I could sense the tension inside the room. The minister was trying to provoke the king.
" Your Highness, I think you don't need us here." said Min Yun and signal me to stand up.
I saw His Highness's fists. He looked mad.
" You didn't even respect me." said the King to the minister.
" Your Highness, I am just stating the truth" he said with mockery.
I frowned. He is really evil. He could even provoke the king!
Min Yun glanced at me and told me to go out. But I didn't mind him. I want to help the king in the hands of the minister.
I looked at my tea. There was still left. I grabbed it and acted as if I was going to slip. I intentionally went in front of the minister and threw the tea in his face. Too bad my back will be sacrificed on this plan.
"ahhh!!!" The minister shouted. Every person inside the room was shocked . Especially the minister!
" What have you done!!" he was furious.
Min Yun helped me stand up. " Are you okay?" He is still in a state of shock.
" It was just an accident" I said to the minister.
" Accident? You don't know me, do you?" now he looked like a demon.
" I saw it and I think it was just an accident" the king interrupted.
He didn't mind the king but stared at me. " You'll pay for this. Watch out every step you will make"
after that warning, he left the room.
I exhaled deeply. The tension was gone.
" Why did you do that?" Min Yun asked.
I looked at the king. " I'm sorry, Your Highness" I bow. " But I won't apologize for what I did to him. I think he deserved it" I said with conviction.
The king's eyes sparkled or was it just a light?
" We will go home now. Thank you for the meal. " Min Yun said and bowed.
We were about to leave but the king stopped us. " Wait."
Min Yun and I looked at the king. " who are you?" the king asked me.
huh? I thought he knew my name? I thought Min Yun told him my name?
" Park I-jun" I answered.
He shrugged. " I mean why did you do that?"
" He looks evil, I don't like his aura. He seems like enjoying to mock you. You don't deserve to be treated like that. You are the king. You are supposed to be respected by the low profile like us." I explained.
He looked amazed by what I said. " You know the minister?"
" Looking at him, he will create chaos in this country. Just keep an eye on him and do not trust him"
Min Yun looked at me with many question marks? I have too many things to explain later or should I tell many lies to say?
I sighed. " I am sorry for my action" I said to the king.
"You don't have to say sorry . I really think he deserved that"
I was shocked by his response and smiled. At least he approved what I did to his minister.
" My question is, why do you let him stay here in the palace as your one of the ministers? Don't get me wrong your Highness but I think he shouldn't be here. He will just be a burden in the palace"
" Many ministers supported him. "
" Just because he bribed them" I stated.
" Do you think he is doing that?"
" I guess so. "
" You really are something I-jun. Everything bad happened to me, you were always there. "
" It is just a coincidence."
" For now I will just think of that reason"
" I think you need to take a rest." Min Yun said.
The king nodded. " I think I need to sleep early to have the energy tomorrow"
" We will go home now, Your Highness" Min Yun said and we both bow our heads in front of the king.
***
While we were riding a horse, Min Yun asked me about what happened a while ago.
" I never expected you to do that"
" I didn't expect either. But I can't let him mock the king as if he was the king"
"Just be careful from now on. He looked angry a while ago. Maybe he will plan something that might hurt you"
" Your best friend was mocked by the bullies, would you let him be bullied?" I asked while holding the rope of the horse.
" I won't" he answered.
" I just did that a while ago. I don't want the King to be bullied by the evil minister."
" You sound like you know the minister well."
I have just read it. It was also a warning for me not to trust Kim Man Shik.
" I am not. I told you Ji Han told me the story about the minister. We all didn't like that evil minister."
" The king looks fond of you. You really involve yourself in the happenings where the king is present"
"I told you it was just a coincidence. It will not happen anymore. I have no intention to go back there and stay."
"I guess the king needs a person who will do everything just to make him safe and comfortable."
" You make that for him right?"
" And I needed to do it because I am his only friend"
" See? I can't see my best friend being hurt by the people. As much as I could, I will help her."
" Did you remember who you are now? You've mentioned your best friend"
"Ha?" I don't know how to explain.
" I..I... I was pertaining to Ji Han" I continued. Good thing I've already thought of an excuse about his question.
" You two seemed close. Everybody will like him. He is a positive person"
" That's the reason why I like him. why I called him my best friend" . deep inside I was relieved that I connected everything to Ji Han. At least he won't ask again if I remember who I am.
We arrived at his home. Min Yun assisted me to get off the horse . I saw Ji Han walking outside. It looked like he just arrived as well.
" Oh! Are you done ?"Ji Han asked.
I nodded. " How about you? Where have you been?"
" I met someone"
" A friend?" I asked again.
" Yeah, a close friend. She will come with us tomorrow during the fireworks display."
" Oh.... she...." I looked at him with a suspicious look.
" Don't get me wrong. We're just friends."
" Didn't the fortune teller tell you that you will have a love life ?"
His cheeks turned red. " Don't tease me especially if I am with her."
I tap his shoulder. " I promise, I won't do it."
" Let's go inside. We had a long day. We need to get a good sleep." Min Yun interrupted.
We went to our rooms. I changed clothes and checked if the book had an update.
"Oh ! here is chapter 4" I murmured.
I sat on my bed and seriously read the chapter. It tells here that something new will happen during the fireworks display. It was not even mentioned the specific happening but it will happen on the bridge that is filled with cherry blossoms.
"Tomorrow will be filled with love" I uttered.
No warnings? How about what will happen to the minister?
I was expecting some tips on how to handle the evil minister but it was the opposite of what was written in the book.
" I don't need love" I mean I know it is important but what intrigued me was about the king and the minister. I want to solve some cases inside the palace. I have this urge that I really need to assist the king. Though I don't personally know him but I can feel that I could trust him.
After reading chapter 4 I already fell asleep.
***
I was awakened by Ji Han's voice.
" I will go to work now. I've prepared your breakfast on the table. Just don't forget that we will watch the fireworks display at night" Ji Han reminded me. He already wore his guard suite, meaning he will go to their post.
" How about Min Yun?"
" He went to the palace early in the morning. The king summoned him"
I nodded. " Thank you for the breakfast. I think you spoiled me too much"
" It's nothing. I am willing to do that to my friends
"
" Take care . I will wait here at home"
He nodded and left.
So I have no appointment this day. I only have to wait for Min Yun and Ji Han to arrive at home.
" What to do , what to do?" I asked myself while walking back and forth like I had a case that needed to be solved.
The book didn't update anything either.
"I will just eat my breakfast" I said and went out of the room.
As usual, Ji Han's dishes are so delicious.
I remember my life in my world. I always eat fast food and unhealthy foods. Sometimes I even forget to eat just because I am too occupied.
I remembered Von again. I really missed her.If I have the chance to get her I will do it. Ji han will surely like her because they have the same personality .
I missed the last food I ate before I went here. I missed the city library and I also missed reading books. I also thought about my co-workers. Surely they will nag me because I disappeared without notice. What if I went back and there was a pile of work on my table? Ugh! Just thinking about that makes me want to resign.
While eating, I keep on reminiscing about the past. How difficult life was and how I survived being alone. Yes, I don't have families. That's why before( previous chapter) I told everyone I only have Von as my family. I was an orphan. I wasn't able to find my real parents . That's why leaving alone and surviving alone was not easy.
" Ugh! I was just bored. I shouldn't try reminiscing about my past" because it will just make me cry and it will just remind me how unlucky I was in this world.
***
Time flies so slow, the evening came.I already wore the handbok of Min Yun's sister. I put some powder on my face as my make up and tied my hair. I looked in the mirror and smiled.
Ji Han knocked on the door. " We're going" he said.
" Coming" I did my last retouch and went out of the room.
" Wow. you look beautiful tonight" He gasped.
"Looking at your reaction I feel like I am a princess" I laughed.
" You really like one" he smiled. " Let's go?"
" How about Min Yun?"
" He is still in the palace. "
" He won't come?"
" I guess he will come. He knows that you will come. "
I nodded. "Let's go"
We went outside the house.
" Ji Han?"
As we opened the door , we saw a woman standing outside the house.
" Min-Sun?"
The woman stared at me then to Ji Han.
" How did you know I was here?" Ji Han asked and walked near her.
She is still looking at me. " Who is she?"
" She is Min Yun's cousin" Ji Han answered.
" Are you living together?" she asked again.
" Not what you think. My task is to guard Min Yun's cousin."
"I have never seen her before"
" Because she never came here. "
The woman looks younger than me. It looks like the woman and Ji Han are the same age.
" You never told me that you will come here"
" I wanted to surprise you since we will go and watch the fireworks display but it looks like I am the one who looks surprised. "
I could sense that the woman was jealous. I said " Ji Han and I were just friends. Nothing more"
Ji Han scratched his head " You don't need to explain I-jun"
" She needs to know that you and I have nothing. It looks like she is jealous" I whispered to him.
He blushed.
" Let's go. " I said.
Ji Han and that woman walked together while I was at the back of them. I gave Ji Han a signal to stay beside her to avoid conflict.
After 15 minutes of walking we arrived at our destination. The place was crowded. The people were waiting . Some came with their families, some with their partners and some with their friends. I smiled. I like seeing happy people.
" I want to go there" the woman said to Ji Han.
Ji Han looked at me. I nodded. " Just go there. I will be fine."
" Are you sure?"
" Of course. "
Then they left.
I was just walking by and saw the displays on the stall. Some were selling snacks, some were selling accessories and some were selling things for couples. Ji Han mentioned that this year will be filled with lots of love. I even read it in the book.
I saw the bridge and thought about what I have read in the book.
I started walking near the bridge. There were many people passing by on that bridge. I stopped at the center when the cherry blossom started falling down like rain.
I was amazed by this . In my world or should I say in my country, we have no cherry blossom.
My mind was pre-occupied that I didn't notice that people who passed by were already pushing me.
I thought I would fall on the bridge because I lost my balance but someone held my waist. At first I didn't notice who that person was because it was a little bit dark on that part of the bridge but when the fireworks started, I saw his angelic and handsome face.
" Your Highness?" I uttered.