Chapter 7: the princess with red hair.
I do not own akatsuki no yona
''Ugh I can't believe this...''
She really can't believe it. Honestly how could those guards be so stupid?
''Stupid fools how could they just... ugh'' she mutters
It all began when her brother, Kouen went to the king. He took most of his man with him and a quart stayed with her. of course Shou En stayed with her as well. That were not many guards but now they had sky tribe soldiers with them instead of the fire tribe because apparently that's how it works here. Kourin found that fine as long as they protected her. But honestly she wanted to go with her brother. Why take her all the way here but not have her come to the king? Why was she even here? To be away from her husband? Staying in the palace in Kou would have been fine to. Honestly she really doesn't understand her brother. She wants to be close but as a matter of fact they are actually strangers. Even kougyoku may know him better that she does. That makes her bitter. She wants to be useful to Kouen and kou to. She wants to have a purpose to and not only to be married to that fool. But she cannot fight, no. She just doesn't have the will or discipline to pick up a sword. She never had to prove herself like hakuei or kougyoku. She got high grades in everything, everything a good wife and princess should know. Still she is not happy. She wants to be useful, to do something and that is weird because her whole life others have done everything for her. It is not that she suddenly wants do everything but she just wants to be able to take care of herself. She wants her husband and guards to listen to her, because of her own strength and power and not her brother's or father's threats. If she could fight on her own then she wouldn't be in this situation.
Because she got bored she wanted to visit the city they were in now. Her handmaidens said it would be better to wait but why would she listen to them? She is their master they should listen to her. They get paid to do that, it is their job. But what is her job?
Alright so she wanted to visit the city but the sky tribe soldier said that they couldn't allow the kou soldiers to come with her. Only two were allowed in civilian clothes and Shou en then cannot accompany her. All would be fine if the sky tribe soldiers had done their job, but they didn't. Kourin was just walking around bodyguards on each of her side when suddenly a man robbed a woman. The sky soldiers just left her side and went after de thief then suddenly her own soldiers got into a fight with 5 men and in the commotion she was kidnapped. She couldn't even fight back. And now she is in this room with other women. She has no idea what is going on while it isn't that hard to imagine but she wants to know for sure. And that man even hit her that vermin, when she gets out of here she will have his head. Surely she will be saved right? She is a princess of Kou after all.
Suddenly she hears a voice talking. Since she was here it was silent but not anymore.
''Umm... do you know what is going on?''
Kourin stops thinking and focuses her attention on the woman who talked.
''...''
But the woman who she asked a question stays silent. This irritates Kourin because she also really likes to know. Again the woman asks another woman this time if she knows what is going on but still no answer.
You have to speak with more force, if you are sounding nice and weak of course they will not answer you have to speak louder.
Kourin decides to take matters in her own hands and loudly shouts:
''Hello? Does anybody here know what is going on because I would like to know!''
The women are shocked with her shouting and one suddenly moves towards her.
''sst, be quiet, we do not want to anger the men''
At those words kourin's eyes turn dark, they form a strong glare that could even break ice.
How dare this woman, who does she think she, is ordering me around? I am a Princess she should bow like the others!
''What did you say to me?''
''Eh?'' The woman who told her to be quiet responds.
''You know what I asked, How do you dare to say something to me? How do you dare order me around, do you know who I am?'' her voice sounds condescending and full of arrogance. Just like it always does. That is how she was learnt to speak, to act.
''And what does that matter here? ''
Another woman decided to join the conversation.
Kourin turns her head towards the voice. The voice belongs to a woman who sits beneath a torch the only light source in this room. She has short black hair in a ponytail and wears clothes of peasants. Her green eyes look judging towards Kourin what kourin doesn't like.
How dare she look like that to me, so upstanding she should respect me right? But on what ground. People of this country probably don't know who I am. Who am I then if it is not the 4th princess of kou?
''I do not know who you are and I could care less but I expect someone with money, well at least your parents, maybe even someone royal...''
At this kourin snorts
Rich girl? You can say that do you know how much I own? And obviously the money is mine even if I get it from my parents. I deserve it I had to marry that fool after all.
the black haired woman continues.
''but it doesn't matter who you are but what you are, and we are all women no denying that and that is all they care about because they can use women, and you know what I am talking about. We are all going to be sold off as slaves as toys. Maybe they will keep some of us for themselves. ''
Kourin had already though about that, but hearing it still frightens her. That cannot be true right? She will be saved right? Her men will come for her right? She cannot be sold, that would dishonour her name, her family name, the kou empire...
''W-won't the army help us?'' A woman with blond hair who sits a meter away from the black haired woman asks.
''The army? The black haired woman repeats haha, of course not!''
The girl who asked got a look of confusing.
''eh?''
''Listen, the army does nothing, not in Awa, not now. I have been here for two weeks and still not a sign of a rescue, I have given up.''
''But in Awa the women escaped and Yang Kum-ji got killed!'' A Girl younger then kourin said.
''Yes, they got help from pirates, do you see pirates here? No we are far away from help.''
Ow this is what my brother was talking about, that the situation in this country is not so good because there are many criminals.
The girl looks down.
Even if the army of this country won't come kourin is sure her brother will come for her. After all it would be trouble if one of the princesses got missing. It would be bad for the reputation of kou and the alliance with her husband. They needed her right? She was someone royal so the army might search for her even if they didn't for the people. After all they do not want to anger the kou empire.
''The army may not be doing something for the likes of you but I am sure my people are already searching for me'' The woman who was told to be quiet says.
The woman with black hair looks at her uninterested and frowns her eyebrows.
''Well rich girl they may or may not, but they do not have much time I heard them talking today we leave''
Today? That is pretty fast it hasn't been that long since she was kidnapped? Would they be here on time? What if they are not?
Slowly kourin is sinking in despair.
''But what I am curious is about what you mean with the likes of me? Do you say you are more worth then me?''
''Isn't that obvious? Someone of my sort is much more worth then you.'' Kourin responds. Really what is with this girl? Kourin is obviously from a higher class then her and still she dares to act so disrespectful. Kourin feels scared, confused and angry and takes it out on the woman.
''Ow and how so? It is probably your upbringing then makes you think like that but let me tell you something. I can do all sort of things myself while you can do nothing understand? So how can you be more worth then me? Probably because an old pervert would love to have you as his wife. You are more worth then me because your dear father can sell you-oops I mean marry you off. Isn't that what you have been preparing your whole life for? To be sold off.. No I do not think you are worth anything, you cannot do anything , the only thing you are good for is pleasing old men.''
These words hurt, and because they are the truth they hurt only more. Kourin feels tears coming out of her eyes and tries her best to not show them. She cannot show weakness she must be strong, she is a princess of kou but would it really matter? It is true her whole life she has been preparing to be married of. She knows. She knows that that is probably the only thing she can do for kou. In that way she can spare them a war, that is her usefulness. Even if she wanted to be useful in another way she can't Because she cannot do anything except being the perfect princes because that is what her was learned. But if that is the only thing she can do for her people, kou, then that is her purpose then she will have the strength to accept that. Because she was born a princess she may have to marry an old man, but she does live the good life. And her husband cannot mistreat her. Because right now because her husband did it she is here. In a way it is all his fault.
''Even so my brother will try to find me, because pleasing old man, if that man is a king, someone important to have on your side in being able to get them on your side is your worth and sometimes with that you can evade a war. ''
At this the black haired woman sighs and uses her hand to rub her heard.
''Guess you are not that naive''
Kourin closes her eyes and tries to take some sleep she is very tired.
''Not that it all matters now, even if your brother came we would be long gone..''
But she can't. And start to think yet again how hopeless it is and what she actually did with her life, but what do other people with their life's?. The peasants do nothing amazing. Her brother does, he is going to unite world. Together with Kouha and Koumei. But what has she accomplished? Nothing. Does she really matter? All she did was marrying and evade a war, a war that they could have easily won. If she died would anyone really care? They have enough princesses after all. Kougyoku can always marry her husband or hakuei. But those are king candidates, they are strong unlike me. They got a chance to pick up the sword because judar and Kouen saw a fighter in her. But in me? In kourin? No they didn't and kourin could care less she didn't want to risk her life anyway. Life in the palace is what she wanted, and that is what she got. Only her husband being to only disadvantage. But now that she is sitting here feeling all alone. She regrets not picking up the sword. She wants to be useful not useless. She starts to hate her own powerlessness. She never needed to think about it before she just had to scream and guards would come to her and save her like they saved her from her husband. But she couldn't do anything on her own. Not stopping her husband, not dressing herself up not anything. Now that she has no one to depend one except herself she realises it.
She also slowly loses hope that Kouen would save her. Why would he? She is not much worth, she is useless. Only her blood that is all she has. She remembers that they all tried to get kouens attention, it was a game she played with her other sisters. No one succeeded. Kourin guesses it was because they did not see each other much and had other interest. Still Kouen treats them with respect and if he has time they can talk to them just like she did when she had the first quarrel with her husband.
She touches the earrings she got from her brother. He said they were special. Some new kind of technology they had and that he would explain later. But he never did, after all he is a busy person. He gave them to her after they were done walking around the city. They left the city after Kouen saw that girl with red hair. Kourin sill does not know why he is so interested in her. She couldn't care less about that girl.
Her life until now wasn't so bad, but it is not that bad if she died now. She has fulfilled her purpose after all, so will it matter? But does she want to die? No but does she have a choice? She will not let those men damage her honour her pride. That is everything she has and is. Haukei and Kougyoku have their strength but she has her honour and she will keep it. After all the duty of a princes is to keep the honour of her family high. And she will. Because that is her purpose , that is her meaning in life, it may seem like nothing but it is something. She cannot let herself be violated. But how will she do it? She could use the hairpin she has in her hair. It is golden and very sharp. It should be sharp enough to cut her throat with. Would she be able to take her own life? And what if her brother did come to save her?
She needs to escape, or at least try. If she doesn't try nothing will happen. She cannot expect a miracle. She will show them that she can fight and has the will to fight to protect her honour, to protect kou in her own way. Even if it would be all in vain at least she knows she tried and with that she is not afraid of dying. We all go one time. She would rather die than getting her honour destroyed. She is sure her family would agree.
'We cannot stay here doing nothing forever..'' she hears a woman saying. Breaking the silence in the room.
I know I won't...
''If we do nothing we will be sold of''
I will not let that happen.
''We have to escape''
I will try!
Kourins eyes get determined she has stopped with sulking and something is shining in her eyes.
''Aahaha! Echoes through the room. It is the black haired woman.
''You... red haired girl. Are you maybe also a naive little rich girl? If we try to escape they will kill us.''
They will kill us? Does that matter. Is killing them bad? Kouen, Kouha, her father, the soldiers, hakuei, kougyoku they all kill people. They kill people for their purpose, it is their decision. But can you call them bad? I eat a lot of meat and all those animals get killed. That is nature the strong survive the weak get killed. I am just lucky that I am protected by the strong. Those men are beast, they shouldn't be allowed to live. But is she correct in saying this? Doesn't her brother do the same? Hurting people for his purpose, didn't he marry her of together with her father? No she cannot think like that. Kouen makes his decision not only to benefit himself but the kou empire. He is not like these greedy filthy men. They are like beast and beast who misbehave you kill.
The woman to who the black haired woman is screaming doesn't waver. She is imidating but kourin is not afraid o f her. She can see fire burning in the eyes of the woman. The woman had red hair just like her but her own hair is more brownish. Somewhere kourin thinks she has seen this woman but where? Seeing this woman not waver makes kourin last worry disappear.
''We will have to kill people you know? Have you ever had blood on your hands?' the black haired woman shouts.
''Yes, I have''
I do not but I can do it, just like my family and all the other, for my purpose for the things I need to do I can and I will. I will show them I can fight. That I can protect my honour on my own.
''And you? Black haired woman turns her head to look Kourin right into the eyes. , do you think we should try? We will die you know! Aren't you afraid of dying?''
'afraid of dying''? she mutters.
''Dying would be more pleasant then what those men will to us, even if I go down I will go down while fighting with pride. For my honour I will fight until my last breath. I am no easy prey and I am not worthless either. I will show you all that I am not useless, I will show him not to mess with me anymore and I will show my brother that I can fight on my own and that he can put his faith in me''
She now is standing up.
''I will fight for my freedom if I have to, that way I won't have any regret. They might think being a woman is the only valuable thing about us but they are forgetting that they are nothing worth at all.
After a moment of silence the red haired woman, to who the black haired woman was screaming says: ''We have to try if not it will all end much worse''
''b-b.. ut I have never killed someone, I cannot fight I'' The blond haired woman says.
''yes... she is right'' another one says.
''we can at least try.. I will...'' the red haired woman tries.
''You will try to protect us? You won't be able to, you might not even be able to protect yourself your just as weak as we are'' the black haired woman says.
''That might be so, but still I will try! It is better than doing nothing and have regret! I will return to my friends I have a purpose something I must do'' the red haired woman announces.
I do to...I will show them, I will fight and protect my honour...
''I have a reason I cannot die, and I will fight until the better end for it. ''
''me to'' and I am not afraid to get my hands soaked with blood. My family can do it, if they can so can I. '' Kourin says.
''We will be murderers!''
''How do you feel when you eat meat?'' kourin asks
''Eh?'' the woman says.
''What does this have to do with-'' the black haired woman gets cut off by kourin.
''Do you feel sorry for the animal?''
''Um.. I if I don't I die, I have to eat...''
''Exactly.. If we do not kill those men we will die it is a matter of life of dead.''
That is just how it is...
The woman with red hair stands up to and cuts the rope that bind her hands. She walks in front of the door and turns around spreads her arms.
''I do now know if it is the right decision, I do not know if we can make it but I will still try because I have things to do... And I do not plan on becoming their slave for their pleasure. I will do things I want to do. So let's try to escape so that we can be free, even if we die, then we will still be free.''
Her eyes are determent fire burns inside her, her hair shines in the light of the fire and something changes into the eyes of the other women.
''If..if you put it that way''
''I rather die than becoming their toy...''
''I am afraid but but...''
''We are all afraid! her voice sounds strong but with kindness. ''But that won't stop us''
The other women are standing up one for one and she cuts the ropes that bind their hands.
The black haired woman is still hesitant. But the other woman cuts the rope and smiles kindly
''are you coming with us to?''
''W-what if it is the wrong decision? Is it alright for us to kill them?''
Kourin steps in front of the two women.
''There is no right decision, because in the end who decides if something is right or wrong? They captured us because they wanted many I will escape and kill them if I have to because I want to be free. ''
The rope around kourin's hand gets cut by the red haired woman and when kourin turns around she can finally get a good look at the woman's face. Now she knows who the woman is. It was the woman who she saw in the town when she was with her brother. It was the one who resembled the leader of the dark dragon and the happy hungry bunch. The one her brother was interested in.
''Let's take our freedom back'' she says.
''Yes'' they all answer.
I will...
...
Author's note:
So... an extra chapter that is twice the length of the real chapter. Oops... so it is longer than I anticipated but I hope I made her thoughts clear. I decided to call this chapter 7. Next chapter will really be shorter. By the way this is basically chapter 6 but from kourin's view. Still I found it to be too long to be called a special chapter because it is important for the story.
A little preview of what's to come in the next chapter:
''Wait prince Kouen! We will help, this is my problem to!''
''No, you have had you chance, this is now a problem of kou and Kou can take care of it by themselves''
...
''So this is the plan...''
''yes...''
Wow.. what a great preview!
