⁝ jang estate.

@✿ jang eundal As Youngjae made his way towards the Jang estate, a heavy weight of concern settled in his chest. The famine had taken its toll on the country, and he couldn't help but worry about his friend Eundal, who worked as a chef at the estate. With taxes raised and food shortages plaguing the land, Youngjae couldn't shake the feeling that Eundal might be facing hardships of his own.

The path to the Jang estate seemed longer than usual, each step weighed down by the burden of uncertainty. Youngjae couldn't bear the thought of his friend struggling to make ends meet, especially now when every meal felt like a luxury.

Determined to check on Eundal and offer whatever support he could, Youngjae quickened his pace, his heart heavy with worry. As he approached the gates of the Jang estate, he couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding as he approached the gates. He called out to the guards, his voice tinged with urgency and confidence. "I'm here to see Lord Eundal," he explained, his tone leaving no room for refusal. "I am here to check on him. Please, let me through."

@❁ byun sangwook Eundal smiled widely, happy to see his friend. Eundal laughed softly, finally releasing his friend and taking a step back. It had only been a few months since he had seen his friend but Eundal could tell he was taller than before, his gaze now naturally going down whenever he spoke to another. He was also happy to be out of his studies, even if just for a little bit. He moved to take Sangwook’s arm and slowly moved away from his mother’s room and towards the gardens.

“It isn’t eomma, it is Dowager Countess Jang, she disciplined eomma again blaming me for something that I didn’t do.” Eundal whispers, glancing around before sighing.He felt like he could finally breathe. “Let’s sit in the pagoda. It is nice.” Eundal helps Sangwook to the Pagoda, pulling his arm back, while waiting for his friend to sit before joining him, another sigh escaping him as the youngest Jang leaned back against the bench.

“Sorry to drag over here, but..too many eyes and ears over there that listen. So annoying.” Eundal pouts for a moment before smiling again, reaching out to grab Sangwook’s hands. “I am going to be a chef. I made an agreement, so I don’t have to join the army.” Eundal giggled happily. “I am also happy you are here. I wanted to talk to you all summer, but I was in trouble. How have you been?” Eundal inquired before finally releasing Sangwook’s hands. “Sorry. I was excited.” Eundal smiled again, his gaze moving to the flowers around them.

Eundal had spent the summer longing to talk to someone, To Sangwook, but he also wasn’t sure how his friend would be able to help him. It had been a confusing summer, causing the youngest Jang to question everything about everything or that is how it felt. But instead of talking about the confusing parts Eundal turned his attention to the confirmed parts. “I get to cook, and no one will yell at me anymore for it. I can practice all I want, even take lessons.” He beamed proudly over at at Sangwook.

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@✿ jang ilseong A chuckle left Eunhyuk's lips at the duke's words, but he very much agreed. This would be something that he'd likely repeated to himself countless times by now, but the Duke had a face that would put artists on their knees to hope for a chance to draw to perfection. Eunhyuk knew that he himself would struggle with it, knowing his streak for perfection, even if he had been a bit more tolerant of mistakes and creative liberties when it came to art. Art, after all, was about the freedom to express oneself. It was to immortalize an artist's vision and ideals.

But there were some pieces that simply required perfection, and this was one of them, he supposed.

"Although I'm certain Your Grace will look good no matter what, you might find yourself surprised to see exactly what I am capable of when inebriated," he said lightly. "Perhaps I will take your offer another night, when I am not on the verge of ruining a painting I have not even started."

At the revelation that this was the Duke's first time, Eunhyuk could not help the way he raised an eyebrow. "Well, there would be... a lot of staring, that's one. And you will have to stay still for long periods of time, though of course you are still allowed to move." Though moving may change the lighting somehow, but it is nothing that Eunhyuk cannot handle. "I find it hard to believe, however; is this truly your first time having a portrait done?"

With that face, Eunhyuk expected a little bit of vanity. He was having a difficult time believing that it was not the case for the Duke.

With the arrival of the food, however, Eunhyuk could feel a sudden wave of hunger washing over. His smile waved for a moment, and he placed a hand by his stomach, wondering lightly if he had once again forgotten to consume something on his way to the Jang estate. That was not unusual, unfortunately (and he no longer had someone to remind him). "Would you like to eat first before we proceed, my lord?"

@❁ bae eunhyuk "Well, that's the thing about my visage - it always looks good," he nodded. "but I do love a man that takes a challenge." Ilseong moved over towards the seat and settled down, adjusting his clothing so they were not wrinkled or affecting his seated position. Truthfully, he was a little nervous about getting his portrait done. The previous Dukes have, of course, gone through this process before, but Ilseong was unsure of how to proceed. What steps would this artist take? They would need multiple days, so would they spend all the time seated here....staring at each other? Not that he minded that part, Eunhyuk was quite the sight.

After having finally checked himself, the young Duke straightened his posture, settled his hands on his lap and cast a cold gaze to the artist, but with the corners of his lips just slightly upturned. The previous Jang Dukes looked so serious in their portraits, but serious was not exactly Ilseong's personality and he wanted his portrait to reflect not just his house, but also himself as an individual. For what good was an image of oneself if it did not truly reflect the person?

"So what steps should I expect to this process? Not that I don't enjoy being stared at, or being the one to do the staring, I'm just curious. It's my first time, so... be gentle," he laughed before getting back into his decided pose.

As he sat patiently, it gave him some time to think. Where would this portrait even be displayed? Perhaps in one of the more common rooms of the estate. The salon up front would be good, but the colors might clash with the greenery in there. It would be far too vain to hang such a portrait in his own quarters. Something he would have to consult an interior decorator for later. His contemplation was broken when the sounds of knocking came from the doors.

"Enter, leave the food and drink on the table. Thank you," he called to the servants. With quiet bows, the servants did as instructed and quickly left the Duke and the artist alone once more. The smell of roasted meats wafted over to his nose and made his mouth water. His gaze flitted from the dishes set a few feet away from them, to the artist by the canvas. What a pleasure he would have to share a meal with such a talented and good looking individual.

@✿ jang ilseong Eunhyuk did not miss the way the Duke had eyed him down, and the painter kept a smile on his lips. If one looked and observed him well enough, then perhaps they might catch a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Oh, but am I not a servant, my lord? I am but a mere painter, after all," he says with a rather light tone, and a slight bow of his head. "It would be... ah, disrespectful of me if people were to hear me call you by your name, my lord," he continued, putting a slight more emphasis on the title, and yet the smile remained, though a tad bit more playful this time.

Once the Duke had left, Eunhyuk began to set his materials up. His paints on a table nearby, placed on top of a towel so he would not ruin furniture while he painted. While he was not necessarily the messy type when it came to portraits that were requested, compared to his personal works, he didn't want to take any chances. He didn't take to being in a foreign place for too long, after all; as such, he would much prefer if his stay here was as short as could be, even if most portraits took a week at the very least, though depending on his client's request, it might very well take a month.

He wondered what type of a model the Duke was. Would he be the patient type, still as a stone as he sat in a pose of his choosing? Or would he be the type that was a little bit more common amongst his clients, the type to squirm in place? Ah, but the Duke was a soldier, wasn't he? Eunhyuk was rather certain that the Duke might be able to stay still far longer than others, but the image of the Duke squirming awkwardly... Well, it was an entertaining thought.

Especially with /that/ kind of face—Eunhyuk had to wonder why the Duke had only commissioned a portrait from him now. With that face, Eunhyuk would have been more than willing to paint the Duke's face more times than merely once. It was rare, after all, that he saw a face that suited a canvas, a beauty that was to be immortalized. His hands already itched to draw the man, even if Eunhyuk was fully aware that the sketch might not go as easy as it had with the others.

He was sitting in front of the rather large canvas he had just placed on the table where his paints sat, when the Duke came back. Bowing briefly in return, almost instinctively at this point, Eunhyuk blinked at the question, but the smile hadn't left his lips. "Do you mean to suggest that I drink while I paint your visage, my lord?" There was an amused lilt to his voice then. "I'm afraid I will not be able to guarantee quality while I am inebriated, but I can take a challenge," he continued, before gesturing to the seat across him.

"But I am ready when you are, my lord."

@❁ bae eunhyuk Ilseong did not understand artistic minds all that much. But he did understand how to observe human behavior and reactions. So when he noticed a slight pause from Eunhyuk, he chuckled softly to himself. Of course, he wouldn't pry or let on to noticing what just happened, instead opting to keeping the pace of the evening. After all, the gentle golden glow of the sunset would not last forever and candlelight could only provide so much.

"'My lord', goodness, you sound like a servant," he laughed. "You can go ahead and set up your tools, wherever you think is best. I trust your eye..." he trailed off. His gaze shamelessly traveled up then down the artist's form. Practically dressed, but not drab, either. And he would be lying if he said the man wasn't attractive. "You have good taste, after all. I'll be back in a moment to change out of my outdoorsy attire, something more fitting of a portrait, I hope."

Ilseong turned and left the room, taking the rather short walk to the grand set of doors that led to his bedroom. The duke's bedroom was, of course, opulent and showcased the riches of the Jang family. A large bed with fine sheets, silk covers. Large glass windows with balconies that looked out to the mews where the falcons stayed. There was also an attached bathroom with a large tub where he loved to unwind after long days of physical tasks. But he had no time to get comfortable, he had to look presentable. It took him only a few minutes to dress himself in the house colors; a crimson red durumagi set with black sashes, golden embroidery running along the hem. His silky black hair was pulled back into a proper bun. Before leaving his quarters, he detached the sleeve of his outermost layer, showcasing the battle practicality of the garment.

Once he returned, he bowed to Eunhyuk and looked around the room. "Are you ready? And I hope you haven't eaten yet, I told the staff to send us dinner in here, as well as some soju. Do you drink?," he gave another charming smile. Perhaps he could take this evening, and all the time spent on this portrait, to relax.

@✿ jang ilseong The first thought that entered Eunhyuk's mind the moment the Duke entered was really quite simple, /and/ rare: beautiful. What stood before Eunhyuk was a man so beautiful it was as if the latter had stolen his breath (and perhaps, that was not too far from the truth). His hands twitched with the urge to sketch, to draw, to color—anything, if it meant that he could capture the other man's beauty in his own style. It was rare enough for something to spark his muse like this; it was even rare for a /person/ to make him feel this way.

He raised to his feet, bowing in respect to the duke, almost easily regaining his calm. "Oh, but I cannot possibly call you by name, my lord," he said, but if the Duke himself insisted, then who was he to say no? He disliked the idea of addressing anyone as superior to him anyway, which was why he was better off keeping to himself most of the time, or to those who who did not have any titles. He followed the duke outside the room, into... well, a larger room.

Immediately, his eyes went over to observe the place. While the surroundings were not too important to the portrait, it was still a factor into the lighting and the overall... image that the portrait would have. He turned to the duke once more, and smiled, bowing once more politely. "Thank you for your hospitality, my lord. Would it be possible for me to set up already? As I would like to be ready for when you wish to start the portrait."

He placed his bag of materials down. "When would you like to start?"

@❁ bae eunhyuk "Sir, the artist is here to begin your portrait," the servant informed him.

The sun had already begun to set and it appears that the young duke had lost track of time once again, tending to his beloved falcons and hawks. The goshawk perched upon his forearm called out and Ilseong shushed it, running his free index and middle fingers along the bird's head to soothe it. Probably the most peaceful part of his day was taking care of the birds and he wished he could raise them full time. But alas, responsibility was bestowed upon him a few months ago.

After making sure the birds had been secured within their mew, Ilseong sauntered through the halls of the estate. His attire this evening was a little more relaxed. Why should a man be dressed up within the walls of his own home? Besides, the artist would be staying as his own guest until the portrait would be finished. The servants mumbled amongst themselves once they learned that the duke requested a guest room be prepared in his wing. But he could not simply send the artist home during the night. What if some harm came to him? What if he never returned? It would be cruel of him to expect the artist to run back and forth each day.

The duke was a tad eager to meet this artist. He came personally recommended from a previous client, a wealthy female friend of Ilseong's gushed about his works over drinks. And why not get a portrait done? Ilseong enjoyed the arts, even if he did not understand them much. As he got closer to where the artist was told to wait, the Duke tugged off his large falconry glove and folded the thick leather accessory.

Upon seeing the seated man, he wasn't what Ilseong was expecting. Much younger.

"Good evening. I take it you're the artist? Duke Jang Ilseong, but I insist, just call me Ilseong... no use for titles in my own home," he gave the man a warm and inviting smile before bowing. "Come with me and I'll show you where to set up," he instructed. Setting off further down the hall, he lead the man to a large sitting room. The room had a few benches and couches to sit at, family heirlooms and relics proudly displayed, and a fireplace that was already prepared and lit, filling the room with warmth.

"Should you need anything during your stay, don't hesitate to let me know. I'll make sure you get it."

@✿ jang ilseong —— [ dated: nov 20th, 1869 ] ——

By the time Eunhyuk had arrived at the Jang Estate, the heavens are already filled with an orange hue, spreading into blue and red. The travel was not as long as he had expected, being far into the outer cities, but he was well aware of the... workings of the inner city, so to speak, as he was often called into the houses of the wealthy to paint them their commissions. And so, he had let himself get quite distracted on his way, and such, he had arrived just a few moments before the agreed time.

It was always an experience to wander through the inner city, so different from where he had grown up in. It was even more of an experience entering the abodes of these wealthy families, something that most people from his class could only dream of. Most envied this kind of life, and he could understand, every time he stepped foot into their territory. Unlike those of the lower middle class, these people did not have to worry about putting food on the tables. Unlike those of the lower middle class, these people did not have to worry about a shelter.

Though he was never the patriotic nor the compassionate type, and so these musings were borrowed from those who were. These words would echo whenever he would so much as step foot within these confines, and he would be forced to acknowledge it every time. After all, he too was doing this as a livelihood, not as a mere pasttime. He drew the vanity of these people into beautiful pieces, so that they might call themselves an art.

He was then led to where he believed was the Duke's wing. Truthfully, he did not know what to expect. The way he painted portraits often took ideas on how the model behaved, how they were as a person. It was how his portraits would feel... close, or personal to its subject. (Ironic, wasn't it? For a man who knew nothing of the human heart to paint others so vividly personal to them.)

With a nod to the servant who had so kindly led him here, Eunhyuk sat on one of the chairs as the servant left, saying that she would inform the Duke of his presence. Keeping his materials by his side, he wondered what kind of person his model for the week would turn out to be. He had heard of things, of course, but it was much better to learn about someone by interacting with the person themselves.

Words of others, after all, did not often do justice to matters of the human nature. And so, with a soft sigh, he could only wait until the Duke's arrival, as he let his gaze wander and observe his new surroundings.

@✿ jang eundal Even with the smile plastered on the other’s face, the tension inside was palpable. At best, it served as a weak barrier to the real happenings in the household. His blood thrummed heavily through his veins as his gaze swept across the room. At a peak of his mother’s silhouette, a tremor goes through him, even with his relaxed stature. A flash of memories surged in his mind, which tore open like a book to the part where the woman, looming over a younger Eundal kneeling in supplication, struck him across the face with the back of her hand. As if he was a victim too, he felt the stinging sensation in his cheek. He vividly remembered attempting to wedge in between the Dowager Concubine and his son, but was held back by one of the attendants.

Disrupting his rumination was the act of being pulled into a friendly embrace. Shocked, yet elated, Sangwook wrapped his arms around his shoulders, thus reciprocating his affection. Suddenly, he forgot the premonition of his mother’s constant ire and enjoyed the blissful reunion between them.

“Eundal-ah!”

Despite being quite tall himself, he felt small next to Eundal as he regarded their height differences with an assessing look. One of them clearly benefited from a huge boost in height over the summer, and it was not him. A smile spread across his lips as he withdrew within his hold, gripping him gently at arm’s length.

Brushing off the other’s apologies with the shake of his head, he gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

“You did nothing of the sort. Can I not come here for a mere visit? Or is that considered dreadful etiquette by—.” Instead of mentioning her name, he glanced towards her. “But um, I hope you don’t mind my sudden visit, I can’t help missing a dear friend so much.” Inwardly cringing at his own words, he sounded more like a clingy maiden than a slightly remorseful friend.

@❁ byun sangwook To say things were tense would be an understatement. His father passing, and naming his oldest brother heir, despite being illegitimate had caused a cloak of tension over the estate, at least that is how Eundal saw it. The last few months had left the youngest Jang feeling uncertain about his place, only recently did he confirm his security and his mothers. Not that protected him from his step mother’s anger, anger over Hyukjae being named heir and unable to take it out on him, instead Eundal made an easy target. His every little move overanalyzed.

Currently Eundal was kneeling in front of his mother, holding a stack of books over his head as he repeated whatever lesson he had forgotten, his mother insisting on punishing him before his step mother could. A servant came in, announcing the arrival of Lord Byun. Turning to give his mother a pleading look, smiling sweetly before she gave a nod of approval with a sigh.

Eundal calmly sets the books down, jumping up and running to hug his mother before darting out of the room, he scrambled to slip his shoes on before bolting towards the inner courtyard, turning a corner and nearly running over the very person he was so edger to see. “Sangwook-ah.” Eundal sates keeping them both upright as He grabs the other by the shoulders. “Are you okay?” Eundal asks once he is sure they are both stable and his hands drop to his sides. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to nearly run you over.” He beams down at his friend. “What brings you by?”

@✿ jang eundal < Autumn in 1859 >

Gone were the days he can lounge on a chaise and play cuju with the future eunuchs. Swiftly replacing them were the hours of studying, boring holes into the parchment of Confucianist principles, painstaking memorization of political theories and the laws of the land for the gwageo. The gentle breeze swept across his face as he stepped out of the palanquin, gripping his attendant’s shoulder to aid him in his descent. If it were not for the leg injury when he was at a young age of twelve, he would have stepped on a stirrup and mounted on his horse like his peers in the military, traveling on fields that stretched for an eternity. With the clicking on the ground of his wooden cane following his steps to the splendor of the large hanok, Sangwook announced his presence to the Jang family’s maidservant.

Visiting the hanok after a year reminded him of the splendor characteristic of the estate. Trees bordered the building, along with the gardens, flowers still in full bloom. Greeting her with a curt bow, he then relayed his request. “Miss, can you lead me to Lord Jang? Thank you so much.” He simpered at her, dimples imprinted on his cheeks as he subtlety peered over to the possible location of his friend.

There was something amiss in the atmosphere, but he couldn’t put his finger to it. Hopefully, for his and Eundal’s sake, he was spared from witnessing the wrath of Dowager Jang.

@✿ jang deoksu "maybe not well, five of us have different opinion so you will see later," she said with a smile while await of the count to change his clothes while she continued went ahead to settle the rest neatly for him to see easily. bickering with her partner while they discussed a little bit for dinner later until he came out, the perfect colors somehow fit nicely as both of them clapped by the best work they did.

sumin walked towards him and circled around to see how perfectly it compliment along with his expression look even softer than her first impression when he came by in the store. "i agreed with you, my count, especially that you look friendlier to be approached or maybe might get hit on by the ladies out there," she said with a nods, "some ladies are brave when they see approachable man."

sumin carefully grab her pins that she has and a little chalk, adjusting the sleeves as he mentioned while doing it at the other side with the help to make sure its balanced at the same time. nonetheless, sumin was proud at the summer work on him as she spoken once again, "okay for the miscommunication was mainly because we want to mix the color for one each and the other want to add in some pattern or design," sumin said before guiding him to the undone top and bottom with the samples at the side on the floor.

"maybe we all agreed we just bring them to you and see if you would like to explore mix and match which is our feature of the store," she hold both of her hands together to see for his reaction, hoping that he may or may not want, she do want to try it out first.

@✿ jang deoksu the voice that greeted and startled sumin and her colleague got them jumped a little before bowing to deoksu for the greeting, the way she see his eyes sparkles at the new clothes got her actually excited when people love her clothes. "these are the one that done, and the one on the floor are the undone, just little bit miscommunication between me and my colleague as we share opinions," she said before letting him see the four pairs for two seasons on the hangers.

he was carefully grace and take a look of her clothes which make her quickly signal the other to put up the curtain stand just in case of anything than openly stripped in front of both girls, once it was ready sumin guide deoksu to it with one set. the baby blue to represent the summer sky and the hint of little whites to combine to make it look for the bright winter in spring summer.

"try this on, then we can try the winter set," she said with the guidance, "do let me know if you need help with the fitting, it may be completed with everything, but if its tight or loose, i can adjust and apply to the undone," sumin said to ensure deoksu that how determined and diligence she was in her own works.

@✿ jang deoksu 「 one week later after the orders 」

it was thankfully an off day for the store and her workers except for one who would keep her company to head down to the jang residence, for the one that ordered the most clothes from her as she would willing to go down if needed. thankfully she put up her priority for deoksu's order first after finishing a few and spend a few owl night to clear a little bit of the orders.

the uncompleted summer clothes on her hands while the winter clothes on her colleague's hands, it was quite a distance from the marketplace to the residence despite having the occasion rain and sunny at the same time. soon enough when they reached, sumin carefully knocked the door with the greeting of the maid that she recognized for moment. the one that took orders for the matching family fit as she brightly smiles, saying that she came for the count jang as the maid cheerfully guide them in.

as they walked in, sumin couldn't help but to awe at the area. yangban houses do be quite big and much more spaces. the maid of the house lead them to the spacious guest room as they bowed to thank before getting on to giggle by the amount of spaces they have before taking out the portable stands for them to hang the clothes and some undone on the floor while waiting for the owner of this pretty clothes.