Thief of Twilight

Part Three: Chapter 96

After a week of preparation, Sinopia, Ji-eun, and I stood at the palace gates just before dawn. Yohan, Eunseo, Beom, Min-ji, Tae-sung, and Xulian stood with us before sending us off.

"Keep her safe." Yohan spoke directly to Ji-eun.

"Yes." she nodded her head sharply.

"Yohan, don't worry. I'm not going to be in any danger. And I can defend myself too." I reassured him.

"Don't forget, I'll be with her as well. I will be able to protect both Zurine and Ji-eun." Sinopia chimed in.

Yohan wrapped his arms around me before squeezing me against his chest.

"Yes, Yohan. I will miss you too." I kissed his cheek. "But we have to go now. If we don't, we won't make it there within the expected time frame."

"Yes, I have told the others to meet us at the tower. We need to hurry." Sinopia said.

"Are your clothes comfortable? Are you sure Seong-ja didn't need to make you something else?"

"Yohan, I'm fine." I was wearing the same clothes I wore when I attempted to run away with Oliver. "You don't have to worry. I'll be fine."

Yohan tightened his arms around me even more.

"...Emperor Kang...we need to leave..." Ji-eun stepped forward to try and pry me away from Yohan. "I promise to bring Zurine back soon."

"Seriously Yohan...get it together..." Beom sighed.

"I know Zurine has been away from the palace several times but you should not be acting so childish..." Tae-sung murmured.

"I'll miss you!" Min-ji smiled. "Please hurry back!"

"I promise, I'll be back soon! I'm only going to be gone for what? Three weeks?"

"It will take us a little over a week to get to the tower as well as return to Jincheon. But don't worry. If we happen to cross a carriage of some sort along the way, we will also be taking that as well."

"Please, be safe." Eunseo stepped forward. "If anything happens...please do your best. And make sure your hood is on when the moon is out."

"Of course." I nodded.

"I haven't heard or seen anything odd in the direction you guys are headed so you'll be alright." Xulian said. "But still, be careful."

"I will. And please stay at the palace until I come back." I nodded.

"I will." Xulian reassured me.

"And, can you please check on Hyemi too? Same with So-hee and Sun-hee?" I turned to Yohan. "Just bring Hyemi some fruit."

"I will." Yohan nodded.

"Let's go!" Sinopia groaned. "The sun will be up soon! We have to move!"

We said our final goodbyes before walking through the palace gates. The two guards bowed their heads and wished us a safe journey.

"I am still surprised that my cousin allowed you to go so effortlessly." Ji-eun said. "I thought he would have put up more of a fight."

"We both agreed that this is the best decision and he supports me. I know he's scared and he has every right to be. Considering I've run away from the palace twice now. He's probably looking at it as if I'm going to run away again."

"Why did you run away exactly?" Sinopia asked.

"If it's not too personal, I would also like to know." Ji-eun adjusted the leather strap of the bag on her shoulder. Seong-ja quickly made us some leather bags for the journey. While Ji-eun carried our camping supplies plus some food rations, Sinopia and I simply carried food and the necessary medicine for our journey.