Chapter 12

 

 

It was a hot afternoon; the sun is shining on his might. Kangin and Sungmin were walking down the street going to the city to sell some sweet potatoes.

 

“You shouldn’t come with me”

 

Kangin frown at the beautiful lady walking beside him, carrying a basket full of sweet potatoes

 

“It’s really hot this afternoon”

 

Kangin help her carry the basket bigger than her

 

“It will be hard for you”

 

Sungmin stare at him and pout

 

“I want to help you”

 

“I can manage”

 

“We’re friends and don’t forget what you always told me and Teukie”

 

“Friends help each other through thick and thin”

 

“That’s right”

 

Sungmin wipe her sweat on her forehead

 

“It’s really hot today”

 

“You want to go and buy some ice cold water?”

 

Sungmin shook her head

 

“We need to sell all this sweet potatoes, so we can buy some medicine for Teukie. I’m so sad because she’s so sick”

 

“I hope she’ll get better soon”

 

“We need to do our best and buy her some medicine so she’ll be better soon”

 

“Fighting!”

 

Kangin smile and ruffles her hair. Sungmin and Kangin were walking on a small street; it is very quiet because people don’t usually pass by on that street because of the rumor that there are a lot of robbers and bad people roaming around the street. Sungmin suddenly stop walking when she heard someone crying.

 

“Kangin!”

 

Kangin stop upon hearing her calling out his name; he turn around and found his friend standing beside the streetlamp

 

“Minnie, what are you doing?”

 

Sungmin run towards him

 

“What’s wrong?”

 

“Did you hear that?”

 

“Hear what?”

 

“Shhh”

 

Kangin shut his mouth; he stares at Sungmin with wide eyes open when he heard someone crying

 

“Someone is crying right?”

 

Kangin nod

 

“Let’s follow the sound”

 

Kangin hold her arm to stop her

 

“Just don’t mind it Minnie, we need to keep going. We still need to sell our sweet potatoes so we can buy Teukie medicine”

 

“Shhhh, we need to find that person”

 

“Why?”

 

“Someone needs our help”

 

“Who told you?”

 

“Because that person is crying, maybe he needs someone to help him”

 

Sungmin start walking

 

“Minnie!”

 

“Just follow me ok”

 

Kangin sigh and follow her. Sungmin keeps on walking while Kangin keeps on following her from behind. Sungmin follows the cry and found a young lady sitting beside a trash can; she was crying hard as she buries her face on her knees.

 

“Excuse me?”

 

The young lady raises her head and look at Sungmin as tears keeps on falling from her eyes

 

“Why are you crying?”

 

“Who are you?”

 

Sungmin smile at her

 

“I’m Lee Sungmin. I was walking here with my friend over there”

 

Sungmin point her finger on Kangin’s direction and wave her hand at him

 

“I found her”

 

Sungmin pouts when Kangin just answer her with a nod; she turn around and face the young lady sitting on the ground, still crying hard.

 

“That’s my friend, his name is Kim Youngwoon but just call him Kangin; that’s his nickname”

 

The young lady stares at her

 

“Why are you crying beautiful lady?”

 

She didn’t answer

 

“Don’t worry; I’m not a bad person. I’m just trying to help you”

 

“I’m...lost”

 

“You can’t find your way home?”

 

The young lady nod sadly

 

“Don’t worry, Kangin and I will help you”

 

“Really?”

 

Sungmin nod happily and stretch out her hand

 

“Hold my hand so you can stand”

 

The young lady holds her hand and stand up with the help of Sungmin

 

“Thank you”

 

“No problem”

 

Sungmin smile brightly and wipe her tears away

 

“You’re so beautiful, please don’t cry”

 

The young lady nod and flash her sweet smile. Sungmin hold her hand and run towards Kangin

 

“Kangin, this young lady is crying because she’s lost”

 

Kangin set his eyes upon the innocent looking young lady

 

“What are we going to do?”

 

Sungmin smile brightly at him

 

“We need to help her find her way home”

 

Kangin fake a smile

 

“Please excuse us for awhile; my friend and I need to talk for a minute”

 

Kangin drag Sungmin at the corner

 

“What the hell are you thinking Lee Sungmin?”

 

“I just want to help her”

 

“We need to go at the city to sell the sweet potatoes”

 

“I know”

 

“Then why do we need to hang out with her?”

 

“She’s lost”

 

“I know but our case is different from her. She’s rich, I bet her family was looking for her compare to us we’re poor and we need to work so we can go home and buy Teukie a medicine”

 

“We can just ask our Royal Majesty for a free medicine”

 

“What? It’s so embarrassing”

 

“Then I’ll talk to them later, if you don’t want; I’m sure they will provide us some medicine for Teukie because our Majesties are very good people.”

 

“Lee Sungmin, please stop being insane”

 

“Kim Youngwoon, nobody teach us to ignore someone who is in need. I’m sure Teukie will get mad at us if we ignore someone in need.”

 

“Aish!”

 

Sungmin stuck her tongue out and turn around happily; her smile suddenly vanish when she saw the young lady walking away

 

“OMO she’s walking away”

 

“Let her be, maybe she realize that she’s disturbing us”

 

“KANGIN”

 

Kangin sigh

 

“Fine, I surrender”

 

Sungmin run to chase the young lady; Kangin carry the baskets and follow her

 

“Why did you left?”

 

“I’m such a burden”

 

“Of course not”

 

“I think your friend don’t want to help me”

 

“That’s not true, Kangin just told me that we should sell the sweet potatoes before sunset; we need to buy some medicine for our friend, she’s very sick right now”

 

The young lady stares at her sad face

 

“I’m sorry for disturbing you”

 

Sungmin shook her head

 

“Of course not, we’re going to help you find your way home”

 

“But”

 

“It’s ok; we can sell those sweet potatoes later”

 

The young lady cupped her face and smile at her

 

“You’re so beautiful so don’t frown”

 

Sungmin smile and drag her towards Kangin

 

“I’m sorry to disturb you and your friend young man”

 

The young lady lowers her head to apologize; Sungmin look at Kangin

 

“It’s ok; it’s actually a great pleasure to help you”

 

She raises her head and smile

 

“Thank you”

 

“It’s nothing”

 

Kangin smile at her

 

“We need to go now so we can find your way home”

 

“Arasso”

 

She wraps her hands around Sungmin’s arm and smile sweetly

 

“Thank you”

 

“No problem”

 

Sungmin and Kangin were happily walking at the city with the young lady; they keep their selves busy by looking around to find the young lady’s carriage

 

“Are you sure that you’re lost here in the city?”

 

She nods at Kangin

 

“I was busy looking at the beautiful gown that I saw in a boutique when I realize that my parents and my servants are no longer with me”

 

“How can they leave you?”

 

“Nobody notice me going inside that boutique”

 

“You just sneak around?”

 

The young lady smile weakly and nod

 

“It’s a bit boring going out with my parents because they only know how to look for good furniture for our house”

 

The young lady sigh

 

“I want to buy something for me so I sneak around”

 

She drops her head as tears start forming in her eyes again

 

“I didn’t know that I’m going to get lost; I’m such a hard headed lady”

 

Sungmin hugs her tight

 

“Don’t worry, I’m sure that they are looking already looking for you. We’re going to find them”

 

The young lady nods sadly

 

“You smile now”

 

“I’m scared”

 

“Don’t be, Kangin and I are here”

 

Kangin nod

 

“We’re here to help you, no need to worry”

 

The young lady flash a sweet smile

 

“I’m so lucky that good people find me”

 

Sungmin drag her and Kangin at the bench

 

“I think we should stay here outside the boutique”

 

“Why?”

 

“You went here before you get lost right?”

 

The young lady nod like a kid

 

“Then we should stay here so they can find you easily”

 

“That’s right”

 

Sungmin sit at the bench with the young lady and Kangin; they start having a happy conversation while waiting for someone who is looking for a lost young lady.

 

“Young lady, what is your name?”

 

Sungmin ask her curiously

 

“You never introduce yourself to us”

 

The young lady smile

 

“I forgot. By the way I’m Lee Eunhyuk”

 

Sungmin and Kangin drop their jaw as they stare at her with wide eyes open

 

“You’re really Lee Eunhyuk?”

 

She nod happily

 

“As in Lee Eunhyuk from South; daughter of Duke of Camellia and Duchess of Black Bryony?”

 

“Yes”

 

“Aigoo! You shouldn’t be with us because you’re a Royal Highness”

 

Eunhyuk pouts

 

“You’re my best friend now”

 

“Me?”

 

Eunhyuk nod happily at Sungmin

 

“Your friend is also my friend now”

 

“But, we’re a lower class people”

 

“So? Status is not important. My mom always told me that and my parents raise me to respect people no matter what is their status in life, right Kangin?”

 

Kangin nod at her

 

“You know what”

 

“What?”

 

“I really find you so snobbish”

 

“Why?”

 

“You never speak unlike Minnie here”

 

“I don’t talk when I’m not in the mood to talk”

 

Eunhyuk rubs her tummy

 

“I’m hungry; can I have a sweet potato?

 

Kangin shook his head

 

“It’s still uncooked”

 

Sungmin gets something in her pocket and give it to Kangin

 

“I only have 2 won here, just look for a bread and buy it for her”

 

“Arasso”

 

Kangin stand up and went at the bread shop; Eunhyuk stare at Sungmin happily

 

“Thank you”

 

“You’re welcome Your Highness”

 

“Don’t call me like that”

 

“But you’re a Royal Highness”

 

“Yes, but I want you to call me Hyukkie”

 

“Ok”

 

Eunhyuk hug her

 

“We’re best of friends starting today, right?”

 

Sungmin answer her with a smile

 

“Your friend is handsome”

 

“You like him? But he’s already taken, Teukie is his girlfriend”

 

Eunhyuk shook her head

 

“I just find him so handsome but my Prince is more gorgeous than him”

 

“Your boyfriend?”

 

Eunhyuk shook her head and giggles happily

 

“My crush”

 

“I see, who is he?”

 

“He’s a Prince from North”

 

“That’s why you’re here at the Northern City to look for him?”

 

Eunhyuk nod

 

“Actually my parents will visit their family; his mother is my mom’s best friend”

 

“That’s nice, is he courting you?”

 

Eunhyuk shook her head

 

“But I know that he likes me too, he’s just shy”

 

“He’s a shy type man?”

 

“I think so. He’s very handsome especially when he smiles. He’s very intelligent and talented, he’s a very nice young man and I really wish to marry him someday. I’ll be the best wife for him and the best mom for his kids”

 

“I wish you happiness and I hope you two will end up marrying each other in the future. That thing is very possible because both of you came in an elite family and both of you are Royal Highnesses”

 

“I’ll introduce him to you someday; he’s actually studying at the Northern Academy”

 

Sungmin’s eyes widened

 

“Really, that’s where I study”

 

Eunhyuk stare at her amazingly

 

“The King and Queen give me the chance to study there for free; that’s their payment because my parents are working as the Palace’s servant”

 

“That’s good, how about your friends?”

 

Sungmin stare at her sadly

 

“Kangin is an orphan, his parents die because of poverty and Teukie needs to drop out from school because she needs to work for her aunt who becomes so sick. Her aunt was the one who takes care of her when her parents die”

 

“Mianhae, I didn’t know”

 

“It’s ok; we’re friends since childhood and we always help each other whenever we can. Teukie is very sick right now, her fever is very high and she has cough. We need to sell all of these sweet potatoes so we can buy her some medicine”

 

“Then ask some help from your Royal Majesties, they are always willing to help the people who are in need. They are very good people, I’m sure they will not ignore you.”

 

“They already send some medics for her and gives her some medicine but we’re running out of stock and it’s so embarrassing if we ask for a medicine again.”

 

“It’s ok, they will help you.”

 

Eunhyuk smile at her; Kangin arrives carrying small bread on his hands. He sits beside Eunhyuk and gives her the bread

 

“I’m sorry Your Highness but that’s the only one that we can buy for you. Our money is not enough to buy you delicious food”

 

Eunhyuk smile at them and take the bread on his hand. She breaks it into three pieces and give one to Sungmin and the other piece to Kangin

 

“You eat it all”

 

“We’re friends now and friends share their food to each other”

 

Eunhyuk smile and start eating

 

“Maybe, I can meet Teukie someday. I’m sure that she’s also good like you guys”

 

“She’s an angel, very nice young lady”

 

“And I believe that”

 

Eunhyuk smile even brighter when she saw her carriage

 

“Look!”

 

She points her finger at the carriage going at their direction

 

“That’s my carriage”

 

The carriage stop in front of the boutique and Eunhyuk’s parents went out and run towards her and hug her tight.

 

“Are you ok?”

 

“We’re so worried about you sweetheart”

 

Eunhyuk smile at them

 

“I’m fine Umma and Appa”

 

She holds Kangin’s hand and pushes him in front of her parents

 

“This is Kangin; he helps me find my way to the city. He’s my friend now”

 

Kangin smile at them; Eunhyuk smile at Sungmin and drags her in front of her parents

 

“This is my best friend, Minnie. She also helps me and she stops me from crying; both of them are my friends”

 

Sungmin smile at them; Eunhyuk’s parents smile at them and give them a warm hug

 

“Thank you for helping our daughter”

 

“Thank you”

 

Sungmin smile at Eunhyuk

 

“It’s time to go home now”

 

“We’re still going to see each other right?”

 

Sungmin nod

 

“I’ll visit you at home someday and I hope I can meet Teukie soon”

 

“Yes”

 

Eunhyuk whisper something to her father

 

“They didn’t had the chance to sell those sweet potatoes because they help me; they need to sell all of those so they can buy Teukie some medicine because she’s sick”

“Ok, your wish is my command”

 

Eunhyuk’s father smiles at her and tell his servants to carry all the baskets full of sweet potatoes and put it inside the carriage. He smiles at Sungmin and Kangin who are staring at the servants blankly and hand them money.

 

“We’re going to buy all of those sweet potatoes”

 

“But”

 

“It’s ok, we love sweet potatoes anyway. It’s already sunset, so you guys need to go home and take a rest”

 

“Thank you”

 

Sungmin look at Kangin happily

 

“We can buy medicine for Teukie”

 

Kangin nod happily and bows his head at Eunhyuk’s parents

 

“Thank you so much”

 

Eunhyuk’s father ruffles his hair and smile

 

“We’re the one who suppose to thank you for helping our daughter”

 

Eunhyuk run towards Sungmin and hug her tight

 

“Thank you”

 

“You’re always welcome”

 

She smiles at her best friend and whisper something on her ear

 

“We’re going to see each other again and we’re going at my Prince’s Palace and introduce him to you”

 

“Ok”

 

They both giggle happily; Eunhyuk wave her hand before going inside the carriage. Kangin and Sungmin wave their hand happily as they watch the carriage leaving the city.

 

“She’s nice”

 

Sungmin nod

 

“And beautiful”

 

“Teukie is much beautiful than her”

 

“I know”

 

“Let’s buy some medicine now so we can go home”

 

“Arasso”

 

Kangin and Sungmin smile at each other and walk down the city to buy some medicine for Teukie.