30 Someone whom I adore

Seo Jin got ready into a new dress, though he had worn it once. He came to the courtyard where Ae-Ra was waiting for him. "Forgive me, General Lee," Ae-Ra said and lowered her eyes.

"Ahh, it's fine," Seo Jin replied and looked up at the sky. "Evening is falling. Let's go, Ae-Ra. We shall go in a Gama (A Traditional transport vehicle– click on the picture to have an idea of it)," Seo Jin suggested to her.

"But that's used by noble families," Ae-Ra answered.

"Hmm." "You are also a noble," Seo Jin remarked. "Let's go before we get late," he said and walked ahead. Ae-Ra lifted her skirt a little and ran after him.

"It's only one," Ae-Ra said, looking at the carriage. "Where will General Lee sit?" She asked him.

"We will go in the same carriage. It's not a small one, so there is good space inside it," Seo Jin answered. Dong-Sun opened the side door of the carriage.

"General Lee, how could we sit together?" Seo Jin confusedly looked at her. "If General Lee does not mind, then I can walk on foot. I am good at walking." Ae-Ra was hesitant to sit with General Lee.

"Ae-Ra, then I can walk. If you are uncomfortable sitting in the same carriage with me. I am better at walking than you," Seo Jin asserted. Though he did not like the way, Ae-Ra always pushed him.

"General Lee is making me feel embarrassed," she said and peered into his eyes. Seo Jin's response was enough to tell her that he got hurt again. "General Lee, forgive me," she said politely and looked towards the carriage. "Let's get into it," she agreed to sit with him in the same carriage.

"Are you sure?" Seo Jin questioned her. "I won't let you step you out even if you beg me," he stated.

Ae-Ra nodded her head. Seo Jin was happy to hear it. "Get into it," he said. "Be careful! Your head might hit it." He placed his hand above Ae-Ra's head, who bent down and sat inside the carriage. After her, Seo Jin got inside. Dong-Sun closed the door and ordered the six porters to pick it up.

Ae-Ra fell forward as the carriage was lifted by the porters. Seo Jin caught her arms and supported her. She pulled her arms back and apologized to him.

"It is my first time," she said and lowered her eyes. "But General Lee, won't they get tired? I mean...we are heavy and--"

"They have strong arms. Don't worry," he said and opened the tiny window that was carved on its door. Ae-Ra peeked out and found many upper-classmen were also leaving for the market. A smile formed on her lips when Seo Jin noticed it. He smiled while gazing at her.

"Do you want to look out?" He asked her.

"I don't think that I should," Ae-Ra replied.

"Why?"

Words did not come out of her mouth when Seo Jin grasped her sleeve and gently drew her towards the window. He was careful that he would not touch her hand. "Look at the evening sky," he said. Ae-Ra peeked out and lifted her eyes to look at the sky.

"It's so beautiful, isn't it?" She asked Seo Jin.

"For me, it's like every other day. But today it indeed appears beautiful to me," Seo Jin stated.

"Why does it appear beautiful to you today?" Ae-Ra asked him while still gazing at the sky.

"Because I am looking at it with someone whom I adore," Seo Jin replied. Ae-Ra tilted her head immediately towards him. Her lips were quite close to Seo Jin's. Her heart stopped beating for a second upon seeing the closeness between them. She instantly moved back and averted her gaze from him.

An awkward silence surrounded them. Seo Jin wanted to initiate the conversation with her but it seemed to him that Ae-Ra did not want to. So, at this moment, he decided to just stay quiet.

Ae-Ra stole the glances of Seo Jin and found he was looking outside. "Why did it happen?" She asked herself. Was it because she got so close to Seo Jin for the first time? It might be because she got startled for a second to see his face right in front of hers. Hardly she knew that her mindless heart started to like Seo Jin.

She fidgeted with her fingers and said, "General Lee, I have told you that I wanted to meet Ha Neul." Seo Jin looked at her and hummed.

"Forgive me. I almost forgot about that. I promise that I will arrange a meeting with her tomorrow," Seo Jin stated with a tiny smile.

"If General Lee permits, then we can go to the Courtesan House now. I am a little worried about her. She was the only person who cared for me," Ae-Ra said concernedly.

Seo Jin did not want to go to the Courtesan House anymore. The matter regarding Ae-Ra's freedom was still in everyone's tongue. Also, Seo Jin had disappointed the King of Goryeo. Though he did not say anything particular to him, Seo Jin was clearly evident of that fact.

"Ae-Ra, we cannot go to the Courtesan's House. I will arrange a private meeting for you two, though I personally want you to not meet Ha Neul," Seo Jin said with a stern expression.

"Why? Will the fingers be pointed at General Lee if I visit Ha Neul in the Courtesan's House? Why does General Lee think that I shall not meet Ha Neul?" Ae-Ra queried him.

"I don't care about anyone's remarks on me. However, I do care for you. I might end up killing the person if he says anything bad about you. Also, you have told me that you do not believe anyone. You are deviating from your words, Ae-Ra," Seo Jin explained to her and arched his brow.

"I forgot to tell you that I do believe Ha Neul," Ae-Ra replied.

"I asked you earlier too and I am asking you now too. Why did Ha Neul not step forward when Choi Daewon was going to undress you in front of everyone?" Seo Jin asked. His tone was not pleasant and it felt to Ae-Ra that she had made him angry.

"Answer," Seo Jin urged her.

"She might be scared. Minister Choi could have punished her too. I am happy that she did not step forward," Ae-Ra answered.

Seo Jin chuckled. "Ae-Ra, let's drop this topic. You might get sad. Also, tonight is a special one. Let's not ruin each other's mood," he stated.

Ae-Ra did not understand the words of Seo Jin but she did not like them either.

"If General Lee thinks that I have ruined his mood, then I apologize to him," she said and lowered her eyes.

"You did not ruin my mood. You can never. Instead, the discussion about your friend did ruin my mood a little," Seo Jin affirmed, leaving her perplexed.