Under the cherry tree

Chapter 11: Prince's jewels (6)

When I wake up, it's to the smirking face of a very enthusiastic Cheongmyeong.

"Ready to go yet?"

I groaned as I flipped to my side, propping my chin on my elbow, rising an eyebrow in confusion. The mattress was not too comfortable, and it took its toll on my tired muscles. "How long did I sleep?"

"Roughly five hours."

I glanced at him, taking in his changed clothes and the shoes he had already put on. He washed his face with the soap I left near the basin in the bathroom, smelling of some sort of flowery mix. "How long did you sleep?"

"About four hours. I wanted to prepare myself in advance. Be one step ahead of a certain someone, you know?"

The boy tugged on my thin blanket, trying to sober me up faster. I snorted. "You know that's my soap, right? You smell like a girl right now."

Cheongmyeong swiftly dragged the covers off me and started folding them with uncharacteristic care, sending dust flying as he plopped it on the chair near the desk. He turned around to look at me, shrugging. "Soap is soap. And it smells nice, so why not?" Now I'm sitting on the edge of the bed, the haziness from before completely gone. "What's gotten into you all of a sudden? Getting dressed and all."

"What can I say? I'm a busy man." He answered sarcastically, then proceeded to grab my arms to hoist me up, placed a clean dress in them along with my daggers which he somehow found in my room and nodded towards the door. I stood there, stunned. "I'll wait for you outside. Gear up and let's go."

Staring at him, I asked: "Go where?"

"To deliver the letter, of course! Don't tell me you've forgotten already?"

"No, I haven't. But I don't remember mentioning you coming with me?"

Hearing my words, the Divine Dragon turned on his heels and reached into the neckline of his robe, pulling the piece of paper just enough so I can see it, safely tucked inside his clothes. "Indeed you did not. But I'm the one holding the letter, and you're the one who knows the people we must talk to to have it delivered. It's only natural I come with you." That familiar glint lightened his eyes, satisfied to have the upper hand. I watched as he hid it again, cursing myself for letting it slip past my fingers earlier today.

"...Fine. Give me a few minutes."

He beamed. "Wow, no objections?"

"Don't push it."

*

Once I'm ready, I step into the living room only to be greeted by several disciples snoring, their limbs sprawled on the floor. I carefully find my way to the door where Cheongmyeong is waiting, afraid not to step on someone by accident. We walk outside and slowly close the door behind us in hope of not waking them up with the sound. Only after several feet away from the house do I start speaking.

"I'm surprised you didn't actually 'knock them out cold'."

"Oh, please. I'm disappointed in your poor opinion of me. I would never." Cheongmyeong claims that, but the grin playing on his lips says otherwise. He fell into step with me, matching his long strides with the slightly shorter ones I have.

I snickered. "I bet they'd say the opposite."

We trekked on the streets for a while, our conversation making our time together enjoyable. The people are already up and about, going around and doing their chores for the day considering it's, well, noon. I guided the boy to a less cramped area to answer his burning questions.