When morning came, the Ministers and the Clan Leaders noticed the King's bad mood. Even though his beloved woman sat beside him in the assembly room, he had his eyebrows furrowed ever since he entered. Because of that, nobody dared to speak first.
"Shall I speak, Your Highness?" Minister Holter said upon seeing that no one dared to.
"Yes," The King said abruptly.
The minister spoke, "Last night, someone intruded the prisoner's basement and killed the mute mercenary. Because of this, His Highness and I concluded that perhaps, what the late Minister Rowan said was true. Therefore, we shall travel to the Ancil Mountains in two days. And the King wants to come personally-"
"I disagree, Your Highness!" Clan Leader Owen said, "If the mountains are the bandits' territory, it will be difficult for us to make our move. Most likely, they already memorized the terrain-"
The King suddenly banged the table with his fists. He stood up and faced them all with a serious expression. Ely got startled by it; she immediately leaned on the backrest and quietly listened to them.
"Clan Leader Owen, I already gave you a task, didn't I?" King Maro's deep voice uttered, "You shall stay and continue training more mercenaries. I will only bring General Lum and some of the chosen top-tier mercenaries."
Realized that he spoke too much, he glanced at the General, "Then we shall entrust His Highness' safety to you and your men," and he gave him an affirmative look.
They continued planning and preparing for the hike. General Lum was assigned to choose the mercenaries that would go with them, and each of his men handled their own weaponry. They polished their swords and spears, and made sure they had enough water and food.
On the other hand, Ely went to the King's room. She knocked at the door, "Uhm… Maro?"
"Yes, come in."
Ely slowly pushed the door and stepped inside. She saw Maro on the balcony, wearing a plush robe which was tied very loosely, exposing his bare chest and 6-pack abs whenever he moved. She quickly averted her eyes from his body to his eyes, and her cheeks turned pink in slight embarrassment.
"What is it, my Queen?" King Maro said, smiling at her sweetly as he stroked her head. It was a tiring day, but seeing his beloved Elizabeth always soothed his soul.
"I want to request something," Ely said.
"Of course. What is it?" The King wondered if she would like some jewelry, or new gowns and dresses, but…
"Maro, I… I want to go with you tomorrow!"
King Maro widened his eyes in shock. His previously sweet smile turned into a frown, and he became furious out of worry for her, "No!" He yelled. "It is very dangerous for you!" He grabbed his wrist tightly.
Ely touched his shoulder, saying, "But… What if I don't see you again?! I mean… What if you return, and I suddenly, accidentally went back to my home…"
"Ely, you…" He loosened the grip on her, and honestly, her words almost swayed him into agreeing to her request, "When I say no, it's no." King Maro said in a low voice. He seemed very worried about Ely. He had already lost some of the artifacts, and it would worry him if she went with them to a dangerous place.
The King led Ely to her bedroom, then left as soon as he tucked her in the sheets. But Ely couldn't sleep well that night.
She rose up from her bed and walked towards the balcony. She talked to herself, "What if I suddenly returned to my world… Will Maro be alright here?" Ely sighed. She was worried that if she was not there to calm him down, he might be too hot-headed, just like that time when he almost broke the wineglass again in the assembly.
Ely didn't want to go back to her real world anymore. She was afraid to be alone again. Somewhere inside of her, she wanted to believe that King Maro was her dead husband, but how could she find out if they'd be separated?
She didn't know why, but her instinct told her to come with him to the mountains.
"Hmm… But how…" she muttered, as she walked around the balcony. After some time without a solution, she gave up and went back to bed.
The next day, Ely was still determined to come with the King, so she had breakfast with him in awkward silence. She was afraid that she'd say something wrong about his trip to the Ancil Mountains.
On the other hand, the King noticed that she was being oddly quiet. Usually, she'd ask him if he had any dream, and he would say he had none, then she would be the one who'd tell him about her dream, making their conversation long. But seeing her frowning, it seemed like she was not in the mood and still bothered about their conversation last night when he did not permit her to go with him.
"Ely."
She stopped using her utensils and glanced at him. That cold tone and that serious gaze… felt familiar… just like that day when he interrogated her in the dungeon.
"Y-Yes?"
"Did you have a dream last night?" asked the King.
Ely shook her head, "I have none…"
"I see…" And then, there was silence, once again. Although the King wanted to start a conversation with her, Ely looked too gloomy, so he decided not to force her to say something.
Ely was startled when the King suddenly stood up. "I've lost my appetite." He sternly said, then stood up from his seat. "I am... going to read some documents."
Ely felt bad that he left in a sour mood. And when she saw King Maro leave, she hurriedly gulped her juice, then stepped out of the room, too. She remembered that on her way to the dining room, she saw several mercenaries on the open field. They were polishing swords and shields, and checking the bows and arrows they would bring to the mountains.
Ely approached them with a sweet smile.
"Greetings, Queen of Ballad," they politely lowered their heads.
"Good morning… Don't mind me, I'll just observe how you do things."
The men then gave her an affirmative look and continued doing their work. While they were busy, Ely looked around... and she suddenly had a great idea.
She thought, 'I can still go with them… as long as I don't get caught!'