Chapter 285 - Wedding (2): The Ring

Dasom picked up a diamond ring bordered with rubies.

"This looks nice," he said to KJ. He held it up for the latter to see. 

"It looks too flashy," KJ noted. "No, it doesn't suit Mirae."

Dasom groaned and put it down. KJ had called him up to help him choose the wedding rings and he was at first happy to do it. But they had been searching for hours, going from one shop to another because KJ was not satisfied with any of them. A pretty shopkeeper was waiting for them to choose one but KJ just could not make up his mind.

"KJ, we've already searched three shops!" Dasom complained. "And those were exclusive designer stores! You can't just say no to everything."

"I can and I will until I find what I'm looking for," KJ stated. 

"And what are you looking for?"

"Something which I know Mirae will love," he said, picking up a turquoise ring with a platinum band. "This one is too bland."

"Sir, if you would just tell me what sort of ring you're looking for," the shopkeeper suggested. "I could help. I can show you our most expensive collection."

She took out a tray which had some of the most beautiful rings Dasom had ever seen. Even to his untrained eyes, it was obvious that these jewelries were not just expensive but only a certain niche of exclusive customers could wear them. The storekeeper would not take them out for just any riffraff.

But standing in front of her was Kwon Jiwon, the Nation's Idol. He was no ordinary customer and only he was worthy of buying such fine jewelry for his wife. Unfortunately for her, even the most expensive ornaments were not enough to catch his attention.

"Let's go Dasom," KJ finally said, rejecting every ring on the tray. "None of these speak to me."

The shopkeeper looked crestfallen as she watched KJ and Dasom exit the store. 

"Where to next?" Dasom asked. They both put on their masks and hoodies. Even though they were at one of the most exclusive malls of the country where only a few customers were allowed to enter, KJ did not want the news about the ceremony to leak. They did not speak about the wedding inside any of the shops and simply pretended that they were looking for Mirae's birthday gift. What if the wrong people came to know of it?

"I think there are a few jewelry stores there," KJ said, pointing south. "Let's go."

They visited three more stores but came out empty handed. Dasom's patience was wearing thin but KJ was so determined to find the perfect ring that he did not care how much time he was wasting. It was already 1 PM and they had very little time.

"Just pick one!" Dasom pleaded. "Why is it so difficult for you to just pick one ring? I'm sure sister-in-law will like whatever you give her!"

"She will, but I want her to be truly happy," KJ shot back. "She's gonna wear it for the rest of our lives! The ring has to match her personality."

Dasom was at a loss for words but KJ only laughed. "You'll understand it one day kiddo," he snickered. "When you'll go off to buy a ring for Eli."

KJ's words caused Dasom to splutter. "She's not into jewelry!" he protested.

"So you're never going to get her a ring?"

"I will buy a custom made one," Dasom declared. "Which will symbolize our love!"

"And that's what I'm looking for," KJ pointed out. But none of the rings they saw was enough. 

"Then what are you looking for?"

"Something which will make her heart flutter every time she looks at it."

Complaining loudly, Dasom followed KJ to two more shops before the latter was forced to give up. The pricey rings just did not appeal to him.

"Let's go," KJ sighed in disappointment. "I just can't find what I'm looking for."

"We can try some of the stores at the intersection," Dasom said. "Maybe they'll have something?"

But KJ doubted it. He still followed Dasom to his car, carefully avoiding the public's eye. Dasom sat at the driver's seat while KJ settled on the passenger's side and they drove off towards the intersection ahead. They parked the car on one side and began to explore the shops.

The shops were lined next to each other like little cottages. It was one of the most posh neighborhoods of the capital and a lot of celebrities frequented the nearby places. From exclusive designer wear to handcrafted jewelry, everything was valued over millions of dollars. 

"Let's check in here," Dasom said as he pointed at a gold shop. KJ shrugged and was about to follow him in when his attention was caught by something else. On the opposite side of the road was a little antique shop. It did not look as stylish as the other stores with its traditional decorum but upon a second look, it had a homely appeal.

"Dasom, let's check there," KJ suggested.

"That's an antique shop," he frowned. "You'll only find old, worn down stuff there."

"Let's just check!" KJ insisted. "Come on!"

Without another word, he set off to cross the street with Dasom in tow. A frail old man looked up when they entered the shop. A strong yet pleasant smell of rose flavored incense hit them.

The walls were decorated with a wallpaper made with dark blue faux fur. It was a little cooler inside even though there was no air conditioner. They saw a Japanese style mini fountain merrily sprinkling water in a medium sized bowl which resembled a pond. Soft music was playing in the background which KJ recognized immediately as one of Mozart's works.

There were wide varieties of antique pieces lined up which were a collector's dream. Dasom was gaping at some of them.

"That looks like a Jade clip from the Silla dynasty!" he exclaimed, pointing at a long, thin red hair clip which was adorned with golden paint on its end. KJ also spotted a clay vase with ancient chinese inscriptions. 

"KJ, look at that!" Dasom poked him in excitement. KJ followed his gaze to see a painting of a beautiful girl wearing a red hanbok. She was sitting under a tree bearing red fruits, playing a flute. Both of them were mesmerized by the portrait. There was something magical about the painting yet, it felt oddly familiar. The artist had captured the feelings of the girl as if she was in turmoil yet at peace while playing her beloved tune. It was clear that the girl was someone very precious to the artist. It was drawn hundreds of years ago but still carried the charm of first love.

"It's just like how Jinhyun used to paint," Dasom noted. "It's almost as if an ancient version of Jinhyun drew this!"

"This was drawn hundreds of years ago," KJ said, rolling his eyes. "Beside, there's no signature on it. 

"But-"

"Can I help you two?" the old man spoke up. The two men were startled. They had not realized that he was standing there, listening to them.

���Uh yes!" KJ said. "We were just looking around for wedding rings and found this shop. But you have a beautiful collection of rare artefacts here. Are these for sale?"

"Ah yes, these are unique antique pieces," the old man smiled. "Too bad the youngsters nowadays prefer flashy things over genuine beauty."

He sighed. KJ noted the sadness in his tone and pitied the man. "Do you happen to have any rare wedding rings?" he asked halfheartedly. He was not expecting the shop to have any but to his surprise, the old man nodded.

"Wait here," he said. "I'll bring out the collection."

He shuffled towards the backdoor to look for the collection of rings.

"You wanna buy your wife some old junk?" Dasom hissed but KJ ignored him. There was no harm in checking.

The old man came out after several minutes but to their surprise, he was not holding any tray. Instead, in his palm were a pair of small rings.

Even though the rings dated back to hundreds of years, they looked brand new. The band of one of the rings was made of pure silver while the other one was made of gold, both shining brightly under the dim lights of the blue store. The gold ring had no gemstone on it but it had a small inscription in it which KJ read as 'For you my beloved, I will love you even in death."

But the most astonishing part was the gem of the silver ring. Cut into a fine square, it was an emerald green sapphire which matched Mirae's beautiful eyes. Both men stared at it in wonder.

"This...does this have a story behind it?" KJ asked, gaping at the ring.

"Ahh yes," the old man replied. "It has a sad, yet beautiful story behind it."

"This ring belonged to Queen Dangyeong, wife of the famous Emperor Jungjong," he narrated. "The king loved his betrothed very much. Before they were to be married, he had ordered his men to find the most talented jeweler of the country. The king asked the jeweler to make a pair of rings for him and his beloved fiance, which will fortify their love for each other every time they look at the symbol of love on their fingers."

The old man gave them a sad smile. "The new queen was overjoyed by the token of love from her beloved husband. These rings were meant to bind them together forever. But tragedy struck and the new queen's father tried to kill the king. The conspiracy was caught and within seven days, the king was forced by his counsellors to depose his newly wedded wife. Their blissful life was cut short and the queen left the palace, taking with her only the symbol of their everlasting love. For the rest of their lives, they yearned for each other but the court politics and society kept them from seeing each other."

"When the king died, with his last breath he sent the ring to the queen through a messenger. When the queen received the ring, she knew her husband was dead. But his last act was to convey his message of love for her. The inscription inside was the king's last words for her. Despite their long years of separation, they only loved each other. Even time couldn't keep them apart."

KJ was staring at the rings while listening to the sad tale of the separated lovers. Somehow, it reflected his and Mirae's story. Separated by time and luck yet united in soul. The set of rings in his hands were the symbols of everlasting love.

"I'll take them," he finally said. 

"Young man, these are very expensive," the old man cautioned but KJ took out his black credit card.

"I don't care," he said firmly. "These rings were meant to be ours."

The old man looked at him in surprise before breaking into a smile. He could see the love in KJ's eyes for his beloved. In front of that intense love, who was he to refuse.

"I understand," the old man said and took the card. He packed the rings into a pair of beautiful saffron colored boxes and swiped the card before handing it all to KJ. Dasom checked the bill and commented, "The rings only cost hundred and sixty thousand? I thought they'd be more."

"I gave a special discount for you," the old man laughed. 

"Thank you," KJ said, feeling grateful. He and Dasom then exited the shop as the old man watched on. Unbeknownst to them, the man had given them a ninety five percent discount on the real value of the rings. Young love, he mused.