Hello!! So this is a little bonus chapter of everything that has happened from Banryu's point of view, and his life, seeing as this story is based on Haneul and him so I felt it would make sense to add in his points of view sometimes too so :D Hope you're enjoying so far, be sure to leave a comment if you want, I do respond :) Thank you so much for reading the book! And now onto the chapter :D
I left my house, leaving my father and stepfather alone in the house to argue. I sighed when I got outside.
I'm meeting the three boys from my small friend group. Well, I wouldn't exactly call it a friend group. It's just kids I have to get along with because our parents want us to and it's all part of the bone ranking system. We hang out with other kids of officials of different ranks. My group for example, I'm the highest rank so I'm the leader, and then the other three are boys from families of levels lower than mine, so level two is a rank higher than 3, and so on. So they end up being more of a clique. Personally, I'd rather just keep to myself, but that's not an option. Two of the guys in my group are fine but there's one and he's just..I don't know. He's got an ego problem.
We met outside of the theatre place where we go a lot to drink and sit down. Once we got inside girls around us freaked out. "Banryu is here." I couldn't care less that they think I'm the best looking or that they want to date me. They literally only want to date me because of my bloodline and my ranking in Silla. My thoughts were interrupted by more excited giggles and I could hear girls announcing that Suho was also here. I sighed and turned around to see him walking to us but stopping a few feet away, his boys beside him.
His stupid smile left his face when he saw me. I glanced at the ground and then back up at him, waiting for him to say something. "Is there any way I don't have to see that face? Seeing him makes me want to throw up everything I ate. 3 years ago." Suho commented, a disgusted look on his face. We've been at each other for years and that's all he can come up with?
A girl spoke up and our eyes went to look at her. "Seeing them side by side, Suho's definitely better looking." Some agreed. I frowned slightly. Is that all they care about in a guy? Another girl spoke up, and made Suho's smile disappear with her comment. "Banryu is the best of the best among the true bones." I smirked to myself.
"So annoying." Suho grumbled. My group and I went into one of the small VIP-like rooms in the place, where it was quieter. Kangsung, who's part of my group, and has the ego problem, had already drank too much within I would say half an hour. He was talking about some girl who tells stories. I was reading something of my own but I could still hear him in the background. He was so loud. "I must have a drink that she pours at some point later. Her stories are pretty good. I saw her earlier and her face is pretty good too." Yeah, like every female face he sees.
I sighed, and tried to not roll my eyes. This guy... The only reason he hangs out with us is because my stepfather asked me to. I learned the hard way through a black eye that no is not an option with my stepfather. The boys hit their glasses together. "We're out of alcohol. I'll get us more." Gibo said, about to get up but my voice stopped him and he sunk back down into his seat. "Kangsung. You go." I ordered. I didn't look up from what I was reading. "Banryu, why should I go?" He asked. I didn't want to do this. But I guess I have to for him to get the message.
"What colour is your father's robe?" I asked him simply, not looking at him yet. I saw him turn to look at me from the corner of my eye. I lowered what I was reading at stared at him. "It must be blue since he's a level-six official." I answered for him. "My stepfather is the highest official and my father was level three. Gibo's and Shin's fathers are level-five and four officials." I looked at Gi Bo and Shin who looked uncomfortable. "Naturally, their robe colour is burgundy. Just because we hang out together, you should not think you are the same." He was looking away from me as I said it, which to me is complete disrespect but like I said, I do not care for this kid. He turned his head to look at me and his face was angry. I raised my eyebrows at him, waiting for him to snap back at me, but he didn't. He left in a huff, and I went back to my reading.
We heard commotion after a while so we went outside. Kangsung had his sword out, and there was a guy curled up on the ground in pain. "What are you doing? Kangsung? What's going on?" I asked him. Suho was there too. "Damn it. Of all the luck. I have to see you twice in one day." He said when he saw me.
I laughed humourlessly. "If you lack luck, at least have good fortune. Don't touch me, if you want to go home with your face still intact." I threatened. "Why that little-" Suho tried to inch forward but the boys beside me stepped forward slightly, leaving me behind them. I didn't flinch though. There's no need for them to protect me. I can protect myself. He didn't scare me. Besides, I don't think he'd actually hurt me in this public place.
Kangsung put his foot on the guys head and took out his sword, and explained that he didn't have an entry permit to the Capital so it should be okay to kill him, or something along those lines, I didn't listen much.
Kangsung was hit by something on the head before he could do anything with the sword. He angrily asked who that was and we all looked at the mysterious stranger walking into the place.
The two of them were fighting but Kangsung was getting beaten. Badly.
Suho looked to me. "What are you doing? Your friend is hurt physically and emotionally." I gave him a "seriously" look before he continued. "You know, you're a jerk with no loyalty." He finished. Gibo raced forward to my defense but I held my arm out to stop him. "Stay out of it." I ordered. "But Banryu-" He tried. "If you jump into a fight like this," I paused and looked at Suho, "You'll only get dirty." I finished, and then looked at Kangsung. "You pathetic loser." Was all I said and walked away.
I'm going home.
I got back to my house and my stepfather was in the living room. "I heard Kangsung got into a fight." He said and I nodded. "And you didn't stop or defend him? Even when he was getting beaten?"
I stayed silent, looking at the ground. I could see his hand raise before I felt a sharp sting on the left cheek. I stayed looking at the ground, so that he wouldn't see me cry. "Don't let that happen again. I know he's a lower class that us but I told his father I would." He said. "Leave."
I nodded, bowed and left to go to my room. I held my stinging face out of sight. My eyes continued to well up until the tears fell, and they kept falling until I could no longer think straight, my eyes got heavy, and I fell asleep.
I was around town the next day and saw a poster being put up. There was a boy reading it out loud. "They're selecting dogs for the Queen." I commented, once he was finished, and commented on how nice it sounded.
"Who would do such a thing. Right Banryu?" Shin said.
"I'm surprised you're interested in these things. What? You're planning to apply?" Suho's voice asked. "You can wag your tail all you want." I replied before turning around and making my way to leave. "I thought that was your speciality?" He said, and I stopped walking. "Isn't that what you do with your stepfather?" I turned around and walked back to him slowly.
"These days, we have been quite distant." I told him. "I know, right? Let's fight?" He suggested.
So we did. We played soccer together and my group won again.
"Hey!" I called to a disappointed Suho, putting a hand on his shoulder, patting it. "As promised, you will pay for the alcohol at Okta for two weeks." I said, smiling, and patting him some more before leaving him and his team alone in the middle of the field. A bunch of girls surrounded us as we went over to the tent we had our gear in. A girl started dabbing my face and neck with a towel but I just kept my eyes on Suho. Winning against him in soccer always felt great.
A couple of days later, I was given a letter from Suho. "Let us meet tomorrow in Najeong and have a duel." It said. "Najeong?" I questioned. Ugh. Why Najeong of all places? We could get severely punished if we're found there. Especially fighting.
"Naj-" I sighed in frustration, putting my hand up to my head. Whyyyy.
I arrived at street where the Queen's parade for the King's birthday was taking place. We tried to cross the street but we weren't allowed so we had to stand at the side of the road. "Darn it." I said, when I saw Suho standing there too, and I went to go stand somewhere else. "Just get in. Do you think I want to stand here with you?" He asked. I reluctantly stood beside him.
"You better come tonight. If you don't you're dead." Suho spoke up. I snapped my head to look at him. "My sentiments exactly. Anyway, you must be excited to see your beloved Queen." I teased. "It is loyalty regardless of gender. Rebels like you would never understand." He answered back bitterly.
I laughed. "You've never met the Queen, have you?" I asked. "So what?" He asked. I tutted. As the Queen passed, everyone bowed their heads, including me. Yes, I still have respect. My father and stepfather may hate the queen, but I for one still have respect. I could see Suho out of the corner of my eye lift his head up slightly to look at her.