Your P.O.V
Slowly I begin to regain consciousness. My eyes flicker slightly as my senses adjust to my surroundings. Rays of sunlight dance around my cheeks and I feel their warmth. I cough a couple of times and gently begin to sit myself up. I am finally able to acclimatize myself and in a shriek of excitement I shout, "Mundok!" I leap forward crushing my caretaker in a suffocating hug. Hak and Yona's faces contort into amazement and confusion.
"Welcome home dear." Mundok coaxes me. A pang of jealousy overtakes Hak's expression.
"Where is my warm welcome old man." He snickers. Yona giggles to herself. It is the first time I have seen her make an expression other than despair. "Now you, my Queen, or whoever the hell you are." he points an agitated finger towards me. "You have some explaining to do." I sigh because I am unsure where to start. So much has happened that these past few months have been nothing but a blur. "In fact, why don't you tell us why you wear that bandage over your eyes." His voice becomes more forceful. I look over to Mundok and he nods to give me his permission. Then, I step forward and kneel down so I am face to face with Yona. I raise my hand and gesture for her to take it. She takes my hand in hers hesitantly and I speak.
"I was born with a special and unique power of my own. When making physical contact with someone who is staring into my eyes I have the ability to see the entirety of their life flash before me." Yona moves to pull her hand away but I firm my grip to tell her it's okay. The man named Hak gives a dumbfounded, yet sarcastic look.
"Huh?" I giggle, then I lift my hands to untie my eye covering. Slowly I lift my lids to reveal my brown irises. I see Yona's eyes widen and she stutters, unable to get her words out. I put my finger to my lips signaling her to be quiet, while giving her a playful wink. Within a few seconds a picture erupts in front of me. First, 3 children smiling and laughing, then the departure of a close friend and his abrupt return. Next, the murder of the King and finally, the Quest Yona embarked on not too long before. After a few moments of brief silence I close my eyes and retie my fold around my eyes. Then, I speak.
"So it is true, King Soo-won murdered the late King Ill in cold blood then proceeded to attempt to silence you. I am so sorry." I look down at my feet. Yona and Hak gasp in amazement. "Yona, I have seen the feelings you hold for King Soo-won and I wish to assure you that I don't have any romantic feelings for him at all. He is but a brother to me so please let me explain. I did not marry him for love, I married him to perform reconnaissance at the castle." Yona begins to cry, I am assuming tears of joy, at my words. A radiant smile erupts across her face and she leaps forward to embrace me in a hug. "Please do not hate King Soo-won for the things he has done. Yes, he did kill your father, but I know Soo-won and he wouldn't do something so immoral without a reason. Plus, he has made so many great decisions that have helped Kouka Kingdom to prosper. But, I am afraid that something might have taken control of him. At first he would always tell me how much he wished for you and Hak to return. Then, suddenly he began spewing venom regarding your capture and execution." Hak interrupted me.
"How can we believe you?" He questioned, doubting my good intentions. I gave him my most straightforward reply.
"I lived in seclusion to prevent the world from finding my power, but when Soo-won came to visit the Wind Clan when I was only a child, Mundok introduced us. He was the only family or friend that I had ever known. He was my brother and he meant everything to me. We would spend hours wandering, playing games and sharing stories and I was always so sad when he had to go. Soon after he began to ask more and more questions about the gift that was bestowed upon me, which was unusual because he had never shown interest before. Then, one day he arrived with a stranger escorting him. He was a man I had never seen before, with long dark hair and piercing red eyes. Everything about him was entirely ominous. Soo-won asked for my hand in marriage on that day. I was concerned for Soo-won so I accepted his offer. It wasn't until I arrived at the castle that the truly weird things began to happen. Every night he would sneak off to a secret room in the innermost chamber of the castle. So, one night I decided to follow him. Inside the room a bright red light blinded any view I had, but I could hear a voice, it was the voice of the ominous man who always accompanied the master." The man called Hak interrupted me again. He is really starting to anger me with his insolence.
"So you're saying that King Soo-won is under the control of this mysterious man?" I ignore his question and grab Yona by the hand. This angered the brute even more. Yona looked up at me with teary eyes.
"Yona, I still believe that King Soo-won has a pure and kind heart and is still the man we both once knew. That is why I ask you to believe in me and let me share in your journey. I want you to help me save Soo-won. I want you to help me save Kouka Kingdom before it is trampled into the ground." At first Yona is hesitant towards my words but then she squeezes my hand and gives me an assuring smile.
"I gladly accept your help so please help me to save my friend." She whimpers and my heart shatters into a thousand tiny pieces. I swear I will help this girl find happiness because, even though I didn't show it, I have witnessed all her despair and hardship. Slowly I rise. Hak staring me down and sizing me up in distrust and disgust as I leave the room. I head to my bedchamber to pack my things. It won't be safe to stay here for long.
Hak's P.O.V
I stalk down the hallway towards Lady Aeria's room to yell at her to get her things ready. She is such a simple and naïve girl. She won't survive long out there with us. She'll come running back to Mundok soon and I won't have to deal with her anymore. I can't help but feel like her and I are two beasts at war. The tension she directs towards me is fierce. I chuckle to myself. Little does she know that she is dealing with the mighty thunder beast. I grin to myself at my witty commentary. Hmmmm. a girl with ferocity and bite, if she wasn't so naïve she would be…. interesting… I reach her door and I am just about to give her hell, but I am startled by her soft whimpers. She kneels in the middle of the room with her head buried in her hands gently sobbing. Then, I feel someone grab my shoulder and drag me around the corner from her room.
"I bet you were insolent enough to think her naïve and weak." Mundok raises his brow and I turn away embarrassed that he knows me so well. "She is not weak or oblivious at all. She is not only able to witness the course of a person's life but she also bears all the emotions that person feels. Whether it be happiness or pain and suffering, the memories and feelings are ingrained into her heart for as long as she lives. Each day she lives with the burden and weight of all the people she has connected with. Each day she blames herself for all the wrong in the world and strives to make it a better place. She refuses to let people see her cry because she refuses to have people worry about her or try to protect her. Do not make assumptions about a person until you have truly understood their pain and suffering." Mundok walks away, leaving me to stand there alone in my thoughts. I cover my mouth with my hand, a ruby blush dusting my cheeks. Mundok is right, she really is a lot stronger than she lets on. It's… admirable. I decide it's best to leave her be and walk to meet Yona at the entrance gate to the Wind Clan where we wait for Lady Aeria.
A few moments past by, then a figure is seen running towards us waving. Everything slows around me and I blush. As Lady Aeria approaches, a captivating smile is plastered across her face and the light seems to radiate around her. I can feel the warmth tickle my skin and I smile shyly. Even though she is wears a mossy green men's robe and has her hair tied to look like a man, she is still astonishingly beautiful. I wince. What the hell is my brain conjuring up! I'm disgusted with myself and I shake my head to get rid of the awful thoughts. I'm brought back to reality when I hear Yona speak. "Why are you dressed like that Lady Aeria?"
A quick reply is given from the girl who is slightly embarrassed. "I thought it would be safer for everyone if I disguised myself thoroughly. You two are already wanted fugitives, but I can become a whole new person. This way I'll be able to maintain Soo-won's trust this way." A confident but oblivious smile overtakes her face. "Oh, and You and Mister Hak can just call me Rin." Yona begins to giggle and I'm worried Rin will find her insensitive but Rin begins to laugh too.
"You can call us Yona and Hak." Yona boasts and with that our journey begins.