Howon/Hoya POV

She looked at the book in my hand and said "It's a book. One of my favorites actually" she smiled.

"That's not what I mean" I was getting upset.

"What do you mean then?" she huffed in laughter. "I can't read minds."

"What kind of author writes like this? I mean, a love story between two gumihos? Did they really think this would sell? They should have written something more realistic. Or something that people might actually fantasize about." I closed the book and tossed it on the floor "This book is boring."

She slowly got up and retrieved the book, then placed it back on it's shelf. "Just because a book doesn't appeal to everyone, doesn't mean it shouldn't be written."

"I understand what you are saying" I tried to remain calm. "But who wants to read stories about gumihos? They are evil creatures!"

"What about Vampires? Or werewolves?" she countered. "Are they not evil creatures?"

She caught me off guard "Well... Yes, they are?"

"Then why are they romanticized in novels and movies?"

"I...I...I..." I was at a loss for words.

"If they can be romanticized, why not gumihos as well?"

She was right. Vampires and werewolves were once vilified as evil creatures. In fact, they are still considered evil. However, there are plenty of people who write love stories about them. "You're right. I'm sorry."

"That's okay" she sighed. "I should have known better. Not many people like to romanticize gumihos. I know there are a couple of dramas that do shine a different perspective on them, but they haven't really taken off in terms of popularity. Not like some of the other dramas out there."

"Vampires and werewolves weren't exactly popular right away either" I commented. "It took a long time before people began writing them differently." I smiled at her "Who knows, maybe the next drama will be the one that spurs the movement to make gumihos likable." 

Sohee POV

"Thanks" I smiled at his comforting words.

"It's strange though. Those books look really old, yet they are very modern in terms of fantasizing gumihos. Where did you get them?"

"Oh" I was startled. "I've had them for a long time. It's hard to remember where I found them."

"I know I was not interested in them before, but after talking with you, I'm curious about them. Where they came from, who wrote them, how old they are. It's like I've found a treasure that no one else knows about" excitement burst forth on his face.

I giggled at his reaction. "What if you could meet a gumiho?"

"Meet one?" he was taken aback by the sudden question. He took a moment and thought, then said "I don't know. I think it would be interesting, but I don't know how the gumiho would feel."

"How the gumiho would feel?"

"Yeah" he smiled. "Not everyone wants to be famous you know. Sometimes people just want to live their lives quietly. If anyone found out that I met a gumiho, then they would want to meet them too. Then that would disrupt their quiet life." He shook his head "I don't want to cause anyone trouble."

"What if I said, that it wasn't any trouble?"

"How would you know if it would trouble a gumiho?" he argued back.

I couldn't help but giggle as I said "Because I'm a gumiho."

Howon/Hoya POV

I couldn't help but stare at her in shock. "You... You're a gumiho?"

"Yes!" she smiled back at me.

"If you are a gumiho, does that mean you have nine tails?"

"Not all gumihos have nine tails" she replied. "Some have more. Some have less. I was born with only two tails and that is all I'll ever have."

"Two! You only have two tails?" I was shocked.

"Well, I used to have two. I only have one now."

"Damn! How did you lose your tail?"

She shook her head "It's not something I care to talk about."

I couldn't help but smile at this situation. I can't believe that I have been with a gumiho all day.

"Hey, Sohee?"

"Yes, Hoya?"

"So, the whole Fox King thing. Is that real?"

She smiled sadly "Yes, it's real."

I quickly sat up and asked "Then... When the rain stops, could you show me where his grave is? So I can deliver the scroll."

Her eyes widened a bit and then she said "I can show you the grave from here."

"What?" I was shocked. "We can see the grave from here?"

"Let's go outside" she said as she got up and walked out to the porch. She pointed to the corner of her front yard and said "That is Fox King Howon's grave."

I looked where she was pointing and I could see a burial mound. "That's it? That's his grave? Right here? This is unbelievable!" I looked at her, but she didn't seem too thrilled. "What's wrong, Sohee?"

"Nothing" she shook her head.

"It's obviously something" I rebutted. "Tell me."

She looked up at me and said "Every year we distract the participants in the edict delivery, so they can't find the grave." Then she started to chuckle "I never thought I would be the one to actually show someone his grave."

"You distract participants? Why? Why don't you want them to find the grave?"

She looked me in the eyes and I was stunned by the depth of them. She had obviously experienced something that could never be explained in words. Something deep and personal. I found myself trapped in her eyes, unable to look away. Then they suddenly changed and I saw warmth in them.

"I was afraid" she simply replied.

"Afraid of what?"

"I was afraid that everything would change if it was found. That the title I was given would change who I was."

"Title? What are you talking about?"

She looked up at me and asked "Have you never heard what the contents of the edict are?" I shook my head. "The edict states that Prince Lee Howon would be posthumously named as a King. It also states that his wife and children would receive titles befitting their position."

"So what? What's that got to do with you?"

No sooner did I say it, did I realize what she was saying. How could I be so stupid?

Her eyes softened as she said "Lee Howon was my husband."