The Peasants Prince [discontinued]

14. Resolve

Young Mi pulled her feet out of the water and stood up.

"Well what do you think we should do?" Young Mi asked Gunhak as she stalked closer and closer to him.

"Umm" Gunhak said as he stepped back for every two steps she took.

"I think every five days we meet up once we spend a small while together and then choose a different place to be each time we meet." 

Young Mi could see the wheels turning in his head as he thought about ways to compromise.

"How about," he started "instead of five days make it three."

"Four" Young Mi said

"Done."

Young Mi took his hand and ran into the woods. 

"What?" Gunhak spat out just as they came into a clearing.

"That's a river that my entire family shares, and dawn'll come soon," Young Mi said "Your horse is fine he'll hide when my brothers come out to bathe. Everyone does."

Gunhak let out a laugh at that.

"So," Gunhak said, drawing Young Mi's full attention "What's you're favourite colour?"

Young Mi laughed "Brown. You?"

"Amber" Gunhak said, "just like the eyes of the girl I'm attracted to."

Young Mi smiled "Favourite food?"

"Jori Gae (Braised dish made with fish meat or vegetables)" Gunhak said. "You?"

"Mandu" Young Mi said "The village holds an amazing Lunar festival and the Mandu auntie Jang-mi makes is just delicious."

They continued on with this playful interogation asking and answering questions back and fourth as they lay of the grass.

Gunhak had somehow ended up with his head lying on Young Mi's lap, staring up at her face as she played with his yellow hair.

"Why is your hair this colour?" She asked him

"I dyed it a while ago." He said.

"Isn't dye really expensive?" She said "Even for royals?"

"Yeah well my Uncle brought some back from one of his expeditions, no one ever used it so i decided, why not?" He replied "We've still got heaps."

Young Mi looked up as the sun started to rise. 

Just as she was about to get up Gunhak pushed himself up and placed a small kiss on her jaw.

Young Mi froze.

Gunhak immediately regretted his decision.

Her face remained blank until a smile appeared back onto her face.

"Moving fast aren't you?" She said.

"Trust me," Gunhak said, cocking an eyebrow "When you're finally ready to try these things you'll be struggling to keep up."

Young Mi got up then, pulling Gunhak up with her.

"We'll see." She simply said then she grabbed his hand and ran to the river.

Gunhak got on his horse. "Where should we meet again in four days time?"

"Let's meet someplace different... Tell you what Bring two horses and we'll just run in the wood s until we find someplace we can call our own." 

"I like that." Gunhak said.

A few moments passed where he just sat on his horse staring at Young Mi.

They both seemed to want to stay with each other. Young Mi stared into his eyes.

"Oh My goodness, go!" Young Mi half laughed half scolded.

"I dread waiting for these four days to end." Gunhak said. "I'll see you again my love."

"See you again Gunhak" Young Mi said as she watched him gallop away.

She turned to walk across the stepping stones. 

***

[UNEDITED]

I think this is my favourite chapter so far. It's kind of like the turning point of this whole book's plot.

I really can't wait to really get into the story now!

How's your guys' quarantine going.

Some of my readers are from some cool places, Indonesia, Myanmar. It's really cool to see people from around the world reading my book.

And 6% of my readers are dudes........I LOVE IT!!!

Live long and prosper everyone.

-Love Bethan