I wake up in the morning smelling the aroma coming from the outside. My stomach starts growling.
I stand up and get out of the room.
" Good morning" he greeted me with a smile.
I smile back and greet him too.
" Come here, Let's eat" he said while preparing the utensils on the table. I help him.
" You cook all these?"
he nodded. " You know I'm a great cook" then he wink.
I laugh. " You have so many talents"
" I can even sing and dance, but I won't show you. Just watch me during the festival"
" festival?"
"Yes, we celebrate it every year to pay homage to our former king"
"When is that?"
" Tomorrow, that is why the captain is too busy today preparing for the event. Especially there are too many people who will attend the event. And the visitors came from the other places. "
" It looks exciting"
" Yes it is, before the former king died, he wished to his son to celebrate his death with joy and excitement. He didn't want it to be sad and lonely. "
" The king even told that to his son before he died?"
" That's one of the things that was read in his last will ."
" I think he was an amazing king"
" Yes ,he was. People love him very much. He is a kind and loving king"
" What was the reason he died?" ( I don't know the reason because in the story , it didn't mention the reason. All I knew was that the king was still grieving)
" He was sick ."
" It looks hard on the part of his son."
" Yeah. And some people compare him to his father. They even complain that he is young to handle such position"
" But they know the rules right? "
" Yeah. maybe they were so attached to the former king that they couldn't accept the new king"
He put the rice in the bowl. " Here" he gives the bowl to me.
" thanks" I accept it and then start eating.
On the table, there are kimchi, omelette, pickled radish and soup.
" You really are a good cook" I said while slurping the soup.
" I can cook everyday"
" It's okay, no need to serve me. I feel ashamed because I think I am a burden to you"
"My job is to follow Captain's requests and commands. And in fact I love my job. "
"You are loyal to your captain"
" Because he is a kind man. I wanted to be like him someday. People think high on him. He receives so much praises than the king"
" Now I am curious what the king looks like. It seems like you describe him as a mysterious person"
" Well for me because we were not that close but the captain always told us that the king is a nice man. I don't know if he just told it because they are best friends. "
" Best friends need to support each other" Just like us, Von. I feel sad again . I miss Von so much. I wanted to see her. Is she okay? Does she know I am here?
" You want to come to the palace today? I need to pass by our office."
" Am I allowed to enter?"
" You are the cousin of the captain right?"
" He told you?"
" Yes, but don't worry , I am talkative but I never spill the secrets of others. Maybe that is the reason why Captain trusts me to take care of you"
" Everything you said flutters my heart"
" But you know what? I am still curious about you. Where did you actually come from?"
I just smile and keep my silence. This is the 2nd day of feeling guilty about my lies.
"What if you came from another world? and you just fell from above?"
" And I forgot who I am?" I added and laughed.
" Why not right? "
I continue eating.
We continue eating .
After we finished, I took a bath and wore a hanbok.
-Outside-(where Ji Han is waiting)
" Wow. you look beautiful" his eyes sparkle.
" thank you"
" it suits you well. Too lucky you have the same body as with Captain's sister. "
" Yeah ,I am lucky . At least I won't have to spend money on a dress. In fact I don't even have money"
" Don't worry ,Captain and I will take care of you"
" Thank you. "
" Let's go?"
" Ah wait, I need to go back inside. I forgot something"
I enter the house again. I am looking for something when a light comes out from the book again.
I went near the book and opened it.
(Chapter 2 of the book)
Yesterday, Chapter 1 appears in the book. then Chapter 2 is already written on the book.
I have no time to read it. I am too shy to let Ji Han wait for me. I brought the book and went outside.
- at the palace-
"wow. It is too big" I look amazed when I enter the palace. Just like what Ji Han said, just tell the guard that I am the cousin of Min Yun then they will let me enter the palace without interrogation.
" is this your first time?"
" Yes, but I already saw it on tv"
" Tv?"
I came back to my senses after I said that. I am being careless. I shouldn't let him confuse.
" It's nothing. " I fake laugh
"Ji Han" the guards called out.
They went near us and greeted Ji Han.
" This is the cousin of the Captain"
" Is she? she looks beautiful" said the guards
I smile
" By the way, Can you come with us? I have something to give you" the guard faces Ji Han.
Ji Han looks at me. " Is it okay if you stay here for a while? I will immediately go back"
" Yeah sure no worries"
" I promise I will go back immediately"
I nodded and waited for them to disappear. I look for a chair but find none. I just sit on the stairs.
Since I am alone, I have the chance to read Chapter 2.
I read each paragraph . In this chapter it tells the life of the king as well as the captain. it even mentions here that there will be a festival tomorrow.
But today, something will happen to the king.
I stand up and look around. Where is the pavilion here? When will Ji Han go back?
I feel uneasy. It says here in the book that the accident will happen on the lower part of the pavilion where the king is standing. He was checking something and didn't notice that the bell fell down.
I start walking while looking around. I need to find it and try to prevent it.
I am still confused about what is happening in the book. It seems like a warning of future events like this.
" Where is it, where is it?" I really need to find it.
On the corner of my eye, I caught a group of people.
" The pavilion!" I scream but only me can hear it.
I walk fast to look for the king. My attention diverted when I noticed the bell started to fall down. No one seems to notice it but I notice it.
I run as fast as I can and when I am near the king( I still don't know his face but I just guess the hanbok he is wearing). I grab his wrist and pull him to me. I didn't expect his weight and he didn't expect this to happen that's why we both lost our balance.
We both fell on the ground with him on top of me( slowmo)
We both stare at each other. Just like Captain Min Yun, the king looks very handsome and manly. He has a pointed nose, dark eyebrows and thick eye lashes that match his white skin face.
I am so amazed looking on his face. I stopped my daydreaming when we heard the sound of the bell falling on the ground.
" Your Highness!!!" the court ladies and eunuch help the king.
While I help myself to stand up.
" Are you okay, your majesty?" they all look concerned.
He didn't answer them but looked in my direction.
Then he looks at the bell that is on the ground then looks at me again.
" You just saved me" He said.
I give him a half smile.
he gets near me. " You know that it will happen",
Ugh! even his voice is so beautiful.
" I just saw it"
" You are the only one who notices it"
" Reflexes" I answered sparingly.
"Who are you?"
" I'm Park I-Jun"
"the cousin of Min Yun?"
I nodded. "yes"
"I-Jun!" someone called my name. I look at my back and see Ji Han.
he runs fast and faces the king and bow. then he confronts me. " Why are you here? I have been looking at you anywhere"
" I'm sorry"
I look back to the king and bow at him.
"I'm going now ,your majesty"
He didn't reply. I didn't even see his reaction. Ji han and I walk away.
" I get nervous when I can't find you. The captain will surely reprimand me."
" I got bored waiting that's why I tried to walk myself"
" I'm sorry, I won't leave you again"
" It's okay. You can't just be with me 24/7. I can take care of myself. "
" What happened there?"
" I think I just saved the king"
" Wait...what?"
" I noticed that the bell was about to fall that's why I grabbed the wrist of the king and pulled him."
"You even hold the hand of the king",
"Is it a sin?"
"No, it's an opportunity"
I smile.