Ha Noon's
CHAPTER 10: The Abandoned Princess
Ha Noon was able to see some feet that were spinning in his room, clearly looking for him.
“Where is he?”
“Maybe he's not here.”
“We have to find it.”
A few feet were out of the room, and Ha Noon waited until the sound of their footsteps moved away. Ha Noon had no idea what was really going on, but he should not be caught. Ha Noon slowly came out from under the bed, carefully watching around. She must find her brother, or Ka Min. He peeked out from the door of his room, and instantly he wanted to vomit inhaling the fishy air due to the pool of blood flowing in each corridor.
Ha Noon held his breath, and stepped out. Panicked, Ha Noon ran. Although the tip of her pajamas felt sticky due to the blood sticking up, Ha Noon forced her almost slipped leg to run as fast as possible to meet her brother. In every corridor he passed by, he would find soldiers who had already lost their lives and some servants with blood bubbling over. Ha Noon tried to suppress his fear and continued to look ahead.
Without lingering, Ha Noon instantly opened the big door of her brother's room, but her breathing faltered seeing the three soldier-clothed men standing in the middle of her brother's room. Ha Noon's pupils moved quickly, she did not find anyone she knew in the room, which meant her brother was nowhere to be.
“That's it!” exclaimed one of the soldiers, and Ha Noon immediately thought quickly, these three warriors were the soldiers who barged into his room, and the main culprits who had already killed the soldiers and servants along the corridor. Ha Noon didn't know why they had to catch him, but one thing was certain, he knew he had to run.
Ha Noon ran away as fast as leaving the doorway, and the three soldiers quickly caught up with him.
“Stop!” shouted one of the soldiers who was chasing him. Ha Noon did not turn his head at all, he sped up his pace. The soldier took an arrow from his back, and pointed it at Ha Noon.
“Don't kill him! We are only ordered to take him to the main hall!”
The soldier grimaced, then the tip of his arrow turned at Ha Noon's feet, intending to stop Ha Noon's footsteps. The arrow was released, and the sharp side of the arrow hit Ha Noon's skin and flesh to the point of being torn, making Ha Noon scream in pain and his steps shattered. Ha Noon fell down, and the three warriors accelerated their pace.
The soldier who released the arrow pulled Ha Noon's long hair, making the girl grimace in pain. “Don't do much, boy!”
“Who are you!? Basic traitor!”
“Shut up if you don't want my mouth ripped!”
“Let go of him!” The three warriors were wary of the shrill voice, and found Mom Suri pointing the sword towards them with trembling hands.
“Aibi..” whispered Ha Noon.
“Who is he? Just a waiter, it doesn't matter. Just kill it.”
“Do not!” ha Noon shouted with a trembling voice. “Don't, please don't..” the saltwater starts coming out of the tail of his eyes, leaving the three warriors flabbergasted for a moment.
One of the soldiers sighed and took a few steps forward, “I hate it with a crybaby boy. Hey old granny, we're not going to hurt her so put your sword down. We also don't want to kill you.”
The soldier who pulled Ha Noon's hair frowned, “Why won't we kill him?”
“There have been many servants that we killed, he will not be happy, leave some for the future, at least with a sufficient amount to serve and will not rebel. And,” the soldier glanced at the hand of his friend who pulled Ha Noon's hair, then looked at him sharply, “Get rid of your hand, that's why the woman could not be invited to negotiate.”
The soldier snorted in annoyance and took off Ha Noon's hair. With her injured leg, Ha Noon ran towards Mom Suri, and Mom Suri spontaneously removed the sword she was holding, catching Ha Noon in her arms.
“We will not hurt you if you want to obey and come with us.”
Mom Suri stared at them ferociously, “How dare I rule this royal princess? Basic traitor!”
“I told you we should kill him!”
The soldier in front spread his hands to hold his friend, “His leg is injured, are you going to leave it until infection?”
“It's not worth if you want us to follow you guys just to be killed.”
“Aibi... Just listen to them, I don't want aunt killed.”.
The soldier grinned, “Smart princess.”
Mom Suri gulped with a frown. Even if they had to die now or later, it made no difference. However, if he were to be killed here, there would not be the slightest chance for him to protect Ha Noon. He mustn't die here, he must ensure Ha Noon's safety first.
“I understand, Mr. Princess.” Mom Suri stood up, tightly grasping Ha Noon's hand.
“Our Account.” The three warriors started walking, and Mom Suri followed them while tightly grasping Ha Noon's hand.
***
Ha Gilyu's entire body trembled, her mouth was filled with an iron taste, her head was buzzing, and her vision was fading. Ha Gilyu's body lost its balance, her knees fell to the ground, and Ha Gungi who grasped the handle of the sword that pierced Ha Gilyu spontaneously caught Ha Gilyu's body and fell to the floor. Instantly, Ha Gungi's body was hot, his right hand tightly grasped Ha Gilyu's body, and his left hand grasping the sword broke out in cold sweat, his eyelashes trembled, and his chest somehow felt heavy.
Someone who had been watching their fight, standing in front of the rebels, frowned at Ha Gungi's behavior. He understood the feeling Ha Gungi was feeling, even though he was trying to resist it. Ha Gungi from the beginning had the unanimous decision to kill Ha Gilyu in order to gain the throne. He was even willing to play around attentively with his bangs for the sake of gaining his trust. However, when his nephew's blood actually came out of his own sword, the man knew that Ha Gungi regretted it a little.
“Kakak!”
Ha Gilyu's eyelashes shot up, and her pupils shrank looking at Ha Noon with tears flooding her face.
“Kakak!” Ha Noon forced his legs to run, but one of the soldiers restrained his body. “Sister! Brother!”
Ha Gungi's eyes narrowed, he re-established his defense, not wanting any regrets in his decision. He pulled his sword from Ha Gilyu's body, making Ha Gilyu again spit out a pile of blood. “You're over,” whispered to Ha Gilyu.
Ha Gungi stood up, and fear enveloped Ha Gilyu looking at his sister, his trembling hands pulling Ha Gungi's robe, making Ha Gungi stop stepping.
“Uncle..”
Ha Gungi's eyes widened upon hearing this call, making his defense crack. He glanced at Ha Gilyu, finding fear in his eyes when looking at his sister. He took a deep breath to try to reorganize his defense. Ha Gungi grinned, “What's up? You have a last request?”
“True, I have last request.” Ha Gilyu raised her head, and looked at Ha Gungi with tears in her eyes, “Let Ha Noon live, please.” she said in a quivering voice, “Treat her like a princess, Treat her like a princess, she's just a princess. Let her be a princess of the Anthropon Kingdom, please.”.
Ha Gungi looked at Ha Gilyu with a dark face, a faint grin on his face. For a while, he just kept quiet, until he finally opened his voice, “I understand. I will honor your last wish.”
Ha Gilyu released her grasp and her body fell on the cold floor. The golden crown that adorned his head rolled.
Ha Gungi looked at Ha Noon who did not stop crying, “Let go of him.”
The soldier released Ha Noon's hand, and Ha Noon immediately ran over to Ha Gilyu. “Sister! Brother, hik... no... don't..” Ha Noon can't speak properly because of the sobs that befall the tempo of his breath.
Ha Gilyu forced her smile, her blood-filled hand raised to touch Ha Noon's head, pulled her very close and whispered so that no one could listen to them, “Ha Noon, listen to me. This... is not over.”
Ha Noon does not listen to Ha Gilyu at all, he just wants his brother to stay, “Kakak, do not leave me, hik..
Ha Noon nodded his head with tears that did not stop falling.
Ha Gilyu raised the tip of her lips wider, “Smart daughter.” Ha Gilyu's eyes slowly closed, and her chest stopped moving. Ha Noon's cry broke out, she tightly hugged her brother's slowly cooling body. “Aaahhhhhhh!!!!! Haaaaaahhhh!!!”
Ha Gungi pressed his nails on his palm, trying to shift the scene, “Come go.” Ha Gungi walked out of the main hall followed by all his soldiers. One of the men who did not wear a warrior uniform stayed away and took Ha Gilyu's crown, then went after Ha Gungi and the other soldiers.
Mom Suri slowly stepped forward, climbing the stairs, her tears constantly flowing looking at her son's corpse. “Hik...” His wrinkled hands slowly rubbed his son's pale face. Mom Suri turned around and looked at Ha Noon who did not release Ha Gilyu's body, drowning her face in Ha Gilyu's body with a sinking cry. “Kakak..”.
***
Ha Yunji ran with all his might, passing the corpses of soldiers and servants lying along the corridor. His eyes found two soldiers preparing to attack towards him. Gim Hanji swiftly preceded Ha Yunji, pulled out his sword and attacked the two soldiers until they both fell. Ha Yunji continued to run until his heart was pounding more and more to see a door at the end of the corridor. Han Yunji opened the door with a face full of cold sweat, “Jia!”
Gim Hanji quickly lit up the light throughout the room. Ha Yunji's heart was pounding the sooner he saw Ningling Jia was not in his bed. Ha Yunji continued to search, and his eyes opened wide to see his wife lying helplessly on the floor with blood on her chest. “Jia!” Ha Yunji quickly raised his wife's body, but Ningling Jia was already no longer breathing. Ha Yunji's tears swiftly flowed while hugging his wife's lifeless body.
Gim Hanji lowered his head full of sorrow.
A few footsteps approaching rang out, Gim Hanji swiftly drew his sword and pointed it at the door.
“Is Yunji here?”
Gim Yunji who was sitting beside the bed could not see who was coming, but he was very familiar with her voice.
Gim Hanji put on a furious expression, and stepped forward to attack Ha Gungi, “Traitor!”
However, the man who was not wearing a warrior uniform was faster, he pulled one of the warrior swords and resisted Gim Hanji's attack, subduing him.
Ha Gungi glanced at the subdued Gim Yunji, “Don't kill him, he will come in handy.”
The man nodded, “I understand.” The man stood up and another soldier replaced him holding Gim Hanji back.
Ha Gungi continued his steps, and stopped in front of Ha Yunji, looking at his older brother who was hugging his wife's pale corpse with a dark face. “Sorry Brother, I can't seem to let you go on your honeymoon with your wife. I mean, there's no way I'd let it go after I did something inappropriate, right?” Ha Gungi bowed his gaze to the crown of Ha Gilyu which he held with fresh blood flowing in his hand and the crown.
Ha Yunji's eyes widened, his pupils shook, “Gilyu... Not likely... Gilyu..” Ha Yunji's voice grew increasingly trembling and silent, the pain in his chest getting more and more piercing.
“I told him to stay in the library and study politics, but he insisted on holding a gun.”
“How can you do this!? It doesn't matter if you want to kill me, but how can you kill your own nephew!?”
Ha Gungi grinned, “I could even kill my own mother, how could I not kill a nephew?”
Ha Yunji flabbergasted.
“You yourself said that I killed him, ‘kan, Brother?”
Ha Yunji's eyelashes shook, his head bowed, “You hate me so much, huh? Why don't you just say it?” Ha Yunji's head was lifted again, “Why do you have to kill my son and wife!? Why do you have to destroy this kingdom because of your hatred!?”
“If I just kill you, then your son will kill me. Therefore, I must obtain the throne. I just want to stop that chain of grudges by destroying everything.” Ha Gungi stepped forward while pulling his sword, “Not to worry, I let one of your children live, she will still be the princess of this kingdom. Rest in peace.” Without giving a chance, Ha Gungi slashed Ha Yunji's neck until his pulse was cut off.
***
The whole people started a riot in the morning, they flocked to enter the palace. All the ministers, the remaining generals, and the court gathered in front of the courthouse. Rumors of a traitor have spread throughout the kingdom, and this morning there will be a punishment for the traitor after killing the entire royal family and leaving only Ha Noon's daughter.
“Isn't he the King's loyal soldier? I can't believe he's a traitor.”
“Unbelievable, how could he finish off the entire royal family? Very cruel.”
On the execution stage, Gim Hanji lowered his head weakly with his head ready to be beheaded. An executioner on stage humming sharpened his execution sword. A judge came up the stage with a paper in his hand, superiorly facing all the people who had been waiting.
“Traitor Gim Hanji will be executed for killing the entire royal family and leaving only Princess Ha Noon the night before the coronation. The traitor Gim Hanji is known to corrupt military funds and use them for his own benefit along with his three sons!”
“That's a lie!” The magistrate's speech was stopped by the loud voice of the boy who broke through the people. Gim Hanji raised his head with his eyebrows linked to hearing that very familiar voice. The whole people turned their heads and found a boy who ran through the dividing line, but swiftly the soldiers who were standing guard against him. Gym Gon with a wrinkled face shouted, “Dad is not a traitor! He's a liar!”
“Gim Gon!” shouted Gim Gam who was trying to grab Gim Gon, but the other soldiers held him back. Gim Jun stood behind them staring nanar at their father who was just staring at them with tears in his eyes.
“That's his son?”
“What a pity, he became a victim of his father's deeds.”
The entire populace began to whisper, and the judge did not want this execution to be interrupted. “Ekhem! As we can see, his three sons are very small and the oldest is only 15 years old. These three children, became victims of the cruelty of their parents. Therefore, the court could not let a parent like this stay alive and teach their child bad things!”
“No! Dad is innocent! He's not a traitor!” gim Gon's yell that increasingly caused tremors in his voice, made all the people feel more sorry for him.
The judge again read the paper in his hand, ignoring Gim Gon who was trying to escape from the soldiers, “Our dear Crown Prince, the late Ha Gilyu, discovered this fact and intended to tell the previous king. However, this ruthless traitor instead killed the entire royal family impulsively! Fortunately, General Ha came in time to save Princess Ha Noon.” The judge glanced at Ha Noon, making the people also look at Ha Noon with pity. Ha Noon bowed next to Ha Gungi with clenched hands, making all the people speculate the hatred and disappointment in Ha Noon's heart towards this warrior who was known to be very loyal.
“Traitor Gym Hanji, will get the punishment worth it!” The judge rolled back the paper in his hand and looked at the executioner who had prepared with his execution sword, “Please start the execution.”
The executioner with his entire head covered nodded and started walking closer to Gim Hanji. Gon's game is increasingly hysterical, and the tears that pool can no longer be held back.
“No! Don't kill dad! He's not a traitor!” The entire populace whispered more and more in sympathy when they heard the cry. Gim Gon turned to Ha Noon, “Ha Noon!”
Ha Noon with an exploding heart raised his head, his reddened eyes staring at the face of Gim Gon who was flooded with tears.
“This is not true, ‘kan? Dad's not a traitor, ‘kan!? Tell them he's not a traitor! DADDY CAN'T BE A TRAITOR!”
Every sentence that Gim Gon shouted pierced through Ha Noon's heart, his gaze was filled with salt water, his chest felt tight, his breathing faltered in his throat.
“Gim Gon!” Gim Gam could not bear this heart-wrenching cry, he tried to rid himself of the soldiers to pull Gim Gon, but it did not work. In his heart, he did not believe the betrayal his father had committed, but he could do nothing with the judge's decision. To all the people here, they were only holy children who were victims of the crimes of their parents.
“AYAH IS NOT A TRAITOR!”
Ha Gungi's hand perched on Ha Noon's shoulder tightened his grip, making Ha Noon not dare to make a sound, but he did not dare to switch from Gim Gon.
The judge was agitated by Gim Gon's shout, he was afraid that this sympathy would destroy the execution, and made him act impulsively by shouting, “Kill TRAITOR! KILL TRAITOR!” Instantly, the sympathy of the people turned to enthusiasm, and they began to raise their left fist, “KILL TRAITOR! KILL TRAITOR!”
Gim Gon felt scared by this shout, “No! NO!”
Those crazy cries fused in Ha Noon's ears, making him not dare to take his eyes off. Gim Hanji did not care about the shout, his eyes staring straight at Gim Jun's pupils who were only staring at him the entire time. The sword lifted, and its sharp side prepared to behead Gim Hanji. Instantly, a glimmer of hope shone in his eyes, both corners of his lips lifted up, making Gim Jun's feeling as if he was being pierced by a message. The execution sword fell, and quickly split the veins, flesh, and bones in Gim Hanji's neck.
