a bottle of ale for hope

secret revealed

Hunger woke Dara up. Cleaning herself first she planned to sneak into the kitchen and grab the closest thing edible for her to see. When she opened her door Kris is standing there holding a tray of grilled fish and soup.

"I-, I'm sorry," Kris said not meeting Sandara's eyes.

They stood frozen, waiting for someone to speak.

"I don't know what got into me last night," Kris finally broke the silence.

"I'm also at fault, I didn't think properly," Dara said .

"E-eat, I know your hungry," Kris said as he gave Dara the tray. Awkwardly their skin meet and they jolted away from each other.

"I- I'll see you later," Kris said as he practically run to the bridge.

Dara sighed and went back to her room.

"It's delicious, Thank you Kris," Dara said to herself.

Darkness covers the world when Dara decided to step out of her room. The boat stood still and Kris is no where to be seen. Dara began to panic. Suddenly she felt the boat sway as if something heavy fell to the water. Going to the side of the boat she saw Kris enjoying the salty summer sea.

"Stupid," Dara mumbled. She doesn't know if its for her or for him.

Kris finally noticed her and he waved.

Dara smiled and waved back.

"Just be normal, its not the end of the world," She said to herself.

Kris swam back to the boat.

"Want to swim?" he asked.

"Er-, no, I'm good," Dara said.

Dara noticed the bottles of ale dipped at the sea water.

"It cools faster," Kris said following Dara's eyes.

"Oh," Dara responded staring to go back to the galley.

"Hey, Are you all right?" Kris asked.

"Yes, I'm just adjusting my perspective about you and a bottle of ale right now," she said.

Kris sighed and went back to swim.

The next day Dara was able to be a little bit normal. Continuing the routine she has, she cooked breakfast and started the laundry. Dara soaked the sheets at the salt water to remove the blood.

"Stupid memory," she mumbled as she squeeze the salt water out before she put it inside the washer. Kris haven't walked out of his cabin after breakfast and Sandara is growing curious. Cracking a small space from his door.

"Yes, I did but, listen okay, I don't have a choice I need, No, no, no, who told you that? What? Urgh, Ya! are you listening?" Kris is talking to someone over the phone.

"Yes, oh, is that so? Maybe I will introduce you to her, eavesdropper, huh? really? what? hahaha, shut up," he parted from the other line.

Dara knocked at Kris door not thinking why.

"Yes?" Kris asked in the most calming way he could.

"Er, your laundry," Dara thought as an excuse. Kris went to the other door and carried a basket of laundry.

"I'll carry it for you," he said as he went out of the room.

Sandara sighed and closed the door, as she was to turn away she saw something stuck at the side of the door. Its a picture of Kris with 5 other men all dressed in Royal suits.

"What's... that?!" Kris asked as he saw Dara.

"Nothing," Dara said as she returned the picture.

"Clean you room, stupid," Kris cursed to himself.

Weeks passed before they were able to stand being beside each other without flinching.

Dara was preparing lunch that day when the boat suddenly stopped and Kris went to the galley.

"What ever happens, just remember I'm sorry and I will explaing everything," he said as he went back to the bridge.

Puzzled Sandara followed Kris and the 4 men stands at the galley.

"Greetings, Your Highness," another one greets.

Kris stood frozen. "Who gave you the permission to enter my boat?" Kris asks.

"No worries Sire, we are not to drag you back, we are just to remind you of the gathering 3 months from now," the man said.

Kris cringed, "Yes, Ch- Prince Chanyeol already informed me this morning."

Sandara can't believe her ears. Prince?

"Oh, I'm sorry Miss," The man curtsy and I was forced to return it.

"Leave," Kris addressed to them.

"I will but they won't," the man said as he descend to the other boat.

"All of you, leave!!" Kris said but the 4 men won't move.

With her eyebrows raised, "Can the four of you move to the back for a bit, I need to talk to Prince Kris," Sandara said.

The 4 men bowed and followed Dara's order.

"Explain," Dara said sitting at the captains chair.

Squaring his shoulders Kris faced Sandara. "I'm Crowned Prince Yi Fan and I ran away from home because I will be the king 3 months from now."