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THE KNIGHT
I reach out for her hand and she takes it, jumping over the small flowing river that leads down to the pond she's set her mind on going to this afternoon. Continuing on we both put everything in place and she finally sits down in her chair and begins to paint.
I, as I've always done, stand aside and let her do what she seemingly does her best for the next hour. And as time goes by and the sun sets her strokes never falter even as this time is slipping through her fingers and the shadows get darker.
That's when she stops. She's finished and the sun is just about gone. I hadn't even realized that much time had passed until she speaks up again.
"You know, in all the time we've spent together we've never spoken. Not once." She rests her hands on her lap, one still holding a brush with orange paint on its end as she looks up at me.
"I'm not supposed to speak to you unless you speak to me first." I state and her brows turn up in...sadness? Disappointment? I can't tell but she looks down.
"Did my father tell you that?," She asks and I nod. "And what if there were no rules? Would you have told me how much you despise watching over me then?" She says and I'm taken aback by her words.
"Looking after you is an honor, Princess. I wouldn't want to do anything else." I lie. If she were to assume—which she has done correctly—and tell the King of my true feelings I'd be in trouble.
"Please. If we are going be together for the next few years I at least want you to be honest with me. You want to leave, don't you? Tell me the truth." She says and I don't know how to respond.
What has gotten into her today? She spoken more words today alone than I have ever heard her speak before in all the time I have been in her presence outside of the castle and inside during multiple ceremonies.
"Fine, don't answer me. Just know that I know the truth. And you want to know how I know?," She leans forward, a piercing gaze falling onto me. "Because I can tell you're just like me."
My brow raise at that and I can't help it.
I scoff.
"You don't think so?," She seems amused at my reaction and I shrug, urging her to continue. "We're both meant for more than what we've been told. You, a noble Knight. And I, a delicate princess. Are we not meant for more?" She repeats and my look of amusement slowly turns into something else entirely.
Leaning back after a moment, she sighs. "I for one...am determined to leave this castle. This Kingdom. I am going to travel all across the land with no one looking over my shoulder...soon." She whispers and that makes my eyes widen.
"Hyejin! Hyejin!? Where is my daughter?!" I hear the booming voice of the King from below and my heart stops. We both look at each other and quickly gather her things.
Either way...it's seems I am going to be in trouble after all.
