Ahhh yes, I know this took a while to come but 1) school work 2) I was watching the drama (EPISODE 17 and 18! MY HEART!) 3) I was lurking in the soompi forums and 4) I was reading other people's fanfics
As they always say though, it's better late than never. Support will be more than appreciated as it motivates me to continue writing!
AND YES, in case you're wondering, even once the drama releases its final episode, I WILL STILL FINISH OFF THIS FANFIC! And I also plan to write more stories for this fandom, probably more one-shots.
Enjoy another long chapter!~
"Hah, 13th's grandfather, the mighty Silla Emperor," Third prince Wang Yo sneered at Baek Ah, "is now relying on the King to survive! How can he show up in the palace? Pathetic."
Pathetic. Baek Ah gritted his teeth angrily. He always knew that his half brother Yo was condescending but Baek Ah felt as though a sharp arrow pierced right through him. This was his biological family that was being insulted. How dare he! Yo shot an arrogant smirk towards him, who glared at him in response.
"But we are nothing without the king. Just like them." So retorted to Yo. "We eat the same food from the owner and yet, you talk like this?" Baek Ah glanced at him in surprise. "Whether we crawl or eat like a dog, you're still a coward for not saying anything to the owner, so stop spouting useless things." He smirked at a pissed off Yo.
So averted his gaze to Baek Ah. "It's better to drink some alcohol, Baek Ah, do you drink?" He asked curiously.
"Yes hyungnim, drinking is my talent." Baek Ah answered as he followed So outside of Wook's home. "Thank you." Baek Ah genuinely thanked So, smiling.
"I didn't speak for you, no need to thank me. I just hate it when someone bullies the weak ones." So replied.
"I'm glad you vented your anger, I don't have the courage to talk to my brothers like that. Let's have a drink."
The duo seated at a low, wooden table in a pavilion gulping down millilitres of alcohol into their mouths. Baek Ah handed So a honey pastry for So had his eye on them since they were laid down on the table.
"What was it like back in your hometown, Silla?" So casually asked as he munched on the sweet.
Baek Ah mused deeply. These past years, he mainly resided in the palace but always visited from time to time. "It was nice, I miss it. My mother taught me a variety of arts in my spare time. But whenever I stepped foot into the village, women would always rush to see me." He smiled at the memories. Stampedes of women, screams and whispers of awe as he passed by.
"Hmm, I wonder how that feels like. No woman would ever find me attractive."
"What about Hae Soo?" Baek Ah inquired with a wink, with his eyes fixated on So.
So shot him a confused look. "What do you mean?" He asked, with one eyebrow raised. He gulped down his alcohol.
"The other night, she said you're handsome." Baek Ah chuckled.
So coughed abruptly and spat out his drink, clutching onto the table for support. "She said WHAT, now?!" He yelled out in between his loud coughs, with bits of alcohol drooping down his mouth. Baek Ah cackled so loud, his laughs echoed around the area, possibly frightening people nearby. So still continued to stare in disbelief.
Boy, his reaction was priceless.
The gentle breeze glided through the lush grasslands, caressing it in its touch as Soo, Baek Ah and Jung solemnly stood in front of the burial site of Myung Hee, heads lowered slightly.
"I'm sorry for everything." Soo spoke softly.
"And thank you." Baek Ah, Soo and Jung all finished off in sync. The trio walked down carefully, towards Songak. I wonder how you are doing, Myung Hee? Baek Ah thought to himself with a sad smile planted on his face. The elegant face of Myung Hee flashed into his mind, as clear as day. Her pitch black hair, her gentle eyes and her moonlight pale skin complexion. Wherever you are right now, I hope you are happy and at peace. I will continue to take care of your cousin.
When they arrived in Songak, Baek Ah, Soo and Jung laughed among themselves, as they cheerfully chatted about how their day was. Until Yeon Hwa approached the trio.
"Have you been doing well?" Baek Ah asked politely as the three bowed in respect. Though, Soo was rather reluctant about it. The princess casually chatted with them at how they visited Myung Hee's grave.
"She must have been happy. If I told you earlier, you could have her told her yourself," Yeon Hwa commented, with her eyes piercing straight at Soo, who stared back in confusion. "I have good news for you!" The trio glanced at each other, eyes filled with curiosity and concern.
"You will be getting married! Congratulations!" Yeon Hwa announced, her words gleaming in delight.
"Hyungnim!" Baek Ah called out, grabbing So's arm, "you have to help us!"
"With what?" So asked curiously.
"Soo is getting married! Marriage! Is there anything so shocking?" Baek Ah panicked. So pulled his arm away from him.
"It's true that she's at the marrying age." So stated matter-of-factly, clearing showing no interest.
"You're here now, you might as well oppose the marriage." Baek Ah pressed on, dissatisfied with So's stance on this.
"It's a Hae household affair so we have no right to do that." He replied blankly, only to be interrupted by Eun and Jung. The two questioned, clarifying if what they heard was true.
"The man she's marrying is an old man over 60 with many, many sons!" Jung panicked. An imagination flashed into Baek Ah's mind: Hae Soo, living with a man that was more than thrice her age, with many sons. He winced, oh hell no. Just no, Soo would be miserable for the rest of her life. Myung Hee would definitely be even more upset with this.
"If that's true, then that's no marriage! She's being sold!" Baek Ah replied, with an anxious expression. Ninth prince Won and Wook joined the group. As the princes continued to anxiously discuss about the news, Baek Ah took a glance at So. Even though his expressions were hard to read most of the time, it was clear that his expression changed and he wasn't happy with this.
Wook stared into the ground thoughtfully. "I have a plan but I need you all to help." The princes didn't hesitate to agree, but Baek Ah shot So another pleading expression before So finally gave in.
Eun rushed off to Soo's room and Jung returned with two lavender cloaks in his hands. The princes huddled together quietly as they patiently waited for Eun and Soo to return.
"We'll split into two groups. Jung and I will gallop off with Eun hiding under one cloak, to cause a distraction." Wook whispered quietly, "Baek Ah and So will head off into another direction, with Soo hiding under the other cloak. Now which one of you will carry Soo?" Wook glanced between the two.
It was silent before Baek Ah spoke up, "Entrust her with So," He said, taking note of So's confused expression. "If it all goes wrong, So could protect her." Of course, there was another reason why Baek Ah believed So would be the best choice, but no one else knew. He mentally chuckled to himself. The two princes approached their horses and untied them. Baek Ah climbed upon his horse and minutes later, Wook returned with a concealed Soo. So helped Soo up the horse, seated behind her with his arms wrapped around her as he tightly grasped the reins.
"Please keep her safe." Wook pleaded, before the two horses galloped off. They carefully watched for any passing guards or members of the Hae Clan. No sign. Quietly, but as swiftly as they could, they trotted through the residence, before crossing the walls. As soon as they crossed, the horses' speed promptly increased.
The two horses thundered through the wilderness, where the scent of pine trees began to be detected as the minutes zoomed by. A variety of green plants flashed past them as they obediently followed the path they were directed to race through. A white fog floated around the premise, slightly hindering their view but the path was still clear. So embraced Soo into his protective arms, focusing on their path, with Baek Ah following just a few metres behind.
Baek Ah squinted through the fog at the couple in front; So's arms wrapped in front, Soo in front with no distance between them. They make such a cute couple, Baek Ah privately sniggered to himself. With all their past interactions and what the two of them said about the other privately to Baek Ah, how could he not resist seeing them as a couple? This could make a nice drawing in his sketchbook. He continued to smile at the couple.
Just right when Baek Ah's mind was about to flutter off into rather wild imaginations about his two close friends, So's horse slid to a halt in a clearing. Ji Mong and several guards stood in front of them, Wook's party, Yeon Hwa and the Hae Clan elders shortly joined from another path. Oh shoot, they had been caught, Baek Ah winced.
"You will need to come with me." Ji Mong said blankly to Soo. She didn't budge one bit.
"Why do you need her? Did the person who is to marry her ask you a favour?" So asked sternly, tightening his hold on Soo.
"Ji Mong, please look the other way for once. How could she marry into a household like that? Don't you feel bad for her?" Baek Ah pitched in, in hopes he would understand.
"It had been confirmed that the king will marry Hae Soo." Ji Mong announced. A deathly silence fell all over the party. Shock and disbelief materialised on the princes' expressions. Soo was to marry their father? That certainly wouldn't sit well for them, especially Soo, whose eyes were widened in shock as she struggled to process this sudden news. So quietly asked Soo if she heard anything about this, she shook her head in response.
"Okay then. Don't get off and wait." So ordered her. Baek Ah smiled at this, his hyungnim decided to protect her anyway. The king's loyal subjects demanded for Soo to get off, but So refused to let her go. "Stand back." He glared with a stern voice.
Yeon Hwa scolded them, threatening that all the princes will die if they refused to obey the royal command. A grimace became apparent among the princes. Soo glanced sadly at each of the princes before attempting to hop off. So did not budge. He attempted to convince her that if she were to marry the king, it would be hard to leave the palace. Soo's decision remained unwavered, as she did not want to see anyone hurt. Baek Ah shot So a worried glance before So hopped off his horse and helped Soo down. Baek Ah took careful note of his gentleness in letting Soo down. So, the prince that was known to brutally kill and possess good physical strength, was being gentle with Soo.
He stopped her again, confirming if she would really want to get through this decision. Once again, Soo stood by her decision, with a forced, reassured smile passed to So. She slowly made her way into the palanquin, crawling into it. As the guards sealed the palanquin and lifted it away from the group, Baek Ah glanced at So.
He sported a pained expression, his concerned eyes still focused on the direction of the palanquin.
The princes anxiously stood by another, distress overflowing them. Baek Ah refused to give up though. He chased after So, who was striding off into another direction.
"She came in on her own, let her endure it." So shrugged Baek Ah's pleas off, continuing to saunter in his direction.
"If she had persisted, we would have all died!" Baek Ah cried out. Come on, So! I know you care! He thought to himself. So still refused but Baek Ah wouldn't let down that easily, he continued to press on, hoping he would give in eventually.
So paused in his tracks, before placing a hand on his shoulder. "Do you have feelings for her?" He asked, genuinely curious.
No way, hyungnim. It's not me who has feelings, but I wonder who? "It's not me who has feelings," Baek Ah retorted, forcing the smirk down as this was a serious matter, "but she is a bit special to me." Baek Ah proceeded to explain he and Soo's drunken moments together, how they bonded after Myung Hee's funeral and Soo's strange ramblings and the terms she used. Baek Ah never found out what a 'k-drama' was, even if he continuously asked Soo after that night.
"She enlightened me with intriguing advice." Baek Ah concluded the memory, hoping So would be convinced.
"She spoke recklessly and… you listened to her?" So questioned with a puzzled look.
"She didn't say anything wrong though. Look around Goryeo, family connections are everything!" Baek Ah continued firmly, "You only get treated well if you're from a good family and good looking. And you only get recognition if you marry well!" So averted his gaze, as if Baek Ah's words resonated with him. "It's this bad for us and we're princes. How bad is it for the people?"
"So, you want to overthrow the throne, and change this nation?" So asked sternly as a last attempt to throw Baek Ah off.
"I only want to be free." Baek Ah sharply added. It was true, Baek Ah didn't really care much about sitting on the throne, he only wanted to live a life of freedom and peace. "That's what you want too. What about Hae Soo?"
The black sky cloaked over Goryeo, decorated in sparkling white dots, scattered across. Baek Ah paced around nervously outside the palace with the other princes. A grimace appeared on each of them as they fixed their eyes on the doors in anticipation. The other princes quietly muttered among themselves, hoping for the best.
"Tell me about the other way out!" So demanded aggressively, his hand still clutched on Astronomer Ji Mong's throat.
Ji Mong let out breaths, peering into So, Baek Ah and Crown Prince Mu, all gathered up in his astronomy tower. "Okay, there IS another way…" Ji Mong started between his breaths.
Baek Ah was more than happy that So finally decided to agree to help, once again. His gaze remained fixed on the doors. Would So and Wook's plan work? Baek Ah would be full of glee if it was successful. A grimace fell upon him as the thought of Soo marrying his father ominously flashed on his mind. Myung Hee's happiness would be ripped apart violently from her if she were to hear about this.
In a second, Wook hurriedly rushed out of the palace, carrying Soo with his arms supporting her legs and her upper back. "SOO!" Baek Ah called out, alerting the other princes. Immediately, they rushed, gathering around her and Wook. Her eyes were shut and Baek Ah took notice of drops of red scattered in the palace steps, trailing behind him. His gaze shifted focus to Soo, where a frightening, deep cut was spotted across her wrist, bleeding rapidly. The princes focused on the unconscious Soo. All were dead worried about her.
However, one of them beared a worry that simply outweighed all of their worries. And although he was afraid and distraught, he could only stand a distance from the group, he could only watch as deep fear filled his features.
Baek Ah looked at Soo as she laid in her bed, protected by a silk comforter and accompanied by the head court lady of Damiwon, Lady Oh. Her eyes were still shut and white bandage wrapped around her wrist. He always knew that Soo was determined, but he didn't know how determined she was. He had no idea she would go as far as cutting herself to prevent her marriage to the King Taejo. Lady Oh informed him that Soo is still alive, just asleep. He nodded and left the room, only to be greeted by So.
"How is she doing?" So asked quietly as he stood outside in the corridor.
"She's fine, aren't you going to visit her?" Baek Ah inquired. So shrugged off his question coldly and sauntered down the corridor. Why So wouldn't visit was a rather strange mystery to Baek Ah. If it was because So was too embarrassed to have Soo seeing him, it didn't matter because she was still asleep anyway. Does he not care? "Visit her." Baek Ah repeated, only to be ignored. But seconds after, a grin materialised into his features.
"Well, she's fine for now." Baek Ah added, with a pained expression. So paused in his tracks and abruptly turned around.
"What? What do you mean by that?" So demanded, his eyes widened in shock.
Baek Ah turned to look down at the floor, before facing So again. "Lady Oh said the cut was very deep." He continued with a grimace. "She might die from the cut."
So's eyebrows were furrowed into genuine concern and fear. Baek Ah could've sworn his eyebrow twitched for a split second. So strided to the door, "This can't be," his voice was laced with panic, "I'm coming i-"
"Hyungnim," Baek Ah stopped him, "I was only joking. Lady Oh said that she's alive and she's only asleep right now."
So glared daggers at his brother. "You are VERY lucky that you are my favourite brother. I'm still going to visit her anyway." He quietly muttered before stepping through the door. Baek Ah walked down the corridor. He knew it was a cruel thing to do but his plan worked and So does care about her after all.
"Oh Soo, if only you knew this happened." He silently chuckled to himself.
THANK YOU ALL FOR READING!
So I kinda mapped out this story, not quite though. But I have at least determined that:
This story will have less than 20 main chapters + an epilogue, I still need to map it out (when I started this fanfic, about 50% of it was planned in my mind). For all I know, this could change!
Like I said, I had been reading other people's fanfics but I haven't quite read all of them because of school work and blah blah. So, if you guys have or know a fanfic that you would HIGHLY recommend for me to read, PM me it!
