NEFARIOUS

6 / 육

  It was obvious that the Princess's expression had changed since her private conversation with the daughter of Ministry of Justice finished. She was no longer a princess with charming smiles and kind eyes, but an enigmatic girl with murky secrets grew inside her mind.

  Daehyun glanced at her in his side vision, the Princess's arched brows slightly frowned, she was really good at hiding her emotions. But he sensed it; that particular rage behind the twitch of the edge of her rosy lips and a brief movement of her crinkled nose.

  He doubted the other guards would notice it, and he was glad the guards had been dismissed before they descended the palace toward her chamber.

  "What is it, Daehyun?" The Princess demanded as if she knew he'd been watching her. But she did not look at his way.

  "Nothing, my lady." Daehyun answered quietly, he shifted his gaze to ahead him.

  "You are thinking about something. Just spill it out."

  Daehyun considered his words before saying, "It appears you need to rest."

  She narrowed her eyes. "You do not usually concern about my health. It sounds odd when you do."

  Indeed, it was rare of him to talk about such things. Yet the dark circles under her weary eyes seemed to bother him a little, it became more visible under the streaming light of corridor balcony. He immediately pushed the thought deeper inside his mind, a private guard such as he should not have those odd feelings toward the Princess.

  When Daehyun stole another glance toward her, he was surprised to find she had been staring at him with narrowed eyes. Watching. Calculating. Then she broke their stare.

  "Does the King order you to be so conflicted with yourself?"

  Daehyun did not understand what she meant. Judging from her monotonous tone, it was more like a statement than question. "I believe His Royal Highness orders me to none other than protect you, my lady."

  The Princess's lips became a thin line, her brows moved upward in disinterest. "Or perhaps he is simply afraid of what I might do." She stopped in her heels, and when Daehyun looked ahead, his whole body stunned.

  Kwang Gyeong leaned his side shoulder on the Princess's chamber doubled-doors, smirking in arrogant as he faced her. Under his black gat, his quartz eyes glooming like dark clouds, and the hat strings on either of his cheeks stilled as ever. He held a stalk of crimson rose in his left hand, brushing his thumb over its shaved stem.

 A monster. A demon child. A manipulative bastard. At the sight of him, rage bubbled within Daehyun's skin, along fear that hissed at his ears. Daehyun despised him greatly. He hated himself more for not being able to skin the devil alive due his low position. He was such a coward.

  "Kwang Gyeong." The Princess nodded.

  The Ministry of War's son bowed, then took her hand to brush his lips on her forearm. He flashed a poisonous grin. "My dear lady, you look heavenly as usual."

  "Is there any business between you and I?"

  "No." Kwang Gyeong extended his other hand, revealing the rose to the Princess's sight. "It reminds me of you greatly, my lady. Fierce as sword yet the most enchanting between its other kind."

  The look she gave on the rose's presence was unamused. "How kind of you." She released her hand from Kwang Gyeong, and took the rose into her hand. Its crimson color almost matched her lips, especially when she tried a firm smile. "I must admit, I don't know how to return this kind of favor you gave me."

  "It is not needed." Kwang Gyeong had been ignoring Daehyung's attendance until he flicked his gaze on him. Like a predator on his prey. "If you let me talk to your pretty little guard for a moment."

  A chill went through Daehyun's spine. This sadistic monster would beat him for his own vengeance again. There would be blood streaming over his clothes and features. And all Daehyun had to do was watch himself shatter into pieces. Unable to shield himself from his own enemy. Was the punishment from the Commander not enough? He had come here to serve the kingdom and bring wage into his family in the city. Yet the suffering he must endure was beyond his capability.

  The Princess only stared at him. "Kwang Gyeong," her voice sweet and malignant at the same time, "are you demanding me, just because you gave me this tiny rose?"

  "I apologize, my lady. If you assume that way." Kwang Gyeong bowed slightly, his lips curled downward in irritation. "Since I only have three days away, I am afraid I don't have much time to spend here in the palace. And I wish to finish my dealings with this private guard of yours."

 Three days away. Words between the royal guards had been exchanged, they claimed a band of ruthless killers and thieves would be trained to pursue the Mad Queen. But why would a nobleman such as Kwang Gyeong join along their journey? Daehyun would never reach the similiar thinking as the King nor councilmen, yet surely he knew this was another kind of their madness.

  "I believe that is unnecessary, Kwang Gyeong," claimed the Princess. "He is my private guard after all."

  Kwang Gyeong grinned, a hateful one. It did not reach his eyes. "Guards are expected to escort royal members until they reach their door chamber. Or is he also your pet in bed?"

  Daehyun's stomach curled in disgust. Every word came from this monstrous boy's lips smelt like foul garbage.

  As if she expected it, the Princess did not flinch at his mockery attempt. "He is my private guard. You cannot damage him only to satisfy your sadistic needs," her tone challenging, eyes blazing of writhing smokes and violent fire, "Is your stomach full, Kwang Gyeong? After all those illegal money you spend from military? Oh, don't look at me like that. I know your dirty little secrets as much as your dear father have warrior men. Do you simply want me to tell it all to you now? I have the hour."

  When Kwang Gyeong's response was only a death stare piercing through her, she tucked the rose inside the clothes on his chest and patted it. "Take it. For I do not wish to keep any item from you. If you excuse, I woud like to rest."

  The Ministry of War's son stepped aside for the Princess to hold the handle. Snatching the rose from his chest, he pushed Daehyun on the shoulder as he strode into the corridor. "Bastard." he snarled.

  Daehyun stiffened, and let out a relieved sigh as the boy disappeared into the corridor. The Princess had been staring the doubled-doors thoughtfully, her expression unreadable. It was unusual of her.

  "My lady?" his voice startled her. Then she opened the door open.

  The private guard was about to stand ahead her chamber until she called his name. "Next time," she said as slowly closing the door, her amber eyes weary, "you will be on your own."

  She left him all alone between the other guards who stole curious glances on his figure.