The Hwarangs were all conversing amongst themselves when Master Hwi Wa yelled at them to keep quiet, turning their attention to their teacher they waited for his announcement.
"Today a special visitor will be coming here at Hwarang House, now I expect all of you to behave accordingly,"
Master Hwi Wa observes each Hwarang as he continues speaking,
"This person is someone very important and as Silla's future warriors, you will be representing our nation. So she shall be treated with respect, for she will also be the one teaching you by the order of the queen"
Murmurs of curiosity were heard, hearing that a woman will be teaching them.
However,6 Hwarang remained silent as they watched their peers shouting their thoughts on the matter.
"Do you think she is here to look for a husband?"
"Maybe I have a chance!"
"Ha, I'll be able to sweep her off her feet before you could be able to come near her"
Jidwi tsked, "Are they that desperate for woman interaction that they forget this woman can come from a family of Sacred Bones? "
Soo ho looks around,
"But do you agree with them? If she is a sacred bone then do you think she is here because she is looking for a King perhaps? To rule beside her"
"What a common question for someone who has history with having more than one woman at the same time" Banryu says rolling his eyes at his peer
"Its not my fault they couldn't resist my charm" Soo ho says gesturing to his face
"What charm?" Yeo Wol says raising one of his eyebrow as he fans himself.
○●○●○
The Hwarangs started chatting with each other loudly before getting interrupted by their teacher again.
"SILENCE" Master Hwi Wa shouts as a lady approaches from behind,before walking to his side to look at each Hwarang carefully.
Her eyes immediately caught sight of 'Jidwi' who looked straight back at her. As a sense of familiarity sets in she turns to face Master Hwi Wa, waiting for him to introduce her.
"Hwarang this is your new instructor, Crown Princess Hsin Yi of the Wang Dynasty" he says gesturing for her to step forward
Hsin Yi smiles under her mask at the Hwarangs who were looking at her with curiosity
"Annyeasayo, Hwarang I'm happy to be working with you. Now while I am here in Hwarang house as your teacher, I want you to set the formalities aside and just call me Hsin Yi-ssi as your 'bone rank' system does not exist within these walls.
In my teachings I ask nothing more but your respect not because I am of royal heritage, but because I am your teacher"
The Hwarangs look at each other before looking back up to Hsin Yi and Hwi Wa
"I will now be leaving, I wish you luck on your lessons" Hwi Wa bows before leaving with a big smile on his face for having his lessons get taken care of.
•~•~•~•
The Hwarangs were all amazed by the beauty the eyes of their new instructor held, of course not being able to see the rest of her face.
Murmurs of different reasons flew around the men as they stare at the masked woman.
However one Hwarang was focused on staring at the woman for a different reason.
"Sam Maekjong!!Aniyo, let me go!!"
"Hsin Yi-ah!!"
Recognition washes through his face, 'Even after years, she still keeps her face hidden,'
Jidwi shakes his head to clear his thoughts before focusing back on what Hsin Yi was saying.
After all the activities were done, it was already sunset as Hsin Yi decides to dismiss them for the rest of the evening.
----
Having been dismissed for the remainder of the day, Jidwi decided to roam by the river pondering about a certain physician that he has grown fond of.
Having been so lost in thought he didn't notice the woman approaching him from his spot beside the river,"Penny for your thoughts?"
Looking up he is met with the familiar green eyes of his former best friend. He chuckles looking down before looking back at her who has now taken a seat beside him. "Your highness, I didn't expect to find you here" he says looking to the rushing river
She chuckles,
"Well this place is where I can think without the disturbance of talking and shouting men" she smiles at him though he can't see.
She observes his face as he starts to get lost in thought once again
"Do you know the story of the faceless king?" He asks as he continues his train of thought
She hums, "I know of the story, and I knew the King and it is safe to say that i know more about him than his own mother."
He stares at her,
"What do you make of him?"
"The same as I did a long time ago...the person I can count on in any situation, the person I have always believed in, the person I never lost faith in, and my best friend... When the time comes, when he has reclaimed the throne I will stand by his side supporting his every decision " She laughs bitterly as tears begin building up in her eyes
He looks at her in sadness and regret, 'Hsin Yi-ssi if only you knew that I am sitting right beside you, will you forgive me for the years that I wasn't by your side? Will you forgive me for not fighting more for our friendship? Will you forgive me for the lies I will be telling you? Most importantly...will you be able to forgive me for breaking our promise?'
"I am sorry for that your highness" he says putting a comforting hand on her shoulder
She wipes her eyes before looking back at him and laughing softly, "We have been talking for quite some time now and yet, I haven't gotten your name" she says holding out her hand for him to shake
"You can call me...Jidwi" he says but instead of shaking her hand, he takes it and placing a gentle kiss on the top of it as he stares into her eyes making Hsin Yi turn a light shade of pink.
"Well Jidwi it seems like we are needed to go back now," Hsin Yi stands up and dusts her self off before offering a hand to her companion.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Jidwi"
"The pleasure is all mine, your highness"
"Please, call me Hsin Yi"
"Then it is my pleasure, Hsin Yi"
They walk back in enjoying the silence and presence of one another. As the sky starts turning dark and sun sets on the horizon, the bond of their friendship is restored without their knowledge.