The Innocent: A Sequel to Hwarang: The Saga of the Sooks Book #3

Chapter 31: Love Perseveres

Jung Sook had grown close to her charge over the past month. The girl was very dear to her heart. They both enjoyed the other's company. And seemed to have an intuitive understanding of each other.

The only bittersweet note in their days was the absence of the child's mother. The first week that Bo A had been living with her teacher, her mother had come to visit three times. The second week, only twice. The third week, once. But this past week, she hadn't visited at all. And Jung Sook could tell that her indifference was breaking the child's heart.

"She is busy taking care of my brothers," the little girl excused her with ease. "They are a handful, you know."

Jung Sook reached out and pulled the child into her embrace. "You are my beautiful treasure, Bo A. Never forget it."

The girl clung to her, fighting back tears. "You don't think that she's forgotten me, do you?"

"NO!" Jung Sook gasped. "Bo A, there is no way your mother could ever forget you."

"I hope she's all right. You don't think he's hurt her, do you? Maybe I should have stayed with her."

And Jung Sook knew exactly what she was thinking. That in her absence, her father was now beating her mother.

"Your mother wanted you to come live with me, Bo A. She wanted you to be safe. That was more important to her than anything. Never doubt that."

The tiny girl squeezed her tight and burst into tears, pouring her grief out onto Jung Sook's robe. But the woman didn't care one whit about that. Garments were easy enough to wash. Would that she could eradicate the stain of those tears from this child's soul as easily as they were cleansed from her clothing.

––

Jung Sook hadn't slept well last night. Between her grief over Bo A's obvious heartbreak and her own distress over her fractured relationship with Soo Ho, she had found herself tossing and turning all night long. She had no idea how to repair the damage which she had caused. Soo Ho hadn't spoken to her in more than two weeks.

He had kept his distance. Though, he had continued to watch vigilantly over them both. But he never approached her. Not anymore.

And she wondered how he would react if she were to approach him. So she hadn't. Preferring instead to let some time pass. Hoping that he would forget those horribly bitter words that she'd thrown at him. But she felt as if she couldn't go on much longer in this vein. At the very least, she must thank him for his continued perseverance and dedication to their safety.

She squared her shoulders and embraced courage. She was going to face him today. On her way to school. To try to clear the air between them. At the very least, to thank him for his protection. And to apologize for her hateful words.

She felt sick to her stomach just contemplating the coming confrontation. She wanted to flee back to her bed and crawl under the blankets. Perhaps, hide her head under her pillow. Until all the sorrow in the world had passed away. And a new day of hope and perfect love dawned to free her from her bitter past.

Oh! She was a dreamer, wasn't she?

Would Soo Ho laugh in her face?

She was afraid of that.

Or maybe, he would simply turn around and walk away from her.

But if he did, then why had he found it necessary to watch over her and the child? Unless he'd been telling Bo A the truth. But, surely, that made no sense. What business could he possibly be doing for the king out on the stretch of road that ran from the hwarang house to her school?

And he would never tell a ten-year-old child if he were really working undercover. He wouldn't risk blowing such a secret wide open.

Jung Sook shook her head. It was time to own up to her mistakes. She could do it. Certainly, it would be less painful than the vast majority of her life had been. Soo Ho was unlikely to beat her.

––

An hour later, as she and Bo A stepped out of the house and prepared to head to school, Jung Sook lifted her face towards the sky and breathed deeply. That for which she had waited months had finally arrived. Autumn was here. The crisp air invading her senses was its hallmark.

"Oh, Bo A! My favorite season has begun. Isn't the cool air wonderful?"

The child smiled up at her as she too drew a deep breath. "It's wonderful!" she echoed her heroine.

Jung Sook chuckled lightly and grinned down at her young charge. "Perhaps we'll hold part of class outside today."

"Yay!" The little girl spun in a circle. "Do you promise?"

"As long as the weather proves comfortable for everyone."

"Do you think that Ae Cha and Ah Jin will stop bickering long enough to enjoy the sunshine, Unnie Jung Sook?"

The young teacher groaned. Those two girls were still making her days longer than they should be. But she persisted in putting Soo Ho's notion to the test. She'd consistently paired the two girls together ever since he'd suggested it.

She sighed in continued frustration. Maybe such action only worked with boys. Or maybe Soo Ho and Ban Ryu were just special. Whatever the case might be, she was about ready to give up. And return the two girls to their factions.

She dismissed them from her mind and turned her attention towards the growing sunrise. It was blooming earth's vault into brilliant shades of gold and rose this morning. Painting God's glory across the heavens. Coupled with the bracing autumn air, that sunrise released peace into her soul for a few fleeting moments.

Then she caught sight of Soo Ho. And her breath – along with her serenity – fled.

Today, he was waiting for them along the road outside the hwarang house. She hadn't seen him there for over two weeks.

It was now. Or never.

No need for such dramatics, Jung Sook! The man is hardly likely to take off your head. Just...talk to him.

She cleared her throat. And prepared to face the lion.