Another Choice

Chapter 22- An Intertwined Fate

The next morning, Dak-Jon brought them grains and other food supplies for them.

"Sir, I've brought you, a sack of grain and some vegetables. I also bring you some cooking spices. These supplies will be enough for you two to eat for two weeks. Then, I'll excuse myself."

Tal Tal nodded and said his thanks to him.

In the Capital

Baek Ahn was really furious when he heard that his soldier hasn't find Tal Tal and Hanel yet.

"Kill us, General. We've failed you!" All the soldiers shouted together in fear of their general rage.

"Are you searching with your eyes?!! Why you haven't found them yet?" Baek Ahn shouted angrily while slammed the table in front of him. He gritted his teeth,'Tal Tal! Did that Koryo girl really making you lost your mind!' Baek Ahn was really angry, he never thought Tal Tal will leave his clan only for Haneul, a mere Koryo girl.

"Search again!! Place a written announcement in the city hall. Whoever captured them alive, will be rewarded."

All the soldiers arise and bowed to him. They left and placed the announcement in the city hall. All of the people were murmuring to each other when they saw the announcement. They never thought that their General Tal Tal can be a traitor. While Baek Ahn's men were still busy searching for them in the capital. In Liaoyang, Tal Tal is trying to cook a pleasant meal for both of them.

"Sabonim, are you done yet? You've been cooking for hours." Haneul asked starting to get impatient, she felt really hungry, she hasn't eaten anything since yesterday.

"I'm almost finished! Just be patient!" said Tal Tal. He never felt this incompetent before, usually he can do everything perfectly. But, this is the first time he ever has to cook. Even on the battlefield, his men usually are the ones who cooked the meal for him. But, now he needs to cook a full course meal.

He tried to cook rice, but it turns out to be a porridge because he put too much water inside the pot. He gave up and pour the porridge inside an empty bowl. He sighed and he knew its taste won't be good. But, at least they have something to eat. After finished, he tried to stew some of the vegetables, but he cooked them for too long and making their texture mushy. He sighed and gave up on his cookings. He placed all the vegetables on the bowl. Then, he put all the bowl into the tray and take it into Haneul's room.

Haneul looked happy, finally the food is ready. Her stomach is growling, her baby must be hungry too.

"Sabonim, are you finish making them? Let me try it!" said Haneul excited about how the food will taste.

"I finished cooking our meals, but I'm not sure about the taste." Tal Tal felt bad for her. She needs to eat the horrible food he just cooked.

Haneul was speechless when she saw the food. It was a plain porridge and a bowl of vegetables that really mushy and the food doesn't look appetizing at all. She felt that she wanted to throw up again, but she tried to hold it because she knew that Tal Tal cooked this food for hours. 'Please at least make them taste good, please...' Haneul begged in her heart. She started to take a spoon of porridge and take a pinch of vegetables with chopstick and put it on the spoon.

She ate the porridge and the vegetables when she started chewing it. She almost threw up, but she tried to hold it. But, she can't continue to eat them anymore.

"Sabonim, you're a really terrible cooker. Let me cooked our meal, from now, alright?"

Tal Tal was ashamed, but he can't deny the fact that his food tastes awful. So, he just nodded and stayed silent. Haneul tried to get up and went to the kitchen to cook them, a new meal. Tal Tal was really worried because he was being told by the physician that Haneul shouldn't be allowed to move around.