Blog

Soo Ho opened the door to his parents’ house and headed for his mother’s sitting room, hoping to find her there.  He was not disappointed.  He was also delighted to find his fiancé, Jung Sook, sitting with her.  His sister, Soo Yeon, and Jung Sook’s ward, Bo A, were also enjoying the tea party his mother had set up.  Complete with Soo Yeon’s dolls.

A smile teased his lips for a moment as his eyes landed on the little girl.  Bo A was adoringly offering her new doll – a gift from his sister, he rather suspected – a sip of tea.  He sent up a small prayer of thanks for the peace that he could read in the girl’s countenance.  She had just experienced the most horrific days of her life.  He was glad that Soo Yeon had been able to offer her some tangible comfort.

“Soo Ho?” his mother’s surprised voice reached his ears.  “What are you doing home?”

“Eomma,” he bowed to her before turning towards his beloved.  “Jung Sook, Soo Yeon, Bo A,” he addressed all three.  “I have been called away.  The king has asked me to escort his sister to Goguryeo.”  His eyes careened into Jung Sook’s.  “For the duration of her stay there.”

He watched as alarm spread across his fiancé’s face.  Then…disappointment.

“You’re going to be gone for months, are you not?” she whispered.

He nodded his head.  “Most likely.”

She jumped up and reached for his hands.  “Be safe,” she purred.

A sad smile lifted the corners of his mouth.  “But, of course.  Your gallant hwarang will return to you.  I promise you, my dear.”  He leaned down and brushed his lips across hers.

“When do you leave?” his mother’s question interrupted that sweet kiss.

“Tomorrow,” he answered soberly.

Then his eyes collided with Soo Yeon’s.  “Ban Ryu is coming with me,” he broke the news to her as gently as he knew how.

And watched as her eyes grew wide with fear.  She jumped to her feet.  “Ban Ryu is going too?!”

Her mother glanced sharply at her.  “What is this?  Soo Yeon?”

Then that noble lady stood in dismay as her daughter fled from the room.  “Soo Yeon?”

“Let her go, Eomma.”

Lady Bit Na turned towards her son.  “Soo Ho?  What are you two not telling me?”

“Well, Eomma, if I’m not telling you something, then I’m not telling you, right?” he reasoned with a quirk of his lips.

His mother turned her gaze in the direction of her departing daughter.  And sighed.  “Is she in love with that troubled young man?”

Alarm spread across his amiable countenance.  “You won’t tell Appa, will you?”

Lady Bit Na was nothing if not discreet.  “He won’t hear it from me,” she whispered.  Her heart breaking for her daughter.  “But there is no way that he would ever countenance a match between his precious daughter and the son of his enemy.”

“I know.  But, Eomma, Ban Ryu is the best of men.  He is my good friend.  And he is loyal to Jin Heung.  Doesn’t this trip prove it?  The king is entrusting his sister to four men, and Ban Ryu is one of them.”

She beamed suddenly.  “And so is my adorable son.”  She furrowed her brow and crossed the distance separating them to pat him on the cheek.  “You take care of yourself.  And Ban Ryu.”  She frowned.  “Who else is going?”

“Seon Woo.  And Dan Se.”

She nodded.  “Two more brave men.  Good.  You all keep each other – and the princess – safe.  And I will pray for your speedy return.”

His lips curved into a sweet smile as he gazed down at her.  “Thank you, Eomma.”

“As will I,” murmured Jung Sook.

“And me too,” came a little voice from below his right elbow. 

He grinned down at the tiny girl.  Then he squatted down next to her.  “I have a request, Bo A.  Will you take good care of my eomma, my sister, and Unnie Jung Sook while I am gone?”

She bobbed her head vigorously.  “You know I will!” she breathed.  Then she jumped up and threw her arms around him.  “I’m going to miss you, Oppa Soo Ho!” she gasped before she began to cry.

Jung Sook felt like bursting into tears herself.  She had finally found a safe harbor.  And now he was moving north for a season.

As he wrapped his arms around the little girl, drawing her up off the ground, he turned towards Jung Sook.  “I’ve asked Yeo Wool to accompany you to school each morning.  He will be watching over you and Bo A while I’m gone.”

“Soo Ho, you didn’t have to—”

His sharp yet tender gaze cut her off as he responded, “I did.”  He cleared his throat.  “And I want you to carry your sword with you.  Everywhere.” 

He grinned as he pictured her walking down the street with it hanging from her belt.  That sight alone ought to deter most criminals from attempting to touch her.

She sighed.  “I will.  I promise.” 

But she was privately thankful that he’d asked his friend to protect her.  Much as she’d like to be independent, she was weary of being beaten up by vicious men.  And the other night had shaken her more than she’d like to admit.  She had slept well the first night by some miracle.  But last night, the echoes had returned to haunt her.  And they all seemed to blend into one monster of a man.  The slaps and bruising grips of her father, the brutal kicks and punishing chokeholds of her husband, and the sharp edge of the knife which Bo A’s father had wrestled from her grasp had all been crushingly exhibited by yesterday evening’s nightmare villain.  She still felt bruised from the encounter. 

Having a kind man rush to her rescue was a shocking novelty.  And being surrounded by several noble and gentle warriors – gentlemen – was a blessing that she wouldn’t take for granted any time soon.

Soo Ho set Bo A back down into her chair.  As he squatted next to her and reached out to run his hand over her doll’s hair, he asked, “Who’s your new friend?”

“Yeon Yeon,” the girl answered artlessly.  Her face suddenly broke into a wide smile.  “Unnie gave her to me.”

“I see,” he murmured with a twitch of his lips.  “And I see that you named her for my sister too.”

The child bobbed her head up and down.  “This is my first dolly,” she murmured reverently as she gazed down in awe at the doll.

“Enjoy her then,” he whispered as he leaned over to kiss the little girl on the forehead. “Be good for Unnie Jung Sook.”

“I will,” she promised.  “And I’ll take care of her too,” she breathed into his ear before he straightened to gaze down at her affectionately. 

He reached out and ruffled her hair.  “Good girl.” 

His praise wrapped around her like a comforting robe.  Soo Ho was the first man to ever caress her with his voice.  She felt tears stinging her eyes as she contemplated several months without his warming presence. 

“I’ll miss you, Oppa.”

His heart melted.  “I’ll miss you too, button.”  He tweaked her lightly on the tip of her nose before turning towards Jung Sook.  “Can I speak with you outside?”

Her lips quirked as she gazed up at him.  Longingly.  And nodded her head.

“Soo Ho?” his mother’s voice intervened.  “Do I get a hug before you leave me for months on end?” she asked teasingly.  But with a note of distress in her voice.

“Of course, Eomma,” he turned towards her and engulfed her in his strong embrace.

“Be safe,” she whispered.

“I will be, Eomma.  I promise.”  Then he kissed her on the cheek before releasing her to reach out and slide his fingers along Jung Sook’s.

Hand in hand, they headed for the front door.  A few moments later, they were standing outside.  Alone.  He drew her close.

“I am going to miss you so much.”

“Likewise,” she murmured sadly.

“You’ll be all right, you know.”  He paused.  “And so will I.  After all, I’ve got Ban Ryu going with me.  He’ll protect me,” he offered jokingly.

She sighed.  “Please be careful.  Never drop your guard.  Remain vigilant.  All the time.”

He nodded.

“Is the king of Goguryeo likely to welcome our princess, do you think?”

“I believe so.  She did, after all, marry his brother.  And the prince is on good terms with the king.  Hopefully, this will be an easy mission.  Though,” he frowned, “a long one.”

“Still.  Keep your guard up.  And I will pray fervently for your safe return.”

“Jung Sook?”  He was studying her pinched face.  “Did you not sleep well last night?”

She didn’t want him to worry about her.  It was not safe for him to divide his attention between the princess and her.  She squared her shoulders and spoke bracingly, “I am just fine.  Do not spend one moment of thought worrying about me.  I survived without you for eighteen years.  I can survive three more months alone.”

“Ah, but, my dear, you are no longer alone.  You are wrapped in the loving bosom of my family – a fact for which I am now supremely grateful – and Yeo Wool will be your acting bodyguard.”

She smiled suddenly.  “I’ve yet to meet him.  Is he likely to attract my attention away from you?” she whispered teasingly.

He snorted.  “Hardly!”  Then he growled, “Even so!  Yeo Wool?!”

Then he bent his head and kissed her soundly.  And so tenderly that she was left sighing. 

“Kiss me again, Soo Ho.  Several times.  I’m going to have to live off these kisses for several months, you know.”

“As am I,” he breathed as his lips brushed hers again.

Softly.

He took his time pouring his devotion to her into her mouth.  But after a few blissful busses of those luscious lips, he reluctantly raised his head.  “I must go pack.  I’m so sorry, my love, to be leaving you.  It is the biggest regret of my life.”

She smiled sweetly at him.  “I love you, Soo Ho.”

“And I love you, my dear.”

Another kiss and he was gone, slipping back inside his parents’ home to retrieve some things from his bedchamber.

He would bid her and his mother a fond farewell a few moments later.  And then, they would not see him for several weeks….