Chapter 17.
Library.
They had a free day after that and the Hwarangs went home for the day leaving Seonmoon empty; not that Sa-do minded the peace and quiet at all. It gave her time to think and clear her head. She had also wanted to leave but as it was daytime, Jang-sik was working at her father's house. And after previous incidents, she couldn't very well waltz into that place like nothing happened.
So, she contended herself with reading. It was laborious but she was getting better at it and needed to use the translation textbook far less often than before. She was sitting on her bed reading a story when Seon-woo entered the room. It was still rather early and their other roommates were yet to arrive.
She remembered her conversation with Ah-ro regarding her fellow Hwarang. Closing her book she climbed down and joined him on his bed. "So what have you been up to?" she asked casually ignoring his questioning look.
Seon-woo wasn't dumb and knew what topic she was getting to. "I am confused," he sighed dejectedly.
"About what?" There was no accusation or curiosity in her tone; just concern, because Seon-woo too, was an important person in her life. Seon-woo hesitated, unsure of how to explain himself.
Sensing his doubt, Sa-do professed, "I am worried. Not just because Ah-ro is my friend but because you are like a brother to me. I grew up alone and after meeting you I kind of understood the concept of siblings. You always protected me like an elder brother. Even before you found out about my identity. You are like an oraboni."
Seon-woo couldn't hold back the grin. "Oraboni huh?" he pronounced teasingly as he tested out the word. He pretended to ponder on it for a few seconds before ruffling her hair with a, "that doesn't sound too bad."
They sat in silence for a while. "I think I am worried that I will do the wrong thing. I want to do one thing, but my mind is telling me it will probably bring more trouble than it is worth," Seon-woo eventually disclosed, albeit unsurely.
Sa-do mulled over his words for a while. "I think you should follow your heart. Your mind will show you the path to please society which is a vicious cycle that never ends. If you follow your heart, at least you will be happy," she carefully phrased.
Seon-woo thought it over before agreeing, "I guess you are correct."
Sa-do knew he still needed some time to think things through and decided to give him some space. She excused herself with a, "I need go to the library and return some books," as she left Seon-woo alone.
She had barely stepped out of the barracks when she bumped into Ji-dwi who gave a dazzling smile on seeing her. Sa-do headed left and right and backwards as he asked, "what are you doing?"
She turned slowly so she was slightly facing him and babbled way too quickly for it to be true, "I am not doing anything."
"It seems like you are avoiding me."
Sa-do strained out a, "no I am not." Damn Ji-dwi for always noticing every little thing. Truth of the matter was that she did want to remain friends with him but after the confrontation and that hug, she felt strange around him and wanted to see less of him until she sorted out the mess in her mind. But she should have known by now that avoiding Ji-dwi was an impossible task.
"What is this contrived reaction? Is it because I am the King?" Ji-dwi asked casually, folding his arms in seriousness. He watched in amusement as Sa-do's eyes widened as she looked around before leaning towards him and whisper yelling, "are you crazy? What if someone hears?"
Ji-dwi tried not to laugh as he assured her, "there are only two of us. Two."
Sa-do paid no attention as her eyes darted around again. "How frustrating! You don't know even after you lived wandering around to hide yourself? 'In the day the mouse hears and in the night the bird listens'," she huffed, annoyed at how careless he was being.
Ji-dwi tried really hard this time not to burst out laughing. "It's probably, 'in the day the bird listens and in the night the mouse hears'."
Sa-do glared at his mirth filled warm brown eyes and his horrible attempt at not laughing at her. "Is that important when we are talking about the King?" she asked incredulously before her eyes widened in realization. "Oh no! I said 'king'. And again 'king'. Ki- Arghh I am going crazy," she groaned in irritation.
No longer able to contain himself, Ji-dwi burst out laughing. After calming down he eyed the huge stack of books in her arms. "Are you going to Ji Hun Dang library?"
Sa-do nodded, making a noise of affirmation, not trusting herself to speak without saying 'king' again.
"Is that so?" he mused as he tried to take the heavy pile from her, only to have her back away, making that hilarious noise again as she kept her lower lip trapped between her teeth. "Quiet," he demanded but Sa-do just continued making that noise in an attempt to decline. Trying hard not to laugh he ordered in a strict tone, "be quiet and just follow me," as he successfully snatched the books from her.
He walked away with her tailing behind, still making the strange noise. He imitated her as if they were having a legitimate conversation. "Yes. Alright," he conceded as he continued towards the library, a large grin on his face.
As they were returning the books to their correct places on the shelves Ji-dwi asked her, "are you uncomfortable because I am the King?" with his back facing her, not wanting to see her reaction.
Sa-do ran to his side and whispered lowly, "can you not talk about that anymore? It's making me nervous and anxious."
Ji-dwi smirked, "why are you nervous? I am the King."
"Again. Again," she tutted in annoyance at his stupidity. It didn't matter that they were the only ones in the library. He should still be more careful.
Eyeing her Ji-dwi asked disbelievingly, "are you perhaps worried about me? Is it like that?" he turned his head to the side, observing her squirm with amusement. Although he sounded teasing, he was wary of what her answer would be.
Sa-do made a move to leave but he was quick to block her path as he trapped her between the bookshelf and himself with his arms. Sighing in defeat she claimed in all honesty, "obviously I am worried. I am not completely clueless to the kind of life you have lived. And I am aware of the threats you are surrounded by," as she looked him dead in the eye.
Ji-dwi's arms dropped to his side as he turned away, unable to hold her burning gaze. "Is it this feeling?" he asked aloud, mostly to himself though, "meeting someone who truly knows me." His eyes flickered with warring emotions, rapidly changing as he tried to comprehend the new feeling.
"I have never felt this before in my life." Ji-dwi was silent for a while before he grabbed her arms, turning her to face him. "You don't know," he questioned unsurely as he stared into her eyes, "how precious and important you are to me?"
Sa-do gulped and looked down, unable to meet his intense eyes. Why did he keep doing and saying things like this and make her confused? Did he perhaps, enjoy watching her get flustered? Why would she be precious to him anyway? He was Silla's king and she was a nobody. Just another subject in his kingdom.
Then why did he sound so sincere? It made it harder for her to dismiss his confession. And though she would never admit it, a huge part of her did not want to dismiss it either. Her heart thudded so loudly against her chest; it was surprising that he hadn't heard it yet.
What was happening? Where was this heading? Her breath faltered when she looked into his warm brown eyes, that reminded her of the forest on a sunny day.
She was doomed, she realized with a start.