It was near dawn when Cavi and Ria reached his Camping Palace at the Guzheng Port. The moon was shining brightly high in the sky that indicated it rose later than it was suppose to be.
"How dare you trespass the Frost Camping Palace! Arrest them!" the royal guard who saw them ordered, with sword pointed at them.
Ria's grip on Cavi's arm tightened when numbers of guards surrounded them, weapons ready to strike.
Cavi just sighed at them, losing his patience since he's too tired and his wound still hurt. Besides, this woman was clinging unto him too tightly that she was weighing him down more.
Yet, thinking about it, she really never had enough rest since they're fallen on that cliff.
"It's me," in a cold tone, the king stated; confusing some of the guards who never saw his face in reality.
"What you?! Who do you think you are?! Keep spouting nonsense or else, I'll kill you-"
The guard who was speaking rude to Cavi was hit by a man who suddenly appeared from the dark. Everyone was just too surprised by what happened that no one was able to react.
"Who-"
"Rude servant. I think you're the one who don't want your life anymore. Hurry and greet the king quickly!" with the mysterious man's words, all the guards were frightened; falling into their knees.
"Your majesty! Please forgive us for not recognizing you!" they all said in chorus as they trembled in nervousness and fear. They might lose their lives any moment from now for disrespecting their king.
"Please forgive my incompetence, your majesty. I was late. When we arrive at the place, we saw you jumping in the cliff already. I deserve your punishment." Trey, the captain of Frost Royal guards, bowed to Cavi as he asked forgiveness.
Cavi ignored him and waved his hand to dismiss the other guards. Now, they all scurried away. he was about to walk back towards his palace already but then, his arm was pulled by weak hands. Looking back, he saw the girl who was trying to keep her eyes open.
"I… I think I can't walk anymore…" as soon as Ria uttered those words, her knees gave up, causing her to fall into the ground.
Fortunately, Cavi wasn't too late to catch her before she hit her head.
"Your majesty. this is…?"
He looked at her. "Someone stupid to put her life in danger because of me."
With those words, Trey couldn't help but be surprised. Though it's not strange to hear those words, it is now because it's coming from this cold and indifferent king.
"Then let me carry her, your majesty," he suggested and when he was about to take the woman from King Cavi's arms, the king moved her away.
"Let me do it." Ignoring the blood spilling from his reopened wounds, Cavi carried the woman and walked away.
"Indeed, it is strange," Trey thought as he watched his king's back. But then, remembering the woman's face, it was obvious that she's a rare beauty even though she's wearing dirty clothes and hair was messed.
Besides, she had saved the king. No wonder, she got the luck to have a piece of his attention.
***
"My king! You're back! I…I failed to protect you. please take my life as a punishment!" Adil knelt before Cavi, head down on the floor.
Cavi could only sigh in impatience. This boy wasn't even thinking that he was carrying an unconscious person. "If you really want my punishment, then go to your room and reflect. Write 100 copies of the War in Guzheng poem."
"Huh?! But-" though Adil was definitely in protest, he only pouted and gave up at last. Not that he could endure the king's cold glare. "Alright. I'll listen to you, my king."
Dragging his feet, he disappeared on the hall towards his room.
With Trey, Cavi went inside his room where this woman first stayed when she was saved by him days ago. Nanny Elis who knew his return was preparing the rooms for them.
"Little Cavi! You're back. Come. put her in here," she hurried towards him, assisting as he placed the lady on the bed. As she looked at the state they're in, she couldn't help but feel her heart ache.
Obviously, they suffered these past days that they're missing.
"We're fine already, Nanny Elis. Don't worry to much." Feeling the tap on her shoulders, Nanny Elis was able to hold her tears back. It's not like this was the first time that her little Cavi returned wounded and bloodied. Still, she couldn't stop herself from feeling pain every time.
"I'll clean her up, then. I already prepared the next room where you will stay. Also, please rest as soon as possible. Tomorrow is the celebration. You must attend."
Nodding, Cavi turned to Trey.
"Let's talk in my study."
"Yes, your majesty."
***
The silence was eerie but Trey didn't mind. He had served the king since his coronation. He's already used to his silence.
"Did anyone know that I went missing?"
"Your majesty. you don't need to worry. I only mobilized the secret guards I brought to find you these days. So, no one knew you went missing. Just that…" Trey paused, touching his nose like he always does when he was thinking.
"Why stop?" Cavi took the tea cup from the table, sipping a bit of it. though it's only a couple of drops, the flavor of tea leaves and water from the sea spread throughout his tongue.
"Crown Prince Raziel went here the day you went missing. Then yesterday, came here. he kept insisting to meet you so I was suspicious. Fortunately, Nanny Elis talked to him and that's when he decided to went back to his palace. I just don't get it. Why would he come here at such time…?"
For the second time, Cavi drunk from the cup, emptying it of the tea. This was probably made by Nanny Elis.
"Don't mind him. is there anyone else?"
Trey shook his head. "But I don't understand it, your majesty. the crown prince is the most suspicious. Why do you kept protecting him like-"
Cavi raised his hand. "Trey. I'm sure you're aware who's the most suspicious. As for Crown Prince Raziel, I knew him well. He wouldn't dare do that. And if ever he does, he knew it wasn't the right time…"
The imperial guard bit his lip, looking down to the floor. Sure. They both knew who really planned this.
"Did you catch anyone of those men?"
"Yes, your majesty. we catch seven of them. Others fought back so they were killed. And few escaped. Should we begin interrogating them?"
"No." Cavi stood up, putting his hands on his back. "Release them."
"Release them?!"
"Yes. Release them."
"But-"
"They are still my people, Trey. Though they tried to harm me, they are only being used by other greedy people. So, let them be."
Though Trey didn't totally agree with the king's idea, he was admiring him for his love for the people. In the kingdom, they always say he was indifferent towards people. Yet, he knew he was only indifferent to women.
But then, remembering the woman the king just brought back, he couldn't help but smile in wonder. Can that woman melt down his majesty's coldness?
He'll look forward to it.