C H A P T E R F I F T E E N
"Gwan?" Han said wryly, Hayoon showed no change in expression as if she didn't bothered to repeat herself. Han didn't look like he would give in as easily, Hayoon as well didn't expect that.
"I'll agree with all conditions except Gwan." His strong rejection only made her more determined to get Gwan at all cost. Han was in a pressed situation, Hayoon could only take full advantage of it.
"Then do as you please," Hayoon said sitting back with a sly glimmer in her eyes.
"Your highness," a man entered the carriage unannounced and went on his knees, hands cupped as he greeted his master. It was the husky voice. Hayoon looked at the young man dressed in black. The man with wide shoulder kneeled respectful at the prince, who prominently wasn't pleased by his appearance.
"We are running out of time," the voice was urging. Hayoon wondered if this man was the so called Gwan, the way he spoke was as if he was begging Han to agree with Hayoon's demand. And indeed she was right. It was Gwan. The sword in his cupped fist still held trace of fresh red.
Switching his contemplative gaze from the kneeling soldier to Hayoon, she felt the slight hesitation in the prince's eyes, but soon the sly grin formed on his lips made her chances of winning vanish in air.
"Safely escort the regent back to her chambers, even if it means causing her unconscious." Han ordered.
"You-"
"You have my content to do whatever it takes," Han added firmly not even letting Hayoon finish her outrage. His words filled more fuel to the fire, anger left Hayoon lost of words and unable to rebel. In front of her were giants who could as easy as nothing make her pass out with a light hit on the back head.
Gwan's hesitation was short, not that he was afraid of offending the head of another nation, but cause he didn't know woman.
"Yes your highness," Gwan bowed, able to hid his uncertainty.
Hayoon then stood up, distinctively Gwan draw his sword at her in reflex. Her sudden action could only interpreted as confront, which he at all cost would prevent. The girl glared at the sword that was just inches from touching her skin.
"Get rid of that," Hayoon threatened, for a moment making the man all nervous with the dangerous eyes. Looking back at Han, Gwan got approval by a simple nod and withdraw his sword.
"So whats your plan?" Hayoon said with boredom held. The bashful look crossed Gwan's face as Han remained an unchanged look.
"Or is it your plan to knock me out first?" She said accusingly at the soldier who turned all timid under her strong gaze.
"This subject wouldn't," Gwan halted dispirited, but hurriedly fixed his attitude by Han's disciplining glare.
"With your highness cooperating, this subject wouldn't dare act improper." His voice held more power this time. Unreadable as before Han simply observed Hayoon, he wasn't fully taken in her cooperative attitude without doubt, Hayoon knew exactly what he was thinking.
"I'd rather go unwillingly than being humiliated as a bag of potatoes," Hayoon said clarifying.
"As you wish," Han replied.
If possible Han would take Hayoon through another path than the official one, but he couldn't. Han had no choice but go through the gate officially as that was the way went to get outside the palace.
Many eyes were kept on him especially after being near dead the emperor turned much more cautious regarding the prince's well being. Ministers started to fear Han even more, afraid that he would avenge them for making him bet his head. Han was able to brush away the spies sent to trail him, now he only had to come back, officially as the way he left.
While Han took the upright way back Hayoon and Gwan had to take another path. If possible Gwan could easily climb the wall but with Hayoon he had to maintain his feet on ground. They got back through a little hole in the wall of the palace, which led to the garden.
The hole was hidden behind bushes so people couldn't easily notice it to repair the damage. For now that was the only way. Before there had been other ways but ever since the ruler of Kang went temporarily missing the security was tightened and many measurement was taken to upgrade the security.
Hiding behind the bushes Gwan carefully looked around to see if there was free path. Hayoon as well looked around, she had to remember this place for another time if she wanted to leave the palace.
Two men walked through the garden, their light steps caressed the silky strands of grass. Not to get exposed Gwan fastily pulled Hayoon down to hide.
"Hyung-nim" The pathetic voice of prince Sin penetrated the garden as he followed the elder brother.
"I swear if I don't get my revenge I'll rather die!"
"Then die,"
"Hyung-nim!"
"What do you want me to do?" The tall prince approached a bush near Hayoon and Gwan, his tall figure slight bend across the rose bush. Picking up the rose he devoured its delicate fragrance letting out a calm smile as he studied its feature.
"Please help me, I can't even lift my head in court because of that punk! My pride is totally tramped on!"
"Then Why would you spy on Han bathing to get your eye bump into his fist?" The brother said in sarcasm clearly amused with a dry laugh.
"What do you take me for hyung-nim?!? I'm a straight man with seven wives why would I spy on our imbecile brother?!?" Sin said outraged.
"Lust Sin. That's why you'll always be a step behind Han." Knowing he couldn't get any help from the ignorant elder brother, Sin could only walk away in frustration and rage. As Sin was out of sight the prince let out an evil augh which startled Hayoon mentally.
Thank the gods for only seeing Han, Sin. Had you seen an inch of her... Studying the rose in his hand the prince's face darkened, his eyes suddenly went venomous as he squeezed the green stem, not showing the slightest pain as it's thorn dug to the palm of his hand making him bleed.
Hayoon frowned, wondered what the prince was thinking to have that murderous glint in those phoenix eyes, which just a moment before was calm and cool. The prince suddenly tossed the flower at the bush Hayoon was hidden behind. Instinctively dodging the rose Hayoon moved to the side, creating a little crack sound as she broke a dry branch with her weight.
The prince's expression tightened, his features turned more dominant with tightened the sharp jawline as he approached the brush with deepened lines of cautious.
