8. The Girl on the Other Side
I close my eyes remembering that awful day.
I remember walking all the way back to the palace that same night, not caring about the rain or the cold. Walking through the streets no one was about, and I was thankful of that. Because I was sure if they saw me, they would have more reason to be terrified. But at that point I didn’t care anymore.
I was done hiding my true self to these people. They will come to realize that they will accept me for who I am. I was the Crown Prince and I’ll be damned I’ll be treated in any other way. My gentle side to them is long gone.
I decided to ignore going to the quarters of the imperial guards and head straight home. I was angry and broken. But I wasn’t going to let it get to me. At that moment the only ones I wanted to see was Hye-Se Young and Seong-Yu Hyung.
When I showed up Hye-Se Young had been beside herself at the state I was in. I was wet, muddy, cold, and silent. She asked me so many questions that night and I just couldn’t say a single word. I worried her even more when I just hung onto her and silently cried.
After that, she watched me like a hawk. Every now and then she’ll ask me what had happened that awful night and every time I never said a word about it. Seong-Yu Hyung had no trouble finding out. I didn’t need to say anything it was like he just knew.
Perks of being dead, I guess.
It wasn’t until the next morning when I showed up for training did the guards, especially Taewon, become stiff and shocked at me still being alive. The expressions everyone wore will forever be etched into my memory. I didn’t say a word to them as I got myself ready for the day. But I no longer was that helpless, eager to please, young boy I first was.
No more was there bullying, no more was there tampering with my equipment or ‘accidently’ tripping me. I made sure to use my abilities during training. Soon I became the fastest warrior there was. The strength I acquired during that rainfall easily and efficiently beat every single one of them. I didn’t let them get a moment of reprieve as I used my strength to damn near killing them.
I didn’t feel any remorse either. The ribbing and the constant beat downs I endure were replaced with accomplishments of defeating them in mock battles. Even the well-seasoned warriors that weren’t even part of the training.
I became so good that even the king came out to watch my performances in training exercises. I had mastered archery, swordsmanship, martial arts, and hunting faster than any other master before me. He had stood there watching me, never to show any kind of emotion.
Even with me not hiding my true self I was still afraid of him. Maybe it was because he was my father and knowing that felt like he was invincible even to me. But while I was still the best, I still wasn’t acknowledged by him. I stopped trying to please him a long time ago.
He would always just simply walk away without a word to anyone every time I completed my course. But he always came back the very next day. And Cho Cho was more than happy to see me when I finally saw him in the stables. He may not communicate with words, but by his emotions and aura I could feel what he was trying to get across.
That was all over a year ago, I still find it hard to accompany any of them. And none has warmed up to me at all. If anything, they kept their distance even more.
But here I am, now in my fourteenth year of life and I still felt as lost as I did since the day I could remember.
Now here I was sneaking out in the early morning before the sun had risen in the sky. I quickly make it to my destination and scan my surroundings to be sure I was alone. Conforming that I was, I look back to the large boulders that decorated the wall with flowers and a Birch tree.
I carefully climb the clutter of rocks as quietly as I could and slowly peek over the wall to beyond. I catch my breath as I look into the surrounding Birch trees that scattered in every direction. There was a nearby stream a few dozen feet away and I wait until she finally shows up.
She made as little noise as possible, gliding through the grass like a goddess.
The first time I saw her was by accident.
It was one of those days that I just wanted to be left alone, even by Seong-Yu Hyung. I had been sitting against these very rocks minding my own business, watching a colony of ants going on about their business of everyday life when I heard the faintest noise behind my wall.
Curiosity got the best of me, so I got up to look over just to find a young girl at the stream. She had a wicker basket with her full of the same colored clothes and style that she was wearing. She kneeled there on her knees scrubbing away on a wooden panel that Hye-Se Young uses.
She looked young, maybe around my own age, maybe even a bit younger. I’ve never seen a girl like her before, even in the palace. I wasn’t allowed to be anywhere other than the training grounds so seeing commoners wasn’t very often if at all.
Her black hair was braided that reached down her back. She looked a bit down as she aggressively scrubbed. But she was fascinating to me. All she was doing was washing clothes and I couldn’t help but stare with dumbfounded amazement. She never noticed that I watched her, and I never gave myself away afraid I might scare her off if I did.
Since that day she came to the stream always at the same time. And every morning I sneak out to watch her. She never did anything special, but I thought she was pretty, and a sense of comfort settled over me.
Its been a few months now since that first time and I still couldn’t bring myself to talk to her, to even show my face. I didn’t know who she was, and I didn’t even know her name since she never spoke, and no one ever came to retrieve her. She always left on her own.
But it was just these little moments that I find myself treasuring. I never thought I would be able to meet a girl or even bring myself to be fascinated by one. But there was just something about her that my inner soul soothed just by looking at her.
“What are you looking at?”
I jump making a noise. She swivels her head in my direction causing me to panic and I quickly duck back behind the wall. Scrambling down I stare daggers at Seong-Yu Hyung, who was just standing there looking a bit amused.
Without saying a word, I scurry back to the house with him following close behind me. Once we were safe enough away, I face him while looking back at the location I had just been.
“You scared the crap out of me.” I accused.
An arched eyebrow rose as he looks down at me. “Pardon my intrusion on…” he looks back as well causing my cheeks to flush. “…you stalking.” He finishes.
I blanch at that. “I wasn’t…stalking.” I mumble while avoiding his gaze.
“Right. Because staring at someone without their knowledge isn’t stalking at all. Especially for the past few weeks now.”
Ignoring his statement, I walk to go back into my room. The sun was starting to rise, and she will be gone way to soon for my liking. But I wasn’t going to go back, not with him walking beside me.
“If it isn’t stalking than pray tell what were you doing then?” He amuses with a hint of a smile on his face.
“I have to get ready.” Was all I said, and he starts chuckling at me.
But I don’t make three steps when the front gates swing open on loud hinges and imperial guards come swarming in. I stop and stare, confused on what was going on. Turning to Seong-Yu Hyung he was no longer there as his custom when someone other than Hye-Se Young shows up.
I stood stock still as I watch the royal palanquin emerge through the archway letting me know it was the king himself. He hasn’t visited since that day two years ago telling me I will be training with the imperial guards.
Hye-Se Young rushes out of the home, hair flying everywhere since it was still so early in the morning. Her face was a mask of nervousness and fear until her eyes land on me and relief could be seen. I must have caused her anxiety discovering I wasn’t where I should be.
She quickly stands behind me, falling to her knees and bows to the ground. I stopped doing that a year ago. Why show him any respect when he never shows any to me? The first time I stopped doing it he was wild with rage, cursing me out and getting into my face. It was the look in my eyes that stopped his tyrant tantrum that got him to back off and quickly changed his tune by telling everyone that a true Crown Prince shouldn’t have to bow to anyone as it was my right.
What a load of bullshit. He was just too terrified of what I would do if he ever steps over his limit with me. It was the first time I truly wasn’t afraid of him. But deep down it was still there. My heart had been pounding that day and I felt like I would have the need to change my pants later.
I watch him step off the transport and come walk towards me with a purpose. His head was held high and his eyes pierced with that disgust mixed with authority.
“I came here personally to inform you that you leave on the horizon for your journey of manhood.” He bluntly states, making me freeze with that unexpecting news.
“I’m going to be allowed the coming of age ritual?” I ask with disbelief.
I have heard about it. Many times, in fact during my lessons. But I never thought I would get the chance. The righteous journey that every noble blood takes to prove your manhood and the right to rule. It was a long journey lasting at least ten years. But…
I frown. “I thought I needed at least another six years.”
Anger flashes in his eyes that I spoke without permission. But the sudden announcement sent me back for a loop. I wasn’t expecting it.
“With your…abilities…you have proven to be far advance in your training and capabilities. I don’t see the need to wait. You’ll leave on the morrow.” With that he marches off to his transport and right before he steps inside, he looks back at me.
“One more thing. On your return there will be a marriage ceremony between you and Lord Kim’s daughter, Mi Cha.” He doesn’t say anything more as he hauls himself up and they all leave slamming the doors behind them.
I just stood there staring widely at their retreating arrival. An arrange marriage? To someone I have never met. A heaviness lays thickly on my heart as I try to comprehend on what that could possibly mean for me and for the unexpecting girl.
Marriage.
Just the thought of it left a big hole and all I could think of was…what about the girl on the other side?