Night Prince

NP

In the early morning, the town was barely awake. The only sounds that can be heard were the birds chirping in the trees and the occasional sounds of footsteps as the villagers woke from their slumber.

In a quaint quiet town like this one, every morning is the same. Wives would greet their husbands goodbye at the door before rushing off to the marketplace to bargain for the freshest fish and meat. Children would skip off to play with their friends, running along the streets in their little groups.

Yet today, two of its inhabitants were awake even before the rest of the town was. Seri and Hyeong Se stood together in a hidden alley, as they gestured wildly to one another. It would appear the town's golden couple was yet in another one of their heated arguments.

Seri, the town's first love.

Seri was bestowed with that title by the townsfolk simply for her radiant, innocent beauty. From her ebony black tresses down to her dainty features, not one townsfolk wouldn't have fallen for her at some point. Seri's skin was so fair it was almost porcelain-like, and her ruby pink lips were always lifted in a carefree smile. Uniquely, her eyes would turn into the teeniest crescent moons along with her smiles and laughter. Her youthful innocence and silky skin were both a blessing and a curse.

Now clad in a simple light brown gown made out of linen over her chemise with a little white apron tied around her waist, Seri's face was creased in frustration as she stood facing her fiancé for 2 years now.

"Wait! Seri! Please give us one last chance!" Hyeong Se begged as he grabbed onto her wrist.

"We're over Hyeong Se. We were over months ago!" Seri pushed his hand away harshly.

"Why are you doing this Seri? Don't you care about me? Don't you care that I'll die if you leave me?"

Seri felt the familiar pang in her heart at his words. Here he goes again with that guilt-trip...

"I...I can't do this anymore Hyeong Se. Stop playing with my feelings. You hurt me first."

"Seri no! Please! Just give me one last chance. Give us one last chance."

"Goodbye Hyeong Se."

Seri left without another backward glance, keeping her chin lifted high as she walked away from Hyeong Se. No more. She isn't going to deal with him anymore. He has broken her heart too many times already.

By now, the town was bustling with the usual morning busyness. Folks greeted each other warmly as though it has been a month since they saw one another. The baker was up and about with his tray of freshly baked hot-cross buns and rolls, filling the air with the warm aroma of yeast baked into the dough.

Seri weaved past the groups of wives gossiping on the streets and dodged the groups of children running about with practised ease. This was a dance she did every morning on the way to the cookhouse. With a wide smile on her face, Seri waved at the few who turned their heads to greet her, ignoring the stares and talks coming from the others who were calling her names.

In this town, there are two kinds of people. Those who adored Seri for daring to test the boundaries set for women and those who despised her for it. Seri may be the town's first love but hidden underneath her innocent looks was an equally fiery spirit. The very stubbornness and passion that kept Seri going in her thirst of knowledge. She is probably the only woman in town who knew how to read; who knew the comfort behind the musky sweet smell that lingers on the books in the library.

Seri was called many names and peculiar child was a favourite of the 'anti-fans'. Not that she cared, Seri always did what she wants regardless of what others may say to her.