The King and I

 

It is dawn right now. The manor is still and silent for all the people living inside is still fast asleep except for one. Inside the inner quarter, one can see the candle is still burning and one can also hear a tap-tap sound coming from a particular room. Obviously, it is a person’s footsteps.

Yu Er couldn’t fall asleep. She paced through her room all night but she couldn’t come up with any ideas to avoid going together with her cousin and his guard. Of course, she could go earlier, but her cousin will get more and more suspicious and the whole interrogation process will take place again. He might even alert her father! So, this option is definitely a big ‘no-no’. She could also try to pretend that she is ill and refuse to go tomorrow, but she didn’t think it will work. She knew that her cousin will be glad if she cancelled her trip but, there will be no one to check up on Li Quan which is no good since the guy could barely move.

“I’m doomed for sure!”

The girl sighs in desperation and she keeps thinking about what to do until morning comes and the servants knock her door to help her take a bath, change her clothes and do her hair. Finally, she decided that she can only comply with her cousin wishes and try to find ways to slipped from both of them. She walks to the breakfast table slowly and lazily showing her mood at that moment. Of course, the king knows all about it but pretended not to notice and keep his cheerful face throughout the breakfast period.

“It’s about time; we should go soon if we want to get back in time for dinner.”

Yong Ming cheerfully said to his cousin just to gauge her reaction. He is determined to follow her closely just to know her secret today. He is not going to stand being kept out in the dark any longer. After all, he is taught to know and observe all things that are happening from early age. This behaviour has already being embedded to his blood and bones.

“Yeah, I guess we should depart now…”

Yu Er answered in such a low voice that both men need to strain their ears to catch the words. But obviously, both men comment on nothing on her behaviour today and keep pretending not to notice her dispirited attitude. They walked with Yu Er trailing behind so, Yong Ming has to keep on encouraging her to let her keep up.

“I wonder where we should go first.” The king prodded his cousin while secretly glancing at her to see her response.

“I don’t have any particular place in mind. So, Brother Ming, you can decide. Both of you come from the capital, so perhaps you should try some local snacks while you’re here.”

Similar to any other city throughout the kingdom, the food is mostly served in the inns and restaurants. And the snacks that Yu Er mentioned, usually comes from the people who placed their small tents along the streets which is particularly crowded with so many people walking along the way. The king and Rui Lang immediately went on alert mode. It is not hard to figure out the girl’s intention to slip away from them in crowded place and claimed to be ‘separated’ later on.

“It’s a good idea, but we just have our breakfast so, maybe later. I think we should go to the side of the city. I heard there is a beautiful river flowing over there. As a ‘visitor’ we should definitely go there to ‘open our eyes’ don’t you think?”

The king throws a meaningful glance to his guard but kept his face calm and composed at the same time.

“I agree; it will be refreshing in this kind of hot summer day.”

Seeing that her plan ended up in failure, Yu Er can only follow both men to the river where there hardly any people passing by. She is thinking her way to escape the whole time hence, she fail to notice that they almost arrive already. She started to lose her calm after finding no way of escape from both men.

Yong Ming is amused beyond words. He could practically see his cousin’s brain trying to come up with ways for her to separate herself from him and his guard. But with such a tight observation, there is no way for her to escape. He is beginning to see Yu Er’s desperate expression and secretly smiled to himself. Although he felt pity to her, there is no way he is going to let her go just like that without telling him the location.

“Ah! There’s boat over there, should we try to ride it?”

Yong Ming happily suggested while throwing a glance to Rui Lang. Obviously, he completely understand the sign that he gives and made a supportive reply.

“Oh! It looks fun. We should try it!”

Rui Lang look back to Yong Ming and finds his eyes saying ‘you over-reacted, you idiot!’ so, he quickly shut his mouth and slowly and unnaturally trying to avoid his gaze. But through this, Yu Er finally notices her cousin purpose. He is trying to keep her from leaving no matter what. She didn’t expect that he will go this far, even to keep her off the ground! Yu Er suspiciously thought that maybe her father has told him that she is bad at physical activities and therefore, she totally can’t swim! Moreover, she hates water and being surrounded by it did nothing good to her crazily pounding heart! This situation is getting worse by the minute and Yu Er couldn’t help but getting more and more anxious.

“Bu-but I think it will be hotter in the middle of the river. We should just look around and leave.”

“Eh? It will be such a waste if we just leave like that. Since we come all the way to this place, we should definitely try the boat.”

Misunderstanding her, Yong Ming keeps insisting that they should ride the boat. He even go as far as to hold her hands and lightly pulled her towards the river. Seeing no way out in this kind of situation, Yu Er becomes silent. She couldn’t fess up to him that she is afraid of water now, can’t she? So, she allows him to pull her towards the river. Well, more like her doom!

Rui Lang immediately goes ahead and prepares so, when both of them arrive all is ready and awaiting. He rent one of the larger and more comfortable small boats that can fit 4 people comfortably. When he sees that both people have arrived, he quickly jumps first into the boat to ensure that Yu Er is squished between the two men. After the mistake just now, he need to do something right to amend his mistake.

The three of them sit quietly inside the boat. Each thinking of different things and each wearing different facial expressions. Nobody realised the awkwardness of the situation thus, nobody is willing to break the silence. Yong Ming quietly think about his feelings towards Yu Er that confused him for these past few days, while Yu Er, being surrounded by water, can’t really think much of anything else besides of her fear and Li Quan. Rui Lang observes the two of them and finally noticed there is something wrong with Yu Er but, he can’t speak his mind on this kind of situation.

As the silent become heavier by the minute, Yong Ming finally speaks to ease the tension that can be seen rising in the air. After all, he needs to keep his cousin on the boat as long as possible.

“It’s nice relaxing like this; it’s been a while since the last time I could really relax.”

“Why is that? Do you work back home?”

Even when she is scared, Yu Er couldn’t contain her curiosity. She thought that he just some young master from wealthy family. So, why did he say something like that?

“Yeah, well… I did help around the house…”

Yong Ming averted his eyes awkwardly. Well, he couldn’t tell her that he is a king couldn’t he? He doubts that she will believe him either.

“Eh? I never knew that, what is your family business anyway? Father didn’t tell me and I forgot to ask him last time.”

“It’s nothing big… I guess you can say that we worked for the government.”

“Government? Are you an official???”

Yu Er suddenly shouts and her expression worsened. Both men feel that there must be something wrong if she react so strongly towards ‘officials’. Did she do something so dangerous that will be bad to be known by officials?

“Well, we are… not a very high ranking one though.”

This is bad!! Her cousin is an official! Even though he said he holds a lower ranking position, it’s obviously a lie. Seeing how Rui Lang acting so protective of him explains everything. Her cousin must have hold a very important position if he needed to have a personal guard. This means, it’s bad for her and Li Quan. She is sure that she’ll be able to get out of this safely, but not for Li Quan. The man might have a better chance if he is a commoner but he is a nobleman, which makes it impossible for her cousin to let him go.

Yong Ming saw it! He saw Yu Er pulled her eyebrows together and the girl is getting paler from second to second. Her cousin must have been so shocked if she openly displays her worried expression. He is getting more and more confused by her reaction. He averted his gaze to his best friend, signalling that they should end this ‘boat trip’ and move to the land. He knows he could push Yu Er for an answer, but he can’t bear to corner her. So, he decided to let her go today. This matter becoming more serious than he thought before, so Yong Ming decided to consult it with his uncle. The man might know something about it.

 

 

At the same time, in the forest.

Li Quan sighed deeply. It’s getting ridiculous, even to himself. He’s been wondering and watching the same trail since a few hours ago. Obviously waiting for Yu Er to come. He didn’t realize it at first, but the strain he felt on his neck suddenly reminds him of his action. He knows he shouldn’t feel disappointed, but he did. After all, it’s better for the girl to ignore him. Yu Er has done more than what he’s expected from a stranger. He’s been treated and cared for. Hell! She’s even better than his brothers! After spending all his life in trickery and traps, he can’t help but feel attracted to her. Her innocent and pure nature is something he never met before. He knows for sure that she don’t care for power or riches and that makes her even more precious to him. She brought unknown feelings that are completely new to him.

He sighed again and shook his head attempting to clear it. He knows very well that these feelings will bring trouble to him. But he understands it an inevitable result. Thus, he gets up finding himself in an even better condition than yesterday. He smiled praising her in his mind. Judging from his fast recovery, it won’t be long until he can ride and leave this place. Li Quan absent-mindedly walks towards the pond. He sat under one of the trees observing his surroundings. It’s an old habit, one that keeps him alive until this day. Suddenly, he saw a flash under the bushes. He can feel his adrenaline rushed towards his head. His heart beating faster, his breaths becoming shorter and his face is void of any expressions. He won’t survive if there’s an attack.

After a moment that feels like forever, Li Quan finally relaxed; he released a lung full of breath and slowly walked towards the bushes. He suddenly smiles in triumph and picked up the object that cause his fear just a moment ago. He looked it carefully bringing the object closer to his face. He knows this must be the bracelet that Yu Er looked for. She is right; it is one of a kind. The bracelet is made from a very rare jade that can only be found in a few mines called ‘Snow Lustre’. Not to mention the precise cut of the butterfly pattern and the transparency of the jade itself. He knows, it’s not something available even from the most distinguished merchant.

This bracelet proofs that his deduction on Yu Er’s background is correct. She must be the daughter that is born from Guo Lin Mu and Princess Wang Lan. He heard that the previous king appreciate Guo Lin Mu very much that he bestow his dearest sister to him. Although no one knows the real reason for him to suddenly retire from his position as the king’s advisors, Li Quan sure it has something to do with the princess and his daughter. All of the sudden, he heard a horse’s steps running with such speed that alert him to danger. He carefully put the bracelet into his inner pocket preparing to hide. But a flash of black fur relaxed him. Knowing the person sitting on the horse’s back must be the long awaited Yu Er.

Yu Er jumped from Zui Fen’s back even before the mare stop his tracks completely. She wears a dreadful expression and her face is comparable to a bed ridden patient. Her breath is rugged and her forehead is drenched with sweat. All this, alarmed Li Quan and his expression darkened with every second passing.

“This is bad…” Yu Er muttered.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

“You know my cousin, the one I told you before? I just found out today, but he is an official!”

Unexpected of him, Li Quan suddenly relaxed. He secretly thought to himself, Yong Ming must have done a good job in hiding his status. He gives an amused and sympathize expression to Yu Er. ‘She still being kept in the dark’ he thought.

“Why are you so quiet? You should be worried!” Yu Er gives him a worried expression that looked a lot like a rabbit that he couldn’t help but smile. Unfortunately, this pissed her off to no end. Here she is, worried for him but the said person doesn’t even care! For God’s sake, he even laughed! The changed in her expression only make it worse; she looked very much like a little kitten trying to bite him. That makes him laughed under her persistent glare.

“Why are you laughing? Have you lost your mind? You should be running by now!”

Li Quan tried his best to hold his laughter and putting his attentive and strict expression for her.

“Sorry, you just look so dishevelled right now, that I can’t help but laughed a bit. Well, it’s nothing big to have an official as cousin you know, as long as he didn’t find out though.”

“Ughh!! That’s the point! He’s beginning to sniff me out! He’s been following me yesterday. Of course I tricked him out of it, but who knows if he succeeds? You and I will be in huge trouble by then. And judging by his characteristics, I doubt he will be so kind to let you go.”

This information alerted him and he finally grasps the seriousness of the matter. His wound is getting better but, to ride a horse and flee right now is a risk that he wouldn’t take if not cornered.

“Can you stall him for a few more days? I’ll be ready to leave by then.”

“I can’t guarantee you that. I’ll try my best, but he is sharp. Anyway, I won’t be able to come regularly after today. Since, I don’t want him to get more suspicious than he already is.”

“Aren’t you afraid he will punish you too?” Li Quan asked.

“He won’t. That, I can guarantee.” She answered it almost immediately and with such confident that make his blood boil. Li Quan is silent for a few moments his eyes never leave hers. He is trying to search a speckle of doubt in her obsidian eyes. But he could found nothing. Finally he spoke.

“How can you be so sure? You just know him for few days.”

“I just know. Maybe it’s just a feeling?” she shrugs. “But I know he cares for me. Maybe he’ll scold me and be mad at me for a while but he’ll understand.”

“…”

“I brought you some food and medicine, but I can’t help you with the bandages today. I have to hurry home or else he’ll know I’m gone.”

Yu Er brought down the food and medicine and carefully placed them inside the cave. Then she’s gone. Li Quan can only watch her go while his mind keeps replaying their conversation just now. He can feel his heart clenched and his mouth turn sour. He gritted his teeth in attempt to control his emotion but he can feel his anger and hatred rising towards Yong Ming. His only thought right now is how to get back to his domain and steal Yu Er away from his rival.