“Fate”

There was a happy and abundant village in Silla named Gyeongju. Gyeongju is the capital of Silla, one
of the Three Kingdoms of the Korea along with Goguryeo and Baekje. The monarch was led by a mighty royal
clan, the Yi family. The royals are loved by the people because of their loving nature towards their fellowmen.
They never treat their people as lower ranks, rather, they are treated as one of the communities who are unified
by their peaceful and loving nature. The head of the family was known to be strict in nature. He wants the
kingdom to be as peaceful as it could be and had always been against to war. He, the last heir left of his clan,
the King of Silla, Yi Wi-hwa ( 이위화). He led the people of Silla together with his beloved wife, Queen Ji-so ( 여
왕 지 소 ). They had three children and was never able to bear a child again. The eldest child was known to be
strikingly handsome and has always been good at everything he does, the rightful heir, Yi Sun Woo ( 이 선우 ).
The second son was known to be an innocent and charming musician who was always seen in the city, having
fun with his commoner friends, Yi Han Sung ( 이한성 ). The last but definitely not the least, the only daughter of
the Yi clan, the most brilliant among them all, an adventurer, curious and cheerful being with a straightforward
personality, Yi Ah-ro ( 이 아로 ). Together, they lead the kingdom of Silla in the most harmonious and peaceful
way. One day, while the family was having their meal, one of the ministers arrived and whispered a news to
King Wi-hwa. He nodded and said, “Do what you must do even if it involves ruthless man-hunt. It must be
done as early as possible, Lord Kim. The festival is fast approaching and we must not allow intruders to
assassinate our kingdom again.” The minister known as Lord Kim bowed and went out of the room. Baffled by
the sudden news, Ah-ro, the youngest, didn’t hesitate to ask his father even before her mother and siblings can
say a word. “Abeonim, what’s with the sudden man-hunt? Did someone passed through the border again?” she
asked. Sun Woo scoffed and said, “Ah-ro, princesses don’t meddle with this kind of situation. All you’re going
to do is you must stay home and keep our people safe.” King Wi-hwa agreed to Sun Woo and said, “Stay home,
Ah-ro and you too, Han Sung. I must go now. Thank you for the meal.” Before King Wi-hwa was able to stand,
Ah-ro grinned and jumped out of her seat, “I must go, too! Abeonim, Eomonim, Oppa, annyeong!” Ah-ro fled
out of their sight even before they can say a word. All they can ever do is shook their heads as if they were not
surprised of what Ah-ro just did. Ah-ro, on the other hand, went to the city and searched for her best friend, Lee
Da-in ( 이다인 ), to deliver the exciting news. Amidst the very busy streets, Ah-ro shouted Da-in’s name and she
appeared at her sight like a lightning. They giggled and shove themselves out of the crowded streets. Ah-ro
couldn’t wait to deliver her news and said, “ 다 인 아 , did you know that someone has slip through the border
again? Ha! What a fool! But you know what? I’d—,” before she was able to finish her sentence, Da-in stopped
her midway and retorted, “ 야 ! Don’t you even think of that! 아 니 ! DON’T YOU EVEN TRY THINKING
ABOUT THAT! I know you, Ah-ro! You shouldn’t meddle with this kind of stuff! You know? We are guarded
with our mighty Hwarangs! So, stop! Look and listen! Don’t! 알았어 ?” Ah-ro just frowned at what Da-ni said.
She realized that she had, somehow, have a point. But Ah-ro just couldn’t stay seated and so she left Da-in
alone who was busy helping out the people decorating for the upcoming festival. Da-in just sighed as she saw
Ah-ro slowly faded away of her sight, knowing what she’s really up to. Meanwhile, on the other side of the
village, a wounded man knocked at the door of a physician known as Lord Lee Ahn-ji ( 이안지 ) and passed out.
As soon as he woke up, his body was covered in plasters and generally, herbal medicines. When Lord Ahn-ji
entered the room where the man was laying down, he immediately ran towards his side as the man was
struggling to sit on his own. “Stop hurting yourself and just lay down,” he said to the man. Lord Ahn-ji couldn’t
help but wonder as to why and how he ended up having those wounds and what and who did wrong to him.
Little did he know, the man has caught him multiple times glancing at him and said, “Are you going to
surrender me to the palace if I tell you I am the person they are looking for? Or are you going to keep me here
and ask me about your son?” Surprised by what the man has said, Lord Ahn-ji couldn’t help but sat and shut his
mouth close. The man continued, “I am Kim Ji-dwi ( 김 지 뒤 ) and your son, Sun-woo was a good friend. We
travelled across Goguryeo to Silla to find you but he was killed. He was killed by someone I didn’t saw.” Ji-dwi
clenched his fist as he recalled how Sun-woo was beheaded by a man with a cross earing and was riding a white
beautiful horse. Lord Ahn-ji, who was aware of the fact that Ji-dwi might also die if the Hwarangs will see him
and so, he came to a decision. Days passed and Ji-dwi got a lot better. Lord Ahn-ji, on the other hand, wanted to
say his farewell to his son and asked Ji-dwi to take him to where he buried Sun-woo. On their way to the forest,
they heard a woman’s voice and stopped midway. Ji-dwi slowly hid himself as what Lord Ahn-ji instructed and
waited ‘til the voice fade out. Out of nowhere, Ah-ro jumped in front of Lord Ahn-ji and said, “What are you
doing here, abeoji? Haven’t you heard of the man who slipped his way through the border? Tsk tsk! Today is
not a great day to wander around, right?” Lord Ahn-ji regained his composure and looked at Ji-dwi, yet he
couldn’t find him. He panicked and wander his eyes around. Ah-ro also wandered her eyes around as if she’s
also looking for someone. “Are you looking for someone, abeoji? You were alone when I saw you. Are you,
perhaps, with Da-in?” she asked and scratched her head. De-stressed by what Ah-ro said, Lord Ahn-ji looked at
at Ah-ro and just smiled. He waved her good bye and went straight home. Ah-ro, who was left confused, just
shrugged it off and continue wandering the forest. As she reached the end, she noticed a man sitting beside a
tomb made of layered rocks. She walked straight to him and pat his back. He looked at her and asked, "Who are
you!?" Baffled, Ah-ro slowly walked backwards. As she was about to ran off, the man grabbed his arms and
shouted, "Where did you get this earing!? Who gave it to you!? Tell me! Where did you got this!?" Ah-ro
panicked and didn't knew what to do. Instead of answering him, she kicked him right to his knee and ran off.
Ah-ro ran as fast as she could until he bumped into Lord Ahn-ji who was about to go back to the forest.
"Abeoji, someone grabbed me from the forest! He... h-he asked me about my earing and his eyes were so mad!
Abeojiiii!!!" Ah-ro wailed as she hid behind Lord Ahn-ji’s back. As soon as he calmed Ah-ro, Ji-dwi arrived
and saw them. Ah-ro pointed out Ji-dwi and told Lord Ahn-ji that he was that person who grabbed her in the
forest. "You! Tell me wh--" Lord Ahn-ji stopped Ji-dwi from grabbing Ah-ro again and said, "She's Princess Yi
Ah-ro, the youngest and the only daughter of the King Yi Wi-hwa.” Lord Ahn-ji gave Ji-dwi the look and he
immediately got the message. Ah-ro, on the other hand, was confused and asked if they knew each other since
he was able to calm him down. “He was… he’s my son whom I sent to Syeobeul to study medicine however, he
didn’t like the idea and so, he went home and will be staying here… for good,” he explained. As soon as Ah-ro
calmed herself. She went home and went straight to bed. She still couldn’t take Ji-dwi off of her head as she
was curious on why he behaved like that towards her and her…earring!? With that in her mind, Ah-ro fell
asleep. The next day, Ah-ro was about to went out when she heard the conversation of her dad and Lord Kim.
She was eavesdropping when her brother, Han Sung, pinched her ears and dragged her away from the hallway.
“You shouldn’t really take interest in those things, you wench! How many times should we tell you that, huh!?
Aigoo, what an idiot,” Han Sung lecturing Ah-ro. She just rolled her eyes away from him and went straight
ahead of the newly opened shop in the city. As soon as she went inside, Ji-dwi caught her attention and sat
across him when Da-in sat beside her, drunk, and said, “야! 아로야! He dumped me! Ban-ryu dumped me!” Da-in
wailed in distress. Ah-ro and Ji-dwi glanced at each other at the same time and looked away as soon as their
eyes met. They stayed there for a couple of hours until Ji-dwi decided to carry Da-in in his back and walked out
of the store with Ah-ro. On their way home, no one said a word until Ah-ro annoyingly asked Ji-dwi about his
attitude towards her. However, he didn’t even bother to say a word and continue walking. Ah-ro just stomped
her feet out of anger and walked five steps ahead. When they reached Lord Ahn-ji’s house, Ah-ro waved good
bye to Da-in who’s now sober and turned back. “ 미안. That was inappropriate. 정말 미안해,” Ji-dwi said and went
straight to Lord Ahn-ji who was fixing Da-in’s bed. Ah-ro smiled widely as she was so pleased. She went
straight home and went to bed. The next day, the day of the Moon Festival, has arrived. The people are busy as
well as the streets. Ah-ro was wandering the busy streets when she saw Ji-dwi. She immediately walked
alongside him and grabbed him by his hands towards the little bridge where a lot of performers are getting
ready for the day. The parade has started and the royal family was already inside the chariot. However, only
King Wi-hwa, Queen Ji-so and Sun woo are inside it. Ji-dwi, then, asked Ah-ro why she didn’t join her family
for the parade. She answered, “나는 단지 원하지 않았다. You know, sometimes, it feels so good breaking the rules.”
Ji-dwi just laugh at Ah-ro and watched the parade. While they were enjoying the performances, one person
caught Ji-dwi's attention. He was wearing the cross earring on his left ear and had a mole on his lower lip, just
as what he saw. The scene where Sun woo was beheaded reeled like a movie on Ji-dwi's mind and he was
angered by it. Ji-dwi was ready to jump right into the scene when Ah-ro dragged him out of the crowd. He tried
to resist but Ah-ro was strong enough to drag him to the small carnival on the other side of the street. Ji-dwi,
who was devastated, ran away as soon as Ah-ro let go of his arm. He went back to the parade but to his dismay,
the person who he was looking for was far away from him. He tried slipping through the crowd however,
someone grabbed him from behind and dragged him out of the crowd. "Are you out of your mind!? Planning to
attack at this rate!? Are you planning a suicide!? Use your mind, Ji-dwi, your mind! I know how upset you are
but this is not the right time!" said the man who grabbed him. Ji-dwi retorted, "I wouldn't know if I'm still alive
tomorrow nor later so I can't afford to lose my only chance to get my revenge for Sun woo, Mr. Kim Ahn-ji!"
Lord Ahn-ji let go of Ji-dwi and said, "Then go ahead and get yourself killed, too. With the number of
Hwarangs present in that parade, I can assure you, you'll be dead even before you can lay a finger to that person
you want dead." He then walked away from Ji-dwi. Ji-dwi, on the other hand, came to deep realization and just
agreed to what Lord Ahn-ji has said. He went back to the busy streets and stayed in the cafe, overlooking that
grandiose parade. He was at peace when suddenly, Ah-ro jumped out in front on him, ragged by his sudden
absence in the carnival. " 야 ! I couldn't believe you left me there standing alone!! How dare you ditch me in the
middle of the day!? Huh? Are you thinking so high of yourself tha--" Ju-dwi pulled Ah-ro down to sit on his
side? He looked at her and said, "Just enjoy the view. I might spare you if you keep your mouth shut." Ah-ro
just frowned and munched the foods in front of her. They stayed in the cafe until the evening when. Ah-ro has
been constantly talking about her life and basically, everything about the village while Ji-dwi just sat there and
didn't even bother to say a word. The word has spread that the fireworks are about to begin and so Ah-ro
dragged Ji-dwi so they can watch near the riverbanks. It has already started and Ah-ro was in awe while Ji-dwi
was staring at her. When the fireworks came to end, everyone started to went home, as well as Ah-ro. Ji-dwi
offered to walk her home and so they did. When they reached the palace, Ji-dwi was about to turn around
however, Ah-ro grabbed his arms and said, " 고 마 워 ! It's been a while since I've seen those stupid little flying
colorful things in the skies." Ji-dwi just nodded his head. Ah-ro just frowned at his response and stomped her
feet away from and went inside the palace. Ji-dwi then recalled the person who had the cross earring and looked
at the palace with his fist clenched. The next morning, Ah-ro sat near the pond and was feeding the fishes when
Han Sung arrived. Han Sung had this meaningful smile in him that annoyed Ah-ro and she said, " 야 ! What is it
again, huh!? Don't you even smile at me like that and pretend to not delay your annoying mouth to talk!
SPILL!!" Han Sung, still grinning, sat beside Ah-ro and pinched her ears and said, "You like him, don't you?
The way you scolded him for ditching you made me conclude that you do." Angered, Ah-ro threw the fish food
at him and retorted, "I don't! How can I like a conceited, no gentleman, overbearing man like him!? ANSWER
ME OR I'LL CHOKE YOU TO DEATH!" Han Sung just scoffed and stood. Perhaps he knew that the next
words he'll say will end up his life. "Well, then, as you said. But me, I know for a fact that you like him. 안녕 !"
he said and ran away from Ah-ro who turned red and chased Han Sung. As days go by, Ah-ro and Ji-dwi
became closer and closer for an unknown reason. They often go out together or often times, a little more often
than the usual often, go out with Da-in. And so, unknowingly, they were both hit by Cupid's arrow. From a fun
day, Ji-dwi and Da-in walked Ah-ro home. Both glancing to each other, Ji-dwi secretly held Ah-ro's hands and
when Da-in turns around, they let go of each other’s hands. So, basically, Ji-dwi and Ah-ro walked together
however, Da-in insisted to be in middle. Fortunately, they were able to walk across Ban-ryu and so Da-in
shrieked. Ban-ryu, who saw Da-in, ran off as he knew that she'd do something foolish again. With that, Ji-dwi
and Ah-ro were left alone. They seized the "few steps" before saying their good bye. Everything fell into silence
as they both didn't knew what to say nor do. When Ji-dwi turned around, Ah-ro spoke and said, " 좋아해! 안니! 난
네가 많이 좋아 ." Before he was even able to turn back to Ah-ro, she was able to fled inside the palace. Ji-dwi just
smiled and went straight home. The next morning, while the family were having their meal, King Wi-hwa
looked at Ah-ro, "Ah-ro, Prince Pi Hwi-kyung will arrive here at 8. I want you to accommodate him and have
your marriage set to finalization." Ah-ro, who looked shocked, retorted, “But abeonim! I already told you I’m
not marrying that wench!” King Wi-hwa, who was angered by Ah-ro’s attitude, slammed both his hands to the
table, “When I say you marry him, you marry him. No more buts Ah-ro! This is our only chance to put to safe
our people!” Ah-ro walked out of the dining hall and went to the garden where Han Sung was staying silently.
Feeling the excitement, Han Sung then started teasing Ah-ro. “ 좋아해 ! 안니 ! 난 네가 많이 좋아 ,” Han Sung said
mockingly. Ah-ro looked at him and started crying. Han Sung’s laugh didn’t last long as he witnessed his sister
cried helplessly. Ah-ro then told him about the marriage fixed for her even before she born. Han Sung can do
nothing since doesn’t have the power to retort. He calmed Ah-ro and planned to take her place in planning the
marriage. Ah-ro went straight to the café where she often sees Ji-dwi, and there he was, sitting on the corner of
the room, as usual. She went straight to him and grabbed his hands and went straight to a motel. Ji-dwi, who
didn’t know what was happening, stopped walking. He asked Ah-ro as to what this commotion was all about
but Ah-ro didn’t say a word and continued pulling him inside a room. She then pulled out a drink hidden under
her hanbok and drank it all at once. Ji-dwi just sat there and didn’t know what to do. Ah-ro then stripped herself
until she’s only left with her underwear and said, “Get me pregnant now, Ji-dwi! 제 발 ! I don’t want to get
married to Hwi-kyung, that wench! Get me pregnant now and maybe… maybe they’ll stop the wedding and get
us married instead! 제 발 , 지 뒤 아 ! Just do as I say!!” Ah-ro tried stripping Ji-dwi but he just stopped her. He
hugged her and calmed her down. When she was a lot calmer than what she used to, he talked to her while
kneeling and said, “This is not the solution to your problem, Ah-ro. Okay, let’s put it this way. What if I’ll
really put a baby in you, how sure are you that they will let us have the marriage that you want? Let us just calm
ourselves first and think.” They stayed there for a couple of hours until Ah-ro sobered up and they can go home.
When Ah-ro felt better, she faced Ji-dwi and told him her plan. As they went out, it was already eight in the
evening. They went home separately as Ji-dwi was supposed to help Lord Ahn-ji with a lot of wounded people.
When Ah-ro was at the hallway, she was dragged by Sun Woo to her father’s office. There she saw Hwi-kyung
and her father, talking about what seemed to be too serious for her to join in. When they saw her, Hwi-kyung
then excused himself and went straight to his room, leaving Ah-ro and King Wi-hwa on the room. King Wi-hwa
signaled Ah-ro to sit in front of him and so she did. Ah-ro sensed that his father was not on a good mood so she
stayed quiet until King Wi-hwa, himself, talked first. “Ah-ro, I’m very disappointed in you. All I ever asked you
to do was marry Hwi-kyung! I’ve been telling you this even before you we’re one! What’s the hardest thing
about that!? And now, I would hear that you are going out with someone you even didn’t grew up with!? Even
to the point of wanting him to get you pregnant!?” Ah-ro was baffled to what his father has said. She secretly
panicked; however, her anger overpowered her fear and was able to retort, “Yes! I did that, so what, abeoji!? I
told you since I was one that I don’t want to marry Hwi-kyung!” King Wi-hwa couldn’t help but get angered
and so he was able to slap so hard that she flew off of her chair. “You will marry Hwi-kyung… whether you
like or not. That’s the final decision.” King Wi-hwa went out of his office. Han Sung, who was sweating trying
to find Ah-ro, found her in his father’s office, on the floor. He hurriedly picked her up and lead her to her room.
He stayed with Ah-ro. She told him about her plan with Ji-dwi. At first, Han Sung didn’t liked the idea
however, Ah-ro was persistent and so, he was left with no choice but to let her be. Han Sung, who stayed with
Ah-ro, woked her up in the middle of the night to help her get away to Silla. As they were about to went out of
the room, they were stopped by Hwarangs. Little did they knew that King Wi-hwa found out about the plan and
sent the entire Hwarangs to guard the whole palace to not let Ah-ro get away this time around. Ah-ro was
weakened by the sight of the whole Hwarangs who are guarding the palace and lost her confidence to be able to
slip out of the palace as she’s seen that even her secret passage was guarded. On the other hand, Ji-dwi was
already on the place where they’re suppose to meet. However, a man on his beautiful horse came. This time, his
face was fully revealed as well as his mole and his iconic cross-shaped earring on his left ear. Ji-dwi was alerted
by his appearance and was about to charge when another set of man on their horses surrounded him. Sun Woo
grinned at him and said, “So you still recognized me, outsider? No wonder you let my poor sister fell into your
trap so you could go near me and what? Kill me? Ha! What a fool! Didn’t you even questioned yourself why I
didn’t kill you the night I saw you cross the border with Sun Woo himself?” Ji-dwi was left puzzled by this
sudden confession of Sun Woo to him. He was puzzled as to how he knew Sun Woo and how hew was so sure
of what happened the night they were chased by Hwarangs. “It’s because Sun Woo isn’t JUST the Sun Woo
you knew. He was, in fact… my long lost… brother… the rightful heir that was stole the night the people from
Goguryeo assassinated Silla. I have to do it or else, I would be thrown out as the rightful heir. But the good
thing is that, I already did. You know, it was so long that I forgot where his crown birthmark was. But that
doesn’t matter because I already had my eyes on him, watched, since then. Sun Woo? Ha! He isn’t really named
Sun Woo. You know what his real name was? His name was… Ji-dwi,” Sun Woo added and flew right into Ji-
dwi, pinning him to the ground. Ji-dwi stayed calm and let it all sink in. He then grinned at Sun Woo who was
feeling ecstatic by his victory and said, “You know what? You are a fool to believe that Sun Woo was in fact
the brother you were looking for… it was nice meeting you… brother.” Ji-dwi then pulled his hanbok, enough
to have a sight of his crown birthmark right on his chest. Sun Woo was left shocked and couldn’t believe what
he’s seeing! He pulled out his dagger out of his knees and stabbed Ji-dwi. He couldn’t move as he was pinned
on the ground. Sun Woo then stood up and went right back to the palace to deliver the news. The Hwarangs
then marched out of the palace as soon as they got the signal. Ah-ro, who secretly slipped through the palace,
witnessed the entire scene and was left in the forest, baffled by what she has seen. She immediately ran into Ji-
dwi’s side and hugged him like it was going to be the last time. Ji-dwi, who was still struggling to fight for his
life, whispered to Ah-ro with his dying voice, “사…사랑…사랑해… 안녕…” Ah-ro couldn’t get a hold of him longer
as she was dragged by the Hwarangs sent by his father back to the palace. And that was the last time he saw Ji-
dwi. A year later, Ah-ro was married to Hwi-kyung and the union took place in Goguryeo. Ah-ro was happily
married however, she still couldn’t forget Ji-dwi who had really got her pregnant the day she was drunk and
also the day, she thought she’d last saw him. However, Hwi-kyung didn’t knew that she was pregnant as they
were married right after Ji-dwi was killed. When Ah-ro went back to Silla without his husband, the town
celebrated her arrival. Little did she know what awaits her in the palace. When she arrived at the palace, the
helpers were busy preparing food as they were excited to see Ah-ro. King Wi-hwa and the others welcomed her.
Queen Ji-so and Han Sung couldn’t help and hugged Ah-ro from excitement and the Queen said, “Ah-ro!
You’re just in time. I want you to meet… Ji-dwi, your long-lost brother.”