CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

He was standing on a cliff and admiring the beautiful serene of the cataract before him. The breeze was gentle and colourful plants flourished till as far as he could see and the sky was blue with the sun shining harmlessly. He wished things would be the same way forever, but suddenly, the breeze became ungentle on him and then it changed to a mighty wind. The sun disappeared and a blood red moon revealed. The plants withered and there was mist everywhere so that seeing difficult. And suddenly, thousands of dead people surrounded him each yelling at him for killing them and then abruptly, his own sword flew out of nowhere and sank into his heart. He groaned in pains and the cliff underneath him vanished and a river of blood appeared and he begun drowning. Everything was spinning and he was stretching out his hands to something that he couldn't reach, and then as sudden as sonic that he couldn't even know when it happened, Baek-Hyun appeared out of nowhere and she started dragging him out and when he was safely on land, she kissed him and then suddenly everywhere was still. The ghost disappeared, the river of blood, the sword disappeared and the environment once again became serene. "Please don't leave me". He said to her but then she stood up and turned away from him. "I have to go, you don't ever want to see my face again, remember?" she asked and then she disappeared as well. He was struck with the reality of his tribulation because all the things he was running from appeared again and even worse. He saw his parents, they were scared of him and refused to help him out. He saw his sister and how he had killed used his own sword and take her life. The dead people were of no help. The females wailed painfully about their deaths and the males yelled. The children cried and finally his sister stared at him with anger "Why did you kill me?". She asked and then she removed the hairpin from her hair and walked towards him. "Now, I will kill you too". She said and began stabbing him all over until he was in a pool of his own blood and at death point, then she left him. But that wasn't the end of his predicament. Baek-Hyun's crying face suddenly appeared in every corner and she yelled. "I betrayed my siblings for you". But then Aya appeared before him and loomed over him. He stretched out his hands to her. "Help me, please". He begged but she charged towards him and held his jaw. "I warned you. I told you to love me back, but you wouldn't, now where is your foreign slut?". She asked and then she was pushing him into the water and she was drowning him with it. He struggled hard, but all to no avail and then Baek-Hyun appeared and stared at him. He expected her to help him but she just walked away. "Baek-Hyun… Baek-Hyun". But she didn't turn, she just walked on. "I warned you, I told you not to lose her. Don't lose her". Lady Bong Cha's voice ranged in the waters and everything begun spinning. Suddenly, he was falling into a terrible and dark void. "Nooooooooo…". He screamed and woke up. Chi-Mae was sweating all over and his cloth stuck to his body. He had a terrible growing headache and his temperature rose. He staggered to the window and he stared out of it. It was still midnight and the taverns were all closed. Each houses had their lights on and the city glowed. The night sky shined with stars and beautiful full moon. Then suddenly, his thoughts shifted back to Baek-Hyun. He was sure he heard Lady Bong Cha say that she was leaving. He closed his eyes and allowed the pains to sink into his heart. He remembered how her kiss set him free at first. His nightmare made him understand that without her, life was miserable. "I can't lose you". he said and creased his right hand.

Baek-Hyun was almost fine that morning. She rose early and all she wanted to do was to go to the abandoned temple and say a prayer to the heavens to keep her siblings alive. She knew Lady Bong Cha wouldn't let her leave so she waited for her to go off to one of their meetings and Moon went to the market. She sneaked out of the house and started making her way to her destination. As she walked, she took the time to admire everything she came across and she bought a prayer bead from a kind looking woman in the market. It didn't take her too long to reach the temple like it always did.

Baek-Hyun had started a new stone offering for herself. She wasn't happy that she couldn't go there as often as she planned. There were just three stones there and the one she placed that day made it the fourth. She knelt there for a long time and prayed for her sister, then her brother and finally, she prayed for Ji-Seok. She hoped that one day, they would march up to Seok Capital to conquer it under the leadership of a new Commander. That made her thought to shift to Chi-Mae. She said a few prayers for him and she wished that he would be a better person, not for her, but for himself and their capital. She was already crying thinking about him. She didn't know if to hate him or let guilt wash her clean. She closed her eyes and wished he would just speak to her. She got up off her knees and when she turned, there he was staring at her with his blood shot eye and there were dark circles around them. "What are you doing here?". He asked and Baek-Hyun couldn't even reply. "Chi-Mae". She called in shock. "What did you wish for?". He asked still with the same cold expression on his face. "I wished… I wished you would just speak to me". She said with her head bent low. "Do not bow your head". He said to her and she lifted her face up to him but she couldn't stare at his eyes. Chi-Mae saw the tears on her face and he felt terrible because he knew he was part of the reason for those tears if not the entire reason. "Did you miss me?". He asked and she stared at him looking surprised. "I want to keep seeing your face forever and I don't want you to ever look away". He said looking sober. Baek-Hyun's jaw dropped open as she stared at him. "What do you mean?". She asked and he revealed a really mild smile, then he walked to her step by step until there was barely any space left between them. then he held her chin up lightly and he leaned in to her and kissed her. Baek-Hyun was shocked and numbed. She didn't understand what was happening and she closed her eyes and she leaned in as well to deepen their guilty pleasure. Then Chi-Mae hugged her and they remained that way for a while. "It's still early, let's go back to the palace, I want you to eat with me will you?". he asked and she nodded. She had no choice at the moment and the last thing she wanted was for him to get angry with her again so she did whatever it took to please him.

Baek-Hyun felt so uncomfortably sitting by Chi-Mae in his chamber. She couldn't help but steal glances of him all the while. "Are you okay?". He asked her each time he caught her staring too long and she just kept nodding and looking away but this time, she said "I'm fine, are you?". she asked with enough care in her voice. "You don't look so good is everything alright?". Chi-Mae asked again with worry and Baek-Hyun finally decided to talk. "Chi-Mae, I am sorry I lied to you a lot of times over and I made it look as if I was making a fool of you. I was just scared you would kill me and I would never get to meet my family again". She took a break and Chi-Mae said nothing, he was ready to listen to her to the end so he wouldn't make the same mistake he made before. "I want to… to… go… to go back to Gi. I can't hide here forever; I have to go back for my family if not they will be dead if I stay too long". Baek-Hyun said with her head bent low. Tears made her eyes shine and it threatened to fall but she kept controlling it. "But if you go back you will be killed together with them". Chi-Mae said sounding alerted but Baek-Hyun couldn't say a word. She felt weak to the bones that her legs began shaking. All her hard work turned out to be wasted, she couldn't believe she was giving up because of… of love. She raised her face to take a good look at the man she had decided to betray her brother and sister for, the man she decided to betray Ji-Seok for. His beautifully carved nose, his pink lips that looked so ripe and yummy to her, his eagle black hair that was so long and was fond of hiding his face and made him look frightening at times. His charming eyes that was calling out to her but at the moment, all she could see was panic and worries in them. "Baek-Hyun you don't have to go, you can stay here with us, you can be a lot and even live as royalty here without having to pay such price". Chi-Mae said almost sounding desperate. He was so unhappy to hear her say such odious things. "what about my brother, and my sister, and Man-Chun and even Ji-Seok? What will become of them? I can't let the only family I have to perish and whether I stay or go they die." Baek-Hyun said and the tears she had been controlling became uncontrollable and rolled down her white face. "No Baek-Hyun, I can't watch you perish, or the people you care about. I know I failed you before I won't fail again if only you will let me help you". Chi-Mae said and Baek-Hyun dimmed her eyes. "What do you mean? What will you do?". She asked all interested. "if you will let me then I can fight for you, we can save your family and your people without losing everyone". Chi-Mae said desperately as he held Baek-Hyun's hands gently and stared at her eyes but she removed her hands and walked away to the window and she stared outside and then suddenly at Chi-Mae. "You can't do that for me, I'm not worth it. I lied to everyone, to you and even the king, I don't know why I am still alive. You can't bunk all of them, I will return to Gi and never bother you again". Baek-Hyun said seriously. "be done with it Baek-Hyun, you are going nowhere and I am not bunking anyone, I do it because I want to, because I want you to be right beside me and that can't that happen if you are dead". Chi-Mae said with pleading in his eyes and then he walked to the speechless Baek-Hyun and held her hands. "Baek-Hyun let me help you, please". He said as he held her hands and pierced deep into her eyes. She stared at him for a while before she finally nodded. "But how will you go about it? I do not want anyone to get hurt because of me". Baek-Hyun said with worry and a trembled voice. "Young-Jae has already approved it, we have decided to take the war to them and a caveat letter would be sent soon, Baek-Hyun not just you, but all the victimised girls that are either dead or alive, you all deserve justice, Ji-Seok deserves justice". Chi-Mae said again and Baek-Hyun didn't argue further. "How long shall it take?". She asked him. "Not too long". He replied. "why are you helping me? I thought you are mad at me for…". Baek-Hyun got interrupted by him. "Don't bring that up again, let bygones be bygones". He said to her and she didn't carry on. "I was thinking about going to see the King, he deserves an explanation and an apology". Baek-Hyun said and Chi-Mae nodded. "you should go see him". Chi-Mae replied and Baek-Hyun left immediately.

In the night Moon was there to dress Baek-Hyun up for that evening's feast. She had that opportunity because she was living with Lady Bong Cha and Lady Bong Cha was regarded as royalty because of the bond she shared with Young-Jae and Chi-Mae's parent. She got to the feasting hall just when the feast begun. She greeted everyone shyly because she knew what most of them had in mind about her. She didn't see either Chi-Mae or the king Young-Jae. But she did see someone that looked familiar to her. She walked to him and tapped him from behind. It was Sa-mul, the son of the chief advisor to the king. "Have we met?". Baek-Hyun asked pretending to forget and he nodded. "Of course we have, we talked about our vices and likes and I told you my name is Sa-Mul". "Oh I do remember you now. Sa-Mul, never thought I'll see you again". Baek-Hyun said. "Do you want to have some drinks? We have some new varieties just shipped in from China". Sa-Mul said and Baek-Hyun obliged.

Chi-Mae walked into the hall with Young-Jae. He waited patiently with Young-Jae at his throne for the visitors from Tang Kingdom to pay homage to their king. But his eyes were busy, very busy searching for Baek-Hyun. He didn't see her anywhere and he assumed she hadn't arrived yet so he became serious with his work and he walked the room from places to places until he saw her, smiling and looking merry with the son of Young-Jae's Chief Advisor and the massive failure in his army. From the moment he had seen him, he knew he was up to no good, and now he was fooling around with Baek-Hyun. "Cool party". The army General from Tang Kingdom said to him but he heard nothing, his legs moved on their own free will to the table where Baek-Hyun was sitting but he stopped half way, then he turned and left the hall right away. Baek-Hyun was nearly drunk and she stared drowsily at Sa-Mul who was equally fatigued. They didn't know what they were talking about in particular but they were talking. She suddenly jerked to her feet and she looked around the hall. "where to beauty?". Sa-Mul asked and she stared at him as if she had never seen such face before. "Chi-Mae … he is missing". She said and walked away. Sa-Mul was confused whether to stop her or not but then he thought of it; it was Baek-Hyun and she did whatever she wanted. Baek-Hyun was half dizzy as she roamed around the hall in search of Chi-Mae. She knocked down some glasses of drinks and she brush past people; some really hard and others slightly but she didn't give attention to any of them, she just randomly apologized to no one in particular. Then she stopped and stared and then the hall was spinning in her eyes, everyone was doubling up but Chi-Mae was not among them… it was all in her head and she shook it off and forced her body to take her out of the hall. Moon, had light up the candles already and she was waiting to help her change into a more comfortable sleeping wear. "Lady Baek-Hyun". The lassie greeted with a bow. "Moon, thank God you are here, help me get out of this heavy dress". Baek-Hyun said as she sat up heavily on the bed. After the undressing was done, Moon waited for her to fall asleep before she left the chamber.

Chi-Mae walked to his study where had decided to spend the night. He refused to let her fill his head but he was failing and her smiling face was all he could see staring at him but he knew it wasn't him, it was Sa-Mul she was smiling at. He was only away from her for just a little while and she was already flirting around, what if he left for a couple of days then what would happen? He was scared she would forget about him and just move on with someone else. He ran a hand through his hair roughly and he folded a paper and threw it hard hoping it would smash something and make him feel better but the paper just flew weightlessly and landed without a single sound. At midnight when he was sure the feast was over, he left to check on Young-Jae and hopefully, find Baek-Hyun curled up in a corner, but it was only Young-Jae who was drunk to stupor and he sitting recklessly on his throne. Chi-Mae walked to him and carried him out of the empty hall. He was still slightly conscious and he was saying some gibberish on Chi-Mae's shoulder.

The next morning, Baek-Hyun went to the training to ground to meet a worked up Chi-Mae. He didn't look so good and it was U-Jin that was handling the practice. He even left the sword section to the arrow section but he wasn't still satisfied, he wanted to talk to Baek-Hyun immediately but he knew he had to wait till the end of exercise, and all through, he was restless until the morning warm up was done with and he dragged Baek-Hyun away right away to the stable and put her on the wooden gate of the stable and obstructed her with his two hands. "What has gotten into you?". she asked nearly breathless because he had stressed the life out of her. "What is this you have done to me?". He questioned her back and she looked puzzled. "What are you saying?". She asked back and he turned around and ran a hand through his hair in frustration then swiftly, he turned back to her and obstructed her again. "what were you doing with him yesterday night? Did you go in to him?". He asked but he didn't look as if he wanted to hear the reply. "What are you …". Baek-Hyun suddenly realised who he was talking about. "No, how … how can you say that?". She asked and he looked confused. They were quiet for a while and Chi-Mae stopped obstructing her. He left her and walked to another row in the stable. "Is that what you think of me?". Baek-Hyun's voice was wobbly and Chi-Mae regretted suspecting her immediately. He turned to her and made to walk to her but he stopped "No, I was just worried, I searched for you and when I finally found you …". Then he looked away again. "I searched for you as well you know". Baek-Hyun said. Then she walked away. He watched her walk away and he knew there was no use stopping her. He was spent of words.

In the evening, Chi-Mae took Baek-Hyun to the stable again. He felt he needed to make it up to her for the earlier smudge. "what are we doing here? Baek-Hyun asked quietly like she had been for the rest of the day. "I want you to choose a horse". He said and she widened her eyes in surprise. "really?". She asked with brightened voice and look and he nodded. Then suddenly, her eyes dimmed again "is this some kind of bribe so you won't have to apologize?". Baek-Hyun asked turning cold and Chi-Mae walked closer to her. "I guess but I'm not trying to escape apologizing okay? I'm sorry for earlier". Baek-Hyun stared at him speechlessly. "Thank you, but you didn't tell me you are not only possessive but jealous as well". She said with a smirk and Chi-Mae smiled. "of course if I'm being possessive, then I am definitely jealous. I don't want to share Baek-Hyun with anybody". Chi-Mae looked so serious saying that and he furrowed his eye brows. Baek-Hyun smiled and she was lost staring at him for a while. "so which one is it going to be?". Chi-Mae asked with his hands on the hilt of his sword and Baek-Hyun was all in great haste to choose a horse. She scanned and walked and touched, she literally wanted everything but she knew that would be greedy. She walked through the stable line after line but she never found a perfect one until she stumbled upon a dove white horse. She walked to it and caressed its hind. The horse whinnied at her touch. When Chi-Mae saw her spend time there, he knew she had found 'the horse'. "is this it?". He asked her with a beautiful mild smile on his lips. "Yes, this is it, it's beautiful". Baek-Hyun said with an equally beautiful wild smile that made her eyes shine with tears. "so what will you call it?". Chi-Mae asked and she smiled. "Chi". Baek-Hyun said and the horse moved its right foreleg to and fro as if scratching the earth crust. "why did it do that?". She asked hoping it was alright. "Chi meant to say he loves the name and he that he loves you too". Chi-Mae said and laughed heartily. Baek-Hyun was impressed, she had never seen him so excited and she was happy because she was responsible for it. "It seems you gifted my name to a horse". Chi-Mae said and Baek-Hyun laughed. "I guess you are lucky to bear a name that is of great importance to me". Baek-Hyun said and Chi-Mae laughed. "or you are lucky I exist". He said and Baek-Hyun laughed for a while without taking her eyes of him. She wanted to look at the man whose existence has made her so lucky because he was right, she was lucky to meet him, lucky that he existed as the General. For once she wanted to touch his face, to know if it was soft, cold, hot, pale, or even warm. She took her hand to his face and stroked his cheek. "What is wrong?". He asked her and she smiled. "Nothing much, I'm just thinking of how insanely lucky I am". Baek-Hyun replied and for the first time, he did blush. His cheeks flushed bright red and he fluttered his eyes lashes.