Fading Sorrow

Isn't that ...

The screen slid away letting light falling on the person's face. It was the Jihun's uncle! King father's brother! His face tinted bright red in anger. He took fast and long steps on his way out. 

He stopped in his tracks.

 He slowly walked back and stood in front of the screen we were hiding.

 My heart dropped down to my stomach as he stopped here. His face, which was facing the front, slowly turned towards the screen . Beads of sweat formed on my forehead in ultimate terror. I tightly held Ae-Ri's hand in dread. All kinds of negative thoughts flooding my mind all of a sudden...

He let out a long sigh. Shaking his head and walked away. Slowly the footsteps sound fading until it fully faded away. Once again the room was filled with silence. She wanted me to know everything clearly but now I am more confused than I have ever been before.

I felt Ae-Ri's hands on my arms. She slowly pulled me out along with her. Before moving further she checked the room and hallway. Once she knew we were safe, she walked in front of me towards the room covered with curtains. The one where Jihun was in. As we reached she slowly pushed away the curtains walking in.

On hearing movements Jihun shot his head back only to be shocked. He was completely surprised by our presence. But the surprise changed into anger in a second.

"What are you doing here?" He asked while killing me with his stare.

"And you?" He asked Ae-Ri, slowly looking at her.

"Stop with your behaviour! She heard everything."  Ae-Ri quickly replied to him.

"What? You were here  this whole time? Are you out of your mind?" He was boiling in anger.

"We have to put an end to this Jihun! How long are you going to do this? How long are you going to act like the bad guy? How long are going to punish yourself and her? Do you think doing this can save everyone? Nothing is going to happen when you sit simply! We should tell her everything!" She shouted, making Jihun silent.

"Do you think I am sitting here doing nothing? One wrong move! Just one wrong move and it's over  for all of us! What do you think is going to change by her knowing everything?" He asked her.

"Maybe her knowing the truth doesn't solve the problem. But it will save you both from yourselves. You both are going insane without each other! Do you still not get it? You need her and she needs you! You are punishing yourself by pushing her away. You are not saving her, you idiot! In the name of protecting you are slowly killing her." She said, once again silence engulfed in the air

That is when it striked me! Jihun's uncle is Ae-Ri's father.

"Wasn't that your father?" I slowly asked her breaking the silence

"Yes, it was my father!" She replied emotionlessly.

"What is happening?" I asked impatiently. Both of them exchanged looks, not knowing who is going to answer me.

"It would be better if you tell her, Jihun. After all, you are the victim here." Ae-Ri said her voice filled with concern.

He took a long deep breath getting ready to face me. I could tell from just looking at his face. He was guilty. Guilty for hurting me, avoiding me, hurting himself.

"Where do I start from? I really don't know!" he stated desperately.

"Tell me why you were on the run?" I asked him wanting to know everything that happened.

"That was something I did to turn down my father's position. I didn't want to become the king. I thought running away would let me live in peace. I wanted to do what I love. Is that wrong? But my father really believed I would be a great ruler. He tried to force me to become the king and that is why I wanted to stay away from home for sometime. Uncle Hyun Sik always believed I was not worthy of being a ruler. When I ran off my father was searching for me so he could make me the ruler, my uncle got so furious. He couldn't talk back to my father but he didn't want me to become the king." He said. His face had unreadable emotions.

"If that is what you wanted, why are you here now? What are you doing here? Why did you tell me to leave that day ?" I asked him. 

What is going on? 

What is his uncle's plan? 

Why is Ae-Ri helping Jihun even after knowing it's her father?