The Guardians

Chapter 1

Seol
   I had started as a slave. "Get up!"the man harshly yelled.
I forced myself,despite my joints protests,to stand. Today I was to be sold. "Starting at 20 gold coins,"I heard the bidder say.
     Apparently they value me. Not surprising,I do all the work here. Somebody catches my eye. A young man and a young girl who look noble. Reaching a hundred gold coins,the biggest bid in the the buying and selling of slaves.
     From then on,I belonged to the Heo family and gotten closer to Heo Yeon Woo and Heo Yeom,especially Yeon Hwa but I call them Master and Young Mistress. I finally felt my worth. So far,no challenges happened. Until came the day that I was accused of stealing. I was badly whipped,to be saved only by my young mistress. I felt really useful that day.
     I never felt a strong love,until I saw him. A guard in the palace it would seem. His eyes shone bright. His lips were so pink. He looked to serious though.
    It was as if he never smiled. I could make him smile. I thought of this when suddenly they both turned,Master and he. I felt nervous. So I ran.
     I felt my heart beating strongly in my chest. It was so strong and cannot be silenced even by me. Again I saw him with the elder prince. They were practicing. I hope he does not get too badly hurt.
    When I saw that the sword nearly slashed a vein, I flinched and it came out rather loudly. Everyone turned in my direction. For a terrible moment our eyes met. I quickly turned away. I did the only thing anyone would do in this situation,I ran fast,really fast.
      Since then,I managed to acquire my own sword and practice martial arts. I did not know someone was watching the whole spectacle. When the day my mistress supposedly died,I was by her side to exhume her. She lived,not carrying a name.
   I lied to her everyday and never tried to attempt to tell her the truth. I kept my mouth shut. I remembered him,wondering how he was. I heard that know he was the king's guard. I am in boy's clothes.
     His swordmanship is second to none. There is no one who does not know of Woon. His full name is Kim Jewoon. Twenty three years old,183 cm tall and he is beautiful. He also possesses  a high intellect that could have landed him in a civil service examination. Unfortunately,he had a flaw that stopped this,he was concubine born and therefore not allowed to take the examinations reserved only for noble people.
       As luck would have it,we have a visitor. *"Reveal yourself!"he shouted strongly. "I'm speechless. In what kind of situation does the guest ask the homeowner to reveal themselves. Isn't that for me to ask?"I blurted out strongly.
He did step into the light and I saw Woon with the crown prince. My heart beat faster for my lady and for one man. "For what reason does  a woman possess a sword?"he asked.
     "It's amazing! How did you know that I possessed a sword? As expected... Ah! That's not what I meant to say. Ahem! Milady asks me to invite you inside,"I stated cursing silently for the near mistake. "I said,why do you have a sword in your possession?!"Woon remains persisted. "In this secluded forest where only two women leave alone, one of us should at least have a sword with us. What foolish question! Anyway,won't you come inside?"I ask.* He shuts his mouth. The entire evening,I felt tense.
A/N:The asterisked part is taken from the book.