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Chapter 7
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"Onee-sama, you look absolutely beautiful!" Yona said after putting my hair into another complex twist.
"Thank you...Yona..." I said struggling to not complain about the tightness of the hairstyle.
"Even though it's our birthday, my hair is in an even worse state today! Look, it's super curly today! I wanted to put it up too!" Yona cried tugging at her locks.
"Let me see what I can do then." I said taking the brush from her.
"Onee-sama...You're really pretty, huh?"
"What are you talking about, Yona?"
"Everyone keeps saying how you're so graceful, beautiful, and so responsible. I think so too because Onee-sama is the ideal princess. Your hair is so pretty and you're so talented."
"You're talented as well. I think your dancing is absolutely breathtaking."
"Onee-sama's dancing is more graceful..."
"Then there is the fact you make me smile. Despite what everyone says..." I stared down at Yona's hair, gently running the brush through it until it was somewhat straight. "...I wished I wasn't a princess...for I cannot love so easily."
"Onee-sama, you have someone you love?" Yona looked up at me, surprised. Well, this is the first time she heard of this after all. "Who is it? Please, tell me!"
"...Nope." I gently tapped her forehead with the brush before placing it down. I began to arrange her hair with the hair ornaments we had to the best of my ability. "I don't want him to get in trouble for loving me."
"I'm sure Chichiue will let you marry him no matter who he is!"
"I can't do that. As the first born princess of our kingdom...it's necessary for me to become queen while my husband shall become king. If that happens and I successfully give birth to a prince, then you may ask father to marry Soo-Won. My happiness for yours...As a big sister, it's obvious I would choose your happiness."
"Onee-sama..." Yona looked happy, but sad. "You...I'm sorry...I shouldn't be so selfish when it comes to love...It's just...I love Soo-Won so much and..."
"It's alright, don't worry." I pulled Yona into a hug, resting my cheek against the top of her head. "Your Onee-sama shall take the burden so please be happy. I will handle everything, that's why you shouldn't be sad."
"I love you, Onee-sama."
"I love you as well, Yona."
I knew long ago that my duty is before my heart. Yona...she's such a sweet and innocent girl, that's why...I shall complete the duty of a princess. I shall allow my sister to marry who she wishes and I shall continue to live the life of a princess until I am the empress. I shall marry, I shall silently rule beside the emperor, I shall give birth to a prince or princess, and...I shall die one day as an empress. Min-Soo and I...we've come to agree that we should cherish what little time we have left, that's why we're always doing our best to remain with the other whenever we have free time.
"Onee-sama...! You're squishing me...!" Yona cried still in my arms.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" I said quickly releasing her.
"Onee-sama, do you love him?" I released a small laugh before patting her head. "Onee-sama?"
"Why don't you get ready? I'll head out in a bit."
"Alright."
I left Yona to her own while I went to my own room to finish getting ready. I silently stared at the mirror before touching the glass. My usually hairstyle doesn't exist today, instead...I truly look like a beautiful princess. There's a reason why I haven't worn anything extravagant unless necessary...it's because the weight of the clothing or jewelry makes it seem like they're shackles rather than things to be worn.
"Duty before my heart." I whispered moving to get ready.
I got ready on my own, dressing in the clothing Yona prepared for me. I never allowed the servants to dress me due to the tattoos that covered my body. If I had to, then I made sure that I completed the under layer on my own before allowing them to dress me. I silently pulled on the final layer before leaving my room. I released a small surprised sound when I saw Min-Soo waiting for me.
"M-Min-Soo...You surprised me." I said placing my hand on my chest.
"I'm sorry, I wanted to surprise you before the party." Min-Soo said scratching his cheek.
"It's fine." I gave him a small smile, one he returned. "I'm happy...That I get to see you before I deal with everyone trying to convince me to sing or dance today." I said moving closer.
"Happy birthday, Hime-sama." Min-Soo said giving me a small smile.
"Thank you, Min-Soo. However, why are you here now?"
"I thought...You'd want to see what I got for you...It's not something expensive like what a normal princess would have, but..." Min-Soo's getting embarrassed, how cute. "Well...I thought you might like it."
"Whatever it is, I love it already." Min-Soo looked embarrassed as he showed me what he got. It's a jewelry box with three drawers. It's simple in design with a lovely flower pattern painted on it. "It's beautiful. Let's bring it inside before the party then."
"It has a secret compartment so..."
"A secret compartment?" Min-Soo placed it down on the table and I opened the three small drawers, but I'm not too sure how. "How?"
"I've written the instructions here." Min-Soo placed the paper in my hands and I nodded my head. "We should get going. You can open it later tonight."
"Alright then."
I stared up at Min-Soo and he stared at down at me for a few seconds before kissing me on the lips. It was an innocent kiss, but it didn't fail to make my heart skip a beat. I left with Min-Soo, who quickly moved to walk behind me as an escort rather than someone I see as my equal. I joined the party and I greeted the guests one by one. I chatted with my father at some point, but I was soon swept up into the crowd of admirers I gained since my first performance. I didn't even have a chance to speak with Yona or my father due to them, not to mention them pestering me to preform today.
"I'm afraid that I can't do that today, perhaps another day?" I asked smiling.
"Kana-hime-sama, just one dance?"
"Or just one song?"
"Your singing and dancing is absolutely beautiful!"
"I thank you for your kind words." I simply smiled. "However, I cannot since I have not perfected any songs or dances lately. I refuse to perform in front of an audience unless I'm satisfied with my own performance. Please excuse me, I wish to speak to my dear cousin now."
"O-Oh, of course."
"Thank you. Soo-Won!" Soo-Won turned around, clearly surprised to see me. I quickly grabbed his elbow and I began dragging him away. "Please, don't leave my side right now. These people refuse to take no for an answer."
"What?"
"Soo-Won, as your precious cousin. Do. Not. Let. Those. People. Near. Me." I stared at him with a slight frown on my face. "I don't want to preform today, yet these people won't take no as my answer! That's why you are protecting me until I can make my escape!"
"Sure thing, it seems interesting."
"Soo-Won, this isn't a game you know. Now, do me a favor and keep them away."
I stuck around Soo-Won for the end part of the party before switching him out before leaving when no one was around. I began my walk to my room, feeling ten times more exhausted than usual. Now I wished I hadn't preformed in front of so many people. I thought tugging the expensive hairpins out of my hair. I reached up, tugging at my unusually curled locks. I guess it's stuck like this until I brush it out.
"I'm so tired..." I muttered changing into my normal clothing.
I spent a bit of time holed up in the library, finally enjoying some peace and quiet until it got late. I began to return to my room when I heard someone approaching me from behind. I was about to turn around to ask who it was, when I felt a sharp pain in the back of my neck. I briefly recall falling and then the sound of someone speaking before I had passed out. I wasn't too sure who it was, but their voice was so familiar.
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"Hma..."
"Kana-hime-sama? Kana-hime-sama!"
"W...ho...?" I opened my eyes, but my vision is so blurry right now. "...W-What...?"
"Kana-hime-sama! How are you feeling? Did you see who attacked you?!"
"I don't...What?" I began to sat up, but I only fell over. Someone, no two people, assisted me. "W...What is...what is going on?"
"Kana-hime, you don't remember?"
"I don't..." I held my head as everyone continued to speak. "...Please...Just tell me what's going on..."
I listened to the doctor tell me what I had occurred when I was attacked. Apparently I was found in the gardens with no injuries, but I had been tied up. Yona and Hak had gone missing and my father had died...along with Min-Soo. I was in shock, not only due to the disappearance of my precious sibling and friend...but at the death of my lover and father. I had withdrawn myself from the world, my thoughts only circulating around those four.
"Dead...Dead...It can't be...No...No...Y-Yona...H-Hak...gone...?" I muttered my vision blurring once again.
Tears began to stream down my cheeks and I covered my eyes with my hands. I began wailing to the top of my lungs, unable to take the pain that came with this horrible news. I didn't want to accept it, I couldn't accept it! The servants did their best to calm me down and I only pushed them away, not wanting them to touch me.
"Kana-hime!"
"...!" I looked up sharply and I saw Soo-Won. I quickly got out of the bed and I ran to him. I grabbed his arms, my eyes wide and filled with tears. "Soo-Won! P-Please! T-Tell me it's a joke! Please tell me it didn't...Please tell me that Chichiue and Min-Soo aren't dead...! That Yona and Hak are gone!"
"I'm sorry, Kana-hime..." Soo-Won pulled me into his arms. "I'm sorry..."
"N-...No...! No...NOOOOO!" I hit his chest, anger overtaking me. "I refuse to believe you! The-They...Why...? Everything...Everything was fine yesterday..."
I continued to shout at Soo-Won, who only stood there. He took all my insults, all my shouting, even the weak punches I threw at him. I fell to my knees, covering my face with my hands as I continued to cry. When I lost the energy to cry or move, Soo-Won carried me back to the bed and he left me in the care of the servants after reassuring me that he'll see me later on.
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I silently ran my thumb across Min-Soo's cold pale cheek. He had been cleaned and dressed, ready to be cremated. I wanted to confirm it with my own eyes, but...to think he really had died. I had already saw my father's corpse and I spent most of my time contemplating why this was happening. Now that my eyes lay on Min-Soo's dead body, I can't think. Tears I thought had dried up began to form once again and I rubbed at my eyes, trying not to cry now of all times.
"Why...Why is this happening to me...?" I questioned silently.
Birthdays are supposed to be happy days, but...the birthday I shared with my sister is only filled with misery. Not only did I lose my family...I lost my lover as well. My father, though called a coward...he's the kindest man around. He's also not a coward no matter what others say...after all, a coward would have run from his duties. My father always did his best as our ruler. Yona, my sweet little sister...Although our father had spoiled her, she is so innocent. I'm sure...that she's in shock as well...maybe in a worse condition compared to me.
"...I'm sorry, Min-Soo." I kissed his forehead before placing something into his hands, the other half of a gift I found in the hidden compartment. "I love you, farewell..." I whispered before moving away.
I left the room and I began my search for Soo-Won. I can't continue to grieve when the castle is in a state of chaos. As a princess, I have to reassure the hearts of my people...even at the sake of my own emotions. The simple silver ring on my left ring finger shined in the sunset light that hit it. First things first, I had to find Soo-Won and we have to deal with this problem. This country needs a ruler and...only a man can rule after all.
"Soo-Won, I wish to speak to you." I said finding him immediately.
"K-Kana-hime!" Soo-Won quickly ran to my side. "Are you sure you should be up and about already? Y-"
"Soo-Won, stop." I pushed his hands away and I stared him in the eyes. "I'm here to talk to you about the future of our country."
"Kana-hime...?"
"Soo-Won, I cannot protect this kingdom on my own now that my father is gone. I wish to find my sister, that's why...Please." I bowed my head to my cousin. "...Please, I beg of you...Protect this kingdom while I search for her..."
"I can't let you do that, Kana-hime." Soo-Won placed a hand on my shoulder and I looked up at him. "I've sent out people to find her. That's why, please remain here and give me your support."
"...Understood." I straightened my back and I stared my cousin in the eyes. "For the sake of this country. I, Kana of the Kouka Kingdom, shall give you my full support so that you can become the next king. We need a ruler more than anything right now and you are the best choice."
"Thank you, Kana-hime."
"Don't thank me yet. Once Yona returns...well, I hope the two of you marry properly so you can officially become our king. Until her return, I must do my best to reassure my people." I turned and I gave Soo-Won a slight smile. "So, let's do our best."
"Y...Yes, let's do our best." Soo-Won returned my smile, but his was shaken. "Let's do our best, for the Kouka Empire."
I stared at Soo-Won for a few seconds and I saw something strange in his eyes. Guilt? No...that can't be. After all, we're family. There's no way he would do something that would make Yona or myself sad. Soo-Won...he's always been such a good boy, it'd be impossible for him to cause heartache for his own loved ones. I left Soo-Won so I could make preparations. I heard that the other generals would be arriving, with Mundok replacing Hak due to my friend being missing. I need to prepare myself, to ensure the peace of my country. I'm a princess after all...even if I'm barely able to hold on to what had just occurred.
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Chapter 7 Ends
It's been a while since I've last worked on this, but I am satisfied with this chapter. I didn't want Min-Soo to die, but...well, I didn't want to have both princesses on the run so I decided to have an unknown culprit knock Kana out and tie her up so she remains out of the way. So, Kana shall remain by Soo-Won's side while unaware of what he had done due to being unconscious when Yona witnessed their father's death. Since Kana wasn't around to change anything, Min-Soo still dies...still sad. Okay, so I have nothing else to add at this point so that's it for today! Until next time my dearies~! Bye-bye~!
