Ada : ( The Untold Story )

by Zola Tau

  "Are you trying to steal her away from me, like you stole my brother away from me?" A voice asked followed by a chuckle

  "Oh, it's the eldest prince," Ji-Hye said cheerfully. Ada looked at her and smiled as the young woman tried to appear like she wasn't as excited to see him as she sounded. Shaking her head, Ada waved and gestured for him to sit beside, Ji-Hye as she scooted away from his fiancé, in order to allow him room.

  "What were you women speaking so secretively about that you didn't come to visit, and read poetry with me like you usually do, Ji-Hye?" he asked gazing into her eyes causing her to shrivel with happiness.

  "Just what women, usually speak about," Ada said as she pats Ji-Hye's hand. " Go about and read him his poems with him before he throws a fit, and thank you for keeping me company while the crown prince sleeps like there is no tomorrow." Ada chuckled.

  Both women giggled and grinned. Soon after the eldest prince and Ji-Hye walked away and waved disappearing into the darkness, Ada too went back to her room, she soaked in a bath and soon after fell asleep beside the Crown Prince.

  The next morning Nari walked in and smiled at the sight of Ada and the prince sound asleep.

  She placed tea and made food for the morning for them to have once they woke up, though she thought she could sneak away, the crown prince had already woken up.

  "Wait a minute" he called out as Nari tried to sneak away.

  Nari froze and turned around "I'm sorry for disturbing your sleep." Nari said as she bowed.

  "You didn't wake me; I was ready to get up I just didn't want to move without reason, as she sleeps why don't you have some of the food you brought, with me?" The prince asked as he got out of bed. He gestured with his hands for Nari to wait and walked into the bathing hall behind Ada's room to wash his face, and then he returns to Nari kneeling on the ground unsure of what to do. He chuckled and looked at her and sat right in front of her as she faced the bed, and he faced the door.

  "You and Princess Ada seem to be close, she speaks very highly of you." he continued.

  "Does she?" Nari asked the prince as she looked down. The prince followed her gaze.

  "This is a bit uncomfortable for you isn't it?" He asked as he watched the young servant look at the ground.

  "Just a bit " she responded.

  "Well, that's no problem, I am sure it should be a feeling fixed with time, have you already eaten?" He asked Nari ignoring her confused glares.

  " From what I hear, You and I have suffered great losses, both being our mothers, and as for me ever since my mother passed my father might as well have been called dead as well, by his change in character." the prince said, and he poured tea for himself and Nari.

  He set off a plate in the center of the table and placed fruit on it, placed the first plate in front of Nari before he served himself, Nari watched the prince analyzing his gestures and his manner never once before so closely realizing how good natured he truly was.

  "In that way, we might as well be considered siblings, by cause of our trials in life don't you think?" The Prince said.

  Nari was taking a sip of the tea coughed, set down the tea and stared blankly at the prince.

  "You don't want to? Was that too much?" He asked as he wiped Nari's face with his sleeve.

  Nari didn't respond and just stared. "It's just Ada seems to think of you as a younger sister, by the way, she speaks of you. When she first arrived one would assume it was you that was older than her, in a way you've helped her grow, especially in those moments that I wasn't there for her, so I figured because she sees you as a sister, or at least someone close I should see you the same, she and I are to marry soon in time, so those she values I do as well."

  As he was speaking Ada was also waking from her slumber, she gestured towards Nari to stay quiet not wanting the prince to know she already woke, and she just watched the two interact and ate.

  " We should save some food for Ada." the prince said " She already eats a lot, now that she's with the child I'm sure she'll use it as an excuse to eat more," he mumbled to himself. The reaction that Ada had on her face created laughter that Nari couldn't contain.

  "She would kill you if she heard that right now," Nari replied looking at Ada as the prince poured some more tea, then she quickly looked back down for feeling unbalanced for joking so openly with the prince.

  "There's nothing wrong with eating as much as she does, I'm sure many women do, she just isn't afraid to eat around me till she's full " the prince added. Ada's face softened.

  " But she does move around in her sleep often when we get a room made for us, I may have to ask that the bed is made to fit at least five beings in order for me to have even a decent amount of room to sleep and not be hit by her." The Prince added speaking his troubles to himself. Ada's face returned irritated again, and once more Nari laughed.

  As the two spoke, Ada occasionally mouthed towards Nari that it was wise that now, at that moment it would benefit her to do so, that she told the prince the truth. With a sigh and a deep breath as Nari opened her mouth, to carry out the Princess's wishes it seemed a knock came from the door.

  "Ada, it's princess Ki I was wondering if you would be free this morning for some tea." The voice on the other side said. Nari closed her mouth as she and the prince looked at the door. "When did she return?" The prince asked more Himself than anyone else; he walked over and opened it. "Princess, Ada is still asleep." The crown prince growled at Princess Ki.

  "Oh dear brother, a lot had sure changed since I've been gone, since when was it that you and Ada shared a room together, as a prince I do hope this isn't found out by the king. " Princess Ki asked staring at her brother with a smile, with no intention other than making his uncomfortable.

  "Things did change since you were gone; they became a lot more peaceful, around the palace." The crown prince said as he replied with a smile and at that Princess, Ki fell silent.

  The two were at war with their eyes and staring angrily at one another when Ada walked to the door and looked over her fiancé's shoulder.

  "When did you wake?" The crown prince asked surprised. Ignoring his question Ada kissed his cheek instead. Surprisingly she smiled and looked at Princess Ki. " Ahh, you've returned!" Ada said with a smile as she walked over and hugged Ki.

  Perplexed Princess Ki just patted Ada's back slightly before breaking from the hug.

  "Where should we have tea?" Ada asked.

  "Ada..yo—" the crown prince and Nari started. Ada shook her head at them both and followed Ki to the blossom tree where a tray of tea, fruit and some other food sat.

  "I've got to admit I'm quite surprised you accepted my invitation at such late notice." Princess Ki said as she poured some tea for Ada.

  Ada looked at Princess Ki and saw that her tea had already been poured.

  "You have to excuse me, originally I was just going to have tea with my eldest sister and her husband. I later thought this would be a great chance to apologize for wrongly acting towards you when I did, you know us, women when it feels as if someone is taking what's yours you get a bit defensive without knowing. " Ki said speaking about the throne she felt was being overtaken by Ada.

  "What did you feel I was taken away?" Ada asked as she observed Princess Ki.

  "My brothers, my sisters, and father, they seemed to favor you over me." Ki lied.

  Ada trailed her finger along the outline of the cup as she was mentally scoffing at Princess Ki's lies.

  "I see, well for that I apologize that you had to go to such lengths of having me locked up in a dungeon all at the expense of your fear that I had taken away your family," Ada replied back sarcastically.

  "You will be surprised at the lengths, I would go to protect my family." Princess Ki replied.

  Ada looked at the tea that Princess Ki had in front of her, and before Princess Ki could drink it, she grabbed hold of it and switched it out with the one Princess Ki poured her.

  Confused Princess Ki looked at her questionably. "I just th
ought it would be fair that you get the fresh cup of tea, as I prefer cold tea, anyways on days as warm as today," Ada said with a smile.

  Flustered Princess Ki reached for the tea, but Ada held it back "Unless there something special about this tea or something." Ada joked waiting for Princess Ki to react.

  "No it's not; it's not that, it's just." Princess Ki said circling her words.

  Ada nodded and gave the princess back the tea that was originally hers, as she took back the one she was originally poured to drink.

  Soon after Ayo strolled by then looked at Ada and Princess Ki. "Princess Ada, how's your morning been?" Ayo said bowing towards both Princess Ki and Ada.

  "Ayo, this is Princess Ki. " Ada said introducing Ayo to Ki.

  The two pretended as if they had no prior knowledge of one another and took each other's greeting as strangers.

  Watching them, Ada soon stood up and welcomed Ayo with the tea in her hand. "Ayo, have some tea, will you?" Ada commanded giving her tea to Ayo to drink.

  Ayo took the tea and smiled saying "Oh, princess how did you know? I adore morning tea " Ayo said about to drink the tea.

  Ada watched as Princess Ki grabbed the tea from Ayo's hands and slammed it on the table.

  "I'll just pour him some." Princess Ki said with a wobbly smile. The blossom tree released it flowers from the sudden shaking. Ada smiled and crossed her hands.

  " You know it seems as if time has passed by quickly, as much as I adore your company I really must leave, please accept my knight Ayo as a replacement for myself to drink tea with, we really must try for a better time and do this again soon." Ada finished, she smiled, bowed and excused herself leaving behind a confused Ayo and an aggravated Princess Ki.

  [제 15장]

  “ When happiness shines in abundance,

  suffering is only the moon

  patiently waiting. ”

  Ada slowly returned towards her room where the crown prince and Nari awaited her return. With a smile, you walked in between them and asked: "Were you waiting for me?"

  Crossing his arms, the prince looked at her coldly "I don't ever want you going anywhere near that woman again." the prince said sternly.

  "That woman is your sister. " Ada said as she tied up her hair to get ready to bathe.

  The prince sighed and looked at Ada "I just don't want you getting close to her, she's power hungry and will anything to her benefit, she sees no family ties when it comes to power, what was it that you two did ?" The prince asked, curiously.

  "Drink tea like she said we would. " Ada said as if her fiancé's warning words didn't faze her.

  Ada smiled and gave the crown prince a hug. "It's so satisfying to see how much you care." she smiled.

  The crown prince looked away and shook off her attempt to make him smiled.

  "You're sure she didn't try to do anything?" Nari asked. Ada shook her head with a smile on her face. "I can't say she didn't try, but after what happened to my father I'm a bit more careful about what I eat around here, don't take it to an offense. " Ada replied to them both.

  "Well, I rather next time she invites you to anything alone, you allow me to come with you." the prince replied as his face started to relax.

  Ada went over towards him slowly gave him a smile and hugged holding onto him tightly.

  "I will," Ada replied, and so the prince returned her affection and embraced her.

  Nari scoffed and said "You two never put touching to rest." she said as she sat on the bed got off the floor.

  Ada and the crown prince looked at one another and grinned childishly, with his left eyebrow arched up as he looked down at Ada with a smirk; he relaxed his face once more and went in for a kiss. Nari stood up with her hands up in surrender and yelled "I'm leaving now a lot of work is left for me to do." and she scurried out of the room.

  Ada and the prince giggled, and with a quick peck on the lips, Ada excused herself to bathe.

  "I'll come help you, " the prince said, racing after her, Ada placed out her hand to make him halt.

  " I'm sure I can do this one by myself " she replied. The prince pretended to frown, and with a nod, he turned around to walk to the bed.

  The prince walked about the room, and as it grew tedious, he walked out the room. With his hands behind his back, he smiled about as if the day was filled with no flaws. He grinned at the servants that walked about. "Is his highness alright?" Some of them whispered. Others returned his smile and giggled to one another.

  A hand rested on his shoulder suddenly; turning sound, he was able to see it was just the eldest prince. With a smile, he nodded at his eldest brother. "That's a change in welcome, what's gotten you so joyous?" The eldest prince asked looking at his younger brother.

  "Have you ever noticed how wonderful Ada's smile is?" The crown prince asked. To his younger brother's question, the eldest prince agreed. The crown prince narrowed his eyes and responded

  "because it's her smile I'll let it go, but that's all the physically attractive things about her that I will permit you to admire. The eldest prince rolled his eyes and chuckled a bit.

  "You're like a school boy wrapped in a love story, but she seems to have strengthened the better in you, I'm genuinely happy for you." the eldest prince replied as he walked alongside the crown prince.

  "Maybe over time our relationship will grow a bit less sour," he added. The crown prince looked at the eldest prince and for the first time in a long time, smiled as he looked to the eldest prince, as the family rather than a stranger. He nodded his head in agreement and allied alongside his eldest brother.

  "Where are you off to?" The eldest prince asked after the moment of gaze.

  "Ada is bathing, I found it best to stay away from her room till she finishes, which is possible, that it's now, so I much excuse myself." The crown prince replied. The eldest prince nodded in acknowledging his dismissal.

  Before the crown prince got far he shouted out to the eldest Prince saying; " I'll join you on your morning walks, a Prince walking by himself makes him look as if he is lonely, I can't allow you to keep giving the servants that idea of us, think of it as me helping you."

  The eldest prince replied with a smile and a nod and waved at his younger brother. "Lonely " he repeated to himself and scoffed. Now he walked with a smile on his face, he walked towards the palace, past the guards and towards the throne room where his father sat awaiting his visit.

  The eldest prince bowed and was allowed entrance. "How are you today?" The king asked as he sent away one of the servants.

  The eldest prince nodded and replied "very well" he sternly replied. "Though I must ask why it is you called for me, it's not something consistent to you nature towards Me." the eldest prince replied.

  " I have a favor to ask " the King sighed. The eldest prince looked about the room and asked: "what's the favor?"

  "You've always been one of my most observant of children, I have an uneasy feeling towards Princess Ada and just wished to ask how much do you know about Princess Ada?" The king asked.

  "Is that a question, which is filled with actual seriousness?" The eldest prince replied with a scoff.

  The king grunted and replied, "Your age does not permit you that tone towards me!"

  "Does my age permit me the ability to excuse myself without return?" The eldest prince asked staring at the king.

  The king sat silently as the eldest Prince began to speak; "When her father was still alive, you cherished her because she respected you like a daughter would. When her father died, even though you haven't found her father's killer she didn't hold it against you and still sends for the servants to bring you meals, with only your favorites even though it is Princess Ki and the eldest princess's job to do so, when Ki was sent away our eldest sister did not even try. Do you think it was your daughters that send you your meals? When Areum isn't about on her adventures, she makes more attempts than her eldest sisters. As for Princess Ada, She makes excuses for you to her fiancé about how she is sure you
mean well and to not take anger towards you. She knows of your disapproval but has yet to come to you and roar at you in disagreement. That's what I know about Princess Ada if you're angered that you've lost your sons to her then you are no better than Princess Ki." The eldest prince bowed and turned around to excuse himself, and before he could walk out he replied: "Please don't call me back for such foolish favors again, father. "

  The eldest prince raced out in anger and rushed about the midst of servants working about the palace in the early day; he didn't notice princess Ada as she also walked towards the throne room.

  The king sat silent, in a small way he felt a sense of guilt to the new information he found out about Ada's kindness towards him. He relaxed his face and looked down. "Rather I focus on reconciliation with Nari than Princess Ada, these sons of mine wouldn't allow even the rain to lay its droplets on her, what would be my reason for calling on her now?" He asked as he got up to get off the throne, a sharp pain spread about back suddenly causing him to fall.

  Walking in with her head at a base, Ada didn't quickly notice the king's fall. When she did, she raced over and grabbed onto the king that was not waking. She patted his cheeks and from beyond the voice of the crown prince could be heard yelling as he chased his love "ADA I DON'T WANT YOU TRUSTING MY— "

  "IN HERE, PLEASE CALL THE PHYSICIAN." Ada yelled to her fiancé, worried that something happened to her he raced faster and was surprised to see her with his father on the ground. " let's carry him to his room." He instructed and with a nod Ada was ready to carry the king, yet the prince worried of her condition called onto one of the guards to help carry the king and the other to call the physician.

  After the physician had made way to the king's room, he told Ada and the crown prince not to worry that it was merely the happening of a dangerous step, the king must have had his mind preoccupied, and that it was best, they let him rest.

  In the agreement, the crown prince told Ada to come along as they went back to their room. "Should we prepare something for him to eat?" Ada asked the crown prince on the way back to her room.