RED STAR IN THE SKY GORYEO (The Scent Of Life 2)
CHAPTER 12 TO THE GHETTO

Byeol was on a train that drove out of town. He brought some servants with a cart of bags of groceries from home. Yideum took part in the carriage with some of the horsemen. At the city gate, Wang So was already waiting for him.

Their entourage walked towards the ghetto in the North valley of the city. They entered the ghetto gate after passing through the forest, and the river. The city gate is made of wood. In front of the gate were some soldiers guarding to allow them in. Dusty dirt roads and irregular alleyways between houses become a scene that contrasts with urban. Cheers of children and ghetto residents dressed in shabbily greeted them.

Byeol and Wang So continued to walk down the village to a wooden house that was bigger than the houses. In front of the porch of the wooden house was Wang Wook and a woman had already welcomed their arrival. Wang Jung also came out of the house. They were warmly welcomed.

"Welcome, Your Highness Wang So, and ...?" said the woman was cut off because she had never known Byeol.

"My name is Byeol, Choi Han Byeol," Byeol replied with a smile.

Byeol bowed his body in respect

"Byeol-ah, let's go inside," Wang Jung asked as he hugged Byeol's shoulder, but Wang Wook pulled Wang Jung away from Byeol. They laughed together to see Wang Jung who scowled because he could not take a chance to get close to Byeol

The house is a health care center set up by the Wang Wook family clan for refugees living in the ghetto. A woman named Seonui who takes care of everything in the health care home. Seonui is the wife of Wang Wook.

Together they organized a charity event by handing out foodstuffs for the Ghetto residents. Residents queue neatly one by one carrying containers to put food.

Byeol and Yideum helped distribute the cakes. Wang Wook and Seonui distributed the groceries. Wang Jung and Wang So handed out clothes and blankets. Joy and gratitude were on the faces of the residents.

"You're a great girl" Byeol said as she helped Seonui clean things up in front of the health house.

"Why use the official language? Just call me Seonui" said Seonui with a smile.

Byeol had never seen a woman as beautiful as Seonui. Seonui's eyes are wide and the most alluring are the dimples that decorate his cheeks.

"I'm here for helping his Excellency Wook. He is an extraordinary figure and deserves to be supported," said Seonui then silent for a long time.

Seounui's gaze pointed at Wang Wook who was playing with the children in the courtyard.

"Maybe I won't be here long. There will be someone to replace me. I will go wherever His Holiness Wook does his human donation. Goryeo is currently at war with Hubaekje and Liao. I'll be busy volunteering for war victims in other ghettos. Don't you want to participate?" ask Seonui to Byeol.

"Ah yes" replied Byeol.

Byeol thought this female figure in front of him was extraordinary. Seonui a devoted woman accompanied the charity of her husband. As a member of the kingdom he did not forget to serve the people by taking part in the royal welfare team.

***

The night is cold biting. They made a bonfire to warm the body in the courtyard of the health house. Wang Wook and the ghetto boys sat around the campfire. Seonui brought them warm food and drinks.

Byeol sat separated from the group of campfires. Wang Wook and Seonui. They're mismatched. Byeol felt a little jealous of Seonui's figure. His figure is worthy of love. Suddenly the daydream was broken when there was Wang So who was sitting next to him.

"Are you thinking about Wang Wook?" asked Wang So

Byeol was surprised and then avoided if what Wang So thought was wrong. But Wang So could not be lied to because Byeol's face immediately reddened.

"They were both destined to be in pairs. His Majesty King Taejo himself betrothed them. So don't think you want to be betrothed to him. Seonui is a beautiful girl, from among the nobility but populace. You are not comparable to him. You ... ckckck ... you're not the type Wang Wook wants. He's an aristocratic type who likes to show off and is a little boring. You will die bored if you are with him," said Wang So while smiling slightly insinuating Byeol, but the insinuated do not feel hurt. Byeol laughed.

"Your highness. Are you jealous of your Highness Wook. Until you say such a thing about your own brother. He has been betrothed by the king's Majesty. And you yourself? still alone,"

Wang So felt insinuated by the words Byeol. He just pursed his lips towards Byeol, and Byeol laughed.

Wang So began to be interested in the figure of Byeol, that was in Wang So's mind. But in Byeol's mind it wasn't so. He won't be jealous of anyone because everyone's destiny is different. Conditions made him not want to fall for anyone. For Byeol all remains a mystery. He plays the role of who among the people who are currently around him.

The leap of time back to the past leaves a secret that he himself has not been able to guess and solve. Byeol wants to go through everything like running water. Wish he could get to the lower reaches of life soon and it's all over.