Under the cherry tree

Chapter 12: Prince's jewels (7)

She's definitely got the wrong idea.

Judging by the very pronounced frown that's crinkling her delicate skin and the scrunching of her tiny nose, Lou is most definitely pissed at what she thinks I've been doing for the last two hours we've been separated, and the worst part is I can't even blame her for it. I'd misunderstand me, too. Especially if I'd see myself seemingly walking out of a brothel looking like this.

Lou came to a stop exactly three paces in front of me after running around the square like a madman, undoubtedly thinking I screwed up with my mission— or something along the lines of that, anyway. Her left hand is clawing at the back of her head while the other is surely struggling not to reach out and strangle my neck. I do not fail to notice the way her dark brown hair fell down on her shoulders in waves either, the rich strands framing her fair face and enhancing her jade green eyes. I would have found them mesmerizing if it weren't for the fact that those same eyes are currently piercing me with arrows of pure rage. Hell, even her dress is no longer neat like it was when I picked it for her. Maybe I can explain before she—

"YOU SELFISH PIECE OF SHIT!" Never mind.

I step closer to her, trying to appease her anger by holding my palms up. "Hey, I know how this must look to you, but—"

"You poor excuse of a Taoist! How dare you treat me like this?! And after all I've done for youuuu?!" Oh boy, this will take a while. Lou leans forward, stepping closer.

"How about you—"

"Bastard!"

"Please, listen—"

"Ungrateful stupid pig!"

"I didn't mean to—-" A slap clamps my jaw closed, stinging pain soaring across my cheek as my head snaps sideways, making me stumble to the left. I know it's not exactly the right moment to tell her this, but damn, does she hit like a bull. And mind you, she's someone who barely reaches high enough to look me in the eyes, tiptoeing. "Sorry—" A slap. "Hey!" And another slap. When she prepares to land the next one, I grab her wrists to prevent her from hitting me further. "Just stop, damn it!" She's not pleased.

Surprisingly she does stop, but only enough to glare daggers at my face before she shamelessly starts kicking furiously at my legs. "You cheating little— UGHHH!" She hit my groin with all her strength and bended me to my knees, grunting. I found myself lying on the concrete ground. Oh, you're so fucking done for.

"You deserved it, you bastard! I've been waiting here like an idiot for hours before I rushed to your help thinking something bad has happened, but you filth were just fooling around like the buffoon you are!" The girl stomped her foot to emphasize her words, but it just made my blood boil more. She deduced that possibility from the sweat that's covering me whole, clothes clinging to my warm body.

Patience, Cheongmyeong. Lou's just a kid, and she's convinced you spent your time holed up in a pleasure house. She's rightfully angry, and you just have to find a way to calm her down. Easy, step by step.

Slightly less numbed by pain, I stand up to look at her, my hands ready to block any attack she might try on me again. Thankfully, the brat lets me speak this time. "It's really not what it looks like. I've just talked to a girl, the one who accompanied Jo Gul and the others. Shamairah, remember? She happily agreed to give that guy the message, especially because she is the one with whom he meets regularly at the brothel. You were right, it didn't take more than some sweet talk to get her to do it. I've finished and left in a matter of minutes." Lou still doesn't seem to believe me, but she does nothing to interrupt my confession.