Another Choice

Chapter 17-Celebration Night

After Tal Tal fully recovered, they went back to the Yuan's capital to report to General Baek Ahn. After a week's journey, finally, they arrived at Yuan's capital. They ride towards Baek Ahn's mansion. Baek Ahn already knew about their victory long ago, but he's also worried about Tal Tal because he heard he was badly injured. He can visit him because he needs to handle a lot of capital's affairs. When Baek Ahn see Tal Tal, he felt relieved seeing his nephew safe and sound.

He immediately ordered, "All of you may rest and clean up yourselves. Tonight we'll celebrate our victory, wine and meat will be served for all of you."

"Thank you, Sir! May you have a long wealthy life!" All the soldiers bowed and left to clean up themselves because they have been on the road for a week.

While Haneul felt relieved because, after a while, she can return and rest for a while. She decided to change into a woman's clothes for tonight's event. Tal Tal will be shocked by her appearance tonight. She'll dress as beautiful as a concubine consort tonight.

At night in Baek Ahn's room

Haneul was pleased with her appearance tonight, she walked her way to Baek Ahn's room.

"Sir, May I enter?"

"Sure, come in!"Baek Ahn replied.

Haneul opens the door away and finds Tal Tal and Baek Ahn already waiting for her. Both of them looked kind of shocked, maybe because it been a long time since they see her dressed in women's clothes.

"Wow, Haneul, you looked magnificent tonight!" Baek Ahn said. Haneul smiled and she is hoping for Tal Tal to comment something about her appearance, but he stayed silent and looked away. Haneul felt her heartaches and her wonders are she still looks not pretty enough for him.

"Now, drink up! We must celebrate our victory!" Baek Ahn said while pouring Tal Tal and Haneul's cup.

"Cheers! For Yuan!" Three of them cheers their cup and started to drink. Haneul actually never drink alcohol before, but she tried to hide this fact.

"Drink up, Haneul! We must celebrate your first experience going into the battlefield. Baek Ahn poured Haneul's cup again. Haneul started to worry because even after drinking only one cup, her body already started to burn up. She can feel her cheeks heathen up, Tal Tal can see her face reddens up. He sighed because he knew that she is a bad drinker. But, he tried to ignore it, after all, is their victory night, it won't be bad to get drunk for once.

Baek Ahn that already drunk suddenly patted Haneul's shoulder and looked at her with a worried look.

"Is something wrong with my face, Sir?"

"Haneul, you know if you dressed in a woman clothes, you're the prettiest woman I've never seen.

"Thank you, Sir. You think so highly of me."

Baek Ahn felt that he want to cried and said, "Haneul, please take care of Tal Tal, my poor nephew. Always been so serious, he never has any women besides him. I knew him since childhood, but I've never seen him get close to any woman."

"My poor nephew, do you like men??" Baek Ahn suddenly asks Tal Tal. He closed his eyes tight, with frowns on his face like they were on the verge of crying and Tal Tal flabbergasted with what his uncle has said. Tal Tal can felt his face heat up, embarrassment wailing him all over. He knew that his uncle is drunk, but he shouldn't say that kind of thing out loud and even in front of his apprentice. Haneul giggled, she never seen Tal Tal this embarrassed before.

"Uncle!! You're too drunk already, here let me guide to your bed."

Baek Ahn laughed and said, "Tal Tal, don't worry, I'll help you. I, Baek Ahn as your uncle will find you the prettiest woman for you to marry." Baek Ahn said while patting Tal Tal's back. "You should be happy! Or is it true that you like men?"