When I return home, it is dark. As I look out my window at the stable, I see no horses. My mother has not returned. Food has been left on my bed by one of the servants. I sit down to eat. As I lift the lid I see smoked chicken, rice, and peas. It is still warm to the touch, and I am famished. I clear my plate quickly. As I pass by my wardrobe, I see that a servant has already been in to pack my bags for the trip tomorrow. I sigh. This is the generals silent command when we are to leave for a journey at daybreak. I know I need to get some sleep.

As I lay on my kang so many thoughts run through my mind. I hope my mother returns in time for the trip so that it is not just me and the general. That would be a journey more dreadful than just going to meet my future bride. The thought has my emotions easily flip to anger. I do not want this. I will not label her as my bride. She will just be a girl that I meet tomorrow.

A part of me hopes that things go bad, and my parents reth