The Enchantress

63.

Princess Mina.

I walked along the hallway as slow as I can. I was planning to go to the meeting room to talk to Chaeyoung. I need to talk to him about something but I feel nervous. Why am I nervous?

I don't get to see him much these days but still he made his presence known. He even had me followed. When I asked Keefa and Januf, who seemed to be everywhere I go, they just keep mum about it.

I was now in front of the meeting room, contemplating whether I'd come in or not. I took a deep breath and then knocked. Seconds came by but no 9ne opened the door. So I knocked again and put my ear on the door. I then heard them, the brothers seems like teasing each other.

I then opened the door and was surprised to see Momo kneeling in front of Chaeyoung. He and Tzuyu was laughing hard while Momo was saying something. Chaeyoung even pushed Momo making him fall as he lose his balance. I giggled, unable to control myself for the brother's laugh is infectious.

They might have heard me laughing for they're now staring at me.

"Sorry to intrude. I did knock twice, no one answered."

"We mustn't have heard. Momo made us laugh hard." Chaeyoung said his eyes looked cheery.

"What!? Am I a clown to you?"

Me and Tzuyu laughed again while Chaeyoung was still staring at me.

"Do you need something your highness?"

"Uhmm, I do..." I looked at Chaeyoung and continued. "There's something I need to talk to you about."

I waited for his response, but none came. He just kept staring. So Tzuyu nudge him and told him what I said. As he agreed, his brothers left us alone.

This made me more nervous. He might have sensed it for he took hold of my hand and encourage me to speak.

I told him about my plan of bringing home the plants that was gifted to me which he agreed to. I was about to go but he didn't let go of my hand.

He invited me to dinner and I accepted. I can't say no, can I? I'm sure I couldn't come up to an excuse anyways. We went to the balcony as we wait for dinner. We talked for a while.

A gush of cold wind suddenly blew, making me shiver into the night. What happened next blew me away. He went behind me, wrap his arms around me to hug me. I went stiff right away. The hair on my arms quickly stands as a wave of shock spread through my body.

"You're shivering." He said softly near my ear.

I didn't say anything nor made any movement. I was rooted on the spot. His hand gently caress both arms creating friction. I was surprised when I felt warmth in his embrace. My body soon went at ease.

He must've noticed for he became bolder when he lowered his head unto my shoulder. I went stiff again.

"I could never imagine losing you." He whispered.

It's as if I melted when I heard him say that. As rough as he is in battle, he's gentle and kind in private. He really is a gentle soul. I didn't realize my head now leans on his head.

We then heard a knock. He released me and said. "Our dinner must be ready."

At that time Al went in, bowed and said. "Your highness, dinner is ready as you've requested."

"Thank you Al." He then faced me smiling and offered his arm. "Shall we?"

I smiled at him as I took hold of his arm. This time It wasn't awkward when I locked my arm into his. For what transpired at the balcony was more intimate than that.

I was too immensed in my thoughts that I didn't noticed we weren't heading to where we usually eat. I just noticed when we stepped out of the hallway into the path that leads to the garden.

"This is not the way to the banquet hall." I said, stating the obvious.

"Indeed. I had a different kind of dinner in mind."

We went deeper into the garden and soon I saw bright lights at the center of the garden. When we were near that's when I realized it was a gazebo that's surrounded with strings of warm lights. Inside the gazebo were a dinner table for two.

I was smiling as I looked at it.

"I've noticed your family like breakfast by the gardens. So I twitched it a little and make it dinner."

I looked at him surprised. "You thought of this?"

"Yeah. I had the gazebo made, with the King's permission of course. He also said he'll be naming this garden on our behalf."

"Wow." I still couldn't believe it. How sweet he is and thoughtful too to do this. He even thought of how we love to eat by the garden.

I heard him chuckled so I looked at him confused.

"You're that blown away by the gazebo huh. I thought you'd be asking what will be the garden's name by now."

"Sorry... Yeah. I was. I didn't know you pay that much attention. Uhmm... Yeah. Uh. What's the name then?"

He then pointed at a sign that's at the front of the gazebo. It says, "The Michae garden"

"Oh. Wow. Michae?"

He chuckled. "Dero made up that name. The 'Mi' came from your name, and 'Chae' is my nickname. Only my father and brothers call me that."

"Can I call you Chae too?" I suddenly blurted out.

He looked surprised yet smiling. I then realized what I just said. Only his family get to call him that.

"Sure." He urge me to walk forward.

"Uhm...It's...your name is long that's..."

"It really is long. I don't mind you calling me that." He stopped and faced me, tucking a stray hair into the back of my ear. "Only those whose special to me get to call me that."

I feel like my breath stopped as he stared at me. He then broke our eye contact and led me towards the gazebo and help me to my seat. He took a blanket from the other seat and draped it on me. When he's seated, he took the wine and gestured for us to toast.

I took my glass and moved it closer to his. He clinked his glass to mine and took a sip.

I suddenly felt thirsty, like I haven't drank for a while. I took a long swig of the wine. He looked surprised as I did this. That's when I realized what I'm drinking is wine. So I'm not supposed to drink more than a sip.

"Sorry, I... I felt thirsty."

He smiled and put a glass of water closer to me. I smiled and thanked him and took a sip of the water. Uggh! Mina! You're supposed to drink it not sip.

I am not myself tonight.

"Let's eat." He reached and took the cover off my plate. We ate in silence. I was famished too but I try not to eat too fast.

"Mina, please know that when you're with me, you don't have to pretend." He said smiling. Then he began to eat a bit faster. "I don't know about you, but I'm so hungry."

He was halfway on his food when he gestured to someone that he wants another round.

I chuckled seeing how well he eats.

"You should better eat well. You have lots to do everyday helping the king."

He paused, looking at me. "Wow. It's nice to know that you do care for me."

I suddenly felt my cheeks burn. "I... Uh..." I started eating again. Gosh... Mina! Stop embarrassing yourself. I better not speak anymore.