The Devil's Kingdom

Connected fates

He just smiles.

My eyebrows archs even more deeper in suspicion.

" I see you've not a very good sense about your surrounding. " the old man says looking down laughing faintly.

He looks up again at me before he says pointing out his index finger " You're not the only one who was following. "
Listening to that my eyes rounds up in astonishment. He was following me?

He turns towards Shin binding his hands on his back " Now Shin, will you give both of us a little time to figure this out? "

" Sure master. " Shin instantly answers with a little bow.

" Thank you. " the old man says with a smile and a nod. And then Shin takes his leave.

Once Shin is gone, it was only me and the old man, left alone. He walks to a side where little shiny wooden stools were kept. Their legs were so small than normal stools. He takes a seat on one of them and asks me to have a seat on one too.

I walk awkwardly and sat down on the seat across to him before I look at him with a big deep frown on my face. He laughs looking at my face and says " Ask out those questions otherwise your head is going to burst from that much of burden. "

" From where did you were following me? From the market or wait were you following me from the pal— " I closed my mouth immediately when I realized what I was about to spill.

I look at that oldie, he has that same grin on his face that seems to be never fading from his face.

I look away and clear my throat before I calm myself down and then I remembered, that smile, " Was that old man who stood next to me watching those weapons, you? "

" Now you get it young lady. " he says.
" And it's not like i was tracking you secretly, it is just you happen to be in my sight while I was walking back from the shop. "

I sigh heavily before I look at him seriously " Sorry but I don't have any time to waste in these lame jokes. And I'm sure the same goes to you and your group too! " I say sternly. " As your student had mentioned earlier, I'm willing to help you achieve your goal but before that I want to know your reason to kill the King. "

" Sure I will tell you that but before that I've one condition. " he says.

" What condition? "

" You'll be my student. It's not everyday that interesting ones like you come to me. And.. " His expression suddenly calms down from all that excitement before he says " If you're willing to fight with all your potential, I can help you with that. " he then smiles at me.

My body stiffens a little bit because he's hard to read. I am not getting able read any of his intentions with that smile plastered mask on his face.

" Should I understand this silence of yours as yes? " he asks.

I took a moment before I gave a little nod.

" Okay then, I'll tell you. Our intention is nothing but to discard the tyranny from the Kingdom of Asterin and many other Kingdoms that Asterin had already invaded and taken under its rule including one of the strongest Kingdom who was believed to be equal with Asterin in terms of both strength and power, that is Riveryn. "

Something inside me felt like it is swallowing me listening to that. Remembering that horror of massacre makes me feel sick to my stomach everytime. It is pinned with highlighted red mark in my memories for the rest of my life. It's torture.

" I myself would never agree to violence or bloodshed to achieve any good. But, Jeon Jungeun had already far left from the phase where anyone could make him understand his grave sins. " I listened to that old man's each word with all my focus because it is the first time since I've met him, that smile has faded off from his face.

" It's only death that can free his tormented soul from hatred, despair, rage and malice that guides his body now. It's only then, the tyrant rule can come to an end & a new beginning can be made. "

" If all of you only want to dethrone him then why not wait, he's passing his throne to his son anyway. " I ask.

He sighs heavily before he looks back at me " And do you believe that the court that Jungeun had built of all the devils will listen to his son?! I doubt people will even start to mistake Jungkook being a tyrant ruler too, just like his father. " he pauses for a while before he speaks again " I'm glad that Jungkook never let any bad influence him for these many years. But unfortunately that's the only thing he could do. It was her mother's last words to me please look after my two kids master. "

My eyes widens from the realization " Jungkook! I mean Crown Prince Jungkook is your student?! "

" The most dedicated and hardworking student of mine. I've never met any boy of royal blood like him. " he says staring at something before he turns to me and his smile that was gone is now back again when he says " And now it's your turn to tell me about your reason to kill! Is it vengeance or for good that you're willing to kill, Princess of Riveryn and now Crown Princess of Asterin. "

My lips fell apart in absolute shock with my eyes almost stretched wide to their limits. How—did he?

" I had met you before. You might not have remembered me but i do. I have once gone to seek help from Riveryn's King on this same situation but due to the long run enmity between Riveryn and Asterin, he feared the worse and chose the safety of his family and kindly denied me. " the old man says.

Continuing he tells me " As you were going to be the Queen soon, he wanted to pass a kingdom without any dangerous clouds floating above it and especially not a dark cloud named Asterin. As Jungeun is now, your father knew there was victory having equal chances to fall in either Riveryn or Asterin's side, if a war would've had broken. "

He finally finishes telling me everything that I was unaware of until now and a pindrop silence falls inside the hall.

I gulped the nervousness that I was feeling. Reminded of the encounter I've had today with that wicked king in the morning, there's no doubt my father had feared defeat against that man.

A man as dangerous as any monster and as malevolent as any devil.. I fold my one knee so that the top of my feet is touching the floor and kept the another knee folded but feet firmly on top of the floor and finally bow to the old man while I ask him " Please accept me as your student and help me get stronger to rescue not only the Crown Prince but also all those peoples who are suffering in this from a long time. Please help me. "

" Master! "

I feel a hand on my head before he says " I understand your agony my child and I'm beyond surprised as well as impressed that you didn't let that affect your character. I will help everyone who's willing to help and protect humanity. "

A single tear slides down from my eyes.

I immediately swiped it before I stood back straight.

The master gives me his same smile radiating with so much warmth and serenity. " It must've been a very long day for you. I'll ask Shin to arrange a room for you. Take rest today because I'm starting your teaching the very next morning. "

***