*Click*
Shutting the door to Seyong's room, he shakes his head shouting:
"Whoo! Seyong should count his lucky stars Kim-Yi is not around. He must be feeling very daring to sleep like that. Well I don't know what he's planning but..."
Looking over his papers, he signed it off saying:
"Hehe, he owes me one now. Alrighty then, I got all your ID's and welcome to the capital of Chamchi! A place where you can enjoy all the best fish dishes in the Kingdom! And sports too of course!"
Seeing the officer happily hand over our Adventurer badges that I pick up in our rooms, he gets off the Ship and wave back shouting:
"Tell Seyong Kim-Hee says hi when he wakes up!"
"S-Sure thing!"
The chains on the ship releases as the gates to the white walls open over the bright cones of light. Greeting us as we enter is a beautiful city of pearl, filled with statues, aqueducts similar to the one at the capital, rivers of yellow. Just like Meondosi, the streets is vibrant with life and laughter as I see kids playing ball across the rivers a smaller ships flying above and below us.
(I'm more surprised this ship can still move by its own after so long. What did Seyong do I wonder?)
Sowing the seeds of my own reckless action, I spent watching and guarding the ship all night long before we finally arrive without even taking a wink. Seeing as there doesn't seem to be a problem, I head back inside the ship while morning comes with the smell of herbs and spices...
*Chirp* *Chirp*
(I could finally hear the sound of some wild life).
With no one to help, I wear the oversize apron from Seyong's kitchen and start preparing breakfast for the two.
(It is the least I can do for now).
Smelling such foreign spice brings the apetite inside me as I wonder what I can make with Seyong's abundance of his jelly and start trying with combining different flavoured gels and see what I get. Before I realize it, I have open across 6 packs and wasted half and make out at least 2 edible meal...
"This whole cooking reminds me of my first years living on my own."
Feeling the despair of how different the smell of good food outside and inside, I place the meal at the table and wait for them to wake up any moment. Feeling my hands twitch and a bit impatient, I walk outside again to watch the busy streets, I notice the gazes we manage to amass as many people turn their heads to at least glance at our ship.
*Click*
Noticing one of the door opens, I turn around and rush back inside to see who.
"Oh, Yoo-Ah... Morning."
"..."
My voice shrink with every word when I notice Yoo-Ah doesn't seem to want to make eye contact with me and I accepted the reality.
"Um... I made something, I hope you like it."
*Click*
Hearing another door open, I see Seyong at the end of the hallway and await him while Yoo-Ah quietly sits at the table. Seyong who notice me shakes his head with a dry laughter while I say,
"Um, I tried making something, I hope you liked it..."
Seyong takes a sit across Yoo-Ah and pulls his meal closer. Seeing the two hang their heads at their meals, I bow my head saying:
"I'm sorry okay! I didn't mean any harm! I just never get the chance or that nobody would believe me. I just hope that you don't find me so appalling."
I take a sit at the centre and try to face them saying:
"Um... So, let me make this clear again. I'm really a real man."
Seyong takes a few bites of the meal I made and sigh:
"Haah, Sova, let's just sweep that aside for now."
Seyong smiles, looking back at me and continue saying:
"Let's focus on what's to come."
He looks at Yoo-Ah who's ghastly quite and nod before saying:
"Well, it seems we're already inside the city and as promised, let me show you around."
Seeing Seyong's reaction makes me feel a bit relieved as I wonder if he doesn't mind it but Yoo-Ah is still making me feel worried. Seyong gulps down his meal as he then walks outside asking:
"I wonder where are we now?"
"Oh! I think we past a market district- Ah, and the officer told me to say Kim-Hee says hi."
"Aw shit! We missed everything!"
Seyong rushed back to his room, leaving the two of us alone. As I wait for Yoo-Ah to say anything while pressing my finger. Cold sweat dripped from anticipation when finally.
"Sova..."
"Y-Yea?"
Yoo-Ah slowly looks at me with a flushed face and quickly turn her eyes away again whispering:
"(Take responsibility)."
"..."
(I figured that would be the case after all we gone through).
"It's just not fair...!"
*Bam*
"I'm such a fool! To think I would allow you looks to cloud me all this time is silply just... It's not fair!"
Yoo-Ah rush back into her room running past a dishearten Seyong.
*Slam*
Slamming the door shut Seyong looks at me with uncertainty as he then picks his ear saying:
"So you told her before me huh? I mean, what she says is true, it is a bit unfair but... I guess I learned a thing or two about life."
Seyong mumbles his last sentence before he takes a sit with drooping shoulders. I sit across him replying:
"I can't help it okay, you think I want to have such feminine look? I admit it wasn't that much different before but how should I know a man would grow to be like me! I mean, I wish I could be as built and as tall as you."
"Haha, I guess for Owlians that is quite the conundrum when curses and magic alike is no trouble. But... If there's one thing I admire is your dedication to let us know the truth despite the... Massive hurdle. I mean even us Zerians males have our voice go deeper as we age, not lighter. But this is a first step I suppose. This is a friendship and camaraderie built from trust. And that is all we need."
"R-Really? Thanks, that's quite nice to hear."
"Yeah but... Do you have any misconception you wish to clarify? Like I know even from touch you're an Owlian but back at the throne room, how did you use magic? No, can I even call that magic?"
"Oh! Honestly, I have not much clue either but that's what we call [Origin]. I suppose it's like an alternative to magic. It's also the power the Colonel use to wreck havoc back at the capital."
"Haha..."
Seyong rubs his knuckles as he then laughs before looking outside saying:
"The world sure is big. Alrighty then, I honestly don't know how to deal with this so let's start over."
Standing with new resolve, Seyong extends his arm for a handshake saying:
"Name's Golae Yeon-Seyong, a dethroned prince of Silla. Let's have an amicable relationship."
"Um... Likewise?"
I accept his greeting with a bit of confusion but Seyong grips my hand a bit harder as he then says:
"Woah, I just realize for a martial artist with such strength you sure do have soft hands. People will really find it hard to believe you can even fight."
"I get that a lot."
"Hey! Don't let that get you down, you should be happy. Now you know you have an advantage everytime since they keep underestimating you!"
"Yea, I guess?"
"Great! Also, just wondering..."
*Grip*
"O-Ow!"
"Seeing as you pretty much bathe and went to sleep with the ladies, I suppose you must've been quite the lucky guy huh?"
Seyong's smile turns grim as a shadow cast upon his eyes with rage.
"W-Well yea? I mean should I go to the male's bath?"
"..."
*Slap*
"Tch! Lucky bastard! So did Jin-Cheo Hyung know about your true gender? I mean if he know you've soiled the purity of so many woman and even his precious little sister, I can only wonder."
Seyong slaps my hand away and sits down again with impatience as he taps his feet.
(Soiled?)
"Of course I did! Even Mo- I mean, Lady Wang Xuyin told him as well before I did. But they all just keep giving me weird glances and acted no different."
Remembering the way Moriz reacted I can't help but keep saying,
"And why do all the men I meet keep getting angry with how much I seen girls? I mean I heard that a lot but is it really that special-"
*Grab*
"You son of a bitch, do you realize what kind of heaven you've been living in? This Kingdom may have its own autonomy but the culture and mandates of the Confederaion is still prominent in this peninsula when it comes to courtships!"
Grabbing me by the collar, he drags my head down to look him straight at the eyes as he glares down at me as he then bring his face closer saying:
"Do you know how hard it is for nobles to court other females nobles appropriately? Only those with real influence can build a dream Harem like the previous King and getting a loving wife is already a monumental feat. I envy those commoners with their whatever attitude to finding a wife. I mean, whatever happened to the gifts I ever sent you, huh? That thing is half a year's worth of salary you know!? And I can guess you probably throw it away didn't you!?"
"I didn't it was those two, I think they say something of a bit too much? I mean I tried to-"
"Ah, shut up! I don't want to hear that from a dude! But dammit! I wasted 27 million Wu for a dick!"
He lets me go and slam his head on the table before resting it on his arms in defeat. I try to console him by patting him on the back saying:
"You know the dresses in those gifts, I actually use some of them when I visit you since they're what Juha called formal enough-"
Seyong slaps my hand away and pinch between his eyes replying:
"Haah, that's enough. But thanks... Come with me."
Seyong gestures me to follow and quietly walks outside to the bridge as I follow suit. Seeing him watch over the city with a distance stare, he starts saying:
"I guess this is just owning up my mistakes. Either way, as promised I'll help you tour the city and most of all, I'll also tell you a good strategy for our International quest ahead."
"Really!? Alrighty then! What is it? Aren't we suppose to meet with the Hunters after this?"
"Heh, those hunters can go suck their thumbs. But first, don't you think you need to clear it up more with Yoo-Ah Ssi?"
"Huh?"
"I mean, I have no problems now but... I think you need to talk more with her no? She is you manager somewhat and we'll be needing her in the days ahead for paper work."
"..."
I look back inside the ship and nod saying:
"You're right, I'll do my best before the ship stops."
"Heh, go and do that, this ship is now heading for the Chamchi Palace. Let's hope Kim-Yi's not home."
Seyong looks far when I notice a bigger house surrounded by aqueducts and realize,
"Oh yeah, why don't you accept Kim-Yi's feeling? She seem to love you very much."
"Sova, I may not have much relationship experience but as a fellow man, let me just say... That is not the kind of love you wish to have in a long term."
"I see..."
***********************************
*Knock* *Knock*
"Yoo-Ah? Are you there? Maybe you don't wish to see me but maybe we can-"
*Slam*
"Get in."
"Huh- woah!"
Letting myself to get pulled inside, Yoo-Ah closes the door and lucks us in. With her hands behind her back, she locks the door with a resounding.
*Click*
"Sorry for that outburst but... Let me make sure one last time it's not a dream!"
"Eh- un!"
Steeling myself, Yoo-Ah lunge to grab it one more time before her face burst red and jump away.
"You... How is it even possible? Is that what Heaven can do to Owlians!?"
"I doubt so."
Hiding under her blanket and curling up to a ball, she turn to face me saying:
"I'm sorry."
"Huh?"
"Now that I look back on everything, I'm the one who keep forcing you into all those places. Stupid me..."
Yoo-Ah hides her face under the blanket asking:
"But, just answer me this, Sova... Why? Why did you tell or try to prove that? I'm sure with how you act, nobody would suspect a thing at all!"
I walk closer to her and crouch beside to be as close to her replying:
"Because, aren't we friends? And as someone precious to me, I don't wish to hide something that will cause huge misunderstandings for the time that will come."
"Precious huh?"
Yoo-Ah peeks from her cover and continue saying:
"Why did learning new things baout you always so crazy! First when I thought you're a vagrant or refugee, then turns out you're some sort of princess with many connections... Sorry, I mean prince."
"P-Prince? I can assure you I'm not a noble... Wait, I am but I'm not a noble from Heaven nor am I a prince!"
"There are Nobles not from Heaven!? What is the world outside the realm of Gods then!?"
(Heaven? Isn't the frontier above already a land of countless kingdoms? Are they not filled with nobles?)
*Shuffle*
Yoo-Ah burst out of her hiding spot and grab me by the shoulders shouting:
"Then, what of your ridiculous strength!? How in the Goddess's name did you pick up those heavy dumbells with that twig arms of yours! With no callouses, muscles, and whatnot, plus you somehow weight twice of me!"
"I don't know okay. My body just changed when I awakened my powers-"
"That's right! What's with that bullshit magic thing back at the throne room!? Aren't you an owlian?"
"I admit, that I don't understand myself either. But let's just say I had to pay a heavy price for that."
"Also, what's with you and being an envoy for those phoenix or whatever!? What is actually your true identity?"
"Like I said to you, I'm the Silencer under the direct command of the Empress Yuwei Zhihuang... Honestly, I say that all the time but honestly I can't really say what my position actually is."
"And... You...!"
Yoo-Ah's eyes slowly looks down as she then squishes my face with an annoyed look saying:
"You're a guy huh?"
"Yus?"
"Say, do you know how hard is it for me to maintain such a fair skin unlike my Unnie? Even with a scar you still look so pretty, that face is just cheating, plus how did you get such a long eyelashes? You're like a living doll. Not even the male idols are as feminen as you when they tried."
"Un..."
Yoo-Ah then proceeds to hold my hair and untie the knot to let it flow as she then says:
"And your hair, how do you keep it looking so silky smooth despite tying it so much and when I barely see you cleaning it properly and getting it full of dirt and stuff."
"That I don't know."
"Hum... It's just so unfair! I know you're not tricking anyone but... This is just... Sova!"
"Y-Yea?"
"I'm precious to you, right!?"
"Y-Yea!"
Yoo-Ah squish my cheeks again shouting:
"Good, cause I find it hard to hate you too. Then... What of your girlfriend!? Is she still precious to you!?"
"Of course..."
(Where is this going?)
"Hum! Then, you better stop doing all you're doing! Uraah!"
"Eeh!?"
Yoo-Ah throws the blanket at me as I then try to pull it off, Yoo-Ah embraces me as to stop me as she then shouts:
"Do you realize your actions as well! Even if you look like a girl, the thinh that sells your looks is your actions! How can you expect everyone to believe you're a girl when you act more feminine than me!"
"I am!?"
"Huuum!"
Yoo-Ah strips the blanket away and points at my face shouting:
"Then starting now, I'll be the one helping you out with that!"
"Huh? I'm sorry but what's going on!"
"I'm here to stop you from ruining all the innonce of the future girls you will meet!"
"Huh!?"
"Hum! You heard me right! I admit, I was a fool, I was rash, but... As your best friend, I'll be the one to help people know the truth!"
"Best friend, huh? Actually, that's quite a nice thing to say. In fact, you're the second one to help me with that-"
"What!? Hum, who's the first then!?"
"It's Mor- I mean, lady Wang Xuyin."
"Hum!? The important giant woman from the tower huh!? Oh right! How the hell did you even manage to get roped with her as well!? Did you get scouted!?"
"No! Wang Xuyin is school friends of that Empress I tell you about. We met way back then before I left Heaven. But... Are you finally accepting that I'm a man?"
Yoo-Ah frowns her eyebrows and folds her arms, crossing her legs she then says:
"Sure... I mean unless the thing between your legs is just something else."
"Of course it's not! But I'm happy to hear that. Also, I suppose I should move out?"
"No!"
"Excuse me?"
Yoo-Ah blushes and looks away saying:
"We're already traveling together anyways. Staying close would be a better choice."
"I see..."
"Also...!
"Also...?"
"If you have a girlfriend, stop getting so chummy with other girls!"
Yoo-Ah smacks me with a pillow before I fight back throwing a pillow at her shouting:
"But aren't you the one who keeps jumping at me!?"
"Aaah! Stupid me! Shut up! If you're truly a man, take responsibility for your actions! I'm already being super nice with not asking you to break up!"
"Break up? What's that?"
(Is it a new word I haven't learn?)
"You idiot! What kind of relationship are you in then!?"
Our pillow fight continues through the dusk while the night lights changes the shine of the windows, we ended up resting side by side with a massive wall Yoo-Ah erected to keep me away saying:
"No more hugs for you!"
"Now that's sad to hear..."