The Kun’s Aran

Chapter 4

Just as Aran had predicted, dark clouds enveloped the mountain and brought lightning and thunder before they could fully descend. The soldiers moved through the rain, calming their startled horses.

“Your Highness!” Frightened, Jeongwol held Aran tightly. The princess braced herself to avoid falling in the shaking carriage.

They could see nothing through the rain. Droplets came through the ceiling and dripped into their hair. Lightning struck the mountaintop again and again. Had they remained there instead of heeding Aran’s warning, lightning would have turned them to ashes. It was fortunate they had left early.

The carriage moved forward, shaking so much that their bottoms ached. Then it slowed down, accompanied by the roar of the rain.

Jeongwol stopped trembling and shouted, “Your Highness, the rain has stopped!”

They looked out and saw the sun shining brightly in a sky of dazzling blue.

“We have left the storm behind,” Aran murmured.

However, the mountain ridge was still surrounded by dark clouds. Aran observed the scenery as her interpreter arrived, squeezing water out of his clothes.

“Your Highness, are you well?”

“I am fine,” she replied.

He twisted his cloak, causing water to stream from the sodden fabric.

“The emperor wishes to make camp here tonight,” he informed her.

“I see. Will you arrange for our barrack to be prepared?”

“Certainly. Please remain here.”

Aran waited until he departed before she pressed the water from her drenched hair. She was soaked and shivering under her wet clothes.

“Jeongwol, I believe we should dry ourselves in the sunlight.”

The two women ventured outside, seeking a sunlit spot. The warmth of the sun helped to ease the cold, at least somewhat. They had escaped the disaster, and now the soldiers were occupied with setting up barracks.

Jeongwol dried Aran’s hair with a towel and promised, “I shall find dry clothing for you once the barrack is prepared.”

“Very well. Thank you.”

Even with the sunlight, the northern wind remained harsh and chilling. Jeongwol hopped lightly to warm herself and massaged Aran’s cold hands. Suddenly, a heavy fur cloak landed on Aran’s shoulders.

“You have saved us from peril,” said a deep voice. Aran lifted her head to look at Kai. He adjusted the cloak for her and regarded her with his impassive eyes. “Should you need anything, name it, and I will acquire it for you.”

I wish to return home.

She held her tongue, knowing that was a wish forever out of reach.

Then the interpreter arrived to announce, “Your Highness, your tent is prepared.”

Upon seeing Kai beside Aran, he bowed deeply. He seemed uncomfortable and troubled. Meanwhile, Jeongwol’s face brightened at the news.

“Then I shall find you dry clothing.” She flitted away, rubbing her cold hands together.

The interpreter retreated quietly.

Aran remained with Kai under the sunlight and said calmly, “I acted because lives are precious. I seek nothing in return.”

“You desire nothing?”

Aran gazed into his indifferent eyes and noticed his hair was completely drenched. It was not just his hair. His entire body was soaked from the rain. Water dripped from his armor.

He must be cold as well, and yet he has given me his cloak.

Though she could not tell if he felt the cold by appearance alone, tiny droplets clung to his eyelashes, and his eyes glinted under them as he fixed his gaze on her.

Aran gently wiped his forehead with the dry cloth she held.

“You may catch a cold.” Her voice held concern as she wiped the water from his chin, but he remained silent and unresponsive. She offered the fur cloak back to him, saying, “I am heading to my barrack. You should take this.”

The cloak was so heavy that her arms trembled under its weight. Kai grasped it with one hand, lifted it with ease, and draped it around her shoulders once more.

“Keep it until you reach your barrack.”

“You will get sick if you remain wet. I am fine, please accept it.”

However, Kai’s hand held the cloak firmly at her neck, and she found she could not remove it. Although he was not using force, his grip felt like an iron restraint.

Still holding the cloak together under Aran’s neck, Kai said without a hint of emotion, “Your worry is meaningless.”

His blue-black eyes, lips pressed into a firm line, and long, unblinking eyelashes betrayed no feeling. Even so, his voice somehow sounded warm. That momentary warmth went straight to Aran’s heart.

Despite what she felt, she replied sharply, “I was not worried.”

She then made her way to her tent, dragging the heavy cloak behind her. Kai walked beside her, maintaining his grip on the cloak with one hand. Aran did not notice the soldiers staring at them with wide eyes as they passed.

She glanced around, searching for Jeongwol. As she scoured the area of small, grimy tents, Jeongwol appeared from a large, clean tent.

“Your Highness!”

Aran paused.

“Your Highness, please come inside,” Jeongwol said, her voice brimming with excitement.

Aran nodded and removed the cloak.

“Thank you.”

Kai took it from her silently. Before entering the tent, Aran glanced back and saw him swing the cloak over his shoulders in one fluid motion. What had felt cumbersome to her now flowed elegantly behind him.

Aran was grateful for his presence, even though the fact that he was her enemy remained unchanged. She paused, gazing at him, but quickly turned away and entered the tent when their eyes met.

“Your Highness, look!” her maid exclaimed.

A gentle heat enveloped her as she stepped into the tent. A brazier burned brightly in the center of the large space. Aran crouched before it, stretching her hands toward the fire. She suspected that the larger tent and the brazier were not mere coincidences.

Perhaps Kai gave the order for this.

The warmth of the fur cloak returned to her mind, now mirrored by the fire. It reminded her once again of Choi Hyeok and made her feel as if Kai were an old friend.

He is always so cold.

Aran’s lips curled into a smile as she thought of Kai’s indifferent black eyes, blunt words, and gruff manner. Her smile grew as Jeongwol worked on drying her wet hair.

“It is quite warm, is it not?” the maid remarked. “We will be able to sleep without shivering tonight.”

“Yes, it is.”

Aran changed clothes with Jeongwol’s help and settled onto the thick layer of straw. The previous night, there had been only a small pile of straw for a bed, forcing Aran to endure the cold seeping from beneath. She had even greater sympathy for Jeongwol, who had slept directly on the bare ground.

“Now we can spread out this straw and rest on it together.”

“Your Highness, I am your servant. I cannot sleep beside you,” Jeongwol replied.

“What if you fall ill? Who is to help me then?”

All the maids had trembled in fear when it was decided that Aran would journey to Gayan. Only Jeongwol had volunteered to accompany her.

The Gayan emperor had forbidden all luxuries from Seo. Aran was not allowed a comfortable carriage, a spacious tent, or many servants. She was only permitted a maid, an interpreter, and a few changes of clothing. As a result, she had traveled in a shabby carriage and slept in a foul-smelling tent without a bed.

“Jeongwol, now we only have each other. We should be like sisters and take care of one another.”

“Your Highness, I am deeply grateful.”

Jeongwol had once been simply a maid, but now she felt like Aran’s only family.

“You should change as well. Your hands are too cold.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Before changing herself, she spread a wide cloth over the straw so that Aran could lie down and rest. After, Jeongwol was preparing to change when suddenly, two men burst into the tent.

“Who are you?” Aran demanded sternly.

The men disregarded her, their gazes sliding right past her and settling on Jeongwol. Before the maid could react, they seized her. Their eyes glinted with lust and all too clear intentions.

“Your Highness!” Jeongwol cried out, fear gripping her voice.

Only then did Aran grasp what was happening. She sprang to her feet and took hold of one of the men’s arms.

“Release her!” she commanded.

The man merely laughed and shook her off without effort. Together, he and his group dragged Jeongwol out of the tent. Aran frantically searched for anything she could use as a weapon, but found nothing.

“No! Let her go! Help! Please, someone help us!” She chased after them, shouting desperately.

Her pleas echoed in the night air, but no one came to her aid. The soldiers watched all of this and laughed. One of them gave her a rough shove. She hit the ground hard as laughter erupted around her, and dirt soiled her clean clothes.

Jeongwol noticed this as she was struggling and shrieked, “Your Highness! Are you all right?”

Aran could not help but notice that despite her immediate danger, she was more concerned for Aran than herself. Aran’s eyes locked onto her, and she forced herself to her feet.

The men around her continued their harsh laughter, some pointing and mocking her bravery. None of them had any intention of intervening.

Aran was desolate and heartbroken. No one came to her aid. Even her interpreter could only shake his head sadly. There was only one person on whom she could rely.

Chen Kai!

Surrounded by these terrifying, terrible men, Kai was the one person she believed would come to her rescue.

“Kai! Please, General Kai! Help me!” Aran began running between the tents, calling for him. She dashed wildly, becoming increasingly desperate. “General Kai! Help me, please! Chen Kai!”

From a large tent nearby, she saw him emerge, his shirt slightly disheveled. There was no time to think. She raced toward him. He looked surprised, but Aran grabbed his shirt and pleaded with him, holding on tightly to ensure he would not refuse.

“Jeongwol, my maid! Men came to our tent and took her away. Kai, please. I need your assistance!”

Before she could finish, Kai started moving forward.