100 Just Like Him (1/2)
”Advisor Bai, Lord An requests your presence.”
Rin's mind blanked for a moment.
When she was younger, she was informed by Bai Han the differences between a man and a woman's body- especially during puberty.
Awkward as it was, Bai Han was rather composed while explaining to her what happened to a girl's body when she reached adulthood.
One thing, in particular, stuck into Rin's mind that fateful day about when a girl became a woman.
They bled from her lower area.
This was bad.
Rin had no words to describe the shock she was in. She was knowledgeable with the concept of puberty, but not to a full extent.
She hadn't expected it to hurt. Then again, she was bleeding in an area she never imagined.
”Advisor Bai?”
Remembering the soldier outside, Rin's eyes narrowed. The pain near her lower abdomen remained, the sensation of something leaking down her thighs only seeming to increase.
Moments later, she bit her lower lip and said, ”Please kindly inform Lord An I'll need to take a rain check for the day.”
”Ah? A rain check?”
Clutching onto her stomach tightly, Rin grits her teeth. ”Yes. Please tell him I apologize for the inconvenience, but I'm currently not feeling too well, we'll have to reschedule today's plans for tomorrow.”
The soldier was about to refute but closed his mouth upon remembering the boy's newly appointed status. He was the camp's military advisor - a rank far higher than his. Another reason for why he hadn't entered Rin's tent without proper permission.
”Yes, Advisor Bai. I'll inform Lord An right away.”
In response, a faint sound could be heard from inside the tent. Quickly, the soldier ushered away to report to An Sun.
Sighing tiredly, Rin's eyes close shut while she curls up into a fetus position near the brazier – her arms clutching tightly to her stomach.
…
Within An Sun's tent, the man looked over the map spread over the table while waiting for Rin's arrival.
”Tsk, that Duyi Zhong is quite a cheap old man, isn't he? Only one thousand of his men, he can't possibly assume that's enough.”
Manchu, sitting quietly in a small corner with a scroll in his hand and head propped by his chin, sighed.
”Indeed the number is small but it should be enough. After all, they're quite a strong pair of troops.”
An Sun nodded. He was right, Duyi Zhong's army was not one to underestimate.
”Hopefully they'll improve even more with that kid's training. He grew up with that old man Bai, so I'd expect him to be somewhat knowledgeable in training a group of soldiers.”
Manchu's gaze lifted as he stared at An Sun for a brief moment in silence before he spoke. ”I'm surprised you're allowing him to train such a large group of men by himself. Don't you worry he'll utilize them against you?”
The space between An Sun's brows was tightly furrowed as he stated coldly, ”Of course. I've thought of that possibility, but it's nothing to worry over. If anything I still don't trust the little brat, but…”
”But what?”
An Sun's rough fingers tapped the edge of the table as he stared intently at the map before him.
”But he has potential that's all. I don't see an issue with giving him a little power to show himself.” An Sun slumped down in his seat.
Manchu sighed and shook his head, not saying anything further on the matter.
While the two men spoke in the tent, a soldier from outside announced his presence.
Accepting his request to enter, An Sun's eyes lifted expecting to see Rin yet was merely met with the lone figure of the solder.
”Where is he?”
”To answer Lord An, Advisor Bai wished for me to inform you to reschedule today's meeting for another time.”
An Sun frowned, his gaze slowly darkening. ”And why exactly is that?”
Feeling a cold sweat form on his back, the soldier continues to answer with his head lowered. ”Apparently Advisor Bai is feeling unwell today, which is why he has requested a rain check.”
”Little brat…” His brows twitched irritably. ”He can't handle a bit of discomfort or queasiness? I swear there are times when he acts more like a woman than a man.”
Standing up from his chair, An Sun marches out of the tent with a forbidding expression.
Manchu watched the scene before him unwind with a helpless expression - his eyes looking back to the scroll in his hands.
Mr. Strategist you better be prepared…
...
Rin had long drifted away into an unconscious state. She found it troubling to fall asleep with the discomfort in her stomach and the uncomfortable sensation on her thighs.
She never imagined being a woman would be so painful.
”Oi, kid, what's the deal?”
An Sun's deep booming voice rang through Rin's ears, breaking her from her daze.
Looking up, Rin saw An Sun's figure entering her tent with an irritated expression.
”Get up.” He ordered coldly.
Propping herself up, Rin stared at the man with a weak smile. ”Lord An, I apologize for the trouble, but I truly am not feeling well today.”
”Tsk, you've been saying that all week.”
”Lord An, that was a month ago.”