Who are you?

"Prince Lee Ji-ho" the king called out to his son as he stepped into the throne room

"You will be going to Sungjoo village on an official royal business; Minister affairs informed me about the representative of the chinese vice emperor, he is said to lodge near the village, and by history you know how the chinese can be, you must set out and meet him, and invite him to spend his time with us".

"Why must I go?, we do not need to relay all our problems to the chinese, why must we ask for the guidance when we have a king to tend to our matters, why must we........"

"Don't be foolish now!, it hasn't rained for two years, there is famine in the land, an epidemic is spreading through out the lands, we need help where we can find it, the chinese have good herbs and we need it"

"But.." Prince Lee tried to say

"You live in a day"

"May you live long your majesty"

...........

"I can't believe he's asking the chinese for help, am sure prime minister Kim is in on this; he's been controlled by them, the people see him as an impotent king"

"Your highness, your father might seen like that, but am sure his after the well being of the nation" Poong Yeon said trying to defend the king

"Fft, you're the one to say that after what happened to your parents" the prince tried to remind Poong Yeon of the unfortunate event that be fell his parents.

His mind couldn't help but wonder back to the past,as distant voices cried out << We haven't done anything wrong, we've been forcefully accused, we didn't conspire against the royal house or cause the death of the king>> as a sword slashed through his mother's back.

He remember clearly how she tried to protect him from such a foul scene, but failed with her life stripe out of her in a mere instant and how his father screamed out her name as she fell to the ground, soaked in her own blood.

He was about to speak out, when him too was cut down; remembering how his father's blood splashed on his face.

He was to be killed too, his entire family for treason against the king and against the nation.

But he was save by the new crowned prince who was three years younger than him, and asked a favor of his father: for Yeon to be his personal guard from there on till his dying breath.

"You would be dead, if not for that request"

"I know and I will be forever greatful to you, your highness" he said as he bowed greatfully

Sungjoo ehh, of all places; why be interested in such a small village or lodge there too, hmm!" The prince thought, wondering why the representative!

The journey to Sungjoo was a smooth one, we met the representative, figured out why he chose the lodge: it was close to a gisaeng, and it's said to own the most beautiful girls outside the capital.

It was a day journey, we tried to convince him to come back with us, but he insisted on staying; that he hadn't be here on official business but for pleasure.

We're to head back the next morning, but I was called privately by the representative to his lodge.

Before he spoke to me he looked right at Yeon

"His my trusted ally, what ever you wish to say to me , you can say in front of him" the prince said eagerly

"Crown Prince, how's your fathers health" the representative asked intensely

"His as health as horse, why do you ask after the king" the prince asked feeling unease

"I wouldn't trust the war minister and his associates that much if I were your father" the representative suggested

"Why do you say so"

I couldn't help ask, could he have seen something that made him dislike the minister.

he continued.

"He looks desperate for power, and willing to do anything to achieve it, such man is not to be trusted".

"I see, I too have observed his behavior, this is something I've sense"

He's not wrong, the prime minister has been my father's right hand man after the late king passed away.

Prime Minister Kim has this dark energy revolving around him, we never got along and I'd always try to keep my distance from him.

"I know you're a wise prince and you wouldn't tolerate evil, I've observed you; you'd make a great king some day, that's why I lodged here knowing fully well that the king would send you, if you wish your father's well being, stay clear of the minister's gifts" he concluded with a smile

I couldn't help but feel he isn't telling my everything, what could he have seen or heard to cause such concide towards the royal family, but yet am greatful, this lights point to my suspicious about the prime minister.

We spent the remaining night eating and drinking while talking about the affairs of the state and the drought.

We said our goodbyes and parted the next morning, going out separate ways.

"Your highness, what seems to be on your mind" Yeon asked with great interest .

"That it was a fruitful event, one that really enlighten me; you know what Yeon!, its been awhile I took such a journey and the air smells better outside the palace" I said merged in thought.

<<Swttt>> something flew right in front of my face with a great speed

" Protect the Prince" Yeon held out.

"What was that"I asked Yeon

"We are under attack my lord"

"What?"

I felt myself tremble a little out of fear, arrows kept flying at us from every corner, some of my guards were hit but we didn't stop, because of the commotion we went off course.

My horse was hit by an arrow and I fell to the ground, Yeon rushed over in order to protect me with the guards standing, the attacker's surfaced, showing their true motives.

<<Assassins>> stating who they were.

<<What!, were they here for me, and why?>> the scene before the my eyes was a chaotic one, I watched as three of my men were cut down by a sword, and that same sword struck my side, leaving an open wound, I felt my blood drops to the ground as the pain became visible and my body heavy, as the attacker launched towards me in other to finish the job, I didn't stand a chance I knew it, Yeon was off fighting somewhere; it felt as thought they ambush Yeon in order for him to be distracted, living me alone and

defenseless.

It was working, Yeon couldn't protect the me if he lost his own life, but something unpredictable happened as a sword aimed towards the my face: a stranger with funny figures, swift's in and struck the man down.

He was as fast as a wild animal after his prey, struck with out remorse, nor was he held back by anything, he was like a myth or story told from fairytales, he looked at me with a blood stained face and muttered something as he stepped closer to him.

I could help but step back <<was he human or a god, how could one struck down ten men within seconds>> I wonder, as he came closer I moved backwards, the sun in the sky which hid it self quite well during the fight seem to mock us now as it shone brightly towards his direction illuminating his figures and his ocean pal green eyes that pierced right through my heart <<his beautiful!>> as I stared intensely.

"Cho Hee" a young girl called from out behind her, as she ran to meet her "let's go home".

I wanted to stop her from leaving, but the pain by my side hurts a lot, I had no choice but ask.

"Who are you" all she did was smile and walked away into the forest.