Those of Us Alone

Chapter 40: A Run-In with the King

Midori's POV

Yona and I had traveled a fairly far distance from the pier, so I had suggested a while back to turn ourselves around and start heading back.

She spoke of many of our adventures and was very happy to recount everything to me. Apparently, I was taken in by the Wind Tribe's leader, Mundok, when I was about 6 or 7. This was when I guess I was fleeing Awa? She wasn't sure either, but I figure that was probably the case. From there, in the Wind Tribe, I was introduced to my not-biological-but-still-family brother, Hak. She spoke of how the first time we met, Mundok had finally decided that I was ready to go to the castle. 

By this point, I was confused, so she had to back up a little bit and tell me a bit about herself. Apparently, she is the only daughter of the late King Il, therefore making her the princess of this kingdom. Before I could get my question out, she spoke quietly, telling me that the current king, Soo-won, was her cousin, and that he had apparently constituted a coup and took over the throne causing me, her, and Hak to flee the castle.

All this back and forth was causing me to get lost within this timeline of things, and I unintentionally made the comment, "How did I forget so much?"

A sad smile covered the face of my companion, "I'm sure it's in there somewhere, we just have to recall everything."

"But everything will be hard to come by," I said, distressed. I didn't want to fall behind, and Yona's already insinuated that she still wants me to travel with her and the group I was with. I have this sinking feeling, however, that I won't be happy until I find out what I had lost, "I won't be able to remember everything, and then I could make a mistake that I wouldn't have had I had my prior knowledge."

Yona stopped us and turned to me, "No! Don't think like that!" My eyes were wide as I seen her sad gaze drift off, "We'll help you . . . and I'm sure that even with all your secrets, we should be able to piece together what you believed before."

I nod at her. I just sighed and accepted it, there was no point in arguing with her here. 

She then smiled before taking off around the corner, leaving me with, "We have got to go and see the others! They should be able to help!"

Realizing that she had just left me in the dust, I quickly round the corner as well, seeing her sitting on the ground apologizing to a man that she had run into. I stopped short of them so that I would be able to refrain from hitting the two, but I had made enough noise to break the tension between my apparent best friend and the person she ran into.

My eyes met with the green hues of the man Yona ran into, and I could see recognition flash through his eyes, "Mi-Midori?"

Yona had snapped her head to me, and seeing as I was confused, I looked to her to see what I should be doing. We shared a glance, one that showed restraint and caution for her and for me. I wasn't aware of what I was getting myself into, but apparently, the man wasn't going to allow me to ignore him completely.

"Midori," meeting the stranger's eyes again, I feel a pang of nostalgia, but I cannot quite place what or why I am feeling anything. He glanced to Yona, not sure of what was going on. She refused to look at him, however, and kept her eyes trained on me - she wanted to know how I was going to react. This man didn't seem to be a friend of hers.

Finally, our gazes met again and I spoke softly, "I'm very sorry. It would appear that I have hurt myself pretty badly recently, and I have forgotten a few things." Realization clouded the blonde's eyes, but I was not interrupted, "Please remind me, who are you?" He flinched. "How do we know one another?"

Looking almost hysterical, he switched his gazes between the two of us, "What kind of game is this?"

Yona, though she seemed to have no regard for how the man felt, only addressed me, "This is my cousin, Soo-won." There was some malice present in her voice, though not enough for any of us to worry about. The title was familiar though - ah, he was the one to take the throne.