King Il was a ruler who was known to be a coward, one who avoided conflict at all costs, unlike his older brother Yu-hon, the fearless warrior who lead armies into fervent flurries of war. Avoiding battle did not mean all was at peace. Il met often with rulers of neighbouring countries, offering them trades and promises to ensure that no potential conflict would arise. Many diplomats and royalty came in and out of Hiryuu Castle, taking bits of Kouka back with them just so that Il could gradually attain a utopian empire he dreamt of. The efficacy of his decisions would be contested throughout his reign, but this meant little to nothing to his only daughter.
Princess Yona is young. Having just become a teenager, there are many things that flock in her mind, many things that she is becoming aware of. She’s beginning to differentiate types of affection she feels. She knows she loves Soo-won, that Hak is mostly annoying but bearable, but rarely-- and that Kang Tae-jun is someone that drives her furious and often gets her upset. She knows she loves jewelry and the most expensive of silks, she loves the idea of makeup, but isn’t quite used to it. Princess Yona is learning, she has her head held high, she might not be that great at some (like playing the erhu, court dancing, remembering her lessons), but she’d like to think she’s doing pretty good.
Unfortunately, she is still naive. Princess Yona doesn’t understand the true meaning behind the coming and going of all these people through the castle walls, it’s the least of her priorities (at the moment, at her age). Instead, Princess Yona follows behind her father nonetheless, peering from behind his shoulder, trying to see who has come by the castle today. Usually they’re older men, men that are around her father’s age-- and are never accompanied by their wives. They often are with their guards and retainers, and if there was someone that was around her age who did come along-- it was usually the crown prince of whichever country from wherever. Where was the fun in that! Where were the other princesses?
Frankly, being surrounded by boys was exhausting. Growing up alongside Hak and Soo-won was fun, they always were more than happy to play along with her, but when the two would run along and spar, her Father would often pull her away, to watch at the side. She wanted to have fun too! Where was the fun for the Princess!
You can only imagine how ecstatic Princess Yona was when she sees another young girl, probably a little bit older than she, behind the man that her Father promptly greets. Yona can feel excitement race through her veins, words getting caught in her throat, she wants to say something, she wants to ask so much, she wants to introduce herself-- she wants to know who this girl is!
When her Father gestures her with his hand, Yona is quick to jump from where she was, bowing curtly, not letting her Father finish as she rushes forward.
“I’m Princess Yona! Who are you? I don’t think I’ve seen you before, is this your first time here?” She’s quick to speak, her Father is prying her to slow down, but she’s far too excited. “We shouldn’t stay with them for too long, you know. All they’ll do is talk about boring things, come, come with me! Let’s get some tea and desserts!” She’s already gesturing the other girl forward, with a bright grin adorning her features. Blinded by the mere fact that another girl had come by, Princess Yona doesn’t even consider that the other might not even be willing.
“That should be alright, right Father?” Offering the King her best glassy eyed look and pouted lips, she can barely contain all the thoughts and excitement going through her mind and body. “I can show her around the castle too! You’ll let me do that, right?”
She glances back to the other girl, eyes scanning her briefly, before smiling
