King's Maker [+18]

Chapter Twenty-one

A knock caused both of us to open our eyes. He softly broke the kiss but then stole a little more. I cleared my throat from embarrassment. "You may come in." A perspiring, panting royal guard came in. "Y-Your Highness, there is something urgent."

"Excuse me." I said as I bowed and closed the door as I left. No, I should just hear it.. I've never seen anyone here in that restless state.

I placed my ear on the door. "Your Highness, King Jeon wagers to start a war." I froze. H-He knew? "Did he speak of his reason?" He spoke so calm, as if he isn't terrified of what his kingdom may get into.

"He said that you took and tainted something from him, and that he's watching." I gasped. No. Please.

I don't want to go back. Tears instantly roll. But hundreds of lives will be perished if I do not bring myself there. I started to run out of the kitchen and down the stairs.

Word hasn't spread yet, people are calmly strolling on the grounds. I need to leave. Now.

I can't bid goodbye to King Hiero, he will not allow me. I started to run out of the gate. I needed to go to the dock, but before that, I need a carriage.

I started to hear stampedes of feet behind me, I looked and royal guards were on the run for me.

I took turns to confuse them. I saw a bridge with a dim tunnel underneathe. I jumped down and quickly merged with darkness.

Feet can be heard running on the top of my head. "All of you! Part ways!"

Goodness, my life is such a gamble.

Eerily quiet.. I had to make sure so I waited for minutes.. I slowly walked and looked at my surroundings. I carefully climbed up and just in time, a carriage passed by me. I waved my hand, watching it stop made me run to it. "At the dock, please." I said, panting. Good thing I have money in my pocket- no! I don't have a ticket!

King Hiero handed me one before, when I was curious as to what their tickets looked like.

I sweat all over, I can't stop this carriage now or they'll see me on the street.. think Y/n, think.

Oh! I remembered King Hiero said I can board any ship anytime, I'd just have to state my name. The only problem now is if King Hiero already spread out the word to look for me.

I looked up ahead and realized that in just minutes, we're at the dock.

-

"Ticket, please?" I cleared my throat. "I'm Y/n, ma'am.. King Hiero-"

"Please, come in." Oh thank God! Panic rattled all my bones. I thanked and went inside the ship.

I sat at the first bench I saw here in the main deck. I don't know how I will face King Jeon when I get there, I doubt if his Highness would talk to me. What if he hits me? What if he locks me up? What if he tortures me to death..

If that meant liberating the lives of people.. then it will be a done deal.

"Miss?" I turned my head, an old lady. "May I sit beside you?" She smiled so dearly. "Of Course, ma'am." I bowed and gave a smile. She sat beside me and a whiff of flowers passed through my nose.

I sighed, but then I'm thinking again..

I need this ship to start right away before King Hiero permits to decline all transportation or close the borders. I don't pose that I'm a one-of-a-kind woman to these men.. I'm acting up to save myself from mishaps, but it's getting worse and worse.

The more I avoid King Jeon, the greater his threats get. I closed my eyes and hope.

I felt the ship starting to move. I can't believe I'm doing this. My first time to ride a ship.. concious, that is.

It's said that this travel would take about a day and a half, I could only sigh..

The sight of smoke coming out of those big pipes sticking out in the center of this ship amazes me when it caught my gaze.

"Dear, have this." I was touched when the old lady gave me a whole roll of biscuits.

I must say, people like her and the King here will make me miss this country.

-

My throat felt dry just thinking of stepping on the ground.. his ground. I should be already thinking of my plead and how to say it but my mind is just pure blank.

It is a heavy feeling that hundreds of people are weighing upon me.

"Dear, are you here for a breather?"

"Oh no ma'am, that's the country where I used to live.. I-I'm just coming back.." I faintly smiled. She pats my hand, and that gives me so much comfort.

As the sun starts to settle, most of us went to our respective cabins..

-

Did time lapse just like that? My body felt sore from tossing and turning in my sleep last night. I asked the carriage to stop when I already see the familiar gates.

I hid behind an infrastructure. I inhaled through my nose. I took a step, feeling my knees turn to pudding. No.. I must.

I went ahead and stood in front of the gates. The King's advisor came out, "tsk, you really are pathetic, you caused too much disaster to the King and his Kingdom, you have a face of steel to muster and stand before his palace, you should have just killed yourself." I remained unfazed.

I walked past him but before that, he held my arm tight, "be foolish for the last time and I'll kill you myself." He spat, "go to his throne room!" He shouted and pushed me to the side.

I breathe again. I need composure.

The tall doors are closed.. but I know he's sitting there, just waiting. No guards were outside the palace and even here. It scares me how deserted it is.

I pushed the door and I was right, just sitting.. even from a distance, I could feel his fiery gaze. I walked to meet him and my heart drums louder when he takes his time going down the stairs of this throne.

As I get closer, I see he's holding a glass with rum in it, almost empty. My feet are telling me to stop.

We both met in the middle, I kept a straight face but my whole body could disassemble on its own. His eyes are indignant, brows creased together. He drank all with what's left on the glass and I got shocked when he pulled my hair and smashed his lips on mine.