(After the previous chapter)
As I was riding the horse for so long, my arms and legs were stiff. I stretched and walked towards the forest to get my stiff legs some release. As I wandered among the trees and I heard a stream following nearby. So, I followed the sound and found a fountain tucked in between the trees. The sound of its water falling on the stones filled the place.
It was so untouched by any human that it felt magical! I was stunned by nature's beauty and its calling to my soul. I went near as if I couldn't ignore its call and jumped off some big stones to reach the bottom. I took off my boots and touched my feet to the sparkling water, and it felt so good! I cupped my hand and filled it with water, and drank deeply. I also washed my face.
I forgot how long I was there because time lost its meaning. Only the birds singing around and the continuous sound of the stream were there to accompany me. I was sitting on a rock with my feet in the water when he came.
His approach didn't disturb the beautiful nature. He was so quiet that his presence blended as if he was part of this magical place himself.
So, when he touched my shoulder from behind, I jolted as if I just woke up from a dream! He just wordlessly stared into my eyes. I forgot who he was and who I was as I stared back into those vibrant ocean blue eyes that matched with the stream, which enchanted me a while ago. It felt like I was drowning and drowning without getting any chance to get a breath.
I wasn't sure if he wasn't breathing as well. After what felt like an eternity, he looked down from my eyes, and his chest heaved as he took in a huge gulp of air as if to steady himself.
He said after a moment, "What are you doing here? Everyone is ready to start off and waiting for you."
It broke my trance and whatever magic spell this place put me on. I tried to find my voice, "Your majesty, I...um..." I quickly tried to jump to my feet, and in the process, I lost my balance in the slippery stone and almost fell before he grabbed my wrist. I was in a dangerous position as he didn't pull me up and just hold me hanging there.
He smirked and said, "You made us wait, and I had to come to find you. Should I just let you fall as punishment?"
Uh, how can I forget for a moment what a prick he was?! I said, "I'm sorry, your highness."
He still didn't pull me up and asked, "For what?"
I gritted my teeth and said, "For not keeping track of the time, your highness."
He said, "Hmm, that's not a major offense now that I think about it. Maybe letting you fall and die would be too harsh of punishment no matter how tempting it is."
Then to my relief, he pulled me up and let go of my wrist. I forced myself to say, "Thank you for saving me, your highness."
He said, "Of course I would save you because I've more interesting ways to punish you rather than the boring way of letting you die." He chuckled to himself.
My good mood was already destroyed beyond repair, and I just wore my boots again and wordlessly followed him to where everyone else was.
It turned out I was missing for quite a while, and he sent guards to find me. When they couldn't find me, he himself went to find me. I guess he was too impatient and annoyed by the delay. No way he would be worried for me. As we reached the area, Shen Yi announced to everyone, "There had been a change of plan. The sun is close to the horizon and soon night will fall upon us. Kim found a running stream close by. So, we'll be setting up our camp and spend the night here and start for the rest of the way at tomorrow's first light."
Everyone started working on the setup and Shen Yi went to give further directions to Master Kang.
I was amazed by the efficiency of these guards and servants. Thanks to Master Kang's directions we managed to set all the tents and fires and everything before sunset.
I was sitting around a fire beside a group of chattering servants. We were in a large clearing we found among the trees and it was also close to that stream.
There were no scattering clouds in the evening sky and stars were twinkling and shining in their own sliver glow. I was waiting to reach our destination to activate my plan. So, tonight I don't have an agenda planned, I may as well enjoy my time here.
When I lied to my present parents about going out to travel the world, I never thought I would actually get a chance to see the outside world. But ironically, right now I was actually doing just that!
I wonder what Min Ha is up to, now that I wasn't there. Hope she doesn't get into trouble or worry too much about me.
As the preparation for dinner started at the makeshift kitchen in one of the bigger tents, I was called to help them there. It was kind of fun watching them cooking in the middle of a forest, everyone merrily chatting as if they were all friends. Sometimes I would join in a conversation or just hear and smile with them between going from one tent to other hauling things around. Sometimes I would sit for a moment to catch my breath and someone would pass me a pitcher of water to drink from. And that gratitude I felt was genuine. I felt wholehearted to work shoulder to shoulder with them.