화랑 - a tale of curiosity [ON HOLD]

🌸chapter twenty-five🌸

Ah Ro was still treating the remaining Hwarang's as Ji-ae sat by the side of her, handing her little bits and bob's when asked.

Ji-ae parted ways with Hansung after his arm was stitched up. He whined for a second before happily finding interest in something else, and wandering away.

Ah Ro was just finishing up, standing up and looking all around her, as if she was looking for someone.

"Where is he?" She muttered to herself, twiddling her fingers constantly. Ji-ae visibly tensed on the spot, slowly putting down the herb infront of her. "Do you know, Ji-ae?" Ah Ro suddenly asked, making Ji-ae draw out a long breath.

"Can't say that I do." She mused, lying so that Ah Ro wouldn't get upset over her brother again.

The two girls stated at eachother for a minute until Sam made a sudden entrance, taking both of them by surprise. "Oh, you scared me." Ji-ae commented, placing her palm over her heart.

"Master Pervert?" Ah Ro asked, making Ji-ae furrow her brows, but Sam seemed unfazed.

"It really is you?" He asked, making Ji-ae fake a gag from the side lines.

"Have you seem my brother?"

"Is your brother all you can think of?" Sam exclaimed, tutting at Ah Ro's question. "That is a great patient stood before you."

"Who created this mess?" She further pressed. "Where is my brother? Is he alright?"

Sam sighed. "Come with me." He said. "I do not think it is alright for you to be here."

"What do you mean?" Ah Ro asked, but with that, Sam's response was latching his fingers around her wrist and dragging her away.

"Uh, guys." Ji-ae said, standing up to go follow but kicking over Ah Ro's medical kit in the process. "Why me?" Ji-ae whined, crouching down to pick up the stuff again.

She began sorting out the herbs she spilt, into their different containers, smelling them at times when she thought it was weird.

"You aren't the psychian." A male voice, startling Ji-ae once more. They began laughing heartily at the young woman, until she huffed out.

"You're so witty, Young Master." Ji-ae sarcastically said, scooping up the herbs again and separating them once more.

"Some one need to provide entetainment." He said, leaning on the doorway to them lean off of it. "Here, let me help." He crouched down next to her, making Ji-ae laugh. "What?"

"Why did you start on Ban Ryu?" She asked Soo Hoo, making him purse his lips. "You don't even get to start with me." She mocked, landing a playful flick on her forehead.

"Don't you think it's about time someone put him in his place?" Soo Hoo asked, resuming to picking up the herbs.

Ji-ae fell silent for a moment, thinking about what happened earlier.

"I suppose so." She answered. "Yes."

"You suppose?" He asked, making eye contact with Ji-ae, only for her to look awya. She then shyly nodded before continuing with the herbs. Soo Hoo reshuffled his footing, taking in a breath. "I heard what Ban Ryu said to you."

Ji-ae placed the herbs into the tray and then met his questioning eyes. "Then I suppose you know that me and him aren't friends anymore."

"Were you really ever friends?" He asked, making Ji-ae shrug.

"I thought so." She answered. "But then again, what everyone thinks is right." She stood up, Soo Hoo following her actions. "So, to get your answer you would have to ask the man himself."

"Now, now." Soo Hoo chimed. "We both know that I don't get on with him."

The two laughed for a second, before exitinf the marquee and walking across the grounds.

"He just snapped at me." Ji-ae said. Soo Hoo listening contently. "It's like something had happened to him, something that would make him want to hate me."

Soo Hoo chuckled. "His ego?" He offered, causing some chortles, but it soon died out. "I mean, are you really missing out a large part of your social life?" He asked. "Aren't you dating the weird little fella?"

"He's not weird." Ji-ae defended, making Soo Hoo apologise. "He's just curious." Ji-ae mused, smiling slightly. "Innocently curious." With that, the front gates of the Hwarang House were opened, revealing the Queen in all her glory.

Ji-ae instantly striaghtened her back, kicking Soo Hoo' s leg for him to show manners.

"Do you know where the Chief Instructor's office is?" The woman next to the Queen asked, making Soo Hoo all giddy.

"I shall escort you." He offered, gesturing with his hand on where to go.

"What are you doing?" Ji-ae asked, only to be giving a blank expression in response.

She quietly rejoined Soo Hoo's side, the Queen walking gracefully behind them.

They were walking for a further two minutes before Soo Hoo announced their arrival. "This is it." He said, his hand pointing up to the building infront of him.

The Queen began walking past, and Ji-ae couldn't help but notice the way Soo Hoo was leaning towards the Queen.

Ji-ae bowed as the Queen approached to only have her chin lifted up.

"How is my precious Ji-ae coping?" She sincerly asked, making Ji-ae nod in confirmation. The Queen smiled, casting a glance around before landing it onto her servant. "Escort Miss Ji-ae to a secluded in which me and her can talk in private after my converstaion with Master We Hwa."

"Yes, Your Highness." With that, the Queen proceeded to walk in, where as Ji-ae was being escorted some place else.

Upon arriving at the open view balcony, the servant leaves and Ji-ae is left on her own.

She leans against the railings, the slight breeze hitting her porcelain skin as she closed her eyes. It was so peaceful, she thought.

As she was taking in her surroundings, her ears picked up on what seemed like a small disagreement beneath her. She opened her eyes, slowly looking down to see Sam now lay against Ah Ro's back. Ji-ae tutted and then decided to sit down.

Again, she began letting her eyes close gently, followed by the breeze still delicatly blowing over her features. Her shorter strands of hair were constantly tickling at her forehead, making her crease it every second.

It continues on like that for a few more minute until the sensation went away.

Ji-ae slowly openes her eyes, slowly revealing the figure stood infront of her. "Maybe I should invest in some more hairpins." The Queen mused. "Perhaps you won't crinkle your nose as much."

"Your Majesty."

"Since when did you use manners around me?" The Queen chortled. "Has the company of men supplied you with manners." The Queen walked over to the edge of the railing Ji-ae was at earlier. "Is that?" The Queen began, making Ji-ae come forward.

Ji-ae looked to where the Queen was looking and when Ji-ae saw Sam and Ah Ro again, she understood.

Upon Ah Ro shaking Sam awake, he looked straight up to where Ji-ae and tbe Queen were stood, and you could see him visbly sigh. To break the tension, Ji-ae propsed a question.

"Why don't we sit down, and you can tell me why you wanted to talk?" She propsed, and the Queen listened, soon taking a seat. "What is it you wanted to talk about?" Ji-ae asked.

The Queen pursed her lips, but quite knowing how to say it. "I'm not sure if I should tell you."

"I'm intrigued now." Ji-ae said giddly. " Please proceed."

"Ji-ae." The Queen said. "It's about your father."

Ji-ae's expression fell, and a confused smile made it's way onto her face before chuckling slightly. "What?" She aksed, worried and confused.

"He's dead."