The master had left, apologizing for the intrusion and inquiring if he could return in the morning to check on his daughter's condition. Jae Su refused to go, waiting patiently outside for his beloved Mae Hee to come to her senses. He could not sleep if she were sick anyway, so instead he just practiced under the moonlight, using the time to perfect a particularly tough marital arts sequence the master had shown him.
"Don't forget to use your center. The power comes from the core. And your movement has to flow. You are thinking too much. Close your eyes and feel the energy." He heard the voice from behind. Surprised, he turned to see the male fairy, hidden by the darkness. Choi Young was not wearing his mask at home, of course, but he was still careful to keep his face concealed. The only way he could stay in the shadows was under the cover of the night. The fight he promised Jae Su was far in the future, but at least he could train his friend to be prepared for the face off.
"There a couple of things I want to show you. Observe and learn."
. . .
Eun Soo watched over the sleeping girl. Mae Hee was stunningly pretty, very young and still baby-faced. She had skin bronzed by the sun and raven black long straight hair. She was a budding beauty, the kind that bewitched men of all ages. No wonder Choi Young fell for her. Eun Soo wondered what he looked like when he was this girl's age. Has he changed much? Would she notice him on the street if she were to pass by? He must have been attractive enough for this girl to lay her eyes on him and pick from an obvious long line of suitors. Jae Su was handsome in his own right, but she suspected Choi Young's charisma had already been shining even when he was a teenager.
Her husband came into the house, wiping off the sweat from his brow and smiling from ear to ear. "I had fun with Jae Su. I've missed that rascal so much... So how is she?"
"The same. I've been monitoring her vitals. Based on my research, she should wake up some time tomorrow. I am not sure if we would have to pump her stomach or detox her. Once she is conscious, I will have to go to the market and get some herbs from that shop. The salesman seemed knowledgeable. I'm sure he can help me choose the right ones."
Choi Young kneeled next to the sleeping beauty and Eun Soo could not suppress a prick of jealousy when he lovingly fixed a stray hair on the child's head. His eyes lingered on her face and Eun Soo was relieved not to see anything resembling passion or love she used to see lighting his gaze when he was looking upon her.
"Can I stay with her?" he asked for permission, knowing how sensitive the subject was.
"I don't think your face should be the first one she sees. No offence, but I believe Jae Su deserves the chance to show his devotion." She suggested softly.
"I know. Protecting this child... I feel like I had failed once." He preempted her speaking the obvious. "And don't say anything. I know it's irrational. My heart aches with warmth when I watch her lying here, so peaceful. Yet, the currents of time will take her on a journey I can't stop. I know that, Imja." His large palm covered her hands, clasped on her lap. She trembled vulnerable to his touch and looked at him almost with embarrassment. "I don't want you hurting because she has a place in my heart. You have all of me, my heart included, which holds all of these people I've ever cared about."
. . .
"Yah!" Jae Su yelled before realizing he was raising his voice at the FAIRY!
Choi Young turned quite surprised, but did not move from his spot. The magical creature was hovering too close for Jae Su's comfort over the girl of his dreams. And not only that - he dared to caress her hair, as if he was a close family member. Only master touched Mae Hee like that.
"She is doing well, don't worry." Finally uttered Choi Young, still keeping his eyes on the girl.
Jae Su did not know the meaning of jealousy yet, but he was learning quickly. "Why do you look at her this way?" He blurted out again, not hiding his discomfort and even challenging his sizable and more capable competition.
"This child reminds me of a girl I used to know when I was your age. A happy troublemaker, just like her." Choi Young let out a sigh before explaining further. "I lost her. And now she is gone, but this child is right in front of me and I want to make sure she lives a long and healthy life."
The fact that the fairy might have been young or had a history never crossed Jae Su's mind. "Your had a daughter?"
"Do I look that old to you?" scoffed Choi Young.
"I apologize. I thought fairies live forever."
The warrior stifled a laugh. Would not that be something – to live forever. This immortality stuff was why he ended here in the first place. It is hard enough to deal with one lifetime. Who could manage eternity?
"Then who was she?" The boy was more inquisitive, than Choi Young remembered him to be.
"Just a girl."
"A human or a fairy girl?"
The question ignored, instead the warrior leaned to kiss Mae Hee's forehead tenderly. Eun Soo was right about one thing – there was no place for him beside her. "My wife thinks that you should be the one taking care of her, not me."
"Your wife is wise, Sir Fairy," puffed up his chest Jae Su, pride growing inside. The lady fairy must have seen his true abilities and believed in his sincere heart.
Choi Young stood up and straightened his clothing. "I will be over there if you need anything. Tell me immediately when she is awake." And he stepped outside, giving the children some privacy.
. . .
The shopkeeper recognized Eun Soo right away and inquired if she still wanted the book he had been keeping for her safely.
"I'm glad you remembered!" She did not expect him to do that and was more than happy to pay the price he requested. He appeared very knowledgeable about his products and was obliged to advise what mixture she needed to use for the poisoned girl. After she finished with the necessary shopping, Eun Soo hesitated before leaving.
"Is there a good doctor in town, the one who works with women's issues?"
"Anything in particular, my lady?"
"No, just need a consultation, that's all."
"I can recommend doctor Pak. He is well respected. "
"Thank you. Where can I find him?"
After getting directions and a paper with Chinese symbols, apparently with the doctor's name, Eun Soo remained just a bit longer attracted by the bookshelves in the back. She perused a few more volumes that contained pictures and making sure nobody would notice, snapped a few pictures with her phone.
A muted conversation peeked her curiosity and she moved closer to the counter. A tall boy of about fifteen was buying herbs for his ailing father. He looked gloomy and his young face had a worry wrinkle etched on the forehead. The herbalist seemed to be quite familiar with him and asked to send regards to his father.
Eun Soo pursed her lips, thinking about the state of medicine at this age. Perhaps, this child would not be in a situation where his father was so ill, if they had modern technology and knowledge at their disposal.
Her mind preoccupied, Eun Soo stopped right outside the shop, holding her package and a heavy book to her chest. There were a few competing thoughts and worries crowding and pushing for her attention. She glazed over absently over the road and sighed looking down when she felt a strong push to the side that knocked the wind out of her. Her purchases dropped into the dirt and losing her balance, she heard dangerously close loud horse snorting with a warm spray of wet breath hitting her face, and an enormous animal rose above her like a statue as its wide underbelly and huge hoofs began to come down toward her in a slow motion. She squeezed her eyes shut and clenched into a ball, embracing for the impact... But instead of weight of the horse smashing her to the ground, she felt lightness as she was lifted up in the air. Loud neighing and screams were dulled by the ringing in her ears and she felt the kind of sense of safety she only felt when she was held in Choi Young's arms.
Eun Soo slowly opened her eyes afraid that she was dead and the lightness she felt was the soul escaping her bloodied corpse. But to her astonishment she felt very much within the confines of her material body, aching from hitting the ground and therefore very much alive.
"Are you all right?" A young man's concerned eyes peered down at her. She frowned trying to understand what had just occurred.
"Were you just in the store?"
He nodded. Only then Eun Soo realized that she had her arms wrapped around his neck and he was holding her. "Put me down," she demanded.
The boy blushed, looking away and carefully lowered her, but did not let go.
"I can stand." She insisted, although still quite shaken up.
"Your things," he bent to pick up her parcel and a book.
Instead of simply thanking him and leaving, Eun Soo's shock erupted into a nervous unsolicited explanation: "I'm clumsy. I don't know what is wrong with me. Just a few days ago, my husband pulled me from under the horse, and now you. I could have been trampled. You saved me life. And I'm so grateful. I can pay," and she tried to reach into her pocket for the coin purse, effectively dropping everything again. "Omo, omo," she mumbled flailing her hands, and before she could reach to pick up her purchases, he had already gathered them again and wisely held onto them, obviously not sure that returning them now would not lead to the same outcome.
"You don't need to pay." He added softly. He was at that age when boys voices were still breaking, and he tried to modulate from high to low pitch unsuccessfully.
"Then I can offer my services. I'm a doctor. I'm a great doctor. One of the best. In fact, I'm a plastic surgeon." Why on earth did she just say that? If Choi Young found out, he would kill her! And whatever else possessed her, Eun Soo added, "Yoo Eun Soo. Plastic surgeon Yoo Eun Soo. If you ever need somebody to patch you up, find me." And she flipped her red hair, smiling. "Although I hope you are never injured so bad that you need the golden hands of a surgeon."
The boy silently nodded again as if imprinting her words into his memory. Then he quickly observed her, insuring that she was steady on her feet and handed the over the parcels with a bow.
Eun Soo nodded as well, mentally slapping herself on the mouth. This incident should stay a secret from her husband, hopefully, she did not inadvertently change something in history. Or did she?
Lesson about alertness apparently not learned, she trudged lost in her thoughts, not really paying attention to anything around her. She kept thinking back to the boy's face and his strong arms around her. Were his eyes almond shaped, like Choi Young's? She shook her head – there was no way! He was definitely the only man with such eyes.
The boy stayed behind just a minute longer, watching as the woman walked away, clumsily bumping into someone as expected. He smiled, not realizing it. That night he had a strange dream. A woman with red hair was smiling at him, while looking into his eyes. It was the first dream of a kind in his young life that made him feel utterly embarrassed in the morning, the kind of dream that required him to throw away his pants in secret before the maid picked them for laundry.