BACKGROUND: In this alternate universe, King Il did not become king. Therefore (according to my personal theory on all these deaths and heart wrenching circumstances) King Il's brother, General Yu-Hon, didn't kill Il's wife (Yona's Mother) so King Il didn't kill his brother in avenging his wife. So since Yona's mother didn't die, Yona didn't connect emotionally with Soo-Won as much as she did in the real universe, and Soo-Won didn't keep his distance because of knowing that he would have to avenge his father. SOOOOO Yona grew up noticing Hak more, because he was an awesome fighter and helped her out and kept her protected, and Soo-Won noticed Yona more because he didn't have his need to avenge his father burdening him.
"Soo-Won! Over here!" Yona called out waving widely to get the future King's attention. Soo-Won felt his heart skip a little when seeing her standing there smiling brightly, her long red hair blowing in the wind.
"Yona. What are you doing here?" He asked while walking quickly over to her. Yona pointed over to where Hak was training some of his men.
"He's been training them for a while now…. I can't train with them so I'm having to wait until he gets done." The young girl stated in a semi-whiney tone. Soo-Won merely smiled.
"Well, you are a girl, Yona. A royal one at that.. I'm sure it would make the soldiers uneasy to train with you present." Yona sighed in response to his observation.
"You're right." Soo-Won looked at her tenderly before hearing another voice.
"Hey, Your Highnesses."
"Hak." The two of them said in unison. There he was the Thunder Beast of Kouka Kingdom. Soo-Won's right hand man, and Yona's-
"Hak! I thought you were going to train me on the bow and arrow!" Yona said while grabbing onto the warrior's arm. Soo-Won kept smiling as usual. As long as the two of them were happy, he was happy.
"It couldn't be helped. King Yu-Hon ordered me to have my men ready in case of another battle." The General explained causing the young girl to instantly look uneasy. "It's nothing to be worried about. It's just a precaution. I promise I'll train you tomorrow, okay?" He continued before patting her on the head. At this, the young red headed girl perked up.
"Oh, I'm sure you both are hungry, huh?" Yona said before running over and grabbing a basket. Inside the basket was an assortment of fresh fruits. "I picked them from Mother's garden before coming here. Go ahead and eat some."
The two young men helped themselves to some of the fruit and sat down under the balcony which overlooked the practice range.
"So are you done training with the men for today?" Soo-Won inquired as he bit into the peach that he had picked out of the basket.
"I sent them home for a break. I'll have them back up here for night training. What about you Soo-Won? Finished with your Princely duties?" At this Soo-Won flinched.
"I got most of it done.. I needed a break so I came here."
"You both are so busy nowadays." Yona cut in while sitting down in the middle of the two guys. "It gets kind of lonely at times, but… I'm really happy that we can still find time to meet like this."
The birds were chirping as the April spring breeze fluttered through the air.
"Oh, that's right! Your 17th birthday is coming up, isn't it?" Soo-Won inquired causing Yona to nod her head.
"Your dad's not going to throw another big party this year, is he? Last year's party was as if you were actually the Princess." Hak said, almost shivering at thinking of all of the people who were there.
"No. Not this year. But he is talking to me a lot about marriage…" Both men immediately looked at her.
"Marriage?" Soo-Won nearly yelled.
"Yeah, Father says that I am 'of age'. I'm not ready to get married yet though." The young red head responded before standing and stretching a bit. "There is so much more to life than just being some nobleman's wife…"
"Not like a nobleman could handle you anyways." Hak inserted only to receive a slap on the arm. "Well.. Why don't you and Soo-Won get married?"
"What?!" They both said in unison.
"What? It's not unheard of. It's more common in cases where the princess is the heir and they want to keep royal blood line, but I've seen some cases where cousins have married with the man being the heir to the throne." The Thunder Beast explained causing the two cousins to look over at each other. Yona started laughing and ran to the edge of the balcony, overlooking the training ground.
"Soo-Won would never want to marry me. I don't quite think I would be the best Queen anyways." The spring breeze flew through her hair causing both Hak and Soo-Won to stare at her in awe.
"Well.. Whatever the case, I'm not going to let your dad marry you off to somebody like Tae Jun…" Hak mumbled and Soo-Won nodded in agreement.
"If it comes down to it. We will both steal you away and maybe go on an adventure to find the Four Legendary Dragons." The Prince proclaimed causing the three of them to laugh.
"Old legends, huh? I guess Yona would be the legendary reincarnation of the King, since she has that red hair of hers." This got Hak another slap on the shoulder as Yona approached the two of them.
"I don't care what we do." She says while grabbing both of the mens' hands in hers. "We can stay here, go on an adventure, or do whatever… All that I want is for all three of us to always be together… Just like this."
All three to them smiled at each other.
"We always will, Yona." Soo-Won says while pulling her down to sit between them.
"Yeah. Nothings coming between us.. Not even fate or destiny." Hak added as he rubbed the top of Yona's hair. Soo-Won put his hand on her shoulder as he watched the two of them banter back and forth.
This feeling of peace… We will still have It when I am King… I will make sure of it. Soo-Won thought to himself as he looked at the girl who has always given him warmth and his right hand man who has given him strength.
"I do wonder.. How things would have been different if Yona was the princess and General Il was King?" Soo-Won asked in more of a rhetorical question.
"Why would father ever be king? He's a coward, and he's the second son.." Yona said, her head shifting sideways in the most adorable way.
"I know how it would be.. We'd never go to war, loose our lands, and Lady Yona over here would be even more demanding than she already is." Hak answered while picking his teeth.
"Quiet You!" Yona responded.
"…You're right. It was a silly question. This is how things are supposed to be. I wouldn't wish it any other way." Soo-Won smiled lovingly at the two of them, standing up he got in front of them.
"Soo-Won?" The red headed girl looked up at him, as did his best friend. In an instant, the prince was hugging both of them tightly.
"Oi!" Hak said, clearly surprised.
"S-S-Soo-Won…" Yona couldn't hide her blush, but this didn't stop him. Somehow, in some strange way, it felt like HE wanted nothing more than to do this very thing right now. Not him, but the Soo-Won that made himself King. Tears filled his eyes. I really am fortunate.
"W-What's gotten into you?" Yona managed to ask, her blush deepening to almost the color of her hair.
"Sorry.. I'm just really happy right now." The young blonde haired man said causing both of his closest friends to smile and return the hug.
"Geeze.. " Yona leaned into the hug, loving the feeling of his warmth… Hak grabbed Yona's hand in his and placed his other arm around Soo-Won. Together they all three stayed in this position, feeling their closeness to each other and enjoying the peaceful feeling that would never end.