"Do not address me so informal, woman. For I am the Prince of Goryeo and you.... are just like them."
His words echoing in my head.
I thought tonight's going to be magical. What was I thinking?
Do I seriously believe he will forgive me for lying? That he will accept me for who I really am?
I wipe my tears away but it's no use. They keep coming like I'm shedding rivers of tears.
Maybe deep down, my deluded brain thought that if he really love me like I thought he did, maybe he can find it in him to forgive me and we can just start anew.
Guess I was wrong.
All my hopes were already gone for this night even before it started. Halmoeni and Eomonie Byun had tried to break the lock from the cold root cellar but nothing worked. They kept banging the metal door, hoping, praying that for some miracle it will break and free me.
"Allow me."
"Bojo Jinul?" I stood up. I could not be wrong. I know that voice.
I heard commotions from the other side of the door and after a few seconds, the door came off and I can see light from the outside again.
"Bojo Jinul!" I ran up to him and hugged him. He doesn't know how thankful I am.
"Bojo Jinul, ho-how did you find me?"
Yiyun raised her hand. I didn't even know she was here. "Halabeoji pushes me to seek help from Bojo Jinul so... here we are." she explained with a sheepish grin.
I hugged my bestfriend. She's wearing a palace knight uniform. No idea where she got it from but I knew she's capable of doing crazy things especially for me.
"You shouldn't be locked up. The Prince is expecting you." she said.
I sighed as I let her go. "He's expecting someone else." I turn to the Philosopher.
"Bojo Jinul, my name is Jung Soojung and I am just a servant."
"And I am just a son of a fisherman. What does that to do with anything?"
"I've deceived him."
Bojo Jinul holds my hands, with fatherly smile he looks at me in the eye. "The Prince will understand."
"Come on, Soojung-ah. The night is young, we must get you ready for the ball." says Emmoeni Byun, pulling me up the stairs.
I pulled back. "I do not wish to go."
"If you stay, Lady Choi wins." says Halmeoni.
"But how can I face him?" It's easier said than done and I don't think my courage is strong enough for this.
Bojo Jinul lifted my chin up. "Because he deserves to hear the truth from the he loves."
"A bird may love a fish, but where will they live?"
Bojo Jinul smiles. "Then I shall make that beautiful fish her wings."
I feel beautiful. It's true. Halmoeni, Eommonie, Bojo Jinul and Yiyun did miracles when they turned me into a human butterfly.
"It's a Masquerade Ball but you don't need mask. Don't hide your gorgeous eyes. The Prince would like to see them shine tonight."
My heart's beating louder than the drums. I arrived just in time.
"Friends, Honored Guests, it gives us great pleasure on this festive occasion, not only to honour The Great Bojo Jinul, who seems to have disappeared, but also to tell you of a long awaited decision."
