9 years later.
Click. Clang. Chang. Click.
The sound of weapons that is currently in the clash is made. 9 years since I've killed those innocent and scared children. 9 years since I've been training hard as if tomorrow is my death day and this year, is the year I'll be meeting Archduke Sunghoon.
I move my body in the air and point the guns that are currently both in my hands at Hyunsoo who is my training partner for the rest of the day. He smirks and kicks two pebbles towards the guns. I hiss and dodge the pebbles.
"Okay, that's enough." Says Jay, the Crown Prince of this Kingdom. "Nesta, His Majesty is calling for your presence."
"Well, that's no fun." Hyunsoo pouts but then a smirk creeps into his face. "This may not be the smartest idea but Your Highness, why not fight with me?"
I hide my laughter thinking how Hyunsoo looks like a dog waiting for the Prince to throw a bone at him to start playing. Jay is looking annoyed due to the paperwork he has been doing in the past few weeks.
His handsome features are ruined due to the bags that are under his eyes. I used to find it attractive but now, I wanted to erase that existence in his face.
"No." Jay rolls his eyes and turns to me. "Shall we go now?" He says with his princely act.
"We shall." I tease as I imitate his usual actions while he groans making both I and Hyunsoo laugh at his reaction. "Before that, the King probably will send me to a mission. During my absence, you shall train with Chung-ae."
Hyunsoo nods and kneels on the floor using his left leg as his right leg supported his arms showing respect to me, "May the Sun and Moon be with you, greatest weapon." As he finishes the usual line, he purses the sword he is holding to the ground and bows his head, completing the greeting of farewell.
I give him a click in the tongue showcasing how I hate that greeting and said, "Rise my east wing." He obeys as both Jay and I exited the palace's underground training room which is only made for us five.
"Why do you hate that greeting? Pardon me but I find it cool." He said, still looking at the front with his back being straightened without him trying to do so.
Royals have been trained to make their posture perfect and a knowledge that can sky-rocket off to the Kingdom's roof.
"Because it made me feel like an object." I simply replied. Jay flinches at my words probably not expecting it. My walk turns into skipping like a child as I hum a song reassuring him that it is okay.
"Do you know what I also hate?" He clears his throat. I stop at his front and face Jay making him also stop walking.
"Care to share?" I ask while grinning. He chuckles and ruffles my hair.
"Unable to apologize to someone who's lower than my title." He said with apologetic eyes. We continue walking making a turn to the right to meet the King in his Throne Room.
If I translate his saying, it would be I'm sorry.
"If you can't express it with words, show it with your actions," I said while smiling. "Of course, His Highness should not do it right now for it is not necessary."
"Ah, you're too kind, Nesta." He grins as he calls me by my first name. Even if he has been calling me that ever since we became close in our childhood, I'm still not used to it.
