The Peasants Prince [discontinued]

23. Mandarin Oranges

Young-Mi threw the empty sacks onto the cart, the old Jennet was too busy resting after the new foal had been born, so she had to pull the cart by herself. 

After the long walk to the market she parked the cart beside a secluded tree. 

"Pretty sure everything will be cheap." Young Mi said, "Youngjae, go find some rice, the cheapest their is."

"Be safe," He said, walking off to browse around the stalls, leaving Young Mi alone to find affordable fruit.

Young Mi sighed, it was the first time she'd been to the market since she first met Gunhak. 

"Don't think of him." She whispered under her breath. "Find the fruit."

She wandered the street searching for the fruit. But not really. She didn't interact with anything.

"Young Mi!" 

Young Mi turned her head to the voice that spoke her name. 

"Oh Ha-Neul," Young Mi said as her friends ran towards her, "How are you?"

"I'm great!" She said tucking her hair behind her ears. "Is,ummmm, San with you, by any chance?"

Young Mi chuckled under her breath, "I'm sorry Ha Neul, but only Youngjae came here with me."

"Awwww, that's too bad," Ha-Neul said digging her toe into the ground, "I was hoping I could ask him something."

Young Mi smiled, "I'll tell him I saw you, maybe next time he'll come with me." 

"Thank you Young Mi-Ah!" Ha-Neul "We should go to the pond together sometime!"

"That would be nice," Young mi said softly, then clearer "Why don't we do it next week?"

"Oh no, we can't do it next week," Ha-Neul said "I wouldn't dare miss Prince Gunhak's Coronation."

Young Mi winced, "Coronation?" 

"Yeah!" Ha-Neul said, "And not long after that a royal wedding! I can't miss that! We should go together!" 

Young Mi Shook her head quickly, shaking her hands as the pace of her breathing sped up.

"Young Mi?" Ha-Nuel's muffled voice said, "Young Mi!"

She gasped for air clawing at her chest and breaking out into a sweat. Ha-Neul grabbed onto Young Mi's arms.

"Young Mi calm down," Ha-Neul said "You're scaring me!"

"Ha-Neul!" Young Jae said running to them with a bag of rice in his hands. "Let go of her, it isn't helping."

Ha-Neul let go of Young Mi wide eyed with fear, she passed him onto her older brother.

Young Mi was frozen, her body was stiff but her eyes shifted from side to side and her shaky breathing got shorter and shorter. Ha Neul watched as Youngjae lifted his hand right in front of Young Mi's eyes to grab her attention. Once Young Mi had completely Focused herself on her brothers had Youngjae started to rhythmically open and close his hand five seconds to open five to close.

Young Mi focused all her attention on her breathing, and her brothers hand. Five seconds breathing in five seconds breathing out. Breathing in, breathing out. In, out

"Are you okay now?" Youngjae said softly. Young Mi nodded, unable to bring herself to speak. 

Youngjae turned to Ha-Neul "I think it'd be est of you leave."

Ha-Neul nodded, "Umm can I come by later on this week maybe?"

"Of course," Youngjae said, "But I think for now she needs to be at home alone."

Ha-Neul nodded again, "Okay," She said stepping back hesitantly, "I'll be on my way."

Youngjae gave one nod and guided Young Mi to their cart.

A figure stood in the shadows, a brown cloak shielding his face in the shadows.

He quivered beneath the cloak, shaking as tears fell out of his eyes.

"I'm sorry," He whispered into the afternoon air, "I'll never stop loving you."

***

[UNEDITED]

OOOOOHHHH WHO IS THAT???? (I think we all know)

I'm sorry this took so long, I'm having IMMENSE writers block soooo... yeah it took me almost a whole month and a half to write this chapter.

Hope all of you are being suuuper chill for Christmas.

Think of this as a Christmas eve present!

Have a great holiday everyone!

And be sure to check out my other book  In the garden I'm sure you'll like it.

Goodnight/Morning/Afternoon/whatevertimeofthedyitisforyou.

~ Bethan