HIS STUTTERING PRINCESS

The Man In The Barn

At Hong’s cottage, life went on as usual. Xiang didn't ask about the humanoid bundle he locked up in the barn. She did sneak in to have a look but besides that her day was pretty normal. Shiquan on the other hand, checked in multiple times, to check if he was awake or still breathing. She was disappointed each time but yet relieved at the rise and fall of his chest.

Now seated with both parents for supper her mind wandered back to him, I should eat less and save some for him.

“He’s quite handsome” Xiang suddenly blurted out

Shiquan nodded in agreement. Though she didn't dare vocalize it she’d thought it many times today. She didn't notice it before while she was saving him and making sure he wasn't armed but alone is the barn, she noticed. He was too handsome for handsome. He looked almost as beautiful as her

“D-Do you think he's my huss—”the rest of the words died in her throat the instant her father’s face snapped to her.

Red creeped up her cheeks. Underneath Hong’s disapproving gaze she covered her face “what did you just say?”

“Nothing, Papa.” she said into her palms

“Is that why you dived in?”

“N-no! I swear i didn't know h-he was a person”

Hong let out a snort “But then it mus-st be fate! That-t's how mama found you too.”

“She dug me out of snow

“And i drew him out of the river”

“He’s not your husband. He's too weak to protect you.”

“Quan’er, i left soup for him.in the kitchen take it to him and see if he's awake”

“He's a man and she a —-

“They are children Hong’er— she motioned for Shiquan to leave— he should be no more than 17, that's hardly a man.

Shiquan difnt need to be told twice.

~.~.~

The man in the barn woke up with his body sore. He tried to move but found his limbs were bound and that something with the unbearable stench of fishes was stuffed into his mouth. His jaw ached his head ached, his nose was threatening to fail to function with every waft of fish blood. His stomach turned on itself, he would have thrown up but there was nothing to throw up.

He opened his eyes but they saw the same as when they were shut. The sting on his arm a vague reminder that he’d being bitten but then, how did he get here

He heard footsteps then fiddling with a lock and then finally. Light.

He blinked until the harsh light that started to dim as his eyes adjusted to the brightness.

“You’re awake! Thank heavens!”

I-i brought you s-soup!” her lips spread into a grin, “there's m-meat too i saved some f-for you”

He didn't care for food. How could he have an appetite with that horrid smell tormenting him?

Ungag me he tried to say. Instead his tongue just licked the smelly cloth triggering his gag reflex.

Shiquan got the message though. She set her lamp and tray down before rushing to take the cloth out

“It’ll do you no good to shout, for your own sake and my family’s be quite”

Pain shot through his jaw as he finally closed his lips. He's was about to ask for water, wanting nothing more than to sanitize his mouth but Shiquan was already leaving

“Go ahead and d-drink the soup, I'll go f-fetch you some meat”

The stranger soon realise the gag cloth wasn't the problem, his clothes reeked too. It wasn't long before she came back with others. Her family

“Y-you don't like the soup?” Observing that it remains as she kept it

“Was i supposed to lap it like a dog?” his voice was hoarse and hostile

“Oh— Hong stepped in front of his daughter

“I wouldn't talk to her like that if I were you.”

The young boy looked at him briefly before turning back to Shiquan “Untie me and prepare a bath, this place reeks”

“Is he noble?” “is he a fool?” Xiang and Hong asked in unison

“Who do you think you are?”

The stranger chuckled, the ‘you don't wanna know’ kind of chuckle.

He looked Hong in the eye, confident, daring and every bit defiant.

“I am.. i am..” Uncertainty flowed out of his eyes and his words seized. His gaze darted across them all then to the room, the grain sacks.

He was searching

Scanning the room for anything with a sense of familiarity.

He shook his head as if it would shake his memories back in place.

All that came back was the vague image of a snake curling down the length of his arm.

Searching the six pair of eyes on him he finally asked

“Who am I?”