“Princess, the King has summoned you.”

I was trying to perfect the stitch of an exquisite floral pattern on a piece of cloth I’m currently practicing on when I heard the place’s head eunuch, Kyungsoo. I was kind of annoyed that my supposed handicrafts lesson was disturbed by my father. Deep inside, I was quite surprised since he rarely talks to me in person. Usually, father delivers his messages through the head eunuch or he sends me a letter time to time.

The white haired man dressed in ember hanbok awkwardly stood up behind me, waiting patiently for my answer.

“Send him maid Han, tell my father that I’m busy with handicrafts.” I said as I kept my back facing him. Discreetly, I glanced at the man standing on the doorway, he’s seemed anxious for some reason that he can’t help but play with his fingers. It looks like he was trying to form the right words since he kept on opening and closing his mouth like a fish.

And the fact that eunuch Kyungsoo has bulgy round eyes…

I tried to stifle a chuckle but failed to do so, I just found the sudden thought quite amusing.

The head eunuch was baffled as he realized that I could see him in my peripheral vision. “Your Majesty would like to discuss private matters on the King’s chamber, I’m afraid that it’s a Royal command.”

That made me stop stitching, I winced as the needle almost pricked my index finger.

Well, this was really new. Frequently, I encounter my father in the King’s hall as for customary premises and now, he ordered to see me in his chamber? I unconsciously raised my right brow upon pondering on what the sole reason could be.

“Don’t worry I’m sure it’s just plain political relations.” He quickly added when he got no response from me, again.

I shook my head and finally faced him. “I don’t belong there, I’m just a mere impotent Princess, a daughter of the Queen and King. In fact this kingdom already has a Crown Prince, so what’s the fuss making me join political relations?”

“About that… I am no place to tell you everything. I beg you Your Highness, please adhere by the King’s command and talk to your father. I’ll immediately call maid Han to you.” With that, eunuch Kyungsoo bowed and quietly left.

Maid Han arrived a few minutes later with three assistant maids behind, they brought a new hanbok invented from fine silk. I’m thankful that I insisted her to make me a new hanbok in the color of carnations defying the sweet roses in the Queen’s garden. She hasn’t resisted my orders for once though; she had been my nanny ever since I was born. I was a little bit spoiled.

They changed my clothes, combed my hair, and applied cosmetics on my face. I sigh in defeat; this was the only part I detest whenever father seeks for me. A horrifying makeover.

We arrived at the front of the King’s chamber, I observed that palace ministers and officials were gathered on the lawn beside the cement stairs. On the other side were the ever so attractive Sungkyungkwan scholars, those young men might be busy sharing philosophical ideas that they didn’t noticed me coming not until the head eunuch announced my presence.

“Your Majesty, the Princess has arrived!”

I walked gracefully towards my father’s chamber, not forgetting to give slight bows to both parties as sign of respect. The Sungkyunkwan scholars must be astonished when they saw me, once in a blue moon these scholars would catch a glimpse of a royalty besides the King.

The third door slid open, revealing my father who’s holding a scroll, his face defied fatigue as dark circles were clearly shown under his eyes.

I gingerly stride towards him, he kept quiet as I kneeled and bowed. I kept my head on the ground for a few seconds since I don’t want to face my father just yet.

“You invited me, Your Majesty?” I meekly said as I settled on the cushion seat. Father didn’t move, not until his personal maid brought us some tea and sweets. I reached for the porcelain pot and pour our cups. He sipped his tea as I stared at the flowing steam of my cup.

“Miyoung-gongju, has it been ages since I last saw you, you look like a sophisticated grown woman already.” He placed the cup back on the saucer and gave a hearty laugh. The tension between us dissipated a bit.

“Nothing changed much, perhaps I grew a few centimeters but that’s it. Does Your Majesty even take record on how old I am?”

“Don’t challenge Silla’s King for a not so intellectual question, Miyoung-gongju. I might be really busy lately, you see, the town’s people have been complaining the huge amount of taxes taken from them. Ah, what could I do it’s for the progress of our government to help solve problems and provide subsidies… Why am I even saying this to you?” He chuckled loudly again, it took him a few minutes to calm himself down. I want to laugh with him, nevertheless I remained quiet.

“Fifteen years, isn’t it.”

Immediately I perked my head. So he still remembers his third daughter, somehow that made me smile. Father look at me with glassy eyes, I could see he’s almost crying when suddenly he reached for another golden scroll beside his table and handed it to me. I accepted the document but it didn’t escape my sight when he wiped his eyes inconspicuously.

“What is this?” I asked as I untie the scroll. “That’s for your future, my dear Princess.” I can’t help but cringe at the sudden endearment from my father- the well-known 26th ruler of Silla to be precise. Truthfully, whom I missed messing with me.

Uncoiling the scroll, the words slowly registered on my mind. A frown started to spread on my face.

We ministers of Silla dynasty had decided unanimously

The betrothal of Princess Miyoung, daughter of the present King Jinpyeong To Lee Donghae, son of the nobleman Lee Baek.

On the next second full moon, hour of the horse.

To be held at the Bulguksa Temple.

I dropped the scroll and looked at my father with outmost disbelief. Was he out of his mind? Why would he appoint a future husband for me without further warning?

“It’s for the better. I let them decide so they’ll stay on my good side,” He paused and changed with his prevalent stiff tone. “Anyhow, you’re fifteen years old, somewhat you should have been married or engaged in this age already. I was waiting for the Queen to take her pick but seemingly she doesn’t see the need for you to have a husband.”

Which is right! I don’t need another man meddling with my life. But I can’t voice that out, he’s back to his commanding tone which basically means he’s talking to me as Silla's powerful King, not as my father.

“Shouldn’t this kingdom fret about the Crown Prince’s conjugal agreements?”

The creases on my father’s forehead worsen, he cradled his head in his palm and exhaled. “He’s gone. Missing.”

I gasped at the new information, maybe that’s the reason why the palace’s ministers and Sungkunykwan scholars were outside the King’s chamber. The disappearance of my older brother would make a huge impact on my father’s security on the throne. I’m pretty sure activists will take this opportunity to find another clan they can manipulate to overtake sovereignty in this kingdom.

Apparently, Leeyu-saeja has been captured by bandits on his way to Gongru province. They still have no clue where they took him, or if he’s still alive. His personal guards were slaughtered except for one that miraculously survived and conveyed the incident. So my marriage become critical, if the Crown Prince could not be found, my future husband shall be my father’s successor.

I was dismissed when the Royal Doctor arrived for the King’s daily check-up, I left without saying another word to my father. Yet he stared at me as I reached the door, silently pleading to obey his wishes.

I tried to visit my mother to talk things out with her, I was beyond dejected with the idea of marrying someone I never met in my whole life, the Queen might help me feel better in this confusing situation. However when I reached her chamber, her personal maid told me the Queen wasn’t in a better shape, particularly because of my brother’s disappearance so she didn’t want to entertain anyone for the mean time.

Depression started to overwhelm me, it’s a fact that I was the least favored child of my parents because of a stupid oracle denounced by the Priestess, the third child of the Queen would induce misfortune to Silla. Now come to think of it, maybe the disappearance of my brother was caused by me.

I was the bad luck. I need to get out of here.

—–

It was unusually cold when the night came, I changed into commoner clothes and packed stuffs that’s essential for my escape. My mind was in a mess, I didn’t know where should I go but I just let my feet guide me. Surprisingly, the guards weren’t that attentive so I managed to climb the palace walls (which is not really easy that I slipped twice), and exited the fortress.

The forest was creepy, I don’t know what got into me that I decided to take this route. The moon was the only source of light so I had a hard time seeing the path ahead, sometimes my feet got stuck on roots that almost made me tumble. I kept walking, hoping to find a place to sleep since I’m really tired wandering for the past couple of hours.

Again, I got stuck on a root, or which I thought was. I struggled to free my foot but the root tightens around my right ankle and I flew all the way upside down, it was a rope attached on a tree branch.

“Ahh!” I yelped in surprise.

I heard a faint rustling of leaves and bushes coming from the left, and there I saw someone with a bow and arrow, aimed towards me.

“Wait! Don’t shoot!” The silhouette briskly approached but its arrow was still aimed to me… revealing a man? Yes, supposedly young man of my age since he’s short and has a small build. He’s dressed in all black, and his face was covered by a thin black cloth. His brown eyes, which were the only thing I could see was menacingly studying me, as if figuring what to do with his fresh catch.

“Who are you?!” He asked with his thick voice.

“Could y-you please lower that weapon, I mean no harm,” I wobble my right foot that was firmly tied on the rope. “A-and set me free, I beg.”

“I asked, who are you? Answer me! Did they send you here to bring me back? I’ll kill you even before you could lay a finger on me.”

I was taken aback with his harsh words. Was he a convict that escaped jail? I forced a smile that managed to reach my eyes, I’ll use sweet talk to this gruesome person. “No one sent me, perhaps like you, I escaped from somewhere. But I’m not a bad person, I really mean no harm.”

His nimble fingers began to shake that I braced myself for the impact of the arrow. There was a loud wailing noise, I peeked and saw a wild boar lying lifelessly on the ground.

He just scared the hell out of me! I thought he’s going to kill me.

He arranged his bow and arrow on his back, his eyes never left mine. He climbed the tree which I was stuck on and pulled my arm so were both sitting on the branch. The young man quickly unsheathed his dagger that scared me a little, I pulled away from his hold. He glared at me so I move back towards him and let him cut the rope on my ankle.

I didn’t expect he’ll be a gentleman that he even assisted me in climbing down the tree.

The young man went to the wild boar and tied its legs and body, he glanced at me for a spilt second and started to walk away while lazily dragging his catch.

“W-wait!” He halted his steps, I took this opportunity to say whatever came to my mind first. “Th-thank you, umm can I… can I please go with you?”

I was astonished when he extended his hand, I carefully held his arm instead then we walk deeper into the forest. I was starting to have weird thoughts like what if he decided to me instead? Or sell me to the barbarians? I shook my head and controlled my tears. I have nowhere else to go, the chances of my survival in this dangerous forest is less than a percent.

“If you mean no harm, I mean no harm too.” He mumbled as if answering the questions in my head.

We arrived at a shabby shelter made from wood, dried leaves, and haystack. It was near the river, the place was full of tranquility with the gushing of water echoing. This part of the forest must be deserted of wild animals and such.

He let me in his shelter, the poor boar was left somewhere outside. I found myself awkwardly standing on the entrance. There was nothing inside except a small round table, few utensils, and his clothes scattered everywhere. The young man plopped himself on the makeshift mattress which looks very comfortable. Tiredness engulfed my body as I watched him peacefully resting, how I wish I could lay beside him.

“So, what exactly are you?” He spoke with his eyes still closed.

“I- I am a servant. I can’t tolerate my evil master so I run away…” I lied since no one would believe me, with this dirty state that I am a Princess.

“Then would you be my slave instead, since I caught you.”

“Wh-what?”

“I’m not serious,” He chuckled and finally, he removed the cloth that was covering his face. I silently gasped, realizing how young he looks like, not to mention his porcelain white complexion. His eyebrows were barely visible, his rather tiny nose, and his plump red lips. All in all he’s the most handsome man I ever seen.

I blushed as he caught me gawking at him.

A smirk appeared on his face, he perched on the mattress and tapped the space beside him. “Come here.”

Slowly, I strutted towards him and gently sit on the mattress. He stares at me for a long minute that I feel like melting in a puddle of goo.

“You’re not a servant.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What makes you think I’m not?”

“Your hair was soft as the silk you’re wearing under that pretense commoner hanbok. Your hands weren’t scratch from anything and they are free from rigor that would indicate hardships that servants usually have. Never once in your life you suffered from famine that’s why your skin was healthy as any daughter of a nobleman or royalty could be. Now tell me, what are you?”

My mouth was left agape. This boy was not all about good looks and agility, he’s also smart.

“Hmm, I guess you can’t be a royalty since who in their right mind would want to leave the luxury of living in a palace. And the guards won’t let you so probably, you’re daughter of a nobleman or a palace official and you stubbornly ran away because of arranged marriage.”

He triumphantly grinned at me, acknowledging he is right. I gulped, his smile was enchanting.

“Anyways, I’m Taeyeon.” He offered his hand, it was soft that I can’t let it go just yet. I beamed him a bright smile. “I’m Miyoung, nice to meet you.”

After that short introduction, Taeyeon heard my stomach grumble. I blushed again in embarrassment. He told me to wait for him as he went outside to hunt for dinner, he came back with a wild chicken.

We settled in front of the bonfire as I observe him roasting the chicken. Taeyeon was happily humming in some tune, my insides swelled with warmth, he’s so beautiful in any angle possible.

“If you’re wondering what I would do with that boar, I might just sell it since I really don’t like red meat. Sort of unhealthy.”

I blinked, not registering what he said. “Can I ask you a question?”

He scoffed. “You’re already asking me.”

“I’m a stranger, why are you helping me? I even bothered your hunting.”

“I don’t even know Miyoung, it’s not pity but I can’t just let you wander the forest. I’m not the only one planted traps you know, what if another evil person captured you and turned you into a real slave. My guilt would eat me. Besides, a company would do me good.”

I hummed in response. We basked in the serenity of the night with the sound of trees swaying. Taeyeon handed me my share of chicken, and we chatted for a while but I can’t get a gist of who he is. In spite of that, I know I trusted Taeyeon more than anyone else. He’s the first genuine friend I had.

I lay on the mattress, immediately sleep consumed me. Even though Taeyeon has his back facing me I could still feel warmth radiating from him. Unconsciously, I draped my arms around his waist as I fell deeper to slumber.