Sakura's Petals
Bandits
The Crown Prince's entourage walked towards the palace. The Crown Prince rode his horse in ordinary noble clothes. So did the bodyguards and the ladies who went with him. Gama Hwa Ryong walks next to his horse.
Hwa Ryong occasionally stole a glance towards the Crown Prince from the open gamma window.
“You don't have to be shy like that. Just look at me as much as you want.” said the Crown Prince, without turning towards Hwa Ryong with a flat smile.
Hwa Ryong flabbergasted, embarrassed. He then quickly closed the window of his game, making the Crown Prince laugh in amusement.
Just as the Crown Prince's laughter came to a halt, suddenly a large group of bandits stood in their way. The Crown Prince's entourage stopped instantly, leaving Hwa Ryong confused and opening his window again.
“What's up?”
The Crown Prince was silent for a moment, then turned his head towards Hwa Ryong. “Stay silent in gama. And don't open the window before I ask.”
Hwa Ryong looked at the Crown Prince, puzzled. But he nodded at how serious the Crown Prince's face was. “Good.” He then closed the window of his game. The Crown Prince immediately pulled out his sword from the sword sheath.
The bandits attacked without hesitation. One by one the Crown Prince's guards fell, as did the ladies and gentlemen. The Crown Prince was in a short period of time in a cornered state. He soon returned to Hwa Ryong. “Hwa Ryong-ah! Quick out!”
Hwa Ryong immediately jumped out of the gama. He was stunned for a moment when he saw so many bodyguards lying on the ground. But he did not have time for it, the Crown Prince immediately withdrew his hand, away from the fight that was going on. They ran into the forest. Behind them, several bandits managed to get out of the fight and chase after them.
In the distance, Madam Shim gasped to realize that the girl being chased by the bandits was her daughter. He immediately ran after them, along with the guards who also watched their lady being chased by the bandits.
They ran through the forest. While continuing to hold hands, the Crown Prince and Hwa Ryong ran to save themselves. But the bandits ran so fast that it was difficult to keep their distance. The Crown Prince stopped running and pulled Hwa Ryong to a stop as well.
“I'll drive them here. You get as far away from here as you can.”
Hwa Ryong nodded. “No, I won't leave you.”
The bandits are beginning to appear. The Crown Prince while half pushing Hwa Ryong away, he said, “Go! Wait for me at that waterfall.” Hwa Ryong gazed into the distance where the top of the waterfall was visible. He saw a crowd of bandits getting closer, then ran away.
While gasping, Hwa Ryong continued to run. While the Crown Prince tried desperately against the bandits. Some of them had been successfully incapacitated in an instant. There were only three more people left, when then the sword was captured by the remaining bandits. He was forced to rely on his hands to paralyze the rest.
Hwa Ryong finally arrived shortly afterwards at the waterfall, where they had promised to meet. Hwa Ryong watched the surroundings, worried. Why didn't Yoon Oppa come too, he thought.
He was walking around near the waterfall when his hands were clipped. He cried out in fear when he found out that the person who had pinned him was a pair of bandits who looked so violent. “Finally caught.” said the bandit, followed by a slow puck.
Elsewhere, the Crown Prince who had managed to incapacitate the bandits was so shocked to hear the sound of Hwa Ryong's cry. He immediately took his sword and ran towards the waterfall.
“Quick release me!” ronta Hwa Ryong's. But the bandits immediately stuffed his mouth as well and started dragging him away.
The Crown Prince arrived and immediately attacked the two bandits. But unlike earlier, the two bandits were quite well trained and not easily defeated. The Crown Prince who was running out of energy was overwhelmed by the two of them. Hwa Ryong could only watch the Crown Prince fight them from the sidelines. Shortly after, the Crown Prince fell down and one of the bandits was ready to draw his sword towards the Crown Prince, but Hwa Ryong immediately threw his body, trying to protect the Crown Prince. He used his body to be a shield for his lover.
The Crown Prince was aghast, Hwa Ryong closed both his eyes resignedly. Fortunately, the bandit's sword intent was immediately restrained by one of Mrs Shim's bodyguards who came just in time.
“Are you crazy?” scatter the Crown Prince, while unbinding the mouth and hand of Hwa Ryong.
“Please promise me you won't do that again!”
“But I'm afraid you're hurt.”
The Crown Prince stared fixedly at Hwa Ryong. “It's my job to take care of you. What would anyone say if a Crown Prince like me couldn't take care of his own lover and instead his lover protected him? Not only as crown prince, as a man did I fail. So, please stop making such dangerous actions.”
Hwa Ryong just agreed, but his heart certainly thought otherwise. Madam Shim immediately approached her son, once her child's bond was broken. “Are you not aware of how worried I am, honey?”
Hwa Ryong. “I'm sorry, Bu.”
Madam Shim immediately hugged her son. “No, this is not your fault. I'm sorry, Hwa Ryong-ah. I'm forcing my mother's wishes on you too much.”
“No, Mom. I'm the one who's been unfilial to Mom and Dad.”
Madam Shim shook her head. “No, it's okay. Now, let's go home.” he said, pulling Hwa Ryong's hand away. But Hwa Ryong remained standing in his place. He sighs. “What's up? Are you planning to stay out of the house?”
Hwa Ryong looked at the Crown Prince, then sighed. “Allow me, Mom. Let me contest the selection of Crown Princess.”
“Crown Princess? What exactly is..” Then Madam Shim remembered her husband's words, that the Crown Prince liked his daughter. He looked at the Crown Prince who was standing right next to his son. They were looking at each other worriedly. And they looked so harmonious, leaving Madam Shim speechless at a loss for words. He saw how desperately the Crown Prince was protecting his daughter. Obviously, the Crown Prince loves his son. So did his daughter. Would it be better if Hwa Ryong was with this child, he thought.
“Bu?” call Hwa Ryong.
Madam Shim also set her heart. “Good. I'll let you run the election. But remember, if you are not elected, never run away from home and promise that you will marry His Highness Prince Yunti.”
Hwa Ryong seemed to mind for a moment, but then he nodded. “Thank you, Ma.” He then raised a smile towards the Crown Prince whose look seemed anxious. “I just make sure I win, so don't worry. If judged, my love for you is number one among others, Oppa.”
The Crown Prince smiled amusedly, then flicked his finger at Hwa Ryong's nose. “I understand. Come on, we have to leave soon.”
Madam Shim nodded. “True, you must leave quickly. Mother will wait at home,” he said, but deep down, he knew that he would never see his son again at home. From a long time ago, he knew that his son was destined for something big. Either as Fujin or as the Crown Princess.
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" A mother is a super woman who works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for free, without ever having a single day off. "
- NN
Overview of Madam Shim's Dress :