Trapped

chapter 23

"Your Majesty." Kyungsoo bowed his head solemnly.

It's been awhile since their last meeting; Kyungsoo had regained his health and strength back fully since then. He was beginning to wonder if he would be summoned by his king anytime soon, half-expecting it, even.

Kyungsoo squeezed his hand, letting his fingers to fidget with the fabric of his outer robe to ease down his nervousness.

"I can no longer feel the chill of winter in my bones; flowers are bursting open and the cloud is vibrant blue. I'd say it's a lovely spring day. It would be nice to have a cup of tea or two," King Jongin said, approaching Kyungsoo in long strides. He stopped a foot away, enough space for him not to be a threat, and angled his body to face Kyungsoo.

"I would love to, Your Majesty," Kyungsoo replied softly.

"Then let's not wasting time; there are flitting birds to see, and sweet air to smell," King Jongin said with a laugh. He gestured his guards to leave, urging Kyungsoo to follow after him.

Deadpanned by the burst of ecstatic emotion his king had shown him, Kyungsoo hurriedly complied.

Kyungsoo shuffled graciously, timing his walks perfectly, two steps away from his king. Living in the palace and being a personal servant had folded him into a cautious person; he wouldn't know when the storm would come, when the kindness of his king would be replaced by rage and punishment.

King Jongin slowed down his stride and stopped, sensing the footsteps trailing behind him to stop as well. He looked over his shoulder. "I don't see why you cannot walk by my side. I don't fancy constantly turning my body around every time I want to talk to my royal consort."

Kyungsoo's eyes widened. He gave a hurried nod, and quickly had a few tiny steps to match his king.

"That's better." King Jongin glanced at Kyungsoo, flashing a small smile at the flustered male.

Kyungsoo quietly walked down the pavement, sweeping his eyes to the sides of their pathway. Spring had really come, and the last frost had long gone. It's hard to repress the giddy feeling caused by the smell of green grass and the colorful blooming flowers. The sun had not fully set at the center of the sky yet; the air was warm but convenient enough to stroll under the golden sphere.

"Today is a beautiful day," King Jongin lightly started a conversation, tilting his head to look at his concubine, who seemingly was in his own world he didn't realize there were eyes fastened on him.

Kyungsoo raise his head to stare at the clear blue sky, almost automatically responded, "Yes, Your Majesty..."

The cherry blossoms' puffy white buds had not bloomed yet. He couldn't wait to walk under the canopies of flowers, drenched in pale calamine petal rain cascading from the swaying trees on the sides of stone pavement.

"Tell me about your spring days," King Jongin's voice brought him back from his thoughts.

"M-my spring days, Your Majesty?" Perplexed and not ready by the sudden interference, Kyungsoo stuttered.

"Your spring days. Or rather, what you used to do during spring. What you loved about spring, before entering the palace." King Jongin slowed down his walk, subtlety gazing at his concubine, gesturing that he was ready for a long answer.

Kyungsoo breathed slowly to calm down the jittery feeling and pushed his mind to think of something about his past. "I loved to watch life coming back to the lake, Your Majesty," he at last said.