Serendipity (Kaistal)

Chapter 14 - The Rescuer

Chapter 14

The Rescuer

At day, Soojung and Jongin are busy with the renovation of the bathhouse but when the night comes, the Jung Garden turns to be a knight training ground.

"Ahhh!" Soojung yelled in pain. Jongin had pinned her at the ground again, for the 7th time.

"There are power in your hits but you need to be mindful of your footwork, don't just focus on hitting the enemy. Clear your mind and be alert of your surroundings." he stood up and hold out his hand for her.

Soojung took it and went back to her feet. "I know, I know." she said, a little irritated.

She positioned herself again, ready to receive his attacks.

"I think it's enough for tonight."

"No. I need to learn this quickly. There's no time to waste." she didn't wait for his reply, she attacked him.

Left arm.... Right arm.... right foot ...... dodge..... Right arm ...... kick..... Then she heard a hit.

Jongin was at the grass. She had managed to land a kick on him.

A smile spread on Soojung's lips.

"Are you sure you never had a training before?" Jongin asked while getting up and rubbing his cheek from the attack he received.

"I guess it runs in the family. I should have been a palace knight if it wasn't for ......" the smile faded from her face.

He knew that she remembered something not really pleasant. He stood in front of her. "You need to rest. A good knight is nothing when sleepless. Plus, you need to let me have my sleep too, you know."

"Hmpt! Always complaining." she said but she knew that he's right. Her body's been doing hard training for few days now. She won't be any of help if her body collapsed from exhaustion.

****

Jongin stood in front of Soojung's door.

"Troublesome woman are you awake?"

He waited for a response but nothing came.

"Hey we need to buy those materials you were talking about the other day. It's a drag but we have to go now."

She must have overdone herself last night again.

Soojung's been training hard under Jongin's teachings for a month now. She's progressing a lot but she's also working herself to her limit.

The bathhouse renovation is almost over. Just a few more things and it will be ready for business. Soojung forces Jongin to accompany her in buying the needed materials for the business such as bathrobes, towels, etc,. Since it's Jongin's off, they will do the purchasing today.

"I'm going in, now. If you're not decent it's your fault, okay."

Jongin opened the door. And to his surprise, the room is empty.

Not again?!!

He went downstairs then into the garden. And he was right.

There at the garden grass lays a sleeping Soojung.

Jongin squatted beside her. He looks at her peaceful face, mouth slightly open as she breathes, a few strands of her hair is on her face. She was holding a sword at her left hand and a bow and arrow at her right. Jongin removed them from her grip.

"You shouldn't sleep with your weapons, you know."

Then a thought came into his head on who should she be sleeping with but he shook his head to remove the thought.