Nine Lives where I Loved You

II : The Hearts Knew

When the sun light hit the still surface of the pond, they exploded into iridescent golden sheen that light up the air, bright and sparkling. Among the glittering mass of water, emerald colored lotus raised their heads, yearning for a kiss from the sun. Grasshoppers jumped from one green leaf to another, dancing in mid air, carefree and seemingly weightless discarding the gravity below.

Having nothing to do, Mo squatted by the pond and stirred his reflection in the water with a stick mindlessly. He was supposed to be at dance training but his teacher had given up on him after three whole year of guiding him the basic. He couldn't help being disorientated so it was mutual agreement he dropped it. He hit the water, making it splashed on his face and clothes. Sighing heavily, he threw the stick across the pond and watched it sank among the lotus flowers.
Well, even if his mother grounded him, it won't trouble him much when he knew ways to sneak out of the house undetected. Determined, he jumped to his feet. The hem of his white hanfu was soaked in water but he paid little attention to it and light on his feet, fled toward the back entrance. His red hair which was pulled into a high pony tail, bounced in the air as he run with a big smiled plastered on his face.

Under the shade of pavilion, there was someone watching his every move. "Oh to be young." The man chuckled as he was amused watching Mo sprinted toward the entrance with all his might. "...What are you looking at?" the lady of the Lotus mansion leaned closer to the man, her folded fan tapped the man's shoulder. "...God! You scared me, my lady." The man was startled by the sudden touch that he jumped from the seat, dropping his fan. "...Oh please, Shen Li. What are you looking at that is so interesting?" The woman giggled charmingly, her painted face was radiant and a real sight for sore eyes. Her red hair was tied up in a neat bun with a single jade hairpin, not like her usual extravagant hairdo. Shen Li sighed with a smile and picked up his fan.

"A certain baby fox was sneaking out of the mansion. And his actions are so entertaining." "That kid again? I am really at the end of rope with him." The woman sighed and massaged her temples. A deep frown set between her perfect brows and only then the lines of age slightly appeared near her eyes. "You should not restrict him too much. He is at the age to enjoy running around and causing trouble." The woman rolled her eyes with a sigh. "Well, he is good at that. But..." She took a few steps toward the light and stared at the serene picture laid before her eyes. "I just want him to learn skills. So that he can keep his head high among these Joseon people...You know how it is like in this society, Shen Li. It is hard for us to hold our heads high without particular skills."

Shen Li tapped his fan on the chin thoughtfully. His silver hair was loose on his shoulder, farming his sharp feature attractively. His deep set of golden eyes was lazy under lengthy lashes that were casting fan like shadow on his tanned cheeks. He went over to the lady's side and sat on the handrails. His navy robe fluttered as he sat down, swinging his long leg over the other. "Well, he will learn this soon. Whether he likes it or not, so you should take it easy on him while he is still innocent and cheerful." Shen Li smiled and fanned himself as the lady sighed and shook her head a little. By then it was a little past noon. The sun was at its highest, not even mass of clouds could hid its glory.

Mo skipped cheerfully down the market road which was busy with merchants singing praises for their merchandises and the customers bargaining to get the best price possible. It was noisy and busy which really appealed to young eyes of Mo. He watched the people with wide bright eyes, extremely interested by every slight movement of people. But the people who attracted to him the most were the soldiers on their high horses. They were clad in red with bronze armors; their helmets were high with a single red feather stood at the top. ''Hey kid, move out of the way! Do you want to get stomped over by the horses?" a man pulled him from his neck and dragged him to his side. Mo yelped as he crashed into the man's side.