"A few months later, as predicted by the girl, the Queen gave birth to a pair of twins, a boy and a girl. In fear for her children and of the throne becoming heirless again, the Queen asked the shaman for a solution. The wicked shaman convinced the Queen to sacrifice the princess for the well-being of the prince and for the future of the Kingdom of Noam. The King hearing this furiously declined, refusing to sacrifice his daughter. But going against the King's decision the Queen handed the Princess over to Mi-sook for her to be sacrificed. Mi-sook transferred the Prince's curse also over to the Princess and told the Queen that the girl had to be burnt for the ritual to be complete. The Queen summoned me for this heinous act as it could only be done through pious spells. I assured them that I killed the Princess and the Queen ordered me to leave the Palace forever."
Lord Yong slowly turned
Sleep eluded Si-ri's eyes last night. She spent night by spinning here and there on the bed sometimes and staring at the darkness other times. Maybe, she was looking for the answers that no one could answer. However, she had complete faith in her father and she was certain that everything will be alright soon. Even after knowing Lord Yong was not her biological father, Si-ri's love for him didn't flutter even a bit. Her immense love for Lord Yong was intact. On the other hand, she was feeling pity for her own father who had to hand over his new born to someone. Still she decided to not go to the palace after breaking of her curse. She would rather live with the man who adored her like her own daughter than to be with someone who she barely knows. Early in the morning, Si-ri stood on her balcony filling her eyes with the soothing sight of the rising sun. She still had many unanswered questions and th
Moving forward in the dense forest, they came across the tree titled as the Treeof Empyrean.It was the same as mentioned in the book. Standing in the middle of the forest, illuminated in silver rays of the moon, it was covered with beautiful blue flowers with a hint of purple in them. The tree was not as tall as others of the forest; it was average in size but there was something truly majestic about it, it was a feast for the eyes. Bathing in the angelic moonlight the scene felt like it was from a fairy-tale. All of them were in awe of its beauty. Lord Yong, Si-ri and Nyang stood there for a moment astonished by the charm of the Treeof Empyrean. "My child! The commencement of breaking the curse begins with this tree. You should take your first step to break the curse," said Lord Yong to Si-ri, brea
Lord Yong and Nyang walked through the streets and noticed the decorations that were being put up. The streets were dancing in a variety of colours with smiles plastered on almost everyone's faces. It looked like the preparations for a grand celebration. Nyang asked one of the people about the decorations, then they got to know that the preparations were for the Prince's marriage. In the Palace Queen Iseul walked around the palace instructing everyone, from the maids to the cooks, she wanted everything to be perfect for her son's big day. Her face was glowing from joy as she made sure everything was to the Prince's liking. She couldn't wait to see her son getting wed, it was a dream come true. Her smile hadn't faded even for a moment through it all.
The sound of chirping birds fell onto Ruyi's ears. She moaned from the streaming sunlight against her face and wondered how long she had been asleep for. Suddenly, she felt a feathery sensation caressing her cheeks, it was so soft yet tickling. "You look even more gorgeous while sleeping, my Princess". Ruyi heard a familiar voice and came to her senses. With a mental sigh she allowed her brain to focus and cautiously open her eyes. She slowly opened her eyes, only to be met with a pair of glittery ones looking at her with much affection. While exchanging glances, Ruyi recalled their last night, a flush ran down her body and she quickly pulled the duvet over her head to hide her face. The Prince bursted out laughing looking at his wife's adorable act. "My dear, since you are shy, I w
At night, Ruyi was thinking about Jian’s birthday, she was excited to present him something precious and was smiling faintly being occupied in her thoughts that Jian will surely love her gift. Clouded with the happy thoughts of her husband, Ruyi fell asleep. There was a creepy silence in the room. A sudden sound fell into Ruyi’s ears. She kept ignoring those sounds but after some time those noises engulfed her, completely capturing her brain, unable to render any logical thought as she was half-asleep. Lastly, she turned towards Jian to tell him about the creepy sounds. The moment she looked at Jian a sharp scream escaped her mouth. To her horror Jian was lying on the bed, every veins of his body turned black and he was shivering in fear asking for help in sleep. Horrified, Ruyi rushed to the door and asked
Prince Jian was surprised with Ruyi's sudden reaction."What happened Ruyi, did you see a nightmare?"Ruyi was still scared and didn't want to release Jian from her grip at any cost. Last night's incident was still fresh in her mind and she was silently sobbing in pain."Just look at me Ruyi. Everything is alright, I'm here with you. Nobody can dare to scare you when I am here." Jian comforted Ruyi as he thought she might have seen a nightmare."But it's you who scare me, Jian. It's the thought of you leaving me forever that scares me", Ruyi thought staring at Jian with her moist eyes.Jian smiled looking at his wife and slightly slipped a few strands of her raven hair back in place. "Will you celebrate my birthday like this ?"Ruyi almost forgot about his birthday and decided to fill her heart by making beautiful memories with Jian. The Emperor already told her the truth after Mi-sook. He even apologised to Ruyi for getting her wed to a per
Si-ri sat lost in her thoughts when a sudden sound brought her back to the present. She quickly realised that the sound was coming from the bushes near the cave. Si-ri quickly hid for her safety, peeping from her hiding spot. The slim figure was moving towards the cave, Si-ri couldn't see the face clearly but noticing the attire she was sure that the intruder was a man. Clutching an iron rod in her hands she stood prepared to attack the coming intruder.The man was heading towards the cave, whistling."This intruder must be a pervert," Si-ri held the rod tight and was ready to pounce on him.The moment he entered the cave, he encountered Si-ri as she was about to attack him but they both froze in shock looking at each other. The rod was dangling in the air being in Si-ri's hand because the intruder was none other than Min-ho.Si-ri's rendezvous with Min-ho was radically contingent and unpredictable.Si-ri bits her lip in furry. She was still trembl
Princess Ruyi was sitting beside Prince Jian holding his hand and looking at him with her barren eyes. Prince Jian’s condition was getting worse day by day. Every time he tried to walk, run or roam around, his body betrayed him.A sound of gentle tapping of raindrops compelled him to open his eyes.Darkened grey clouds threateningly surrounded the sky; like a predator would encircle its prey. The rain quenched the soil from sandy hues to rich, strong browns, the kind that brings an inner smile. The summer flowers and leaves drooped under the weight of the droplets, spreading the cool and freshness in the breeze.Prince Jian gazed at Ruyi and asked, “You love rain?”“I really love rain. I love rain a lot. Whenever a drop of crystal-clear water appe
So, this was the tale of a cursed girl who finally earned her freedom. The journey of this prisoned girl was not easy. She never knew that lifting the curse would cost her to lose her loved ones. The story depicts the dominance and vigour of a curse. No matter how much you try to escape or seek resilience, the curse will destroy you. Just like the queen lost her beloved son as a result of her own misdeed. How can we forget Mi-sook, the nasty shaman who had authored the heart wrenching and destructive saga of pain with the pen of her vengeance. The moment the curse lifted it backfired Mi-sook. She too met with the same agony that she once had chosen for Min-shi, the poor girl. Along with the twins, Min-shi cursed her to die a painful death by the backfire of her own dark art that she always used for her banausic deeds. Nyang too stabbed her at last. Her corpse didn't even get a proper cremation, maybe her rotten carcass was destined to be the food for the cluster of dea
“Don't worry your son will be alright. You just need to give him this energy on a regular basis until he recovers completely,” Si-ri assured the poor man about his son’s health.The man thanked her for healing his son’s long-term disease and blessed Si-ri with all his heart.Si-ri stretched and stifled a yawn. “Huh, quite a busy day.” She walked towards the window to grab some fresh air. Upon opening the window, she felt the sharp coldness of the winter breeze. She inhaled the crisp, cool air. In no time, the snowflakes started pouring from the sky. Her breath became feeble against the numbing air but she rather enjoyed it, she blinked thoughtfully as the frost patiently kissed her face, captivated by the soft, dusty illusions of light that sat heavy on her eyelashes. She adored the snow, more so when it was falling and unshackled her hands to play with the snow. After a few minutes, she lifted her eyes to the sky and smiled.
Five years laterRuyi runs in the castle’s corridor with a smile on her face, with absolute grace.“Catch me if you can!” she says and continues running.“No wait mommy, mah shoelace!” the young boy who was running behind Ruyi says and stops running making a puppy face.Ruyi stops and sighs before smiling at the boy while bending down to tie his laces. She kisses him on the cheek and says, “Rian, now enough of playing. It's time for your studies. Come.”Rian was the apple of Ruyi’s eye, he was an adorable little tot who resembled both Ruyi and Jian. The castle that was once haunted with the wave of miseries and silence, now echoed with the lively giggling of the little Crown Prince. The little boy once again brought the palace and its people back to life with his bright smile. The Emperor and Empress find their lost son in the face of
Si-ri and Nyang cremated Min-ho’s body near the cherry blossom tree. Two days had passed, since she had last eaten or slept. She used to cry all day and night sitting in a corner. Nyang tried his best to placate her to gulp downthe bitter truth but she just was too numb and fragile. She was craving to meet Min-ho.She soon made a sleep potion for herself in hope that Min-ho would probably come to see her in her dream and consumed the potion. The potion worked well and Si-ri finally fell asleep. She fell asleep in this world only to awake or enter a whole new world. The World of…dreams.Si-ri’s POV“I opened my eyes to a whole new place. I could see the sky was painted in red and orange hues, that's really odd. But the place is engulfed in a weird tranquillity and silence. I looked around everywhere and found a giant and quaint door. Hesitantly, I moved forward and pushed the door with all my force an
Next eveningNyang came back to the shrine. He was positive that he had lost the piece of paper somewhere.“This day is going to be the last day of my life. It'sgood I decided to pay a visit to all my dear ones. I just can’t let years of my master’s hard work go in vain. He was everything to me. I owe him my life. I’ll sacrifice my life for him. So that he’ll get peace,” Nyang mumbled in thought.Min-ho greeted him. Nyang noticed a little weirdness in Min-ho’s expression but in the heat of nervousness he just ignored his thoughts.The nightfall brought a welcomingcoolness yet the feeling of fear was present in all three of them. Even though the sky was glittering with the twinkling stars and the shining moon, for Si-ri it looked gloomy. She wasrestless and somewhere still battling with the negative thoughts lingering in her mind. On the other hand, Min-ho and Nyang sat outside si
Nyang became agitated when he couldn't find the torn out piece of the Devil’s book that he and Lord Yong kept secret from Si-ri. He was not concerned about losing the piece of paper; he was more concerned about Si-ri knowing the whole truth. Lord Yong never wanted Si-ri to learn about the last part of the solution to lift the curse; he knew that if she found out, she would sacrifice her life.“What are you looking for, brother?” Si-ri asked, after noticing Nyang in jittery.“Nothing special, sister.” He saw Min-ho coming. “Min-ho is here, I need to go home for some urgent work. I might come back by tomorrow,” Min-ho greeted Nyang with a smile and told him that he is certain that the boy will be cured. “That’s nice. I’m heading to the town, so you two need to be more cautious," he said beforeheading to the forest.Min-ho came closer to Si-ri. “Finally, we are alone,” Min-ho said,
Nyang and Min-ho told Si-ri the whole incident of the boy and his sufferings.“Do you have any remedy for that? Can you treat that boy?” asked Nyang.“I can treat him, I guess. I have read about astral awakening and activation in the book of the devil.”“If that boy is not treated immediately, he may undergo a lot more disastrous experience. The bright lights coming from every personis called aura, every object on the earth emits an aura and this will become a hurdle for him to see faces; he'll only be seeing bright colours of people and not their faces. Without any spiritual teacher this type of activation or building connections to other worlds can harm the person. The novice performer of preternatural knowledge can get stuck between the never-ending phenomena of phantom cognition. This will always be followed by sharp pains and almost constant headaches. Without having complete comprehension, aggravating and infuriating occ
Three days laterThe palace had become aware of itself, of the misery that echoed within the walls.In the morning, sitting in front of the mirror, Ruyi looked at her insipid face. The face, which now lacked freshness, radiance and most importantly a smile. The smudged kohl had left a dark hue beneath her gloomy eyes. She stared at her reflection for a minute thinking. She now no longer had a reason to dress up well as there was no one to adore her now. It made her happy to doll up for Jian, every day. But he is gone now and so was her reason to primp and preen too.While recalling his last words, she came to know that he wrote a letter for Ruyi. She started looking for that letter and pounced up at her jewellery boxes to find the letter. Finally found a piece of paper. She opened it with her shuddering hands.ToMy Love, RuyiToday I felt like writing something for you, as day by day my condition is worsening. Even now
“I knew about his condition, brother Nyang told me about him. Yes, I am sad hearing about his death but I never felt any affection toward him as we never met. He didn't even know my existence; he was like a stranger to me. But still, it would be an arduous state for everyone in Noam, especially for his parents. Noam again became heirless. I can feel their pain, as everything they did was to give an heir to Noam and now, he is gone. It's really heart wrenching.” Si-ri said in a weak voice.Just then Si-ri saw Nyang walking towards the cave. Nyang looked tired as if he hadn't gotten any sleep since several nights. When Si-ri got the clear image of his face she became scared. His eyes were swollen and his overall appearance was inkling that something terrible had happened.Nyang stood mute in front of Si-ri looking at the ground. Si-ri’s heart was thumping fast looking at Nyang’s bizarre demeanour. She came close to him and asked him apprehensively