Take Courage
Cupid at Heart
Nothing could be done to cover up their secret affair. No amount of the princess’ wit, or the abundance of cupid’s charm could conceal the fact they had been caught red-handed by the one person who suspected them the most.
“Sir Hoya,” Hyunmi uttered, swallowing her nervousness away. She wanted to go to him and ensure he would keep the secret, but Woohyun’s hold around her waist tightened. He refused to let her go when the situation was this alarming.
The look on Hoya’s face was hidden within the dark night, and the moonglow barely outlined his prominent features. The white of his eyes seemed to shimmer, but masked the emotion within him.
To Woohyun, however, he recognized a certain longing.
“You’d like to suggest a barter?” He questioned, testing his theories, and Hoya looked up at him with surprise.
“A barter?” Hyunmi blinked, not expecting the twist. Woohyun’s hold loosened, and she took his hand within her own, seeking his protection.
Hoya’s next behavior was unlike himself. He tucked his lips inwards, rolled his tongue anxiously, and threw his gaze sideways. He was acting bashful before he hesitantly spoke, “I pledge to take your secret to my grave under the condition you help me with… A task.”
“Wa-wait,” Hyunmi was at a loss when she made another observation, “You’re not surprised.”
“I’ve had my suspicions from the start, and this only proves my theory. Who you choose to be with is ultimately your choice, Your Highness, and I shall not involve myself with your affairs. I will, however, request cupid’s help in exchange of keeping this secret,” Hoya said, showing the slightest bit of emotion aside from his usual rigidness.
“Ah, a threat.” Woohyun was oddly delighted, curiously staring at the lad. “Do speak, sir.”
“I… There is… A maiden,” Hoya began, his shoulders tensing, his fingers itching to hold on to something, and his gaze hardening with hesitation.
Woohyun smiled, enjoying the sight of the struggle. “Go on.”
“I… I would like to have that certain relationship with her… As you and Your Highness do. But I have never… Courted a lady before.” By the time he was finished, even the darkness failed to cover up the deep red blush on his face. He pressed his lips tightly together, drops of perspiration rolling off his head. The confession was much harder than slaying enemy soldiers on the battlefield.
His awkward attempts were quite endearing in a way, and Woohyun looked sideways to find agreement in Hyunmi’s stare. She was mesmerized to know anyone—even the most unexpected people— felt the wonders of infatuation.
“You have come to the right god, I will tell you all there is to know to court a lady,” Woohyun spoke, his voice b with pride at the knowledge he possessed.
Hyunmi let go of his hand, and folded it in front of her chest. She was curious of the things he had to say, wanting to know his secret for winning her affection.
“First, you must tell us of her identity. Every woman should be approached differently, and we need to find a common ground that works for the both of you,” Woohyun spoke, and his expertise was already charming the princess.
She loved the way his eyes sparkled with passion as his body language elaborated extravagant movements. There was nothing more attractive than a man who excelled in his specialty.
“That is the problem,” Hoya his bottom lip nervously, “I didn’t ask for her name.”
Woohyun’s eyes sprang up with surprise. “What do you know about her?”
“I believe she is a palace worker here. I met her in this very garden when trying to find the way to the kingdom. She was wearing a beautiful rosy gown, holding a ceramic vase in her hand to retrieve water from the fountain. Her appearance is as fragile as a porcelain doll, but painted with unrealistic beauty I can’t help but fathom over. I came here tonight in the hope of finding her again.”
“He won’t have a problem writing courting letters. His ability exceeds that of Prince Sunggyu,” Hyunmi remarked with slight mockery in her tone.
Woohyun chuckled and nodded his head. “It seems to me you already possess the knowledge to court a lady, but you haven’t found the courage to do so.”
Hoya gulped down his saliva, nodding to cupid’s words like a student following the mentor’s instructions. “How does one find courage?”
Cupid’s eyes softened at once, and his lips curled wider when turning to the princess. “I think of possible events that could occur if I hadn’t been courageous.”
Hyunmi stared at him curiously, enchanted by his confession. He looked at her like she was the only person worth fighting for in the entire universe, and she felt the same way about him.
“If I did not interfere, I knew I would lose her forever. My desire to keep her by my side builds up the courage within me. To take courage is to live a life without regrets.”
Hoya’s eyes widened, absorbing the information. Seeing that loving look in which cupid and the princess stared at each other, Hoya was determined to find his lost courage. He won’t settle for regrets.
When Hyunmi exited the bedroom next morning, she was surprised to find her two older sisters peering closely against the door.
“Good morning sisters,” she greeted them politely. Their lack of response threw her a little on the edge.
“Where have you been last night?” Soonkyu questioned, but then she shook her head and rephrased the question. “Who were you with?”
The slight twitch in her eyebrows nearly gave away the shock, but she suppressed it before any of her sisters noticed. Had they seen her with Woohyun?
“We saw you with a man,” Hyoyeon furthered the accusation.
It seemed all of Hyunmi’s lifelong experiences in altering the truth, along with her wits to bend the subject were acquired simply for this occasion. To protect Woohyun.
Hoya happened to be on his rotational errand and passed them. Just in time.
“I was with Sir Hoya,” she chose to tell them the half truth, and smiled convincingly. She saw the guard stopping to give her a look. “I had troubles sleeping so I asked him to guard me as I strolled around the garden of the palace. Surely you must be aware of my inability to sleep at unfamiliar places, considering the concerns you have shown me as loving sisters.”
The guilt appeared on their face, and they were completely shut. They eyed one another, silently ordering the other to say something.
“The princess speaks the truth. I was with her,” Hoya said in a monotone voice, making it impossible to decipher the truth from a lie. He appeared at the perfect timing.
The glare in Soonkyu’s eyes faded into something softer, but equally sinister. “Thank heavens, we were worried about you,” she spoke, lifting her lips into a half hearted smile. Then she and Hyoyeon strolled away, whispering something to one another.
Hyunmi released the sigh she’d been holding and turned to the knight. “Thank you for helping,” she said, tilting her head to show gratitude.
“It appears that by doing so, I have become an accomplice,” he spoke.
The princess chuckled. “I assure you it comes with great benefits. Would you like to sneak out of the castle to visit the garden with me? Perhaps you'll meet the maiden.”
For once, his solid expression cleared up to reveal a joyous man, eager to account her for her words. “Would you do that for me?” His tone was filled with wonder, revealing a childlike side no one has ever seen before.
“Anything for the accomplice,” she replied playfully, patting the shoulder blade of his shiny armor. Then she walked passed him. The plan was mutually beneficial, getting out of the castle allowed her to meet cupid.
Her steps halted when a door creaked open, revealing Dongwoo from the other side. The dark circles underneath his eyes made him appear slightly older, and he seemed exhausted. His joy returned when he spotted her.
“Have you gotten any sleep at all, brother? Today’s the big day, ain’t it?”
“The day of meeting the princess and officiate the courtship,” he replied, sounding weary.
“To father, that means you’re getting engaged,” Hyunmi spoke out of experience. What had started as Sunggyu’s intention to court her somehow blossomed into a promise to take her hand into marriage. It was a one sided agreement, of course.
“So it appears.” Dongwoo offered her a smile.
It hurt to see the reluctance clearly written between his droopy eyelids and arching lips. No one wanted a future foretold by their parent’s promises.
“You can still fight for it,” she told him once again, but her voice lost its determination and came across as a meek plea.
“No.” Dongwoo shook his head, smiling at her as he did. “If I stop fighting my battle, it will allow you to fight yours.”
At once, Hyunmi understood. Her brother was sacrificing so much through this engagement, proving the saint within him. Anyone could tell she had no interest in prince Sunggyu, but only those paying close attention knew someone else had filled her heart. Dongwoo had known and wanted her to have a choice. No pleas could stop him from making up his mind.
While Hyunmi’s eyes began to mist beyond her control, Dongwoo pulled her in for a long embrace, silently reassuring that he was willing to endure both their sufferings at his own cost.
“A victory can’t be enjoyed at the cost of someone else’s suffering,” she spoke, loud enough for him to hear. She tilted her head to meet his eyes, determined with an important message of truth. “So don’t give up on your battles.”
When Hyunmi managed to obtain both kings’ permission to stroll around the kingdom and specially requested Hoya to be her , she had lost half her excitement. They had to be back before dinner time to meet the princess of Diamond.
The garden was serene and more majestic in broad daylight. Next to the fountain, Woohyun stood completely still. He scrunched his eyes, curiously staring at the small cherub statue decorating the fountain.
“You are much more delightful to look at than the winged baby,” Hyunmi interrupted his observations, smiling when he turned to her in surprise. The cheer on her face returned when he welcomed her with open arms.
Hoya stared at them blankly, hiding the sudden warmth he felt in his heart. Something about their relationship radiated with joy, and it rubbed off on him unknowingly. Feelings of giddiness entered his heart, and he wished for them to be happy. Their relationship inspired others to find their other half, including himself.
“That wasn’t my concern, though I am delighted to know your thoughts,” Woohyun grinned at her and shifted his focus back to the fountain, staring at it with excitement in his eyes. “The water in this fountain is made up of mermaid tears. It’s called the Well of the Mermaids.”
“Well of the Mermaids?” Hyunmi questioned, vaguely recalling reading about it before in one of her books. “The mermaid tear is an enchanted liquid that can grant a humble wish in exchange for one’s life.”
Woohyun’s smile stretched wider, impressed at the princess’ knowledge. “The mermaids weigh the humbleness and selflessness of each wish. Whether the requester deserves death or mercy, the tears will decide its justice,” he further explained.
“The maiden did mention some magical influence on the fountain. I never inquired what for,” Hoya suddenly uttered.
Hyunmi stared at the fountain, appalled but curious at the same time. She couldn’t possibly imagine what a humble wish would be like.
Then they heard the sound of faint chatterings appearing from the distance, each one bearing gentle feminine qualities. But there was that airy whisper of a chuckle that Hoya immediately picked up on among the collective group, knowing it belonged to his maiden.
She was there.
Surely, she appeared from the arch opening, holding the ceramic vase in her hands again. She led a group of girls, but her beauty stood out. Today she dressed in a long peach colored gown, contrasting the fairness of her skin. Though she may be a mere servant, to Hoya she looked like a queen.
Her movements halted when she spotted him; eyes grew bigger and her lips lifted instantly. “It’s you again,” the woman spoke with glee.
“I… I had to see you,” Hoya spoke nervously, and the girls behind her began to whisper. But he only took in her gentle smile that was more poised than a princess.
She giggled in reply and proceeded dipping the vase into the water fountain, waiting for it to collect water.
Hoya grew more panicked, biting his lips as he searched for the other two. It was amazing how well Woohyun and Hyunmi had hidden themselves, blending behind the wall, and cueing him to make a move.
He was sweating, but forced himself to walk up to her. He gently placed his hand on the vase, not wanting her to do the heavy work. “I… I haven’t gotten your name.”
The maiden smiled, her big eyes curving into the shapes of crescent moon. Her hands released the vase, and she properly faced him.
“It’s Biah.”
Hoya stood mesmerized watching her, not realizing the vase was overflowing now. The name was as beautiful as she was. But after seconds of silence, she had not returned the question.
“Are you not curious of my identity?” He asked.
“I know who you are,” Biah said, helping him set the vase straight so the water wouldn't overflow. “You are my knight in shining armor. My very own prince charming.”
Her words were so whimsical and filled with the innocence of a child. Hoya’s lips lifted into a crooked grin. Poor guy didn’t know how to smile properly.
“I am in no way a prince, milady.”
“A title does not define a person as much as character does. Your valor and courage is deserving of the title.”
All Hoya wanted to do was to hold her and lavish her with all the love he could present her. He barely knew her, but was certain this was the woman for him. She made him a better person.
“Tell me,” he began, inciting a sudden courage within him he never knew he had, “What should I do in order to court you?”
The words shocked everyone around him, including Hoya himself. But his focus was on the maiden who looked surprised and flattered at the same time.
“You are the Knight of Heart, aren’t you, sir? Would you be willing to move here if I asked you to?” Biah questioned.
Hoya met Hyunmi’s eyes in a subtle glance, as if searching for permission. But then he realized, his feelings were too overwhelming to be restricted by a single law.
“I would,” he replied.
Biah smiled. “I am already very fond of you, my prince. I hardly think there is a need to court me."
At that moment, Hyunmi couldn’t help but squeeze Woohyun’s hand tighter, leaning her head against his shoulder as they listened to the conversation. Being the only person who understood his irrational decisions, she would never try to hold Hoya back.
“What are you thinking of?” Woohyun whispered, gently brushing the hair off her face.
“How easy it is to fall in love when one isn’t of royalty,” she muttered, shutting her eyes. “Sir Hoya and Lady Biah are finding the affection we struggle to keep.”
Instead of agreeing, Woohyun chuckled. He rubbed the side of her arms in ticklish motions, and planted a chaste kiss on her forehead. “It will work out. No matter how difficult or dangerous it is, I will fight for you. For us.”
“That would make us both foolish warriors,” she said, smiling when the sound of his laughter filled her ears again.
If there was a battle worth fighting for, it was one of love. It made people do foolish things, yet they still chose to defend it at all cost. Because love is the courage needed to triumph over hardships.
And thus, the fair maiden was revealed to be Biah, as many of you had already suspected. XD
I find awkward and clueless Hoya so adorable.. He might be one of WooMi's greatest shipper in this story. Hahaha
Thank you for reading and for commenting. I'd love to know what you think of it so far, or what you're guessing is going to happen~
Yay! Won the bid today! I hope you will enjoy the story~ Would love to know your thoughts, so please do leave comments too~ Thank youuu <3
Comments