Culture Shock

Chapter Fourteen

All but me seemed to have forgotten the whip's sound struck against his skin. All of them but not me. Aurelius' public castigation of the knight whom I owe my security pushes me out of bed the nights after. The lashes constantly replays... over and over like a broken cassette.

That same night, I called him through the phone. Leonidas isn't the guy I knew which will sooth your ears with his voice, but the night when the moon did seem to grieve with me, he was different.

Normally, he's snap at me like I'm not a granddaughter of a head. He'd tell me truth I don't wanna hear. Maybe the pain was far enough to shut him up.

That same night made me admit how stupid I've been not to notice when everybody already has. There's this secret they've been hiding. From me and mostly from the king.

Under the moonless sky, I wished to take a walk where no one else would see. Everybody was back to the wedding preparations, anyway like there wasn't a castigation. The lamp posts, however was being too cruel to both of them, revealing her lips being pressed against his.

He cupped her face like no one has had before. Their faces were in deep understanding of what their bodies wanted. The way his hand travelled around her body, owning every touch.

I want this to work. Voices echoed in my head.

The prince is a sweet and loving young man, Lady Van. My late mother used to take care of him that's why we grew up together.

Yes, Bo Young is special. I consider her as family.

The time you've been given was not yet enough to learn each other's gentle side. But you eventually will, my lady.

There were palpable signals. Unbelievable signals until you choose to believe.

-0-

The crowd growled when the king announced his congratulations to the island for at last, the heir will be born. Johann went on, while I stare at him like a drunk zombie wife still figuring out how he managed to veil romance with my handmaiden.

Hours ago, the nuptials took place. I walked towards my groom as a corpse bride in Hanbok; emotionless and dead. There were thunders inside I decided to ignore. What's the point? It was the beginning of my death and that of their triumph.

I captured her stares probably wondering about my words before the ceremony when I confronted her.

Hanbok maidens left us alone for a moment, her pinning the headdress into the fake braided hair linked into my hair. "Do you curse me, Bo Young?"

I ensnared her eyes in total surprise across the mirror we're both facing. I don't blame her. If it wasn't for the agreement, they would have lived the lives they wanted.

"Why would I, my lady?"

Now she's playing it.

"You need not to deny," I whispered and turned towards her. The tears in her eyes were building into drops. "I saw you both, and believe me, I feel terrible. Not for myself but for the lives I've wrecked. You know I had no choice."

Those weren't the words she was expecting. Maybe some cheap catfight a princess would have when she catches her husband sleeping with her servant. Who am I, anyway to criticize when I am just an abducted being held captive by the king?

Her tears flowed like rain and sobbed quietly between hear hands. I stood still. If I were to choose, I'd let them be. Why would I not? The lady doesn't deserve to be broken with a heart as pure as hers. Not her. She's somehow annoying just like any of the other servants, yet she serves me solely.