This chapter answers some of your questions about Zaphira's feelings (she is not in love with Eun Soo. Eun Soo just did not want Zaphira to worry because of her pregnancy). I will take some time before the next chapter when ES and CY finally reunite, which you are all expecting. Thank you for your patience. Please don't forget to review.
A few weeks ago
He did not mean to burden her, but it just so happened that he had some business in the same direction. He followed her as she exited the gates and started toward the clinic. The path lay through the some of the court offices where most of the functionaries were housed. Two court officials still in their robes, returning from a meeting with the king by the looks of it, stood blocking her path. They were very animated, gesturing and speaking loudly. As the woman walked by, they acted as if she was not there, not budging even an inch, making it impossible for her to pass.
"Excuse me," she uttered softly.
Buttery eyes glossed over Zaphira, who was used to keeping her head down, while on the palace grounds.
"Who are you?" Asked one of the men with apparent challenge in his voice.
"I'm one of the Royal clinic workers, my Lord," she answered meekly still not lifting her eyes off the ground.
"The medical clinic?" the man turned to his companion, "They let just anybody in now," he said casually.
Zaphira's shoulders tensed and she turned around, planning to take another path to get around this unpleasant obstacle.
"Why? Leaving so soon?" the other man questioned. "We are not good enough for you to strike up a conversation?"
She had to stop and respond, "I apologize, but I remembered an urgent matter which requires my attention. I hope upon our next meeting, we will have plenty of opportunity to talk."
But they were just playing with her, finding it amusing to insult somebody of a lower status. One of the man harshly pulled her arm, holding onto her and the other one grabbed her chin, lifting it up, "Let me see your face, so that we will remember about your promise next time."
She fought the tears from showing in her eyes and forced a smile. "Yes, my Lord."
"How about a private audience tonight?" one of the men winked at her. "I heard that you are very skilled in your craft. I can be a generous man if you please me."
She did not answer, defiance sparked, but contained by the years of training and skillful pretence.
"Not interested?" the fat one of the two was getting agitated.
"Like I said, unfortunately I am needed now."
Choong Seok paused on his way when Zaphira was forced to stop and interact with the two court officials. At first he just waited politely, so that he could continue with his business, watching from a far, but by the looks of it, the situation quickly escalated, and he came up closer, having heard bits of the conversation. Seeing how the man touched Zaphira's face up and how the other one pulled her arm forcibly, Choong Seok felt anger grow inside, and his look transformed from neutral curiosity to the kind he had when ready for an attack, his hand moved instinctively to unsheathe the sword, but after drawing it halg the way, he stopped and pushed it back in, growling. He took a few steps and was right next to the group, calling, "What is going on here?"
"Nothing of your concern," replied one of the officials and moved to let him pass.
Zaphira turned to him, eyes widened in fear and surprise. She did not want so much attention brought to her, and this soldier would only cause more trouble. Why did Choong Seok interfere? She knew how to handle men like that, although it would have required a lot of finesse, she already formed a plan.
"Why had this woman been stopped?" He raised his voice.
"We were just having a friendly conversation. Like I said, it is none of your concern."
"She is not to be touched." And he removed the man's hand off Zaphira.
"What do you think you are doing?" The fat one protested. "You are just a guard and dare to interfere with our affairs?"
"Just a guard?" Choong Seok smirked. "I'm Assistant General Choong Seok, the commander of the Woodalchi and second in rank to General Choi Young who is currently spilling his blood to protect the likes of you! I answer only to the King himself. Therefore, everything I do is authorized by the King . This woman is under the protection of Woodalchi. She is a medical worker and should be treated as such. Move and let her go!"
He held Zaphira's hand and started to go, taking the astonished and speechless woman with him.
"Look at him. He is acting all high and mighty to cover for this foreigner, a prostitute." The men immediately complained, loud enough to hear. "I bet he is sleeping with her or maybe, all the Woodalchi using her services." And they both laughed.
"I apologize, please wait here," mentioned Choong Seok to Zaphira and letting go of her hand, reached the pair in two large strides. A blade glistened under the sun and the two officials trembled as the sword was pointed at them.
"How dare you insult Woodalchi name? I will not stand for it." His voice rang with indignation and clear threat was delivered in his gaze.
"We did not mean it. We were just joking." Mumbled the fat guy, while the other one just stared at the sword.
"She is not a prostitute", he added firmly, glaring at them. "I hope you can pass this message along onto others who erroneously believe that."
The officials nodded and he departed.
"I shall escort you." He approached Zaphira. "I apologize if my behavior startled you. I did not see any other option." He spoke softer, finally simmering down.
"Thank you, officer. But I did not need your protection." Zaphira was ashamed and hurt. The last thing she needed for this man who looked at her with adoration once, now look at her with pity.
"I could not watch you accosted and do nothing. If you have to be angry with me, so be it." Used to making decisions, he did not regret his choice for a second.
"I think I'll be safe to go home alone."
He bowed and stood waiting as she left, wondering if the lady would now avoid him. He was confused at her reaction and not having anybody to ask, besides Choi Young, he got frustrated. He was not the type to dwell and accepted that what he did today will have repercussions for the future, although he was not sure how it may turn up.
Today
"Zaphira," a man's voice caught up to her, his rushing steps echoing on the stone pavement. It was quite obvious that he was running after her ever since she had exited the Woodalchi compound. It would have been much simpler to approach her there, but he probably debated with himself whether to talk to her or not, uncertain and losing her sight in the process.
She turned to see a familiar face, Zaphira's eyes smiled briefly enough for him to catch a glimpse and return a shy smile. Her eyes not yet ready to meet his, but a sense of comfort settling in the space between her and the man, who stopped at a distance, still panting. "I wanted to see how the doctor is doing with the news."
At least it was a proper topic of conversation, although what stopped him from asking Eun Soo himself? Luckily, she was tactful enough not to point a hole in his weak excuse to approach her.
"She is actually fine. Trying to pack in a hurry."
"I was wondering if you are going to be joining her on the trip." He never could look directly at her without averting his gaze. It was quite endearing, making her smile lightly at the corners of her mouth.
"I was thinking about it. Are you coming?"
He perked up, the question gave him a dose of courage to stare directly and once he did, he could not pull away, sucked in by the deep black bottomless and alluring eyes of Zaphira. "Do you want me to?"
She did not expect him to be so forward and stumbled, surprised to find herself wanting to say 'yes'. "It is not up to me, it is up to Eun Soo. I thought that your presence here was essential, that's why you had to stay behind and had not joined the general."
"Unfortunately, I'm always left to run this place when he is busy saving the country and getting hurt, while I'm stuck in the palace."
"Well, I'm glad that you are unharmed, for my part." She admitted.
After Eun Soo pointed him out, Zaphira thought of him once in a while. The man certainly made an impression: at first he led the heroic rescue from the prince, then gallantly protected her honor with the court officials. Yet, he has always been humble and never brought up any of the instances, never making her feel uncomfortable or obligated. Since she began staying at the Woodalchi compound they have become accustomed to seeing each other frequently due to her friendship with the general's wife.
Choong Seok never in the wildest of his dreams imagined that such a refined and beautiful woman as Zaphira could consider him anything, but a bodyguard. Which is what he ultimately was – highly qualified, very proficient and quite able bodyguard. Since she started frequenting the compound he had a chance to see her in passing. At first, he just watched her graceful figure as she entered the gates and passed through the courtyard, her eyes to the ground. As the men ogled her, he immediately cut out the giggles and smart assed remarks with one command. His tone not giving an option of disobedience, final and unquestionable.
He was not Choi Young, but he was close enough, he's developed a similar understated, but firm style of communication with the men. They seemed to respond well to that. Once he dispensed his instruction, it was carried out, and in the absence of the Commanding General, there was no soldier who would even think of undermining him.
However, he took his time to gather the men and gave them a dry, officially sounding lecture about the Woodalchi honor and the importance of carrying themselves in a way that would not cast a shadow on their personal integrity and therefore reflect negatively on the battalion as a whole. Soldiers listened because they had to, without a clue as to what prompted such a sermon in the middle of the day, while they were each going about their business. The Assistant General was not as gifted in his speech as Choi Young, who did not like to talk, but could express himself simply and powerfully in front of his subordinates. "Sir, are we getting a new assignment?" guessed one of the soldiers, earning a sharp look from the commander.
"Don't disrespect female visitors. You don't want to be ill spoken about as some gang of uncivilized hooligans." He frowned to make a stronger point and looked over the group of soldiers whose faces finally reflected understanding of the point he was attempting to convey. "Dismissed!" and turning on his heels, he went about whatever menial responsibility was his task of the hour.
Zaphira was unaware of his protective gestures behind the curtain, but astutely observed that none of the men threw crude remarks at her when she showed to visit Eun Soo the next time. She also noted that the Assistant General conveniently was around whenever she was on site. He would always greet her, prompting her respond in likeness. After a few times, he added a sentence to the greeting, something along the lines, "I'm glad the doctor has visitors, she is having a hard time." Then a couple more sentences, inquiring about the doctor's wellbeing and offering help or assistance if needed. Lately he moved onto whole paragraphs, commenting on weather and the happenings in the palace. Not once did he ask about Zaphira, though. She was taken aback by this strange way of showing interest in her, or so she thought his behavior indicated. The man clearly had no experience with women or how to woo properly. But their one sided conversations were amusing and she started getting used to speaking with him, or rather having him speak with her.
So to her own surprise, she found herself actually talking to him and disclosing the fact that she knew who he was, what his role was and even how important and valuable Choon Seok showed himself to be for Woodalchi. She had not realized she even possessed such knowledge till she heard herself talk. And then… "I'm glad that you are unharmed." That was much too personal. She was sincere, and maybe, after today's honest confrontation with Eun Soo she was pried a bit more open to the let herself be known to the outside world, the Assistant General included.
"Then I shall speak with the doctor and ask to join her for the trip. I miss Choi Young and I worry. Once he gets better, I will kill him myself for almost dying and leaving me all alone with those imbeciles," drunken with newfound courage, he was chatting with her like they were close friends.
Zaphira inexplicably was drawn by the simplicity and honesty of his feelings. This man knew how felt and why, he also knew how he wanted to address it. A key that kept her heart on tight lock, turned, the door ajar, she understood that his persistence was purely a reflection of the fact that he liked her. Therefore, he talked to her on every occasion, awkwardly and without much progress, but never giving up. This was the man who knew his feelings, even if he did not tell her yet how he felt, her heart freed itself to accept this fact.
