a bottle of ale for hope

burning up

The next day Kris woke up with a severe headache. He was only able to sleep for an hour.

"Good morning sir," one of the guards greeted.

Kris nodded and regrets the action. "Dara, where is she?"

"At the kitchen sir," The other responded.

Kris walked slowly to the kitchen. Dara has her back at the door and she didn't notice Kris standing there. Once she turned Kris is smiling, "Good Morning!"

"Oh, Go- good morning," Dara breathed,"let's eat."

After breakfast Kris stayed at the bridge. 3 more days and they will be back to Seoul. Even though he is out the sea he is still update with what is happening with their empire.

"Hello? yeah, Se Hun Dongsaeng," Kris greeted when the phone rang.

"Hyung, your boat is already within the radar, 3 more days and will you be with us?" He asked.

"Are you at the port again?" Kris asked.

"Uh, yes, since I'm the one who is handling the Centennial Market?" Se Hun said with much sarcasm.

"Don't use your smart mouth now dongsaeng, I was not able to get enough sleep okay," Kris said through gritted teeth.

"Er, Sorry hyung. Oh, I have someone here who wants to talk to you," Se Hun said passing the phone to someone.

"Yi Fan?" the voice said. Kris got wide eyed and he almost fell from his seat.

"Why are you there?" he asked.

"Can I see you?"

"No," Kris hung up the phone.

"Wake me up after 8 hours," Kris said as he head to his room. He haven't seen Dara. When he tried to check her room nobody is in.

"I'll find her later," he said as he went to his room and sleep.

Dara on the other hand is hiding. She is confused about all the things happening. She barely knows Kris but her heart acknowledges the love already.

"Not another heart break," she sighed.

"I love you," Kris' told her that night. Sandara shakes her head. "No, that is just the ale talking."

"I loved you from the day I saw you falling from that cliff,"

Dara stood up and exhaled loud. "No, no, no,"

"Er, Ms. Dara?" one of the guards stood behind her.

"Yes?"

"Prince Kris, he is burning up," he said.

Dara rolled her eyes, "I know he is mad."

"No Miss. He is sick," the guard said not meeting her eyes.

"Stupid Kris," She mumbled as she walk to Kris' room.

When she entered the room Kris is sweating all over.

"Hey, what's wrong?" She asked as she come near.

"I just need to sleep," he turned to his side.

Dara punched Kris making the guards jolt.

"Don't act tough, look at me," Dara said.

Dara touched Kris' forehead.

"I can cook bacon and eggs on your forehead," Dara said.

"please fetch me a basin of water and some towels please, " Dara asked one of the gurads.

"Yes Miss."

"And you, will you fetch me another comforter from the other cabin, the 2 of you please man the bridge," she ordered. All the other 3 run as fast as they could to Dara's order.

Sandara took some of Kris clothes and sponge bathed him.

"You don't need to do this," Kris said removing his shirt.

"I don't need to, but I want to, now shut up," Dara said.

Kris groaned as he shifted.

"I already saw the whole you so let's be adults here," Dara said more to herself than to Kris.

"Huh? You were sayin'?" Kris said. Dara hit Kris with the towel.

"Move faster."

After that Dara went out to make porridge and checked for some medicines.

Dara cannot understand herself but she passed by the bridge. Suddenly Kris' phone rang and she picked it up.

"Hello? Kris is indisposed as of the moment, Who is this?" She answered.

"Who are you?" a lady from the other line said. Dara hung up and dropped the phone. It rang again but she ignored it.

"Did I do something wrong?" she asked herself then went to Kris' cabin.