Edited: 4/3/18

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In the span of time we live out our lives

Calmness sweeps us off our feet

In the end, we're left with memories kept

Locked away, as they spiral down and fade away from thee

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"It's that child again." Villagers in the Kouka Kingdom continued their daily routines. However, some couldn't help but notice the figure walking near them. Like always, they gossiped about a pressing topic in their society- the other twin. Said twin - Satori - was on a stroll around the village, trying to become familiar with what she might one day govern...if she was lucky. She was only thirteen after all. Plenty of time to learn the ropes as the common people said.

However, luck was something she would soon learn was never on her side.

"Which one?" Another passerby asked, a female voice. She was new to the scope of the scene, but quickly grasped the tension spreading to the surrounding villagers. She paused noticing the stares all directed at her. A drop of sweat ran down her temple. 'Maybe it was a bad idea to sneak away from the palace?'

"That one," reaffirmed the male voice with a slight edge to his voice. Satori quickly wiped it away. 'I can do this. Just look confident. I came here for a reason. I can't get scared now!' The sound of laughter came up progressively behind her. Too lost in thought, she found herself being pushed by a sudden force forcing her to her knees on the ground. A quick flash of frustration and irritation showed on her face, to be masked with a calm expression. 'Can't be helped. Whatever. Walk it off Satori.' She got up, dusting herself in the best dignified manner she could. Her robes kept their usual sheen, but was noticeably scuffed up by the earthy ground.

"The one with that evil glint in her eye," pitched in an older woman. Satori's eyes widened. 'Again.' Her eyes held a certain poignancy. She continued to scurry through the villagers crowding the markets with haste. She pushed past them, keeping her head down. The girl didn't want to be noticed in the crowd, by the villagers who scorned her or by the guards who would surely be searching for her by now. 'What can I give to have a little quiet? Don't they ever mind their own business?'

"How can she bear to show herself?" The girl wasn't sure if the townspeople were still whispering about her. Was it all in her head? Sometimes these thoughts would repeat in her head in a cycle of despondency. 'They see me. The whispers.' Satori's breaths become quicker with every thought that came forth in her mind.

"Does the king not know the legends? A child like that..." She stopped in her tracks. 'Too loud. I can't hear myself. Is that my voice?' Hands clapped to her ears, ruffling her blonde hair. It was overwhelming. Those constant whispers of her.

'They see you. For what you are.'

"How barbaric! Is this really considered royalty?" questioned a merchant woman. The townspeople stood in shock to the ear-piercing shriek that came from the girl. Every villager that hadn't taken notice to Satori now did. Standing in the middle of the crowd was the girl.

'You can't escape them. Sooner or later-'

"Hush, she might hear you," chided the woman's husband. "You really think she can hear us over that loud voice of hers?"

'they will find you.'

"Stop it," The girl muttered under her breath.

'You can't escape them.' The voices repeated.

"The priest said it. Her birth plagues the royal family," added another. Satori darted out of the plaza, taking smaller alleyways to find someplace. Anywhere.

Anywhere not here.

"Haven't you heard? She killed her own mother. Even the earth refuses to grace her. The ground loses its minerals, the plants wither." But no matter where she went, she could still hear the whispers.

"Maybe it's a coincidence."

'Sooner or later'

"No- It's a curse, I tell you! The king should have executed her the moment she was born. As per tradition." With her hands still clasped to her head, she slid down the wall of the alley. Her bangs shadowed her face, but if one peered close enough one would see that there was a steady stream of tears.

"That's harsh."

"I agree. What's one life against the country?" She tried her best to keep a low profile among the villagers, but she guessed that no matter where she went, she would be recognized due to her stature. Hell, even peasant clothes didn't fit her persona. What peasant had such a luxurious life to live among natural perfumes and unblemished skin with the manners of a noble? No matter what she wore, she stood out like a sore thumb.

"Mistakes aren't made. A child like that..."

"Who drains life."

"Like a poison."

"A leech."

"That girl..."

"The twin..."

"Born of misfortune."

"If only..." they concluded.

The sound of doubt surrounded her, leaving her uttering that which Soo-won hated to hear.

'I wasn't born..."

The whispers quieted. The cicadas in June among the passersby near the alley were the only sounds that fell on her ears. Her tears having fallen, her terrified gasp crawled from her throat. A single woman's voice echoed in her ears alone in a faint but hypnotizing whisper. "You can never escape me."

꧁꧂

"Are you just going to sit there and mope for the rest of the day?" asked a voice above her.

Satori lifted her eyes to stare into a familiar set of azure eyes. His sharp eyes entered into a staring contest with her puffy sea green eyes. The terrified, soulless eyes peered into his. It genuinely scared him. Never before had he seen her so helpless and scared. She was Satori. The happy, giggly, confident, albeit foolish little girl who was too curious for her own good. He was at a loss of what to say.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Your eyes remind me of green dangos."

"E-eh?"

"I swear, you should try harder to look cute. People will look at you like your food. Maybe if you-"

"What? Stop it! You're being mean Hak!" exclaimed Satori, who hastily wiped her eyes...thereby, making them puffier. She didn't want to look weak in front of her friend.

"Woah, calm down. I was just joking," he sighed kneeling. He pulled out a jar with a clear liquid. "Here. I got this from Yona. It'll help with your eyes."

Satori continued to rub them. "And stop that! You're making it worse."

"Wait. This is one of those special ointments that's used to make your skin brighter and pretty...Why would you have something like this?" she asked with questioning eyes. "Is there something you're not telling me?" she questioned.

"NO baka! Yona gave it to me when she was on a throwing tantrum." He half-shouted.

"You mean she threw this at you and you decided to keep it," Satori deadpanned back.

"No. She actually gave it to me," the teen said, getting annoyed.

"Why," she shot back.

"..." Hak now visibly irritated continued to stare at her, debating whether she would quit assuming things if he answered her.

"Hello Satori to Hak, why did she give it to you of all people?

"She said it would make me more loveable," he stated, a hint of a blush on his face as he avoided eye contact with her.

"Pffftt...And you believed her?" Satori laughed, covering her mouth with her sleeve.

"No! I thought it would be useful for something else, like now," Hak sighed, scratching his neck.

"Soooooo, you're re-gifting me this...Thanks," she frowned, pouting.

"Be grateful, you tomboy." A tick mark appeared on his head with his signature leer, flicking her forehead in the process.

"Hai, hai. Thank you Hak," she admitted, standing up.

"That's more like it," he declared ruffling her hair and walking away. "Let's go, the princess is-"

"What have I done to deserve such a savior. Coming down to save the day! All hail the glorious Hak! May he-"

"Ughhh. I hate you."

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꧁A/N: Hey guys! Let me know what you think. I'm starting to drop hints as to who Satori is and why her role will start to become more important as the story progresses. Also, I haven't proofreaded too much cuz I wanted to get the update out faster. Let me know if anything's confusing. Thanks~