As they walked to the garden, Yu Ran was still thinking of what had happened the previous night.
The King had carried the woman towards his living quarters, laying her in his bed and ordering a female servant to bring some new clothes for her and help her change. He only stepped out when the servants changed her clothes. After they were done, they were sent away except for Yu Ran.
"Your highness, may I know who this woman is? Why are you letting her lie down on your bed?" Although Yu Ran was only a subordinate, he and the King could be considered close friends. Over the years, he had gained the King's trust. King Jin's brows furrowed.
"This King doesn't know her nor the reason why this King is letting this happen. All this King knows is that this King has to take care of her," he replied, wondering the same thing himself.
When he saw the girl earlier, his protective instinct had kicked in. The last time he was overprotective of someone was his little sister.
Yu Ran was speechless. He didn't understand what was happening inside the King's head. The woman had a high fever when she arrived, and the King nursed her back to health. She was in a deep slumber for five days. The King could feel that her soul was injured, so he didn't leave her side until he was sure she was going to be alright. He had ordered Yu Ran to find any information about her.
Returning to the present, they arrived in the garden. Yi Ling saw a beautiful, picture-like scenery. In a beautiful garden, a man was standing in the center with his back facing her. His hair was black, long, and glossy. He was wearing a golden crown and was dressed in black robes with gold hues. Yi Ling felt she had seen those robes before.
"Your highness, the young miss is here to see you," Yu Ran bowed his head and gestured for Yi Ling to move towards the King.
"You may leave," the King said, still facing away. Yu Ran bowed his head again and left.
Yi Ling walked closer, now standing behind him.
"Please forgive me for my rudeness and thank you for your hospitality," she bowed her head and waited.
She noticed that the King turned around, but she kept her head bowed and didn't dare look up. Her mother had raised her well and taught her good manners, especially towards someone who saved her life. If it wasn't for this man, she would probably have died in that cave.
While she was walking with Yu Ran earlier, she asked how she got here. He told her that the King saved her from the cave because she was having a high fever, was soaked, and was trembling badly. They nursed her back to health, and five days later, she woke up. Nothing else happened aside from that. He mentioned that they were nursing her, but more of it was the King's doing. The King ordered him not to tell her that he had done it.
King Jin looked down at the woman who was still bowing her head. He couldn't understand why this woman had stirred his heart over the past few days.
"Who are you?" he asked instead of replying to her words. Yi Ling was puzzled too; she knew that her name was Yi Ling, but she wasn't inside her body. She didn't know who this woman was or her background. What if someone recognized her inside this Kingdom?
She was torn; she didn't know how to respond. Sensing her hesitation, the King spoke again.
"This King wants to know your name. This King only wants to know the woman who this King saved from death." His heart was aching, wanting to reach out to her.
"This lowly one is called Yi Ling, your highness." Her head was still looking down. She felt that even though this man was the King of the Kingdom, he didn't have that much coldness in him. She understood that he was trying not to scare her.
"Yi Ling, please raise your head and let this King see you," he ordered. He wanted to hold her so badly, but he had to keep his dignity. He was a King after all.
Hearing his order, Yi Ling straightened her back and looked up at the King. She looked too ordinary and definitely nothing noteworthy, he thought. But he was amazed at Yi Ling's reaction. Her mouth and eyes were wide open. Was I really that dashing? He couldn't help but smile at the thought.