Now, after the time she had spent with the boys, Yu Na did finally feel like she got to know a bit more about why they acted the way they did. Thinking about the fact that Hyun-woo had offered to teach her how to craft jewelry, she thought to herself how maybe the boy had missed out being able to do the very same thing with his sister and had found in Yu Na a resemblance to his sister. Now, she was beyond grateful to have learnt his backstory. Although she didn’t know much about Yeong-hwan’s backstory, the bit of information revealed by Hyun-woo cleared why he was so adamant in rejecting going back to try that contest to become a historian.
He was scared someone else would die, yet after she almost lost her life, the two of them changed completely, now being more than even prepared to adventure in such tormented roads. When Yu Na remained single with Yeong-hwan, it was time for them to have a sincere talk, clearing things between them. Yu Na rested her back on the wall next to the little table where Yeong-hwan was sitting, closing the books he had opened.
‘Do you regret it?’ Yu Na asked Yeong-hwan
‘Hm? What is it that I could regret?’
‘Saving me.’
After hearing that, Yeong-hwan stopped what he was doing and he got closer to her, leaning on the same wall as the girl. ‘I have never regretted it. In fact, even with all those that are happening, I still think it was the best thing that had happened.’
‘I put you in danger so many times, even when the royal guards came into the village, I’m sure they were also looking for me, and now it was what happened at the lake. You only now have changed your mind and want to confront the ones that torment us. I’m afraid you might regret it in the future.’
‘You’re true, I have changed, but do you remember the fact that I promised you that I’ll protect you until you can protect yourself again? If taking this road means that I can keep my promise to you, then I’ll gladly walk on it. At first, I wanted to run away, to hide with you, but it’s clear now. They will never stop following us. We have to confront them, and maybe that’s why I had happened to meet you, to be able to find the truth I was seeking for. I think meeting you was the best thing that happened in my life.’ Yeong-hwa confessed as he leaned his head on the girl’s shoulder
‘I would like to truly know… why were you there, that night? It was a forest, in the middle of nowhere, yet still there you were.’ Yu Na looked down at the boy, he seemed to dislike the question
‘I was collecting evidence.’ he truthfully responded
It was true that he was in the close proximity of the Palace, so Yu Na thought that it could be true, but she couldn’t wonder what kind of evidence he was collecting from that place. She concluded that maybe he had a spy that could bring him some information, and that would make sense, keeping in mind the place he was in. Unbeknownst to her, she was on the right path, as he was indeed informed about some secrets that were important, but it wasn’t a person who gave him the information, it was the book he had found while digging out in the forest, yet Yu Na had never seen that part, where he had found the book, and Yeong-hwan never disclosed that information.
‘I’m sorry, Yu Na. That night, when you told me your feelings about me, I had told you to forget the world you used to live in, and now, look at me, going back on my word, how pathetic I can be…’ he seemed to be tormented by those thoughts
‘To be true to you… I wasn’t scared of being in danger… I’m scared of losing you, of hurting you on the way. I want to walk with you, at your right, I don’t want to be left behind. It is true that since then many things have changed, and now there are other circumstances, so please don’t say sorry. I was the one who said I will do whatever it takes to help you guys. If I have to become your shield, if I know that I can repay you for everything, if… you don’t get hurt anymore because of me, then I can face everything.’ Yu Na gently spoke to Yeong-hwan as her hand reached out to the boy’s hand.
‘Hearing you talk like this–’ the boy giggled. ‘It like you’re a heroine from a book, maybe the heroine from my book of life.’ Yeong-hwan responded
The tension has been eased after Yeong-hwan’s remark. It seemed like the two of them had calmed down, after feeling conflicted.
‘Oh, did I inspire you? Have you written me into one of your books?’ curious, the girl asked
‘No. I have written you into my history.’
Yu Na could feel her cheeks burning. She quickly hid her face behind her hands. He was teasing her! She knew that he was good with his words, but to give her such a response, it clearly shocked her!
‘Yeong-hwan! When did I ask you to write me in your history?’ she laughed. ‘I didn’t know you would use such a cheesy line!’
The boy gently removed her hands and saw her red cheeks that she intentionally hid from him. Staring into her eyes, he felt mesmerized. Yu Na was expecting him to joke about her, but he leaned down and kissed her.
She embraced his body with her small hands. In that intimate moment, it felt like time stopped. If it was possible, they would have wanted for this moment to last longer, but, in reality, beautiful moments wither quickly.
There weren’t many hours left before they would embark on that dangerous adventure. Would the three of them be able to arrive safely into their new hiding spot? Or will they encounter trouble on the road?
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