Chapter 29

"Li, I cannot even begin to understand these politics. What does this have to do with what's going on?"

At my question, Li gets up and paces a bit. His nervous habit of running his fingers through his hair makes me want to ruffle what's left in the gel cast so he doesn't look like a cockatoo. He finally sits down and thrums his fingers on the desk.

"I cannot prove it, but us getting married or not getting married is clearly related. Family is everything. We have been making matches in my country for centuries. Our kids typically don't have a choice and must obey. I know this isn't how you were raised. I get it. I also don't want to force you, but we are stuck. Should the Government's Council find a way to marry you off, we have no choice but to oblige. We don't want our semblance of peace and balance to be disrupted and things returning to what they were. I also don't want to lose you."

"I just don't get why none of this is a problem in Korea."

"It's because your father and the president are good friends. They grew up together. Who knows if it will remain that way in the future."

"Fine, Myom-Li. I concede. It's not like we can get married in a courthouse and call it a day. We still have to plan the wedding." I shrug. He laughs.

"Actually, we can get married in a courthouse. We would have the wedding on your birthday while everyone is still here."

"What do you mean still here?"

"I just have a feeling Kurtis will leave soon. He understands our politics even better than I do. I think that is why he chose to become betrothed to Astari.

"You knew he liked her?" I could hear the astonishment in my voice.

"No. However, Kurtis knows Astari better than the other women. We were back at the Bu Estate when you went to Chief Ji-Hoon's and have been around the Bu family for six years while training. They live close to the Kim Family Estate. That's part of the reason Hyun-Ki left and came here. That whole time was complicated."

"Then you don't know about what happened 10 years ago?" I lean forward, resting my elbows on the table. I'm getting used to using my tongue. Not saying it doesn't hurt, but it's like background throbbing. Hurts worse if I focus on it.

"I heard about it. It was some major riot or gang fight on one of the shipping harbors manned by my family. Xie-Yu had to go and break it up with the help of Chief Yaotián and Jaidan. I believe, Jaidan and Aiden had just completed training or were set to graduate. Even Lady Yanyun had to send some of her troops. A lot of civilians died caught in the crossfire. I had just started training with your Uncle, so I was in Korea with Kurtis. It was at the beginning of our training."

"How many people died? What was the fight about? Drugs?"

"Now, the purpose of the fight is unknown to me. As for the number of people who died, it was over 2000. There were explosives, gunfire, and robberies amid the chaos. Other rogue syndicates took advantage and began doing their own thing while attention was diverted. It was a full riot. All the citizens took up arms and began to fight back to protect their homes or retaliate for a lost family member or friend. It took about 5 days to quell it."

"But you said it was in the harbor. People don't typically live in the harbor."

"People live everywhere, Dani. Besides, those shops were owned by small families. They fished in the waters selling their fish to earn a living and provide for their families. Some people lived on their boats or in the apartments above their shops. You must understand that life is different here than in America and possibly South Korea."

"I can see why the Government is trying to avoid that from happening again." Trying to picture a harbor town on fire with people screaming, guns blazing, and chaos warring everywhere. I shudder at the images that appear in my mind's eye. I have yet to go to any of the harbors. We were at a resort, and I learned that vacation spots aren't a real example of life in any area.

"They say it was the Shin who caused it?" I queried.

"Well, the previous leader of the Shin was ruthless. He didn't care about anyone or anything but what he could gain. I don't know much about him either. Just knew there was a lot of subterfuge, and he was the main one sabotaging his own people. He exploited and sold his people if he could gain something from it. He sold them out and would pit others against one another. How he died is a mystery, he wasn't there during that chaos, but it was proven he was part of the cause. It's just unknown who the other party members were that sparked the ensuing pandemonium."

"That is interesting. Is it possible that the leader still lives?"

"No, not at all. His body was found in the same harbor where the anarchy occurred. He was missing his tongue and eyes, but everything else was intact. The authorities couldn't find a trace of poison. Stands to reason they didn't really pursue the issue since he was the culprit responsible. The Government let the issue drop, and nothing untoward has happened since."

"And Alisha comes from the Shin. There was a bombing about 5 days ago and then another involving Jaidan. It makes sense why they want to quell it. Using Alisha to prevent further chaos." I am beginning to get a better idea. It seems they need to find out the two other parties that sparked that event 10 years ago. If they try to pin it on the Shin and make the Shin the Alliances problem, it still leaves two dangerous people to create madness.

"Yea. Now there's just-" before he can finish his thought, there is a soft knock on the door, and Astari walks in. She looks like she's on a mission with a stubborn set to her jaw. I can only guess what this is about and am quite surprised it took her so long to find me. Truthfully, I half expected her to be waiting here for me.

"Where's Jongsu?" Li interrogates her as he stands, allowing her to take the seat he was just in. "You shouldn't wander around with Park Zixin here."

"Jongsu is outside the room. I wanted to speak to Danielle alone." Astari's crisp voice lashes out like a whip. I sigh inwardly.

"I'll see you later," I speak to him. I can tell he is not entirely comfortable leaving me alone with an enraged Astari as his concerned gaze shifts between us. "It'll be fine." I lean in, kiss him briefly, then nudge him toward the door.

"Fine, I will set a date to sign the license. Message me when you are through." My eyes follow him out the door before focusing on the girl before me.

The Author has something to say

Thanks for your patience. I apologize for the delays. I am feeling much better now.

Seiya Signing Out