RED STAR IN THE SKY GORYEO (The Scent Of Life 2)
CHAPTER 23 WANG SO'S CONFESSION
Hunting event is held. The sound of tambours and trumpets echoed throughout the country. King Taejo Wang-goen and the Goryeo queens and princes marched out of the city. The residents prostrate on the side of the road. No one dared to raise their head even if they just glanced a little at the king.
Seen in the motorcade, Byeol and his father were riding horses behind the Goryeo princes. Hunting in the forest in the spring was an exciting activity for the palace family. They will hold group hunting races and parties in the forest. For the winner of the race will be given a direct prize by the king.
The motorcade stopped in a field in a valley on the edge of the forest, The scenery is beautiful, lying in front of the eyes of green hills and vast forest, there is a river that flows through the valley. They set up tents on the banks of the river.
It did not take long for the tents to stand, as all the soldiers and princes of Goryeo stood shoulder to shoulder. It even looks Byeol who also helped set up the big and heavy tents.
His father had banned him, but Byeol insisted on helping. It appears Wang Jung helped Byeol set up a tent for Queen Janghwa who was then invited to accompany the king at this year's hunting event. Seeing Wang Jung coming to help, Byeol smiled widely. Until the moment Byeol could not hit the peg using a heavy and large hammer, suddenly there was a hand that took over the hammer and put the pegs of his tent. Wang So takes over Byeol's job. They throw each other smiles.
***
In the evening they gathered in the main tent. The king himself will vote among the princes to group and race against each other. They will go into the forest and hunt. The fastest is the winner. They were given 1 day 1 night in the forest.
Everyone waited with their hearts pounding. One by one they took the marked logs. Byeol was really surprised that his name was also called forward by the eunuch chief. She was the only woman allowed to participate in the hunt. Seeing Byeol who is a woman, they all hope that Byeol does not enter into its members. The image of a woman is weak and nothing can be imagined in their minds. But they were mistaken, Byeol is different from women in general.
When the wood of choice byeol is removed. She is in a group with Wang So, Wang Jung and Wang Eun. Wang Jung laughed widely and happily when he found out that Byeol was in his group. So also with Wang Eun who immediately called Byeol with the call of brother. While Wang So just kept quiet and smiled thinly even though in his heart he was really grateful to be able to one group with the girl. They knew Byeol's abilities were on par with those of male warriors. Byeol smiled meaningfully. Time for his ability to be tested.
***
Byeol could not sleep because he was so excited to imagine tomorrow morning into the forest to hunt. Byeol feels between optimistic and pessimistic. She was worried that she would only be a burden to the rest of the group, because she was a woman. Byeol out of the tent and walk towards the river. Seen here and there the soldiers stood guard and the big torches were all lit up brightly.
The night was sultry, because it was already in spring. He wants to play with the water in the river. Byeol wants to swim. He dodged left right making sure no one. Byeol rolled her hair and took off her outerwear. After that he immediately threw himself into the deep river water using only his underwear and trousers. Soon Byeol appeared on the surface. Without realizing there is a figure from the water already eyeing it. The figure approached, then...
A splaaassh!
The figure emerged from the water and stood right in front of Byeol. Byeol was shocked to death and then screamed until he almost fell backwards and drowned. It turned out that the figure was Wang So who swiftly pulled Byeol's hand. Their positions were so close and their eyes fused together. After regaining consciousness Byeol pulled his wrist which was being held by Wang So.
"You surprised me," said Byeol still with a pounding heart.
"Soldiers should always be vigilant and careful especially when in water. Seeing your carelessness like this I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. Go home, istrahat," said Wang So.
Byeol was silent, he knew he was negligent and not alert for danger. Byeol also came out of the water to the edge. Wang So followed from behind.
"Wait," Wang So's orders make Byeol stop his steps toward the edge.
"Byeol-ah, I owe you my life. Your scar has been your cripple for life. I want to take responsibility for the scars on your back?" said Wang So.
"How will you be responsible?" byeol asked without looking back.
"Be mine ... be by my side," replied Wang So who stated that he wanted to have the girl.
Byeol. He understood what Wang So meant. He remembered coming home sick from the wound. His mother was crying over the fate of her daughter. Especially about her later life. In those days women an asset that must be maintained physically, especially noble girls. Perfect, beautiful and has no scars that can enter as a prospective concubine of the king or married to men from among the nobility. Like a beautiful white porcelain tile. But Byeol includes cracked porcelain ceramics.
"Pity my son. Who would want to be betrothed to a woman who had such a scar. It's horrible!" said Byeol's mother when discussing matchmaking for her.
Byeol immediately looked down sad to hear directly the words of his mother from behind the partition of space. Women were considered merely a commodity to raise the prestige of the family and expand the influence of the clan.
"Your highness," said Byeol without turning towards Wang So.
"The servant understands what noble means. Physical is just a physical, which will disappear when it is burned by fire. When you only want to have this self, you will only get a body without a soul. But when you try to have a woman with her heart. Then you will have everything" Byeol told Wang So that the man understood that women could not be equated with things that could be used at will.
"Women are also human, she not only has a body but also has a heart and soul that can feel pain if hurt and happy when happy".
Hearing that, Wang So was silent. Byeol walked to the edge, but suddenly Wang So's hand pulled Byeol's.
"I love you sincerely Byeol-ah," said Wang So spontaneously to make Byeol surprised and turned to Wang So.
He looked into the eyes of the man. Man Se in Byeol's body remembered Kang Min Hyuk. He is now rethinking every word of man. Not all men can be trusted. That was what Man Se had in mind in Byeol's body.
"You said something that made the servant a dilemma. If you love your servant, what can you do? You are a prince who will inherit the throne. Your life is governed by the sky, not carelessly determine the steps. Would you dare to give up your nobility for the sake of a woman who came from a lowly clan like a servant, who even had a scar scratched on the back of a servant? I don't think it's gonna be that easy. Servants will only be the laughingstock of others who will make you ashamed" replied Byeol.
Man Se in Byeol's own body was surprised by his own words that so eloquently conveyed what was in his heart to Wang So. and since the beginning Man Se also said and did this to Kang Min Hyuk in the future. Perhaps his life will also clearly not hang in such a way by Kang Min Hyuk-. Wang So quietly did not answer but he started to think.
"As for whom are the servants by your side?" ask Byeol.
Byeol pulled out his hand and left Wang So alone. Wang So was silent and just looked at Byeol's departure.