It Was You

My courage

The palace was high upon the hill overlooking the town. It seemed to evolve out of the ground like a glacier and it reflected the light like many sharpened shards of glass in the afternoon sun. Family portraits were painted in oils and hung in golden frames. Opulent furniture was all handmade by master craftsmen. The air was scented with fresh flowers every day of the year.

This was my prison and I would never be unleashed.

I've loathed this prison that restricts my interests. Tonight I'll escape this misery.

Just then I heard my name. 'Min Ae!' After you've had breakfast you need to prepare to meet the president tomorrow.' Tomorrow. I have a great deal of hours ticking past.

'Mum I'll be studying so please don't disturb me.'

I saw the back entrance and after I disguised myself perfectly, I dashed out.

The city was a vast, intricate, labyrinth of clamorous, streets and alleys. The ecstatic noise was brimming with joy and laughter. Impatient businessmen, who had to get to their office, mothers who had to leave their children at their schools, faced the puzzling challenge of manoeuvring through the crowd of parents and children.

Walking down the lively street, I could smell the fresh batch of sweet and spicy rolls being baked for the lunch hour rush. Astonishment crammed my eyes and I admired how these people had such a carefree life.

No obligations, no responsibilities and burdens of protecting the entire nation or feigning gracefulness to satisfy the wealthy households so that I'll be his next wife.

 That's not me at all.

Everything I do must be perfect for these people. Why?

Engrossed in my pathetic thoughts, I sensed a bitter breeze hurtle past me with something.

My bag!

Instincts in my body ordered me to sprint quickly after him and that's what I did.

Running, my heart was out of control as if prompted by an electrical surge, needing more energy every second to withstand the speed I was sprinting at.

We reached a blank wall: the end. He's unable to slip away and I know I have him cornered with safety. He can effortlessly dodge past me, I'm a helpless girl, but is there something else he's prepared to do? He seems like he has experience.

Just like that I could hear fake whispers whizzing in my mind. Each terrible whisper clenched my heart and made it difficult for me to breathe a single breath. My agonising panting continuously echoed in my perplexed mind.

'Young lady you dare to chase me? Do you know who I am? I could kill you in an instant if I willed.' He had a vile voice that stung like a knife.

'T-that's m-my bag.' No. I stumbled. No, I can't let him think I'm weak. I gulped hard and tears almost welled up inside. I had to come up with something quick and I thought about my acting skills. I wasn't the least bit sure if they would work on him but at least I would've tried. I was compelled to do so.

'How dare you. Is this the way you live? You're a monster. I pity you.' I secretly mumbled a few imprecations at him. My sore voice was still trembling and I surmised he noticed that. Immediately, I smirked at him knowing that it would do little to help. 

Fear...but it disappeared as soon as I caught glimpse of it in his vengeful eyes. He starts looking for something and I get a painful flash of something shiny and...sharp.

'It's such a despair you couldn't live for long; I warned you.'

Time magically stopped. I screamed the loudest I ever have, my throat slowly loosing its voice...