A Warrior's Heart

Chapter 14; The prince and Rowoon

Back from holidays and back with another chapter. Missed you guys 💜

-x-

"Confiscated from the main city of the capital Incheon-" Boomed the voice of one of the helpers from the king. His dark hair fell over his eyes and he trotted after the king with small steps, doing his best not to trip while looking at the paper in his hands. "We got 1600 bricks of silver, 1800 bricks of gold, six chests with diamonds, and 26.. slaves." He said, hesitation laced in his voice at the last word.

Rowoon turned around, furrowing his eyebrows as he looked down at the other. "Only 26 slaves?" He asked. The man nodded, his voice trembling as he spoke. "Yes, I know. We don't do well at that subject." The shorter man replied, casting his gaze downwards.

"Who's in charge of the slaves?" The king of Barbarians asked him them. The man hesitated to answer the question, but he did after a short moment, knowing the king demanded one. "M-My cousin, your Highness."

Rowoon turned around to walk away, looking at the soldier behind him when he passed him. "Get rid of him."

Chanhee didn't think about the order twice before he pulled his sword out of its heft, ramming it through the man's ribcage. Upon hearing the sounds of the man whimpering and falling to the ground Rowoon turned around again, shooting a glare to his personal soldier.

"Chanhee! I didn't mean him." He groaned. "I meant his cousin!"

All Chanhee did was chuckle nervously but it sounded like he didn't really regret it at all. He looked down at the dead man and shrugged. "Oops."

The king sighed deeply and pinched the bridge of his nose before stepping closer to the soldier. "Listen. I know you don't wanna displease me." He said softly. "But next time, before you kill someone, should we have like a signal, maybe?"

Chanhee thought about it and nodded in confirmation. He wanted to please and do good for the king, so he stood open to the idea of some sort of signal. Rowoon and him went way back in time and they knew each other well. They grew up together, learned how to fight together, got wounded multiple times together and the both of them conquered many men together. The king was his best friend and when the taller got that title he had taken the position of personal soldier shortly after.

"Like this, yeah? A short nod?" Rowoon asked, curtly nodding his head and sending a glare his way. "Yes!" Chanhee exclaimed, mimicking the action. "Like, kill him." Rowoon said, nodding again in practise. "That's the signal." He said and patted the soldier's shoulder, hoping he wouldn't have to teach him twice and the shorter would get it from now on and not more innocent people would die. Not like he really cared though, but Chanhee had unnecessary killed several already and he needed the men.

"Your Highness." A voice suddenly called out, and Rowoon turned around to see three men approaching him with a girl walking up front. Though she was a woman, he had assigned her to head of the searching troops. She had long sleek hair and wore short pants with a skirt covering one of her legs, a long knife hanging from the belt around her waist. One of the men set the bag he was holding down, the bag squirming and whining and it was clear there was someone in it.

"Finally," Rowoon sighed. "My beautiful bride has arrived."  He said, totally looking over the fact that the prince was a boy, and not a woman, like he was degrading him and not caring about his status as the true heir of the throne.

"Hello my love!" He continued, talking loudly towards the bag while two of the men undid the ropes around it, pulling it off of the prince. His hands were tied together tightly behind his back and a mask covered his mouth to prevent him from yelling for help. "How are you?"  He asked softly with a smirk.