Everything seemed so serene. The sound of the wave created a soothing feeling that makes an exhausting day refreshing. The sea breeze was amazingly cool on the skin making a warm body cold in a beautiful way.
Sitting down on a boulder, taking in the beautiful serenity and enjoying solitude is Yoona who came to take a walk around the beach but felt captivated by sunset. The bright orange sun looked so magnificent from the beach being mirrored by the sea reflection. Standing up from the boulder, she decided to walk into the water and take a little dip that will reach just below her knees.
Walking inside the water, her legs created an undulation on the surface making a beautiful circular pattern. Picking up a hard brittle object under her feet, she discovered a beautiful seashell, so pink , so beautiful.
In admiration for the beauty she found, she cupped it in her hand taking note of it's fragility. Under the sole of her feet, she felt a sharp pain that made her reach under the water. Picking up the sharp edged stone , she threw it in a way it glided on the surface of the water creating a wavy ripple. Chirping sounds filled the air making her look up to see some birds flying above her probably returning to their nest. The sea breeze kept on blowing a stray strand of hair across her face impeding her vision a little but she didn't care. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath inhaling the cool salty breeze , the feeling was so amazing and refreshing.
In that trance-like moment of solitude, a deep baritone voice with a splashing sound of running feet in the water broke the silence waking her up from her reverie. Before she could react, a strong arm pulled her into a strong muscular chest in a hug. Struggling to wiggle free from the assailant , she hit her nose on the muscular chest and leaped back in shock. Looking up, she saw young master Song looking at her with a disturbing eyes betraying an emotion of fear.
"What are you trying to do ?" He finally spoke out in ragged breath looking her over trying to find a trace of something. Yoona still trying to catch her breath due to the sudden exertion retorted that the question is something she should ask not him. He gave her a condemning look that brought self awareness to her making her observe herself properly.
She let out a low mocking laugh jabbing a question at him." Don't tell me you think I was about to commit suicide, master Song".
"If not, why are you drenched waist down while still walking deeper inside the water as if you are strolling in your father's backyard?". He asked accusingly while reprimanding her slightly for her carelessness. If he hadn't come, she would have walked deeply inside the water and probably drown unless she can swim. Even if she can swim, in that trance-like state he saw her, he was sure that she will drown and not even know it.
Curious about her reason for being in the water he asked her the question. She smiled at him and leisurely walked towards the boulder she sat on before and answered "What else?if not to enjoy the beauty of nature and bask in the sunset before dusk... I hate to waste such a beautiful day cooped inside my room". She sighed.
Song chuckled and told her that if she wants to enjoy the scenery well they should make it to a nearby hill with the perfect overview of the sea. Reluctantly, she agreed and followed him to the top of the hill where the view was splendid according to him.
"Wow, you weren't lying". She became overwhelmed with joy and happiness immediately they climbed up .Song saw her smiling and let out a contented sigh. He had stumbled upon the place by chance and secretly desired to show her the place someday. He dragged her to sit down at the edge of the hill overlapping the beach and steadied her properly making her legs dangle in the air.
For the next few minutes, they sat in silence enjoying the calm and peaceful environment looking at the horizon where just a tip of the setting sun remained. Suddenly prince Song asked a question. "Why do you hate me, Seohwa?"
At first, Yoona didn't answer because she didn't know that the question was directed at her but she was prodded by his arms sending a wave of realisation on her. She's the Seohwa he is asking a question.
Looking at him properly for the first time, she took in his facial features. A jet-black hair, scythe-shaped eyebrows with an almond shaped eye rich in brown and soft with emotions. His aquiline nose complemented his cheekbones making his face very handsome and angular . Looking deeply into his eyes , it had a startling clarity reminding someone of a crystal clear stream in the farthest part of the mountain unthreaded or desecrated by human pollution. The contours on his face looked so well-chiseled as if a master craftsman sculptured it into perfection. Back to his question, she answered him with a dead serious tone that she doesn't hate him.
"Does that mean that you like me then?". He asked with excitement glowing his cheeks. Yoona felt amused with his childlike display of emotions and giggled. "Well , I can't say that either. You have a hidden identity that you don't want to let on though not dangerous ,I'm sure of that because where other things fails me , my intuition never fails". She handed him the seashell as a souvenir . Bubbling with excitement, he sprinted down the hill, his arms flying out to his side , catching the wind the faster he runs. Yoona felt dumbstruck by his actions but chuckled. Standing up, she dusted her dress and with one final glance at the direction the sun had set , strode down the hills where prince Song patiently waited for her.
Night started creeping it's darkness making the air colder and the temperature dropping.
They returned home to the suspecting eyes of the community. Seohwa hurriedly dragged her miss after the night farewells has been made away from the prying eyes of the public.
Mr Kim came out of his room and saw the young man he has taken a liking for about to enter his own room and beckoned on him to come inside.
"Song , I don't mean to pry into your privacy but I still want to ask why your other two friends don't share the room with you". The question rattled him. He thought people wouldn't notice but it seems nothing can escape the man's eyes. His guards refused to share the room with him claiming that a master and the servants shouldn't be in the same room. Despite all the threats to at least pretend he was a man without title , they refused to obey and defied his orders. The only thing they accepted when he forced them were blankets they used in going inside the tiny wood beside the houses using it to make cushions under and cover on top to make the ground bearable and protect themselves from mosquitoes respectively.
"Master, they prefer to sleep outside with the claim that staying close to wildlife makes them sleep well and sound". He lied.
The man looked at him doubting his story, but seeing his eyelids not batting a bit, he nodded at him, then dismissed him to retire to his room for a night rest with the information to get ready for a fishing expedition on the other side of the sea , an island, in the next couple of days.