The Scarlet Hawk and The Black Knights (Mina)✔️

20: Hwangmo

(This chapter is quite lengthy, 6k words counted with the previous part, so you can take some break if you want to haha)
Previously...

Momo was peacefully walking by herself along the halls in the castle, tracing her hand over the decorated wooden walls which had ornamental flowers carved delicately on them, just pure talents of art. This was what she had been doing for the whole day, just walking around by herself in the castle. She didn't have anything else to do besides watering the plants in the garden and feeding the cattles and chickens and horses, whatsoever animals they had in the kingdom.

"Your highness, should I get you some tea?" a handmaiden asked calmly as she approached Momo, her face showing concern because of Momo's seemingly restless behaviour since last night. "Are you feeling thirsty?" she added.

"N-no, it's fine, thank you. You can go." she cooed towards the door. Whether she wanted it or not, the handmaiden let out a soft sigh and nodded slowly, bowing at Momo before leaving the place. "God, why can't my heart just be at ease? They're two strong sisters. T-they can take care of themselves, r-right?" she tried her best to assure herself. "Calm yourself, Momo, you have to get yourself used to being separated away from them. It will be just a while. It will be just a while." she whispered to herself, pressing her back against the wall firmly.

It was utterly silent, but Momo's soul was terribly loud and reckless. She felt sweaty from the inside, and it was definitely impossible for her to explain the feeling. One thing's for sure, she just missed her sisters dearly. She's too scared to let them go. It's not like she didn't want them to have their own choices, it's just that Momo didn't want her sisters to make decisions that would only result in terrible consequences she would never be strong enough to carry as her burdens.

"Abeoji...please watch over them and make sure they're safe.....please.." she clasped her hands, closing her eyes shut while releasing small breaths, her lips slightly parting as she began to grow a bit exhausted. There were many things she feared, but most of all, she truly feared that The Horn would do terrible things to Mi Na and Ji Won. She knew herself that she would never be strong and willing enough to face the truth. She wasn't ready to let her sisters go. "I don't want anything to happen to any of them, abeoji.." she sighed, massaging her temple.

"What are you doing out here.....alone?" Ji An spoke monotonously, surprising Momo who immediately pushed herself away from the wall, looking at the princess as she quickly bowed at her respectfully.

"N-nothing....your highness...I-I am just worried about my sisters' safety. I fear their wellbeing really much." she stuttered, hiding her face from Ji An. "W-would you like some tea. I will go get it for you, your hi-" she spoke and was about to walk past the princess before Ji An spoke, stopping her from moving any further.

"If you're that worried about your precious sisters, why don't you go ahead and follow them?" Ji An smiled thinly. "That way.....you will know it for yourself their....wellbeing, am I not wrong?" she raised one of her eyebrows. Her statement managed to surprise Momo, who immediately turned to look at her with widened eyes.

"B-but fa-"

"The king is not to be concerned about. I will help you in that." Ji An winked. Momo was not only surprised about Ji An's statement and suggestion, but she was also surprised because of how kind she was all of a sudden. She didn't know if this was just another one of her sarcasm and tricks or whatsoever, she was just confused.

"W-why are you doing this?" Momo blinked rapidly. Ji An then laughed and walked closer to the girl, patting her shoulder lightly while forming a sinister smile that just seemed friendly and innocent.