Night Prince

Midnight Dance

NP...What could that stand for?

A name? The town was rather small...surely she should be able to identify someone with the initials, NP.

NP...let's see...

"Seri-ya! You've been cleaning that table for the past ten minutes. Are you okay?" Myong Sun laid her hand gently on her shoulder.

Seri jumped at the sudden interruption, startled out of her musings as she tossed the rag down on the table. "Myong Sun unnie..."

"Are you daydreaming again?" Myong Sun teased the girl gently.

Seri shook her head firmly, her eyes light with mirth. "Aniyo, it's called staring blankly into space."

Myong Sun shook her head fondly at the child's witty remarks. While some might perceive Seri as too outspoken for a lady, Myong Sun admires Seri for staying true to herself. Times were changing. It was time women had a voice in matters outside of their homes. If there were ever a revolution, Myong Sun was sure Seri would be one of those leading it.

"Well, that table is squeaky clean. Why don't you start on the dishes?" Myong Sun gestured over to the kitchen.

"On it!" Seri sang.

In the kitchen, Seri hummed lightly as she started on the soup, chopping the ingredients up before the townsfolk would come to the cookhouse for dinner. With well-practiced ease, Seri transferred the ingredients into the pot as she let her mind drift again.

Ever since the incident last night, Seri's mind has been infiltrated by thoughts of the mysterious masked man. From his dark intense eyes that seemed to bore right into her soul, to his musky sandalwood vanilla scent, Seri desired to fulfil that insatiable curiosity in her to find that man. Even now, the faint memory of his velvety tenor and the feeling of his calloused hands on hers sent shivers down her spine.

"Who are you?" Seri thought aloud, looking into the far distance where a group of children were swinging by the trees.

♔♔♔

That night

"Seri-ya, it's the second day you're staying this late. You should get going." Myung Sun urged.

"I'll be fine, Myung Sun unnie." Seri assured her.

"Nonsense. Off you go! I'll see you tomorrow." Myung Sun rushed her out of the cookhouse.

Laughing at Myung Sun's dramatics, Seri stepped into the bitter coldness of the night. In an attempt to keep herself warm, Seri wrapped her arms around herself and kept her head down as she walked. The cool air continued to brush lightly against her skin and only the sounds of her footsteps could be heard as she walked down the street. The velvety darkness heightened her senses, allowing her eyes to rest. It was then she felt eyes on her and she stopped.

"Who's there?" Seri called out boldly.

Silence.

Thud!

Seri let out a small yelp at the thud, her whole stance shifted to defence as she prepared to face whatever or whoever was in the darkness. Was it Hyeong Se again?

Instead, a small rodent ran past her with a squeak and Seri found herself relaxing again. Shrugging her shoulders, Seri continued on with her journey home, actively pushing away the thoughts of what happened the previous night. Surely Hyeong Se was too cowardly to pull the same stunt again.

Yet, Seri couldn't help but feel that there was someone watching her as she walked. That thought did not bode well with Seri and she hastened her footsteps.