Crystal Eyes

Chapter 10

Hanguel and her family was shocked. "Why did you do that? Even though that question stands, how will we believe you?" Hanguel asked the woman.

"Your brother is alive and well." she pointed to a boy much older than Hangeul's brother. He ran up to Hanguel and cried.

"Sister I missed you!" Hanguel took a step back and looked into his eyes. It was her little brother, over the years who has grown up to become a sixteen year old boy.

As Jone went and hugged his parents, Hanguel asked the woman, "Why did you do such a thing? Why did you keep my brother away from our family?"

The woman replied, "I am a witch. I am not from this village. The king brought me here." All eyes were now focused on the king.

"What nonsense is she saying? Capture her! I did no such thing!" the king shrieked ghastly.

The woman continued. She lifted her hand up in the air and displayed a blue light, the kind that was around Hanguel. The blue light now showed the king sitting on his royal throne comfortably saying,

"The prince catches the sight of the prettiest girl in the village but is poor. Even if he weds her, what good will she be? No different from the servants in the kitchen, I presume. I want you, the greatest witch that practices dark magic, to lure Hanguel into a trap and kill her. I demand you!"

The king denied he ever made this demand from the witch.

The witch continued. "He did not expect me to grab the prince into this but I thought, where would there be a lesson for all of us if Hanguel was just killed?"

Hangeul's mother jumped in and said, "Wait...but she was born with this sickness. How could you have given the power?"

The witch explained, "Because the king looks into his son's and the kingdom's future through dark magic. He foresaw that the prince would come to fall in love with your daughter, Hanguel. I changed the future because I knew Hanguel is an innocent soul. No one should be cursed from birth."

"FATHER! How dare you do such a cowardly thing to your villagers and your family!" the prince jumped in and shouted.

"How dare you speak to me that way? I tried to protect you from that silly little thing who was about to ruin your life." The king tried to justify his actions but the villagers were not satisfied. The queen finally said,

"Enough. Arrest the king and the witch! That is my order. There will be no space for you my dear in the kingdom. You will be thrown to the dungeon just like every other person who committed sin resides there. I never thought you would turn out to deceive your own wife, your people and your son." She turned away in great disappointment.

The witch turned around and said,

"I am ready for any punishment. I was ready since the start. Seeing you all happy and that you have learnt the lesson is more than enough for me. Hanguel, you need not worry anymore. You have broken the curse. You are not sick anymore. I sincerely apologize for creating havoc."

Hanguel smiled. She did not have it in her heart to scold or punish for the witch's or the king's wrong doing. Her heart was pure.

*********

Everything was back into place. The royal family created a special place in their hearts for Hanguel and her family.

"You and your family is welcome to visit us, Hanguel."

"Thank you, your majesty." Hanguel and her family bow down in respect.

The prince took Hangeul's hand and said, "Should we have dinner together tonight at the castle?"

She smiled.

When she was happy, he was in a garden of beautiful flowers on a sunny day.