3 The unusual person (1/2)

”Just do it!” Suyin ushered Areum, tugging her robe down to see her bare back. Areum winced at Suyin's actions, unsure of what she should do. ”Just look ahead and don't turn around,” Suyin commanded. She began applying medicine to Areum's back softly so she wouldn't hurt her. Suyin saw all of the whip lashes that Areum got because of Suyin. She lowered her eyebrows. ”I'm sorry I've caused so much trouble for you.” Her voice softened, feeling bad that Areum had to always take the blame for everything that she had carelessly done.

”It's okay.” Areum smiled, reassuring Suyin since she wasn't angry. ”I'm willing to do anything for my young miss.” She then added. Suyin grinned bitterly. To find someone who would do anything for you is hard to find. Areum was more than a maid in Suyin's mind, but she knew that the difference of status during this time was hard than the present day in her time. Suyin finished rubbing the medicine on her back, tightening the lid of her medicine jar.

Areum was grateful that Suyin treated her well now and back in the past. She knew that she could never endure the bitterness out on the streets without Suyin's existence in the world. When Areum was young, she had no identity to start with as a child. She was deserted by her parents at a young age and had to survive by stealing food from others. Areum stole Suyin's food when she was younger, pushing Suyin down on the ground as she ran off with Suyin's bag of steamed pork buns. Suyin's father chased after Areum and was about to report her to the guards until Suyin told her father that she gave the food to Areum.

After that day, Suyin secretly followed Areum to her little home under an abandoned, cold home. Suyin would sneak out of her home at night to give Areum food.

”Did you want some food?” Suyin would question.

”Eum!” Areum immediately replied.

It wasn't until Suyin was caught from her parents one of the nights that she begged her parents to allow Areum to be her maid. Her parents didn't like the idea, but because of Suyin's kind heart, they decided to let Areum stay with Suyin at their home.

Areum knew that she was different from Suyin, and their relationship could not be more than just a mere maid and master rather than having a bonding friendship between the two.

Areum slid the top of her hanfu back up.

”Thank you for the medicine, but you didn't have to do that” she answered in a modest tone.

Suyin shook her head and handed her the medicine jar.

”It's fine. It's not much either since you did get in trouble because of me.” Suyin shrugged her shoulders, acting as if it wasn't a big deal.

”Young miss!” A voice outside of Suyin's door called out. Suyin glanced at Areum, nodding to let her open the door. A male servant walked in, lowering his head. ”Master has suggested you to go visit the Prince and the Princess at the Palace.” He spoke.

The Prince and Princess? That's right. Areum shook her head, puckering her lips. She could see the faces of the Prince and Princess of the Long clan painted in her imagination with their radiant appearance. Although she hasn't recently seen the Prince lately, she's been having tea with the Princess because she was feeling of lonely in the palace since her brother was always so busy.

”Alright! I'll head on over there right now.” Suyin rolled her sleeves back with a smirk in her face and stood up to get ready to leave. As soon as she stood up, Areum panicked and jumped up right when she did, stopping Suyin's footsteps.

”What is it?” Suyin questioned, looking at Areum with a perplexed expression.

”My lady, you can't just go out like that with your dirty outfit! We need to change first!” Areum demanded, shoving her to get changed.

”Ah... you're right.” Suyin stared down at her clothes. Specks of dirt were on her sleeves and her wrinkled dress didn't look good in her if you were to consider the idea that Suyin would be at the palace filled with nobility and etiquette.

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”Miss Han has entered the palace!” the servant announced, dropping his head as they opened the door to the Princess' courtyard. Suyin carefully walked in along with Areum by her side. Her sky-blue silk dress, fair pale skin, and dark long hair made her actions graceful. Many of the workers in the palace believed that if Suyin wasn't the daughter of the noble Han family, they would have mistaken her as the sister of the Princess in the palace.

”You have arrived, Miss Suyin.” Yanyu leisurely paced towards Suyin. She was in no hurry and was composed, opposite of Suyin who hurried over to Yanyu.

”Yanyu!” Areum's elbow touched Suyin, causing her to fix her throat as she respectfully bowed to Yanyu. ”Princess.” She shifted her tone, taking a look around the servants as Yanyu ushered them to leave. The servants beside Areum scurried off Yanyu's beautiful, large courtyard.

A lotus pond could be observed right next to her pavilion and peony flowers were planted throughout the walkway.

”Wow. Were these flowers all planted in here for you?” Suyin leaned down to smell the fragrance of peony flowers that swayed in the wind, blowing her hair in the air.

”Actually, I planted these when I have the time,” Yanyu replied, smiling at Suyin's response to the flowers. ”It seems like you haven't been here for a while. Brother and I were wondering how you were doing back at home the last time you came here.”

Suyin directed her head to Yanyu and gave her a big grin, her smile brighter than the sun gleaming between the two.

”Of course home is nothing but dull! I can't stand the life of staying home all day.”

Yanyu's peaceful expression changed into a surprised one.

”Dull? Why did you say that? Recently, you used to tell me how troublesome it was to be out all the time instead of staying home.” Yanyu declared, strolling along aside with Suyin.