Shin ae led him through an obscure alley and they merged almost effortlessly amidst the crowd as they entered the busy market area. It was harvest season and there was an air of festivity surrounding the region. Rich aroma of delectable street snacks wafted in the air as people engaged in cheerful conversations, shopping, haggling or some mere light entertainment. It was an explosion of colours and sounds and flavours, richly blending and combining together in intricate patterns to create a lively, upbeat atmosphere.
Almost twice, they were nearly separated before Shin ae proposed the idea that they should hold hands.
Kousuke looked offended at the suggestion, "I'm not a five years old kid that needs to be babysitted," he bristled.
"Sure, say that once you're lost in a market you've never been to," she rolled her eyes.
He chose to ignore her remark. "Why are we even here?"
"Aren't you curious at all how your people even live? What do they like? What fun things they like to do?" Shin ae reached out to grab his hand when his light frame was again jostled by the busy passerbys on the road, much to his annoyance. "Their lifestyle? Hobbies? There's lot more to it than your pretty books will tell you, I bet."
Shin ae looked over to see his hooded self silently pondering on her words. He took everything so seriously, she didn't know if that was infuriating or endearing. She genuinely wondered how much had he missed out on in life?
"Did Nol see this?" he suddenly asked, taking Shin ae by surprise. His eyes seemed to be burning with curiousity as if there's a lot hanging onto her response.
"Uh, yes, he often ditched the guards to meet me for a stroll. He loved the night market! Said it was a refreshing change of pace from the dull.. monotony? Although I bet it was mostly just the street food that he loved."
"That was reckless! How could you even indulge such risky behaviour?! What if he got hurt? Or attacked? Or even worse, kidnapped?!" the note of accusation rang out sharp in his voice.
Shin ae bristled, adopting a defensive tone. "We were kids! I never thought about the consequences, okay? And he always seemed so self assured, so confident, that the thought never even came crossed my mind! People loved him. Who would even think of harming him? Why would he ever leave?!" her voice faltered near the end as the emotions overwhelmed her. He was right, she should have paid more attention. Shown a better sense of judgement. Rather than simply accepting his impulsiveness, carelessness as part of his personality. What kind of friend does that make her? She sniffed.
"Forgive me, I shouldn't have accused you like that. That was unfair to you," his words cut through her reverie and she looked up to see a concerned, apologetic expression. It was then that Shin ae realized that they had stopped midway on the path and people were starting to give them curious looks as they skirted around the odd pair. He was seemingly drawing even more attention in that get up and on top of everything, it apparently looked like he was the reason why she looked so disturbed. He either didn't realise that or perhaps didn't care enough at that point.
She shook her head wildly, picking up her pace again as he fell into steps by her side. "It's just I miss him. This ribbon," she touched the red silk band holding her hair back in a ponytail, "was something that he gave to me. As a sign of our everlasting friendship. I've been wearing it more often these days, makes me feel he's still around, you know?"
He slided his hand in hers this time without complaint and that was enough for Shin ae to know that he understands.
She suddenly skidded to a halt as something caught his attention.
"If you'll excuse me for a second.." he hastily murmurmed before leaving her side.
"Huh? What? Wait, Kousuke!" she called out as she chased his retreating back. A random food stall seemed to have caught his fascination.
"I'll like two please,"
"What are you doing?" she hissed as the owner passed him two pieces of ice candy, one he passed onto her.
"Don't you like it?" he asked, a hint of worry clouding his tone when she refused to move.
Shin ae looked down at the popsicle in her hand, already melting and starting to drip onto her sandals. She looked up suspiciously as a thought started to take shape in her mind.
"Are you trying to cheer me up?" she questioned outright. She knew, firsthand, from Yeong gi himself that his brother was very choosy when it comes to food. They have to be cooked in a particular way, presented in a certain style before he even considered them fit for his appetite.
"Hardly," he scoffed with a small disparaging laugh that wasn't entirely too convincing. "I wanted to try it out, find what Nol likes so much," but his posture looked awkward as he brought the popsicle carefully to his lips before taking a rich careful bite. He shuddered as the icy chunk made its way down his throat, stinging all the way in.
"It tastes nothing like ice cream," he gave his final verdict, grimacing slightly.
Shin ae stared. And something about the way he froze and floundered with the bar softened her glance. She looked down at her own bar, innocuously dripping onto her sandals and slowly brought it to her own lips, savouring its delightful taste.
Kousuke seemed more attentive to her every word and gesture from then on, posing random questions regarding the folk culture and seeming to relax as the evening wore off and stars laid claim to the night sky. He seemed unfamiliar in general with the more mundane aspect of everyday life of his people. A small music concert playing in the centre of the arcade enraptured him for a good half an hour as townfolks entertained themselves with a wide variety of flutes and ukuleles, a hat lying innocently on the ground accepting their small change. A couple of pairs danced in the vast centre, arms looping around each other in a move Shin ae was relatively more familiar with. She couldn't help but marvel at the duality of her own existence. How seamlessly she transitioned from one life to another, she supposed she should count herself as lucky, not many get to experience two distinct flavours that exists.
"Would you like to give it a go?" she questioned, when she detected a subtle interest.
He gave her a side along glance before crassly rejecting her, "You call this a dance? It lacks elegance and fluidity. And severely lacks in finer technical details. So, no thank you. The music is exquisite, though."
A flare of indignation abruptly flashed through Shin ae's eyes. "A dance that is part of my culture. A part of your people's culture!" she snapped. "And do you only dance for elegance and all those pointless details? What about solid good fun? Didn't you offer me a dance to make that exact same point? Or were those just some flippant remarks you reserve for very special occasions?" God, this man needs a filter. Why does he need to have an opinion on goddamn everything?!
Shin ae pointedly turned away from him, her arm lightly brushing against his own as her mild frame shook with bitter anger and.. a crushing disappointment. Just when she was about to give him a chance, he had to let her down in the most spectacular fashion possible.
Why did he have to go and prove her wrong, only for him to prove her right again?
It isn't fair. The kind of games he played with such a casual ease. With her mind and hopes and her thoughts. She wrapped her arms tightly around herself.
"The partakers.. have the most delightful expressions enhancing their features. I can detect a note of undeniable contentment.. A sense of unrestricted freedom. I gather this festive pursuit brings them much joy," a soft murmur caressed her back, with a slight hint of painful wistfulness buried in its depths.
There was a beat of silence punctuated only by an odd tension that usually hovers over pivotal crossroads. It pulsated between them both, taut like a string that seamlessly brings them together as easily it keeps them apart.
"Did I- Did I offend you, again?" he finally asked, there was a slight hesitation in his voice as if he was carefully shifting through words, trying to bridge the space.
"No." Shin ae still refused to meet his eye.
"Does the offer still stand?"
"No." She knew she was being slightly difficult now.
"So can I offer you another dance?"
She looked up to see a familiar pose. The same outstretched hand, the same sincere glance. The same half smile, slightly apologetic and a tad bit warmer.
She swallowed, her heart beat furiously inside her chest. But this time, she nodded without hesitation, taking his hand and when they danced, it was Shin ae who refused to break their eye contact, a small smile playing throughout the steps.
"Haha, My legs are completely sore. I can't walk," Shin ae complained but there was twinkle in her eyes and laughter on her lips, as she lightly massaged her feet, pumping blood into her veins.
"Hmm.. Why do I have a distinct impression that given the opportunity to revert time, you'll go back and do the exact same thing?" Kousuke hummed, slightly amused.
"You bet I would!" Shin ae grinned and her breath caught in her throat as he directed a soft, indulging smile in her direction.
She coughed.. She's still not used to seeing him smile, so it's completely natural to get caught off guard, right? Right. She gave him a side along glance. They were sitting on a pier jutting out into the lake, some distance away from the hustle bustle of downtown Market area. The lake water was still, tranquil, barely even a ripple as it acted as a pristine mirror for the stars studded sky. Shafts of pale moonlight streamed through the threadbare clouds, lighting up Kousuke's profile in rich platinum gold.
He tilted back his head to bask in the oasis of tranquility and she couldn't help but hungrily devour his marked perfection, as she eagerly studied his chiseled features, his sharp jawline, his well set nose. She had to give it to those airheaded girls, they really knew what they were talking about. He's painfully good looking.
"You're staring."
She nearly jumped out of her skin at his words. He opened his eyes and gave her a slanting, amused glance, as if perfectly aware what she's thinking. But then his forehead crinkled with a tint of worry.
"I thought you weren't going to treat me like a Prince."
"I'm not!" Shin ae flushed a deep crimson red and she was very, very glad that a cloud chose that exact same moment to disperse the shimmering silver light, dimming his vision. "You," she cleared her throat, "I was wrong." she confessed.
He raised a perfect eyebrow. "Oh, really?"
She briskly nodded. "I thought you were an aloof, self centric jerk with overexaggerated looks, who likes to read and even more brood, with a snobbish, self entitled attitude, far above the plebian-"
"I got your point. I'm flattered." Kousuke cut her off midway, in a flat voice.
"I'm not done." Shin ae glared at him.
"Oh, there's more?"
Shin ae glowered. "My point is that I thought I knew you but what I knew was a series of half assed.. Assumptions.. I never bothered to really know you. And now that I know, I'll say, you're a pretty decent human being and you shouldn't listen to all those terrible rumours. They don't know what they're talking about."
She quickly ducked her head and when the silence stretched out for too long, she threw a pebble right across the water, shattering the placid surface.Say something! She thought as she felt her flush reaching upto her hairline.Just say anything! Please.
"Thank you, Shin ae."
And the words froze Shin ae midway through her swinging attempt, the pebble clattering lightly by her side.
"It means a lot to me."
It seemed surreal to Yeong gi. A chance, finally a chance to prove his worth, to avenge his kingdom, to fight for his rights, for what is truly and rightfully his, on his own terms this time. He chose his most prized blade, tested its razor sharp edge on his thumb and carefully tucked it under his waist band. A number of other carefully chosen artefacts went into their respective slots, smokescreens, vials of lethal poison with obscure formulae, carefully designed lock picks that would render even the most complicated lock system completely ineffective, he assessed and reassessed his inventory leaving no room for mistake. Even chance couldn't deter this one precious attempt, he was determined it doesn't get to.
A light knock on the door broke through his single minded focus. He frowned, not expecting any company this late. Was that Soushi? Didn't they agree to meet at the entrance? Then what is it now? Mildly puzzled, the redheaded exiled heir pulled open the door, to a rather unexpected face.
"Hey. What're you doing here?" his eyes took in her tensed features, stiff shoulders, bangs covering her eyes, as she twisted a loose cotton thread of her navy blue nightgown aroud her finger.
Alyssa looked up to meet his concerned gaze before tentatively proposing, "Do you mind if I come in?"
That took him by surprise but he wordlessly stepped aside to let her in, carefully shutting the door close in her wake.
It felt remarkably odd to have a girl inside his room, he frowned, if you can call this a room. Sure, Shin ae used to be around all the time but that felt different, natural, easy. This felt, he wasn't exactly sure how to label it, unsettling, strange as if there was a spark of sizzling undercurrent in the thin air.
Alyssa's eyes lingered on the many kinds of daggers and pouches of tinctures he had carefully laid out in a neat orderly fashion for his assessment. She rigourously refused to meet his gaze as her eyes took in every little detail the tiny room had to offer. Stalling for time. Finally, she took in a deep, calming breath before turning around to face him.
"Don't do this."
There was a pause. Yeong gi blinked. He wasn't sure he heard her right.
"Don't do this?" he repeated back, slowly letting the syllables roll off his tongue like it was a language he wasn't quite familiar with. As if his ears were playing tricks he wasn't sure he likes. Something hot was slowly creeping up his back "Do what?"
He narrowed his eyes, his jaw tensing, daring her to say the words he low-key suspected.
A pause. A tensed beat of silence. A shuffle of feet.
"The assassination."
"And why shouldn't I?!" He challenged, anger lacing into his voice. His eyes lit up in fiery emerald green flames. Who is she to tell him, what he can or cannot do? "How does this concern you anyway?"
Alyssa bit her lip as all colour fled from her face. "It.. It..I'm a concerned citizen of the kingdom myself!"
A short, mocking laugh burst through Yeong gi's chest. "Oh, really? A concerned, caring citizen allied with an assassin cult that nurtures children into cold, bloodthirsty criminals?" he took a bold step forward, as his voice gained another decibel.
"Criminals, murderers, plunderers. Monsters. Did I get that right or did I miss something?" he growled.
Another step. His fists clenching in rage . How dare she even think she can keep him away from his goals? A naive, foolish girl, why the hell is she even doing this?! Why did she have to appear now? When he's finally embarking on the quest he has been dreaming of for ages? He felt a surge of blistering wild fury, hot and reckless, pumping down his veins as his heart thundered deafeningly in his ribcage.
She was supposed to be on his side. Rooting for him, supporting him, not opposing him.
"You're just like me. A traitor," and he couldn't help relishing the way she flinched at the word, the way she backed off in response till her back slammed against the hard stone wall. Two arms came to rest against the wall, trapping her in, leaving no room for escape. "And this, this act of self righteous bullshit, makes you look little else than a merehypocrite."
A stifling silence descended over the scene. He felt betrayed, cheated. His chest was heaving as if he had ran a mile without pacing himself but his eyes refused to leave her face, commanding her sole attention as his own pierced daggers into the amber depths.. He coldly wondered if she'll cry.
"You're.. you're right," her voice trembled as a weak, self deprecating smile finally tugged at the corners of her lips. "I'm too far in to back out. You're not. You still have a choice. We're not the same."
Yeong gi blinked, nonplussed by her response. There were half shed tears clinging to her lashes but Alyssa refused to let them cascade down her cheeks, she furiously blinked them away as her lips quivered and she shrunk even more onto herself than was possible. A dawning realization settled uncomfortably in his stomach, twisting his guts.Fear. She hated confrontations, precisely because of this.. What did he do?
He hastily backed off a few quick steps.
"Alyssa, no.." he raised his hands, unsure of how to frame his apology. "I didn't mean- I have to- You don't understand." his shoulders collapsed with hopelessness. He has to do this, he has to. Why can't she just understand?
"How could I when you don't even honestly communicate?"
Yeong gi came to a sudden standstill. A cold icy wave hit him squarely in the chest, taking away his breath. Slowly, Alyssa shook her head in resignation, as if it's a lost cause she regrets pursuing. Before spinning around to leave the room.
It was only after that did Yeong gi permit himself to breathe again. He slowly collapsed onto his bed, head in his hands.Why do people always ask for things he can't give?
