The King of Daegu is the last person she would want to marry. And yet, he is the one chosen to be her husband. The clash between the Princess and the King will open old wounds, unveil hidden secrets and force them both to face their inner demons.
D...
a/n: Hello, everyone. I finished this part so I am posting it now, but it ends on a terrible cliffhanger, so be warned :)
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They walk down the corridor for a few minutes, then go up a dozen stairs to reach another wooden door. At that point Nori is so dizzy from nervousness that it's only the hold of Yoongi's hand that keeps her stable.
He opens the door and leads her into a much smaller cave room. The ceiling is low, only half a meter above their heads, covered with similar images of plants as in the other room, but here instead of birds there are butterflies flying among the many carved flowers. The magic in this place is even stronger, pulsating into the walls and into the carvings.
The bath is a few meters away from them, not elevated but dug into the ground, resembling a little lake that spreads below the wall opposite to the entrance. The edge of the pool is decorated with a beautiful mosaic of river stones, the water inside of it shines as if there are lanterns hidden at its bottom.
A long slit opens into the wall above the pool, allowing for bright light and fresh air to enter the room. The crack is so narrow and long that it seems it has been cut by the sharp nail of an enormous dragon.
A steamy waterfall breaks the rock to the left of the pool and fills it with hot water. Just beside the waterfall, in a small hole in the wall, are arranged tiny soaps and aromatic oils, their flowery fragrance filling the cave with a sweet scent.
Next to them a pair of white robes hangs on a silver hook that is falling from the ceiling. A few lanterns of different sizes are gathered in the corner opposite to the waterfall, casting warm orange light to chase away the remaining shadows.
This cave doesn't look like a place made for mortal people, but like the secret bathhouse of a fairy who comes here to enjoy some solitude.
Nori, who used to love to hide and who found solace in the most desolate and secluded places, now feels at home. In this tiny magical corner of the world she forgets she is a Princess, married to a powerful King. She feels like a character in a book, going on a magical journey, finding one secret place after another.
"Do you like this place?" Yoongi asks, turning around to face her.
"Yes, it's so tiny and mysterious."
"It's bigger than it seems." He points behind her and Nori turns. Her eyes widen as she sees the true size of this place. This cave might be lower than the other one, but it is much longer. The wall they've entered through is just a protuberance of rocks that advances into the cave, large enough to host the door and little else.
On the left side of that rocky formation, the cave continues for a few meters more, up to another door, a small round door, made of planks that are misplaced and broken in places. Above it shines a lantern whose light is blue and enchanted. The door is built a meter above the floor and to reach it one has to go up three large stone stairs.
