Her Poison His cure: Behind The Mask

For an infinite amount of time. It felt like I could run. one foot in front of the other and I just kept pushing. The pain along my leg went numb a long time ago but I was starting to feel the fatigue and pain from my wound. I know my body might give out but seeing the young boy gives me the courage to erase the thought from my mind.

I can’t stop now. I need to get him out of here safely.

With the new found determination. My hold on the boy tightened and I increased my speed pushing him along with me. Since I have come in through this way, it is not that difficult again.

Suddenly his hand disconnected from mine. I looked back to see the boy on the ground.

“Let’s stop for a minute!” He whispered in one breath, his heartbeat rising heavily.

I crouched down next to him. That when I notice the discomfort look on his face, his face wrecked and his lip clamps tightly within his teeth. He groaned silently.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“I am just tired. The bones in my body are weak and it seemed like I might pass out” he replied.

I understand. Being in one place for such a long time. He must be deadly tired and weak but we can’t stop now. He needs to get out of here fast before anyone suspects anything.

“You need to gather your energy. We have to get out here fast.”

With that said. I quickly helped him up by wrapping my hand on his waist and placing his hand around my shoulder. I was finally able to get him up after trying for a few seconds.

We started walking slowly and this time around it wasn’t my leg that wagged on the floor but his.

“What is your name?” I suddenly asked.

“Heo Yeong ho,” he whispered.

Yeong ho. The name sounds perfect coming out of his mouth. It feels like it is the most beautiful name my ear has ever heard.

“Why did you give me this?” he asked, holding up his wrist for me to see my bracelet on it.

We stopped walking and I turned to face him while I caressed the bracelet on his hand.

“Because I want you to get out of here alive. I didn’t forget it, you must return it back to me if you want to live. At all costs it must get back to me.”

“Did you know why I can’t release it to you forever?” I asked and he shook his head.

“Because it is a gift from my father. I have always received presents from my father but this particular one is special. This is the first gift I receive from my father which is as a result of a ceremony”

He looked at me wearily but nodded his head. I guessed he didn’t understand my explanation but just decided to go along with it.

Father had always spoiled me with different gifts, be it a necklace, hairpin and so many items that I can’t remember but he had never bought me a gift for commenting on an occasion in advance. Knowing this gift is as a result of my brother crown princess selection process, it makes me cherish the gift deeply.

“You must return this back.” I said to the boy and he nodded his head.

“What the hell are you doing here!”

I heard a deep thunderous voice from behind and turned in the direction, only to see someone whom I never wished could surface at the moment__ My Father.

Father was standing with his gaze tight with fury as he stared at the boy beside me. There was a haughty tilt to his chin as he looked down his nose at Yeong ho, a look I have never seen in his eyes before and there was something behind it which was none other than hatred.

Behind him is my brother and some guards.

I shudder in fear at the sight of my father, for I didn’t expect to see him here.

Father squinted his eyes and moved over to us, the sound of his shoe clicking against the floor echoed throughout the room. When he came to a stop in front of me he sneered angrily. “What are you doing here?”

“I am sorry f….”

Before I could complete my statement a slap landed on my face sending me down to the ground immediately.

I held my cheek in pain and looked up at my father in disbelief. This is the first time my father had ever raised his hand on me. I have never seen him scolding me not to talk of him raising his hand to beat me but that just happened all because I am trying to correct his wrongdoing.

He moved his eyes away from me to Yeong ho and I saw the innocent boy shrunk back in fear. His face turned pale white and his body became still.

Yeong ho’s body was silent as her body turned stone cold.

“Take him out. The rainmaking ritual will commence immediately” He ordered and two of the guards grabbed Yeong ho and began pulling him outside.

Rainmaking ritual. What did he mean by that?

Father eyed me with disappointment. He turned back to leave but I quickly grabbed hold of his leg, which stopped him from leaving.

Tears brimmed in my eyes as I swiveled around, to the front of Father.

“Father, please let him go?” I pleaded.

“He didn’t do anything wrong. He is a monster only because he was born as one.” My voice sounded shaky and it seemed like blood had drained from my lip, turning it pale white.

He turned back to look at me and the expression on his face was still not pleasant rather his face turned sore. Like he is in pain at seeing me beg for Yeong ho. He let out a deep sigh.

“I know your fear father but I assure you that is never going to happen” I added, tears streamed down my cheek.

He crouched down beside me and raised my chin up with his middle finger.

“What is my fear?” he asked as he cleaned my tears with his thumb.

I snivel and change my position into kneeling down. “That he might cause trouble for your people and I am sure that what the people believe as well but I can promise you he won’t do anything of such, being born a monster doesn’t mean he will behave as one.”

“Thing will get easier, people mind will change and you should be alive to see it”

He hugged me closer to himself and held my face in his palm, cleaning my tears with his thumb.

“Suk” he called softly that I almost melted into his voice. Yes this is the father I used to know, not the one who hit me a moment ago.

My cheek hurt from the slap and the pain in my wound resurfaced like fire blaring red. Height wasn’t something my parents’ gene has bestowed upon me so I clung tightly to my father ‘s embrace. Hugging him tightly for warmth.

“I heard you but I can’t grant you what you want this time around. He must be killed for our people to live.” He said while stroking my hair slowly.

The glint of hope in my eyes faded away instantly. Biting down on my lip I mumbled. ” Please…”

“Ha”

I wince when I feel a sharp pain on my palm, only to find out my father had cut me with a dagger. It doesn’t look like an ordinary dagger because of its structure. A small heavenly dagger lay in my father ‘s hand with my blood on it.

Blood seeped from the wound. The pain from the cut shot up my arm like fire. I cringed and whined softly.

With a pain voice, father uttered.”Thank you my princess, for releasing my people from their suffering”

The next second, a tremendous force pushed against me, causing me to crash heavily on the floor.

Father stood up after pushing me to the ground. He glanced at me one more time before storming out with my brother and the remaining guards.