The week had started out without anything out of the ordinary. Lee Geun Tae had spent the begining of the week supressing a rebelion near the border to the Kai province and the remainder of it lazing around, practicing his swordsmanship and arguing with his fiance; Yura, lady of one of the highest noble families in the country. Her beauty was said to be unparalleled in the entire province, her grace could put a swan to shame and her attitude...was enough to drive him insane.
She was a snot-nosed, air headed brat who knew of nothing more than luxury and ease. Her every spoken wish had been granted since childhood by her filthy rich father, now she expected the same from him. "I don't understand why men must assert their might by always going to war. It's completely pointless." Her nasaly broke through his thoughts.
"Huh?" he turned towards her lazily, sincerely not in the mood to endure her crap. He was about to rudely tell her to leave when he saw his mother sending meaningful glares his way.
" Well, my dearest Yura," His voice dripping with sarcasm " If we didn't go to war, the Kai province would take over our land, your father's wealth would be deposed and you would most likely be sold to the highest bidder." He snorted a bit at the image.
Her horrified expression absolutely made his day, he sent a silent prayer of thanks to the gods when she left with an indigant huff almost immediately. Though he pretended not to hear the snarky remark she had mumbled under her breath " At least by dying, you would be doing the entire universe a favour, Guen Tae-sama."
"Now, now, Yura-sama..." Her Lady in waiting chided, following her. Yuki, was it? Yuru? Sushi?
"Yuno seems to get along with Lady Yura well." His mother said, deciding to appear out of the blue.
Ah, yes, Yuno.
"Hmmm" He murmured, "Seems to be among the few who can stand her."
"She is just a tad bit free-spirited and strongly opinionated..."
"A tad bit?"
"You will grow to love her after you actually get married." His mother tried in vain to reassure him.
He did NOT want to marry her.
The week,however, soon witnessed a very darastic turn of events.
It was late at night and the whole palace was asleep, aside from the general himself, who was pondering over his impending marriage and his unwillingness to partake in it. What was the point of marriage between two who could not keep one another happy? It was a one way ticket to misery. Frustrated with twisting and turning in his bed, he finally decided to head out for a walk. Throwing on his robe, which fell loosely around his muscular form, and taking up his sharpened sword, he opened the door to be greeted by the cozy breeze that blew at night.
The quiet was comforting, a welcome change from the hustle and bustle of everyday since the arrival of his fiance. His mind once again drifted to his marriage. Love had never been a priority in his life. His love for battle and his love for the king and his country had never made such a thing necessary. But now, most his old colleagues were married and often talked of the affections of their wives. Would it be too uncharacteristic of him to wish for someone who would make his heart fill with joy?
Well, what was the point of regret now? He couldn't just back out of the engagement, the girl would be ridiculed and besides, he had the chance to refuse the proposal months before, however he had been too preoccupied with a threat from the southern border to have actually cared. Thus his mother had taken the initiative to finally get him to settle down.
"You must leave! Now!"
The anxious voice startled him. An intruder? It seemed to be coming from one of the guest halls. He tightened his grip on his blade, ready to draw it at a moment's notice.
"Hiro, if any one finds out, you will be killed." That voice. Yura? His brows furrowed in confusion.
" I had to see you again, Yura! I can not let you marry any other man but I. I love you, do you not know that?" The voice replied, gruff and obviously male.
With his sword drawn, he slowly pried the door open " And it is because I love you that I am asking you to leave, please." She sounded as though she was on the verge on tears. " Please go and never come-"
She stopped abruptly when she became aware of his presence, her face frozen with fear. " G-Geun Tae-sama! I can explain-"
His expression was dead serious, silencing her with a peircing look. " Do you honestly take me for a fool? I know exactly what is going on here."
He looked to the man standing near the window which led to the courtyards. "Are you her lover?"
The man was burly with messy grey hair and obsidian eyes. His clothes indicated that he was a lesser noble, maybe the grandson of a courtesan. He stood with his shoulders squared, no hint of fear nor guilt in eyes. The general was impressed with the man's confidence. "Obviously" the reply left his mouth unflinchingly.
"Guen Tae-sama! Please! I beg you, please, spare his life! I ,myself, shall bear any penalties you may present!" Yura, was in full panic.
"Yura! To love someone is not a crime! If he decides too kill us for it-" The other man, Hiro, had just begun when the general interrupted him with a " Well, this is absolutely golden." The lovers gave him an absolutely bewildered look. A smile creeped onto his face. The gods of good fortune were truly smiling upon him that day.
"Are you mocking me?" Yura demanded, suddenly angered.
"No, no, dearest Yura! I can hardly believe my own good fortune! I don't have to marry you any more!" Geun Tae replied, now absolutely gleeful.
" I beg your pardon?"
"Yes, yes! We don't have to marry! The reason being more evident than it was before!"
Hiro now took it upon himself to become the voice of reason. " But if word of this gets out, followed by your annulment of the engagement a month before your marrige, it will not only tarnish Yura's name, but the name of her kin as well."
"Ah, yes, we will need to find a way to work around that tiny detail." Guen Tae agreed, his fingers tapinng against his chin thoughtfully. His eyes glinted, an idea already formulating in his mind.