Through Time

XIV

Third Person

After a while, the medical check ups were finally finished and the other Hwarangs went back to the Hwarang House except for Tae-suk and Ji-ahn who will go to the festival that will happen that night.

Meanwhile, the Queen and the officials were escorted out of the park and the Queen was carried again on her carriage. The officials went on foot back to their homes. As Ji-ahn glimpsed on the carriage, she saw it heading towards the city's center and not the palace which is just beside the park. She stared at the carriage that was disappearing in her sight until someone tapped her back.

"Shall we go?" It was Tae-suk who was pretty excited.

Ji-ahn nodded and let Tae-suk lead the way but since he didn't know the directions, she guided him instead.

Finally, red lanterns and amazing fireworks welcomed them as they arrived at the city's center where the festival would occur. There were stores, stalls, and all things that you would expect in a festival.

"Tae-suk, let's go there!" Ji-ahn said as she pointed at the stall which sells brushes and combs.

While Ji-ahn was busy picking a new brush for her hair, Tae quietly hugged her from the back.

"Um." Ji-ahn was starting to blush, her face becoming red.

The vendor noticed this and asked, "Aggishi, are you okay? Your face.." He was cut by a sudden response of Ji-ahn.

"Y-yes. I'm okay." She quickly freed herself from Tae's hug and went somewhere else. Tae immediately followed her and when he finally found her, she was eating some dried persimmons at a local vendor.

"I'm sorry, Ji-ahn ssi. But that's what friends do, right?" Tae said as he showed off his smile.

"It's okay." She replied awkwardly, still can't forget that he hugged her.

To break the awkwardness, Tae suggested something which they both wanted to see.

"Shall we go see the fireworks?"

~~~~

Ji-ahn was stunned by the sight of fireworks in the sky. There were many fireworks which blasted into different shapes. However, Tae was just mesmerizing at Ji-ahn's face. Until, something caught their attention.

"For Baekje!" Both Ji-ahn and Tae-suk immediately turned around to see the source of the shout. To their suprise, the Queen's carriage was there passing by, and there was a man, carrying a sword, heading to the carriage. The thing is, the carriage had only a few guards and most of them were carrying a spear. The only thing that made him recognize the carriage was the seal of Silla painted on the sides of the carriage.  

"Stay here." Tae-suk said to Ji-ahn as he disappeared in the crowd. He immediately ran towards the carriage as fast as he could. As he caught up with the man, he kicked his left leg which the man fall. Tae-suk was unarmed, and he had no weapon, whilst the man had a sword. Tae-suk went in front of him and blocked the way as he spread out his arms.

"Stay out of the way, kid. None of your business." The man said as he went back up and pointed his sword at Tae. The crowd surrounding them suddenly panicked and kept their distance from the two. The carriage stopped and the men who were lifting it brought it down.

"Do not go any further! This is the Queen's carriage! If you continue, you will be punished with death!" Tae shouted as he continued to block the way to the carriage. The Queen opened the window of the carriage to see what was happening. To her surprise, she saw Tae and the man. She quickly closed the window again.

The man stared at him for a moment and realized he's a Hwarang and he doesn't have any weapons. He smirked in front of him.

"FOR BAEKJE!" The man charged his sword to the direction of Tae.

"Ugh."

There were blood dripping from Tae's hands.

He stopped the sword from reaching his chest with his bear hands.

"I... told.. you.. to not..continue." He said as his body was shaking due to the immense pain the sword brought to him.

Suddenly a lady shouted. "Over there! Over there!"

Fortunately, this lady ran to the local guard office and reported the commotion. The guards ran as quickly as possible and gathered around the man and pointed their spears on his neck. While, Tae was still holding onto the sword.

Ji-ahn suddenly popped out of the crowd. She just left the place where they were seeing fireworks after hearing someone shouting "For Baekje" since she did not realize what Tae was going to do. All she knew was he was going to watch something.

"Tae!" She screamed as she ran towards him and looked at his hand.

"A-are you-" She was cut by the man who was still surrounded by the guards. Tae was shaking and his eyes were closing.

"Don't touch the sword, lady. It has poison. He's stupid to touch it." The man rudely said and made the guards point their spears closer to his neck.

"No..No.. Tae!" She said. "Do-don't close your eyes!"

"Please..be careful..." He weakly said as he closed his eyelids.

~~~~

Sorry for the sad chapter! And yes, this was inspired by that scene in Hwarang. But don't worry. This is not the end for Tae Suk and for this story. It will still continue.

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Sorry for the late update also. I just wasn't motivated these past few weeks.