the Daemin-won she spoke, again.

“Geosa, although we’ve never spoken of it in all these years.  I am glad the King sent you to me as a child. Thank you.”

Geosa met her eyes for a moment in acknowledgement.

Then said,“ Much has been lost lady, but not all. Along with everything else, hope will still rise tomorrow.” He then bowed before heading back into the Daemin-won.

She again turned towards the sun enjoying the last rays.

Staying outside she opened the letter to read its contents.

Some time later, Lady Seol walked towards the front courtyard.

 As she approached, the sound of a song being played reached her.

She heard the laughter of children.

The sound of music inside the Daemin-won made her pause momentarily.

He sat on a stone wall. Children sat around him as he told them a story.

……On that day only, after so many years

Lady Moon could meet the Sun,

And for a moment he could hide inside her embrace.

He then began to play a melody.

She felt as captivated by it’s sound as the children.

It had been such a long time since she had heard music played this well.

The children did not realize the person that played for them was a Prince.

Prince Baek-Ah.  The King’s brother.

As a child in her father’s house, she had enjoyed his visits.

She had sat the way those children did now, asking for another song.

He had also traveled to meet her on occasion over the years, with letters from the King.

Seeing her standing, watching him; He stopped playing and smiled at her.

The children complained loudly, as the music stopped, making him smile again.

“That is all for today.” he said to them with finality.

He rose as she approached him and bowed a greeting to him with a small smile,

“Welcome Uncle. That is a beautiful song.  I am not used to hearing music at the Daemin-won.” She said.

“Your smile always reminds me of your mother.” He said.

“It is a song to help the children understand and not fear the eclipse that will be happening in a few months. The people fear eclipses as omens of change.”

 As he spoke his eyes traveled to the box and the letter she still held in her hand.

“I will be traveling with you to your father’s house and afterwards to the palace to be with the King.” He said.

“The King has asked for me. He needs me.”Her eyes fell to the box for a moment as she heard his words.

 “You must be busy trying to complete work at the Daemin-Won before traveling.” He added.

“I can tell you when I returned home this year to my family there was excitement about you coming to meet your new husband and join our family. He is a fortunate man, Lady Seol.”The genuine warmth in his voice spoke more to her than his words.

Prince Baek-Ah added, “Your father will be glad to see you return home.  I am looking forward to seeing my brother too.”

Lady Seol looked at Prince Baek-Ah and said, “It will be a change to leave the Daemin-Won.  I have spent so many years inside its walls." 

Then after a moment of thought, she said, " It is a time for new beginnings, for all of us.”

One Month Later 

(5^th Month of the Lunar Calendar -July)

At Prince Jung’s Home.

That morning her father rode to the palace after an urgent messenger had arrived at his house to summon him.

Lady Seol sat in the garden at a chair and table that had been set out overlooking the woods surrounding her Father’s property.

Crows sat on one of the branches.

Their loud sounds shattering the silence.

Her thoughts returned to her days at the palace.

She had used all the knowledge gained at the temple to help the King.

She had kept her promise to follow the Queen’s instructions.

He had received the box.

It now remained in the hands of Prince Baek-Ah.

She heard the footsteps approaching before she saw her father.

His face held that quiet dignity earned through many campaigns fighting.

She knew before he said the words to her that the world as she had known it up to then had just shifted.

Silently he sat down next to her.

In a flat voice he said, “The King has died. 

Her father’s uttered words continued to fall like stones.

“Despite your help Seol, the poison was too strong.” He added.

“The official line at the palace, is that the King died from illness.”

After a long moment, he continued.

“Crown Prince Wang Ju is our new King.

“Along the other nobles, I just paid homage to our new King.”

As he finished, she lowered her head and in a sad voice said,

“Father, it is very hard to let go of loved ones.” 

His hand reached for hers and he held it in his own.

5 Months later of the Lunar Calendar (December)

Inside the Palace

There was nervous anticipation on the palace grounds as they awaited the eclipse.

Goryeo’s new King, King Gyeongjong stood on the open courtyard waiting to watch the eclipse.

Many in the palace grounds waited outside too, despite the cold.

The doors to the Daminwon remained closed for the day.

The outside pool usually remained closed during the winter months.

The moon began covering the sun in the eclipses initial stage.

To anyone present to watch, the figure descending the steps into the Daminwon’s outside pool during the eclipse would have believed a ghost had appeared at the Daminwon.

As the eclipse reached totality that same figure disappeared into the water’s depths.

Water enveloped everything.

The time had come to keep his promise to find her.

The world became dark as night and then slowly the light returned.

Three figures with their backs to the pool kept watch.

Prince Baek-Ah and two monks entered the pool quietly.

Ready to serve their King one last time.

XIII. Butterfly

“Just like the butterfly. I too will awaken in my own time.”~Deborah Chaskin.

Modern Day Seoul, South Korea.

Inside a coffeeshop                                                                                        

At the coffee shop, the rain still poured.

She sat by the window awaiting his answer.

She had asked him, “Who are you?”

Silence had followed.

She watched his eyes, measuring the sincerity of his responses.

He seemed relaxed and at ease.

As memories of the day when she had first traveled to Goryeo came back, details started to come back.

She had sat on that dock, drinking soju.

He had been there too. 

An image of him then, superimposed on him now. 

Her eyes stayed glued to his face.

Searching, trying to record the changes she saw in him now.

The homeless man she remembered had looked different from the man that stood in front of her now.

There where physical changes in him.

She remembered the side of his face had a scar. As a cosmetic consultant that had registered it when she met him first.

She could not see that scar now. 

Was it surgery? Cosmetics?

His teeth where different too. 

The homeless person she had met did not have perfect teeth.

Was he that same homeless person she had met before leaving for Goryeo?

Could he have transformed so quickly in two years?

A thought, suddenly hit her.

Could she have changed events in the future by travelling back to Goryeo?

When she left for Goryeo, this man was homeless.

Did her actions change his future?

Was this Ji-Mong?

And who exactly had Ji-Mong been?

He searched inside his wallet, and extended a card to her. 

“I’m Ji-Won.  I’m a historian.” He said with a smile.

My specialty is the study of Goryeo. The collection of paintings you saw displayed earlier at the gallery… I oversaw curating the exhibit.” he said with pride in his voice.

“Our company’s exhibit on Goryeo era cosmetics and paintings was sponsored by ISOI cosmetics. “

Hae Jin looked down at the card he gave her. She read, “Ji-Won Head of Research. Nabi Enterprises.”

A butterfly logo was printed next to his name.

As she read, he continued,” The collection is especially held in esteem by our CEO.”

“You seem very familiar. I seem to recall meeting you before my accident, at the dock. Have we met before?” She asked him.

He addressed her again, “Accident?”

“It was during an eclipse. I nearly drowned after jumping in to save a child who had fallen into the water. I was in a coma for a year. I have recently recovered my memories.”

As she watched him listening to her, she added, “After the accident, you could say things changed for me. In many ways the coma,... it was like traveling to a faraway place.  There are many things I am seeking answers to after that day.”

He shook his head, then said, “I’m sure your kind heart and your decision to jump in and help that day made a difference for those you helped.” then added, “You paid a large personal price for that decision.”

Hae Jin realized, whether this man was Ji-Mong or not, his indirect answering style had not changed. She felt like she was playing a cat and mouse game with him.

Looking straight at Ji-Won, Hae Jin answered, “I guess only time will tell if the sacrifice was worth it.”

“Time is an interesting way to measure cause and effect. Small actions can have big ripple effects.  Sometimes a butterfly’s wings can move in one place causing a hurricane somewhere else.” Ji-Won said. “Your small actions, can have big effects. This is also part of the philosophy of our company. The reason for the name Nabi and our butterfly logo.”

Have you worked long for ISOI as a cosmetic consultant, Ms. Hae Jin?”, he asked.

“I have worked for them for 5 years.” Hae Jin answered.

“Our CEO seemed very impressed with you, he asked me to ensure you where taken care of, after the gallery.”

Hae Jin sat in silence listening to his words.

She kept her face in check trying not to show her emotions.

Instead she focused on the meaning in her words.

“The gallery collection, you suggested I view….it was such an interesting choice of pictures. I can say after seeing it, that it was a new awakening for me. A massive surprise.”

As she spoke, she opened her purse, and slowly pulled out and held in her hand what she was looking for.

“At the exhibit, I was moved to tears.” she said.

 “It seems help arrived just in time.” She added. 

Ji-Won smiled at her with understanding and added, “Our CEO, is very fond of art and historically accurate portraits. He was there for the opening of the exhibit.”

“I must thank him for his kindness.” Hae Jin  said, as she extended the handkerchief she received from him.