Midori's POV
Yoon's words were harsh. That was for sure, but I think they might've been a wake-up call for Yona, a good one anyway.
Not too long after the princess was found out to be very naïve, Hak cried out in his comatose state, "Ungh."
"Hak!" Yona had called out worriedly. I tried my hardest to keep away from Yoon while he was helping Hak; I also didn't want to see how bad of shape he was in. I know I was pretty bad because I hit every tree, but Hak was worse off because I'm sure he protected Yona all the was down to the valley.
"Stay back," Yoon said, "he has a fever and it probably won't go down soon because of the surgery I had to do."
Yona sat next to Yoon, "Save Hak!" I flinched my eye tearing up due to the state my family was in.
"That's what I'm doing," Yoon said, annoyed. "It would be troublesome if he died. But," he paused looking at her, "I'm not a doctor."
I sat on the other side of Yoon, the side Yona wasn't sitting on, and whispered, "Thank you for doing so."
He glanced at me nodding before going back to scold Yona, "Also, don't think that helping you is what I'm supposed to do. You, unlike your friend who's thanked Ik-us and I ever since she has awoken, haven't said one word of gratitude!"
My tears were back as I took a bowl of lukewarm water and soaked a cloth, provided by Ik-su, before placing it on my brother who's fever was still high.
Yoon was now standing, literally looking down on Yona, "What about him? Have you ever said a word of thanks to this guy? Since he goes so far to protect you."
Ik-su placed his hands on mine and Yona's back's and softly said to us, "It's alright. He hasn't met the God of Death yet. He will come back to you both." I nodded mutely, unable to formulate words.
Ik-su left us to quietly scold Yoon, "Yoon, use nicer words."
"But," Yoon looked over in our direction, "I hate the king and his family."
Ik-su sighed before stating, "She's struggling. . . in her own way."
I got up, "I'm actually going to the river this time," I said softly. "I need to breathe." I took a shaky breath, "Hak'll be fine, Yona. You couldn't get rid of him if you wanted to."
~~~~~
I made my way back to the hut because the light was leaving, and stopped just outside the door. Yona was talking, "Isn't it difficult to live in a place like this where there's nothing?"
Yoon answered, "Not at all. It's a pain to live in a village." At this point, I came in and sat down, "Ik-us settled here, so it's feasible."
Yona came over to me as Yoon continued, "Villages are full of poor people, only a portion of the people in the capital are rich. Because Ik-su's so kind, he tries to help everyone. . . but he can't. And it pains him because of it."
I softly spoke up, "It does seem like something Ik-su would do."
"Ah," Yoon said, looking down. "I can't just leave that guy alone."
"Thank you," I glanced over at my friend, who's growing up, "Please tell me. . . some more." She soon fell asleep.
I noticed the bed that she and I were laying on earlier was still out, so I set her there, "Thanks, Yoon."
"Is that the only word you know?" Yoon playfully asked.
I gave a sheepish laugh, "No, but truly. She seems better now."
"Ah," he said simply. He got up and took out a pillow and blanket, "Can't have you sleeping on just the wood." I laughed, smiling.
~~~~~
I was sleeping soundly before I heard a fwap! It wasn't until a person ran out of the hut that I pushed myself up to see what was the matter. It didn't take me long though.
Hak had gone off, probably to find his weapon without telling anyone, "That idiot." I looked to see who left, and low and behold, it was Yona, "Of course, go out into the wilderness unarmed, Princess. Don't take anyone who can fight. That's cool."
I got up and folded my blanket placing the pillow on top of it. Yoon slightly woke up, "Midori?"
"I'm going to go look for those idiots who think galavanting through the forest at night is a good idea." I got a nod in return and then set off to find those two.
Yona left a clear track for me to follow, but I must've taken my own sweet time because Hak had already found her. I could have stepped out from the shadows and made my presence known, but since coming to terms with being a third wheel, I had started (well continued to be more accurate) to pair Hak and Yona together.
I wanted to know how this would turn out.
"You sit here in the dark and spouting insults, huh?" That's my brother. "It's a miracle we managed to survive, but what's most important is that you seem to be fine." A little irritated, are we, Hak? "What happened?" Oh, no. Hak, that is not how you're going to expand your relationship, "Did you have a bad dream?"
Hit him, Yona. "I'm not crying because of that!"
"Oh really?" Hak said giving Yona a look of disbelief.
"Where did you go?!" Yona is sad. Come on, Hak, catch on!
"I went to look for my spear." Called it.
Yona yelled, "Then you should have woken me up!"
". . . Of course. . ." Oh, no, Hak. Don't do it. "You can't sleep by yourself, shall I sleep next to you?"
Aaaaannnndddd you did it, Hak. Jerk of the year goes to you! Most definitely!
"You block-head!" Yes, Yona! Make him regret his words! "Where were you going with injuries like that?! Even when you've been hurt this badly. . . You still overdo it. . . !" Ooooo, Hak's feeling regret! "I thought you were going to die! Please don't just leave on your own!"
What are you going to do, Hak?
"You're the only one that must stay by my side."
Feeling the love, Yona. Although, Hak was asked to be Yona's bodyguard, not me. I was a court lady. Maybe Yona thinks the only reason Hak is still with her is because she thinks he feels entitled to do so because it was the late king's request? She couldn't be that blind, could she?
"I. . ." Oh, God, Hak. Not again. Nothing good has come of you opening your mouth tonight. "I kind of feel like dying," What?
Looks like Yona and I were on the same page, "Eh?"
"That ugly crying face of yours. . ." Hak, that is not how you get a woman's attention. "Is quite effective. . ." I'm not sure if I want to know in what way you're thinking, Hak. "If I were to die. . . How much would you cry? I," he moved closer. No way. Come on, Hak, are you really pulling a move now, after you've made her cry in front of you? "I would want to see that."
I guess the answer to my previous question was yes, because Hak was definitely going to kiss her.
BONK!
It took all I could to keep my snickering and laughter to myself. Yona just denied my brother by knocking her head against his, and now they were on the ground writhing in pain. It was quite funny.
"Please just avoid it if you hate it." My composure is at its wits end.
"Hate?" This (unofficial) couple is going to be the death of me. "I thought you were checking your temperature," poor innocent Yona, "so I stuck my forehead against yours. Was I wrong?" Oh, yes you were, Yona. Yes you were.
"Oh. . . Oh yes." Poor Hak. "That's right. I'm acting crazy because of this fever."
Yona then softly placed her forehead against my disappointed brother's and said, "But it's higher than it was before."
Oh, Yona.
Hak took this opportunity to address her hair, he couldn't get enough confidence to try again that soon, "Sorry, about your hair."
I never addressed this, but her hair is now quite short, chin-length at least.
"It's fine," Yona, Yona, Yona. "It's lighter now. Besides, I have always disliked my hair." There was a pause before Yona smiled enchantingly (I could tell by the look on Hak's face), "It doesn't look bad, right?"
Okay, looks like our princess is finally back. Hak gave a smirk, "Right."
Then, he turned into normal Hak, "There's something wrong with your head, but your hair's fine."
"I'll sew your mouth shut."
With that, I made my way back to the hut before them, I could harass Hak in the morning.
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What possessed me to update again is beyond me. But this chapter I find is cute and I had to keep myself from laughing out loud as I was writing.
I wonder if it made you guys laugh?
Hope it did, keep reading and I'll keep updating!
~Ashley