Chapter 21 - My woman

Loud noises wake me up from my dreams... or nightmares. I don't have to pretend to be tired. She made me make weird noises all night until my throat hurt. I never thought that I would do things like this with my aunt.

I find the robe and a large black coat. I wonder what is going on outside. I change my clothes and walk out. Men are packing up. I understand only little of what they are saying. Some of them stare at me and laugh. I glare at them.

Alright, I have to pretend that my lady bits hurt. So, I limp a little. I don't know how to walk the shame. My aunt is nowhere to be seen. She told me to stay within her sight, but she is nowhere in sight. What should I do?

"Ow!" I look up to see the black-masked man. The same one who tried to kill me yesterday. Oh, shit! I step away. "I... "

He steps closer. I step back. I realize that all eyes are on me, but nobody is trying to stop this person. I guess that only my aunt can stop him. Aunt, where are you? I am going to get killed at this rate.

"Li Jun!" The voice brings back my breath. I look to my right. My aunt is standing there. Beside her, there is another man dressed in dark robes. He is holding a scroll. 'Li Jun' steps away. My heart returns to a normal state.

***

Why is this man interested in her niece? Yoori grits her teeth. This girl shouldn't have come out. Does she not understand the gravity of the situation? That guy is called the master of death. The fifth prince sent him with her. He can never be good news. She is always feeling like death is following her around in the form of this man.

"Li Jun!" He stops when he hears her call and steps away from the girl. Kyuri looks like her soul is about to fly away. The messenger is also surprised to see the girl. He looks at her questioningly.

"My woman," Yoori straightforwardly tells him.

The messenger raises his brow. She is irritated to see that look. When she shows no interest, it's a problem. When she shows interest in women, it is a problem. What do you want from me, people?

She crosses her arms.

"I will report your progress to the fifth prince." The messenger reveals a tiny smile. "Be well, General Yu."

She rubs her forehead. That sounds so ominous. Why does she have a very bad feeling that something really bad is going to happen to her?

***

Aunt is here. My lifeline. But, I can't move at all. This freak is standing a few steps away from me and staring me down. The fact that I can't see his face makes me more scared. All the soldiers have removed their masks. Why is he still wearing it around?

I look at my aunt. She is discussing something with her men. I make a quick decision. This is reckless and crazy. But, I have decided not to be a pawn of time. I have my own life. I will live on my terms and I will die on my terms.

I straighten my back and walk toward him. He doesn't move. Like a statue, he is still looking at me like I am an alien. I can feel my heartbeat. I am curious to see the face of the person who tried to kill me yesterday. Is he handsome like Kang Si An?

I stop only two inches away from him. My nose is almost touching his ċhėst. I am brave. I can look at death in the eye. I narrow my eyes at him and point upward.

I lift my hand to touch his mask. Surprisingly, he doesn't cut off my hands or stop me. Feeling braver, I take it off to see the face of this man.

Kang Si An.

I try to walk back, but he grasps my hand. Shit.

***

Kwon Yoori looks up when she hears multiple gasps. She didn't think that her niece would be someone who likes to seek death so much.

What surprises her most is that Li Jun doesn't stop her either. Why? Kyuri's pale expression is the second shock to her. She looks like she knows Li Jun. What is their connection?

***

Kang Si An. What the hell!

"You must have had fun, huh?" I growl at him. "You bastard actor! Are you pretending to be a warrior now?"

He says nothing, but he doesn't let go of my hand either. His eyes are dark instead of green. He has a tan on his skin. His hair is long and black. I stand on my toes and look into his eyes. Is he wearing lenses?

Suddenly, he grips my waist and presses me against his ċhėst. His personality is a bit different. Is he acting and trying to fool me? "I know that it is you, Kang Si An. Stop pretending."

I hear loud yells around me. Soldiers are screaming. My aunt is staring at us like we are dead. I don't know what is going on, but...

"Kang Si An, let go of me now." I try to free myself. "I get it that you are a timekeeper. Don't you think that it is unfair to kill me just because...? What is my fault? I didn't choose to become like this."

He doesn't let go of me. There is an unmistakable scent of blood on him. I am scared. Why did I decide to be brave? But, if I hadn't, I would have never known.