CHAPTER TWENTY

Before Moon came back, Baek-Hyun was already done bathing. She had spent another half an hour with the Jung-Kook and Baek-Hyun was sure of that. She dressed herself and wore her armour. She had gotten used to the heavy armour and she was also fond of putting her hand on the hilt of her sword just like Chi-Mae. Oh Chi-Mae, she was worried again, she hoped he would come back for her. She hoped something will not pop up and destroy them. She had a lot to tell him and she wished he would come back and give her all the chances in the world to.

"You are a sloth Moon. So unbelievable that you spent time with your dream soldier and forgot about me again. she said to Moon as they walked out of her chamber. "You must sneak my Lady, you are not joining in the 'last man standing fight' and so you have to sneak around if you must go out". Moon suddenly whispered with such defence and determination that Baek-Hyun laughed. "I have a bidding. I need food, as much good food as you can bring, I'm going to see the Princess and it's just right to do it now when all the soldiers will be out of the way". Moon nodded and left right away. Then Baek-Hyun walked away to the Maids quarters. She hoped to find favour in the sight of the Court Lady and she did. she went to ask the woman for some herbs to treat the Princess and the woman gave her more than enough. "After all, you have been very helpful to me". The woman said and gave Baek-Hyun the parcelled herbs. Moon was back and the they took another rot that was cave like to reach the dungeon but when they did, they had to still face the stand-by soldiers at the dungeon. It was odd for only a princess to be in there alone and Baek-Hyun knew the feelings. "Oh good heavens, what do we do now?". Moon lamented with her face already turning sour. "we will definitely get caught and we may also be thrown in there, the same is done to even a body caught sneaking around to visit anyone in here". She lamented more. It wasn't that bad though, she was trying to discourage Baek-Hyun from going further. "Shush! Your noise will get you killed". Baek-Hyun said with annoyance. Then from their hide out, Baek-Hyun stretched and carried some few stones that were on the ground fallen from the disturbed cave. She threw the stone to a direction opposite them and on the second throw, two soldiers went to go check what it was. Baek-Hyun waited for them to pass and they went far into the dungeon. Then she began throwing again and the last man who was the key bearer also left. As he was about to pass Baek-Hyun's hideout, she dragged the frightened soldier and ripped him of all his keys. "Choose one or die, the key to the Princess' gaol and live, or waste my time and die, hurry". Baek-Hyun ordered but the man rebelled and Baek-Hyun drew out her sword and place it on his neck. She remembered him to be one of the soldiers that always bullied her greatly. She really wanted to slash his head apart but she withheld herself. "Do you remember me?". She asked and he nodded with hesitation and desperateness. "You'd better give me the key to the Princess' dungeon if you do not want to lose your head now". She said with clenched teeth and the man looking horrified quickly started picking the right key. "I'll let you live but if you don't say a word about this to anyone, but if try to act smart, I'll find you and I will do to you all the things in my mind". She said and the soldier nodded and made to run off in fear. "Hey I'm not done yet". She said and dragged him back. "Take the other two soldiers to the front entrance of the dungeon and I'll return your key, if not, forget about it". Baek-Hyun said and let him go. Moon started clapping her hands silently. "Bravo, you are so skilled my lady, I would love to be a soldier if I weren't a court lady". She whispered with a puerile smile. They hid there until the soldiers passed to go to the front entrance before they went out and opened the dungeon.

Aya had been alert ever since she heard the uproars in the gaol. Immediately she saw Baek-Hyun before the dungeon, she scoffed and went back to her seat at the corner of the dungeon. Baek-Hyun walked into the dungeon and bowed deeply to Aya and so did Moon. "Greetings, my princess". They both chorused. "Give up doing that, I know you do not regard me as one". Aya scoffed. "I thought you would never come. What happened? Is Chi-Mae dead? How is it that you remember me today?". She jeered and Baek-Hyun just kept silent then she signalled Moon. "I'm sorry I didn't come back again, a lot came up and I barely had time for myself". Baek-Hyun was sincere and Aya could see it. "Details please". Aya said and Baek-Hyun exhaled loudly. "Chi-Mae wouldn't forgive me and it actually got me wondering why then he took me out of the dungeon but then I realised, he didn't want me dead and being trapped in the same place as you would have got me killed". Aya rolled her eyes with great purpose. "so why are you here? I thought you never missed practice?" she asked. "I realised it isn't compulsory". Baek-Hyun replied simply. "Someone has got some favour. It's only because of Chi-Mae you are enjoying such privileges I hope you know so". Aya said but Baek-Hyun didn't reply. "I got you food, good food". She said and signalled Moon to take the hamper of food forward. "You should leave right now with your food, they don't starve me here at least, if that is what you expected". Aya said repulsively staring at Baek-Hyun. "I won't force you to eat, after all, it could be poisoned. You should tell me your offence, I'm going to see your brother and I am thinking maybe I can mention it once to him". Baek-Hyun said care freely and of course her insouciant manner troubled Aya. "We were going to be really good friends Baek-Hyun, but you have gotten high guts I see. What is this I hear that you and the General may have special ties very soon?". She asked and that took Baek-Hyun unawares. "You hear wrong my Princess". She said simply and Aya frowned. "I do believe it Baek-Hyun because I could see it. You are my rival for Chi-Mae and you want to take him away". She screeched and Baek-Hyun tilted her head. "are scared I might take him away? I thought he had been your lover since you were born?". Baek-Hyun asked and Aya furrowed her brows. "Insolence, I am still your Princess Baek-Hyun and you do not speak to me in that manner". She half yelled and tried to control her voice. "No, I am a spy and you are not my Princess. Surprisingly, Emperor Woong of Gi kingdom has not female children but males. Hmm" Baek-Hyun said pensively. "You may keep throwing taunts on me but I will make you pay for it once I'm out of here". Aya said. "we both know you can't harm me, not a hair on my body Princess. I can't forget how helpful you were to me when I was in your shoes so I decided to pay back the favour but it seems you are not appreciative so I'll take my leave Princess". Baek-Hyun sounded so sarcastic each time she said Princess, and Aya couldn't possibly miss that. She stared at Baek-Hyun for a while then she said. "I would have been scared of getting poisoned but I trust your arrogance". She said with a smile hoping to piss Baek-Hyun but Baek-Hyun just smiled back. "How can I poison a heart poisoned person, that will be so mean. I have to go now". Baek-Hyun said and made to turn but Aya said. "I would have wondered how you got in here without being caught but then I thought, you know Baek-Hyun, she has her way, especially under Chi-Mae's protection". "the General has gone on a long Journey and he won't be back soon, help me pray he comes back early enough". Baek-Hyun said and she didn't wait anymore, she just turned and left. "Drop the food". Aya said when Moon was about to go with the hamper.

"My King, Baek-Hyun is here to see you". a guard at the door reported and Young-Jae signalled him to let her in while he sipped alcohol from a wine glass. "Who do we have here?". Young-Jae asked when he saw Baek-Hyun walk into the throne room. "King Young-Jae, may your reign never cease". Baek-Hyun said and Young-Jae laughed heartily. "What brings Baek-Hyun to my throne room?". Young-Jae asked and Baek-Hyun walked closer. "Chi-Mae said I have an appointment with you today". She replied and Young-Jae chuckled. "You were supposed to attend the council meeting that has just been complete". Young-Jae said and Baek-Hyun made a funny face. "Oh I came too late and I hope the meeting went on smoothly my King". She asked and Chi-Mae nodded. "anything I need to know?". She asked with coyness and almost a funny body position. "I don't think so but you must attend the next meeting which is in three days' time by noon". Young-Jae replied and Baek-Hyun nodded. "In that case my King, do have a great night". She said and left. Young-Jae kept a straight face as he watched Baek-Hyun leave. He was trying to think of any quality in her that would have made the old Chi-Mae like her. Some would say he would have loved her for her courage but they both knew he would have killed her right on the spot he met her if he had figured. Or maybe he would have had fun with till she was no more palatable to him then he would kill her off. But he Young-Jae, there was nothing about Baek-Hyun that could possibly attract him except her beauty. Aside that, she was too inexperienced for him and way annoying, he wouldn't have the patient to quieten her without breaking her neck. Then his thought shifted to his friend, he hoped he would make it back early enough before Baek-Hyun flies off the handle.

The next few days, Baek-Hyun was dead bored and she realised it was Chi-Mae that made all her days in that kingdom to count. She was working on something but she wasn't succeeding. She was giving up but she knew that when Chi-Mae returned, her wish will come true. "So Moon, you do know that being a soldier is risky right?". She asked Moon one day on the rock by the rivulet. She had taken Moon up there for some days now. She was sorry in her heart for taking someone to that spot. "I know, but all my mate and some of my friend are soldiers, I do wish to be one too". She replied. "You do speak to those soldiers? You know what might happen if you are caught". Baek-Hyun said sounding very worried. "I know but I am always careful". She said in a puerile manner and Baek-Hyun smiled. "Should I tell you something?". Baek-Hyun asked and she nodded. "Don't tell anyone and I will make your wish come true". Baek-Hyun said again and she nodded. "Chi-Mae, he ki… he…" she wanted to say Chi-Mae kissed her on that spot but she wanted to keep that to herself. She also wanted to act childish and tell someone. After all, she never had a real childhood where she could share things with her mom or any other person. All her life, she was made to work really hard either on the farm or with her father mining. She was never allowed to mingle with anybody till she was eighteen and her father let her speak to men that came home to marry her. But she rejected them all and now she was twenty-four. She had just reached the age for marriage and somehow she was pleased that her parents weren't around to force her into marriage and ruin her dreams of being a warrior. "What did the General do?" Moon suddenly asked and Baek-Hyun jerked out of her slumber. "he… he always… he always keeps his hand on the hilt of his sword". She said and Moon still had that inquisitive look on. Then when she figured that Baek-Hyun was done talking she looked her disappointedly. "Is that something I shouldn't say to anyone? Everyone knows he does that". Moon said and Baek-Hyun nodded. "so I also started doing same". Baek-Hyun said and Moon nodded. "Okay?". She asked and Baek-Hyun waved off the topic. "Tell me who Jung-Kook is". She said and Moon dimmed her face. "He is nobody". She said with a frown. "Is he why you want to be a warrior?". She asked and Moon looked away. "He can always marry you even if you are a court lady". Baek-Hyun said again and Moon looked back at her swiftly. "but what if he is flirting around with other female soldiers? I want to be there and watch him". She said still with a frown. "if that is what you think of him, then you shouldn't wish to marry someone who you do not trust". Baek-Hyun said and besides, Chi-Mae doesn't permit open dating among soldiers. He might keep you two apart". Baek-Hyun said and Moon exhaled. "He can send you to Gorgyeon if he finds out". Baek-Hyun said again. "I am not yet a soldier, stop talking like I am". Moon said and faked a smile. "What if I can make your dream come true?". She asked and Moon lightened up. "Really? You can make me a soldier?". She asked and Baek-Hyun smiled. "I can't, but I know someone who can make you even a deputy if you want". She said and Moon was stunned when she realised who Baek-Hyun was talking about. "so it's true that the General does whatever you say?". Moon asked the smile on Baek-Hyun's face faded. "Shush! If you keep talking this way, you will die quickly on the field". Baek-Hyun said and Moon nodded. "Yes Commander". She said and Baek-Hyun laughed. They talked about many more things and finally, Moon left and Baek-Hyun was alone. She stood up and walked around the cliff of the rock. She watched the torrent of the water hit against the rock she stood gently or mightily on the rock. She loved this view and she would wait for him.