The Edge Of Forever

07| youthful hearts

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o7 

y o u t h f u l  h e a r t s : 젊은 마음

THE DRAGON AND BIRD LOOKED soulful and alive, bathing in the serenity of not being fully apart of the world which swarmed with ruin.

I couldn't take my eyes off them, the golden dragon didn't need honor, it didn't need power. It remained the same no matter what it had. It's eyes shone a colour that matched the sun. The bird was above it, close by but not touching with its wings outstretched, ready to take off from an abode filled with destruction. 

If only we humans could do that.

And at that moment, I was trapped once more in the very world I needed to be free from. 

"Mina! How can you be so relaxed while you have your marriage to the Crown Prince in only two days?" My mother's snap was lethal and sharp.

I slowly averted my gaze from the dragon and bird to her. She was leaning into the table, her arms on the table. She scowled at me over the steeple she made with her hands. I leaned back into the cushion placed behind me on the chair. 

"Mother, it has been a month since you have been lecturing me and teaching me of the dangers of the Palace." I sighed. "Have you forgotten that I was born and lived in the very Palace for majority of my life?" 

She let out an exasperated sigh and leaned back in her seat. "Mina! You were a princess who would have left the Palace one day after you were married. No one paid attention to you, you were no threat but being the Crown Princess and then Queen is treading on glass." 

I exhaled a long breath. "I understand, Mother." 

Her eyes softened and I saw the young Mother who smiled constantly when I was young, the mother who looked at the clear sky rather than the ground where all the memories were buried. "Dusk until dawn, my daughter, they will be after you. Your blood. Watch your words and actions from dusk until dawn." 

"Yes, Mother." 

"I would never have it this way." My mother let out another exasperated sigh. "The farther you are form the Palace, the more you can be sure that you're safe." 

I nodded dejectedly.

The month had sailed by with the Royal wedding preparations. I had not met with the Crown Prince since then; only with Queen Wondeok who showed overenthusiasm in the wedding as we were both from the Kaesong Wang clan; further enhancing her security and position within the Palace. I had yet to meet Queen Dowager, the King and anyone else from the Royal family, including the Lord Hae-Nul, Lady Nee and Jung. 

It was for the best.

"Mother." I called out. "How...how will I see you often once I am in the Palace?" 

Mother stood up, and then she rounded the table to come to my side. She pulled my head which she placed against her stomach and then patted it.

"I am always with you Mina." She whispered soothingly. 

My hands grabbed onto her arm around me and I inhaled the homely scent that I longed to be with. "I'd prefer to stay with you Mother." 

"Nonsense." She chided quietly. "I will always be with you."