199 A Promise (2/2)
…
When the first shaft of sunlight broke through the clouds to the north, Rin had awoken. She stared up at her ceiling in silence, then shifted her gaze to the pale sunlight slanting down through the windows.
'Today was the day An Sun would leave.'
Frowning, she shot herself up in bed. Staring at her palms, she scratched the back of her head.
'She hadn't asked him what time of day he was leaving.'
With this thought in mind, she got out of bed and without ordering the maidservants for help, she got dressed. Since the days had grown warmer, she hadn't put on a cloak or blanket. When Rin stepped outside of her room, she was surprised to see a figure standing in front of her door.
With wide eyes, Rin raised her gaze to encounter a familiar pair of gray eyes looking back at her. He seemed surprised as well.
”An Sun?”
He was still here.
At that moment, Rin's voice happened to return his focus as An Sun cleared his throat and stepped back a little.
”Can we talk?”
Rin nodded and followed behind. When she saw him leading her to the garden, her eyes glanced up at him curiously.
”You're leaving today,” Rin said softly.
”Yeah.” An Sun replied with his usual deep voice.
They continued walking farther until he suddenly stopped in front of an orchid tree. Turning around, he looked down at her with a serious expression.
”I want you to answer me honestly.”
Rin nodded to show him she was listening.
”Leaving behind fate, destiny, and your path, if the time came when you could no longer rely on them...will you come to my side? If you're unwilling to let them go, I won't force you. But if it's out of obligation, I want you to come to my side.”
Rin's eyes held surprise. She suddenly became flustered by his words. ”You…What are you talking about? What do you mean to come to your side?”
Suddenly, Rin felt his large hand grasp hers. It was warm and firm. When she looked up, she was startled to see such a deep gaze on her.
”I mean when you can no longer rely on your goals; I want you to be with me. I may not have the strength now, but I can promise you that in the future I will be able to protect you and your loved ones. And although a promise is not a guarantee, it is still a promise. Even if you can depend on yourself, I want you to rely on me if you're willing.”
”What…” Rin's cheeks flushed.
”It just takes one word to answer.” He said firmly.
Rin blinked. Then she blinked again. She was too shocked to speak. With warm cheeks, she lowered her head to stare at their joined hands, her lips tightened. A wind passed through the garden and the orchid tree, delivering a floral scent into the air.
Her head lowered even further. Her voice was as tiny as a mosquito as she said, ”All right.”
An Sun's brows wrinkled for a bit before he broke out into a sudden smile. Even though her voice was faint, he still could make out her answer.
”All right.” His low and deep voice repeated softly.
Too embarrassed to saying anything else, Rin withdrew her hand from the man's grasp, stepped back, and cleared her throat.
”You should say goodbye to everyone else.”
An Sun chuckled. ”I did, I just wanted to you to be the last I said it to.”
Rin's cheeks grew warmer from his words and she looked away with pursed lips.
”Well then, why are you still here? You said your piece already, so you should get going now.”
Deepening his smiles, An Sun nodded his head. ”Then I'll be going.”
Still averting his gaze, Rin listened to his footsteps grow faint. Elevating her head, she looked at his departing figure and gave a little sigh. She gazed down at her hand and it suddenly felt very warm. She clenched it and lowered it to her side.
…
”I heard An Sun left. Were you able to say goodbye?” General Guo entered the girl's study to deliver her tea. When he came in, he saw the girl sitting by the lounge in her windowsill, reading.
Rin withdrew her gaze a little from her book and nodded with a faint hum. She turned toward the window to look out the garden, her eyes serene. General Guo glanced at her expression and sighed.
”He'll be back soon.”
With no change in expression, Rin turned back to the pages of her book and nodded. Witnessing her subtle calmness over the matter, General Guo breathed a sigh of relief.
He oddly felt she'd be troubled by his departure. He was glad to see her the same as usual. When General Guo left, Rin's face was lowered, so no one could see the upward curve of her lips that she hadn't been able to hold back.
”I know he will.”
THE END OF BOOK 1