When opportunities arise, people tend to get overjoyed by the sudden luck that comes before their eyes. Drowned into hope, we try our best to achieve what we hoped for, as we think that it may be the best thing that has happened to us, yet those foolish dreams can be the things that we will end up regretting the most. Far away into the future, how will those decisions that we take impact our life?
Standing before them, Mister Han held up the piece of paper that had information about the contest that he mentioned earlier. As Yeong-hwan took the paper into his own hands, he soon found out what it was about. There was a contest that was going to be held in March, in almost four months, and it was for a position of historiographer, a position that required daily reports from state affairs, diplomatic affairs, it also included reports related to the economy, to the arts and even daily life. This position was a veritable one, honored by people and that will have a great impact in the future to show to the world the truth that happened in those days and age.
Yeong-hwan was surprised to see that he now has another chance for this position, as he had tried five years ago and failed to succeed. He felt a wave of hope into his heart, but soon his hope crumbled to pieces as he glanced at the girl that was standing by his side. She was alone in this world, until this day, Yeong-hwan didn’t learn about her past, nor he questioned it, yet she wasn’t yet safe. How could he try for a position at the Palace, when not too long ago, Yu Na was trying to escape the guards from the Palace. It would be a dead end going there, taking in consideration how cruel the king is.
Yeong-hwan sighed angrily, why did it have to happen like this? If the contest were to happen when the Crown Prince would be in command, then it would have been much better. If they go there when the current king is still in command, and if he recognizes Yu Na and blames her as part of the ones who tried to harm him, then there wouldn’t be any hope left. He couldn’t leave Yu Na alone, nor could he take her with him.
He felt frustrated, he felt sad, he felt broken inside. He was tormented by all that was happening. In a short moment, he thought to himself that maybe if he hadn’t met Yu Na, maybe he could take this chance, but soon enough, as he realized what he just thought of, he shook his head.
It was true that because Yu Na was his lover now, because they pretended to be a couple to escape the danger that Yu Na was in, he had to sacrifice many things, this opportunity being one of them, but because of that very meeting of theirs, his life changed for good. He couldn’t get this job 5 years earlier, then how could he take it now? Was it worth sacrificing the relationship with Yu Na for a foolish dream of his?
Yeong-hwan thought all his work that he collected in the years that passed by, all of them would be complete if he had just gotten this job, if he had the chance to see clearly the present in order to determine the truth about the history, but this was only his obsession. He wanted to do something for everyone that lost their lives in this period of time. He wanted to write history with his actions, but, for once, he thought that what good will there be? Hyun-woo was right, he needed to let go of this.
For the first time in many years, he felt like he could finally be free. Maybe that was what he deserved. To live quietly, with Yu Na and Hyun-woo by his side. Maybe that was enough. A smile appeared on his face as he tried to make peace with this decision.
‘I appreciate that you’ve told me about this contest, but I’m afraid there’s no need for me to try this again, as I had failed before, a second time won’t be any luck considering the people that will apply to this position.’ stated Yeong-hwan as he handed the paper back to Mister Han
Yu Na glared for a moment at the paper, as she read the announcement, she knew it was something Yeong-hwan would want to try, yet, when meeting his eyes, she saw that he was looking at her with a sad expression. As she realized the meaning behind it: he wanted to try it, but he was scared for her safety.
At that moment, she felt embarrassed. She couldn’t look into his eyes, knowing that he had taken this decision in order to protect her.
‘Don’t do that, Yeong-hwan. You didn’t even have time to consider it. Maybe you’ll change your mind. There’s plenty of time until March. You have seen that you’ve gained recognition and that your books are now being sold out, maybe there can be a second chance even to this position that you’ve wanted to get before.’ encouraged Yu Na as she took the piece of paper into her hands.
She loved him deeply and because she loved him, she couldn’t hold him back. She was here for a short period of time, yet he had many years ahead of him. Loving him to the point where she had to let him go was brave. Not having a clue if the time is limited or not, or what will happen when September comes, she couldn’t hold him by her side. She had to be by his side so, when the time comes and she has to part ways with him, he could look ahead to his future and have something to hold onto.
‘That is right, Yeong-hwan. It was hard for me to obtain this information, so please consider it and not waste my efforts. You were younger then, now you’ve grown more mature and can show another perspective of yourself in this contest. There’s more of a chance now than there was before.’
Five years ago, when he tried for the first time and failed, he blamed himself because he wasn’t good enough. Soon, more misfortunes happened. Deep in guilt, he wanted to forget that piece of his history. As he tried to remain unnoticed, he only focused on his writing that, even after many tries, never succeeded. Focused on the books and decoding the secret message while still keeping up a normal life, he remained unnoticed.
He couldn’t bear to see himself failing once again and he didn’t even want to imagine what would happen to Yu Na if he tried this again. He had decided that he wouldn’t try again, but he did not want to make a scene in the library. He bowed to Mister Han and thanked him for the efforts he had made and he took the girl by hand and walked out of the library.
He did not say any word to her until they arrived in a place far away from the eyes of the villagers. As Yu Na looked into his eyes, she couldn’t tell what he was feeling. Was he angry that she took the poster and didn’t listen to what he said, or was he sad because he couldn’t try that contest.
‘Do you know what this position even means? If I really am able to pass the exam, we won’t be able to see each other for so long. This position will mean that I will have to be inside the palace all the time. Did you know that?’ He questioned the girl that, even after hearing what he said, she still kept a smile on her face.
‘As I had seen how happy you were upon finding out about this position, there is no place for me to oppose. This position, even if it means that we will never be together again, is something that you’ve dreamed of achieving. So I will stay by your side, even if you pass or fail.’ she responded to his question without hesitation
Yeong-hwan looked sad upon hearing her response. He gave her a few seconds to think about what he asked, then, when she didn’t say anything other than the response from earlier, he expressed his real concern.
‘It wouldn’t make sense for me to try that position at the Palace.’
‘Is it because of me, Yeong-hwan? If that’s the reason, then –’ responded Yu Na but was suddenly interrupted by the boy
‘Yes! It’s because of you. I’ve fallen for you. I can’t even think what I will do if you’re in danger because of me. I’ve lost people precious to me upon my first attempt, I can’t let myself walk towards that road again.’
‘Yeong-hwan, the contest is in March! The whole rumors that surrounded me won’t mean a thing by then! I will be safe. You’ve already kept your promise to protect me. In all this time that I’ve stayed here, no one even had a clue of our secret. There isn’t any word about that rumor anymore. So where’s the worry?’
It was indeed true that the people never questioned her presence. Except for Mister Han, no one even cared. Yet, unbeknown to Yu Na, Yeong-hwan found many posters that described her and that the guards put a reward to anyone who brought her back to the Palace. He spent many nights collecting those posters until there wasn’t any left. Maybe because of that no one even had a clue. Yu Na didn’t know that, and it was for the better.
‘Okay, let’s say that things are quiet now, but have you ever heard of a king that left such an act of terorism behind? He will be sure to make someone pay for it. If we act foolish, the path that we’ll walk on will be stained by blood. Don’t worry about me, don’t try to make me do something that I may regret. I’m happy that, at least, I can achieve my dreams by writing those books. It’s enough for me.’ Yeong-hwan concluded
‘But think about it, Yeong-hwan. Don’t be so quick to make this decision. There’s so much time left.’
‘And what can happen? Yeah, if it were for the Crown Prince to rule the kingdom, then maybe it would be a chance. Yet the King won’t step down from his throne until death forces him to. So, please, stop trying to make me change my mind.’
He feared that, by saying what he thought, he could have been too harsh on her. Seeing how she was biting her lip, while holding down tears, he hugged her tightly.
‘I’m sorry. I just want us to be safe. I’m okay. Opportunities like this will come again.’ he whispered softly
Some time later, Yeong-hwan took the girl by the hand to go home. On their way back, they saw a stand that was selling kites. He took one with a lily on it, as he was about to show it to Yu Na. Behind them, he heard the words of the old lady that he met on the first day that he met Yu Na.
‘As I was expecting, you’ve found the meaning of your life, and, for the girl that accompanies you, it seems like she has finally made the decision that will lead to her untimely death.’
***
~ A week later from the moment Yeong-hwan found out about the contest, somewhere far away, in the same room that the young man that appeared sometime before was, the same guard came back to report.
‘Your report.’ commanded the man
As the soldier kneeled down in front of the young man, he responded to his order.
‘He had successfully learnt about the position, yet it looks like he’s reluctant in taking a decision. How shall I proceed next?’
‘Very well. Sang-hoon, you’re really my best ally. You’re the only one that I can trust in this big Palace. Now that it seems like they are tempted by our trap, we shall proceed as we talked earlier.’ laughed the young man as he turned to look into the guard’s eyes. He was a young man, not older than 23 years old, who had black charcoal hair and dark eyes. ‘How’s the illness of your younger sister?’ asked the young man
‘It’s much better thanks to your great generosity, Your Highness.’
‘Very well. Then I expect you to continue with our plan, without fail.’ replied once again, the young man, as he signaled to the boy to leave the room.
***
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