Chapter 9: Il Minjoon

It was a peaceful day.

The sound of birds chirping combined with the gentle cool breeze, the leaves rustling, the bell chimes ringing. across the whole yard.

It was quiet.

On the wooden platform facing the ancient tree sat a woman. She was leaning her back against the post. In her hands was a warm cup of tea.

Hae Gi sighed as she sipped her tea. The warmth spreading throughout her battered body, making her feel refreshed. All the chores that she'd done made her feel tired. More so without her little helping hand.

It's already been a few years since she woke up in this world. It was very beautiful. Still not tainted with machines, the excellent view of nature made it worth the stay. The air devoid of smoke, the sky filled with clouds. The soul inside couldn't help but feel glad.

It made her go on through the years. At first, she thought she had it all planned out. She will all do the opposite of what the original did. Yet the process was hard.

Having to take care of a child was very demanding on her body and her mind, especially in the first month.

Having to wake up in the middle of the night, just to ease the baby's cries. Holding the baby in her bosom as she cleans and does chores- If it wasn't for the original's friend, Eunjung, she doubts she would still be alive.

Once Minjoon started to walk, life became easier. She taught the child how to speak, to do minimal chores, to write- until Minjoon became her little helper.

The hectic mornings became bearable with the child around. Yes sometimes It was frustrating when the child broke something and does something wrong, but with a little scolding, the boy was yet again back on track.

Hae Gi was thankful that the child is obedient and smart. She was happy to have the child around.

It made every day bearable, and fun.

But these past few days, she was left to her own devices. After breakfast, Minjoon always hurries to go out. But not without saying goodbye to her first.

As he left, Hae Gi sat in a daze, then goes back to her own chores. It was very tiring without Minjoon around. She usually finishes before lunchtime, but now she finishes before dawn, leaving her weak and hungry. Because she doesn't have a child around, she usually makes Onigiris (rice ball) and prepares herself a warm cup of tea.

She was always sitting in the same spot, every day, sipping tea. Staring off in the distance, her gaze dark and solemn.

She didn't want to but she was feeling lonely again.

She always hated this feeling, she liked being alone. But too much, is just, too much. She was fed up with it. She already hated it. That feeling.

It made her remember the life she once had. If it wasn't for her dog. Then she'd-

She stopped right there. This wasn't the time to dwell on such thoughts. 'You have a mission to finish.' She thought.

She set the tea down and hoisted herself up, dusting her dress. Time to harvest some Acacia gum.

Hae Gi got a small wooden bowl and walked towards the tree.

Maybe it was due to her aloofness, or maybe her limited capacity in martial arts, that she wasn't able to notice a man staring at her in the window arch for the past few years.

It was Daehyun, the Emperor.

Ever since that day, he always made sure to check up on the pair. It pained him to see his beloved in peril, facing hardships. He witnessed as she cut her fingers accidentally, filling her hands with scars. To see her scrubbing clothes, making that tiny soft hands that he used to hold, rough and hard. He wondered if she was angry at him, hating him for this. Wanting to cry and shout to the whole world. It was okay for him if she wanted to kill him.

Yet she didn't. She worked, her blood and sweat, as she struggled to keep both her and their son alive. He stared at them, laughing, crying, smiling, that it made his heart ache. Every time he sees that scene, he always thinks that, although they look so happy, why does it seem like something's missing?

It took him a while to realize that what was missing was him. To come up to them, embrace them, and talk to them. To hold them in his arms and to be with them was what he longed for. But he couldn't bring himself to walk up to them and say-'I've made a mistake, will you please forgive me?' He doesn't have the courage. He was afraid of the contempt and mistrust, the gaze looking at him like he was some sort of stranger. He couldn't stand it. So he wondered, what did Hae Gi felt at that time? How did she cope with it?

At that moment Daehyun thought, women are strong creatures.

His father always used to say that women are frail, aren't needed, and might cause the whole kingdom to perish. His father warned him to not trust women, to only trust himself. But he begged to differ. His Hae Gi was strong, unyielding. He might not trust the whole kingdom to Hae Gi, but he trusts her his heart and their child.

It made him feel guilty once again. He regrets doubting her, deeming her as vile. It was the worst mistake he committed in this life.

Yet seeing her like this, so empty like she was abandoned, as she sat on the same spot every day, made him feel like he had to do something. He longed for her smile, and he knew the only one who can make her smile.

He looked at her standing up, preparing something-perhaps for Minjoon.

'The last time that I saw the child-he was probably... there.'

Then, Daehyun left.

On the wide field, Minjoon was lying on the ground panting. His whole body was soaked with sweat, as his whole body trembled. He was gravely fatigued. This day, unlike yesterday, was harsh. He and the boy that he learned was named Baekho trained until their body collapsed.

Only that afterward, Baekho was dragged by the General, his teacher, to their headquarters. While he, Minjoon, was left alone on the ground.

He looked at the sky, there's still a bit of time before dawn falls. In the meantime, he will sleep.

As he was about to close his eyes, a huge shadow blocked the sunlight's rays. Minjoon opens his eyes to see a man. The man is wearing a red robe embroidered with gold. Similar to his teacher. He looked at the man's face only to see himself. He was startled, he looked exactly like the man, except for his blue eyes. Only that he looked younger, Minjoon's facial features still soft. It made him wonder if this was his father. Yet he couldn't check the color of the man's hair due to it being concealed inside the hat.

"Hey kid, can you stand? " The man squatted. His face looming over Minjoon.

Minjoon was silent. He didn't know this man. His mother told him to not talk to strangers. Also, he was tired, it was too tiring to even speak.

Even without the boys' acknowledgment, the man continued to speak.

" If you can't, well, anyway let's talk. "

The man hoisted Minjoon on his shoulder, surprising the boy. Fortunately for the man, Minjoon was already fatigued to even move.

Then, the man proceeded outside the field.

As the man walked, Minjoon wondered where will he be taking him. He couldn't help but feel frustrated, he did not know this man but he unknowingly trusts this man. Like it was natural, It was very strange. His presence, unlike his mother, was reassuring and inspiring. Like what he feels with his teacher, but slightly different. It made him confused.

"You know, your mother was sad today."

Minjoon's eyes trembled as he heard his mother.

"What do you mean?"

The man walked forward as he spoke.

"She was sitting on the same spot every day sipping tea with this look on her face."

The man paused for a while, then continued to talk.

"She looked ready to give up."

Minjoon's brows furrowed as he frowned. His mother isn't like that. The mother that he knew stood strong and steadfast, she was strong, taking on everything on her way.

"That isn't my mama."

"She doesn't give up, no matter what."

The man suddenly stopped.

Daehyun stood in place, his eyes dark.

"Do you think of your mother as God?"

Minjoon's eyes widened. He frantically spoke as he tried to deny the man's words. The first time Daehyun saw the child panicked.

"No! That's-That's not what I meant!"

Daehyun's eyes were downcast, remorse hidden within.

"She's human boy. She laughs and she cries. Although that's what made her so strong."

"But do you know what made her strong?"

The man made him sat on the log. He realized that they stopped at a lake as he viewed the wide reservoir. It was so peaceful, so serene that it made him miss his mother.

"What?"

The man sat next to him, continuing to stare at the lake.

"It is you."

Suddenly, the wind blows. The hat perched on top of the man's head flew, strands of white glittering hair flowed with the breeze. The color similar to Minjoon's.

"You!-Empero-fa-"

Minjoon recognized that white hair. His mother always told him that his father was a gallant man, although his white silvery hair made him look ethereal. She sometimes tells him that when his father frowns, that gallant figure suddenly looks like an old man. He noticed that while she spoke, her smiles indicate her love towards his father.

He never expected to meet this father so early, it made him stunned.

The emperor looked at his son.

"So go talk to her. Do not neglect her. You are her strength. If you suddenly stopped talking to her, then what would happen to her?"

"Shower her with love. Make her happy. Make her proud."

Daehyun stared at the distance.

"Trust in her. Do not doubt her. Do not question her. Do not betray her. If you love your mother, do that."

"A mother only wants what's best for their child."

Daehyun closed his eyes as he recalled a memory of his own mother. And his own beloved.

"All mothers are strong. Not because it's innate or in their blood."

"It's for their child, their loved ones. To protect them and to nurture them, they had to be strong."

Daehyun once again looked at his son. The boy in front of him did not look at him like some stranger, he looked at Daehyun with acknowledgment and wonder. Like a child listening to his father. It made Daehyun's heart warm.

"But remember, there are many strong people in the world. But just as much as they're strong, they are just as weak."

"Remember that my son."

Then both father and son stared off in the distance.