The Stolen Princess And The Blind Prince

That's right! I'm angry right now! I almost died on the way here! I wish I died then! That way I wouldn't have to be married to a damned peach smelling prince!

My cheeks felt hot, and I was sure I looked like I was about to cry. I didn't care. The last five years of my life, and the lives of my people were horrible. We lost everything after the war. My father, wanting an end to the needless bloodshed, agreed to an unconditional surrender.

Now they were trying to do what with this general? Scare me? There must be a misunderstanding: I am here for the lives of my mother, my brother, and for the freedom of my people. Their freedom relies on me staying in captivity, but I will not live in fear! I refuse!

The General took my hand, gently. His grip was firm, but it did not hurt. He wasn't trying to, I'm sure. Husband or not, I will not-

"I apologize for the misunderstanding," his voice was smooth and even, no ringing of anger. "I am indeed an honored general, but also Geun, heir to the throne."

Wait-what? The crown prince came to see me? This late at night? And I just called him and his brothers, names?

Urgh…

"From what I understand," he continued, leading me into the palace. "You were attacked by bandits. Are you alright?"

I nodded, shrinking out of his gaze. I followed behind him, almost, in step.

He really held a commanding presence. Hmm, even if I made a bad first impression, would marrying him be too bad…?

A guy like Kyu, or Geun, a real guy?

Hard choice. Dog, or man? Both seemed better than my shadowy fiancé, who was probably…

"You'll be sleeping here tonight," Geun's deep voice pulled me back to reality. "It's a bit small but, I hope it doesn't offend you any more than I do."

I followed him through the tall doorway.

A giant bed! A giant room!

The room was sparsely furnished, as I assumed it was guest room. There was a big, big bed, a lounging chair, and a table for tea. It was as big as my room from before the war! I didn't realize how much I missed this roomy feeling!

"This is perfect." I tried to keep my voice from cracking from my excitement. It squeaked instead.

Geun ignored it, explaining, "This is only for tonight, your personal maids will be here soon."

I nodded, resisting the urge to leap into bed with my dirty dress. I calmly took a seat in the lounging chair, watching Geun leave.

My cheeks flushed.

I can't believe it. I called a guy that hot PEACHY?! He's so cute aaaa… I wanna melt in his aaarms.

I felt those too warm butterflies flow down from my cheeks, down, down, down… I wonder what a night like him would be like…

No! I slapped myself. There's no way he doesn't hate me now… I lashed out at him. How could I do that? There was no way to know if he was there with my father…. Maybe he even tried to stop it from happening.

Mm, it's not like any of this matters anyway. I'm marrying someone else.

Wait, I missed an opportunity to ask about my husband, didn't I??

---

I heard a knock at the door.

"Come in."

"Milady," the door was opened, and two women around my age entered.

The one on the right was in red, almost crimson robes. She was as tall as Geun!

The one on the left, wore deep blue, cerulean robes. She was closer to my height, just a few inches taller.

"My name is Jinhong!" The red one said, a little too loudly, to be honest.

"And I am Haneul!" She wiggled in place, giggling.

Are people normally this energetic this late at night? Or was it the thin air? I'm not like that am I?

Haneul dashed towards me, pulling me out of the chair in a firm grip, while Jinhong grabbed a wooden basket they had placed right outside of the door.

"Its bathtime!" Haneul's energy was a bit contagious, and I couldn't help but smile.

"But before that!" My ears… "Your things are being unpacked in the room next to your fiancé, Wulin."

Wulin? That's his name… The surprise must've shown on my face, as Haneul said: "It's a cute name, right? Wulin, as mysterious as he is... is quite handsome!"

"Really?"

"Yes, yes! But before that, we have to bathe you, then put you to sleep!"

"No dinner?"

She pulled me, no, dragged me up four flights of stairs. As tired as I was, I didn't slip, not once. We stopped in front of a pair of ebony doors. They had no handles.

"If you bathe quickly," Haneul said playfully, pushing open the doors, "You can eat!"

What's wrong with you people?!

---

The bath house was quite intimidating. It was a well-lit place, with fires hanging far overhead, and lanterns hanging from pillars. I noticed that the walls were the same color as the door, just more sparkly. Haneul explained that the entire place was carved out of the mountainside. The walls, like the doors, were a dark mineral, that would flicker in the firelight. The largest bath could hold about 150 people; its heat maintained by lava that flowed beneath. The smaller pools, like the one Haneul was leading me to now, was maintained by coals.

The bath house seemed empty, but I couldn't help but feel a bit nervous walking around in just a towel. I had, of course, scrubbed myself clean beforehand.

This particular pool was high up, a slope and rail leading one to it. It faced a window, that looked out over the city below. The stars were bigger here, like I was looking at a midnight lake from a ship. All in all, it was beautiful.

"I'll be back in half an hour, please take your time. The marriage ceremony is tomorrow."

"So soon? And if I take my time, how will I eat?"

"That was a joke Milady! What would you like?"

Pff, as if you were joking! I haven't eaten all day!

What did I want? Hmm, I remembered that weird dream I had…

"Could I have a simple beef stew?"

---

With that solved, Haneul pranced off. With her finally gone, I removed my towel, and enjoying the slight smell of rose water, climbed in.

Hot! Hot, hot, hot, hot!!

Is this water for bathing or for cooking!?

I quickly tried to climb out, but my foot slipped. The scalding water went past my knee, up my t.h.i.g.hs and…

"Urk!" Not there! I pee from there!

This is not what I meant when I said I wanted beef stew!

I tried to climb out once again, this time as unladylike as possible. I hopped, trying to get my knee over the side. But the water must've had some sort of oil in it, as my knee kept slipping.

Frustrated, I splashed back in, immediately regretting it…

The heat wasn't as unbearable, but my skin was red. That worried me a little. I dipped my body in further, accepting my fate of being cooked alive. Focusing instead on the gentle fragrance of the rose-oil.

"Mother, I'm sorry, but I think it's sealed shut…"

I cried a little, at the reminder of my mother. She'd never see her grandchildren, would she?

I'd never see my nieces and nephews either.

I felt a burning in my c.h.e.s.t. All the sadness and worry I had forced down on my journey here, it was coming back.

Tears splashed, gently falling from my eyes.

I'm going to have to live here… forever.