Her Poison His cure: Behind The Mask

“Are you really going for a ride, but the sun will soon set off” Na ji hye asked for the upteent

time since we left my Chamber.

We are currently on our way to the stable and she has been talking non-stop, telling how dangerous it was to ride at this time of the day.

“I have told you, yes.” I scoffed ridiculously and hastened up my step. I want to get to the stable on time and get rid of her nagging.

I just want to get to the stable and get Ryu out of there and we both would take off into the hills. Ryu is the name of my horse. Ryu means Willow tree, and willow which means slender and graceful just like willow tree branches and trees was an adjective to qualify myself. Strange right!.

In no time we reached the stable. I step into the stable and the unholy stench of manure and filthy straw almost knock my boot off. It was like entering into a messy public toilet. I immediately ran out of the stable and whistled to call her out. She knows my whistling tone.

Gracefully Ryu walked out gently and stopped in front of me. I moved closer to her. The black horse reached around and touched my hair with her muzzle. It was a sign of greetings from her. I smiled in return and Patt her body lightly.

I reached up and gently gripped the saddle. She is so big! I thought showily looking at Ryu’s giant body. I lifted a foot and stabbed it at the stirrup, and hauled myself laboriously up. For a moment I didn’t move, taking a deep breath and sitting comfortably. Ryu turned her head and looked questionably at me. Her dark brown eyes and black hair were gentle but confused as to why I am sitting and not saddle her.

That is a similar feature I have with Ryu. Her dark brown eyes and black hair were the same as mine. And another thing is that she is as determined as me and can sometimes be stubborn like me. I look at Na ji hye who was looking at me confusedly for the last time and smiles, before turning away from her

“Let go” I picked up the two ropes coming from Ryu’ head. She didn’t move. I cautiously kick the horse with my boots. Startled, Ryu took a few quick steps forward, then relaxed into a steady walk. It was slow motion yet not satisfying for me.

I want to go on a run with Ryu but being in the palace I need to take my time till I get out. That was the reason I didn’t dress heavily, just a navy blue trouser and inner white shirt with a navy blue mid jacket. My hair was tied in a ponytail.

Ryu continued walking till we got to the palace back gate. Going through the front gate is a waste of time. if I have to pass through the front gate I will need to lessen my pace since the people will be busy walking on the road. So it is better to go through the back gate which leads into the forest and hill.

The gate snapped open by the guards upon seeing me and they bow courteously. Stepping out onto the ground, Ryu’s head bobbed in time with her feet. She took a deep breath and let out loud fluttering sounds. I grabbed the rein tightened seeing we are about to lose out. I guessed Ryu was also biding her time till we got out before taking off. That’s my baby! I thought proudly and Patt her hair. Ryu responded by moving faster and bumpier. I bounced along with her. Controlling her with my boots, Ryu’s ear went up. She went faster and suddenly the bumping was gone. It was just a smooth rocking motion.

It was so beautiful that I found myself laughing abruptly. Ryu and I would head into the hills together. That’s the thing about horseback riding, you always have the best of companionship. You listen to the steady hooves, the tail swishes and the snorting of the air. Horseback riding was the closest I ever came to dreaming while perfectly awake, so strong was the sensation that being with a horse was my kind of heaven. Especially with Ryu. Demanding for more speed I kicked her with my boots and in response Ryu increased her speed and she went faster.

The wind streamed by me, whipping Ryu’s long hair back to my face. Her head up, her ear forward. Her back went up and down smoothly, evenly. She was gaining more speed. Wind tugged at my hair. The ground rushed by me and the only sound was the pounding of hooves. I wrapped both my hands around the handle and let myself smile. I feel like I was balanced on something more comforting than ever. Hurtling forward more than I had ever gone. Ryu picks up the pace, levelling out even faster.

Passing through the hill until we finally came into an open petal- freckled field. Stopping to admire the field, I gripped the rein hard around Ryu’s neck and that put her to a halt as she screeched loudly. It is so nice to see how beautiful the field was and to explore the world as I wish. I remember I once told Samsin about my intention of exploring the world after hearing one of her stories. It’s so unbelievable that my fantasy came true without any obstacles.

No one stopped me from doing what I wanted. The only one who could have stopped and controlled me has become an overnight enemy of mine and he didn’t care as well_ My Father. It’s been a week now since father and I discussed our conflict and he asked for forgiveness. My mind drifted back to what it was last week. Father, seeing I wasn’t going to give him an answer, had told me to take my time in forgiving him. But I didn’t even want to do so. I just want to forgive him but my heart won’t just allow it.

Ryu snorted brought me out of my thoughts. I looked at her closely and sighed. It seems I have totally forgotten about Ryu. After such an incredible run, she will certainly need some water to cool off.

“Let’s get some water. I am sure we will find a lake or anything that gives you water down the field” I said and expectedly Ryu nodded her head sideways and back forward.

“Giddy up” I kicked her and she began walking down the field. We were carried into the pasture and the clear water where we could drink our fill. She could eat some of the pastures while we are at it.

I jumped down from Ryu. Lead her toward the water and let her drink to her satisfaction. After that I tied Ryu with a rope around her neck on a petal tree and allowed her to feed on the green pasture. The rope was long enough so she could go as she desired and eat as much as she wanted.

I went under the tree and decided to take some fresh air before Ryu finished with her feeding. As I sit there under the tree with my back resting on the tree bough, staring into space, so many helpless thoughts keep flashing through my head. It’s been Five years now since the incident that left many to be afraid of me. A lot has happened. I wasn’t feeling myself after the incident, that is why I take interest in all these things. Like archery, horse riding and swordsmanship. The once naive quiet princess is now a fierce brave princess.

I sighed sadly. All this wouldn’t have happened without Yeong ho’s death. Growing up I had always imagined getting my own prince charming I’d love and a man that would love and respect me in return. Yeong ho is more perfect for my own prince charming and lover but that love was snatched from me overnight. My heart still beats for Yeong ho even knowing he is dead. They said first love doesn’t die. I used to take it as a mere fact, it was now I knew how it feels….

My thoughts were cut short when I noticed a horse at a far distance galloping toward me, to Ryu precisely.

It was a white male horse and there was someone on it. My brow arched as I took a knee look, A man was at the back of the horse. My breath seemed to choke as I watched the man riding toward us. Good heavens, how can a man ride white horse, it doesn’t like it bad but isn’t a lady who likes such a thing…. Well who am I to condemn what someone likes?

The mystery man finally gets to us and stops but… wait seemed like it wasn’t the man’s wish to stop but the horse because he screeched in objection when the man hit him with his boot. The horse refused to go and continued showing objection to his master.

Left with no choice the man came down from his back, gripping his saddle and waiting for what he wanted. The horse’s feet bobbed toward Ryu who had also stopped eating and was staring at the male horse. This is strange. Ryu isn’t the kind of horse that found time in submitting or admiring any other horse, might it be male or female. My girl believes she is the best herself but looking at her now, I could see a mint of happiness in her eyes toward the unknown horse.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

The man seemed to understand his horse as well and getting the message that he wishes to stay with Ryu, he tied the horse rope around the trees that Ryu rope was tied to and let him walk toward Ryu.

Ryu didn’t show any signs of backing off from the horse but rather welcomed him as she allowed the male horse touch her body with his muzzle. They both walked further into the pasture and continued grazing.

“I guess it was your”

A deep male voice brought me out of my thoughts and I looked behind to see who the voice belonged to….

I turned back and my eyes laid on the heavens perfectly made art. Is he even a human being I thought as I stared at the man in front of me with my mouth slightly opened.

What’s wrong with me?. I have never admired any man other than Yeong ho but looking at the man that stood in front of me I couldn’t fathom why I feel drawn to him.

“Miss. Are you okay” his deep masculine voice came again and that seemed to catch my breath. We both looked at each other, it was as if time was frozen for us.