Chapter Sixteen: Stranded at the Stable
Haneul examined his facial expression. It was gentle and soft, leaving no trace of being awkward.
'It seems like I was the only one being awkward about what happened.'
Knowing about that certain fact, Haneul's face relaxed and showed confusion instead. The Emperor clearly told her that he'll be back for dinner. 'Why is he here?'
Wangchul seemed to notice her confusion and gently said, "It ended quickly. We still have time for dinner, do you mind if I show you something?"
Haneul ah-ed and looked at the sitting Wangmin next to her. After the absence of the Concubines, Wangmin immediately took a seat unable to take the numbness of standing for an hour or so anymore.
Wangmin looked at them and smiled, "Go ahead, I remembered I need to leave the palace for a few days. I have something to discuss with my teacher, which is why I will be taking a visit. Imperial Brother, Imperial Sister, this prince will be taking his leave." He sprung on his seat and bowed.
Wangchul just looked at him as if he's done something honorable while Haneul nodded and smiled, "I wish you safe travels."
Glancing a last look at the two of them, the young prince exited the meeting room.
Haneul also stood up looked at Wangchul, "Well then, let's go."
They both started to walk slowly, Wangchul guiding her. Just like the time at the night market, they were accompanied by no one but themselves. Walking at a slow pace, Haneul looked up at the sky. The clouds were grey, the birds were also nowhere to be found as if settled in a place they can identify as a shelter before the sky could react.
Wangchul also noticed it and as if a coquette, he picked up a cheesy line. "No wonder the skies were grey, their usual blue and lovely appearance are in your eyes."
Haneul, however, smiled and replied, "My eyes are not blue as the sky, it is green as an emerald. Nevertheless, it is still as lovely as the sky."
It was a failure. He is not a philanderer himself and is known to be cold and distant. How could he make it like an act of insult when in the first place he was obviously flirting?
Wangchul shook his head lightly and remained silent. If he were to explain that it was meant to be a pick-up line, then it would be more awkward. He could even hardly save a face after what he did.
A wheat crate lined up one after another, a faint whining of horses and a pile of water storage. Wangchul surely brought Haneul to the stable inside the palace. It was located at the back of the palace next to the training field of the imperial knights. Outside was a wide field that is fenced for the horses to freely run with a limited estate.
Wangchul approached a white mare and lightly slapped its cheeks making it nicker and move its head. Haneul amusingly looked at the horse and patted its mane.
"It's a gift for you. Do you like it?" Wangchul said with expectation.
Haneul's pupils abruptly shrank and whipped her head towards the expectant Wangchul, "Really? There is no turning back, Wangchul-ah I tell you!"
Seeing how happy Haneul at his gift, Wangchul's face beamed. "Of course. I noticed that you don't have that much on your plate and happen to wonder if you're starting to get boring."
"Mn. I'll be taking this horse for a run if ever I got bored. Many thanks!"
"The reason I gifted you a horse is that I'm about to ask you if you wish to join me in my expedition together with the other officials."
Haneul stopped her hands from caressing the horse, "Expedition? What for?"
'Is it the time of the year already?'' she thought.
There's an arc in the novel that the Emperor went out for an expedition to catch the monsters pestering the townspeople in a nearby town. Haneul wasn't tagged along, however. His odyssey was then passed from an ear to another and made another plus point of his reputation as the Emperor.
"A monsters at a nearby town. We need to know where they came from." and she was right.
She really wanted to tell him the exact location of their base but it would spoil the fun. She can't help but to feel excited with the thought of an adventure. She was lucky enough that Wangchul wasn't like any other Main character who would forbid their partner to take part in something dangerous.
If Wangchul sees talent within you once then he would be more than willing to see it again and again. Haneul's archery skills surpassed Wangmin's. If she really practiced secretly, then for how long? Did she get genius overnight? It was a pile of questions, but all he wanted was to see Haneul in a bow and arrow again or maybe perhaps, even clanking a sword. Moreover, she'll be protected by countless knights.
The two of them were talking about the upcoming expedition when the rain started to pour. One drop from the roof called their attention followed by countless drops.
It seems like they were stranded.
"What are you going to name her?" Wangchul asked while smiling.
Haneul pondered for a moment, "Hualian."
Hearing the weird name, Wangchul commented, "First, the dog was named Yuki. Next, the mare was named Hualian. It is kind of weird names, don't you think?"
Haneul shook her head, "For me, it is not—"
Her words were cut by a huge roar of thunder. Because she doesn't have an issue about thunders, she was unfazed. But it was the other way around for the Emperor.
The once gentle and calm face of Wangchul is now frightened and petrified. His lips were pale and trembling along with his shaking hands. The rim of his eyes was red and a formation of liquid was about to be freed.
Together with the pouring of the rain was the tears dripping from his widened eyes out of trauma.