Episode 2~Just the start

As I stride across the room preparing to get dressed, Abbey runs frantically trying to get me ready fast. I’m not in a big hurry to see my ‘Oh so wonderful’ first love, Li Soo. Especially when he and his father are demanding to see my father. Whoopie. So much fun. As I finish this thought I realize I’m fully dressed and ready to go, I guess my body was moving on my own while thinking. Oh well, let’s get this over with so I can go back to sleep, or practice, or bury my head in the soil, anything is better than going to see them. Sighing, I realize Abbey is quiet and snap back into reality, seeing I’m already in the ‘throne room’ and there they are, Li Soo, Ling Soo, and another guy? I don’t recognize this man, but he stares at me like I’m a national treasure hidden for many years. Gosh, I don’t care if he is undeniably gorgeous and sexy, he’s a perv, I wish he’s stop staring at me of else my head will turn into a tomato. AGAIN snapping back to reality, (I should really stop daydreaming so much) I hear Ling Soo yelling at father. I don’t care what he’s yelling about honestly, but he makes me want to shoot a arrow through his intestin and will it with bugs while he’s apologizing. I mean what I didn’t think that •*•

“LING SOO” I interrupted his non-stop yelling, as the room quiets I say, “You dare yell at the Emperor?! My father?! If he was not as kind hearted as he is now you would be dead for talking like this!” Everyone’s silent. Father seems stunned by my sudden attitude change, for before I was meek and would cower at any eye contact, but he just smiles and says, “It is okay, his yelling is not unjustified I suppose” WHAT? My dad is such a pushover I’m afraid people with take advantage, I must protect him, and what does he mean it’s not unjustified?! “What do you mean father?” I innocently ask tilting my head even through I am brimming with anger. “This man,” he pointed to the handsome stranger standing there quietly, “Came to ask for your hand in marriage” said my father smiling, I am confused, do I know this man? “YES AND I REFUSE!” Screamed Noble Ling Soo. “SHE WANTS TO, AND WILL MARRY MY SON!! HOW DARE HE ASK FOR HER HAND??!!” This old man makes me angry. I know he knows about the plan, and he’s acting, and I have no resentment, to anyone, but he annoys the crap out of me I could just scream in his face, instead I continue my calm demeanor and strong posture and declare, “Ah yes I forgot we always said we wanted to marry each other since we where little, but even so you have no right to refuse his request, for you are not my father,” they look stunned at my words, even the strang man, and I stare at him and we meet eyes and he stares back, but I quickly avert my eyes, and I continue, “About that, I’ve changed my mind and I don’t want to marry you at all Li Soo” They all stare at me with a shocked expression, but I can tell my father is happy and cracks a smile. He never liked the Soo family but in my past life I never listened to him, now I will. “WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU CHANGED YOUR MIND?! YOU CANNOT CHANGE YOUR MIND!” Screamed Ling Soo, while Li Soo is standing there obviously mad. I’m glad I did it because if he truely loved me he would look heart broken or crying, but he just looks mad, I mean he could TRY to look heartbroken or something! Geesh! Smiling politely despite my temper I say, “Why can’t I? We don’t have a marriage contract and we never promised to marry each other. We only said we wanted to, but we where stupid kids then” The room was completely silent, and father says coolly, “My daughter, your demeanor has changed and you seem to have more confidence...” As he says that I see Ling Soo happy, I suppose he thinks I’m going to get a scolding from father. But he’s wrong. “I hope you keep this up, I like this side of you my sweet daughter, it seems I can put to rest my worries now. You where so meek and scared before I thought you where going to end up with a hard life (like me)” he says. I don’t know why but I’m so happy to hear this. I love my father and want to make him happy. “I am also currently working on my martial arts father, so in the coming days I may be busy, so if you need to inform me about anything, do so now” I say. Father looks surprised because I never had interest in learning the arts until now, but nonetheless, he continues, “Ah yes well you do that...oh there is a gathering happening in a few days for your mother’s return from overseeing the army control. So I hope you will attend, there will be be events such as martial arts tournament and archery and sword combat, to celebrate your mother’s return from where she was stationed, also I would be pleased to see how you progressed with your training if you don’t mind, and also these people here will attend, right?” He says noding to the stranger and Soo family, as they nod back a little disoriented it seems. “Yes of course I will attend if it’s for mother and I will compete. But aren’t we forgetting the main reason we are here, father?” I say, and father springs up surprising everyone, loudly says, “Oh yes! I completely forgot! The matter of marriage!” The guests look relieved we are back on topic, I suppose they felt awkward while we where chatting about personal issues, although the stranger looks unfazed, like he’s used to it. “So what shall you do Pearl? You say you won’t marry Li Soo so will you take this man’s proposal instead?” My father curiously asks. Everyone is looking at me now waiting for the answer they are waiting for, I speak, “Indeed I do not want to marry Li, but may I say, and forgive me for my bluntness, I do not have any idea who this man is” my father seems to remember that I he forgot to introduce him to me, and perks up. “Ah yes I forgot to say! This is King Andrew Qing, he rules over Europe and some of Eastern China” I’m speechless, and everyone else is too, I guess Soo didn’t know who they where talking to, neither did I. This man, standing in front of us, who can’t be older than 16, rules a whole continent?! Plus some of China?!?! I would have never guessed, he’s wearing commoner clothes and father is so casual to him! Interrupting everyone’s thoughts, he speaks up, “As future father-in-law says, I am Andrew Qing, I am 17 and am asking for permission to marry your daughter, Pearl” I guess I was wrong about him not being over 16...Everyone is stunned into silence, well except father, he’s over there sitting on his throne smiling and looking content, he wouldn’t force me to marry, but it seems like he likes ‘King Qing’ enough to accept him. Then I look to the Soo’s who are bowing there heads in shame for yelling in front of him, I tilt my head hoping to see a better view of their faces, at least they know they are only a noble family and cannot compete, but Li looks angry, even while his father is forcing him to keep his head down, it seems he won’t give up yet, how troublesome. Then I look at Andrew.

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