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Mingi walked in the huge garden, lost in his minds, his body bringing him to the end of it. Now, facing the ocean, letting his soul travel in the deep water, not paying attention at what was around him.
“Are you lost ?”
The voice behind him freaking him out. “Holy shit !” His arms on his chest, turning to facing the stranger. “I almost had a heart attack you dumba-“
He didn’t finish his phrase. Sitting against a tree, a young woman was looking at him with curiosity. “So, it’s your thing to insult strangers in their own garden ?” Her expression was baffled. She didn’t expect to be disturb by a perfect stranger.
“No, I’m sorry. I was scared, I didn’t want to be rude with you.” Mingi was sincerely sorry and ashamed. “I was just walking in the fresh air. I wasn’t expecting to meet somebody outdoor.”
The lady’s look became softer. She closed the book she was reading to stand up and approach Mingi. “You’re excused. I’m Yoon Soo-Ah by the way, the daughter of Yoon In-Su and Yoon Ha-Yun, the owners of this property.” She was looking right in his eyes. “And you are ?”
“Ho yes, sorry ! I’m Song Mingi I came with commander Song Yong-Sun. he was invited at your father’s reception.”
“Oh ! It’s you the adopted son of the commander ? I have heard a lot about you.” Her expression was now friendly and relaxed. Behind her stoic face, she also was scared after all.
Soo-Ah scanned the man in front of her, already knowing they had the same age. He was indeed tall. His eye’s color was strangely pale gold, perfectly matching with is blond hair. The commander talked a lot about him, his extraordinary and perfect younger son. He found him in a port, fighting with thieves to stop them, even if he was injured. The commander was so impressed by the force of this orphan young boy. He decided to bring him at his boat to take care of him. After several months he definitely adopted him and giving him his name. Since he was part of the Song family. The commander’s wife and their children welcomed him with love and joy. Soo-Ah already knew his siblings, and like them Mingi had a strong presence.
“Yeah… It’s me...” He always felt embarrassed when somebody tell him his father talked about him. “Why this old man always talks to much…” He had whisper for himself, but Soo-ah had heard him anyway.
“Maybe because he loves his younger son.” She teased him, Mingi felt his cheeks became red. He stared at her, more embarrassed. Soo-Ah giggling at him, it was so easy. “Why are you here and not at the reception ?”
“I needed a calm and quiet moment. It has a lot of people at it. And why are you not there too ?” He glared at her with defiance.
“It’s my father’s reception not mine. I’m allowed to quit it, if I want.” She looking at him the same way. “But you are a guest. So you have to return to the saloon, right ?”
Even she looked soft and shy in first place, her aura was completely different. Strong and powerful. She was not intimidated. Mingi saw in her glacial blue eyes that she was absolutely not impress by him. Her strange white hair was waving with the breeze, elegantly styled. The moon, who was hidden by clouds, reappeared, revealing blue glints in her hair. His parents had told him than the Yoon’s children had a divine appearance, but he didn’t expect that. Like her older brother, Yuri, who had dark blue hair and eyes, she didn’t look completely human. “It’s true than your mother is a sea goddess ?” He said, all of sudden.
First surprised, she couldn’t hold back a laugh. “Why do you want to know that ? It’s not a usual way to first talk with somebody.” Looking back at him, she smiled. “I’m not going to answer at it. You’re a perfect stranger to me. But you can believe at what you prefer.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry. That was an intrusive question. I don’t often think before talking. I’m quite a cheeky person.” Smiled back at her, he could feel the atmosphere relax. “I prefer believe in this theory. It’s more mysterious, and captivating.” He looked at her, laughing. “You’re right. I have to return at the saloon, it’s not polite to be gone.”
“I was joking” She reassured him. “You can stay here if you want. My parents don’t care about that. They know those receptions are boring for us. And to have talking with him about that, I know the commander think the same.”
She sat back at the tree, looking at Mingi and inviting him to sat with her. He accepted the offer and took a seat next to her. “What is it about ?” He asked when she opened her book. “It the last report of our father’s mission. I took it in his office. I have to read it tonight to put in its place before the end of the reception. Do you want to read it with me ?”
Mingi look at her, flabbergasted. “We aren’t allowed to do that. If they find us to reading it, they are going to kill us ! We can’t do that !!”
“Shhh. You’re too loud. I already know that. But I want to know what are they doing during their travels. Not you ?”
“Of course I want to know. But…”
“Aw ! Come on ! Nobody is going to know.” She looked at him with an amazing intensity. He couldn’t resist at his own curiosity.
“Okay, you win. But we have to do it quickly.” She nodded at him. And they started to read the mysterious report.
In a total silent. Page after page, they read the report, without a word. All the information in it was just fact they already knew. After the last page, they looked at each other, disappointed.
“That was not that I expected.” Said Soo-ah, closing the book.
“Yeah, me too. It’s just basic things.”
“Those old men… The real report is not here. They are too smart to leave it in my father’s office.”
“I’m sure they knew that curious eyes would read it.” Mingi look at her with accusation glares. She burst out laughing when she saw him.
“Yeah, I think you’re right.” Mingi helped her to get up. “Let’s go, we have to put it back in its place.”
“I follow you.” Mingi said, walked after her. “Maybe we can return at the reception after, I’m a little hungry.”
“Let’s do it, I’m hungry too.”
Mingi followed her, in the manor. The decorations were pretty and elegant. Sometimes, in a buffet or on the wall, strange artefacts were just put here. Scientific object, travel memories or other things, that Mingi didn’t know. The interior was just like the owner, Yoon In-Su. An extravagant and mysterious explorer. A lot of people thought he was crazy but in reality, he was a very intelligent man. He was curious about everything, and particularly about the mysteries of the sea. So, he became a scientist and a sea explorer. His researches and discoveries were used by the government and the royal family to protect people about sea dangers and pirates. His own father commanded the fleet responsible for the research, those two was close friends since a long time. They were the perfect duo for those missions.
Even if the two men were friends, Mingi had never meet In-Su’s family. The Yoon family, had just moved in his own city. Before, they were living in another city on a little island, far from here. He just knew than In-su had a son and a daughter, who had strange hair and eyes color.
In front of him, Soo-ah opened the office’s door. “Stay here and warn me if somebody come.” He nodded, looking at her entering in the room. She reappeared two minutes later with a bright smile. “Everything is good. Nobody can know we have read it.” He smiled back. “We can go eat now. I’m really starving.”
She followed him at the saloon, where a lot of people discussing about some interesting, or not, subjects. They easily found the large buffet and the delicious things it had. Mingi didn’t wait for Soo-Ah to start eating. She was busy to salute the people she had not yet welcomed. His parents and siblings were part of them. He looked at her talked with his family, waving at them when their looked at him. She lowed bow politely before walking in his direction.
Now full, they just watched at the people who danced in the middle of the auditorium, rhythmed by the sweet melody played by the musicians. Mingi looked at Soo-Ah. “Are you engaged ?”
The poor girl almost choked with her drink. “I’m sorry ?! Why are you asking that ?!” She took the time to breeze, before respond at the strange question. “No I’m not. I’m too young for this shit. It’s the nobles and the royal family who become engaged at young age.”
Mingi contained himself to not laugh. “Yeah, I’m sorry. That was a strange question.”
“Really strange” Confirmed Soo-Ah. “Why do you ask me that ?”
“Because it’s not allowed to invite a lady to dance if she is already engaged.”
Soo-Ah looked at him. “You want to dance ?”
“Yeah, it will be fun. No ?” He offered her his hand. She took it with a smile.
“You’re right.”
He led her onto the dance floor with a large smile. The music followed their steps. Mingi’s hand around Soo-Ah’s waist to lead her. Both were quiet, just listening to the music and letting their minds travel with it. Mingi saw the girl closed her eyes, letting him the complete lead of the dance. Her pastel yellow dress floating with the movement. His parents were right, Yoon’s children looked divine. He saw their parents looking at them with sweet smiles. He stumbled, when his eyes met those of his mother, he could feel his cheeks became red. Soo-Ah opened her eyes, surprised by the anormal movement. “Are you okay ?”, she asked, involved.
“Yeah, don’t worry, it’s just my mother. She is looking at us, I felt embarrassed.”
Soo-Ah takes a look in the direction of their families, blushing too when she saw them. “Why parents always act like that.” She mumbled
“I don’t know. I hate them for that. It’s not like we are going to be married.” He said.
“Yeah, it’s really annoying. Just ignore them.” Mingi giggling at her, following her words. “Anyway, Mingi. You’re a really great dancer. I didn’t expect that.”
“Thank you. I learned with my mother. She is more amazing than me.” Responded Mingi. “You’re good too.”
“She did a really great job. Like mine.”
“Oh, you’re really confident. But, it’s true your mother also did a great job to teach you how to dance.”
“ So, we are not strangers anymore, no ?” Asked Mingi.
“Yeah, I suppose.” Soo-Ah stared at him with curiosity “Why ?”
“You can answer my question so.” He was smiling with interest. “Are your mother a goddess ?”
“Really ?” Soo-Ah rolled her eyes. “Why is it so important for you ?”
“Hahaha. I’m sorry. I was just teasing you. I don’t want an answer. I prefer continue to dreaming about it.”
“I don’t know if you are an idiot or just a romantic guy.” Mocked Soo-Ah. “Maybe both.”
“I am not going to answer you. You can believe what you prefer.”
“Don’t use my words at me !” She sighed at watching him laughing. “You’re a menace.”
The reception ended with a last dance. The other guests letted them the honor of danced the last song, admiring them closing the ball with it. Soo-Ah and Mingi enjoyed it in silence, just smiling at each other. Mingi’s dark purple costume matched perfectly with her pastel yellow dress. Like two mermaids in the water, they glided with elegance, turning around each other without breaking their sharing stare. When the music stopped, everyone applauding them for this superb performance. Soo-Ah and Mingi greeted them with a reverence, honored by all this attention for them.
All the guests were gone. Soo-Ah sat in a long sigh on a soft armchair, beside her brother, who was also exhausted. “I have seen you have a new friend. I had talk to him, he is a good person.” He tolding her.
“Yeah, I like him. He is a nice and funny guy.”
“You don’t deserve him.”
“And you are an asshole.”
“LANGUAGE !” Yelled their mother when she walked in the room. “Stop being vulgar and go to bed. I’m enough tired to deal with you two right now.”
“Listen to your mother, children. And please. Stop arguing.” Their father looking at them with an amused look. He also wanted to spelling the tea with them but He was not going to contradict his wife, just after a huge reception.
Not searching a raison to stay and annoying more their mother, the two siblings stood up to go in their own bedroom. They kissed their parent’s cheek, wishing them a good night. Soo-Ah hugged her brother and went inside her room. Dreaming of sleeping for three days to recover of the ball.