The Past

Baekje , Ancient Korea

"Miss,king is calling you downstairs "said a lady servant standing outside the door .

"I shall be there in a moment "replied an extra sweet voice from inside .

The girl inside isn't a normal girl.Her firm body is enclosed in a purely male attire with a black cape covering the immense beauty of her face .She is wearing a pair of black boots covering her finest calves. Shia opened the window and pushed down the rope and jumped to the outer side of the window and got down through the rope . The plan was made before more than a week but executing it seemed a little difficult .Though she had left a letter with her ring on the little table at the middle of the room but was still afraid if anyone could ever understand the reason why she left .She placed her foot steps slowly over the mud and pushed herself towards back gate of the ancient palace .It is said that once you're inside the king's palace you can only get out when you're dead . Ignoring the deaths of several servants trying to escape the huge mansion ,she took a deep breath and immersed herself fully in the classical group of dancing ladies and men .*It is festival season ,I can easily get out *.As soon as she got out she went straight to the black horse tied to tree arranged by her most trusted servants .She immediately mounted the horse and kicked it start.

After a long journey she stopped at a local Chinese restaurant to have some supper .She entered the room , ordered some kimchi and took the most corner table .She had to reach Wirye ,the capital of baekje kingdom in two day without any delay.That was were her maternal grandfather and mother lived.Though they were a part of royalty but after the marriage of their only daughter to the king they left their royal positions and came to live away from the king.Both of them died a month before Shia could turn 16 ."I would rather die than marry that old freak."she told herself while holding the chopsticks upright .She was in the middle of the dining when she noticed a continuous gaze on her . Though she had covered herself in a man's clothing she was still afraid of anyone finding the truth .And that continues gaze From another corner seems a little inauspicious.For a moment she tried to concentrate on the supper but then to stop any further gaze ,stood up to leave . The restaurant was full of travellers from all around the country and it was really easy for her to bump in anyone of them .So she tried to pass very slowly through the little space between people ,her plan seemed to succeed but when she gazed back to see the person gazing ,there was none and she accidentally bumped in a group of drunken men.

"Sorry sorry ,my mistake "she apologized in a pleasing but manly tone ,at least that is what she thought .

One of the drunk man laid down his hand across her shoulder "young man, why don't you drink with us "

Just when she was about to say no .A man interrupted in between and said " Mr why grasping a young boy ,why don't you try the new ladies that have joined the cousine ." He pointed towards some ladies waitress serving alcohol .

"Your idea inneeded is better my lord " said the other travellers and immediately shouted for more drinks .

"Now I may request you to set free my young brother from your grasp "

"He was the one staring at me."thought Shia and as soon as she was set free ,bowed a thanks and quickly ran towards the door to move out of the situation .But as if her fate was twisted .

Suddenly the man from behind called her .

"Wait a minute young boy "

First thought of running away but that would make him doubt me more .She turned and tried to smile.

The man moved to lessen the distance between the two and then again spoke " I can see that you are too young to roam around a place like this and that too at this hour ".Shia didn't respond and he continued "Tell me you address I'll help you get there "

"I cannot tell you, " she immediately shouted .

"And why is that sir?"He replied in a calmer tone than her .

"Just ..I cannot go there "she said tilting her head downwards.

"And Why ?"

*God,someone stop him.* She shouted as loud as she could, but in her head.

"I..I left the home "

"Oh ,then where are you traveling to ?"

*Oh God why isn't he going ?*

" It's very far ,..you don't need to know "

"Just tell me , young boy ,it won't do any harm "

*Not you but me ,it will harm me , idiot ,now go *

"W..W..Wirye "

"Oh how good ,that is where I am traveling too"

*why the hell did I say that ?*

"How about you become my travel partner ,after all it would be boring traveling alone "

"NO" She shouted in such a high tone that some of the nearby people stopped their own talks to look who was there .She turned her head around ,but it was too late to realise .

"I..I mean sir ,why trouble you ,if I can go alone and it's not even that far plus I am not as small as you think "

"Don't argue let's go "