Whispers of the Heart: A Tale (12)

carrying a sword, declared, 'I am sent by the Spirits to help escort you back to your kingdom and marry you immediately, according to ancient customs, simply by uttering: "Spoon, Fork, as leaders of the Earth kingdom, I bring a gift to redeem this princess whom Wani has captured intact." ' 'Oh, really, bro?' 'Yes, let's go,' he said, pulling her hand and mounting the horse. Along the way, numerous soldiers attempted to kill them using various methods—arrows, swords, magic—but the knight named Wani managed to fend them off with his unique skills, one of which was shooting arrows while riding horseback with me on his back, you know, bro. Tingit and Wani arrived at the Earth Palace and presented themselves before King Spoon and Queen Fork. Wani then proposed, 'How much, Your Majesties, is the ransom for her?' To which they retorted, 'She's free for you, because her life is intact, like a living chicken. The most important thing is that she is still alive, and you have won our contest.' 'Huh?' Suddenly, everything went dark, and Tingit fainted with a 'Thud'. Ghost letters were disseminated everywhere after Tingit awoke from a week-long slumber. Moreover, after we married, I sang whatever came to mind, for from long ago, due to the heartache from all the mistreatment and exile, which also caused physical pain, I resolved to seek healing in many places. In one such place, called 'Ancient Star,' I heard a man's voice say, 'Moon Princess'. I don't know, I don't even know that man. It's better and safer to leave the Palace with Wani, who has since changed his name to Prince Hahi. Out of boredom, my crazy habit resurfaced, causing my husband to disappear somewhere. He claimed he was searching for something for Tingit, but he hasn't reappeared all day. I grew suspicious, but who could I ask? Who could I send? There were no soldiers or sorcerers to command. In writing as a madwoman observing mad people, I finally discovered several writings that I recorded on parchment, always newly purchased with the finest paper, always carried and bound into a single book. Here it is, bro, no, so many errors. When will sanity return? Let's get well. Why is this what I've found instead? Looking around... An enemy?