Your P.O.V
I return to my bedchamber and immediately the attendants begin dressing me in my formal attire. The, in my opinion, overly gaudy bridal yuukata is removed and replaced with a navy blue robe with lilac and white accents. After the attendants are finished, I tie my sash around my eyes to cover them. Then, I meet Soo-won in the hall and he takes me by the hand to guide me to the grand hall where the after-party is being held.
"A few of my childhood friends have come for the wedding, I really want to introduce you to them. I haven't seen them in quite awhile so I'm surprised they came. I'm sure you will love them." He speaks in an overly happy tone that puts me on edge. We reach the grand hall and, as we enter, the crowd erupts in a fit of cheering. Soo-won and I wave and proceed to socialize with many of the guests. I accidentally trip on the train of my robe and stumble into a girl with captivating crimson locks. She turns around to apologize but her pupil's dilate as she recognizes whom I am. Then, she goes silent and lowers her head to look at the floor. "Yona… Hak… how nice to finally see you again! Oh, how I have missed your company dearly!" Soo-won states in an ecstatic tone. He has had a bit too much to drink so he is a little on the carried away side, but these must be the friends he spoke of. He has both of them latched into an aggressive hug, suffocating the two by their necks. "I'd like you to meet my wife, Rin Aeria, isn't she a beauty." He gestures towards me.
"It's very nice to meet two people who are so special to my beloved Soo-won! He has told me many stories about you, which led me to anticipate your arrival." I flash a bright and warm smile, hoping they reciprocate my friendly greeting.
Hak's P.O.V
Obviously Soo-won hasn't told her enough, this girl is clueless to his treason. He is acting like a carefree idiot who didn't, you know, murder the previous King. What a pathetic, disgusting –
She smiles and immeasurable warmth radiates around her. I feel all my worries melt away and immerse myself in the soothing feeling. What is this? I look at her again and the depth of her beauty finally settles in. She really is beautiful, even though her eyes are covered. I wonder why, maybe she received an injury or maybe Soo-won is just selfish and crazy enough to keep it to himself. Her long dusty brown locks flows like a river around her face, but her skin is pale and her figure frail. I chuckle to myself, how… amusing. Soo-won drags Lady Aeria away to socialize with more of his honored guests, while Yona and I sit in the corner. A dark aura surrounds the Princess, but she suppresses her tears. She really does love him. I wait for a pain to awaken in my chest, but there's nothing. I sigh out of annoyance and Yona looks at me with concern. I nod my head to tell her that this party is bothersome and she giggles. An attendant walks up to me and offers Yona and I a drink. I accept and pass a glass to Yona who carefully sips hers. On the other hand, I down mine in a couple of seconds. I just have to get through this annoying excuse for a party and then we can return to the others.
The Party finally begins to settle down and the number of people trickles off until we are the only ones remaining. "We have prepared a room for your stay, I would hate for you to travel at such a bothersome time of night." Soo-won extends his hand and exclaims with a friendly smile. I look outside only to realize it is the middle of the night and Yona appears to be dozing off considerably. I reject his hand but accept his offer to stay. He guides us to a room in the back of the castle that is expensively and exotically furnished. I'm taken by surprise as Yona grabs the sleeve of my shirt.
"Hak, I feel… Dizzy." She manages to spit out before collapsing onto my side. I hold her up using one arm but I grab my head with the other. A searing pain pulses through my temple and I struggle to keep my balance. As I look up, I see a sinister smile spread across Soo-won's face. His eyes burn with a fiery red that makes him appear demonic.
"You poisoned us you bastard…" Is all I am able to choke out as the room around me goes black. I, the great thunder-beast, have been trumped by a simple hare. How foolish am I?
Your P.O.V
I see the two friends collapse to the ground. Poisoned?! I gasp. Soo-won and his attendants hear my exasperated breathing and look towards the door. I slam my back flat against the outside wall of the chamber as I tremble out of shock and fear. I am unable to move my legs and I can hear the men heading my way. Finally, I gather the courage to run. I run as fast as my feet will carry me, swiftly flying around every corner. I am only one turn away from my bedchamber when a pain erupts across my entire body. I collide with an attendant on duty and, as I fall, my bandage is ripped from my eyes. I make contact with the attendant and a series of events floods my brain. Then, I see it. Soo-won stands over the body of King Ill and holds a bloodied sword. Yona stands cowering before him. I let out an ear-piercing shriek.
"Are you alright my lady?" The attendant reaches for my hand and I recoil away.
"Yes! I… um… I had a really bad nightmare and was looking for my dear Soo-won to comfort me!" I stand up and run back to my bedchamber where I lie sobbing. How could he have betrayed me like that. I knew something was wrong. Wait! Yona. Hak. I have to help them. I wait for Soo-won to return to bed. He slowly crawls in beside me and I lay in wait for him to fall into a deep sleep. Then, I make my move.
Hak's P.O.V
Slowly, I begin to regain consciousness. My eyes flutter open and immediately I launch into a panic. My eyes dart in search of the Princess. I see her curled into a ball in the corner, she sniffles. I look around and realize that we are trapped in a concrete cell. "Why would Soo-won do this to us! This isn't him! This is all just a dream, right?" Yona cries in sobs and I become enraged. I begin thrusting my fists furiously at the bars in an attempt to break them, but it is no use. I kneel down in defeat.
"I'm sorry. I couldn't protect you. I was foolish." I choke out. Then, a figure appears to move down the hallway. Only a shadow is visible, but it is the figure of a girl. I'm left in disbelief as the new Queen of Kouka emerges into the dimly lit room. Our eyes widen and Yona lets out a gasp. "What are you doing here? Did Soo-won advise you we committed some terrible crime. Have you come to punish us with your puny hands." I taunt.
"You should act a little more grateful towards the person who is about to free you. I know more than you think I know and more than I should know. I am not a weak and ignorant imbecile. I will explain it all later, but I ask one favor. Take me with you." She speaks in a harsh and courageous tone that defies her appearance. I can almost see the image of a lion appear before me.
"And how exactly do I know that this isn't some ploy and that you aren't working for the King." I hiss in rebellion.
"The only way you are getting out of here alive is with my help. I know Soo-won killed the late King Ill. I have desirable information to help you with your cause. Please, take me with you, I do not have time to explain now." She states again, but this time I can feel her staring daggers at me through her covering.
"I trust her, Hak." Yona mumbles. Then, in a flurry of tears she cries, "I want to know why Lord Soo-won has changed so much. I want to understand him!" Aeria draws a katana from her back and pierces the cold metal. The lock tumbles to the ground with a thud. I grab Yona by the hand and break into a sprint. Lady Aeria stops me in my path.
"I ask that you knock me unconscious. That way I may be able to keep Soo-won's trust in order to continue my reconnaissance at the castle. This way it will look like a kidnapping." She states unexpectedly. Huh? WHAT! Is this chick crazy? She grabs my arm and, even though I can't see her eyes, it feels like she is staring into my soul. I feel her plead.
"Alright fine… I'll do it. But I had better get something in return because this is shameful!" I state in irritation. God, this girl is becoming a handful. I raise the butt –end of my spear and she speaks again.
"Take me to the Wind Clan leader Mundok." I give a grin to say okay then I close my eyes and thrust downward. The frail girl's body goes limp in my arms. I carry her towards the horse stable where Yona and I mount two horses. We head East toward the Wind Clan's territory. A feeling of unrest and excitement settles in my heart.