~ a lily among thorns~

"only a coward"

Days turned into weeks as the Hwarangs continued going through the ordinary motions. Seonu was constantly stalking Ji-Dwi, inspecting every move he made. Nari was in a state of confusion and anguish, unable to identify who the king really was. She'd thought she'd found the answer but pursuing her most likely suspect had only led to more uncertainty. She was also up in arms about the mystery message. Who on earth was trying to contact her? She'd had the coin and pins for almost a year now. Whoever was attempting to reach out surely must have given up by now. However, despite her continuous struggle, love was beginning to flourish between her and Ji-Dwi. The pair were becoming almost inseparable – spending every possible moment they had together. Yeo-Wool endured watching the two flirt at every meal. He was more than unimpressed. He wasn't exactly enjoying Nari's newfound interest in Ji-Dwi.

"They leave little room for appetite," he'd murmur to himself most days, picking at his almost untouched food.

Cherry blossoms were beginning to bloom as the icy winter faded into the lively season of spring. Nari found herself one evening peering over Hwarang's gates, staring at the picturesque outline of the city in contrast to the deep green forest. She reflected on her adventures over the past year...playing around at Octa, matchmaking with Ban-Ryu, kite-flying with Yeo-Wool. Her mind rested on the time she'd found that lifeless girl on the forest's edge. She remembered how the authorities had opened up an investigation, blaming the death on witchcraft. It still puzzled her. The girl had evidently fallen from a tree. Brushing the matter aside, Nari rested her head in her hand, closing her eyes as she let the warm breeze gently graze her skin. She hadn't felt this relaxed in a while. The feeling of another presence crept up beside Nari, and the girl opened her eyes to greet her visitor. Yeo-Wool was looking back at her.

"Hello," she sighed happily, stretching out her arms.

"Hm," Yeo-Wool hummed in reply, turning his head to see the view Nari had been staring at.

"It's lovely, isn't it?"

Yeo-Wool needn't answer. The scenery was undeniably gorgeous. Above the pair, a cherry blossom tree stood elegantly, the wind stealing a few of its flowers and sending them below. One softly landed in Yeo-Wool's hand.

"This is the loveliest part," he said, lifting the blossom closer to his eyes.

Nari smiled, turning her eyes to the heavens.

"Perhaps for you," she said in a bittersweet tone. "My favourite part of this whole wide world is the sky."

Yeo-Wool mimicked Nari's gaze to the glowing orange ocean that majestically floated over them.

"When I look up, I know that it's the same sky that Poong-yeon is looking at...perhaps even my Father," she continued. "It connects us all in a way."

Yeo-Wool looked at Nari. He truly wondered how such beautiful words always managed to escape her lips.

"Mouse!" a voice cheerfully cried. Hansung appeared out of nowhere. He ran up to the pair before leaning on Yeo-Wool to catch his breath. Nari giggled, a moment of peace suddenly being interrupted by a familiar ball of fun.

"Have you seen Ji-Dwi?" Hansung finally managed to pant.

"No, not recently," Nari replied. "Why do you ask?"

Hansung grinned despite the dilemma he was about to share.

"He stole my pillow and I can't sleep without it!"

Nari laughed loudly, imagining the scene in her head.

"Sorry Hansung," she chuckled. "Sometimes he just disappears."

They all laughed in unison, happiness filling the atmosphere as they began to guess his hiding spot...but Ji-Dwi was in a much darker place than they realised.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Why have you summoned me?" Ji-Dwi asked sternly, irritation lining his words. "Is it to mock me? To remind me I will never live up to my destiny?"

The queen sat before him on her throne, unimpressed by his remarks.

"That's no way to greet your mother," she answered just as firmly. "Is it too much of me to want to see my son?"

Ji-Dwi, dressed handsomely in red and gold, refused to stand down. Despite her words, he knew she was up to no good.

"What is it you want?" he questioned; not wanting to waste time.

"Very well," the Queen sighed. "Let's skip the formalities. Let's discuss your position as king."

"King?" Ji-Dwi scoffed. "I'm hardly that. What KING remains in the shadows as his people are suffering? Only a coward."

"You are not yet ready to sit on this throne! You know that is the truth!"

"What is truth?" Ji-Dwi responded angrily. "Truth is the fact my Mother isn't willing to let go of power. Are you really being considerate...or just selfish?!"

"You are the selfish one here!" the Queen hissed. "After all I've done for you, you still do not trust my judgement. I will determine when you are ready for the world!"

"And when will that be?!"

"Soon. Very soon. Are you ready for the challenge?"

"Yes!" Ji-Dwi answered, desperation in his voice. He was sick of feeling trapped. He was sick of hiding.

The Queen smiled approvingly, before summoning the Command over to her side.

"Show my dear boy what you've found."

The soldier pulled something out from behind him, Ji-Dwi's heart stopping at the sight of it. He immediately felt sick. A pink dress hung in the man's grip. Ji-Dwi tried to speak - to protest - but no words would leave his lips. The Queen took the dress, inspecting it carefully.

"Are you sure you are ready?"