the Twelve-faced Moon: A Loona fanfiction

Chapter XIII

Hyunjin I

Chill wind that reeks of autumn leaf fragrance filled Hyunjin's face. Mild cold,far more pleasant than the winds from whence she came from. Just thinking of spending another winter at Taebaek sent chill down Hyunjin's spine. A girl of eighteen,she just spent her first year of ruling as Lady of Taebaek.

Although Hyunjin never liked the notion of ruling nor shown that she's able to do so,she does accepts her position as Lady of Taebaek simply because there is a lot of cute leopard cubs to be taken care of. And since there is no other Amur Rider left to take the position at that time. And because she thinks that her task will simply just tending to these cubs...she was wrong.

Cats or any kinds of feline,are her favorite creature. she always thankful to be born as Gangwon Kim and not a Hamgyong Son,she shudder at the thoughts of riding and taming dogs,let alone wolf.

Such uncouth and unruly creature,loud and oft times drooling,worse frothing out of control. leopard on the other hand are gallant,commanding and look as noble as any creature could. These petty cats and dogs argument often strain her relationship with House Son of Hamgyong,with Hyejoo in particular.They never got along because of it,even as a child.

Hyunjin spent her last several days traveled from Taebaek,the city that took its name from the same mountain which the city perched upon are perfect breeding den of Amur leopard. Taebaek was cold even in summer,heavily forested,high up in the mountain,remote and sparsely populated.

As per local customs,Lord or Lady of Taebaek are bestowed another title to their name: The Amur's Beastkeeper. Tasked with the duty of keeping the well-being of the leopard and to make sure they didn't breed out of control like what happened with the Khalkhan wolf further north.

Finding a rider for these leopard are also part of her daily task. It is said that any boy or girl that born the same day when a cub is born is destined to be together. This custom originated back when the first twin pair of Amur leopard that the Gangwon Kim possess bore a litter of five cub,whereas three boy and two girl are also born that day. All five of them matured alongside the leopard and able to ride them eventually,and their bond is said to be unbreakable. These customs are still continued to these day,much to Hyunjin's displeasure. She saw it as tiresome affair altogether,as she oft scour the vast countryside of Gangwon everytime a new leopard cub was born,looking for newly born baby then gave the cub to the babe's parents to foster. It is considered a great boon to received these cub among the peasant and noble alike in Gangwon. If she couldn't find the babe,the cub stay at Taebaek's castle den to await their rider.

So these summon to the capital her father ordered, offer her a welcomed distraction from her daily ponderous routine.

Beside inheriting the traditional Gangwon Kim looks,dark deep black eye and v-shaped soft chin. Hyunjin and her elder brothers are also blessed with the mastery of the leopard. A hereditary ability so to speak. When sons or daughters of Gangwon Kim unable to tame and rode a leopard before they come of age,they are usually branded or accused of being born a bastard. forced to change their family name to Kimhwa,effectively removing them from Gangwon Kim's lineage.

Hyunjin currently rode a leopard on her way to Hwaseong Fortress. she called hers Amberfoot, green eyed with faint yellow fur,while her paw fur are light brown like a freshly baked bread. Upon glancing Amberfoot's paw,it reminds Hyunjin that its been awhile after her dinner,hunger seeps into her mind. Freshly baked Hotteok at these hour..gosh that would be nice.

Fortunately for her and her stomach,the sight of Hwaseong Fortress is near. The fortress is a chain of fortification that surrounds the city of Suwon. Situated in flat terrain,Hyunjin saw the wall was generally built higher than that on either of the two hills over which it passes. The parapets are made of stone and brick. All parts are well-maintained and the whole circuit can be walked easily as Hyunjin saw some soldiers walking around carrying torch in patrol.