Forbidden Love (Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo)

●Part Three- Past and Future●

[Ae Sook's POV]

"Tell me about yourself" he says making me look up at him.

"There isn't much to know" I whisper.

"Tell me anything, just something about yourself" He said sitting down on the path making himself comfortable.

"Well, My name is Lee Ae Sook, I'm uh an orphan and I have been for uh 14 years" I said whispering the last part not wanting him to hear.

"Orphan?" He questions looking me in the eyes showing he was listening and wanting to know more.

"My parents were killed during an attack at one of the villages near our home, my father was the general at the time but the king gave him a day off to spend time with us for my mothers birthday, we always went to the markets for her birthday" I murmured.

Prince So looked at me in disbelief  "Your parents were killed in front of you?" he asked, I nodded trying to hold back my tears. It may have been 14 years ago but it is still very delicate to talk about.

"I'm so sorry for your loss" He whispered looking towards the flowers that surrounded us, the sun was still high in the sky meaning it was only around midday or just after.

"Its fine now, Prince Yo and Lady Ji-min took me in and made me feel loved again" I took a breath trying to steady my breathing.

"I best be going, I have to see the rest of my brothers who I haven't seen for a while and some one them I've never met" He sighs.

"It was nice to see you" I smiled as I stood up and walked back towards the household.

Once I arrived I saw Hae-jin sitting with a friend of hers whom she met at the markets a few years ago, I just smiled and walked past heading towards the library to continue reading different books to pass time. "Ae Sook" I heard someone say from behind me, I quickly turned around to see Lady Ji-min standing in the doorway of the the library.

"Oh, Lady Ji-min is there something I can do for you?" I asked with a small bow even though she is like a mother to me.

"I came to see if you were okay, Hae-jin said you looked upset" she said in a concerned voice, she always knows when I am feeling down and always finds a way to make me feel better again.

"Just thinking about my parents again" I sighed, Lady Ji-min started walking towards me and sat down at the chair at the desk patting the seat next to her.

"I don't want to be a burden" I cried, she didn't say anything she just grabbed my hand and pulled me into a hug. She has always felt like a second mother, I even call her Eomma when no one else is around.

"Darling you're not a burden, trust me" She assured, I nodded as a couple of tears dripped from my eyes.

"Ji-min, Ae Sook are you in here" Prince Yo cooed from the library door before walking in towards us sitting at the desk. "Whats going on?" He asked pulling up a chair in front of the desk before sitting down placing his arms on his lap.

"Ae Sook was just having a moment, shes missing her parents" Lady Ji-min said placing her arms across the table, Prince Yo reached out and grabbed Ji-min's hands making me smile, I want someone to love me like they love each other.

For a few hours we sat and talked about the many things that we have done together during the past 14 years.

-Flashback-

"Ae Sook, sweetheart it's time to wake up" Prince Yo whispered, I opened my eyes to see Prince Yo, Lady Ji-min and 3 year old Princess Hae standing at the end of my bed.

"Eomma, Appa whats going on?" I asked rubbing my eyes getting the sleep out of them.

"We have a surprise for you" they said in unison making me excited to find out what the surprise is. I got up out of bed walking behind them as we walked out of my bedroom. I felt a little hand grab mine, I looked to my side to see Hae-jin standing next to me with a big smile on her face. We followed our parents towards a room I was unsure about, I was never allowed to go in here. Prince Yo said it was forbidden well until today I guess.

"Happy Birthday Ae Sook" a room full of people yelled as we stepped inside. a big smile grew upon my face as I noticed everyone who was standing around me. "kamsahamnida  (thank you very much)" I replied with a small bow before walking towards young Baek-ah and Jung along with Hae-jin this day couldn't get any better.

-End of Flashback-

"I remember what it was like having two little girls and wanting a little boy" Lady Ji-min sighed "But luckily we had our two girls" she smiled patting my shoulder as Hae-jin who finally graced us with her presence walked in grabbing a chair and sitting next to Appa. We continued talking about all of our memories together before hearing a knock on the door an hour later.

"Your highness, your dinner for four that you requested is ready" one of the court ladies said bowing before exiting through the door.

"Lets eat together like a family again" Prince Yo said making as all giggle.

After dinner I decided to go out for a walk to get some fresh air and look at the stars before heading to bed.

"She is old enough to get married" I heard Prince Yo yell from his bed chambers, I knew they were talking about me because their daughter was still very young. "She needs to get married and have children" He boomed again.

"Your Majesty, she doesn't she is still young and has so much to live for" Lady Ji-min replied luckily I have her fighting on my side, who knows who I could end up married to.

"You and I were her age when we got married" Prince Yo forcefully said, Lady Ji-min didn't reply knowing that the statement was true.

"Who would you get her to marry?" She finally replied, there was a moment of silence before Prince Yo spoke up "What about Prince So or Prince Baek-ah?"

"Baek-ah still has a lot to learn" Lady Ji-min sighed.

"We will have to see the connections between So and Ae Sook before deciding" Prince Yo said softly, I quickly ran towards the field of flowers but fell after tripping over somebodies leg. I looked down to see the 4th Prince laying down with his head resting on a rock.

"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't see you there" I apologise before trying to walk away but the prince grabbed hold of my leg preventing me from going anywhere.

"You heard the conversations between my brother and his wife didn't you" Prince So questioned, I nodded.

"Did you hear it as well?" I asked looking down at him before deciding to sit next to him.

"I did but walked away as soon as my name was mentioned" he laughed, I don't understand why he is laughing. They were talking about a marriage between us which wouldn't ideal as we don't know each other.

"I'm sure marrying you wouldn't be so bad" He smirked.