"My sword is one inch away from slicing your neck. My victory is one inch away, yet why can't I do it, Althea? What kind of spell have you cast on me to have me thinking about you all day?!"
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Byeol meets a tragic death at age nineteen...
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I woke up to the sound of shuffling beside me.
The memories came rushing in immediately. My office. The important papers my father told me to review and not lose.
Shit.
I kept my ears open to listen to the culprit shuffling through the papers on my desk, as I slowly reached for my sword resting against the couch's head.
My fingers curled around the hilt, and in one swift motion, I was up on my feet, running and tackling the intruder to the ground, flipping them over the desk and onto the floor, scattering everything on it in the process.
I lined my sword against their throat, as I took a candle that had surprisingly not fallen off my desk and brought it close to their face.
"Shit!" The curse rolled off my tongue as I stared at the bright blue eyes that shined in the candlelight, and their terrified expression.
"Ouch." Was her response to the whole attack, her eyes shut from the flame close to them, as she grit her teeth in pain.
"Dammit, Althea, don't fucking scare me like that."
"Well it's nice to see you're awake and well, sleeping beauty." She propped herself up on her elbows, causing me to realize I was hovering over her body. I quickly rolled off her body, looking all over her for injuries.
She fell back to the floor with a thud now that she was free, her hand going to her pounding chest.
I stood up, offering her my hand.
She eyed it, sending me a bored glance that said 'really?' Before taking it and letting me help her up.
Now I could think straight.
"What are you doing here? And why were you going through my stuff?"
"I actually arrived a couple hours ago but you were asleep. I decided to wait here, but eventually got bored and I wanted to see what you were up to. That's all." She explained, rolling her eyes as she leaned against the desk.
"Anyway. It seems I lost track of time, I'll be leaving then."
"Wait - it's way past midnight. I'm not letting you go out by yourself."
"I'll literally be on imperial palace grounds when I get on my carriage." She protested, crossing her arms on her chest.
"Bandits don't hesitate to rob noble carriages at night. You're staying here."
"Who are you to boss me around?" She rolled her eyes, scoffing.
"Is 'the next in line to the throne' enough for you?"
Her smile dropped, a scowl taking over instead.
"Either way," she started again, regaining her composure, and clearing her throat "I can't stay here for the night. My brother will get worried."
