« You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view. »

Harper Lee

Yerin looked at the garden outside the huge and open window of her room. She was still amazed by seeing so much green. After all, Shamash was located in a huge oasis. And she would even say a magical oasis. In fact, it was just unconceivable that a merely oasis could contain that amount of water and vegetation. Yet, Shamash was the proof that miracles exist, that in the Sun Kingdom nothing is impossible, anything is possible. Yerin was well aware of this incommensurable chance. That’s why, to make sure that this garden of Eden keeps flourishing, she was praying each day. Believe it or not, Yerin was very devout. She was always accompanied by priests who were also her political advisers. And before implementing any measure, she was always consulting and considering their opinions. Like the rest of her people, she was venerating the Sun. Any foreigner of the kingdom would have find it illogical to venerate the potential danger against vegetation and water. But actually, that was exactly the reason why people here were venerating it: they fear the Sun as it could - at any moment - drain everything with only the intensity of it rays. That horrible scenario - because it’s irreversible - would automatically mark the beginning of the end. 

Yerin had always successfully protected her kingdom from any kind of harm. However a recent event marked the start of a change … a new era: the beginnings of internal tensions. This event was maybe random but it had a huge impact on Yerin’s life and by extension on the monarchy. 

The event was her encounter with Eunha. 

Yerin still remembered perfectly their encounter. She was still a princess at that time. It was during the kingdom day. In fact, every year in order to celebrate the Sun and the kingdom there is a big event taking place in Shamash Polis. Yerin really loved it because among other activities it was the only time she could roam freely in the city without being guarded. As a matter of fact, except the king and the queen who symbolize the sun, the other members of the royal family would become normal citizens for one day. No parade no guards no eye-catching clothes … Yerin blended in with the crowd. It was always so instructive as she would discover like this the daily life of people from different social class. The bazaar was definitely Yerin’s favorite place. It was very lively and warm. But it was also hiding some unlawful businesses in the shadows. However Yerin was this time more than grateful that she had caught them red handed. Otherwise she would have never met Eunha. And what a special encounter. Curious of the heavy and loud voices, Yerin had successfully entered the house when was Eunha. It was an auction but contrary to the usual ones, this time the « thing » at sales was no other than … Eunha. From the moment, Yerin entered the room and landed her eyes on the woman, she knew that she couldn’t walk back out … without the woman. She wanted her. And weirdly Yerin didn’t really seem outraged by the fact that this place held human trafficking. Maybe she was deep down. But actually another feeling was eating her from inside: jealousy. Jealousy that other people could have the desire to get the girl … that they could have any blasphemous thoughts about the girl … that they could look at her beautiful face. So, that day, Yerin undertook her first act of desecration … She - who was supposed to be only a mere citizen that day - used her power and her wealth to get the girl. From the amount of money she gave, her real identity became obvious. As a matter of fact, it didn’t go unnoticed: demonstrations - by a certain group of people denouncing her - multiplied during the month. The king and queen disregarded them. It caused their downfall.  In fact, within the next week they were found killed in their bed. That’s how Yerin’s big brother became the king. Unfortunately he couldn’t make it to the coronation day as he was found killed too the previous night. This was how within just a month, Yerin, now the only one remaining of her dynasty,  became the Sun Kingdom’s queen. 

Because of those tragic events, Yerin had really become paranoid and mistrustful. But actually, all that really matters was that Eunha was protected. In fact, Yerin couldn’t imagine what she would become if Eunha leave her. She would certainly die because of sadness. That’s why she always makes sure that Eunha is under protection even if for that she had to curtain her freedom. But don’t misjudge her. Deep down, Yerin still loved and cared about her people …  she just forgot them … sometimes.  

…

SinB opened her eyes and to her surprise, she felt at peace. Her heartbeat was normal. The silence  reigning in the room was almost religious. Then she discovered the reason … Eunha, the person who was giving her the breath of a life. Her eyes were so hypnotizing but at the same time they were gentle. There was a white glimmer in their black color as if it were a night sky with a half moon shining in it. Her eyes were fixing her but the rest of her face was wearing a blank expression. In other words, Eunha was unflappable just as usual. SinB felt more awake than ever. And suddenly it hit her like a thunder: this reminiscence, this piece of memory kept forgotten by her conscious for so long: Umji. SinB swore she saw her not too long ago. Or was it a dream ? No it felt like her touch was on her just recently. And her eyes. How could she forget them ? The pain in them was just hunting. Though SinB couldn’t tell why. The fact that she couldn’t recollect nor put together the pieces of her memory was driving her insane. She couldn’t tell who she herself was. She kept forgotten Sowon. It felt like she really died. And it was even worse. In fact, each time she managed to remember: it felt like she was returning from the dead only to die again some little time after. It was an endless cercle. Confusion was the only feeling SinB could actually feel. But with Eunha being here, everything seemed clear. The latter was still on the chair near SinB’s bed. SinB wanted to ask her something but the door opened before she could do so. Yerin and Sowon appeared as they entere