Entry 8
A Visit from a Slightly Sinister Gentleman CHALLENGE!
In her thinnest nightshift, the mistress stands on the narrow ledge. Waiting. Waiting for the arrival of her most beloved.
Please, mistress... please unlock these invisible chains. His ill intentions are directed at me, at me, your servant. You must not risk angering him. I beg you, mistress... please free me from this so I may remain by your side and guard you.
He will not harm me, Junsu. I will not allow him to harm you.
Please, mistress... you are too trusting... he will surely take advantage of your kindness. How—are you willing to risk your life? Are you willing to risk this world?
I am willing, Junsu. I am willing to wager... there is still such a thing as sense in him. He will understand... he will come to understand you are, in no way, at fault.
No, mistress. You must allow me to protect you. Please, mistress... you are extremely vulnerable... after lending your strength to win the war, you are extremely vulnerable. If it was not for—
Her soft voice hums a sweet lullaby... a lullaby to sooth the beast within. Her thin white arms reach up high... to grasp the stars dotting the sky. Her fingers curl inward towards the palm of her hands... to stifle his pleads and cries.
I will believe in him. When all others doubt... I will continue to believe. It is a promise.
"Show yourself, Junsu! You coward! Show yourself!" The thundering footsteps near.
"Xinling! Where is he?! Where is that coward!?"
The small woman he calls Xinling turns from where she stands on the ledge. Her long dark hair slips back, exposing a bare shoulder. Her white skin... smooth... like marble. "As much as you call for him, Jaejoong, he will not come to you. He cannot."
"Then it is your doing? Call him. Call him out this instant!" His eyebrows furrow. She can see the anger and hatred reflected in his eyes. She can sense the hostility in his voice and the killing intent in his clouded aura.
Her lips part to issue a low whistle. 'Come to me, my darlings.' A warm, summer breeze sweeps in, gently lifting her off the ledge as it makes the pass.
With arms open wide, she beckons him to come forth, to share her comforting warmth. "Jaejoong, my dearest. Let older sister hold you. In your hours of confusion, let older sister be your guide."
Tears form in his eyes as she sings to him. The familiar sweetness he has grown to cherish since childhood envelopes him now, reminding him of her unconditional love. Her warm hugs... her soft kisses... her sweet lullabies... they have always chased away his painful thoughts. He is tempted... he is tempted to fall back, like a child, into her motherly embrace.
"Come, dearest. It hurts me to see you hurting so. Let older sister hold you. In your hours of confusion, let older sister be your guide."
Jaejoong blinks back the hot tears. He shakes his head in an attempt to discard the comforts of her presence. "No... no sis-Xinling. I will no longer fall for such childish tricks. Making the pain go away? It is only an illusion! You only trick me into believing. You are a liar! You have always been a liar from the very beginning!"
"Jaejoong... you are hurting me with your harsh words."
"Call him out! Call Junsu out! He must pay for his sins! I will make him pay!"
"He has done you no wrong. Your wife and child left you on their own accord. You cannot continue to blame others like a spoiled child."
"You do not understand me. You do not understand me at all. Her change of heart... her change of heart is because Junsu exists! Call for him! Call! Or I will make you call!" Jaejoong unsheathes the sword and points it directly at her heart.
"I will do no such thing. I have faith... that you will eventually see the truth for what it is and accept. I have faith... that you will allow me to comfort you once more in your hour of need. Can I not believe in you, dearest?"
A loud crashing sound from inside is followed by a high pitch shriek. "No! Miss Xinling!" Hani, Xinling's favorite maid, rushes out to the balcony to join her beloved mistress. "You fool... you foolish man..." With eyes distraught, Hani mutters under her breath. "Do you know what you have done...? Do you know what you have done?! There will be hell! Hell on this Earth!"
Jaejoong steps back. His hand is trembling. He is finally free... free from her sweet manipulation. "Call him. Call him out!" He looks around wildly like a mad man. "Come out, Junsu! Come out, you coward! Face me!"
"Miss... Miss Xinling..."
"You are being too loud, Hani."
"Miss Xinling..." Hani cradles her poor mistress in her arms. "Without Miss Xinling... what will everyone do? What can everyone do? Junsu... Junsu, he will... only Miss Xinling's song can tame the beast within. Only Miss Xinling's song can prevent Junsu from destroying everything..."
"It seems I have failed everyone. Are you disappointed in me, Hani?"
"Hani does not know... Hani does not want to know. One thing Hani knows is Hani will follow Miss Xinling and keep Miss Xinling company. Yes, Hani will."
To keep her company... on the other side.
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