Thanks for your responses to my question before. So hoping that developing other characters is a go then? Do leave your comments and opinions, they count.

Struck by the Cupid's Arrow

Chapter 24 Part 2

After the General's wedding the man has changed. With Dae Man preoccupied with his fiancé and his own wedding planning, Deok Man did not have a good friend to confide in. He was struggling, confused about his own behavior, he walked around in a daze. He was struck by a cupid's arrow.

Deok Man was not considered the smartest of the bunch, but he had a big heart. He thought as long as he was earnest, a very smart herbalist might like him. Since Deo Gi did could not hear, he figured the less he talked and showed her with actions how much he liked her, the better it was for him. When Eun Soo opened up her "Love Doctor" practice, he was the first one in line and because she really liked the boy and Deo Gi, having known them through all kinds of crisis and hardships, she set aside as much time as needed to help him out.

Deok Man did not need much help, at least not at first glance. "What do I do to show her how I feel?" he immediately posed the most important question. How did he even know that actions speak louder than words? Still, he also recognized that being able to say things as important. Once he figured out he liked Deo Gi, he clearly knew that it was important to learn how to communicate with her in sign language. He also wanted to find out what she liked and what kind of person she was. He explained that he has never liked a girl like that before and that he wanted to do everything for her to get to know him, so that, hopefully, she can start liking him, too.

Eun Soo was surprised and impressed. Although people did not consider him book smart, he was very bright when it came to real life. He was not trying to be somebody else and wanted to appeal to the woman who was very different from him not by pretence, but by putting his best foot forward. Eun Soo set up time to teach him everything he needed to succeed. She could not predict whether Deo Gi would be interested in somebody like Deok Man, but from her own experience, a Woodalchi was a special brand of a man that had to be taken seriously when it came to love and feelings.

So every day, faithfully Deok Man would come to the clinic and… hide behind a tree or by the window watching Deo Gi. He was handsome, young and as tall as Daejan himself. He held a good position, was respected by other guys for his skills and honesty; therefore, by all standards he was a good catch. He was not a clumsy person. He was very steady on his feet and was good with various weapons. However, whenever he was closer than a couple of meters away from her, he immediately became a hot mess. He stumbled, tripped, fell down, hit his elbows on every corner, his tongue twisted, producing unrecognizable sounds, and he could not look her straight in the eye. It was beyond embarrassing.

Deo Gi was polite and always nodding, greeted him with a sign, passing by the man, who would turn, trying to say something, and never able to. Others have already noticed that the warrior seemed to appear everywhere she went. He would accidentally bump into her at the market or happen to stroll along the same garden path she went on. Yet, he never spoke to her. Deo Gi was not sure what to make of it. They had a moment at the wedding where she felt something. It was a feeling long forgotten. After Jang Bin died tragically, she completely closed her heart and focused only on work. He was her first love. She never got to ask him if he liked her at all or would even consider liking her; and after the High Doctor appeared, she became jealous and angry at the Heavenly woman who took the attention of the royal physician. Once she realized that Eun Soo was not interested in Jang Bin, she felt better, but she feared that he had hidden feelings for the woman from Heaven. How could a deaf girl compare to somebody like that! So when he died, she lost her chance to find out how he really felt. She wondered for years, finally letting it go and then Deok Man looked at her, only her. He looked at her the way the General looked at his wife, with genuine affection.

Deok Man was catching up quickly and his sign language improved. Eun Soo kept encouraging him to talk to Deo Gi, to at least start a simple conversation, but after many tries, he gave up. It was not happening and by now she probably thought him weird, clumsy, and a stocker.

"Doctor, if you were me, what would you say to her?"

"Just tell her that she is beautiful and that you think about her all the time. Don't try to explain too much."

"But I am unable to speak in her presence, words get stuck in my mouth and I blink like an idiot, staring at her."

"Then write."

"You see," the man mumbled, "I am not very literate. I can read a little and write a little, but I can't do a love letter."

"Mm, then just practice talking to her. Hopefully you may be able to face her next time." Eun Soo felt sorry for the guy, and if it was up to her, she would have already told Deo Gi about all the effort he put into this, but she was sworn to secrecy by him and had to keep her word.

Deok Man left, deep in thought. A love letter to express his sincere feeling may allow him to share his heart with her without making a fool of himself. If she accepts, then maybe, she will speak to him herself next time they meet. He found a scribe at the market and explained his situation. A scribe was a young scholar, versed in poetry and writing. Excited Deok Man, spilled his heart out, while a boy created a letter. That's how it started. Daily Deo Gi began receiving letters that came with a flower, a fresh one. The letters spoke of longing and a heart, thrilled by the burgeoning feeling of love. It described how her eyes captivated a man's soul, and how he goes to sleep and wakes up with her name on his lips. The letters were written in exquisite fashion and she treasured them, along with each flower, reading and rereading them over and over again. At work, her mind started to wonder and her eyes searched for a clumsy soldier, but after she received the first letter, he did not come around any more. His absence was especially confusing as she was sure the letters were from him. She was used to his tall shapely figure that was hard to hide behind thin birch trunks; and although she never showed it, his awkwardness was endearing and made her feel fuzzy inside. She began to miss their daily encounters and it was upsetting. Why would not he show himself to her, was he afraid she would reject him?

Deo Gi was shopping at the market; picking up herbs from the Suribang, she already had a cartful of supplies. She needn't lug heavy cart around as she had a few of her apprentices eager to help. She thought she caught a familiar figure and upon closer inspection, saw Deok Man. Her face lit up and she came up, really happy to see him. The man was sitting at a table by the scribe. Absorbed in his task, he did not see Deo Gi, who looked from the side and gasped, she recognized the handwriting of the scribe right away. Deok Man noticed a shadow falling over the white sheet of paper and turning, saw the woman's face, angry and hurt. "You," it was hard for her to speak, but she pushed the sound out of her mouth. She shook her head in disbelief. All these beautiful letters that moved her heart, they were all a lie! "You, you…" and she turned away.

"No, no, no. It is not what you think it is," he freaked out, realizing what she might have thought. She could not see him talk or hear, so he pulled her arm, easily turning her toward him. "No, please, let me explain," he just realized that he was able to speak to her. Maybe, what he needed was fear, not love, to open his mouth. He let go of her hands, so that he could sign, but she took the opportunity and turned away. "Where are you going?" He jumped in front of her, blocking the path. "I want to talk to you, please. Let me explain." He signed with his hands as he spoke slowly for her to understand. Her eyes opened wide, she was surprised and stood still, following his hands. "I am not good with words." She nodded and even smiled. "But I like you very much."

She stared at him, overwhelmed by his surprising confession. He was the first man to come out and put it so simply. It was very special, but what really touched her the most was that he took the time to learn the sign language. She was deeply affected by how much he cared to make it possible for them to talk. Her eyes to the ground and brows knitted, she was processing: He did that all for her, while hiding every day in the garden and admiring her from afar, stumbling and choking on words, he did not give up. Deo Gi looked up at him, did he understand what he just said?

"Sorry, I guess I did not say it right," he mumbled, hands falling down. "Just a moment," and he left her standing confused and blushing, running off to a flower vendor.

She studied his tall figure with broad shoulders and thought about what kind of man he might be. Was he kind, smart and patient? Was he a man of words or action? Was he only interested in her looks or who she was? She never stopped to think about him like that. In the past, anybody who showed even the slightest interest in her, was cast aside for one reason - he was not Jang Bin. But if she continued to compare everybody to Jang Bin, all paled in comparison. However, Deok Man was decent and honest, and obviously was sure about his feelings, making such big declarations. The scribe motioned for her attention. He handed her a piece of paper, he just created. "The young man came to me asking for help, I just put into words what his heart was saying, every word you received is spelled from his sincere heart."

Deok Man got the flowers and recited in his head what he would say. It was his chance and he will try to make sure she understands that he really likes her. He even thought to have the scribe write it for her. When he turned, the flowers fell out of his hands, hitting the dusty ground, petals breaking off, bouquet crumbling in a sad pile. A man dressed in expensive robes, pointing to his government position of a minister, just hit Deo Gi across her face, and Deok Man witnessed it. He could not react right away, at first he did not comprehend what and how it occurred, then a scene replayed in his mind slowly, and his body leaped into action, with the man thrown crashing to the ground and a sword raised to cut him. Deo Gi flung herself in front, adamantly crossing her arms, stopping him. He moved her aside and asked the man why should he be left unharmed after he just offended this woman. The minister was in shock, not having much time to understand what just occurred. The scribe intervened, explaining that the esteemed elder was walking and the lady moved back, bumping into him. The offender apparently was well known for his ill temper. The problem was that he was of high rank, and she only bowed, while he wanted a more elaborate apology. Insistent, he screamed at the woman, but Deo Gi with her back to him, did not know. That's how this situation developed from a misunderstanding to a huge issue.

Deo Gi looked shocked and very embarrassed, trying to hide her face, which angered Deok Man even more. The man laying on the ground was pretty scared and picked himself up from the dirt as soon as the sword was a safe distance from him.

The Woodalchi was not hot tempered usually, but his eyes reflected stern determination, reminding others that the young soldier was very serious. He did not appear to be deterred by the man's high status, and raised his hand to return the favor, aiming for a nice slap. This might have not only ended his career, but also caused him imprisonment or worse, luckily Deo Gi was a quick thinker and just shook her head and held his hand, lowering it. Deok Man motioned for the man to apologize, and he cowardly mumbled something, making Deok Man raise his hand again and direct, "Speak clearly and look at her face, she needs to read your lips."

The man frowned, but responded and backed away as Deok Man turned his attention to the girl, whose cheek was still hot and red. He cupped it with his palm, trying to cool the pain and looked at her. Deo Gi's eyes watered and she closed them. She took the soldier's hand, forgetting why she came to the market in the first place or that she ever doubted his true intention and sincerity.