Hana of the Dusk | Akatsuki no Yona

Chapter 3: The Nightmare.

A young girl with short orange hair was lying down on her chest in her room by herself, propping her chin on her palms. In front of her, there was her and Yona's favorite book; the legend of the Four Dragons. She had heard her father recited the story for a hundred times before she and Yona went to sleep, and she had even memorized every single word in the book. But the story never bored her.

"What did I tell you about not staying up late at night?"

Hana looked over her shoulder and found her father looking down at her. Hana giggled nervously and slowly closed the book, "sorry, Tou-san."

King Il smiled at his eldest daughter. He sat on the floor next to her. Hana also sat up from her lying position, crossing her legs. Il stroked her orange hair, "my daughter is growing up so fast. You can even read now. I remember when you're still a baby, crying in your mother's arms. Before I know it, you'll get married and have a family of your own."

Tears slipped from the corners of his eyes. Hana reached for his face and wiped the tears away with her small hands. "Tou-san, don't cry," Hana persuaded, wrapping her arms around his neck, giving him the warmest and tightest hug she could. "I'm not going anywhere, so don't cry!"

Hana pulled away and beamed at him. At the sight of his daughter's innocent smile, he couldn't help but smile as well. Il touched Hana's cheeks, "Hana, if anything happens to me, take care of your little sister, and be strong like your mother."

Hana pouted. Even though she was only 7 years old, she understood what he meant by that; he was indicating about his death. "Don't say that, Tou-san. Nothing's gonna happen to you. I'm gonna protect you—"

Before she could finish her sentence, a sword pierced through her father's chest, his blood splashing to her face. His head fell on her lap. His dead eyes gazing up into her shocked blue eyes. A petrified scream escaped from her mouth.

"Tou-san!"

"No!" Hana woke up with a terrified scream escaping her lips. She sat up, her chest falling and rising in a fast rhythm. Her orange hair was sticking to her forehead from the sweat that was covering her whole body. She looked around. A few candles were lit around her room. Outside, the sky was dark and she could see the moon shining through the window. The birthday celebration must have ended by now. She didn't participate in the closing ceremony, but she hoped her father would forgive her for that.

Father.

Remembering her dream, a new fear dawned on her. Why did she have a horrible dream of her father, dying? She had never had such nightmare about anyone's death while she was traveling, thousand miles away from her family. So why did it happen when she's here, at her home?

She looked out of the window again. The night was in a queer silence. It was strange, considering they just had a big celebration today. It couldn't have ended a long time ago— perhaps 3 to 4 hours ago. Not to mention, she still felt restless even after a long sleep. Her body felt weak, making her want to stay in bed until the morning. But she couldn't shake off the unease in her heart.

Something isn't right.

Pushing aside her tiredness, Hana stood up. First, she had to check on her father. The dream was disturbing her mind, and she couldn't sit still or go to sleep again until she made sure her father was alright.

As soon as she slid open her door, she found two men in front of her room, standing guard. Hana knew none of them, even though they were wearing the castle guard uniforms. Besides, these weren't even her guards; it was supposed to be Fumiko and Taka, her childhood friends from the Wind Tribe. They worked under Hak in this castle, but since Hana had come home, King Il insisted she had her own guards even for temporary. So they had volunteered themselves to be her guards.