The Ambassador's Daughter

Homecoming

We took backroads to get to Kim Taehyung's farm, plus he slowed down upon learning I was with child. The journey was long and slow. He was worried about the safety of me riding too aggressively on horseback. Despite my being angry at him, it was sweet of him to be concerned. During one rest break on the second day, he noticed I seemed pale.

"Are you alright, Jang-mi? Do you need anything?"

"It is just the baby. I feel sick. It is normal."

"Here. Eat some food."

"No, thank you. I am afraid it will not stay down."

"I know some ways of applying pressure to parts of the body to help. Will you let me try?"

"At this point, I will try almost anything," I replied.

"I need to touch your belly. Is that okay?"

I nodded. He instructed me to lie down, then he lightly placed his hands on my belly right above my stomach. He applied pressure with his fingers for several seconds. He then applied pressure to other parts of my body including my inner wrists, my hands, and the back of my neck. He then helped me sit up. I was surprised to find that I felt a little better.

"I think it worked," I uttered in disbelief.

"Good. Do you feel up to eating something now?" he smiled. "You need to eat for your baby."

I reluctantly agreed to eat just a little bit of food. After I finished, he helped me stand back up and get onto his horse. For a man who hardly knew me, he was quite kind. He did not seem to hold the hard slap I gave him against me.

Taehyung continued to treat my nausea as needed as we continued our journey. He was a true gentleman, making sure I had food, water, and a warm blanket at night. The October nights were cold, so he laid close to me, but on top of my blanket, to keep me tucked in and maintain a sense of propriety. On the fourth night, I could not stop crying. He did his best to comfort me as he laid next to me and stroked my hair.

"You must not cry, Jang-mi. You need to conserve your energy for the baby."

"I do not know what I will do if anything happens to Jimin."

"Everything will be fine. I believe Jimin will meet up with us as soon as he can."

"But--"

"Have faith. Do not think bad thoughts. You need to sleep. Jimin would want you to rest and take care of yourself and the baby."

"You are right."

"I know I am. I am happy to hear you finally realize that," he laughed lightly.

"Thank you, Taehyung. Thank you for putting up with me and for helping me. I have been ungrateful."

"You are welcome, Jang-mi. Now, close your eyes and sleep."

We arrived at his farm in the afternoon on the sixth day. As we approached, I saw two figures standing next to horses in the distance. Taehyung briefly halted his horse to get a better look.

"Do you know them?" I asked, unable to see them clearly in the distance.

"I sure do," he smiled. He started back up again and as they came closer into view, I squeezed Taehyung tightly, hugging him. He patted me on the hand. "See. I told you everything would be alright."

"Jang-mi!" Jimin called to me, waving and smiling brightly.

"Jimin!" I called in response, tears of joy pouring out of my eyes. "Please, Taehyung, can you pick up the speed just a little? Just this one time?" I begged him.