The Milanese sky turns the colour of wet slate, weeping a thin, freezing drizzle over the Cimitero Momentuale .
The towering marble angels and Gothic tombs looks like silent judges in the gloom .
Min-sun stands rigid in her black coat , eyes locks onto the glossy casket and the gravestone with no name .
The soil was meant to be a temporal post not her father’s final resting place.
Beside Min-sun , Prim grips her hand tightly her small knuckles turns white .
“Min-sun, when they placed eomma inside this box she didn’t come back. Does it mean Pappa isn’t coming back either?” Prim speaks in a shriveled voice barely audible .
“Tell me !” Prim doesn’t understand the CIA , the double life or the shadow they had been thrust into .
She only knows the cold Italian soil is swallowing her father.
“Of course he’s not coming back, Primrose ” Seul-gi,her aunt blurts , her tone stern .
Harsh but true.
Min-sun knows she can never be the one to portray such soul breaking news to Prim.
Who better than Seul-gi to do the dirty work .
“Crying is only for those who can afford to be weak. You’re a Joo . We don’t cry , we settle the scores ” Seul-gi breathes , her voice sending a spiraling message through Min-sun’s brain that sends her fingers brushing across her cheeks.
” Be strong Min-sun.
Right now Prim needs you more than anyone else.
You can’t afford to be weak.
” Seul-gi speaks under her breathe.
“Come to the car when you’re ready. We leave for Hong Kong in ten minutes. ”
“I’ll b-be there “Min-sun speaks, the words feels forced .
“I’m not going anywhere! I’m not gonna leave Pappa. ” Prim yells , her eyes full of blinding tears.
” You can go with Seul-gi if you want!
Just leave me here!” Min-sun’s fists curls.
Not in anger but in heart pounding pain.
“We’re going and that’s final! ” .
In a flash, Min-sun grips Prim firmly by the arm, her look stiff.
She leads Prim out,kicking and screaming.
“No! Pappa! No!”.
Their father’s death had become a major motion picture in their minds .
Min-sun can still remember it like it was yesterday.
The house radiates , bathed by the sun’s morning glow.
Prim had just woken up, face already splattered with cookie crumbs .
She plays around dressed in one of her mum’s knitted gowns ” Princess Primrose cometh!” She yells
“Why princess, you look absolutely splendid this fine morning ” Chul jokes with a gentle bow.
Min-sun makes a sound somewhere between a snort and a laugh .
The catches herself.
Prim tiptoes towards Chul and gently strokes his head .”Good little knight ” she smiles, a warm radiance gleaming in her bright blue eyes .
Suddenly, her gaze caught a glimpse of Min-sun’s.
She immediately try to avert her eyes., but Prim had already intercepted her.
Min-sun struggles to suppress her laughter.
Prim could barely balance in a pair of her mum’s oversized heels.
Her heavy gown seems to drag her downwards, and her lipstick was smudged haphazardly, as though a toddler had applied it .
“Didst thou not see the Princess of Italy?”she demands.
“Uh- I did but I simply didn’t feel like acknowledging royalty. ” Min-sun replies, jumping up playfully.
She crosses her legs and casually munches on a handful of Cheese puffs across the couch cushions
“Knight!” Prim squeals defiantly.
Suddenly, Chul steps towards Min-sun and search the snack out of her hand, inadvertently scattering cheese puffs across the couch cushions.
“Dad!” Min-su protests
“Princess’s orders, ” he chuckles as Prim triumphantly brandishes her sceptre .
A reluctant smile breaks through Min-sun’s defensive facade;she couldn’t help but laugh
“Pappa! Pappa! Horsey ride?” Prim commands, straining against the weight of her elaborate gown.
“Come on Pappa!”
He stretches, hoisting his heavy work bag securely across his shoulder.
He smoothly adjusts his glasses and offers a tender smile – the exact kind of look that had undoubtedly won their mother’s heart years ago.” I would had loved nothing more, Princess, but your royal knight has vital kingdom business to attend to.
” he replies , remaining fully dedicated to his role.
“For the King of Italy?” Prim inquires, her voice brimming with pure innocence.
“Yes, exactly, for the king. Min-sun look after everything and keep an eye on Prim , alright?” Predictably, the mantle of responsibility falls on her.
Her cheerful expression dissolves and she defensively crosses her arms.
Catching her change in mood,
Chul’s eyes softens with understanding as he leans towards her.
“You promise, you weren’t going to desert us again ” Min-sun murmur , frowning as he grips her hand with desperate firmness .
” Yes I know , but duty calls my dear.
Yet , I give you my word , this is the final time.
Hereafter it will just be the three of us – you, me and Prim”.he whispers tenderly to my ear.
Moments later, the father-daughter duo dissolves into laughter as Prim scampers around in her underwear, awkwardly stumbling in her mother’s oversized shoe’s.
“Bye-bye, Pappa!”
“Goodbye my princess” he echoes, reassuring himself.
With a final lingering glance in Min-sun direction, he smiles and slams the door.
The moment the door slams shut, an unsettling sensation washes over her.
Her heart hammering against her ribs, her palm slick with sweat, and eyes wells in sudden tears.
“Min-sun, why are you weeping?”
“Uh-it’s nothing. Come on, let’s go play with your new dolls”.
Suddenly, a thunderous blast, smelling sharply of gunpowder threw Prim and Min-sun backwards onto the couch.
Pulse racing frantically, Min-sun sees Prim’s eyes widen in sheer terror.
The sound was one she recognized too well.
A gunshot.
“M-M-Min-sun, what was that?” .
Min-sun’s lips quiver .”
Stay here .
I’ll go investigate”.
Reluctantly, she stands up, straining to conceal her trembling limbs.Her entire body shudders as she approaches the window.
Her fingers stretches anxiously towards the curtain which was being whipped by the wind.She turns back to glance at Prim;hands shaking uncontrollably.
As she unlatch the shutters , her eyes widens in terror, a sharp, piercing pain strikes her chest .
Her breathing becomes shallow and uneven
“Min-sun what is it?”
“Dad!”