Chapter hundred and fifteen: Who is she?

Tinkling sound.

Suppressed whispers.

Hushed footsteps.

That which we refer to as 'human instinct' kicked in to wake the sleeping duo. Myung OK's eyes were first opened as she felt the danger first. Daejong who had little or no sleep as he had watched the angel fall asleep in his arms awakened fully and got up right after her.

More footsteps was heard drawing their attention to the sounds of clangs. Myung OK felt real panic as she exchanged glances with Daejong who looked oblivion too.

Soon, the door hole made a clicking sound as someone hurriedly unlocked it. Men in black with their scary masks surrendered them with swords pointed threateningly at them.

"What's going on?", Daejong howled as he shielded Myung OK with his precious dragon body.

"I will tell you what's going on", a voice said at the door. The armed men made a uniformed pathway as they revealed a man with a scarier mask. He looked tall and menacing but his gaunt stature contrasted with him .

"Emperor Daejong, I'm really sorry to hold you hostage but someone just wanted a revenge and the pay is gratifying enough". The mask didn't cover his entire face so his expression can be made out, and at the moment, he had a wicked smile.

"The instruction is to hold you for one day then release you but we discovered more interesting facts". He squinted at him. "You think you are smart, right? Do you know revealing the princess's location was intentional and to ascertain the strength of your secret guard. I must confess they have grown bigger than the last time we investigated them", he walked a little bit closer to them ,then paused by a breath away.

"Why are they suddenly so big? What type of mission made you send majority of your men away, eh?". As he spoke, his breath reeked of overnight tobacco and alcohol which disgusted Daejong. He stepped back defensively with Myung OK safely secured behind him.

"They looked experienced and don't seem to be new men so where were they?", he interrogated further but got no response.

"Who made you kidnap an emperor's daughter?", he finally asked, but the man ignored him and signaled one of the men to come forth.

A tiny pinky little girl soon emerged with big eyes filled with curiosity.

"Dada!", she yelled as her patter of feet enveloped the silence. As she almost reached his waiting arms which was widely opened , the gaunt looking man grabbed her suddenly and laughed.

"The test is over".

Daejong whose heart hurt at the way his child was whisked away suddenly felt lost. What test? but he got no answer as the man brought out what looked like a profile.

"I wonder why the empress in this profile is way too different from the present one. Are there two empresses?". The mock underlying in the tone wasn't unnoticed. The restrained lust from the men seemed to leak as their drools found itself on their faces though concealed by the masks.

He nodded and the men went into attack mode, waiting only for the final signal to attack.

"Choose between your bitch and your girl. Think carefully because one must die".

Daejong and Myung OK shuddered at the threat. His heart rose and fell with fear as he found himself in a dilemma. He wondered how they got the empress's portrait and why they suddenly want Myung OK dead. Someone from the palace is really with this group and has confirmed his suspicions.

For two years, he had hunted this group like a wolf but it seems the prey had always watched him.

"Bringing your child now was to confirm your level of affection, and I believe in what I saw. Those gaze was that of a loving father who is truly happy to see his child again, so release the bitch to us", he growled.

"What time is it now?", he suddenly asked, throwing them off-balance with the strangeness of the question.

"5:00 AM ", he answered albeit it's absurdity.

Daejong nodded then counted numbers.

"One", the men exchanged glances.

"Two", they unsheathed their swords.

"Three", they raised their sword to attack but a loud bang went off in a close proximity that shook the building.

Afterwards, war cries of men was heard and running boots made it's way towards them. In the commotion, Myung OK who plastered herself behind Daejong darted forward and grabbed the baby who had begun to cry.

Daejong kicked the man blockading him and ran towards the exit. As the trio made their way out, the crying baby ceased her cries and encircled Myung OK who used her hands to cover her eyes from the bloodbath. Men fought outside the house which she recognized the opposing side to be the emperor's men.

"Give her to me". He took the child from her hurriedly to ease her burden and ensure their swift and flawless escape which she reluctantly obliged.

As men were filled in the compound, they had to dodge sword slash and club cuts. In the middle of the battle arena which seemed to radiate the heat of the battle, a man on the emperor's side yelled for them to run.

They ran towards the mountain from where they will see civilization but a cold voice stopped them from moving. It seems they had been followed.

"Move and die".

They both froze . Slowly, they turned to find the leader with a drawn arrow aimed towards Myung OK. "She must die!".

He trained the arrow at her chest and cautiously moved towards her. "It would be a pity to hurt you or that baby, so move!"

Daejong was torn between his own feelings. A woman he loves is about to die before him yet he can't do anything, just like the last time. Is history about to repeat itself?. He looked pitifully at the child nestled in his arms and at his lost but found beloved whom he hasn't even spent one day with. His decision was made ,and clearly he knew what he should do, something he should have done years ago.

He apologized sadly and dropped the child on the ground as he ran towards the assailant to stop the arrow, but it was too late. He saw the arrow leave the bow and heard a gasp. Fearfully, he turned to see Myung OK standing expressionless. Confused at what he saw, he turned to see the assailant drooping on the floor with a dagger stuck in his chest and contorted look on his face.

He gazed back at Myung OK but saw her running towards his baby with inhuman speed that baffled him. "What is that?", his heart asked his mind but there was no answer.

She pulled the baby away from another arrow, placed her flat on the floor then rushed towards the bastard that dared attack a child. All this was done very fast but gentle. With skills unknown to Daejong, the man's limbs were cut off with his own sword and his face smacked.

Mercilessly, she warned the man. "Never you attack a child, a pregnant woman or a defenseless person. It's too lowly"

At that moment, Daejong who was too dumbfounded by what he saw jolted back at the cry of the child. He rushed towards her, secured her on his arms with coaxing, then ran to grab Myung OK who took down another archer.

"Let's go Yoona. It's not safe". She nodded, then pulled her dagger from the first assailant's chest.

"I didn't hit your vital organ, so, you will live", she told him as she entwined her hands with Daejong's outstretched own.

As they ran towards the broad road leading out of the mountain, Daejong turned to look admiringly at her. The weak little girl he felt sorry for ,is now a woman who can protect herself well. Though his heart broke at the story behind the development, he felt he would never pay all the debts he owes her in this lifetime.

But right now, who is this new woman before him?

Who is she?

As the brightness of the morning waxed stronger, the question plagued his mind.

"Who is she?".