The Infernal : The Rise Of A King (K.TH)

Ch 9: Our Peaceful Night Before The Battle (I)

Jungkook

It was a joyful sight, the music, the food, and the people erupting with laughter as they talked and danced with one another. I gripped my cup tightly looking at the scene the moonlight served as a majestic lamp illuminating the area. 

If only all days could be like this.

To think that tomorrow a battle will hold place on these grounds...

I sat on a barrel taking a sip of my ale, the smiles on these people their faces ached my heart. Some of these will die tomorrow and instead of laughing, they will cry, scream and mourn. We might not win this...

''They are prepared for the terror that is about to come.'' Edda came to hold beside me. Her eyes were locked on the villagers as well.

''That's why we feast today, as for some it might be the last time.'' We both looked at one another, and I felt myself fall into amazement. Despite the situation, her eyes were bright and filled with optimism as if nothing bothered her. She raised her cup at me a genuine smile that came with a set of teeth displayed before taking a sip of her drink.

''To our freedom.'' Her words came coated in ambivalence. It gave away that she was uncertain as well, perhaps anxious even, but can we blame her for it?

She lightly tapped my shoulder before striding away toward the direction she came from. My head hangs low, looking down at the liquid filling my cup. Its dark color portrayed my own eyes in its reflection. It made me realize how miserable I looked almost like its taste. Bitter. My tastebuds were still clinging to the bitterness of the sip I just took. Yet it also held some fruity sweetness. 

''Why are you sulking away on this barrel, my love.'' Perhaps the sweetness didn't come from the drink. 

I looked up, my eyes locking with the most mesmerizing ones I ever saw. The ones that.....made me curious about her in the first place. 

Minjae her smile was like a sudden beam of sunlight that illuminated the dark shadow that washed over me just minutes ago. Her hand took a hold of my cup setting it aside and replacing it with her own hands. 

Her fingers are cold...

I slightly bent over bringing my lips to her knuckles. I rubbed my thumbs over her palms while gently blowing out my hot breath to warm her skin. 

''Did you have fun dancing with the elders and children?'' A genuine laugh erupted from her. While I have been seated on this barrel staring at everyone, of course, my eyes would detect Minjae. She joined the feast, holding hands with children galloping around on the drums and singing. Or even slowly swaying her body from side to side by the fire, with one of the elders. 

She is loved but then again.....who would not love a woman like her?

''I did. Why don't you join us?'' This time she carefully pulled away her hands to place them against my cheeks. Squishing them a bit too harshly as she made me look at her once again. 

''We're all feeling uneasy.'' Her words came like a cold whisper against my nose. 

''That's why we should make the most out of this night. It's all we have, for the future is uncertain.'' Her hands lost strength allowing me to speak, instead of looking like a bloated fish. 

I nodded hesitantly both of my hands stroking her arms to her wrist, where they held on like tight chains. My heart leaped looking into her eyes. 

Whenever I look at Minjae there is this familiar warmth that spreads through my chest. It calms me yet at the same time fills me up with excitement.