We spent the morning looking at shops and watching street performers. It was wonderful, but I found myself thinking I could be visiting a rundown village, and as long as Soo-Won was with me, I would still have a good time.
He eventually asked me if I was hungry. After a moment's thought, I realized that I had worked up quite an appetite.
"What would you like?" he asked.
"Anything's fine," I shrugged. "I don't know what's around here."
"Let's see," he said thoughtfully. "I believe that there's a shop that sells taiyaki just down the street. Would that be alright?"
I eagerly agreed. I had never had taiyaki before, but I had always wanted to try it,.
It was true that I was hungry, but I was shocked when we made it to the shop and Soo-Won casually ordered their entire supply of taiyaki. The owner looked surprised as well, but was more than willing to fill his request. I watched, dumbfounded, as he pulled out an entire basketful of the little fish-shaped cakes. There's no way we'll be able to eat all that, I thought to myself in dismay.
I tugged anxiously on Soo-Won's sleeve. "What are you doing?" I hissed.
He merely gave me his trademark smile in reply. Not wanting to cause a scene, I gave up, and we left with our arms filled to the brim with our purchases. As we moved away from the store, I couldn't contain myself any longer.
"What on earth were you thinking?!" I exploded. "We're never going to be able to eat all of these! They're just going to go to waste."
"Who said we were going to eat them all?" he replied lightly. "Come on, I want to show you something."
He led the way down a series of winding streets to a part of the capital that I hadn't seen before. It was desolate and rundown, completely different from the bustling downtown district with its numerous shops, restaurants, and attractions. Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I could see movement in the shadowed alleyways. I instinctively moved closer to Soo-Won, and it took all of my self-control not to grab onto him.
At last, the alley opened up into what seemed to be a town square. Soo-Won stopped abruptly, and I nearly ran into him.
"Here we are," he said cheerily.
I glanced around. But there's nothing here, I thought in bewilderment. However, as I looked closer, I could see that I was mistaken.
There were children everywhere. Huddled in corners and laying haphazardly on the cobbled stones. They were all so pale and motionless that they nearly blended in with their bleak surroundings. However, as Soo-Won moved to the center of the square lugging his basket of taiyaki, I watched in amazement as they began to stir and gravitate towards him. They clustered around like a ring as Soo-Won began passing out the freshly baked cakes to small, outstretched hands.
"Lily!" he beckoned for me. "Lend me a hand, will you?"
Together, we handed them out until the basket was completely empty.
"Here," he gave me the last one. "This one's yours."
I took it from him and immediately gave it to a little girl with sunken cheeks who was sitting next to me. "I'm not hungry, anyways," I lied.
We spent the next hour playing and talking with the children. I watched in wonder as Soo-Won interacted so naturally with them all. Although it may be true that he's a horrible king, he certainly isn't heartless, I thought to myself. I felt a tender spot in my heart growing for this man who had gone out of his way to care for these children. I knew that my parents, who had always done all they could for the poor and needy, would have approved.
Finally, Soo-Won said that it was time to leave. I knew that he was right, but I was still sad to go. By the time I said my goodbyes, both me and the children were in tears. I reluctantly tore myself away from them, but Soo-Won was still lagging behind. He must have felt my gaze because he looked up and yelled, "I'll be over in a second! Just wait there!"
He said a few final words to the children that I couldn't quite make out, but they were all nodding seriously and glancing over at me as he spoke. At last, he stood and trotted over to me.
As we made our way back, I asked him what he had said to them.
"Hmm…I can't remember," he answered after a moment's thought.
I sighed and shrugged in frustration at his forgetfulness.
"So, did you have fun?" he asked.
"Yes, I loved it. Every bit of it." I looked up at him with a tender smile. "But you were amazing with those children, you know. I was really surprised!"
"Thank you…I think?" He grinned and looked a bit embarrassed by my praise.
At that moment my stomach growled loudly. Soo-Won burst into laughter. "I thought you weren't hungry," he teased.
I shoved him playfully. "Oh, be quiet."
We had already been gone too long, however, so we had no choice but to head straight to the palace. When we arrived, Hak and a number of guards were waiting at the gate. I went back to my room and Soo-Won was taken away to be scolded, no doubt. I didn't see him for the rest of the day, but when I woke up the next morning, Ayura and Tetora brought me a tray heaped with taiyaki for breakfast.