A Lush Affair: A Jealous Till Jade Sequel (A Hwarang Fanfic)

Chapter 8: Happily Ever After

When I open my eyes Jinheung is also asleep, his large, protective hand in mine. I notice the swordsman pacing around. I didn't notice him come in.

"Swordsman,"

Our new guard stops and looks at me. "Yes, Your Majesty."

"What's the update? Why is it suddenly quiet out there?"

He hesitates. "They have settled down, Your Majesty. But I believe it is only temporary. The next round will begin soon."

"What should we do?"

He sighs silently. "I believe that we need to take the chance to make our escape soon, Your Grace. There...is not much we can do. I need to make sure you and King Jinheung are safe. That is the one thing I can help with."

I nod. I'll get away. And that will be the end of it. All of it.

The only hint of light we have now is the little fireplace the swordsman has skillfully set for us. Small and weak.

"Where did you learn to do that?" I ask him.

"Before I got this job, I lived a pretty poor life," he explains.

I never knew that. In fact, I don't really know anything about him. He's always risked his life for me but I'd never even wondered about what his life has been like.

"My sister was punished for trying to save me. My family was poor and getting this job as swordsman was our only hope in improving our lives. Back then I was weak. I couldn't even hold a sword up without using all my strength." He snorts, reminiscing his younger self. "But no matter how much I tried to explain to her how important this was, she'd refuse to let me go. Eventually, I gave into her stubbornness and sent the palace a letter asking to terminate my contract. They told me that if I refused a royal command I'd be banned from Silla. I couldn't do that to my family. So, I agreed to accept the job. On the day the guards came to escort me, my sister threw a fit and tried to stop them from entering our residence. One of them just..." He clenches his fists, trying to keep from crying. "He got angry that she resisted a royal command and he... He just killed her."

I was not expecting such a heavy explanation.

"I'm sorry," is all I can say.

Just then, a guard enters, out of breath and with blood flowing down his sleeve.

"Swordsman," he says. "Now is our chance."

"Are we relocating?"

The two guards look at me, and then at each other. What am I missing here?

The guard slips out a white envelope from his chest and hands it to me with both hands.

"What's this?"

"It is a letter the king asked me to give you, Your Grace."

I neatly rip the top open and take out the letter.

To my wife, it reads.

Words alone cannot express how sorry I am for being the worst husband. I just hope you know that I love you from the bottom of my heart. I always have. I know that at first I didn't really mean much to you. It's not that I heard anything, I could just tell. That you just cared about being a good queen. And you have been an excellent one. Everyone in the palace thinks you are the best queen and first lady Silla has ever had. I am so thankful for everything you have done to help me protect and lead this nation.

However, we have unfortunately failed - no, I have failed. From the look of things, it seems like this is the end of Silla. The palace and town are all completely destroyed now and thousands are dead. Yet, Jumong plans to keep going with this war and he will not rest until we are all - including me - dead. After that he plans to take over our land and start fresh. Before it's too late, you must flee to Japan with your father and be safe along with your mother. I've already spoken with the emperor.

Unfortunately, we're unable to identify the spy, so all we've got is Jumong and his knights. We just came to know that he has a hundred more men than we've got, even including my Hwarang. I hate to say this, but we may not stand a chance against them.

I know how much being queen means to you. I'm so sorry I could not save us. I want you to be happy, and even if the crown can give you that bliss I cannot. We both know that. Now be free, Jade. Someday you will find a man you can truly love and who will give you the life you deserve.

Jinheung

Tears roll down my cheeks as I scrunch up the letter and toss it into the fire. I force myself to calm down as I'd hate to make the swordsman uncomfortable.

"Your Majesty," he says gently. "You father waits for you in the carriage at the back. Please let me escort you."

I wipe away my tears and sniff. After I close my eyes and take a deep breath I nod. I get up slowly and follow the swordsman towards the entrance of the dark cave where the last ray of the sun beams in, making the dirt and sand glisten beautifully. He checks that the coast is clear and then leads me quickly and quietly out into the open and towards the woods. There awaits a horse and carriage, a middle-aged man ready with the leads in his hands. He tilts his head to greet me and I smile weakly.

"Please watch your step," says the swordsman as he opens the carriage door. My father beams at me as if it's the first time in a decade that we've seen each other.

"Father," I smile as I take the swordsman's helping hand and hop into the pumpkin.

"Jade," he hugs me. "I'm so relieved you're safe."

Once he releases me, I turn to face the swordsman and and thank him for everything.

"It has been an honor to serve you, Your Majesty," he replies. "I truly hope you will find the happiness you are looking for."

I smile. "I hope you do too. Tell Jinheung that...maybe one day we will meet again and become the rulers the people of Silla deserve."

THE END