The Mercenary: A Sequel to Hwarang: The Saga of the Sooks Book #2

Chapter 41: Abandoned

In the meantime, Jong Su was growing impatient.

"What do you mean: she refuses to see me?"

"I think, brother, that she is embarrassed. She feels that she has put you in mortal danger by reopening your wound," Eun Sook tried to explain.

She knew that Jong Su was growing tired of being trapped in the palace. He had spent a couple of days lying flat on his back again to give his wound a chance to close again. Then a couple more days had been spent reacquiring his stamina. He'd walked the length of his room more times than she could count. And traversed several hallways. Still, it wasn't enough for him. He clearly missed his beloved.

"This is ridiculous! It was my own fault. I shouldn't have grabbed for her. She lost her balance and was just trying to steady herself," he grunted in obvious frustration. "But I don't understand why that would cause her to flee from me."

His sister shook her head. "I do not know. She is a strange creature, to be sure. Full of pride, I think."

"She needs to abandon it. I care not if she puts me in danger a thousand times. I love her!"

She graced her brother with a lovely smile. "I know you do. It burns in your eyes. She is one very blessed woman."

He closed his eyes. "Where can I find her?"

"She's been hiding in her rooms since your re-injury."

He swung his feet off the bed. "If she won't come to me, then I shall just have to go to her."

This time, he allowed no one to accompany him as he made his way slowly towards her rooms. He was, of course, trailed by his guards. And stopped by hers.

"The princess does not wish to see you," her head guard informed him.

Jong Su's eyebrows rose to assault the portrait painted overhead. "What do you mean?" he stormed.

"She specifically asked me not to let you pass," the man answered boldly.

"But...she is my fiancé!" the prince declared, ire warring with hurt in his voice.

"Still, she does not wish to be disturbed."

"Disturbed? The woman is clearly already disturbed if she will not face me! Let me pass!"

"I cannot, your highness."

Desperately, the prince strode forward.

But one of her guards stepped in front of him. "Your grace, you were injured several days ago. We do not wish to cause you any harm. But we cannot let you pass. If you insist on barging into the princess's rooms, we will be forced to confine you."

Jong Su ground his teeth.

"Sook Myeongie!" he hollered. "Come face me! Right now! Like the brave soul I know you to be! At the very least, come talk to me. And tell me why you don't wish to see me anymore!"

Behind the doors, the princess paled. She had first heard his voice as he'd upbraided her guard. Then her pet name had sounded on his lips. But this time, an odd desperation had laced those precious words. Her heart was quaking. And she knew that if she faced him, she would lose the resolve to which she'd spent several days clinging.

After a few breathless moments, she heard his voice raised again. "Fine. If you don't wish to see me, then I shall leave."

Sadly, she heard his halting steps as he made his way slowly back to his room.

She had to bite her knuckles to prevent herself from running after him.

––

She passed another restless night. Longing for him. She had endured nearly a week of such nights. They were not getting any easier to withstand. Rather, she could feel her backbone crumbling. She longed for him like some lovesick girl. She was beginning to realize that that's exactly what she was.

She awoke to a bright morning that seemed to belie the darkness now filling her heart. She groaned and rolled over in bed. Sticking her head under her pillow in a bid to enter a numbing dreamland once more. Anything to escape from the truth. And another day spent without him.

But her fight for slumber came to an abrupt halt when a maid knocked on her door.

"Forgive me, your highness, but the prince just delivered a note."

Sook Myeong sat up. And swung her legs over the side of her bed. "Come in."

The girl entered, bowed, and crossed the room to hand the princess the short missive.

Her eyes perused his few words. And she made a quick, painful decision.

––

"The prince has left," Eun Sook announced as Sook Myeong entered her chamber an hour later.

"He's left?" she asked in shock. "It's too soon! He'll reinjure himself! He can't ride a horse today. Not for weeks yet! He's endangering his life!"

"I tried to convince him to stay. But he said there was no reason to remain," Eun Sook's eyes filled with tears. "He insisted that he has urgent business to which he must attend." She shrugged. "I couldn't stop him. He was on his way to the stables when I caught him. A half hour ago."

"Half an hour ago?!" Sook Myeong gasped.

Then she turned and fled her brother's rooms. To hunt the king down.