Choices (Yona of the Dawn)

Chapter 1

The carriage ride back to the Hiryuu Castle was longer and rockier than I remembered. It has been two years since I left. I wanted to find who I truly am and in turn, broaden my horizons. I grew up in the castle but I was nowhere near nobility or royalty. Out of the kindness of King Il and the late Queen's hearts, I was able to overstay my welcome and was treated with the utmost respect and kindness.

    My mother passed away when I was at a very young age. Queen Kashi was my mother's old friend and she took me in the moment I became an orphan. She treated me no differently than her own child, Princess Yona. Yona, who was about two years younger than me, also made me feel welcomed and loved despite having no relation to her. She treated me like her older sister and always shared everything with me.

    I lightly draw the curtains back from the small window inside the carriage and peer out at the familiar streets leading up to the castle. "It won't be long until we reach the castle, Lady Yumi," the coachman announces from the front.

    A small smile tugs across my lips as excitement bubbles inside my chest. It's so good to be back.

    The sound of rapid footsteps echo down the castle hallways as a burst of fiery red hair appears from the other side of the corner. "Yumi!" Yona squeals. She launched herself at me and pulled me into a bear hug. "I just got your letter. I didn't think you were going to be here already!" She pulled away from me with the brightest smile on her face

    "Oh my sweet Yona," I softly patted her hair with a smile, "Look at how much you've grown since the last time I saw you."

    "Come on! Let's go find Hak, he'll be so shocked that you're back." Yona grabbed my hand and started leading me towards where Hak might be. She really hasn't changed since the last time I saw her. The young, sweet, and innocent Princess Yona is still here. I let her drag me around in search for Hak for a little while before I tell her I need to go visit King Il and inform him of my arrival. A small frown is etched on her face but she lets me go.

    King Il looks as healthy as ever, as if nothing changed over the past two years. He continues to welcome me back with open arms.

    "Yumi! I found Hak!" Yona announces from the other side of the door.

    After meeting up with King Il, I returned back to my old room. Nothing has changed. Everything was kept exactly where I left it and everything was clean. I was gone for a long time but my room was still nicely maintained.

    I pushed myself up and off the bed and headed towards the door. "Princess Yona, it's probably best we don't disturb Lady Yumi after her long journey back to Kouka." I hear Hak whisper to Yona right before I slide open the door.

    "Lady Yumi? Hak, don't speak of me so distantly like that!" I playfully frown at him.

    "Fine. Yumi!" He puts his hands up in defeat, "You look like crap, by the way. Rest up, Princess Yona and I will see you tomorrow." He looked at me in disgust before slamming the door closed.

    A small laugh escaped my mouth. I hear Yona and Hak arguing on the other side before I was left to my own thoughts again. Hak, Yona, and I, along with Soowon, grew up together within the walls of this castle. We are all roughly the same age so we got along pretty quickly. Hak is now the General of the Wind Tribe and has also been Yona's bodyguard. Soowon is Yona's only cousin and is also someone she is completely infatuated with. Their future seems so clear to me but I am somehow not able to see myself in it. Soowon will marry Yona and become King while Hak will continue to stay by their side as a valuable general and bodyguard for them. But me? I don't fit anywhere in that life. In the two years I spent away from the castle, I did get to learn and experience new lifestyles but I still have yet to find one that I want to live in for the rest of my life.