Early in the morning when Hwan opened his eyes he saw General Isiah beside his bed holding a tray of food. Hwan with a warm smile on his face said, "You have that sweet scent on you again? How about bringing me that perfume as a souvenir?"
Isiah placed the tray beside on the table, he held his robe for Hwan, "Unfortunately it is a scent my master left on me." Hwan winked a him and said, "I am jealous at this master who stole my General's attention." The maids had made his bath ready; he drank his tonic from the temple before taking a bath.
Hwan was escorted to the royal court where he met up with Princess Zetia, she paid her respects to the Lord. Isiah looking at a half asleep Hwan stepped on his toe, she was in the midst of playing a flute. Zetia placing her flute on the ground said, "My Lord, I hope my entertainment smoothened your soul."
Hwan looking at her replied, "Thank you Princess Zetia, I will ask the General to ensure your safe arrival at the heavens. Please extend my regards to your father." Zetia was to be groomed in preparation for the competition in the next spring which was three months away.
Zetia went straight to her father's chambers to convey the Lord's regards. King Cyrus was in the midst of the meeting with other gods, she said her respects, "Father I have returned from the castle his Lordship sent his regards." The other gods were against sending Zetia to the palace.
King Cyrus dismissed his court and went to the garden to have a word with his daughter. Zetia poured tea for her father, her royal behaviour was on another level. King Cyrus looking at an elegant dressed Zetia said, "You have to bring honour for us, with his Lord's favour bestowed in you our kingdom's path is enlightened." Zetia with a brimming smile on her face replied, "Mother groomed me before her tragedy death, in her name I will attain victory for this kingdom."
Hwan at night was wondering in the garden when he saw Isiah leaving the palace, he was bored and had nothing to do given the large pile of pleas on his table. Hwan casted an invisible spell and followed Isiah, he saw him unbidding a spell on a certain area. Hwan with a grin on his face said, "Sneaky little mouse."
Before he turned his back, he heard that zither music, he was close on entering the barrier area when he saw Isiah coming out. Hwan quickly returned to the palace, with a flustered face sitting in his bedroom he said, "You hid a lover from me, I guess I have to take a peak myself tomorrow."
Isiah before heading to his room checked if Hwan had taken his tonic, it was a special mixture to supress his demonic side. Hwan faked to sleep when Isiah entered his room, "Are you having trouble with your sleep my Lord?" Hwan sitting up straight replied, "I can never fool you, tomorrow can you head to the human's ream on my behalf. I need to consult the oracle."
Isiah spent the night reading through the document, he wrote a verdict before sealing it with Hwan's seal. The following morning Hwan set course to meet up with King Uriah, before he left, he gave Hwan his tonic. Isiah with his flying sword reached Uriah's division on time, he investigated the land on his way.
His daughters warmly welcomed him in their palace, they were taken by his handsome and calm aura. After having such a wonderful meal Isiah handed Uriah the document in his hands, he said, "His Lordship constructed a contract to help solve the problem with King Henry, please read through it before signing."
Isiah patiently waited as Uriah read through the contract, the contents were satisfying for him. Bowing his head Uriah said, "Thank you for approving my demands, I shall seal the contract. I prepared gifts for his Lordship." Isiah already knew the King was trying to win favour for his daughter in the upcoming competition.
Princess Elsa the eldest daughter presented a wrapped tin to Isiah, her beauty and body were flawless. Bowing her head, she said, "General, please deliver my gift to his Lordship. I personally made the sweets." Isiah bowed his head as he replied, "Thank you Princess Elsa, I will take my leave."
Hwan sneaked out of the palace as soon as Isiah walked out of the palace, the barrier was child's play to him. Walking inside the forest he saw beautiful peach plum tress and different flower species. Hwan followed the direction of the music; the sound was relaxing and intoxicating. As he walked closer to the big plum tree, he saw the back of a person with white and gold robe with white long hair playing a zither.
Hwan slowly advanced to the person, his heart was racing faster than before, a soft voice said, "Are you perhaps lost?" Hwan immediately stood his ground, clearing his throat he replied, "I am sorry for intruding. I was taken by the rhythms of your music my lady please forgive me."
With a gentle laugh Ji Lie turned his face towards Hwan, with one glance he fell helplessly in love. Hwan enchanted by his beauty said, "Wow you truly are beautiful, I never knew such a woman existed." Ji Lie lightly cleared his throat, "I can see you misunderstood, I am a man. My name is Ji Lie, how about you?"
Hwan sensed a calming aura emanating from him, the mesmerising scent Hwan longed to have was coming from Ji Lie. Hwan lost in space kept trying to puzzle Ji Lie as a man, "I am Lo…Hwan. Call me Hwan!" When he stood up the petals on his clothes fell on the ground. Ji Lie reached for his stick, "How about I pour you a cup of tea?"
Hwan realised he was blind when he reached out to grab stick, he led the way to the house. His interest were piqued when he saw how self-efficient Ji Lie was, "Aren't you afraid to let in dangerous people in your home?" Ji Lie placing the cups on the table replied, "I am a blind man all alone in the woods, the worst one can do is steal my worthless junk."
Hwan was shocked by his response when he looked around the mansion, half of the property was pure gold, his robes alone costed a fortune. Hwan helped him to settle down, he was kept against his will with Isiah. The atmosphere was a bit warmer, "The music you were playing, where did you learn it?"
Placing his cup on the ground Ji Lie replied, "I learnt it on my own, the zither was the only possession my mother left for me." "My apologies for prying in your private life." Hwan felt guilty to open up old wounds. Blurting his mouth, he asked, "How did you become blind?"
"You are filled with curiosity Hwan; I was born blind. Please excuse me whilst I clean the table. If you fail to find your way Isiah will escort you, until then please make yourself at home."
Hearing someone calling his name with a gentle voice melted his heart. Hwan didn't want to leave this place, he said, "I have been ousted, I was hoping to kill myself and let the beasts devour my body before those people found me."
"The path of fate is inevitable; we can try to run from our fate, but destiny pulls us back." Ji Lie with a smile on his face replied to Hwan, his smile made Hwan's heart escalate. Hwan's stomach growled; it was embarrassing but he skipped breakfast back at the palace.
Ji Lie bowed his head, "Forgive my insolence, I served you tea on an empty stomach." Hwan scouted the house as Ji Lie was busy cooking, Isiah painted countless portraits of his master, in real life he was even more beautiful. The meal was ready in no time, Hwan placing his hands together said, "Thank you for the meal."
To his surprise the food was so tasty compared to the food he ate at the palace, Ji Lie accidentally spilled soup on his robe and got bruised on his hand. Hwan jolted on his seat and exclaimed, "Are you alright?" With a warm smile on his face he replied, "I am a bit clumsy, my apologies for scaring you."
Hwan helped him to wipe the soup off the clothes, "I hope the food was edible…" "It was really delicious compared to what I usually eat. Are you sure you cooked all that?!" Hwan scratching his head frankly asked Ji Lie.
Standing from his seat Ji Lie replied, "Please follow me, I will show you a room to rest." Hwan like a puppy followed Ji Lie, he slowly climbed the stairs filled with patience and admiration Hwan followed behind. Ji Lie cleared his throat when he reached the top, "My apologies, I rarely use the stairs. Isiah insisted to build a bigger house, I am thankful to him that more people will be accommodated."
"Who is Isiah? I noticed you mentioned him a couple of times." Hwan wanted to unveil their relationship. Ji Lie walked leaning on the door trying to locate the door, he replied, "He is the only family I have…you can use this room. I will send over some clothes." Hwan grabbed his hand and said, "Thank you for shelter, if I can help in any…" "You are my guest, please feel comfortable. It has been long since I have seen any outsider."
Hwan deep in his heart said, "Because your overprotective family created a barrier to lock you inside." After cleaning and changing his robes Ji Lie went in his library to read his books. Isiah invented braille books (blind people books) and taught Ji Lie the characters, it took him a while to be able to read.
The books were handmade with dot shaped characters, Ji Lie puzzled each word together with feelings of his hands. The books kept him entertained and updated on the outside world. Hwan kept starring at Ji Lie who was fixated on his books.
Ji Lie said, "Perhaps is there something on my face Hwan?" Hwan shyly turned his face with embarrassment, he replied, "My apologies for my rude behaviour, I grew curious to know the contents of your book." Ji Lie replied, "It is about the Dark Lord, do you know about him?"