Chapitre 3: 2.
"I can't believe you're really leaving the capital"
I found myself chuckling at my best friend's statement. As close as Nabi and I are, we still manage to shock and surprise each other. I know I should've told her that I was leaving the capital sooner but my mind has been somewhere else lately and I forgot to bring it up.
"Nabi it's not like I'm moving to live outside of Woseon."
"I know but aren't you worried about the possibility of getting held kidnapped and held hostage by Hwajae Empire?"
Just one look in her eyes and I can tell she was worrying herself sick from the sudden news but this trip was important to me. I didn't want to leave my parents alone but they would've been more angry if I chose to miss out on an opportunity because I worried about them and their as everyone else in town calls it dying restaurant.
"I'm not going to be kidnapped or held hostage and that's not even their name. That's just the name everyone here gave them once rumors started spreading about this empire that is growing. For all you know they could be decent people."
"I don't know about that. Did you hear the recent rumors that's been spreading around town?"
I looked at her inquisitively. I haven't heard about any new rumors but then again I wasn't one to pay attention to rumors that had no accurate source. That was something that I learned all too well growing up as a kid.
"Seriously Seonmi? Do you really not pay enough attention to your surroundings at all? Sure they're rumors now but what if those rumors are true? Then what are you going to do when it's too late?"
I chuckled and turned my attention back to packing my things for the long road ahead of me before sunrise began for the day waiting for Nabi to continue with her oh so important story for me to be aware of.
"Who would've thought that the sudden army that is taking over the other surrounding kingdoms and creating their own empire would turn out to be the youngest son of our beautiful Woseon kingdom?"
Just then the entrance to my jewelry shop opened to reveal a beautiful woman who didn't look to be much older than Nabi and I. She must be a traveler from outside of Woseon considering I didn't recognize her and I already informed my repeat customers that my shop would be closed today since I would be selling in another city a few hours away. I must have forgotten to place my sign outside stating that I was closed for today.
I shot Nabi a look that said she should stop talking about whatever false news about the royal family she heard. Speaking ill of the royal family was just morally wrong and I would rather she not get herself in trouble over something that wasn't even true if the wrong person was to overhear her.
"Can you finish packing my bag for me and run to the back grabbing my closed for business sign while I try to send this customer on their way?" I whispered.
She nodded and turned her attention to the last of the jewelry that needed to be packed away in my bag along with a few other things and picked up where I left off.
I turned around and made my way over to the beautiful woman that now stood in my shop looking around.
"Hello, I'm sorry but my shop is closed today. If there's any items that do interest you I can hold them in the back for you so you can view them once my store opens back up tomorrow morning. All I need is a name so I can place the items of your choice under reservation for 48 hours."
The woman turned to face me but it felt like she was looking straight through me rather than looking directly at me. It was almost as if I didn't exist even though I was standing in front of her. She looked down at my necklace which brought a small smile to her face. Her eyes finally met mine, but I felt as if I was being analyzed under a microscope.
"In fact, there is a jewelry set that I am interested in." she leveled with me. I she took a step closer towards me with a smile on her face.
"The royal blue pendant you're wearing would be perfect."
It's not that I'm above getting rid of this necklace but I can't both literally and figuratively. I can't physically remove the pendant no matter what I do but if I want to understand why I've been having constant repeating nightmares since I came in contact with this necklace then I can't just get rid of it the very first opportunity that comes my way.
"I'm sorry miss but this pendant isn't for sale. There must be some confusion because this pendant isn't part of a jewelry set but I'd be more than happy to set aside any other jewelry-" The woman waved her hand to cut me off.
"There is no mistake. I like the one you're wearing and it's part of a set that I'm interested in completing. I'm willing to sign whatever paper is necessary to place it on reservation."
I looked out the corner of my eyes hoping Nabi would step in but she sounded like she was already searching the backroom for my storefront sign indicating I was closed.
"I understand how important that is but again I'm sorry that just won't be possible-"
The woman reached for my pendant so quickly that I didn't have time to process the action itself. The force of her yanking me by my necklace towards the entrance was almost enough to knock me on the ground. She was strong for such a petite lady like herself. I reached my hands up attempting to pry her closed fist from my necklace but to no avail.
She opened the front door from which she entered and her grip finally loosened but the moment I was free my head felt like it was split in two. I shut my eyes hoping that might alleviate the pain felt but it didn't. I didn't receive any impacting blow to my head strong enough to create the sensation my brain felt but it was so painful that I couldn't stay standing. Images of a handsome young man flashed across my mind. He held my hand pulling me along in a beautiful field. The next he stood in front of me as I tried hitting his bare chest out of a mix of anger, sadness, and pain.
So many moments of this specific man flashed across my mind. His dark brown hair, goofy smile, and tears that fell from his delicate yet playful eyes felt familiar. They felt like a distant memory that was so close but yet so far. I know you but I also don't know you. I opened my eyes trying to get a grip but my heart raced a mile a minute and I couldn't manage to catch my breath.
I didn't realize that Nabi came to my aid while I remained on the ground kneeling while clutching my head. I could tell she was speaking to me but it was as if her voice had no audible sound. I slowly glanced up to see the royal palanquin making it's way past my shop heading towards the direction of the palace.
It seemed to have stopped momentarily but after a few short moments it kept on its way to the royal palace. The run was already rising meaning I needed to leave soon if I wanted to come back into the capital at a decent hour without worrying my parents about my safety. I tried to muster up any strength I had but I fell back on my face. My vision felt blurry and my head was in turn spinning. From what I was able to make out Nabi tried to help me up but that didn't work and instead she resorted to running to get help.
She ran up and down the road making sure to keep an eye on me as she tried to get any straggler to listen to her and help me. Strangely enough I didn't want to be helped. I wanted to see more of the 'memories' of the man that came flooding to my head. Why is he so familiar to me? And why now of all times did this have to happen?
I tried looking down and noticed something strange. The gemstone on my royal blue pendant looked like it was glowing. Glowing? That can't be right. Necklaces don't glow but then again this is no normal necklace. Am I going crazy? Am I ill and in need of some sort of medical treatment? So many thoughts began spiraling through my head one after another but I wasn't able to reach a logical conclusion for any of the questions I had. If there is one thing I do know, it's that I need to see this man and I need to find out why.
I couldn't keep my eyes open anymore. My eyes desperately wanted to close and I had no more energy to fight the exhaustion that overcame my body. My blinking slowed down and eventually came to a close just as Nabi came rushing over with a stranger who she must've alerted about where I am. I just want some answers.
Answers...
That sounds nice.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone