WHEN LOVE CALLS - CHAPTER 55&56
~Uh Oh!~
JOSEON. HANYANG.
The village was bustling as always. It was full of people buying and selling. Kids running around playing, and traders advertising their goods.
Byeol opens the small window of the palanquin she’s in and smiles softly as her eyes roves around the busy market.
“Stop the palanquin!” She orders, and the four men carrying it stopped.
“My Lady, is there a problem?” Rona, her personal maid asks, looking at her through the window from outside. She was walking along actually.
“The market looks so fun, I’ll like to explore it. Put the palanquin down, I’d like to come out” Byeol orders again and the men did as ordered.
Byeol came out of it with Rona reaching her hand to her. She took it as she came out of it.
She marveled looking around.
“As expected, no town can beat Hanyang. I’ve always looked up to this day” She smiles widely.
“My Lady, it’s quite dangerous walking among this people, why don’t you go back into the palanquin, we’ll soon get to My Lord’s residence” Rona said but Byeol began walking away instead of answering her.
“My Lady!” Rona went after her immediately.
“Wow…this are beautiful” Byeol gushed, looking at the various beautiful hairpins displayed at a counter.
“Would you like one, My Lady?” The man selling it asked but she smiles walking away. Her eyes came in contact with an old woman selling accessories at a corner, and she went to her.
“These are quite old…” She mumbles looking at the different accessories she has. Her eyes caught a particular jade ring and she picked it.
“I like this” She smiles.
“You should go back, this isn’t the right place for you” The old woman suddenly said, confusing her.
“Excuse me?”
“You are going to cause chaos in their lives. You’re a doom to them. If you want to save yourself, go back now before anything starts! Go back to where you came from child” The woman said again making her frowns.
“What is this old woman saying…my lady let’s go, I don’t feel comfortable with her” Rona says holding her.
“Wait…” Byeol stops her.
“I’d like to take this, Rona can you pay for it?” Byeol requested.
“How much is it?” Rona asked.
“Five nyang” The woman answered.
“So much for a ring…” Rona mutters dipping her palm into the small pouch with her, she took out some coins and give it to the woman.
“Here. Let’s go my Lady” She held Byeol leaving with her and just then the old woman spoke up again.
“Run away! They’re your doom likewise you, you’ll ruin them and ruin yourself. Run now before it gets too late. RUN NOW CHILD! RUNNN!!!” The old woman said as if possessed and Rona quickly took Byeol away from there.
“She’s crazy my Lady, what sort of a woman is that?”
“Rona, do you think she’s_”
“She’s nothing my lady, don’t take what she says to heart. Let’s go back, your father must be waiting. He’ll be so thrilled to have you back” Rona held her hand leading her back to the palanquin.
LATER IN THE EVENING.
The men carrying the palanquin finally stop in front of a residence.
“We’re here finally my Lady” Rona announced happily and Byeol’s heart skipped a beat.
She looks out the window to see the house she has left just thirteen years ago.
She has always wanted to come back there, and now she is finally. An immense happiness surge through her.
Rona walked to the big door and bang on it.
“Open the door, Young Lady Byeol is here! Open the door!” She shouted for at least four times before the door opens. Rona rushes back to the palanquin and helo Byeol out of it. Together they walked into the large compound.
Byeol couldn’t help looking around the compound with a feeling of familiarity.
The peach tree she used to climb when she was still little is still there, she could see the large table she used to sleep on outside also, to watch the stars every night.
A feeling of nostalgia hits her, and past memories flushed in.
She could remember how happy she was with her Mother, Father and elder sister then.
“Byeol!” She heard a familiar voice and looks forward to see an elegant looking lady, walking up to her.
“Eonni? (Elder sister)” She mumbles, her voice laid with happiness and so much Joy.
“Bomi Eonni!” She calls out in excitement, throwing herself into her arms.
“Byeol…Byeol, my dear sister, you’re back… you’re finally back…” Bomi also mutters in happiness, hugging her so tightly.
“I miss you. I missed you so much Eonni…” She says over her shoulder, tears slowly strolling down her face.
“I missed you too. I’m so glad to have you back, I’m so glad Byeol…” Bomi said back, closing her eyes as she hugs her.
Rona couldn’t help grinning in excitement as she watches the two sisters reunite, she knows how long Byeol as been anticipating for it.
For years now perhaps.
“Oh, My Lord” Rona bows on sighting Lord Kim at the entrance of the house watching them with a straight face.
On hearing this, Byeol disengage from the hug and looks forward to see her father.
His has become much older than he was when she saw him last, his dark hair now white.
“Father” She calls with a feeling of melancholy, walking closer to him.
“I see you’re here. The maids have prepared your room so retire in, you should stop causing nuisance in the middle of the night” His father said with a hint of coldness in his voice before walking back to his room.
Byeol watches him leave with tears gathering in her eyes. She knew her father was angry at her for leaving him with her mother then but she just didn’t expect, his anger will last for years.
She missed him so much but, he doesn’t seem like he does at all.
Bomi places her palm on her shoulder gaining her attention, Byeol looks at her and Bomi offers her a warm smile.
“You must be hungry and tired, why don’t you go inside and rest, we can catch up tomorrow” She said to her.
“Aren’t you leaving to the palace tomorrow?” Byeol links her arms together with that of Bomi.
“Tonight I’m staying with you. I won’t get another opportunity to spend time with you once you enter the palace tomorrow, so I have to make use of the little I have wisely” She says and Bomi smiles.
“I’d love that then, I actually have a lot of gists for you also” Bomi replied.
“Rona, right?” Bomi looks at Rona who bowed immediately.
“Yes, Lady Bomi” Rona replied.
“It’s been a long time, you grew up to be a beautiful lady” Bomi said abd Rona couldn’t help blushing.
“How about you prepare some snacks for Byeol and I, and the beddings also” Bomi said.
“Yes, Lady Bomi” Rona replied and Bomi faces Byeol.
“Let’s go, little parrot” Bomi said making Byeol to chuckled.
“Oh come on Eonni, you don’t get to call me that anymore… I’m a refined young lady now…” Byeol replied as they walk hand in hand to Bomi’s room.
“But I bet you’re still as loquacious as before…”
“Not anymore, I told you I’m now refined…”
“I refuse to believe that… little parrot”
“Eonni!”
*. *. *
Byeol’s and Bomi’s laughter filled up the whole room as they chat about each other’s funny experiences.
“So, to get this straight, you humiliated him publicly because you thought he was trying to molest you when he suddenly hugged you from behind in public but later found out that he did that to help conceal your dress which actually got torn behind without you knowing?” Byeol said.
“Huh. So later when we met again at the palace when I went for the bride’s registration. I bumped into him there and was so shocked to find out he was actually the crown prince. I was so baffled and humiliated. I thought he was gonna get back at me for doing that to him but he didn’t. He treated me well and even apologized for our last unpleasant encounter” Bomi says.
“Wow, he sounds like a great man”
“He is Byeol. I feel so lucky meeting a man like him” Bomi smiles dreaming infecting Byeol with the smile also.
“I’m so happy for you Eonni, your dreams of becoming a great woman is finally coming true” Byeol said.
“It’s such a pity you have to leave so soon, I was looking forward to spend more time with you” She pouted.
“Don’t worry, I’ll always make time to come check up on you. The bride choosing competition will only take us few weeks, latest a month, If I get selected as the crown princess later, I promise to take you round the palace, and have fun together”
“I can’t wait…” Byeol grins.
“And about father, don’t be mad at him, he’ll come back around okay?” Bomi held her hands while Byeol gives her a small smile.
“I know. I’m willing to wait” She replied.
“Let’s go to bed now” Bomi said and she smiles standing up.
They both moves to the bed, lying on it with Bomi wrapping her arms around Byeol.
“My dear pretty little sister, you held on well, I’m so happy to have you back” Bomi stroke her hair.
“I’m so happy to be back as well, Eonni” Byeol mutters, snuggling closer to her.
“Good night”
“Good night”
NEXT DAY.
Bomi had already left for the palace by the time Byeol would have woken up.
She must have been so tired because it took her a while to wake up.
When she did, she got freshen up and dressed up, she decided to have breakfast with her father but her father rejected this leaving her to eat alone like a loner.
Byeol sighs for the umpteenth time as she brings the chopsticks to her mouth.
Rona who watches her couldn’t help but feel bad for her.
Thirteen years ago when Byeol was just eight years of age, she had left the house with her mother to go live with her grandmother back in a small village.
Why?
Lord Kim, her father who was just an insignificant minister in the court then was actually accused of treason and all the assets he had then was seized.
Rumors came that he’s going to be locked up and his family are probably going to be sell off as slaves.
Byeol’s mother was scared of this so she urges her husband that they should run away but Lord Kim remained adamant that he wouldn’t since he was innocent.
Byeol’s mother didn’t agree with him, she decided to run away with her children alone, and as predicted, Lord Kim was locked up not quite long after.
Months later, Byeol’s mother developed an illness which she couldn’t survive, she passed away leaving the two girls in the hands of her old mother.
The old woman couldn’t take proper well of the girls so Bomi suggested they go back to their father.
Byeol declined saying she couldn’t leave the old woman all alone so Bomi ended up leaving alone.
She went back to their old house but surprisedly her locked up father was there already.
He was released after evidence of him being innocence was tendered and his assets were returned also.
Also, strangely he got promoted to a higher position and his wealth increased than it ever was. He became known and popular so does his power rose.
Bomi sent a carriage to Byeol’s to come back home but Byeol refused saying she couldn’t leave the old woman she has grown so much attached to.
Lord Kim tried all he could to bring her back but she refused, this pisses him off and made him grew hatred for her.
However Bomi sent one of their slaves which was Rona to Byeol to always help her out, they also writes to themselves over the years.
Byeol finally made to return when the old woman died of old age also, but now that she did her sister has to go to the palace for the bride choosing competition and she has to live with her father who seems to detest her now.
“Rona, how about we take a stroll out? Let’s visit the market again uh?” She suggested but Rona gave her a disapproving look.
“Haven’t you heard of the recent abducting of young ladies by some unknown people. There’s no way we’re going out cause it’s dangerous and moreso, my Lord had made orders not to let you go outside this compound” Rona said to her while she frowns.
“Then what?? It’s so boring in here! You know I h@?? boredom and it’s not in me to stay coop up inside all day” She complained.
“That was when you’re still with your grandmother. Here, you’re a young lady and you act like it. No going out, finish your meal and I’ll get you some fabrics, you can do some embroidery if you’re bored” Rona declared while she pouts.
Grumpily, she continued eating her food.
HOURS LATER.
Byeol sighs out for the umpteenth time, just like Rona had said she has been doing embroidery for almost an hour now even though to her, it’s as boring as hell.
She drops the needle grumpily and rolled her eyes but it landed on the already dozing off Rona who sat at a side in the room.
On seeing her dozing off, Byeol’s face lighten.
She got up slowly and tiptoed to her, waving her palms in front of her face to confirm if she’s really asleep.
She grinned silently when Rona wouldn’t wake and leaves her side gently. She took off her dress and change into a guy clothing.
That’s how she normally dressed back at her grandmother’s place.
She packed her hair up and knotted it then wore a band around her head. When done, she tiptoed out of the room and snuck to the back of the compound.
Climbing on the fence, she fell brutally on the ground at the other side and winced painfully.
“Ouch!” She got up slowly dusting herself only to meet two pairs of eyes staring back at her with folded arms.
“Shin, does thives break into houses at daylight now?” One of the guys watching her asked the other standing by his side.
“I’m surprised too, thieves must be so fearless these days, or are they that desperate?” The other guy named Shin answered.
“What do we do to him, I’m good at handling criminals like him” Byul, the first guy said cracking his knuckles.
Byeol just stood on her spot, watching them as they talk.
Shin began walking closer to her while she moves back.
“What do you think, we’ve got to teach him a lesson” He smirks.
“I’m… I’m not a thief! This is my_” She stops on realizing revealing who she is will only cost her more trouble.
“Oh! It’s the king!” She pointed to the other direction diverting their attention there.
Seeing they took the bait, she took to her heels immediately.
“He’s running away! Catch him!!!” Byul said running after her while Shin did also.
“Why are they chasing me!” Byeol grits as she runs to the main village bumping into different people on the way.
The two guys run madly after her also as if their lives depends on it.
Branching to a corner, she hid herself well while the two run past her, not seeing her.
“Phew!” She sighs out holding her chest. She was about leaving when she heard a gagging sound.
She walks further into the corner and was shocked to see two guys dressed in black, they have their faces covered with a black veil as well.
They look like bandits and the worst part, she could see them knocking a young lady down.
She covered her mouth as she watches them covers this young lady with black clothes the moment she passed out. One of them carry her, and they began leaving.
Stealthily, she began tailing them.
One thing you should know about her, she doesn’t know how to mind her business.
She kept following these two guys secretly until they went into a building through the back.
It was the Gisaseng place.
The two guys entered through a door and she came out of the corner she was hiding. She walks to the door and opens it slightly trying to take a peek in.
Her eyes widened, when she saw like three young ladies on the floor, with their mouth gagged.
“Are you sure no one saw you?” A woman whom she could only see her back asked.
“Yes, no one did” One of the guys replied.
“Alright good. You did great. The ship will be leaving tonight so try to get more girls if you can” The woman ordered and the guys bowed.
“Who are you!” Byeol gasped loudly on hearing a voice behind her. She looks back and saw a guy staring back at her.
“Go check it out. Whoever it is, you know what to do” The woman ordered the guys then leave through another door inside.
“$h|t!” Byeol cussed and immediately started running away but the two guys came out of the door and started chasing her also.
When You’re being chased, the best way to save yourself is mixing among battalion of people.
She ran inside the pavilion.
Different activities could be seen going on there.
Some men gambling.
Some drinking.
Some watching and drooling on the Gisasengs dancing.
Some chatting happily and so on.
She made her way among all this people looking for a safe place to hide.
The two guys chased her also, not caring about the people around.
They’ve never spared anyone who saw them during operation that’s why they must get her at all cost.
Byeol ran upstairs wishing to just escape from the two predators chasing her.
On getting upstairs, she opens the first door she saw and ran inside but ran back out on seeing two people having s€x.
Right? What does she expects.
She opens the second door and it was the same.
Branching to another corner, she opens a door and ran in.
She had decided to not to run out of any room again even if they’re having s€x there. She’d just stay there and hid.
Right now, her life matters.
Thankfully, unlike others there wasn’t any sounds of such so she stood by the door, breathing heavily with her palm on her chest.
“Who are you?” She however suddenly heard a thick voice behind her and that’s she realizes she wasn’t alone in the room. She looks back slowly and gasps loudly on seeing not just a person but a group of men all dressed in black with a veil covering half of their faces, they seem to be part of the guys she was running away from.
“Uh oh!” She ran away from the cubs of lion only to meet herself in the den of the real Lions.
TBC…