He looked at me intently, waiting for my answer.
" I never belonged here. The moment you saw me lying on the ground, confused, that's the day I figured out that I was not home. "
" I know you wouldn't believe me, but I will still try my best to explain myself." I continued. " This place, the people and even the king were just in the book. I was trapped in this book. I was at the library in my real world reading my favorite book when suddenly, a light came from the book I am reading. After that, the book swallowed me and I just woke up lying on the ground and wearing the dress that you have never seen in your life."
" I may sound pathetic and crazy but what I am saying now is true. And I have no intention to harm you nor the king. The thing is, every time something might happen, the book lit up and I could read what will happen next. I may sound like I predict what will happen but it is because of the book I am carrying"
I couldn't read Min Yun's emotion. He was so serious listening to me as if I was telling a fiction story.
" I know from the start you are different" At last, Min Yun spoke up.
" And I was suspicious because every time, you keep on carrying and looking at your book as if it was a treasure to you." he continued.
" Do you believe what I said?"
" It is hard to believe that you came from another world. That we are just fictional characters. And you were just trapped in the book you are reading."
I looked down. " I know. Who would believe in my story? Even a kid would laugh at me. "
" I know if people lie. And I am sure you are not lying. "
I looked at him again. This time he looked warmer.
" I... I don't know what to say"
"Thank you for having the courage to share with me your experience. I am waiting for you to tell me everything about yourself. If we have plenty of time, I want to listen more to your story"
I can't help but cry on Min Yun's reaction. All this time I felt scared because I knew no one would believe me. I didn't expect Min Yun's reaction toward this.
I hugged Min Yun while still sobbing. At least I found someone who would understand my situation.
I felt his hand tapping my back. I felt assured and happy. At least I have Min Yun by my side.
***
"What? they tried to poison the king?" Ji Han shouted.
" Please lower your voice. Someone might hear us. The king doesn't want anybody to know what happened last night". I explained.
" What will happen now?" he lowered his voice.
" I will do the investigation, I-jun will accompany the king. " Min Yun said.
" And it will take days, weeks or even months for me to see you?" Ji Han said.
" For now, we will not be staying at the house."
Ji Han looked sad. " I will be missing you" he looked at me and hugged me.
" Hey don't be like that. You can visit me anytime here. " I said.
" Can I?" he asked for reassurance.
I nodded.
He hugged me back again. " I will be missing serving you at Min Yun's house. "
" stop it! you are not my servant. You are a soldier. " I said.
He looked at me in the face. " But I am willing to be your good servant. "
" Stop treating me as if I belonged to a noble family"
" But you are part of a noble family. " he said.
" Yeah. " I laughed.
" It is time for work. Just go now." Min Yun said to Ji han.
" Let's hang out later" Ji han asked me.
" Okay. I think I need a hard drink". I said.
Then he left.
I sighed.
" That was so deep" Min Yun noticed.
" I wanted to tell Ji han my true identity but I don't have the courage to do so. I might hurt his feelings"
" He will understand you. "
" What if I will regret it later? "
" Do you have any regrets about telling me?"
" I felt happy. Now that someone knows my struggle. "
"Just take care of yourself while I am away. I let Ji han assist you"
" No need. I can help myself. "
"I will visit you from time to time. In fact, I am planning to visit the king everyday for updates. I might see you and have a little chat. "
I smiled. " Let's have that. "
" I should go now. "
I nodded and bid goodbye.
***
Min Yun's Pov
I wasn't able to sleep since last night when I-jun revealed herself. I was so strong enough to compose myself and not look like a pathetic and trembling man.
Since the day I met her, She looked suspicious for me and I felt that she doesn't belong in this world. I just don't have the courage to force her to tell me where she came from. She felt uncomfortable and afraid. What I didn't expect was when she said we were just a fictional character. That means we are not real people. But why am I feeling my heartbeat? Why did I feel hurt, scared and confused if I was not a real person?
Even so, I am determined to protect her and help her go back to her real world. I went to a fortune teller on the market.
" Good morning! Are you here to let me read your fortune?"
All my life, I never tried going to a fortune teller. I thought before that it was a waste of money. I don't believe in the things they were saying. But not today.
" Would you believe you are a fictional character?"
The fortune teller was shocked by what I said.
" How did you...."
I fakely laughed. " I know"
"Did the woman from another world tell you?"
I nodded. " I can't believe it"
The fortune teller looked sad. " When I first saw her and read her fortune, that was when I confirmed to myself that all of my dreams and predictions were all true. We were just a fictional characters"
I sighed. " That's not what I came for. I wanted to know how to help her. "
" I told her the answer but I will tell you exactly what she needs to do."
I listened intently to her.
"If she falls in love with one of the fictional characters and doesn't want to leave the man she fell in love with, that is the time she can go back home."
" You mean she needs to be in love and if she does, she can go back home?"
The fortune teller nodded.
" But what about the man? He will surely be broken "
"That's the way. the only way. Let her fall in love "
I sighed deeply. I didn't say a word and left a bag of money to the fortune teller.
" It would be a grief on the part of the man. How could the fortune teller say it was the only way?"
***
I-jun/Teresita's pov
It was already evening but the king and I were still at the lake looking on the ray of the moon reflecting on the water.
He was so quiet. He was limited on his words. He would only talk to me if he asked if I need something or if I am hungry.
" Do you want to drink?" At last I have the courage to tell him that.
He looked at me. " A drink?"
I nodded. " It will help to improve our mood and forget the things that happened in our lives. "
" I wanted to drink here. "
" But...it is cold"
"but the drinks will surely be warmer."
" It is not good to drink outside. What if someone will see us?"
" I am the king. I have all the rights to do what I wanted to do" he said with authority in his voice.
I nodded and didn't argue. I let the court ladies bring some drinks and snacks. I also instructed them to leave us alone because we will be having a drink.
After a short wait, the drinks and snacks arrived.
The king noticed too that the court ladies and eunuchs started disappearing.
" I don't want them to see us drinking here" I said.
He smiled. " I hope Min Yun is here to drink with us. "
"He said that he will report to you about the investigation."
He sighed. ", He works so hard. He doesn't need to protect me all the time. But he always insists on protecting me. "
I shot a glass of beer before answering him . " You're both lucky with each other. You really love each other"
The king looked at the sky while holding a glass of beer.
" I like this night. It is the second time we spent the night together" he then looked at me.
I smiled. But I felt something on my cheeks. It felt warmer and red. Good thing there is only a dim of light coming from the moon.
" I promise Min Yun to protect you" I said.
" You don't have to. "
" But I felt the need to protect you...Maybe because that is our family's calling?"
He smiled. "You are literally my distant relative."
Oh! I almost forgot that we both hold the same surname.
" That makes me a privileged woman" I said.
We kept on drinking and drinking until we were both not in our minds.
" Your Highness, please stand up. the ground is so dirty." I said even if I felt dizzy. My voice is even cracking . I wasn't able to stop drinking because I enjoyed talking to the king.
" Your Highness!" I thought I was about to throw up but I need to stop it.
I tried to pull his hand but he is heavy.
" Your highness ,someone might see us" I said.
I still tried pulling his hand but suddenly he pulled my hand resulting in losing my balance.
I dived in his chest. I tried to stand up but he put his arm in my back . Or in just a simple term, he looked like he was hugging me.
I tried to move but he was stronger than me. I was afraid that someone might see our position. They might think that the king and I were doing something.
In a minute, I regretted asking him to drink with me. I never thought this would happen.
" I-jun?"
I looked up to see who was talking and I felt happy when I saw Min Yun.
" Please help me." I uttered.
He helped me get up and he gave the king a piggy ride.
" Just wait here. I know you are drunk as well."
" I can handle myself. "
" Just wait here. I will be back right away"
I nodded.
I sat on the ground while staring at the lake. This is the first time I appreciate nature. Never in my life have I appreciated things except my books. I was so into stories that I already forgot that there is nature that needs to be appreciated. I don't know since when was the last time I stared in the sky like this.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I could smell the fresh air. It helped me to ease the headache and nausea I am feeling right now.
" I'm here" Min Yun said.
" I'm sorry" I started laughing. " I didn't know it would end this way. All I want is to entertain the king because he was so bothered."
" Come here" Min Yun offered his back.
"huh?"
" You can't walk in your state" he said.
"No, no. I can do this" I tried to stand up but I felt more dizzy than a while ago.
I thought I was falling on the ground because of dizziness but Min Yun caught me. I was locked in his arms.
I stared at him. I could see his face through the light. Though it was just a dim light but I could totally stare at his face.
He stared back. We were just like this for a minute. When we went back to reality, Min Yun carried me like a newlywed. I didn't expect his move. I felt shy. My arms were wrapped on his neck to make sure I would not fall on the ground. He was still staring at me like he wanted to tell me something.
Finally, we arrived in my room. He put me on my bed and gave me a blanket. Even if I felt warm , I didn't say it to him. I just appreciate his gestures.
" Tomorrow morning, I will let Ji han cook a soup for you for your hangover. Surely, when you wake up, you will feel sick"
***
Min Yun's Pov
" I can handle myself. I'm sorry for bothering you" I-jun said.
I sighed and looked at her face. Everything went back on the day I saw and saved her. All I thought at that time was to help a poor young lady who seemed confused and didn't know what to do. This was my first time to look at her this close. She slept like a baby. Her face looked innocent. I wondered what was the reason why I helped her. Is it really because I pity her or I was mesmerized by her beauty and uniqueness?
I wanted to touch her cheek. My finger was an inch closer to her cheek but I was too hesitant because it might wake her up.
I sighed again. How many times I sighed deeply this day?
I was about to stand up and decided to leave her since she was already sleeping when someone pulled my hand. I looked at her. She was half awake. She was holding my hand and smiled.
" Teresita.... that's my real name" she said then went back to sleep.