Even if I die, it's you.

Apologising.

When Aoibheann woke up the following morning, she had the worst headache ever. She groaned, reaching up to clutch her messy morning hair, her head pounding. "Where am I?" she automatically blurted out, her eyes not yet adjusted to the light in the room. "Home, idiot" she heard her sister laugh beside her. She sat up halfway, her memories not yet coming back to her "what happened? I don't remember a thing --". 

Her sister held up a jug of water to her mouth, watching her drink it all before chuckling "do you seriously not remember?". Aoibheann tried to recall the memories of the previous night with all her might, but she couldn't. "No" she responded after trying for a moment. Thinking made her head hurt even more. "You don't remember a certain man carrying you home?" Caitlin winked, poking her older sister's arm. 

"WHAT?!" Aoibheann screamed in embarrassment "I didn't approach him, did I?". "You did" was her sister's reply. "Noooo!" Aoibheann yelled, throwing her face into her pillow. She hoped to the lord above that her father had no idea. "Don't worry, we got you through the window" Caitlin laughed as if reading her thoughts, setting the jug down on the bedside locker. That's when the memories came flooding back. 

She gasped as she recalled everything, sitting up and rushing to her wardrobe to get changed "I must go apologise!". "Do you even know where he lives?" Caitlin asked. "No, I'll ask around" Aoibheann told her "somebody must know". "Don't forget; Father is getting married in three days. We need to focus on that, too" Caitlin explained. "I know, I know. This is more important to be at the present moment". Caitlin nodded "okay, I guess you're right". 

As Aoibheann rushed through the streets of the capital, she wasn't really paying attention to where she was going. "Excuse me" she said to a storekeeper. The man turned and looked at her, smiling gently "how may I help you, miss?". It was funny; everyone there knew her and thought she was rather interesting. "I'm looking for the home of Seok Danse, if you could please tell me where he lives". "That half breed?" he tapped his chin, thinking. Aoibheann's heart sank at those words. He was a half breed? That meant they couldn't...

"He lives there, three doors down!" he beamed, interrupting her thoughts. "Thank you, sir" she bowed, then rushed towards Danse's home. She took a deep breath, feeling the butterflies beating against her stomach, then lifted her fist to knock on the door. A few moments passed, and nobody had answered. She frowned, going to turn away when she bumped into an elder's chest. She gasped, bowing over and over "my apologies, sir. My sincerest apologies". The old man raised an eyebrow at her, then frowned "what is it you need, young lady?".

She lifted her head, clearing her throat before continuing "I'm here to see Seok Danse". The man almost choked on nothing, clearly unable to believe Danse could attract such a beautiful woman. As soon as Aoibheann picked up on this, she couldn't bring herself to understand. Danse was a very handsome man. "Seok Danse?" the old man chuckled "my grandson? Surely you're mistaken. You must have the wrong name". He waved his hand a little "off you go". 

"No, I'm not mistaken. I really need to see him, it's urgent" she told him quickly, just before he could open the front door "please". He turned to look at her, nodding slowly "alright, come in". With that, he twisted the door knob and the pair stepped inside. Aoibheann removed her shoes, then waited for Danse's grandfather to call him, but he never did. He told her to take a seat at the kitchen table, so she followed his orders. After all, he was an official and an elder. 

Once she sat, he observed her a little before asking her "what is it you want with my grandson?". She giggled a little, causing him to raise  brow in curiosity "We had a little incident last night, and he helped me get home. I just wanted to thank him as I was too ill to last night". His grandfather leaned back in his seat, stroking his chin "do you like him? would you like to marry him?". Aoibheann's eyes widened in surprise. Maybe this was her chance. Though as soon as she was about to reply with a 'yes', Danse stepped out into the kitchen. His cheeks flushed when he saw her. He figured she wouldn't remember the previous night, but maybe she did. 

"You have a visitor" his grandfather said quietly. Aoibheann was hoping he would move -- but he stayed seated. Aoibheann stood, bowing slightly to Danse "good morning". "G-good morning" he replied, bowing to her a little too. "I just wanted to say thank you for last night -- it means a lot". "It's nothing -- really" Danse smiled slightly. Awkward silence. "Well, I'll be on my way" she said, slipping past him "I'll see you later, Danse". "Goodbye..Aoibheann". She bowed to his grandfather "thank you very much". 

Danse and his grandfather watched as she left the home, before his grandfather stood "she would make the perfect wife for Hansung, don't you think?". Danse turned, his eyes wide "I-". Before he could respond, his grandfather slapped him across the face "so don't you dare ruin this! Don't touch that girl! That girl is a true bone. Do you really think you would be able to marry her? She's too good for you". Danse clutched onto his  cheek, watching as his grandfather left the room. A part of him wanted to believe that Aoibheann would be his someday, but another part of him knew it was impossible. He would just have to love and lose her. 

_____________________________

Aoibheann skipped into her home, then heard her father call her into his study just as she passed the door. "Yes, father?" she asked, feeling completely happy. "I have wonderful news!" he exclaimed, clapping his hands together. Aoibheann grinned "what might that be, father?". "I have found you a husband! I met his father last night!". Aoibheann felt her heart shatter "who, if I might ask?". "I'm not sure you would know him; but his name is Kim Soo-ho!" he exclaimed "he is a very handsome man, full of charm and love. He will treat you wonderfully!". 

Wait what? Soo-ho? Oh no...