Han: the first

Hara always knew perfection was never hers. Yet, there hasn’t been a day like this where something felt off without reason. Would one call this a sixth sense? She stood still for a moment and pondered. She could stand hatred, and she could endure sadness but that feeling of the approaching unknown was something that disturbed her very much. As Han ga dan Hara (Hara of the Han family), to not know was terror itself.

Having the knowledge and wisdom bestowed by the Gods to know of the founding powers was the very reason that the Han ga (Han family) existed as the first of the Five Great families. Even if the Han ga was the sole family of the five without a founding power.

At least, that was what she was told by her late father. She never really thought much of it, especially since she has long been the last remaining Han in the palace and the last remaining lineal descendant. Everyone knew, if it wasn’t for the attachment of the king to Hara and his impulsive nature, she really wouldn’t have mattered at all. Han ga would have been forgotten long ago. But then again, here she was.

“The Gods must still love me.” She muttered and added, “Especially since the only thing I can do is pray.”

“Hmm..? Are you praying for something?” Suddenly a familiar voice, low and unhurried, intruded along with the touch of cold fingertips carassing her neck from behind. It momentarily startled Hara but she only froze shortly without a sound. She knew if she reacted hysterically, he would love to startle her again all the more.

Hara tried to turn around, but a rush of warmth surrounded her as a long pair of arms stretched out onto her shoulders and the tall body rested heavily on her back. She could only look up to catch a glimpse of the dark purple eyes that stared down at her pitch black ones with a slight hint of amusement. It was good that the king was amused and not enraged.

“... too heavy.” Hara addressed her discomfort with his behavior quite nonchalantly. It was her privilege with this unpredictable king, Do ga dan Ann (Ann of the Do family). They were bizarrely understanding of each other since childhood, though Hara didn’t really know from when, why, or how. Well, it was more significant to say that Ann was bizarrely attached to Hara, to the point that he would push most of the administrative matters of state to her. Of course, Hara never had the right to refuse, though she tried so many times to quit.

“I know, but I’m tired.” Ann replied casually, without a hint of letting her go.

“Get off please.” Said Hara nonetheless, trying to pull his arms off her shoulders.

“What were you praying for?” Ann persisted without moving an inch. It seemed like he wouldn’t let her go unless she answered his question. He was troubling as always.

“Nothing...but a peaceful life.” Hara answered quickly. Ann was really getting too heavy for her. He was leaning without a strength in his body. She could feel him silently chuckle to her words.

Then there it was again. The sense that something was off. Was it his laugh? Or was it the way she answered him? She still had no idea.

“Please get off.” Hara sighed as she finally shook him off, along with the uneasiness. It was really no time to dawdle since she had remaining work to do. Ann finally gathered himself to stand upright, though he was wearing a dissatisfied expression.

“Why are you so cold, even though I was looking all over for you.” Ann complained like a child, which really annoyed Hara despite how much she was habituated to his clingy behavior. She must be on edge today, though she didn’t really feel sorry about it effecting her attitude.

“I’m busy, unlike your highness.” Her words were rather sharp, but her voice was as calm as the hot summer air: heavy and unmoving. Even so, it was true. She was busy taking care of all the internal matters of the palace, while Ann was out swinging swords and splashing blood. She really wanted him to at least get married to some decent lady so she could just quit and move out of the palace to live like a mundane girl, even if she would be all alone. He should have already been married the year he inherited the Great Power but… things happened.

“Do you need something?” Hara asked, as Ann just stood there smiling at her. His pure white hair almost looked translucent in the sunlight, making him resemble some goddess. His beautiful face would make people’s hearts tremble, but Ann looked so fragile to Hara when he stared deep into her eyes like this that she would feel the urge to give in to him. After all, they were all they had left of a family to each other. Though they weren’t related by blood, Hara felt that way ever since the late king had passed away. His very last words were engraved in her heart.

“Hara,” Ann called out her name like a king that was about to announce something undefiable. “I have a proposal to make. I’ve already assembled the others.” His smile was still there, but that made Hara feel anxious.

“That’s unusual.” She raised her brows as she added, “You would just go ahead and do things.” After a moment Hara gently laid her hand on his cheek in a faintly worried expression when she barely wore any expression most of the times. “Are you sick?” She asked.

“I am... always sick for you.” He muttered the usual sweet nothings while gently taking her hand down from his face. Well, now Hara knew he was feeling better than ever. She withdrew her hands and sighed in relief.

“So am I, of you.” She replied with slight agitation in her words. Really, when will Ann stop taking everything as a joke? If he stops playing around then will she be able to quit all this...? Quitting? Was it even possible? None of the other families ever listened to her. No, not even Ann. Hara looked away in her own surprise.

The trail of thoughts became unexpectedly deadly. Yes, something was indeed off. She thought she had buried it with her father’s coffin, yet now it had somehow crawled back up to haunt her. Hara finally realized that the problem wasn’t Do ga dan Ann. It was her. Her hidden thoughts were growing out of hand. She turned away from Ann in a surge of frustration and started walking towards the gathering room without him.

“Wait, you are not allowed to be sick of me!” Ann called out behind her, but Hara didn’t stop walking, nor did she answer. Her movement was rather quick, already a finger-sized figure to Ann’s eyes. It was almost like she was running away from him.

Ann gazed at her disappearing back like a stone statue, and slowly put on a skeleton mask he was holding on the other hand. He looked like the king of death, with only his mouth and chin exposed. His beautiful lips smiled one moment, but it faded away in another as though he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“You are not allowed to be sick of me, Hara.” His repeated words softly trembled in the air like a violent whisper. For a while longer, Ann’s eyes never left the direction that Hara disappeared to. Then, the death-faced king slowly headed to the gathering room with his remaining thoughts hidden deep inside his dark purple eyes.