Chapter 1: Breaking the News
All of the dinner guests sat around the large table, a feeling of happiness bouncing off of the wall of the room. Some guests looked hungrily at their plates full of food, while others congratulated the young man sitting at the head of the table. He looked nervously around the room, glancing at the excited faces of his visitors. His stomach felt as if a whirlwind had developed inside of him, and his hands began to sweat. Everyone expected to hear great news of how he and Liang were to be married, even his parents, the very two people that he hated to let down. I've got to tell them, he tried motivating himself. But deep down inside, he feared the moment where he would have to tell them.
"Woo," his mother, Ling, said from behind him. Instantly he flinched, as he did not realize she was there. "Congratulations!" The sound in her voice was full of joy. She elegantly sidestepped next to him, and he looked at her. He immediately smiled, although she could tell it was not a genuine smile. She gently patted his back, reminding him of when he was young.
Years ago, when he was just a young boy, he had a recurring nightmare. Almost every night he would dream of a small, but charming village. The villagers flourished, the town was prosperous, and the students were all taught under the influence of a powerful master, Li. But in the middle of his dream, something terrible would happen. Strange soldiers in pure black would attack the town, leaving no survivors. After they killed everyone, they would precede to set the town on fire.
The only other thing he remembered about the nightmare was an inquisitor known as Lim. He was an evil man, directing everyone to be killed, even the students. Something about him seemed…familiar, although he couldn't place his finger on it. He never told his parents about the nightmare, only that he had a "bad dream".
"Where is your father?" She asked, pulling Woo out of his thoughts.
"Uh…" He hesitated, struggling to remain smiling, "uh…I think he went out onto the balcony. He said he'd be back soon." Ling grumbled and quickly walked away. However, Woo could sense that she was still in a good mood.
Ever since Woo had been a young child, his parents had talked in privacy about how the day he would be married to a beautiful, wealthy woman. He knew deep down inside that disappointing them would break their hearts. Involuntarily, he ran his fingers through his thick, black hair. Unlike his father, Woo did not like to keep his hair in a bun.
After a few minutes of silently thinking to himself, everyone became quiet, and his parents entered the room. He looked at his father, a man little affected by his many years of combating. Sure, there were a few scars on his face, and he had a slight limp, but his father looked not a day over thirty, although he was actually forty-eight. And his mother looked as graceful as ever, not a single scratch or scar visible on her. The two slowly walked into the spacious room together, smiling as brightly as ever. His father took a seat at the opposite side of the table, and his mother silently stood beside him.
"Woo," His father said, nodding at the same time. "your mother and I have been waiting for this day since the moment you were born." His voice was full of pride. Woo silently sat opposite of him, looking deep into his warm, chocolate eyes. "Now," he continued, "I think there is something you want to tell your guests." The last statement he said just intensified Woo's already horrible stomachache. He swallowed, and wiped off his sweaty face with the back of his sleeve on his robe.
"Yes, father. I…" He hesitated, not quite sure how to continue, "Liang's parents have…" again, he stopped. Lying to them would dishonor Woo, but disappointing them would break their hearts. Not to mention how embarrassed they would be in front of all of these guests. Come on, you imbecile, Woo thought to himself. Just tell them something!
"Liang and I will be married!" He joyfully announced. His parents both smiled as broad as possible, and all of the guests clapped loudly for him. He tried to appear happy for everyone else, but deep down inside, he felt horrendous. He had lied to his parents, to his guests, and now he would have to find a way to get married to Liang. Talk about a smart thing to tell them, he sarcastically said in his mind.
"We cannot wait to meet Liang!" His mother said quickly. He fake smiled, looking around the dining room. Oh, joy, he sardonically said in his mind, My parents want to meet her. Too bad I'm not marrying her.