Dae-Hyun
I sat, kneeling on the grass as the injured fox took off. My heart thumped with anxiety as the memory of her golden eyes caused my heart to flutter. She was beautiful.
I clenched my fist as I rose and turned to face my guards, who approached on horseback. Baek slowly trotted up to me and bobbed his head as if he wanted to go after the fox.
I shook my head at him and grabbed his reins as a soldier jumped off his horse. "Your majesty." He bowed his head. "Which way did she go?" He asked, panicked.
I furrowed my brow at him, "What do you mean where did she go? Who are you looking for?"
The guard rubbed the back of his neck and shifted his gaze to the ground. "The fox. She's a kumiho. Did you hear her cry out?"
"That thing is a woman? No, don't chase her." I scoffed and picked up the bloodied arrow and my bow. "Leave her be. You of all people should know the legends. She can and will kill you."
Except she didn't attack me… why? I thought as I walked to Baek's side and climbed on. "I do not need any more women at the palace. There are plenty there."
The guard chuckled, "But you've never even seen them."
I scowled at him, "Yah, come here…." I beckoned him closer.
He followed my order and stepped up to me. I raised my hand and smacked him on the backside of his head. He winced and quickly rubbed the sore spot and bowed his head.
"Be happy it's the only thing I'm going to do to you." I scolded. "Let's go back to the palace." I ordered only to look back at the trail of blood this mystery fox had left behind.
The sky was clear, and the sun's rays poured through the thick branches above. I shifted my gaze to the sky to check the clouds, only to see that there were none to be found. Nodding, I nudged Baek and headed back toward the palace with my guards.
Once we arrived back, I immediately dismounted from Baek and handed the reins to the guard in front of me. "Take him back, I have somewhere I need to be." I ordered, stalking off toward the throne room.
"Dae-Hyun!" Gon called out to me
I stopped in my tracks and turned to him. "do nottell me you were the one who sent them." I spoke in a low tone.
"I didn't send any one, I'm just now getting back myself. There's an animal bleeding all over the forest. Did something attack you? Are you hurt?" He grabbed my shoulders and checked me over like a worried mother does her child.
I brushed his hands off of me and pressed my finger to his chest. "Leave that fox alone. do notyou dare bring her here. Let her live her life in the wild. She's a kumiho and you already know that's all bad news." I spat with anger.
Gon's eyes widened, "H-how do you k-know she's a k-k-kumiho?" He stuttered, clearly this man was frightened.
"Never mind how I know, just leave her alone. I'd rather not have to deal with you idiots getting killed by her." I pressed before turning around.
"Sheesh, what's his deal? It's just a fox." I heard Gon complain as he went off in the opposite direction.
I turned the corner into the main hall from the foyer as a barrage of shuffling feet sounded from behind me. I let out a heavy sigh and continued. The sentinel found me, and now I get to listen to their bickering once more.
"Your majesty, we need to discuss-"
I raised my hand to silence them. "Who sent my guards to the forest without my knowledge?" My tone shifted into one of anger as I kept my voice low.
Bool-he smirked at me. The others shrugged their shoulders, unaware of what was going on. I clenched my fist and let out a harsh breath. "You are dismissed for the rest of the day." Pivoting on my heel, I marched toward my room. I needed to be left alone.
My evening was spent tossing and turning. Why couldn't I get her eyes out of my mind? Her fur was so soft. Her golden eyes reminded me of the sun. I needed to see her again, I thought to myself.
At dawn, I will go searching for her. She's hurt, and it's my fault. The least I could do is help her. I sighed as I sat up, pulling the ribbon loose from my hanbok. I slid out of my two top layers, leaving my torso naked, and plopped back down on my bed. "This is ridiculous."
Closing my eyes, I trailed back to earlier that day. The sky was clear, and the sun's rays poured through the thick branches above. I envisioned riding back to the lake and changing my approach toward her. Instead of taking Gon's bow, I should have refused. I wouldn't be here having a fitful sleep if none of this had ever happened.
I sat up and shouted in frustration with clenched fists, "Arg! Why, why was I so stupid."
I rolled onto my side and tried again to fall asleep, but to no avail. I decided to change into my less official clothing and snuck out of the palace as quietly as I could as the sun peeked out from behind the mountains.
Running over to the horse's stalls, I searched for Baek only to find him wide awake and ready to ride.
"You ready to go? We need to find that girl." I whispered to him as I unlatched the door.
It's as if he knew what I was trying to say and kept his neighs down as I quickly latched his reins on him and hopped onto his back. "Let's go."
Baek managed to tiptoe out of the gates before taking off in a full sprint through the dewy grass leading to the forest trail.