The Heir and the Spare

Sickness (age 8)

The snow drifted in piles on the ground. The entire palace was covered in white snow, and Seowon watched as Yona and their cousin Su-won played in the snow. Well, Su-won played, trying to cheer her up. Yona was lost in her thoughts, grieving their mother who recently passed. 

Seowon should've been grieving too, but she felt as if she hardly knew her own mother. Their mother's focus, as most people's in the palace, was on Yona. Rumor was that Yona was the reincarnation of King Hiryuu. Seowon tried not to mind.

Yona's crimson hair was a stark contrast to the snow. She was forcing a smile again. Seeing their father cry broke her a little. The king really had loved their mother.

The cold breeze caught up her straight jet black hair. Seowon can't help but notice the huge difference between Yona and her. Yona was already so pretty at five with her unique hair color and soft features. From what Seowon had seen from the portraits of the old king in her studies, Yona was the spitting image of King Hiryuu. On the other hand, Seowon looked exactly like her mother down to her purple eyes.

Seowon sat on the outdoor walkway, looking out on the frozen walkway. She noticed her close friend laying in the snow.  Silently getting up, She moved through the snow and sat beside him in the snow, shivering as the cold penetrated her clothes.

"What are you doing, Hak?" She kept her voice quiet to not startle him.

"Your Highness," her friend greeted. His blue eyes met her light purple ones. "I'm making it so that everyone who passes by knows I was here."

She didn't have time to reply because Yona who wasn't paying attention stepped on him. Seowon chuckle when he groaned from her foot.

"You're heavy." Hak's expression was not impressed. He gave Seowon a dirty side eye as she continued laughing quietly.

Yona stopped and looked down. "Hak?"

"Yay! It's Hak," Su-won said excitedly. "And Seowon!"

Seowon nodded her greeting. Unlike the others, she was more on the quiet side except when Hak and her would banter. From an early age, she learned that jer voice didn't mean anything to most people. Her mother never cared for her words at least. Even when she needed her mother, the woman would drop anything for Yona.

With a small smile, Seowon watched Hak and Yona fight with Yona tossing a ball of snow at Hak's stomach. They started throwing snowballs at each other. For the first time in a few weeks, Yona truly laughed.

That's amazing, Hak! You cheered Yona right up." Su-won had a bright smile on his face as he joined the fray. He pulled Seowon up to join.

Chaos erupted as the four of them played in the white powder.

*** 

Seowon, Hak,and Su-won sat around Yona's futon. She had caught a fever from playing in the snow and looked uncomfortable.

"I don't feel good, Sister." Yona held Seowon's hand who rubbed the back of it soothingly, trying not to show that she was also feverish.

"I know, Yona. The nurse just said that you'll be fine with some medicine and rest, so it'll be okay." Seowon smiled trying to ease her nerves.

"Playing in the snow was too much for her," said Hak, looking a little guilty.

Soo-won was teary-eyed. "Sorry, Yona."

"Sister, where's Father?" 

Guilt ate at Seowon's core. Their father only ascended the throne recently so he was drowning in work. "Father's busy right now, but I know he'll be here as soon as he can." Seowon continued rubbing Yona's hand.