Another Choice

Chapter 13- Vow to protect

They continued to practice and the longer they practiced, she is getting used of how to defending himself from his punches. Even though, she still falling to the ground because of his enormous strength. But, now she can see some of his movement and blocking them. Until the sun has went down from the sky, they still continued to practice. Haneul is getting a better and she even managed to not stumble on to the ground a few times.

Tal Tal was satisfied with her progress and said,"Good, your move is improving. But, you'll still need to increase your strength. You may rest and have your dinner. Meet me in the library after you finish."

Haneul breathes a sigh of relief finally after a long practice, she finally can rest for a while. She just hoped that she doesn't doze off when she is studying in the library later. She walked to her room to get some dinner. When she got there, she can't find Byul there and there is no food served. She sighed and her whole body is aching out of pain.'The maid must be forgotten to bring me food.' So, she walked toward the dining hall. She saw a lot of soldiers are eating and chattering. She tried to find Byul and saw him with Commander Jadan and a few other soldiers. He looked that he is getting along well with them.'Maybe I shouldn't disturb him. That's great that he is having a great time here.' Haneul walked to the maids to ask them for food.

The old maid that has she met before gasped and said, "My apologies, my lady. I forget to bring your food to your room." She bowed deeply to her.

Haneul smiled and said," It's alright, I wanted to try to eat here too, after all." The old maid smiled and said,"Here, My lady. You'll need to eat more, I've seen you train for the whole day." The old maid said while scooping a large portion of rice to her bowl. Haneul bowed and said her thanks. She was a little confused about where to sit, she never knew those soldiers before. So, she sits in the corner of a table that doesn't have too many soldiers there. She ate alone and seeing around the hall. She can see Tal Tal and Baek Ahn is sitting together with other couples of soldiers. 'It must be great to have fun like that, huh. To have friends that you can talk too.' she thought getting lost in her reverie.

Baek Ahn was talking to Tal Tal about their border safety while he saw Haneul sitting all lone in the corner. Baek Ahn was confused about why she sitting there all alone.

"Tal Tal, isn't that the Koryo girl you picked as your apprentice?" Baek Ah said while pointing towards where Haneul sit. "Why is she sitting there all alone? Tell her to sit with us, I want to see her up close."

Tal Tal nodded and went to where Haneul is sitting. Haneul realized from her reverie when Tal Tal asked her, "Why're you sitting here all alone?"

"Its just I didn't know any of the soldiers here and I don't want to disturb my brother who seems to have fun with your commander."

Tal Tal sighed and said, "Then, why don't you sit with me?"

Haneul gasped and replied, "I just think that it may seem impolite and I'm just your apprentice. I'm also from Koryo, I thought that your uncle won't like the idea of me eating together with you."

He sighed again and said, "Come over to my table, my uncle asked you to join us."

"What really? My apologies, I mean, of course,Sabonim." Haneul gets up from where she sitting and take her food to the table where Baek Ahn is sitting.

"So, you're here, huh? The Koryo girl that my nephew so persistently tried to keep alive?" Baek Ahn asked while looking at her from the top until the bottom. Haneul can felt that she is being judged completely by him.

Tal Tal glared at his uncle and said, "Uncle! It is not wise to say that."

Haneul just stayed silent unknowing what to reply.