Two Kingdoms | Park Sunghoon

27

"Sang-ah! Sang-ah! Where on earth are you?!" Aeri's panicked shouts could be heard all over the palace. Not more than five seconds later did the poor, unsuspecting Sang-ah stumbled into the room to see the Queen's face pale as a ghost.

"M'lady, whatever has happened? Are you feeling alright, your face has lost all its colour." The frightened maid spoke, reaching out to feel the Queen's forehead for a fever, only for her to smack her hand away.

"Where is my engagement ring? I haven't seen it. It was right here in this exact drawer and I had placed it exactly in the exact corner. So tell me, where is it?"

"My Queen, I have absolutely no idea. In fact, I was not even aware where you keep the ring. I can immediately set out a search party to find it for you. How long has it been gone for?" Sang-ah filled with guilt after having fibbed to her mistress, her hands shaking frantically behind her back.

"I just realised that it was gone around ten minutes ago. Find it. Now."

"Do not fear Your Highness. I will organise the search party according to the schedule you had for toda-" The maid as interrupted by a series of thumps on the door. The Queen called out to enter in an angered tone only to reveal one of the castle guards.

"Your Royal Highness. The Prince of Baekche is awaiting you in the throne room. He seems to be waiting very impatiently and he requires your presence as soon as. I will take my leave now." He bowed before taking three steps backwards and then turning round to exit the room.

"Set that up immediately. For now I must go. I better come back to find that ring on my vanity." Aeri spoke before excitedly skipping towards the throne room where her lover was waiting for her.

"Sunghoon~" She said entering the room, practically galloping towards him for a hug. She grasped onto him tightly and just as usual, she felt those butterflies upon feeling his embrace. Tightening her grip unto him, he tightened his and let out a small laugh.

"Woah there, I'm not going anywhere you know." He spoke.

"I know. I just happened to actually miss you for once." Aeri retorted.

"I highly doubt that this is the first time you've ever missed me. Right? I mean look at how red you are right now."

"Shut up Sunghoon." She giggled whilst giving him a playful smack on the back. "So, why did you want to see me?" She questioned the now seated boy.

"I was feeling lonely in the palace today and felt like you were lonely too. Lover's telepathy." He smirked in response. Aeri's eyes widened slightly upon hearing that he knew she felt lonely.

"We truly are made for each other," she thought to herself.

"Well, what do you wish to talk about?" Aeri continued.

"I wanted to ask you if you would like to meet me tomorrow. If you have time for me, that is." Sunghoon spoke shyly.

"I'll always have time for you silly. However there's something I need to tell you.." the young woman muttered towards the end. "Your engagement ring, the one you gave me. I can't find it. I'm so sorry. I placed it in my safe drawer a while ago before my bath and I swore I put it there and that it was on me throughout the entire day and I know it must've cost a fortune and been one a million and I bet you went through much difficulty trying to-"

"You mean this ring?" Sunghoon spoke sarcastically whilst holding up the same purple sapphire ring. Her jaw dropped as she rushed over to snatch it from his hands, but he immediately raised his arm up in the air out of her reach as she struggled, jumping around in hopes to grab the ring.

"You may be strong, but always remember I'm taller." He chuckles only to earn a huff from Aeri.

"How did you get that anyway? You have no idea how much stress you've put me through!"

"You see my love, I managed to get my hands on it through my Regent. Especially since I need this ring for our outing tomorrow. On the topic, where is your favourite place ever, outside of you palace?" He questioned only to have the girl think for a solid minute, digging deep into her mind to find her favourite place.

"In my forest, there's a small hidden garden filled with tulips and dahlias with a fountain. I love it there."

"Then there it is we shall go. I'll give you a small hint, I want you to dress up in your favourite dress. I want you to feel beautiful for tomorrow." The young boy blushed once more, also causing her to blush upon seeing his flustered state.

"Aren't you getting too flirtatious with me? Relax lover boy." The Queen spoke in defence, hoping to break out of her lovestruck situation.

"Well how can I not be flirty towards you when I am ever so in love with you. Your eyes hypnotise me and your aura enchants me. So tell me, how am I not meant to flirt with you?" He confessed whilst getting closer to her, only inches between them.

"I never complained," Aeri smirked before looking up at his eyes before reverting her eyes to his lips. She felt his hot breath against her cheek, his hands snaking behind her waist pulling in her closer than she already was. Both their hearts beat harder against their chests, feeling as if hey were ascending to the skies. In every moment such as this, Aeri felt her sanity slowly slipping away and obsession taking over. She craved him more than anything and anyone. He was her drug, her intoxication, her medicine her cure. He was hers.

Sunghoon's mind was always overflowing with thoughts of Aeri. No matter how hard he tried to push her out and remind himself she was only a toy, his heart would only keep pulling her in. The longer he stayed in her presence, the harder he fell. Myung-dae was in constant struggle trying to persuade him out of his love for her, yet even he failed miserably. Sunghoon knew how much it was damaging him yet he still persevered through for the sake of his father and for his kingdom.

"Uhm, I must get going now. I look forward to seeing you love." His hands dropped speedily before briskly leaving the room without another glance. Aeri was too bewildered by their previous position to notice his odd behaviour. Instead, she ran exuberantly to her room and flopped onto her bed, kicking her legs in the air with excitement and pure admiration for her royal lover boy.

"I am so in love." She giggled to herself.