Erica Laurie - Eun Na and the Phantom

Eun Na

and the

Phantom

By Erica Laurie

Eun Na and the Phantom

Copyright 2016 by Erica Laurie.

All rights reserved.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the authors imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Dedication

F irst and foremost , this book is for Don. Thank you for loving me.

To my kidsthank you for being mine.

I would also like to dedicate this book to the many Korean drama fans that are longing for books that are like the shows we watch.

About this Story

T his story takes place in an imaginary Korean-inspired fantasy world. It is not meant to be historically accurate.

If you would like to know more about the history and people of Korea, please visit your local library.

Glossary

father

abeoji (ah bu ji)

mother

eomeoni (uh mu ni)

father-in-law

abeonim

mother-in-law

eomeonim

grandmother

halmeoni (hal mu ni)

grandfather

harabeoji (hal ah bu ji)

nari (na ri): honorific used by commoners for someone of higher status.

*s pecial note: when used as a title/name Ive used Abeoji or Eomeoni for father and mother. In cases where its lowercase, Ive chosen to use the English words.

While Ive tried to remain accurate with my use of Korean, there may be errors.

Prologue

O nce upon a time, there lived a young man who was cursed for greed that wasnt his own. Transformed into a phantom, his soul was trapped in darkness.

An imugi dragon noticed his plight and introduced him to her mudang companion, Ji Na. Together they offered their assistance to him, that they might break the curse so that his soul could rest.

But they failed.

To save him from being forever lost in the eternal night, the dragon gave him part of her soul. With this gift, he could appear mortal. At night, he was forced to remain a ghost.

As the years passed by, the phantom lived alone in the cave of his imugi friend, longing for what he believed he could never have.

Until the day he met the loggers daughter.

~*~*~*~

Chapter 1

I n a snug little house on the outskirts of a village, there lived a girl named Gu Eun Na. Eun Na lived with her father and mother. She called her father Abeoji , and her mother Eomeoni . Her father, Namukkun, was by profession, a logger

Eun Na was getting fresh water from the well when her father walked, wearily, up to the house.

Abeoji, how did things go in the village today? Eun Na asked.

Well enough, Namukkun said. Its been a long day. Is dinner ready?

Just about, Eun Na said hoisting up the water bucket.

Thats good to hear. I could use some of your mothers delicious cooking, Namukkun said as they made their way into the house.

Eomeoni, Abeojis home, Eun Na said, walking into the kitchen with the water, and setting it down. Is there anything else you need me to do?

Could you finish the eggs and get the food on the table? Namu-Anae answered her daughter as she went to greet her husband. Eun Na smiled at the warm way her parents greeted each other as she finished preparing the food.

The family gathered around the small, square, wooden table as Eun Na placed the last of the bowls on the table.

Let us eat well. Namukkun smiled at his family before filling his plate.

Let us eat well, responded Namu-Anae and Eun Na.

I ran into Lord Park in town today, Namukkun said. He reminded me of our debt.

Namu-Anae frowned, scooping rice into her bowl. Did he now?

Eun Na catching the undertones watched her parents for a moment. Her father was troubled. It must not have gone well, despite what he had told her. Which meant he didnt want her to know. Which meant

Namu-Anae continued, breaking into Eun Nas thoughts, You cant get blood from a stone. What does he want us to do? Give him the house?

No, not the house, Namukkun said. He cleared his throat before adding, I agreed to make a payment at the end of next week.