Bride of a Water God [Re-make]

Chapter 18: Lost Love

Promise me you'll believe and trust me no matter what happens. 

I was down by the lotus pond again the next morning thinking about Habaek. Everything that happened last night was surreal and magical to me. I held on to the candy box that I bought yesterday at the market. I wanted to keep it for myself but I changed my mind. 

"Is that for me?" A cheery voice startled me and I turned to see Kai. 

"Oh...I'm sorry. It's for Habaek actually." How could I had forgotten to buy something to Kai from the market? He had helped me so much ever since I've came here! I was beyond embarrassed and couldn't meet his eye. 

"Did you...went to the market yesterday?" Kai questioned and I got nervous. I didn't told anyone where I went, they must've gotten really worried about me. "Well, I went to find you yesterday but somehow you aren't in your room. Who did you go to the market with?" 

"Oh! I got so bored I asked one of the servant to follow me." I quickly made an excuse. 

"Really? But nobody knew where you were. Tell me honestly, who did you go to the market with?" Kai was smart and he wouldn't stop prying until I tell him the truth. I really don't want anybody to know about Baekha as I'm afraid it might caused him trouble. What if his parents knew?

"Well...I..." I was tongue-tied. 

"Please, my Queen. Do let me know if you want to go to the market next time. It can be quite a trouble if you're out alone." Kai sighed as he drew closer to me.

"I'm really sorry about that." I lowered my head sincerely. I should be more careful. Sensing my discomfort, Kai swiftly changed the topic. "My Queen, will you like to have some tea with me?" 

"Tea? I will love to. But actually I am just waiting for Habaek to be here. I thought I might catch a glimpse of him taking a break from his official works." I rejected politely. 

Kai let out a gasp and I looked at him peculiarly. Am I not allowed to see Habaek when he's working? Now that I think of it, I don't really see him much in daylight. 

"Qin, Habaek is out of the palace today for his official work. How about you really join me for tea? I have some nice snacks that I wanted to you to try yesterday." I was a little disappointed to hear that Habaek's not in the palace. I guess I would have to wait for the night to give him then...

I accepted Kai's offer in the end and we went to his garden to have some tea. I thought we'll just be having tea between the both of us but surprisingly, Kai had a guest. I was definitely not expecting him to be close with Kai and I felt really uncomfortable sitting at the same table. I shouldn't be feeling that way but Bi Ryum's just not Brother Junhyung even though they looked exactly the same. 

"Apologies my Queen, you don't mind having Master Bi Ryum to join us, do you?" Kai smiled unknowingly as he offered a mini pink cake. 

"O...Of course..." I gave an awkward smile as I took the fork and cut the cake into quarters. "Wow, it's red bean cake! I've missed this so much!" Happiness filled inside me and I couldn't help but exclaim with joy. I still remember Father would bring some back when his boss had special occasions. It was my favourite snack of all. 

"I'm glad you like it. Do enjoy as much as you can." Kai beamed. Bi Ryum made a slight voice after my exclamation and I anxiously looked at him to find him making an annoyed expression. He was looking down at me. 

"So Master Bi Ryum, I heard of a new merchant that had visited your town?" Kai started. Bi Ryum nodded and said, "Yes. It seemed like his product had caused a commotion among the people that even the richest guy was trading one of his treasures with it." 

"Wow. What product is that? Have you seen it?" 

"It's some kind of green sparkly powder. Apparently the powder has the ability to bring someone's lost love back." He concluded and my heart skipped a beat. 

Bring a lost love back? I knew I was ridiculous but I really hoped Habaek wouldn't get hold of that powder...

"I do hope I could have some to see if it's true but I don't have a past lover." Kai laughed at his own remark in which me and Bi Ryum, was speechless about it. Bi Ryum turned to me surprisingly and questioned, "Could you possibly have a past lover, my Queen?" 

My eyes widened with shock and I can't help staring back. I don't deny I really missed Brother Junhyung but I actually wanted the powder myself at that moment. How I wished he really was right here with me.

"Come on, Bi Ryum! How could you ask Qin such a private question?" Kai nudged but I interrupted him. 

"I do. In fact, he looked exactly like you." I was betting on that last hope that Bi Ryum would tell me that he's actually Jun hyung and he happened to be this guy that he was now for whatever reason. 

Kai gasped again as he couldn't believe what he had heard. Bi Ryum was unaffected as he remained the cold look on his face. "Well, I am definitely not him...My Queen." 

My heart sank to the lowest ever and I'd wished I could dug my head down in a hole to hide the shame of me. How stupid am I to be humiliated the second time? 

After the tea, Kai walked me back to my chambers. I stopped my step in front of the front yard and turned to look at him. "Can you get the powder for me?" I boldly requested.

"My Queen...what will you do with that silly powder?" Kai asked in shock. 

Somehow I got angry at that moment but I really didn't mean it when I scolded him. "It's none of your business. Just get me the powder!" I turned away furiously as I quickened my steps away from him. 

What's gotten in to me? Have I been spoiled with the status given to me? 

//

That night, Habaek and I had a meeting by the lotus pond. I showed him the candy box and explained, "I wanted to give you this morning, but Kai said that you're out of the palace for work."

"Thank you. I'm happy that you are thinking of me everyday." He was as kind as ever. 

"No...it's really not much. Just an interesting candy that I saw at the market." I said things a little too fast and blamed my own stupidity. Now he's going to know that I sneak out without permission! 

"A...Anyway! Kai mentioned that there's a merchant selling some green powder that could bring a lost love back." There I go again. I didn't want him to know but my BIG mouth went all out! 

HaBaek laughed at my reaction as he pulled me closer to him. "I know. The merchant gave me some while I was out at work." 

"What? Really? Are you going to use it?" I definitely sounded like an irritating child. 

"If you don't want me to use it, I will order my servant to throw it away." He caressed my cheek again. 

"Y...you know...I heard a puppet play about your past lover. Sera...she was the one you love before I came." I took the courage and confronted him. He had an expression full of shock and discomfort. 

"B-but I mean if you really missed her, you could use the powder to meet her! I won't really mind too much because I know how much she meant to you..." Before I could finish talking, Habaek had gave me a kiss.

This time, the kiss was strong and I felt I was going breathless from the love he gave me. It felt as if he was shutting my mouth, and asking me not to poke too much into his business. Our lips parted quickly and I panted to catch my breath. Tears welled in my eyes already.

"I love you. And only you. Please, believe in me and trust me as much as I do for you." HaBaek was pleading me to stop bringing up Sera in front of him. This is us now. And no one could ever break the love we have for as long as we stick to one another.