4. Birthday

ᴺᴬᴱᴵᴸ

Jade accessories and silk cloths were two of my least favorite things however, I found myself standing in front of a market vendor who sells the finest jade and silk in the whole kingdom.

The old man with slightly yellow teeth smiled at me as he looked at me from head to toe. His gaze were glued on my face and that hint of malice at the way he smirked disgusted me. He is as old enough as Master Kim but he dared to give me that kind of look? I'm glad Lady Aejung did not come with us. If she did and we happen to meet this old man and he would do the same thing to her? I swear, I won't hesitate to take out my sword and slash his neck.

"Have you picked out one yet?" Master Kim asked me, pulling me out of my thoughts.

I shook my head. "I'm sorry, Master—"

"Father," he corrected.

"Father," I've been calling him that since I was a very young child but until now I can't seem to conform with it. I sighed and just looked at the accessories in front of me. "I don't think I will be needing these things."

It was after breakfast when he came to see me. I thought he was only going to talk to me but he brought me out here. It took me by surprise especially when he told me that he will buy anything that I want.

He sighed so I turned to look at him. A small smile was plastered on his face as he stared back at me, with the gentle and fatherly care in his gaze that has always looked after me. "Are you sure you don't want anything? At all?" He asked.

I glanced at the accessories that was displayed in front of me. Come to think of it, maybe I should get one? There is this beautifully polished jade green butterfly that caught my eyes. I found it very pretty, it isn't anything glamorous of any sort but very simple and refined, which reminded me of someone.

I picked it up and showed it to father. His smile grew wider. He looked very pleased as if I did something that made him so happy. And just like what he wanted, he paid for it. He said it was his gift for my birthday. He did not know what to give me so he just brought me out and let me pick my own present.

When we got back to their residence, I went to see Lady Aejung immediately. I was a little excited to see her and give her my gift that when her head consort stopped me from coming in to her quarters, I can't help but be dismayed.

"Who is she with?" I asked Madam Na, her head consort.

"She is currently in the middle of her private lessons. Teacher Gu is with her," she replied.

Teacher Gu is the old teacher who teach her with the different womanly stuff. But, why am I suddenly being pushed off from their lessons? As far as I can remember, if Lady Aejung is having a lesson, I am welcome to join her.

"Can't I really go in?" I asked one more time, just in case she will let me this time but she sternly shook her head and even forced me to turn around.

"You can come back after the miss is done. For now, you have to leave." She said while she pushes me away from the Lady's quarter.

Although I really want to see Aejung now, I cannot disobey Madam Na. It saddened me that I have to wait for her the whole morning but who am I to even complain? I can understand why they are now focusing on her lessons.

The thought of her studying so hard sends in mixed feelings to me. I can imagine her getting annoyed because she could not thread the needle, or maybe because she cannot get the pattern right when stitching, or maybe she is already bored by the lectures of the old woman about etiquettes and being prim and proper.

But, aside from those, there is one thing that keeps me little blue during the past few days - the thoughts of her getting married. I already know it from the start but still I ended up catching feelings for her.

"Naeil," Mino's voice invaded my ears.

I was sitting down on the ground under the umbrella tree near the training premises when I saw his fee stopped in front of me. He knelt to level his gaze on mine.

I smiled as an idea popped into mind. "You're right in time. How about a duel?"

His face became distorted after hearing me. His brows were furrowed as he looked at me ridiculously. I chuckled at the sight.

"Even if it's your birthday, you cannot convince me to have a duel with you. I got banned by the young miss to even see you after you got injured on your arm," he said sternly.

Aejung banned him? Ah, so that's why I haven't seen him for the past three days. The last time I saw him was when he handed me my sword when Aejung wanted me to teach her to sword fight which was three days ago. After that, I have not seen around nor his shadows anywhere until now.

"If that's the case, then what are you doing here? Are you allowed to see me now?" I asked, squinting my eyes.

He sighed. He seemed a little annoyed but still chose to sat beside me. "I saw you getting kicked out of Lady Aejung's quarters."

"Kicked out? That's a harsh term to use. They just sent me off, actually. Stop exaggerating your words," I scoffed.

We both chuckled at each other. Mino is the shadow guard, the one tasked by Master Kim to look after me and Aejung especially when we sneak out to the market sometimes, but mostly his work is to guard the young miss. I can always protect myself.

"You seem a little down a while ago. What's bothering you?" He asked and now I completely reminded of the reason why. Does he really have to ask?

"Nothing. I'm just..." I paused and thought of what I was thinking about exactly. Was I really just thinking of her getting married? No. "I'm just curious about the future. Like... How will things be after..." I said.

"I'm sure nothing will change. Aejung is not the kind of woman who will change in an instant just because she is married to the prince. I'm sure you know that very well," he uttered.

But that is not what's bothering me. And I'm afraid he wouldn't understand so I just nodded at his words.

"Happy birthday, by the way," he said after a long silence. I saw he was handing out something to me so I turned to look at him. My eyes darted at the handkerchief he was holding and to him who can't seem to look at me.

"What's that? A birthday gift?" I smirked, trying to tease the stiff and impassive friend.

"They say a woman should have at least one handkerchief on hand. Take it, before I change my mind," he said but there was no hint of threat in his tone. I chuckled at how he looked really stiff and still not glancing at me.

"Thank you," I said before taking the handkerchief from him. I took a good look at it and saw the embroidered clouds at the  corner.

"Clouds?" I said out loud as I ran my finger on the embroidery.

"I noticed that you like to watch the skies a lot. So, I bought that one thinking you might like it."

I beamed at his thoughtfulness. "Thank you. I like it a lot."

We stayed there for a few minutes before he was called up to train the new guards. I still waited for an hour and used that time to watched them. I kind of missed the sounds of swords clashing and the wind that somehow lifts me up in the air whenever I make a move. Too bad, Aejung has my sword. I should ask her to give it back to me later.

"Are they done yet?" I asked Madam Na when I went back to Aejung's place.

"Not yet, miss."

I sighed in dismay. I was hoping they'd be done by now.

"Can I go in?" I inquired but she shook her head.

"Lady Aejung wanted me to tell you that she will not be available for today. But she would meet you tonight after dinner, miss Naeil."

My ears perked at what I heard and felt a mixed of joy and disappointment. Disappointed that I have to wait several more hours before I can see her but a little joyed that she will still make time just to see me.

"Really? She really said that?" I asked just to make sure.

She nodded as an answer. "And she also greets you a happy birthday, miss," she smiled.

After hearing that, my mood became lighter and my disappointment was swooshed away. At least, when she failed to see me today, she remembers my birthday. Now, I just have to wait for the sun to set.