Chapter 3

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As predicted, there was an all out celebration later that night.

Although she was still healing Yona was so glad to be up and about with everyone.

By the way they all coddled around her, it was clear everyone else was glad too.

Most of Awa joined them at the Port for a night of drinking and laughter. It was a much needed reprieve for all.

Even Hak was thoroughly enjoying the festivities, the Princess close by his side all the while.

It wasn't until dawn started to break before things finally died down. Most everyone either having gone home or lay in a passed out heap.

Yoon of course was the only one who had gone to bed at a reasonable hour, complaining about how they all better be up early in the morning to help him with breakfast.

Still sitting by the dwindling fire, Yona giggled as she spotted Kija and Shin-Ha fast asleep lying sprawled out on top of each other in their drunken stupors.

After Hak had shut down Jae-Ha's few harmless passes at Yona throughout the night, he sweetly bid her goodnight and disappeared with some of the women she recognized from the ship.

That was nice of him to make sure they got home safely, she thought.

So now it was just her and –

"Here you go."

Hak handed her a glass of water as he sat back down next to her.

"Thank you," she said.

"I'm surprised you're still awake," he said. "We should get you back to bed before Yoon wakes up and has a fit."

They both chuckled at the thought.

"Seriously though," he added, "you need to rest."

"Actually… could we go for a walk?" she asked.

"Right now?" He looked at her questioningly.

"Mhm," she nodded.

"It'd be nice to stretch my legs after so long. And it's so quiet and peaceful right now…" she mused.

She looked up at him with pleading eyes.

"Please Hak?"

Seeing those bright eyes that had been closed to him for 3 long days, he didn't have the heart to say no.

"Fine," he sighed in mock defeat. "But just a short one and then it's back to bed. I really don't want you overexerting yourself."

Her face brightened, "Deal."

XxxxxxxXxxxxxx

It really was quite pleasant as they walked through the empty streets of Awa. The early sunrise casting a beautiful glow over the city.

Hak had to admit this was the most content he'd felt in a long time.

Alone with the Princess, who looked radiant in the morning light, just casually strolling nowhere in particular without worrying about having to hide.

He could walk like this forever.

Sadly though he knew they should probably start heading back. She was still healing after all and they were pushing it as it was.

Just as he looked over to suggest they turn around he stopped himself short, his body going rigid.

In an instant Hak pulled the Princess behind a side alleyway, his hand over her mouth anticipating her surprised yelp.

"Don't make a sound," he whispered urgently as he held her close against the wall.

He peeked around the corner to get another look as he lowered his hand from her.

Yona immediately became alert at his sudden shift in demeanor.

"Dammit!" he swore quietly.

Yona could see the contemplation in his eyes as he turned back against the wall.

"Why are they here?" he thought out loud.

Yona still didn't understand what was going on.

"Whose here?" she whispered.

"Guards," he said closing his eyes to calm himself.

"Guards?" Yonas was confused. "But I thought –"

"Not Kum-Ji's guards," he cut her off, knowing what she was going to say.

He took a deep breath before opening his eyes.

"Palace guards."

Yona gasped.

She felt like she had been punched in the gut.

"Soo-Won…" she choked out.

She just stood there, staring at nothing. The life completely drained from her body.

"We don't know that he's with them," Hak said, his expression unreadable.

He could see that forlorn look returning in Yona's eyes as he remembered the days after escaping the palace.

He cursed Soo-Won for causing that look.

And he cursed himself for not bringing his glaive with him.

He looked around the corner again and saw more guards coming. He had no doubt he could take them but he didn't know how many more there were. And if any of them saw that he was there, they'd know she was there too.

He took another look at the lifeless form next to him.

He really didn't want to leave her alone, especially in this state, but he couldn't risk them seeing her. It would be safer for him to scout an exit route alone first, and hopefully snag a weapon just in case.

"Princess I need you to listen to me," he said putting his hands on her shoulders.

The seriousness in his voice registered with her and she numbly looked back at him.

"I'm going to go find us a way out of here but I need you to promise me you'll stay right here until I come back for you."

He held her gaze waiting for a response but she just continued to stare.

"Princess this is important!" he urged as loud as he dared. He didn't want to get angry toward her, she wasn't the one he was frustrated with, but he didn't have time to be gentle.

He took a beat to calm himself before trying again.

"You need to stay here and hide until I come back. We can't risk them seeing you."

He looked at her intently, "Do you understand?"

Finally starting to come back to her senses, Yona snapped out of her daze at his words.

Silently she nodded.

"Good," Hak gave her an affirmative nod in return.

"Go behind those crates there," he said pointing farther into the alleyway.

She did as she was told. As soon as she was settled behind the stack of empty crates he gave her one last look.

"I'll be quick," he said. And then he was gone.

Yona sat there hugging her chest while she crouched behind the crates. It aggravated her stitches a bit but the slight pain seemed to help ground her.

Why did the mere thought of Soo-Won still have such an effect on her?

After all she'd been through, and how strong she had become… it was rather frustrating that just his name could still render her speechless.

Although thinking on it, she really had been so preoccupied lately that she actually hadn't thought about Soo-Won in a while. And if she was honest, maybe realizing that fact surprised her more than the fact that he might be there in Awa.

But now that the old wounds had resurfaced, she was suddenly flooded with feelings of despair, and confusion, and anger.

Her eyes started to well up as her emotions just became too much to bear.

While Yona was stuck in her own thoughts, some of the palace guards wandered down the road connected to her little alleyway.

The events of the other night had shed light on the abuse of power and immoral dealings going on under Lord Kum-Ji's rule. Over the next few days word had spread and before long all of the kingdom had found out about it, including Soo-Won.

Once word had reached the palace though there were many details missing, like the fact the Princess was involved, so Soo-Won ordered his guards to go to Awa and assess the situation.

As the guards passed the alleyway Yona was hiding in, they really didn't give it a second thought.

That was until one of them heard the faintest sound of someone crying and stopped.

If it wasn't for the fact that the rest of the town was quiet he never would have heard it. But it was just enough of a noise to catch his attention.

He walked back a few steps so he was now looking in the alleyway.

Yona must've heard him because she immediately got a hold of herself, trying not to make a sound as she listened intently.

The other guards noticed he had stopped and turned to him.

"Everything ok?" one of them asked.

"I thought I heard something," he said as he continued to stare with his brows knit together.

He saw various crates and boxes scattered around but everything was still.

"Anyone there?" he called down the alleyway.

Yona was starting to panic.

If they spotted her there's no way they wouldn't recognize her. Especially without her cloak she couldn't even try to hide her unmistakable hair.

She could hear the guard suddenly start to walk into the alley. She had maybe seconds before he'd see her.

Seeing a ratty old basket a few feet away from her, an idea came to mind and she reacted on instinct.

Crouching on her feet, she shoved the small top crate as hard as she could toward the guard.

The guard was completely taken by surprise as this flying object came towards him out of nowhere.

He easily dodged it but by the time he regained his bearings and looked back over, he saw the back of some girl holding an oddly shaped basket over her head sprinting toward the other end of the alley.

"Hey!" he yelled.

He quickly maneuvered around the crates and started to run after her.

The other guards having heard the commotion were quick to follow.

Luckily the alleyway wasn't very long and Yona was soon running around the corner onto the road.

She could hear them right behind her so she quickly turned into another alleyway and kept running as she weaved in and out of different openings between buildings.

Keeping one hand on the basket to keep her hair covered, she used the other to clutch her chest as it burned. Hak was going to kill her for exerting herself like this but she didn't have a choice.

The guards had been hot on her tail for a while but she thought she might've finally lost them after the last couple turns she made.

Still running she gave a quick glance back as she turned onto yet another road.

Before she even had time to turn her head back around, she suddenly collided with something. Hard.

With a yelp she flew back onto the ground as the wind was completely knocked out of her. The basket on her head flying through the air.

Without looking up she realized it was a person she ran into as she heard them calmly walk closer to her.

"Excuse m-me," she panted, trying to catch her breath.

"Are you alright? Here," the stranger kindly reached out his hand to help her up.

Yona's eyes widened.

That voice…

Hesitantly she looked up from the hand outstretched to her, and her heart stopped as soon as she saw his face.

"Soo-Won…" she breathed.

As soon as she looked up at him, Soo-Won went still. The shock in her eyes matching his own.

For a moment all he could do was stare. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"Yona?" he whispered, not looking away.

It couldn't really be her could it? She was dead.

Suddenly the sound of guards coming around the bend snapped his attention back.

He reacted without thinking.

"Come here," he said as he grabbed her arm and pulled her up to him.

Using his large white cloak, he wrapped it around her entirety as he held her close to his chest.

"Stay quiet," he whispered.

Yona was too stunned to even move. Her mind was getting fuzzy and to top it off the pain in her chest was returning tenfold.

Soo-Won could feel her trembling against him as his guards approached from behind.

"Your Majesty!" one called.

Putting his smile in place, he turned his body while maneuvering Yona so she was now behind him but still under the cloak.

"Yes?" he said brightly.

"Sir did you see anyone running this way?"

Soo-Won paused to think about it, playing along.

"No, it's been quiet," he said.

They nodded at his response, looking around for a direction the woman they were chasing might have gone.

"Is something the matter?" Soo-Won asked innocently.

"Well we're not entirely sure what's going on," the one guard said honestly, "but we've been chasing after a suspicious woman who ran from us. She was hiding in an alleyway and fled after I called out to her."

"We just wanted to question her, she must know something if she was willing to run from us," another guard said.

"Hmmm," Soo-Won considered their words. "You may be chasing nothing."

"Sir?" they questioned.

"Well given Kum-Ji's apparent reputation," he reasoned, "if you were a woman bombarded by guards in an alleyway wouldn't you run as well?"

Soo-Won could see them considering it as a look of understanding came over them.

"I suppose you're right," the one said.

"I think we can afford to leave her be," Soo-Won decided.

They all nodded at his command.

Just then General Joo-Doh came running over from the same direction the guards had.

"King Soo-Won!" he yelled as he ran.

They all looked over at him.

"I have news on Lord Kum-Ji," he said once he reached them.

"What is it Joo-Doh?" Soo-Won asked.

"A few nights ago Kum-Ji's ships were attacked near the Port by Pirates," he began. "Among his ships were drugs he was smuggling and in another were women he had taken hostage. The Pirates burned the drugs and freed the women but it seems in his attempt to escape the attack, Kum-Ji was stabbed through the heart by one of his own hostages."

Soo-Won's thoughts immediately went to Yona, who subconsciously tightened her grip on his robe at Joo-Doh's report.

It couldn't have been…. His mind was reeling at the thought.

"It seems those Pirates did us a great service," Soo-Won finally said, not letting his façade falter.

"But Sir –" Joo-Doh began to argue.

"Kum-Ji was not a fit ruler if what he was doing is true," Soo-Won pressed. "And although it may have been handled differently, I am not impartial to how he met his end. I would accept that in this case the Pirates were acting justly."

Joo-Doh was a bit taken at first but soon bowed his head in agreement.

"Yes your Majesty," he said.

"So who will be Lord now?" one of the guards asked.

"That will be determined once we are back at the palace," Soo-Won said easily. "I think our services will not be needed in Awa for now."

Again they all nodded.

"General, please make preparations for our departure." Soo-Won told Joo-Doh. "I would like to head back to the palace as soon as possible so arrangements can be discussed."

"Of course," Joo-Doh replied before turning to leave. The other guards turning to follow.

"I'll be there shortly, I want to enjoy the calm morning a bit longer," Soo-Won told them.

With that they were on their way.

Waiting until they were well out of sight, Soo-Won lifted his cape and turned so Yona could come out.

She wobbly took a few steps away from him wanting to distance herself but she couldn't quite seem to think straight. She looked up at Soo-Won with troubled eyes.

The initial shock of seeing her face gone, Soo-Won was finally able to take in how unwell she looked.

She was panting heavily as sweat started to drip down her forehead. He knew she had been running but her whole face was flush and her body still trembled like she was in pain or something.

He saw her hand clutching at her chest when he noticed –

"Yona you're bleeding!" he said in surprise.

The running definitely didn't help but when she had collided with Soo-Won it tore her stitches open. She looked down to see that blood had started to seep through her dress in a splotchy line across her chest.

Soo-Won didn't know how she could've received such an injury. It surprised him how much seeing her hurt affected him. He shouldn't still have these kinds of feelings for someone he nearly killed.

"What happened?" he questioned, unable to hide the edge of concern in his voice.

"I-I…" she tried to speak but this was all just too much to process.

The guards, Soo-Won, the pain. Her body and mind were completely overwhelmed.

As she held his gaze Soo-Won saw the moment her whole body went slack, and she started to faint.

"Yona!"

Without a second thought he reached out and caught her before she hit the ground.

Easing them both down to the ground, he cradled her in his arms as he looked her over with worried eyes.

She was out cold, her breathing coming in short shallow breaths.

Soo-Won was at a loss. It wasn't like he could take her back with him to get help.

Her dress had shifted just enough that he could see part of her bandages.

So this wasn't a new wound, he thought. If she'd just wake up long enough to tell him maybe he could get her to whoever treated it the first time.

Before he could think any further an all too familiar voice raged from up ahead causing him to look up.

"I'LL KILL YOU!" Hak roared as he ran toward them.

Hak had nearly lost it when he returned to the alley and saw the crates overturned, with Yona nowhere in sight.

He had practically run through the entire town searching for her until he finally came upon them.

The sight stopped him in his tracks. His blood running ice cold.

He didn't think there would ever be anything worse than seeing her on the boat with Kum-Ji that night.

But this… Seeing the man who killed King Il, the man who deceived him as his best friend, sitting there with the Princess lying unconscious and bleeding in his arms…

This was a million times worse.

Fury was too nice a word for what he felt rush through him.

Yelling, he charged toward them ready to kill Soo-Won with his bare hands.

Soo-Won was more relieved Hak was there than he was afraid.

"Hak! She needs help!" he yelled back at him in panic.

Hak had to admit that took him completely by surprise.

His rage still evident, he slowed as he neared them. Instead of going straight to attacking Soo-Won he knelt down on the other side of Yona.

"What did you do to her?" he demanded as he looked her over.

"Nothing," he replied hastily, "she was running from someone when we bumped into each other. She didn't look well at all and the next thing I knew she just collapsed."

So he left out a few details but that was the gist.

"Dammit," Hak swore.

It was clear she had torn her stitches open and was probably sick from the exertion.

"What happened to her?" Soo-Won asked.

Hak was still uneasy with how he was acting. Talking like they weren't mortal enemies.

"Kum-Ji happened," he said.

Soo-Won paused a moment, connecting the dots.

"So it was her then…" he looked back down at her. "She was the one who killed him wasn't she?"

Hak didn't like the oddly admiring look he was giving her.

"Yes but he nearly took her with him," he nodded toward the long bleeding line on her chest. His own chest tightened at the memory.

Soo-Won once again was baffled by the sudden compassion he felt for the injured girl in his arms. A new anger flaring at the thought of Kum-Ji touching her.

What was wrong with him?

"Who bandaged her before? Can you take her to them?" Soo-Won asked him urgently, trying to focus his mind on one thing at a time.

"Look why are you pretending to care?!" Hak snapped.

He didn't buy this whole worried act and it was really pissing him off.

Soo-Won could do nothing but look away at his question. Why did he care? He thought.

If Hak wasn't so worried about the Princess himself this would've been a much longer, violent, "conversation" but he needed to get her back to Yoon fast.

"Doesn't matter, just give her to me," he said as he went to put his hands under her.

Soo-Won easily obliged as he passed her over. They both stood up as Hak held her in his arms.

"You're lucky I don't kill you right now," Hak glared. "But if I find out you did anything to her, I will come for you."

"I understand if you don't believe this but I have no desire to cause you or Yona any more pain," Soo-Won replied looking between the two of them.

Suddenly his face hardened as he stared back at Hak.

"But do believe me when I say I won't hesitate if either of you stand in my way," he said.

Hak's eyes narrowed.

Done with exchanging words her turned and began to run with Yona in his arms.

Soo-Won watched until they were out of sight.

"Please take care…" he said to no one.

XxxxxxxXxxxxxx

Hak had gotten Yona back as quickly as humanly possible.

It worried him to no end that she hadn't stirred at all the entire time he was running.

As soon as Yoon saw them approach he knew something was wrong and immediately ushered them back to her cot.

Luckily everyone else was still passed out so they didn't have to deal with a big commotion. Yet.

Yoon had given him an earful as he got to work on Yona. He was turned away of course to give them privacy but if Yoon could've seen his face he would've been cut short.

Hak was in complete anguish.

Not only was he worried about the Princess, and beating himself up for letting this happen, but now that she was being tended to his encounter with Soo-Won kept replaying through his head.

He couldn't make heads or tails of the whole situation.

Soo-Won was the one who ordered Yona to be killed, had ordered for him to be killed for that matter, so why the concern all of a sudden? Although he didn't want to admit it, he couldn't deny the genuine panic he had heard in Soo-Won's voice.

He was beyond grateful things didn't go differently of course but Soo-Won was the one who destroyed their friendship. He was the one who gave up the right to care about her. So what the hell changed?

One thing was for sure, whatever it was didn't change the way Hak felt about him.

"She's going to be okay," Yoon said, breaking Hak out of his thoughts.

He didn't realize how tense his muscles were until those words made him relax.

"I re-did her stitches but she needs to keep movement to a minimum for the next day or so. She has a slight fever but it should go away after the medicine kicks in."

"Thanks Yoon," he said as he turned back toward them.

"Yeah yeah. But she doesn't leave this bed until I say so got it?" Yoon pointed his finger at him. "And no more spur of the moment adventures until her stitches come out. Otherwise I'll put you all on bed rest."

Hak stifled a chuckle. He knew that Yoon was only going into Mother hen mode because of how worried he was. And honestly, he would be forever grateful for it where Yona was concerned.

"Aye aye" Hak said giving him a salute.

Yoon sighed, "What a pain..."

XxxxxxxXxxxxxx

Having stuck to Yoon's orders, it wasn't until the next evening that Yona was allowed out for some fresh air again.

Wanting to do something special for her, they took her up to a little alcove on the hillside to watch the sunset while they had dinner together.

Hak wasn't thrilled at having Jae-Ha carry her but he knew she wouldn't be jostled as much if he jumped her up there quickly.

Yoon already had a fire going once they all got there. The dragons helped him prepare dinner while Yona sat at the edge of the alcove just enjoying the view, Hak sitting next to her.

She could hear them bickering in the background and it made her smile.

She took a deep breath, smelling the fresh evening air.

"Hak," she said softly while still gazing out into the sky. "I'm sorry…"

Hak looked over at her confused.

"For what?"

"I've been thinking, after what you told me happened with Soo-Won…" she hesitated.

Once she was feeling better Hak had told her about his encounter with Soo-Won. He really would've rather not, he could see it caused a disturbing confusion in her much as it did to him, but when it came to Soo-Won that was one topic she deserved to know everything he did. No matter what it was.

"I-I've realized," she tried to continue, "I haven't been fair to you."

"What are you talking about?" Now he really was confused.

"This whole time I had been preoccupied with my own grief that I never once considered how his actions had affected you." She looked over at him, "But you were betrayed too the day he killed my father."

He could see the sadness in her eyes.

He didn't want to admit it but her words really hit him hard. It was true that he was deeply hurt at the betrayal of one of his closest childhood friends. But she had more than enough to deal with on her own, she could barely cope with her own heartache let alone try to understand his.

He gave her a small smile.

"I appreciate the thought Princess," he said genuinely, "but you have nothing to apologize for."

She looked away, a little self-conscious.

"But we are in this together," he added confidently.

He could see the smile slowly creep onto her lips. She looked back at him, her eyes shining, and gave him a determined nod.

"Food's ready!" Yoon called over to them.

Hak shifted to get up off the ground when a tug on his arm stopped him. He looked back over to the Princess.

"Hak… I think it's time I left Awa," she met his gaze. "Come with me?"

He knew the answer before she even asked.

"Anywhere," he grinned.

And she knew he meant it. And just knowing that, was all she'd ever really need…

THE END

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Hope you liked it! As always thank you for reading and for any reviews.

- J