Chapter 1: Yona the dancer
"Grrrrrrrrgrrrrrrrrr" the happy hungry bunch looked at each other, trying to identify the source of the sound. At this rate of plundering through the forest in the dead cold winter, the stomach noises are akin to music to their ears, as the members become increasingly fatigued and silent as time passes.
"So who's stomach is growling this time?" Yoon said.
"We can't deny the fact that we are all hungry. The happy hungry bunch is definitely happy with the exciting adventures, but we are all about to drop from hunger. We are freezing cold and need to find food supply as soon as possible" Kija said
"If it was the normal warm weather, we could ask Yona to shoot a peasant for our meals… but it is so cold that even the birds must be hibernating… It doesn't help that the plants are dried so we can't even have fruits or berries to eat" Yoon despaired
"Don't worry, we just need to encounter a bear then we can get Hak to hunt it for us" Jae-Ha replied.
"In this snowy barren land, I'll be happy to even encounter a Yeti. Then we can feed Jae-Ha to fatten it up before we feast on it" Hak interjected.
"Hak, why are you picking on me, you are such a mean person" Jae-Ha replied.
"Your death won't be a waste, your sacrifice will save us all" Hak joked.
"Hak, even as a joke that's a little dark" Yona said. Nonetheless, she felt the mood of everyone lightening with the exchange. They had been wandering around the forest for a week without food and were getting worried and tired. They had run out of food supplies and had assumed that they would be able to hunt for food as usual, never expecting the lack of game. She felt another shiver run through from the cold. They really needed to find a warm place and get some food.
"Ah… I can finally see a village nearby" Shin-Ah observed with his binocular vision.
"Finally!" Yoon cried in relief.
The beauty of the town that behold their eyes melted away all their hunger and fatigue. It was a quaint village with intricately designed architecture that surrounded a river with crystal clear water reflecting the snowy mountains at the backdrop of the village. The streets of the village were decorated with pottery and statues, but the most striking statue was at the centre of the village. It was a statue of a beautiful woman adorned with an elegant traditional gown with the poise of dignity and grace that would be the object of desire for anyone.
"This statue and the scenery seems familiar somehow, I think I've read about this place before. Isn't this the statue of Yamato Nadeshiko of Yamamaki town" Yona said.
"That's right princess, good to know that your education is finally being useful to us" Hak said.
"If I recall correctly, this town fluorishes due to their unique location being in between the borders of Kouka, Sei and Xing yet maintains a neutral stance in politics. They absorb the culture and talents from both nations while trading art and knowledge" Yona replied.
"I'm surprised that you've retained the knowledge that your teachers were trying to instil in you…seeing that you always sneaked out from lessons all the time and gave your teachers stress-induced migraines" Hak smirked.
"Hey, I wasn't such a terrible student!" Yona pouted. "And I was interested in this town due to it's focus on arts, I always wanted to visit this place."
Hak recalled the memories of Yona from his childhood. Although she was ignorant about world issues and palace matters, she was always passionate about art, especially in her dance. It was not like she could freely tour around Kouka as the princess. At least with the tragedies involving her father she gained freedom and a spirit that he came to admire and love. It is a bittersweet feeling, but he was glad that she managed to achieve one of her dreams from her childhood…
"Grrrrrrrrgrrrrrrrrr" Yona's stomach rumbled.
"Hahaha, princess you are such an honest person. We still need to find food and a warm place to stay" Hak said as they continued searching the streets. However, being broke doesn't help. While walking, they came across a poster- "annual talent show- recruiting artists, just demonstrate your talent in any forms of art and get paid!". They finally found a way to get food and lodgings!
"Kija, all you have to do is do a catwalk and wink at the ladies. Go put your pretty face to use" Jae-Ha said. Kija attempts to wink, but his face contorts to make him thug-like. Despite his pretty face, he is a terrible actor. Well, Jae-Ha has the perfect plan to bring a genuine happy expression to Kija's face.
"Yona-chan, why don't we pair up for a performance? You can do your lovely dance to my flute, and there are so many pretty dresses here to choose from." Jae-Ha said.
"That's a good idea, Jae-Ha! Your flute skills are amazing, I just need to work hard to match up with you" Yona stares at the wardrobe in front of her, it has been awhile since she had to dress-up and perform. She remembers the feeling of being in the zone of dancing, and secretly misses the beautiful adornments, dresses and the attention she gets while doing something she loves.
Yona appears before them dressed in an elegant dress with flowing silk that follows her movement. It is a cream coloured dress that brings out the colour of her red hair like a flower. Her obi sash highlights her curves and her hair is arranged in a neat bun adorned with flowers which shows her neckline except for her long side fringes that follows her with every movement. She appears with make-up to brighten her eyes and some colour on the lips which made her smile more mysterious. At that moment, she looked as beautiful as the statue of Yamato Nadeshiko.
"Wow miss! You are pretty!" Zeno said while smiling.
"Yona-chan, you look amazing!" Jae-Ha said.
Kija nodded to the comment with a bright smile. "Yona, you are so pretty!" Even Shin-Ah quietly nodded his agreement.
"Thank you everyone" Yona said feeling a little embarassed and smiled back with a blush on her face.
Hak stood there staring at Yona. He felt overwhelmed with emotions that he couldn't respond to her. Of course he thought that she was beautiful, he had always thought so despite his teasing her all the time. He had been watching over her for so many years, and he can see that she has truly grown into an elegant lady with a fiery spirit. She was beautiful before, but today she was completely mesmerising, like a flower that has started to bloom.
"Hak, are you so charmed by Yona-chan that you lost your voice?" Jae-Ha teased knowingly.
Hak realised he has been staring intently for awhile and struggled to maintain his composure. Yona stared back at him with eyes brighter than normal.
"Well, for someone with no sex appeal you are not too bad" Hak said. Once again his Tsundere side is appearing and he can't express what he feels normally.
"Shut up, Hak" Yona said, a little disappointed. She expected Hak to praise her, but it was wrong of her to expect so much from him. In his eyes, she must appear like a child dressing up, pretending to be someone who she is not.
It was finally the talent show. Being a variety talent show, the performances and exhibitions varied from pottery, jewelleries, paintings, to songs and dances. From the exhibitions, the most striking one was of homemade porcelain dolls that looked life-like and a potteries of intricate designs. There was also a solo musician who demonstrated superb skills on the two-string violin with her dexterous fingers. She became popular immediately due to her skills and her charming face. The model wearing traditional designer gowns was another popular figure in the competition. Finally, it was Yona's turn on stage. She danced her heart out to a song that starts with a carefree melody with light fluttering movements like a butterfly, morphed into a dramatic sad tune which she expressed with large sweeping movements. The feeling of desperation begins to rise until the dance transitions into epic music expressed with her skills with turns, jumps and flexibility. Finally it ends with a feeling of peace and serenity, and applause greeted her upon the final note. She always had the power to engage emotions at the bottom of the audience's hearts- some of them wiped their tears with their hankies, while others cheered for her. Hak had to admit that he was moved by the performance, he noticed the little movements and quirks in her expression that showed the depths of her emotion, from the broken heart from betrayal and death to the courage she showed to regain her spirit and be at peace. He wanted to protect this pure soul that he loved from all the hurt in the world, the spirit that continued to shine despite all the adversities she faced.
"Wow, miss that was quite the moving performance. After all, art is an expression of emotion, and I am touched by that intensity!" a random man in his 30s complimented Yona while walking towards her. He wore hat and blue lens glasses with an unshaven beard and a slightly unkempt appearance overall with a loosely fitted Yukata and a walking stick. Nonetheless, there was a strange charm to this mysterious man.
"Thank you, sir. Are you an artist?" Yona asked, as he had the air of eccentricity.
"Yes, dear. I have always admired the beautiful form of the ladies that expressed the delicate emotions and I attempt to immortalise their beauty in the form of my hand-crafted dolls" he gestured to his exhibition and showed Yona his dolls.
"They are certainly have beautiful expression, and I can see the care you put into the details. It looks so real!" She reached out a hand to touch the face of a doll just to confirm that it is not real. It feels cold and smooth to the touch, but there was something about the eyes of the doll held her gaze. Despite being so real, she felt a shiver through her spine for the expression felt unnatural somehow.
"They are made using a special mineral found only this town that represents porcelain. One of the reasons art fluorishes here, and my reason in the town is to use it to produce an artwork that lives in people's hearts eternally" he replied fondly with a tender expression towards his dolls.
Yona was about to reply when she was distracted with high pitch giggling and a luscious woman draped around Hak's arm. She saw red, what was that bitch with Hak! Sure, she was pretty enough to model for the competition and her eccentric blue eyes were certainly alluring.. and that Hak! he certainly looks like he was enjoying it, grinning like that. Does he just fall for anyone with a nice figure like that? Without knowing what she was doing, she was walking towards Hak and that woman.
"Ara, it's the tiny little dancer from before" the woman directed a flirtatious smile to Yona and then her eyes moved down to Yona's chest before she pressed more of her boobs to Hak's arm.
"W-what?" Yona looks scandalised. How dare this woman flaunt her mountainous boobs in front of her and Hak! and Hak just stands there looking like he's enjoying it. She's so pissed she can't find the words to say to the the woman.. She's considering throwing her shoe at this woman now.
She smiled to Yona and bent down to whisper to her ear "Such a handsome man, pity that he is already taken" with a pat on Yona's shoulder she began walking away provocatively, her hips swaying from side to side. Yona was still fuming then she turned to Hak and caught him looking in the direction of that woman.
"Hak, you are the worst, do you just let any woman touch you and does whatever she wants to you?!" Yona did end up throwing her shoe, but it was at Hak instead. Yona stormed off in a rage to cool down her emotions. What was the matter with her?
Yona ended up sitting by the riverside bench, admiring the view of the beautiful town and mountains. It was a cool night with the moon and stars shining in the sky. She felt herself calming down and reflected on the events of the day before. Despite her outburst and her overflowing emotions after her performance, she felt happy that she achieved one of her dreams of performing in this beautiful town, and all her memories from the palace to the present date was finally expressed so she feels lighter somehow.
Hak noticed Yona sitting by the bench and walked slowly towards her. She looked even more beautiful basking in the moonlight.. He smiled softly and thought to himself that he is completely taken in by her. He got closer and noticed the melancholic expression on her face. He took the seat next to her.
"Princess, if King Il was here he would be proud to see the person you have become. A beautiful, strong woman with the compassion to connect with others" Hak smiled softly while enjoying the scenery with Yona.
Yona's eyes began to fill with tears. How does Hak always know exactly what to say to cheer her up? He has been by her side through these hardships, always putting her wellbeing first, more than he should take care of himself. She started sobbing quietly and wiped her tears with her hands.
"Princess?!" Hak looked alarmed. He didn't mean to start the waterworks. Did he get her expression wrong? Was she upset with the incident from before?
Yona held Hak's hand. "I am glad you are here with me Hak, throughout this entire journey." She smiled at Hak, her irreplacable friend and comrade through these years.
Hak looked intently at her expression, her eyes shining, cheeks damp with tears and the curve of her lips, accentuated by the lipstick she was still wearing. This is bad, if he kept on looking he will be doing something that he will regret. Instead, he wiped her tears and embraced her tenderly.
"I've told you before, princess. I'm yours forever." Yona knows that he meant every word he said and hugged him even tighter. What did she do to deserve his kindness. They stayed there for a moment, enjoying each other's companionship.
"Forgot to mention princess, but congratulations. You are one of the winners of today's competition. And here's the prize, you missed the ceremony" Hak held up a necklace will a crystal pendant that reflected the moonlight. Apparently it was some precious mineral found only in this town. He then put the necklace around Yona's neck.
Yona held up the pendant and examined it. "It's a beautiful pendant. Does that mean that we've finally a place to stay and get food for everyone?"
"You did your best, and thanks to that, we do not need to worry about food and lodging for a month." Hak patted Yona's head as a compliment.
"This time Jae-Ha and I did all the work, so Hak needs to make up for the work we've done. I'm tired. Carry me home." Yona put her arms around Hak's neck for a piggyback ride. All the reminiscing on the memories as a princess made her act on her selfish impulse.
"Fine, but just for today since you did well." Hak complained without really taking offense. He didn't mind the spoiled princess requests she reserved only from him. After all, she was the only princess for him in this world.