Iris

With Your Eyes Wide Open

Xing....

Yona and the rest had an encounter to the princess of Xing, Tao.

She wanted to have a contract with Soo Won for surrender but her older sister want to rage into war.

Yona decided to tell Soo Won personally. They decided to go to Hiryuu Castle.

Capital
Lili's House/ water Tribe settlement

"Do I really have to do this?", Lili asked while holding a cup. "Just a little more", Nari said while painting the girl. "Done", Nari said. Lili was amazed that she did it so fast. She peeked and looked and saw it was an abstract kind of art. "I thought you're serious about it!!! What's this? This look like a monster", Lili scolded. "You're calling yourself a monster. That's not good", Nari said innocently. "Whatever. Don't do any painting anymore. Teach me how to hold a sword", Lili pulled her from her seat. "I'm not in the mood", Nari yawned. "You've said that for three days already", Lili complained. "Lili, you cannot be Yona. That princess got her head knocked off. Plus, there's a way that you can fight without using any weapon. You're a unique one, Lili", Nari gave a smile to her. "You look stupid when you smile like that", lili pouted.

"You've got some visitors", Tetora opened the door and revealed Yona and the others. Lili jumped out and hugged to Yona. "You're alright!! Im so happy", Lili cried. Nari turned her back and also hid her smile.  "I'm glad you are doing well. Lili. And also... Nari. We haven't seen you popping like a mushroom on the way", Yona teased. "I guess something happened thats why you're here", Nari faced them. They all looked at her with surprise. She's become so thin and there are also dark circles under her eyes. Yona  clenched her fist and blamed it on the Nadai. She haven't told anyone yet about it.

"You've gotten pretty ugly", Jae Ha commented. "Are you sick? Are they feeding you well?", Kija panicked. Ao, the squirrel went up her shoulder. "Pukyuu", it rubbed itself in Nari's face. "I'm okay, Ao. How's your adventures? You've gotten quite brave to infiltrate the capital", Nari stood up. "we're here to negotiate with the King. Would you pass him a letter?", Yona asked.  Nari didnt give any response. "It's okay if you wont do it", Yona smiled. Nari took the letter and started to walk away. "You're leaving already?", Lili asked. "I think you guys have something to talk about", Nari gave a bow and started walking away from them using the back door. "You cant walk around alone. Hye will yell at me", Lili ran after her. "It's been sometime that you saw Yona and the others. Are you just going to leave like that?", Lili asked. "I think they're here because of something that involves Soo Won. I cannot betray them by hearing information that shouldn't be disclosed. Plus, I'm kind of considering concentrating on taking care of my body", Nari smiled.

Zeno and Shinah went with her back at the palace.  "Why is Zeno here?" Nari asked. "I dont look suspicious", Zeni informed. "Shinah, since when have you openly revealed your beautiful eyes?!", Nari whined. The girls outside the palace were all mesmerized. Nari gave them a glare. "They're really beautiful, Shinah", Nari patted Ao and fed it with berries she gathered on the way. The soldier guarding the back door were alarmed and raised their sword. "That is the lady that the king always have beside him", one of them whispered. "Let us in", Nari ordered and showed an emblem. The soldiers bowed and allowed them to enter.

"Zeno, you've been here for hundreds of years, right? What are the changes?", Nari asked. "Nothing much", Zeno hummed. Shinah saw Soo Won at a distant having a friendly conversation with Min Soo. "Why is it that Yona and Hak hate him?", Shinah asked. "Didn't Yona tell you?",Nari turned to face him. "All I knew is that he became the King", Shinah shrugged. "Shinah, you dont turn to a King of the former one died or retired", Nari explained. "Then... he killed Yona's father?", Shinah asked. "You better not speak of that name here in this territory", Nari warned.

They reached the inner ward and saw Soo Won walking at the corridor. "Nice to meet you again. Mr. King", Zeno gave a bow and Shinah also did. "Nari?", Soo won blinked for sometime. "I happened to be hanging around the with Lili. Along my way, I met them. They seems to want a little chat with you. Here is also a letter", Nari passed it to Soo Won. The guy's eyes widened when he saw the handwriting. "You recognize the handwriting, dont you? It's the princess. She want to have a negotiation with you", Zeno opened. "Did she send you here? Then you can give me the details", Soo Won suggested. "Nope. We're here because we accompanied Nari back here. She's frail and sick. Plus, the squirrel won't leave her... so, we tag along", Zeno explained. "Is that so? You've got good friends, Nari", Soo Won said then took the letter. "I'm so sorry that I cannot attend that meeting. I also have some job to do", Soo Won passed through them. "But I will send someone as my representative", Soo Won assured. 

"That is not an aura of someone who can actually kill. He's warm", Shinah commented. "By the way, you came all along. Why don't you stay for a while?", Nari suggested. "Yona will think you kidnapped us. If the fight is inevitable, we're going back to Xing", Zeno informed. "Take care", Nari gave a bow. "Get well soon, Nari. We missed you showing in the most unexpected places", Zeno gave a pat on her shoulder. "But you made the right choice. Stay here for a little longer, okay?", Zeno said then drag the squirrel and Shinah away.

The next days...

Soo Won sent Min Soo to Yona and Hak. He reported that the war is inevitable if the Xing country will not raise a flag. Soo Won will not allow ambush to be taken place so he will march Xing with full army. It's up to the older sister to submit to him.

Hak and the dragons came back to protect the Xing and those that are siding with Tao. It appears that there is a coup de tat on the country led by the religious elders.

Yona tried to reach Soo Won in the castle but he already left before Min Soo and her arrive. All that was left are servants and Nari. Yona went inside her hall and saw Nari having a sword dance using bamboo sticks. "Nari..  I need your help", Yona panted as she entered. "What is it that you wanted?", Nari asked. "Xing's princess already surrendered but the elders of the country would not allow invation from Kouka. I beg you to stop Soo Won", Yona knelt and beg.

"I cannot even hold a sword properly", Nari sighed. "I don't need you to fight for me. Just help me tell Soo Won. A lot of our friends at the other side of the country are already suffering.", Yona cried. "Princess, why do you have to come to me and beg for me to convince Soo Won?", Nari asked. "It's for your friends right? Why don't you tell it to him yourself? Are you really going to save them? If you have such a resolve, then do it yourself", Nari continued dancing. "I cant do it. I can't pass my judgement. My heart is throbbing every time I meet with Soo Won but I can't bring myself to kill him as well", Yona cried. Nari finally stopped and dropped her bamboo sword. She pulled Yona's colar having her stand on her feet. "I am also frustrated that I cannot do anything right now. I am not even updated of what is happening outside the capital because of my condition. I bit my lips and followed what you told me before, live because I am the only thing that's left not only for the King but also with other people. I am fighting this battle by being quiet and concentrating on gaining my strength back. What I am trying to say here is that... what we hate doing the most are the things that makes us stronger and are the things that are right. Suspend your feelings right now. You want to save them, right? Then face His highness alone. That way, you can overcome your fears and doubts", Nari lectured.

"I see. You decided to live, right? Nari.. that's really great. You're right. We're fighting different battles right now", Yona wiped her tears. Nari lets go of Yona's clothes. "Sorry for grabbing on you", Nari said in a shy voice. "Thank you, Nari. You're really the best after all", Yona gave a bow. "Give her my horse, Min Soo", Nari instructed. "But...", Min Soo knew that Nari liked that horse a lot since it can run fast. "Go", Nari turned her back from them.

Chapter End...