"What?" I asked Yoshi, who looked around for any eavesdroppers.

"Shhhh.... but I've heard him. It's only a hunch though." She said.

Something nasty? But what? I thought as I wondered about the worst case scenarios.

Suddenly an uneasy feeling started to pool down in my stomach. What might have happened back in Hoon's kingdom? I wondered. It's been nearly a week since I arrived, but I haven't received a single word from Hoon. Did something happen? Something bad? My head wondered.

"Yoshi... I should get going. First thing tomorrow." I suddenly said, forcing the words out of my lips.

"In a hurry? Is something wrong?" She asked, scanning my face.

"N-no, it's just that I've been away from his majesty for so long... that's why." I lied through my teeth.

She nodded flashing a sweet smile and told me to get a rest before I leave tomorrow. I thanked her and left towards my room, as horrible memories played in my mind.

"Joo said about some attacks going on... could it be?" I asked myself as I packed my things for tomorrow.

"I should head back as soon as possible. Hopefully before InHo." I continued as I plopped down on my bed.

****

My eyes snapped open as I stared at the ceiling. When did I start dozing off? What's the time? I wondered as I got up and headed to the door. As I placed my hand on the sliding door, the sound of a distance shouting and clanging of swords woke me up completely. What the.... I thought as I opened up the door just a crack.

The perfect word to describe what was happening would be 'chaos'. Guards were fighting, buildings were on fire and people were screaming. I remained in my room as I tried to figure out what exactly is happening. At around dawn, the shoutings decreased, and I poked my head out of the door. Just then, a strong pair of hands grabbed my shoulders and pulled me out of my room.

"Y-you traitor!!" The voice yelled as I felt a burning slap on my left cheek.

What in the world is happening? I looked up at the familiar emperors' faces whom I met yesterday.

"What is happening here?" I asked as I pulled my hand away from an iron grasp.

"You! How dare y-" the one who slapped me fumed, raising his hand again.

"Let her go, boys." I looked up to find Joo in front of us.

"Joo, w-" I said but I was cut off in the middle.

He tossed a broken arrow in front my feet. I looked at it confused when it's flag caught my eye. The flag of Hoon's kingdom... Oh no. I looked at Joo in a shocked expression.

"Did you know about this?" Joo asked me coldly.

"No." I answered confidently, since it was the truth.

"Liar " Joo murmured through gritted teeth.

Excuse me?

"You are banished. Don't ever show your face here again. ever." He said without even flinching.

"Joo, listen. This is a misunderstanding..." I tried to reason with him.

"And, tell your slaughter King to stay prepared." He said and motioned with his hand to the other emperors.

The others followed him inside in an instant. I felt tears blurring my vision. The unbearable ones slipped down my cheeks and landed on the ground below. I wiped them away and gathered up my stuff to leave. Thankfully I arrived to the stables without anyone noticing. I mounted my horse with my stuff. Suddenly a wave of sadness rushed over me and I scooped down the stable door and sat on the ground. Tears escaped me closed eyes as I let the sorrows slide down my cheeks.

"Princess Ran." I turned around to find Wook running to me.

Great. He was the last one I wanted to see when was banished and a crying mess.

"Hmm?" I hummed in order to hold back my tears.

"....I'm sorry pr-" He said but I cut him off.

I lifted myself off the floor and wrapped my arms around Wook's shoulders, trapping him in a huge hug. He hugged me back instantly, stroking my hair. This is what I needed. I thought. Comfort.

"I'm sorry about everything. But since I'm no longer welcome here, take care of yourself. Promise me, alright?" I said breaking the hug.

"Princess....." I looked at Wook's eyes, which were now filling with tears as well.

"Don't. Stay with Joo always. Alright?" I pleaded, my voice breaking.

He nodded but didn't say a word. I smiled at him, earning a sad smile from him.

"Take care princess." Wook said, his voice vibrating against my neck as he hugged me again.

"You too." I replied.

After persuading him to not see me off, I left the palace. Wook promised to send Miri home later, so I was glad. I made my horse run through the woods at full speed. Wiping my tears on the way, I headed towards Hoon's palace. After many hours of riding the horse, I wiped away my teary eyes to find myself deep In the woods.

"Hey, where did you bring me boy?" I asked my horse, who replied with a loud 'neigh!'

Of course, how could a horse answer me....

I climbed down and looked around and walked aimlessly across the trees.

"Dear, are you lost?" I was pulled back to reality when an elderly woman walked over to me.

"Yes. Most certainly." I answered as she chuckled softly.

"Follow me." She replied and I did.

We were deep inside in the woods so we had a chat until we made it to the village. I made up a cover for myself in order to not attract much attention.

"Dear, take a rest and leave tomorrow. It will get dark in few hours. You can stay at my place." She said kindly as I accepted the offer gladly.

My night was spent in a cozy cottage with the woman I met in the woods. Her cottage was lovely and simple, and I kept on wondering who she really was. After dinner I sat by her side, outside the cottage.

"Ma'am.." I was cut off by her.

"Ohana. Call me Ohana." She instucted, giving me a smile.

"Sorry for being rude, but your surroundings has made me very curious about who you are.." I trailed off, partly wishing that I wouldn't have asked that.

The woman gave out a hearty laugh.

"Your the first to notice dear. I've had many visitors but you are quite different." She beamed with pride.

"I used to be someone at the royal family." She answered.

What? Really!?

"I was a commoner to start with, but was married to a royal family. The palace life and my lover made me happy..." She continued after catching her breath.

"...But the world can be selfish. You probably know that by now. You must be from the palace, I can tell." She stated as I looked at her, shocked.

"H-how did you..." I asked in shock as she chuckled.

"Every move you make and your clothes tells me dear. But don't worry, I have no interest in knowing where you are from." She said, to my relief.

"The head of the man I loved was twisted by another wife of his. So, I had to run away when I got the chance. That's why I ended up here." She said shrugging.

"...I'm sorry." I said, involuntarily.

"Now now, it isn't your fault. Is it?" She smiled as I smiled back.

The exact words Ogum would say. I thought as I smiled to myself. I missed him terribly but I couldn't help it.

"Do you live alone, Ohana?" I asked her. 

"Yes dear..... I deserve it." She said, murmuring the last part under her breath.

"Nobody deserves to be alone." I said, casually.

"I am not a good woman. Wasn't a good child, wasn't a good lover, nor was I a good mother." She said, shaking her head sorrowfully.

Every word that escaped her lips were painted with pain, and I couldn't help but feel pity for her.

"Well none of us are perfect." I answered.

"A mother who leaves their child to starve in the street isn't a good mother, young lady! And that was who I really was." She said, sadness crossing her face.

Oh... so she really did do that. I thought to myself.

"I was nothing but a selfish brat then." She said sadly.

I sat there and looked at her silently. She continued to mumble to herself, and I noticed a tear streaming down her cheek. I squeezed her hand and opened my arms, and she hugged me in a tight embrace, letting the tears of pain escape her eyes.

"Let's go in. It's getting colder outside." I said as she nodded and we both walked inside hand in hand.

I helped her onto the bed in her room and as she started to mumble, I rested my gaze on the surroundings of the room. It was rather a simple room and I walked around it, examining the beautifully crafted pots and the fresh flowers which were stacked in the shelves. I reached her desk, where nothing much except some paperwork, scattered around. 

"Ohana, have you seen your child by any chance, after you left him?" I asked her curiously.

"Hmm.... that boy." She said with a chuckle.

"That boy was nothing like his father. He was always smiling and kind and caring. I haven't seen him since I left him alone, when he was at a around 2 or 3" She said, sitting up.

"Would you mind if I ask... why you ran away?" I asked hesitantly.

"A palace is a dangerous place. A queen is nothing more but a label to the people, showing royalty." She said.

"For my lover, The woman he loved and the one he had close to him were two different women. I was the lover, but a commoner wasn't a queen." She continued bitterly.

"The other queen hated me for that, so me and my child were at risk. That's why I ran away." She ended her story.

I was staring at her desk all the while she explained what happened. I noticed some pictures stacked away in the corner of the desk and I pulled them out after getting her permission.

"Wow.. I haven't looked at them for years." She said as she crawled over to my side.

I flipped through the painted pictures as she explained who they were. Time passed as we went through the pictures. Soon Ohana was dozing off and I tucked her in before leaving to my room. I'll be able to reach Hoon's kingdom by tomorrow noon. I thought as I slipped under the sheets. Sleep took over me shortly and I had a sound sleep that night.

********

I was dressing myself up the next morning, as Ohana poked her head through the door.

"Ready to leave?" She asked.

"Mm hmm..." I hummed as she pulled me out of the room.

"Rule number one : never leave with a empty stomach." She instucted as she dragged me to the table.

After a hearty breakfast, I was mounting my horse when I spotted Ohana leaving the house.

"Where are you headed to?" I asked her as she flashed a big smile.

"The market down the hill. Don't bother about me." She said as If she read my mind.

"No no. It's my pleasure." I said and told her to wait until I packed my things.

I ran inside to bring the remaining things when the pictures of the previous night caught my mind. I took them to my hand again and started to flip through them.

"Can't keep your hands off them, can you?" I turned around quickly to find her walking up to me, smiling.

After protesting for her statement, I flipped through the picture to find a painted portrait. My hands froze as I stared into it blankly.

"What's wrong? Oh.. This picture." She blushed slightly, taking it to her hand.

"I-is that..." I trailed off.

"That's me. When I was young. I don't look like that now at all right? Ah... those good old days..." She hummed as she handed me the picture again.

I remained standing where I was, holding the picture with a dumbfounded expression on my face. This is the exact same picture Ogum showed me. Could it be.... no I must be going crazy.

"Sweetie, are you alright?" Ohana asked me, her voice sounding concerned.

I'm imagining this right? This cannot possibly be....

"Child! Tell me!!" Ohana shook me impatiently.

"I-I may know..." my voice trailed away but I picked it back up.

"I may or may not know your child." I stated as she stopped shaking me.

Ohana's eyes grew big as she gripped my shoulders tighter.

"W-what?" She questioned me.

"Yes. I'm mostly certain." I said.

Could it really be? Or am I just seeing things....