CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

In the next week, things moved in rush that it scared Baek-Hyun. Lady Bong Cha didn't even have a minute of rest except at night. All the soldiers practiced really hard and thousands of weapons were shipped in and also made in the kingdom. The weather was always heavy and dense. Even the sun shone darkly to Baek-Hyun. She went to the abandoned chamber very often on her horse and she practiced how to fight alone and in the air. She practiced for hours. She had a target and all she wanted was to develop fighting stamina. She knew she was only able to fight for a few minute and then she would crash. Those days, she practiced to enable her fight a long time. She ran around the temple many times and she fought with great speed in the air until something windy would be created in the area she stood.

If Aya had been counting her days properly, then it was time for her to leave the dungeon. That day, she was taken to wash immediately and the she changed to another white apparel. She had developed serious fever and headache. The healer was sent in to her and she took some herbal concoctions. She had new maids who were much younger. The court lady had seen to that because of how she treated her maids. In the evening, she was better and she changed to her royal apparel. It wasn't joyous for the maids at all that she was back. But her co-soldiers were happy about her return. She was only fit to walk around the next day and the first person she thought of visiting was her brother. "Your highness, the princess is here to see you". the door keeper of the throne room announced to Young-Jae. Aya walked in and fell on her knees before the king. "Greetings your highness, it's been a while". She said with a beautiful beam of smile on her face. "Aya". Her brother called looking sober. "I'm sorry, tried to intervene but the council was strict about it". He looked sorry as he said it and he stood up and walked to her. "Your sister is glad your highness. I have returned and I hope you are ready for me". She said and her brother smiled. Of course he was ready for her dramas. "There is a great battle coming up Aya. I wish that you do not participate in the war". Young-Jae now looked very serious as he said those words. "I have heard, and I know Chi-Mae is doing this because of Baek-Hyun". She said and her brother said nothing to that. "Chi-Mae has gone to the fortresses in Hak-Kun. We need all the soldiers ready, Gi is a large empire". "Let me I pray thee, go and scout the Kingdom with some other soldiers". Aya said and her brother smiled. "There is no need for that, the kingdom has already been scouted and we have sent some men to go inside it and get a map of the kingdom insight". "Why does their privacy matter?". Aya asked. "Because we need to plan an escape route for Baek-Hyun's people just in case anything goes wrong". "Why do we have to do everything for her? She is a damn spy and doesn't need our help". "Aya, I have told you to be nice to Baek-Hyun. She is harmless and we all know how Gi can be to anyone". Aya rolled her eyes at that and she stood up. Her morale was back. "I am going to take part in that war brother and no one is obstructing me". She said and made to leave. "Aya, you have to get married, there are very wealthy men coming in this week and we can organise a quick wedding before the war". Young-Jae said and Aya stiffened. "You are joking right? You said I don't have to get married until I find the one". She said with a desperate smile. "Aya I'm sorry, you reached the age of marriage six years ago but you have wasted those days trying to win Chi-Mae's love. You may have had his love before but he changed and so did his love go away. Sadly, Aya, your type of love isn't the one that can win him over in his dark state. That is the sad truth". Tears bubbled down Aya's face. "You can't be the one saying that. You know Chi-Mae loved me, I just… I just need a little more time reminding him about that". She looked desperate. "Aya, I have told you the truth about the matter, the truth is always bitter and I hope you learn to accept it soon". Aya couldn't argue further. She turned and hurried off. "Aya". Young-Jae called out but she didn't turn. Aya walked slowly down the long walkway. She held unto the pillar for support because her legs were weak. She had never imagined that she may ever get married to anyone that is not Chi-Mae. She wasn't ready to get married, not to anyone. If her brother wants to marry her off, then she would pick her husband. As usual, she strengthened herself and walked straight back to her chamber.

Young-Jae left his throne room with Hwa-Bel and Lady Bong Cha who had gone to answer his call. They went to the large contest field where they always had matches when Young-Jae was still a crowned Prince. He always went there once in a while and practiced. He went there to that very day to refresh his fighting skills with Lady Bong Cha. He moved swiftly like the wind and Lady Bong Cha almost couldn't keep up with him. "I told you I can't do this, only U-Jin and Chi-Mae can do this". The woman said and breathed heavily after their first round. "it's better than none". He said and put his sword back in its place. They talked about the war and the preparation for it at the end of their practice session and they were returning.

The next day, Baek-Hyun went up to the rock and she fought alone. Then when it was evening, she went to the stable to take her horse and she saw Aya brushing her horse and crying as well. "Greetings princess". She greeted and bowed. Aya immediately backed her. "What are you doing here?". She asked struggling to clean her tears. "I… are those tears I see in your eyes?". Baek-Hyun asked back. "Shut up, you don't know that". Aya scoffed and turned to Baek-Hyun with roughly cleaned face. "You don't have to yell you know". Baek-Hyun said and Aya frowned. "What are you doing with Milly?". She asked Baek-Hyun referring to the horse Baek-Hyun was holding. Baek-Hyun was surprised at first and then she laughed when she realised what Aya was talking about. "You have a name for all the horse here don't you?". she asked and laughed. "You can laugh all you can". Aya jeered and turned to the horse she was brushing. "What are you doing? Are you actually doing what I think you are doing?". Baek-Hyun asked with a surprised look on and with a smirk on her lips. "You brush horses, name them and you cry, you can actually do better princess". She said and laughed. "Get out". Aya yelled but Baek-Hyun just laughed till she was satisfied. "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me". She said and Aya rolled her eyes. "I asked you a question. What are you doing with that horse?". She yelled at Baek-Hyun. "Woah, easy there, this is my horse and her name is Chi". Baek-Hyun said and caressed the horse's back. "Get your hands off that horse". Aya yelled and Baek-Hyun smiled. "Chi-Mae gave that to you didn't he? And you named the horse after him? Why did you choose my favourite horse?". Aya looked so childish that time and Baek-Hyun felt sorry for her. "I'm sorry, I didn't know she was your favourite, I guess anyone can be attracted to it". She said gently and apologetically but Aya jeered at her. "Shut up you fool, you stole Chi-Mae from me, now you are stealing my horse, will you also steal my crown?". Baek-Hyun was surprised about her reaction but she went easy on her. "I didn't steal Chi-Mae. He always wanted to kill me, I don't know what happened that he changed so suddenly". She said looking confused herself. "so it is just a rumour that you changed him. At least that's to my favour". Aya said and made to leave but Baek-Hyun called her back. "Why were you crying? A problem shared is half solved". "I should share my burden with you so you can mock me?". Aya asked and Baek-Hyun shook her head. "I can't forget what you did for me back inside that dungeon. I hope I can pay you back one day". She said calmly but Aya smirked. "You would better forget whatever happened in that dungeon, you and I will never be friends". Aya said and turned back to her horse. Baek-Hyun was dumbstruck. She believed Aya was never like that and there was once that she was good. She also believed she could change… just like Chi-Mae did. she climbed on her horse and rode away, Aya wondered where she was going to and she climbed the horse in front of her and rode out as well.

Baek-Hyun went to the abandoned temple and she rode behind it. She knew Aya was following her and she smiled to herself. Then she took out her sword and started fighting. Aya was shocked when she saw Baek-Hyun fighting with empty space. She was so disappointed that she rode that far only to meet with this. "You knew I was following you, didn't you?". she yelled and Baek-Hyun smirked. "Look who's interested in other's life now". Baek-Hyun said and put her sword back. "I hear you are good and of course I am just a minor, can you show me some of your skills? There's a war coming up and I don't want to die". Baek-Hyun said and Aya smiled. She would be more than happy to. "I will if only you agree that you would be my student for the whole period of practice". She said and Baek-Hyun agreed. She had nothing to lose so why argue. "First, I'll teach you how to fight properly with your saber. It seems to me you are dancing a miming". She said and then they began. In the next few minute, Baek-Hyun had over six cuts and bruises on her body. "You are having your revenge on me now, I can tell". Baek-Hyun said amidst the fight and Aya struck harder. The next thing they studied was how to attack swiftly. Aya wasn't that fast but to Baek-Hyun, she was as fast as the wind. She couldn't even see her attack but the only things she realised was that she had new cuts now and then. "You really have to work on your defence". Aya told her and she nodded just like a student. She did it purposely to make the activity fun for Aya and Aya fell stupidly into the trap. "How do you know this place? It is recorded to be a warehouse for criminals once". Aya said and Baek-Hyun looked around innocently like she had no idea. "I had no idea". She said and Aya smiled. "You are not supposed to". Aya was so full of herself and Baek-Hyun was certain that she would never like her if she was a man. "Break over, I'll drill you on some defence skills". Aya said and she hit Baek-Hyun's head. The two practiced fiercely over the next few days, then week, they were always together practising on the training field or in the abandoned temple. Baek-Hyun was convinced that Aya was making her pay for sins she had no idea about. Once, she asked her to stand with only one foot from morning till sun set, while she sat on her horse and finished three hampers of food and five bottles of water. Then once when it was raining, she asked her to fight under the rain, she place ten stones very far apart from each other on the ground and told her to only keep her legs on the stone while fighting alone under the rain. When Baek-Hyun's legs touched the ground, she shifted the stones apart again and when Baek-Hyun fell heavily on the mud, she yelled and asked her to sit under the rain until it stopped raining. Lady Bong Cha always wondered what made Baek-Hyun have all those bruises on her face because that was the only part that Baek-Hyun couldn't cover. Baek-Hyun didn't regret the training because she was way better in fighting than when she first begun. Aya didn't allow her to thank her and Baek-Hyun didn't bother to.

Baek-Hyun was going to rush to the stable that morning so she would get to the temple before Aya. Firstly, she wanted to say a prayer that it shouldn't rain that day and secondly, Aya hated to arrive the temple before her or with her. But when she was done putting on her armour, Moon rushed in to her and screamed about something. Baek-Hyun couldn't hear everything she said but what she heard was enough for her. Chi-Mae was back and he came back the night before. She smiled to herself and she started taking time to wear her armour. "Moon, can you apply some make up on my face?". She asked and Moon smiled. "I've waited all my life for you to ask me that". Moon said and started opening a cupboard that contained make up.

Baek-Hyun didn't want to go to the general practice where everyone went, but she knew that Chi-Mae may show up so she rushed to field but she was even more shocked to see Aya there herself. "I was going to tell you that I cancelled practice for today". She said to Baek-Hyun who just nodded and moved away. "Don't go too far, you will be my partner if there is any need for partnership today". She screeched before Baek-Hyun walked out of ear shot. Baek-Hyun wasn't focused in the practice. All she wanted was to have a glimpse of Chi-Mae and she would be fine, but she didn't see him anywhere. When the session was over, U-Jin selected about twenty-five soldiers of mixed gender, they were the ones that were noticeably performing poorly and Baek-Hyun was among. "What is wrong?". Lady Bong Cha whispered to Baek-Hyun and she shook her head but her face was terrible. She already looked worried till she looked pale and sick. "Chi-Mae is back did you hear?". The woman asked again and Baek-Hyun nodded. "You don't want him to see such look on your face". The woman said and walked away. The rest of the soldiers were dismissed and the twenty-five stayed. Baek-Hyun didn't know where they were being taken to but she was the last person in the straight line that were walking behind U-Jin and Lady Bong Cha. She was so not in the mood for anything and she didn't even know when they walked past the stable but suddenly, something… or someone dragged her out of the line and into the stable. It was him and he had a very beautiful mischievous smile on his face. "Chi-Mae". She called and he pulled her into him embrace. "Did you miss me?". He asked and she smiled and nodded. "I missed you too. Very much". Baek-Hyun was so happy to see him, she hugged him again. "I was worried you wouldn't come back, or if you did, you would forget about me". She looked so serious saying it and he smiled. "I would never leave you for anything, don't forget that next time, no matter how long I take". He said and she nodded childishly. He held her close and exhaled her Dreamweaver scent deeply. "I won't forget you too". She said after a while of thought. She knew she couldn't promise Chi-Mae not to leave him but she knew she would never forget him. "Do you want to get back in the line?". He asked and she shook her head negatively. "No". she replied and he smiled. "Then come with me". He said and held her hand and turned to leave but then, Aya was standing in front of him. She bowed and greeted him majestically but Chi-Mae didn't acknowledge it. "How long have you been here?". He asked and she rolled her eyes. "Long enough to know that Baek-Hyun doesn't want to join the other selected soldiers". She said and then it was Baek-Hyun's turn to roll her eyes. "Now if you don't mind, would you hand over my student to me now? We have a lot to do today". Aya said and made to snatch Baek-Hyun's hands from Chi-Mae, but Chi-Mae pushed her behind his back, "Have you gone nut?". He half yelled and Aya recoiled and she apologized immediately. "Chi-Mae, it's okay, I'll be fine, I have to go now". Baek-Hyun said and moved away from his back and walked slowly to Aya, and she stood beside her with her head bent low. "Baek-Hyun what is going on?" Chi-Mae asked now with a straight face. "it's no big deal, the Princess is just giving me some fighting lessons". Baek-Hyun explained and Aya smiled. "You see? No big deal". She said and dragged Baek-Hyun away. Chi-Mae was dumbstruck; he didn't expect that could happen. Baek-Hyun didn't wait for him after all, she ran off to Aya because she could no longer wait, that was how he felt. He waited hoping that Baek-Hyun would come back, but she didn't turn back.

"Get on your knees". Aya yelled at Baek-Hyun in the training ground even though there were many soldiers standing in group fighting themselves for pleasure to see who was more powerful. "But why?". Baek-Hyun asked with dimmed face, "Because you made me wait here for a long time and I even had to come search for you". Aya yelled but Baek-Hyun wouldn't have that, she wanted to say more but Aya walked closer to her and then behind her, and she kicked her knee joints and Baek-Hyun fall on her knees. "I am your teacher and you have no right to question me understood?". She yelled and Baek-Hyun didn't reply. Then she walked closer to her and held her jaw tight "understood?". She yelled again but that got Baek-Hyun. She was tired of all the ill treatment she had gotten from her and besides, she wanted to spend the whole day with Chi-Mae. She had a lot to tell him. She suddenly held Aya's hand and swayed it away. Then she stood up and stared at her. "I am not your student, or maybe I was your student, but not your slave and you can't treat me like a slave". Baek-Hyun said and she started walking away and when she heard Aya yelling her name, she started running, running back to the stable but when she got there, he wasn't there and she started searching for his horse but it wasn't here. She climbed on hers and she rode out at crazy speed.

Baek-Hyun saw his horse outside the temple which was strange because he always kept it inside. She also left hers on the same spot and walked to the back of the temple. There he found him, he was placing a stone on her own alter. She stood behind him and waited for him to finish whispering. She didn't know what took him so long but when he stood up, she didn't even wait for him to turn, she just hugged him from behind. "I'm sorry". She whispered. Chi-Mae was surprised but he wasn't startled. He was a soldier and nothing could possibly startle him, well except if Baek-Hyun decided to jump off a cliff. He turned to her and shifted her to the wall. "You didn't wait for me sincerely". He said and Baek-Hyun's face darkened. "You ran off to Aya". He said again and Baek-Hyun almost laughed but staring at his face, she realised he was very serious. "Aya is a… a… a female". She said and he pulled her to himself in a not gently manner. "You are mine Baek-Hyun. And I do not intend to share with you with anyone, not a man, not a woman, or even a child". He said it so fiercely that Baek-Hyun was almost startled but she knew he wouldn't hurt her. "I'm sorry. The matter of the war was just so loud and I thought of getting better". She murmured. "Is that your excuse?". He asked and she shook her head. "Don't go to Aya again, I'll teach you all the skills you need if you stay away from her, Okay?". He said and she nodded. "But we have been really good friends". Baek-Hyun said and Chi-Mae exhaled. "or you two are more like friendly enemies". He said and she nodded, maybe he was right after all. "You said you would tell me something when you return, what was it?". She asked and Chi-Mae exhaled. He was glad she didn't forget it. But he wasn't in the mood for it right then. He wanted to say it to her only when he was very happy. "I can't remember right now, I'll sleep on it and tell you any day I remember". She said and she nodded. She looked very disappointed but she nodded all the same. "Baek-Hyun, about the war, it isn't happening, the councils rejected the idea and they are right, it isn't too long since we just partook in a terrible war that rigged our peace. We loosed too much in the last war and we cannot do it again. even the people are against the idea and their opinion matters". Baek-Hyun felt like she couldn't hear properly and her heart sunk. "I'm so sorry". "But why all the pressure? Why did they destroy the peace of mind of people only to now reject the whole idea?". She asked looking all confused. "the war was going to happen, but there was a great protest by the citizens of other fortresses. They hated the idea of war and they retorted to massive destruction of properties". Baek-Hyun was quiet and she removed her head from his laps. "I understand, I told you not to do this, you can't put the life of a whole nation at risk for me, it isn't right". She said even though she really wanted to start crying because now, her chances of ever breaking free was almost impossible. But what was she really thinking? That a people whom she was sent to destroy would just turn around and risk their life to save her, a total stranger? She knew she needed to wake up. "are you okay?". Chi-Mae asked when she was quiet for too long and she nodded. "Let's go home". She said and he helped her get up and mount her horse.