A Tale About A: Forgotten Princess [Part 2]

Chapter 31: Water

Wiping her tears away, Hae Soo suddenly gripped on to my hands tightly as if determined. She looked in to my eyes with a strong gaze and she said, "Princess Hwa Yeon, if you treat me as a real friend, please stay beside Prince Wang So to assist him." 

How could I reject when she pleaded me in such a way? Why is everybody asking me to help that prince when he wanted to kill me in the past? 

I sighed as Hae Soo's pleadings got me in to a very difficult position. 

"Hae Soo ah..." I mumbled to myself as I stood in front of thirty soldiers awaiting for my orders for the mission.

Just then, General Park walked towards me after double checking for the weapons and necessaries that we might need to complete the mission. "Princess Hwa Yeon, these will be the men to support you in the mission. They are few of the best men I could find." He said proudly as he smiled at the soldiers.

"It's our honour to work with you, princess!" The troop saluted in harmony.

"I wish for us to work well." I gave a brief approval even though my heart was quite unwilling to do this. 

Prince Wang So came next while we were about to head out. He took out something from his pocket and reaches out to me. I looked down upon the tiny whistle in his palms in confusion. "Use this whistle and report to me once you have reached the campsite." He said emotionlessly and I accepted the whistle coldly.

Without responding to him, I ordered my troops and soon we were out of the palace towards our destination.

//

Following the map that was given to us carefully, we soon arrived at the empty field after a good whole week even though it was a short cut route. My troop were quick to set up the campsite efficiently and I sat in my tent focusing on the map. 

Footsteps came marching in to my tent and I looked up to find General Park with a serious expression. 

"Princess Hwa Yeon, have you reported to Prince Wang So upon our arrival?" His question pulled me out of my thoughts as I remembered the whistle the prince had given me earlier on. I've completely forgotten about what he said and quickly took it out.

"Right...I shall report to him now." I said and went out of my tent to blow the whistle. A high tune travelled across the entire campsite and I was expecting to at least see an eagle flying across yet, there was absolutely nothing.

Is the Prince trying to play a joke on me?

"This is a sound only the people close to Prince Wang So would know." General Park explained after seeing the expression on my face. 

"R-right." I said in embarrassment.

Of course. 

"Anyway, we need to discuss and explore about the route to the enemy's den now before the sun sets. Wouldn't be too good to be roaming around late at night in a place we're unfamiliar in." He suggested and we hurry in to the tent again without wasting much time.

"Princess, I was told that you used to stay in this temple here when you were young?" The general questioned as he pointed at the map.

"Yes...it should be a secret though..." I remembered Father was super secretive about it and had no idea why until when I knew of my true identity. 

I looked up when I thought I had mistaken a laughter from the General but true enough, he had a small grin on his face. 

"I remember Soon Deok begging me to teach her the art of war when she was young. She sure was an extraordinary girl. If only she's still around..." General Park got stuck as he reminiscences. "I'm sure she'll be a good partner to you."