Stranger by the River

“After what your dad did to our family’s name is there more harm you want to do to it? Hyun do you want us out of the village and get our land taken away by the landlord?” my mom shouted once we entered the room.

“But amma it was not her fault. She is being framed!”, my sister said.

“Do you think it was your dad’s fault either? We all know he was framed and his only mistake was to go out to investigate. He was accused of something he didn’t do and when we fought back, he was murdered. But none of us could get his name clean off the accusation.”, she said while her eyes got filled with tears. My sister went and consoled her.

“So, do you want me to lose without even a fight? No amma I am not going to do this and let down appa.”, I said and ran away from the house.

At that moment I ran away from all the emotional turmoil I was forced into once again. All these memories once buried deep inside should stay there. It makes living tougher once they resurface themselves. People in our era are becoming more inhuman year after year.

They just want to earn respect even if it costs an innocent’s life. Our king was not able to handle these matters and hence he is being removed under the name of a promotion. People like us have expectations from the new prince but I think it's all in vain because soon enough he will be showered with money and luxuries in exchange for righteousness and his principles.

I was sitting by the river which had drowned in itself the ashes of my father, his last memory was in these waves. On nights like these, it was tough to be strong and hold on to the smile. when I see other kids going out holding hands with their dads or when I see their dad threatening the people who make fun of them, I miss my appa.

He was the pillar of our house. Without him, it always feels like there is nothing to hold onto. But life goes on and so did we. Crying by the riverside is the safest place to cry. No one comes here at night, it's just me, my tears and my dad.

“memories why are you so stubborn,

We can’t let you go,

And to you, we can’t hold onto.

Memories why do you stay,

Like a ghost who has an unfinished mess,

And you do nothing but lay deep down.

We wait for your voice to be heard out loud,

But all we get is a silence with a deafening howl…” I said out loud and I was struggling to find the next line, so I started looking at the waves. They always help.

“why can we not understand the message beneath,

Why do we hear just a howl?

Why can we not see what you do to us,

By igniting the fire every then and now.

It's because of your dear memories that we cry,

We let it out, that fake smile.

You help us know what being strong means,

You help us grow flowers from the unwanted weeds.”, I heard someone complete my unfinished poem.

I looked behind to see a shadow. There was a man standing wearing all black clothes. Even his face was covered with a black cloth. If he didn’t have the royal sword, I could have easily confused him with a thief.

“What kind of a gentleman are you to eavesdrop on a lonely girl’s thoughts?”, I asked.

“And who said I was a gentleman young lady?”, he said.

“Then you must not do poetry. It is an art that suits gentlemen.”, I said.

“I think poetry is just an art. First, you put these barriers on art and then complain of discrimination yourself.”, he said with a laugh.

His voice was soothing but his personality was mysterious. His attire and way of conversation were not promising enough but none of those things scared me. I felt pretty comfortable with him.

“A little girl like you shouldn’t be out here in dark all alone.”, he said.

“First of all, I am not little, I am 21 years old and second thing is that me being alone out here is none of your concern.”, I didn’t wish to sound rude but people who think like this often get on my nerves.

“You are fiery and it is not always good.”, he said and sat on the rock beside the shore.

I ignored him and we both sat there watching the waves in silence. After a few minutes, his presence started to bother me.

“Why are you here at this time? Plus, I have never seen you here before and I visit this river every week.”, I asked.

“I came with the new prince today morning only. But the palace walls suffocate me so I came out for some air and found this place.”, he said.

“Do you come out to breathe in the fresh air with your face covered?”, I asked again. He laughed.

“No, but I cannot show my face or all the handsome faces will start to seem worthless to you.”, he said and laughed again.

What a self-obsessed person he is. But his laughter was something very attractive. The moon was shining brightly in the sky and the stars were twinkling innocently, that’s when I realised it was late now. I was about to stand up to leave but I couldn’t make up my mind if I should greet him or not.

“Greeting people is considered a sign of a good upbringing.”, he said staring at the waves. How did he know what I was thinking? Did I say that out loud? How else could he have known?

“I was about to greet you if you would have just stayed quiet.”, I said hiding my embarrassment.

He just smiled still staring at the waves. His jawline was very prominent and anyone could have sensed that he is blessed with good looks.

“It’s getting late and I should leave now. Goodnight and take care sir.”, I said and stood up. I bowed and turned around.

“At least tell me your name.”, he said.

I didn’t stop and kept walking. To make it seem like I didn’t hear him I started humming a song loud enough for him to hear. I heard him laugh again. And I kept walking till his laughter couldn’t be heard anymore. When I reached home my mom and sisters were already sleeping and the door was not locked.

I entered and locked the door and went to the room I share with my two sisters.

“Hyun, is that you?”, Kang asked still sleeping.

“Yes, go back to sleep.”, I said and went to bed.

The next morning the sun seemed to be too bright as if shining on us and warning us that the day of the hearing is just 48 hours away. My mom was still against us going out for any kind of a justice hunt but I and my sister were stubborn.

Today was the day for the official welcome of the prince and we had an excuse to be out for a longer time. Mi So and I decided to go for finding clues while Kang managed her event. I needed to be present just for the poetry presentation that too just for going on the stage once during the introduction. Fortunately for us because of the prince’s love for poetry, the first event was the poetry presentation.

“Hyun I will announce your name on the second number and you just come up on the stage once the poem is finished and I will introduce you as the poet. Once your introduction is done go down and meet Mi So behind the palace wall. At the gate of the palace, you will find Suang Li who will take you to the ceremonial room. He knows the guards there.”, Kang said. I and Mi So nodded.

“Then let’s go, the event will start soon.”, As saying this Kang went out of the house and I followed her.

There were a lot of people and Kim Soon was there too. He was sitting in the very front with the elites. Just by looking at him, my blood boiled.

Kang pulled me with her backstage. Soon after the drumroll began which told us all that the prince was here. The prince climbed up to the throne and sat down. He looked like a statue of arrogance sitting on that throne with his head up high and straight stature. His face had this serious expression and he didn’t acknowledge any gifts from the elites.

The cheering crowd was still excited not getting bothered by his attitude. I was busy justifying the prince being a jerk when I heard Kang Joon make the announcement for the first poet to come on the stage. The first poet was Kim Ji Ah, daughter of Kim Soon. She is one of the beauties of our village and is a spoilt brat too, but her confidence, looks and money overpower her nature. 

She recited her poem which was based on love at first sight and the whole time she was looking at the prince with that fake blush sparkling on her cheeks. And while she was looking at the prince all the other unmarried village guys were busy admiring her features. She bowed down to the prince and I swear I saw her wink at him. But the prince just ignored her. She had that astonishing face which clearly showed rejection is tough to handle.

“Our next poet is Nam Ji Hyun, and as usual on her behalf, I will be reciting the poem.”, Kang Joon said.

She recited the poem and I must say she was amazing. As soon as she completed reciting my poem the crowd went crazy and cheered. Even the elites were applauding. I looked at the prince and for a second my breath hitched, he was smiling and that really was a sight worth looking at.

“I would like to call upon the stage the true owner of the poem, Nam Ji Hyun.”, and this was the call for me. I went up the stage and the crowd applauded once again.

But there was a change of reaction on the side of the elites. They stopped applauding and the expressions on the prince’s face changed. I was about to say thank you when the prince stood up and the crowd went all silent.

“What kind of an artist are you?”, he asked.

“pardon my lord but I didn’t get your question.”, I asked. He smiled that creepy smile of his which clearly meant there was trouble.

“What kind of an artist allows her work to be presented by someone else and stays there sitting and doing nothing at all.”, he said.

“My lord she is suffering from...” before Kang Joon could finish her sentence the prince motioned for her to stop. She bowed down and stood behind me.

“You don’t seem to have any physical issues and you work in one of the highest known positions which means you are pretty normal. Then I don’t want to hear any excuses. If you have a true love for art and you respect it, I would like you to recite your poem yourself or else you will be punished for mocking such a serene art form.”, the prince said.

The whole crowd started talking to each other because my condition was no secret. But no one dared to take my side because we all knew the rumours about the prince could be true as well and the rumours clearly said that the prince can be ruthless. I looked at the crowd and I could feel my heart racing. My eyes went to the front row where Kim Soon was staring at me with that wicked smile. This worsened my condition and I could feel my head go all dizzy. The silence made me more nervous and the next thing I know everything went black.

I could hear the soft murmurs coming from around but I couldn’t decipher what was going on. I tried to move and open my eyes but it seemed pretty impossible to do so. I tried harder and I could feel the eyelids separating and bright light entered my sensitive eyes and made me shut them again.

“Kang she is up.”, I heard my little sister shout.

I blinked a few times to get my eyes to normal and I saw a familiar roof. It was good to realise I was at home. But I couldn’t recall what happened.

“Hyun, how are you feeling now?”, Kang asked sitting beside me.

“I feel better. What happened? Did I faint again?”, I asked. She nodded.

“Remember the prince asked you to recite the poem and you fainted again.”, she said. All the events came running down and I could feel my cheeks burning with embarrassment. That stupid jerk made my life miserable again.

“I hate him.”, I said.

“We have bigger problems in hand than hating someone who won’t be affected by our hatred.”, Kang said.

I looked at her confused and she pointed towards the sangeon stamp and I realised tomorrow I have to prove myself innocent and we haven’t solved even a bit of the case. I stood up and asked Kang to follow me. But before we could even step out an annoying voice came again.

“Oh, my darling Hyun, how are you feeling now?”, saying this Kim Soon entered our house.

The last person I wanted to meet right now was standing in front of me with a smirk etched on his face. How bad I want to wipe that smirk off. But his presence was not what made me worried and angry it was the royal order he had in his hands that made me all anxious. God knows what new trouble this human curse has brought upon us.