Maternal Love

It has been a week since the King match made Jiho and Hae Min. Hae Min and Jiho were childhood friends. Every summer, Jiho would visit her and stay in the Kingdom of Goryeo for three weeks. They were insperable. Of course, people change. When they turned sixteen, Jiho had been busy practicing martial arts and fighting with swords. As the son of a general, they have too much responsibility.

"A penny for your thoughts?" Hae Min sighed. "It's funny that I thought I can control my whole life as long as I want to." Jinho tapped her shoulders. "Time will pass, then you will realize that this challenge is just a stepping stone to be the best you in the future. When the time finally come, you will realize that you have changed a lot and you grew up really well. You can now understand the real purpose of the world life. For now, you are just a stubborn nineteen years old princess. In time, you may become a Queen or what. You can teach your children well." Hae Min bit her lower lip. Jinho is right, but for a stubborn girl like her, it's too much to handle. She's just nineteen. Realization hit her, it's life. You'll be married by force or not.

"It's a stepping stone, right. I will get better in the future and will think of this problem as a nice memory but then... for today it's too much to handle. I wished for one reason not to give up, but he gave me a reason to give up instead. Yet I still have to fight. The Queen will think of me as a dumb and stupid child. She probably hated me that she wished I wasn't borned. Probably because when I got out of her womb, Father thought of giving up on her. And I am happy with taking all the blame. It's fine for me to be scolded by her... at least she talked to me." Jinho was speechless. All this time, he thought Hae Min hated the Queen because of how the Queen treats her. But... she's happy by being scolded at least the Queen had the time with her. "I must go."

Hae Min went back to her room. She's filled with sadness, but everyone surrounding her can't feel it. They believe that Hae Min is a happy go lucky girl. But they are all wrong. Even Jinho didn't know she was filled with sadness.

She suddenly remembered Yoonwoo. How is he? He had been missing in action for four days. He didn't even bother telling her that he'd be gone for four days.

She can still clearly remember what happened before the dinner. She did wish that she did not go home. So many regrets however her regrets can not turn the time back. There is no way that she'd time travel.

Finally she fell asleep thinking of Yoonwoo causing her to dream of Yoonwoo. She didn't even bother calling an asistant and took a bath immediately. She showed up at the King's second wife's home. "Good morning Mother." She paused she need to catch her breath! Queen Jihye told her to call her Mother instead of Queen Jihye. "Good day, daughter. Do you want to join us for breakfast? Hae Min's eyes twinkled as she nodded. Queen Jihye patted her head gently and chuckled. "How is Yoonwoo doing, Mother? I haven't seen him in awhile." Queen Jihye smiled. "He wanted to go to the town and visit his teacher. He really wants to pursue medicine. I wonder why he did not tell you." Hae Min sighed... she also don't know.

They sat down on the dining area. "Eunji eonnie! How was your stay in the village?" Hae Min asked. "Life in the village was simple. Although it was simple, it was still happy!" Eunji smiled as she recalled her memories from her trip last week. "I hope that I and Hae will be the first one to read your book!" Queen Jihye added. "Yes! I bet the book that you are currently writing will be nice!" They all laugh. Even though Hae Min did not come from Queen Jihye's womb, she cares for her as her own daughter and love her.

The simple breakfast was very happy. Especially for Hae Min, because she felt the maternal love that she is missing.