Hwarang (ON HOLD; UNDER EDITING)

23

"Since we're done eating, do you think we can go outside?", Su-Jin asked Maek Jong.

Su-Jin was seated on a surface next to the open window, looking down once more at the busy village, while Maek Jong sat on a chair, drinking tea.

"Depends. Do people know who you are?", he asked.

"No."

"Are you sure-"

"Oh, wait. Speaking of outside, will we not go to your castle? You told me that I should introduce myself. Why are we still here?"

Maek Jong put down his cup and looked at Su-Jin. With a sigh, he gave in.

"Fine. But we won't go to the castle right away. You can check some items out in the markets and stalls."

"Okay then.", she said and went down from where she was sitting. She fixed her outfit and went outside.

Maek Jong followed after her and came out to see her already at the third store.

How is she this fast?, he asked himself.

Su-Jin spotted a certain necklace and picked it up.

It had the word, '달' carved into its wooden surface and had a moon pendant made out of wood hanging from the beads.

"This is beautiful...", she whispered.

Maek Jong squinted tilted his head to see Su-Jin better. Seeing her mesmerized and attracted by something so simple made her look so captivating.

"How can a person look at a necklace so beautifully?", he said to himself.

"Ah, master, when you are attracted to a person, everything they do has a special beauty added to them. It seems as if you are under a spell, that every move they make is filled with beauty and enchantment. Every sound they let out appears to be the best thing you have ever heard."

Maek Jong flinched in surprise. He could have sworn he was alone. He looked beside him to see an old man, leaning on the door frame next to him, also looking at Su-Jin and smiling.

"What?", he asked, dumbfounded.

The old man shook is head and smiled wider. He let out a small chuckle.

"You are in love, young master.", he said.

"What love are you talking about?", he asked, putting pressure on the word 'love'.

"Ah, do not be in denial, my child. Just admit it to yourself that you are attracted to the girl.", the old lady from earlier appeared out of nowhere with a fan in one hand.

"Most of the time, if you acknowledge your feelings, it is most likely to fade away. Well, isn't that what you men are always on about? Admitting your feelings, falling in love, then after that all you do is fight and fight over everything!", she added as she glared at the old man.

"What? What's your problem this time?", he asked her.

"This time!? This time!? What do you mean 'this time'!? I-"

Maek Jong shook his head and crossed his arms over his chest as the old couple bickered. He leaned on the pillars that held and supported the inn's front porch.

He continued staring at Su-Jin, who seemed to be having a good time.

What the old couple said lingered in his mind.

Do I already love her? Impossible. I barely know her. Yes, she's beautiful, but...I don't know. What am I feeling?

His face turned into a serious frown as he was thinking deep.

What will happen to us when we get married by force? What if the wedding will ruin whatever we have?

He suddenly felt a pain in his heart.

Will we stay the same?

Will we grow distant?

Why am I feeling this pain?

What does she have? Who is she to make me feel this way?

Why?

Why...?