Chapter Text
It had been clear to every one of us that the violence the officers brought with themselves had significantly declined these past few days. Thanks to the influence of the second son of the Fire Tribe chief's efforts and work, he had been able to control the situation in each village with ease, which had given us more time to breathe and for me, to put some meat on my bones. What happened a few days ago with the villagers, I will never let that happen again. It might not be because I was taking food away from them, but more because when I was desperately trying to get better, get stronger, I appeared as weak and incapable to the people I needed to help as a duty.
"Recently, the number of violent officers has gone down", Yoon voiced out. "I wonder if it's because of the second son's leadership"
"There's still nothing in store, though", Ki-Ja pointed out.
"It's not something that will be solved overnight...", Yoon explained. "We need to find vegetation that will grow in this land", after a little while, his voice resonated again through the silence. "Hey, Yona, I... I think I'm going to leave the land of the Fire Tribe for a little while...", I raised an eyebrow, my arms crossed over my chest as I looked over to my friend who seemed slightly nervous.
My eyes stopped on them as I finally spotted their presence. My steps broke off as I recognized the faint chant of someone's familiar voice. And just as I was about to lift my head up into the sky to peer up the tree, I noticed the Yellow Dragon making his way into the village. He was juggling with little pouches of whatever, entertaining the villagers around, plastering a smile on their faces, forcing a little laugh out of their mouths. And when he started giving hugs around and Yoon had probably disappeared to give treatment to whoever needed it, I lifted my head up and noticed my favorite dragon leaning against a branch far up the tree, slacking. I climbed and climbed, until I finally arrived at his level. I joined him on the same branch, lifting one of my legs over the branch and letting myself fall on the thick part of the tree. He turned his head toward me, and he didn't look startled at all. He definitely knew I was coming.
"Not bad, you know. I hadn't noticed you until you started climbing", he teased, as if trying to upset me. And in a way, it worked... and well.
"I was not trying to sneak up on you, Pervert. I was only trying to admire Zeno's and Yoon's work from a higher point of view"
"Sure, you were", he let out nonchalantly, returning his gaze to the village below us. I lifted an eyebrow, confused by his words.
"You say this as if I can't stand by my answer. What's wrong with it?"
"Nothing. You can also just admit that you wanted to spend some time with me", I frowned at his words as he looked toward me with a grin.
"I can also see that a civilized conversation with you today is pointless, since you'll make sure to harass me in the mean time", and now, he's the one confused by what I had said, looking hurt by my words.
"I'm not harassing you", I laughed at that. "And what are you laughing at, now?"
"You, Pervert. You're annoyingly funny"
"And why so?"
I swung my leg over the tree branch, looking ready to jump down.
"I think I'm gonna take my leave now. The sun will soon be down and I want to spend some time in this village"
"Wait! What if you're recognized? Or killed?"
"Then, keep an eye over me, will you?", I asked, winking as I climbed down the tree until my feet hit the ground. And then I found my way to the center of the village, where Zeno was dancing and chanting. I sat, looking like a poor villager having fun. When Zeno's eyes met mine, he nodded, saluting me. I returned the nod as I continued enjoying his presence.
I didn't know when exactly he noticed my presence, but when he handed me a bowl full of food, I took it. But he did not leave.
"Why are you here, Lone?"
"I'm enjoying Zeno's spectacle", I only answered.
"It's dangerous. You could get recognized"
"I will not. I'm acting as one of the villagers"
"With your hood down..."
"Exactly. Bear with me, Yoon, I left my sword with Yona ; that has to count for something. Moreover, a face like mine in this Tribe doesn't attract much attention now, does it?"
He stayed silent, yet did not budge. I lifted my head to see his serious traits, telling me he was worried. I smiled, trying to reassure him. "I'm gonna be fine, Yoon. You don't have to worry about me"
"I'm not worrying"
"Then, why are you still here?"
"I'm contemplating Zeno's art", I smiled at his answer and he finally walked away as he continued giving food around. I started eating mine, and my belly instantly felt fuller by the first spoonfull. It tasted as magical as it always did and I was tempted by another spoonfull and another, until I realized my bowl was empty. When the officers started encircling Zeno, I left my bowl on the ground and left the village, unlooked and unnoticed.
I realized that Jae-Ha's presence was missing when I passed by the tree. I continued deeper into the forest, until a hand stopped me on the arm. Alarmed and sensing danger, I gripped the man's hand, pulling him to me in a swift move as I shoved a knee into his stomach, making him fold in two in pain. I gripped his shoulders, bringing his head to meet my knee. The sheer force of it all brought him stumbling on the ground, and I kicked him in the face as his back hit the ground. Without my sword, I only put a foot on his chest, waiting for him to let a single sound out. The dark of night took away my ability to see, but since he wasn't fighting back, I assumed he was not strong enough to put me down.
"Damn, Lone, I was just trying to tell you something", I heard Hak grunting. I stepped back and lifted an eyebrow he couldn't see.
"Don't put the blame on me ; you were the one who surprised me"
We were still in a fight and our conversations weren't intimate or friendly as they would have been before. And so we didn't bother saying many words, but this must be the most I've said in his presence in a long time. We stared at each other, as we realized what we had finally exchanged. My body was still tense though, as if some danger could come from my bestfriend. But he seemed on edge also, and I did attack him a few seconds ago. He slowly got up, not breaking eye contact in the thick dark of the night. I waited until he spoke.
"Yona is still at the village. We need to get back to the other", he simply said and I turned on my heels.
"I'll find her. I'll see you back at the village", I simply answered, running in the opposite way toward where I previously left Yoon and Zeno. I suddenly stopped when I heard voices reaching my ears. They were not far, but were far enough for me to have to walk over there. I stood in the shadows as I listened to what Yona was saying. She was standing, leaning against the tree, and I guessed, when his name pushed passed her lips, that she was talking to Tae-Jun, who was probably on the other side of the tree.
"Tomorrow morning... we will leave this land", she explained. "Yoon said he wants to find a crop that will grow on this land. We're planning on going with him"
"Does that mean you're coming back here?", he asked.
"Yes. One more thing, Lady Mi-Rae... has passed away", I lowered my head at her words, reminding myself of her peaceful expression when her eyes closed and I saw her soul flying towards the Heavens. I smiled when I realized no regrets coated her life... and Yona knew this.
"I see"
"It was this morning... I'm sorry for not letting you know sooner. The lady was ill for a very long time. Yoon was worried about her, but..."
"Is that... so... When I return to Saika someday, I was going to find her son...", he whispered his last words with hurt and strain. He was deceived and pained.
"It's not just Lady Mi-Rae... You'll never know when you'll see someone again... There are still many people you need to support, Tae-Jun. I wonder if I can rely on you. Please... protect the people of the Fire Tribe"
"To give a task such as that to someone like me...", he mumbled. "... is the highest honor"
I approached my dear friend, walking over the herbs, and the tree roots. "Yona", I called her name. "It's time to go"
Her eyes met mine in the dark of the night and she smiled slightly as she joined me.
"Huh? I don't see Yoon!"
"That dancing boy, too!"
"Yoon-?"
They called contiuously as their voices faded to our ears. The realization that Tae-Jun had just been discovered pushed these thoughts only to be smothered by new ones. Necessary ones. We were back on our way to the other village, where they all waited for us. Tomorrow was a new day, tomorrow was a new destination. But most importantly, tomorrow was the continuation of my journey to healing.
Faded Memory - 1 year ago
It's been a few months now. A few months since I haven't had any news on Soo-Won. He hasn't come to visit us at the caslte and he hasn't written me any letters. Hasn't sent anything that would make me believe he still wanted a chance. After he kissed me, he told me he would make me his bride one day. He told me he would love me so much he would make me Queen somehow. I laughed and laughed, but I smiled despite it being completely ridiculous. My feelings were returned, but there was still something odd about that character I felt so much for.
He felt foreign, no matter how you saw it. He said I would become Queen, and I hadn't thought about it back then, because I was too blinded to realize that Yona was the real successor to the throne. My head was spinning with millions of possibilities, trying to dissuade these possibilities with impossibilities, but I was still haunted by heartfelt promises and stories of love and fairytales like I've always wanted them, to think about it even more. But now, when I once believed I would sit in Yona's place, a crown on my head, I think about how I will stand at her side, my husband standing by my side. By law, I would be her cousin, and we would be even closer than before.
I've been thinking about him until the point of insanity. I've been dreaming about what could be, about the ring on my finger, the dress so white it could blind. I've been hoping for love, waiting for it all my life, and there it was, and I could finally live my happily ever after. At least, that's what I thought... until I received this letter. The only letter he has sent to me. And when I opened it, I knew I could never forgive myself for hoping, for loving something that could really never be mine.
"Dearest Lady Lone,
I could never be more sorry than I already am. Sorry for the worry I've brought you over the past few months. But I have made realizations on my own and I've thought about it. I thought about telling this to you face to face. And I tried to reason with myself that it was for the best, but I cannot bring myself to come to Hakkon House only to announce to you these heart wrenching news.
I cannot bring myself to ask you in marriage. I cannot make you my wife. I will never be able to explain it to you, and yet I know you deserve an answer. It would be a betrayal toward your bestfriends to be married to someone as dangerous as me. I do not deserve you and never will, but if somehow, life puts us together in the end, I shall forever cherish every moment we'll have to the two of us. But until then, if ever then happens, I wish for you to live the greatest of love you would have wished for, even if it isn't me.
Have a wonderful day my sweet Lady Lone.
Lord Soo-Won"
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