CHAPTER ELEVEN

Aya watched intently as Chi-Mae and Baek-Hyun stopped by the stable short gate. She clasped her teeth when she saw Chi-Mae carry Baek-Hyun down from the horse so carefully as if she would break any time soon. Baek-Hyun started walking away and Chi-Mae stared at her. "Baek-Hyun". He called and she stopped but she never turned. "I… I… you…". then he stopped and cleared his throat. Aya was shocked to see Chi-Mae stutter. She was even more shocked to know that he freely revealed that part of him to Baek-Hyun. "I'm sorry". He said with jaunt and Aya widened her eyes, her mouth dropped open as she stared at them. Baek-Hyun was even more shocked. She didn't see that coming. She turned to him and stared at him. "What was that?". She asked and her voice trembled. "I said I'm sorry". He said again and Baek-Hyun smiled. "For what?". She asked with a suppressed smiled. "For everything. It wasn't funny when you pierced my body because now I know how much I always hurt you". he looked so sincere and pitiful that Baek-Hyun felt like crying; then she nodded and turned around. Chi-Mae found himself smiling as well but it didn't last because when he turned to the stable, he saw someone's figure inside the stable. "Who is there?". He asked with dimmed face as he made his way into the stable. Aya squatted between the horses hoping that he wouldn't see her but he did see her pink apparel and he traced it to her. "Princess". Chi-Mae called and pulled her up to her feet. "Were you just spying on me?". He asked and moved his face to her. Aya recoiled and she began praying in her heart that the heaven should favour her and make Chi-Mae turn away from her. "no I wasn't. it's just a coincidence that we happen to be in the same place at the same time, just like old days. Right?" Aya found it as a chance to make him jounce. She always took every minute as an opportunity. Chi-Mae stared at her piercingly as if trying to figure if she was saying the truth, then he turned away from her but she held his hand. "Chi-Mae, I know you are never ever in the mood for anything, but can we go to Gorgyeon? I miss those old days Chi-Mae, I miss us and you can't tell me you don't". Chi-Mae smiled and turned to her. Aya froze and let go of his hands immediately. "like you have said, those are old days". He said and left immediately.

"I know you were with the General". Moon whispered to Baek-Hyun when she reached home. "I saw him drop you in the stable". She whispered again and Baek-Hyun looked back to the way they had come. "Where is lady Bong Cha?". She asked and Moon shook her head. "they have an important meeting with the king and she has been gone since". "I heard there are traders from another country and one of them is interested in the Princess but she rejected him and the king supports her decision. I also hear the princess is interested in the General but I am scared for her because the General may not even notice her". Moon whispered. "But isn't she the best female warrior? It isn't possible that the General wouldn't notice her". Baek-Hyun said innocently and Moon smiled. "But he does notice you and he seems to like you". she said with a knowing smile. "shhhh. Don't say that, you do not know that". Baek-Hyun said and covered Moon's mouth. "But I do, why does he like spending time with you? and aside that, you always come back alive every time. He gave you his cloak and knew just where to find you when you were thought to be missing. Word is already spreading around my Lady and everyone knows". Moon said and Baek-Hyun looked horrified. "That's a lie, he wishes me death and never goes easy. But what do you think?". She asked pitifully. "I don't know my Lady, but he isn't good enough for your kind-heartedness". Moon said truthfully. "I always run into him, sometimes I wonder if he is stalking me or I am stalking him but I know I'm not". She looked so helpless as she confessed. "or you two just want to meet each other". Lady Bong Cha's voice got the two ladies startled. They both stood up and bowed. "if you didn't always come out alive, I would have said that you will get yourself killed. It seems he is fond of your presence and I cannot ask you to stay away. I saw the way he spoke today in the just concluded meeting, there is a glow in his eyes and a harmony in his voice that has been lost for a long time and today, I saw them again. I don't know what you two talk about or what you said to him, but today, he was speaking about the upkeep of the fortresses in Hak-Kun. He said that everyone deserves to live and not just live, but to live happily. I was so sure that I heard that phrase somewhere and now I know it came from you". Lady Bong Cha said those words slowly and with emphasis as she walked around and touched things in the room one after the other but as she said the last sentence, she stared at Baek-Hyun directly. "We always thought that Chi-Mae would change to his former self because of the Princess but now, the king and I have seen that he might change not to his former self, but to a new and better self, for you. But I also thought of it, one doesn't change for some other person, we can only change for ourselves and you have become a part of him that he cannot misplace. So, he changes for you both, and for the betterment of the whole capital". She was now standing right before Baek-Hyun and she held her chin up. "You are a strong woman and I hope that you are as strong physically. You cannot miss practice again young woman. I am not sure yet but a war is coming up soon". With that, Lady Bong Cha left them. Moon could finally breathe. All the while, her breath was hanging. She hated such times when Lady Bong Cha was too serious to be compromised. Those times she acted like a mother to everyone. Baek-Hyun was also struck with the atmosphere because she was as uncomfortable. "You are our heroine my Lady, I wouldn't believe anyone would bring the Gene ral to his knees". Moon chirped but that wasn't Baek-Hyun's problem. "What was that about war?". She asked with troubled face. "I think it's with Gi, they have annoyed the General for a while now". Moon said and Baek-Hyun widened her eyes then she smiled. Maybe she was going to live anyway and her family would be safe. "is that a good thing? Why are you smiling?" Moon asked looking confused. "You don't know, those people literally destroyed our fortress". She said looking pissed and Moon distanced herself a bit or maybe enough.

"Baek-Hyun hasn't made it". Kyong said to Man-Chun back in Gi. The man was speechless because he was afraid she had failed. "it will soon be my turn to be killed like the rest of the families and she hasn't returned". Kyong said again. He was scared of dying, scared of not seeing his sisters again, scared that they might even kill him before his sister returns. He had begged the court Lady Ki to plead on his sister's behalf that her return time be extended and so far, they had gotten no reply. "What if you elope with Hana?". Man-Chun asked and Kyong widened his eyes in shock. "There is no way anyone can hide from a king". He said and Man-Chun smiled. "What if there is?". He asked and Kyong shook his head. "What if Baek-Hyun returns? Besides, I don't want to do that. It will hurt Hana if we are discovered". Man-Chun understood his point so he didn't pressurize him further. "Good luck old boy". He said and they parted to their duty post.

"If she is dead my King, then her corpse would have been found outside our walls just like the rest of the other girls. And I think she has eloped or she has settled in any of their fortresses or even their capital". Bayan said to the Emperor but the Emperor's face has been sour since. "I want her alive at all cost whether she fails or succeeds, she appeases my heart." The Emperor insisted. He has been talked out of that idea since but he stuck to it. "She is my true queen and I want her back, find her. Send men and they must not return without her". The Emperor ordered and the council remained speechless. "Your wish is our command your highness". Bayan said and he began giving orders to their General. "They shall begin their journey immediately".

The next morning after morning exercise, Baek-Hyun hurried to take off her armour which was pushing her to the earth and made it difficult for her to lift a foot. "I see you have fitted in just fine Baek-Hyun". Princess Aya out of nowhere came at her. She wasn't in her armour and she had her handmaids with her. Baek-Hyun was dumbstruck; she didn't know what to say to her. "it seems you have lost your mind and you cannot greet your princess". Aya sneered but she still had the sweetest smile on her face. "Good morning Princess". Baek-Hyun greeted simply and made to walk away but Aya dragged her back and pushed her head low so that Baek-Hyun was now bowing very deeply. "You don't throw greetings on a princess unless you are ill mannered. Show respect and bow that way when you want to greet people at higher hierarchy example the General and I". she sneered scornfully at Baek-Hyun who just raised her head and stared at her "I'm so sorry dear princess, you act so unladylike that it skipped my mind you are a princess". Baek-Hyun said not smiling and Aya's face turned sour. "How dare you?". she asked with clasped teeth. "I hate to speak in this manner with my Princess at my first encounter with her, maybe she has a little home work to do on how to treat her subjects in a more respectful manner, I hear my princess is ill-tempered". Baek-Hyun said and Aya swallowed hard. Her face flushed with embarrassment and her maids gasped in shock. "You three on your knees". She yelled at them and they fell on their knees and then she turned back to Baek-Hyun. Baek-Hyun stared at the women on their knees. They were very much older than Aya and herself. She moved her gaze to Aya again and stared at her "You see what I mean? Ill-tempered". Baek-Hyun said and made to walk away but Aya landed her a hot slap. "I don't know if you speak in this manner in your fallen fortress, but here, you have to show some respect". Aya's teeth were clenched as she said those words but to her surprise, Baek-Hyun smiled. "Respect is only received when one has given and that makes it reciprocal my Princess". With that, Baek-Hyun walked away and Aya was too shocked to even say a word not to mention stopping her. She turned to stare around and there were people watching; maids, soldiers, U-Jin. And it frightened her that he may tell Chi-Mae on her. But she turned back to the maids on the ground. "You three have no manners and I will make you learn some once we get back to my chamber. Rise". She ordered and they hurriedly stood up and followed her away. When they got to her chamber, Aya got a whip from the court lady and she began whipping the poor women on their back until they each bled to her satisfaction. What was worse was that the court lady was there and she couldn't do anything about it. She stared with frustration and pains. The other maids that were present were terrified and they wondered what kind of princess she was.

Baek-Hyun walked with Moon out of their house. They were going to the market to buy groceries when suddenly, they met a group of maids arguing about who would deliver the General's food. She sighed as the ladies suddenly turned to her and stared at her with pleading eyes. "Do you guys quarrel every day about this?". She asked and they looked down. "the General won't bite you. he knows the value of life". Baek-Hyun said but they weren't convinced still. "okay. I'll go today but not next time. Where is the General?". She asked and took the hamper from them. "we are sure he is in his study or at the tiny rock at the rivulet behind the market". "Why would he go stay there when he knows it's time for his breakfast?". Baek-Hyun asked and none of them dared answer. "thank you my Lady". They chorused with a bow and Baek-Hyun smiled. "The hamper seemed heavier today". She said with a smile before walking away. "she is the best Lady I've seen. You are so lucky Moon". One of the maids said to Moon who was giggling her life away. "She is so nice, nicer than the Princess". Another said. "Moon, did you hear? The Princess …".

Baek-Hyun decided to go to his study first and as she expected, he wasn't there. She sighed and she dropped the hamper, stretched and she carried the hamper again. it took her a long time to get to the rock and she was sure the food had gotten cold. She saw Chi-Mae staring at the little rivulet and throwing stones into it. "this rock isn't tiny at all". She murmured and dropped the food beside him. "I brought food". She said and he stared at her then at the hamper. "Why would you stay in such a far place when you know it's time for breakfast?". She asked with her hands on her waist and she was doing some stretching once again. "That hamper is very heavy and you are so terrible for not appreciating my effort". She said again and sat down a bit further away from him. "I would have gone but I can't climb this rock again to get that hamper so I have to stay and get it". She said again and Chi-Mae just kept staring at her. "the food must have gotten cold by now and it will get worse if you just sit there to stare at me". She said with creased brows and Chi-Mae smiled. "Then you will have to go get me another food that is hot because I don't eat cold food". He said and Baek-Hyun looked horrified. "This wouldn't have happened if you were a better person. They maids do quarrel about who gets to bring your food. They create such a scene because of you, you have to see them fight". She stared at empty space as she said those words, it was almost as if she was replaying the scene in her head. "I didn't know you talk so much". Chi-Mae said and Baek-Hyun stared at him in shock. "if you are not comfortable with me staring at you while you are eating, then you should tell me that straight". She scolded him and she wasn't looking pleased. "I can have you watch me eat but I can't have you talk while I'm eating, you make me so uncomfortable. It's almost as if you can't stop running your mouth". He said and she furrowed her brows and looked away. "You know, the other maids do unpack the hamper and serve me properly". Chi-Mae said and Baek-Hyun was going crazy as she stared at him but she stood and served him properly like he had said. "You should smile when you are serving me. I feel like you have poisoned me". Chi-Mae said and Baek-Hyun threw him a death stare. She wished she did poison him so he would never open his mouth. She was through with serving and she sat back on her place bulkily. Chi-Mae smiled at her reaction and he started eating. Baek-Hyun never ceased stealing glances of him eating. She smiled to herself often and she thought he looked cute but she never forgot the things he said to her and she made up her mind not say any word to him until he apologized. "I feel uncomfortable with your facial expression. Can you please smile so my food would digest?". Baek-Hyun was shocked about his demand but she began smiling anyway. She just wished she could take his head and give it to Gi so they would celebrate her and she would save her family. But that wasn't the plan. If she just took his head and return it to Gi, then she has failed Ji-Seok. She had different plans and that man in front of her was going to help he achieve them at the expense of his heart. "Your eyes won't succeed in killing me Baek-Hyun so just give it up and soften your look so you can appeal to me and I will take you". Chi-Mae said and the smile on Baek-Hyun's face vanished. What the hell was he saying and why does he talk dirty? "relax, I am just messing with you". he said to her and her features was better relaxed. After he was done eating, he asked her to pack up the hamper and get going but when she was done packing up, he stood up with her as well. She was going to frown and look away when suddenly, she saw food particle on his lips. She wanted to tell him but she held herself from talking and she pointed to her mouth. And he stared at her looking confused. She pointed again and she potted her mouth to a round duck shape while pointing at her upper lips. He didn't understand her but he thought he figured and he liked what he figured so he leaned in and kissed her. She shrunk and pushed him away but he stared at her in a way that made her familiar with those eyes. He looked drunk and she knew he looked that way only when he wanted something very badly. He took a step closer to her and he wrapped his hand around her waist and pulled her to himself and he kissed her again. she pulled herself out and yelled. "What are you doing? Are you crazy?". But he didn't seem to care about the things she said to him. He just kissed her again and she was abortively struggling, she bit his lips and he immediately let her go. Baek-Hyun was overwhelmed. She wondered why he had to kiss her now and she had never done that before. she stared at the ground trying hard to figure why she had butterflies in her belly. Chi-Mae felt half guilty for doing that, but he wasn't sorry it happened. "You have never kissed?". He asked and she turned her face away. Now he did feel sorry that it happened. "hurm… so… sorry". He said to her and she stared at him for a while before nodding. "Thank you for giving me your first kiss". He said and she knitted her brows. "I didn't give it to you, you stole it". She replied and he smiled. "well I'm not sorry I did". he said and she started arguing about it. "I need my kiss back". She said in a puerile manner and he laughed. "Why don't you suck it back?". He asked and she made a funny disgusted face. "You can just keep the kiss then" …