Playing With Fire

15

15

"King Namjoon," a court member greeted with a deep bow. "We have news on the Queen."

His ears perked at the statement, making him sit up in his throne and lean forward. "Yes? What is it?"

"She has awoken."

The king stood from his spot, rushing down from the throne and towards the member in earnest. He grabbed the eunuch's shoulders and shook him, staring into the man's eyes. "Are you speaking the truth? Her Majesty has woken?"

The man rose his hand to hold onto his hat. He nodded his head with wide eyes at the king. "Y-yes. The queen has requested to see you."

Namjoon released the man, looking around the room for Hayeligh. After a moment of not finding her, he assumed she was with the queen and sped off to Imara's chambers. His gonryongpo(robe) dragged across the floor, holding him back slightly, which he reacted to by gripping within his hands.

The guards before her room opened the door for him. He entered the room and immediately turned his head to her bed where she lied. Her eyes flickered to meet his. He bowed to her before kneeling at the side of the bed.

"Your Majesty," he mumbled. "How do you feel?"

She watched him take ahold of her hand. "Fine," she whispered. She tugged her hand slowly away from him, but he didn't notice as his gaze never left hers. "I wish to know what you did with the documents."

"For a good portion I had signed and made agreements. There was some that I wished to go over with you."

Imara nodded, her lips thinned. "Good. As soon as I am well I will go back my office and finish them."

"There was one though," Namjoon said carefully, eyeing her reaction. "About ending the war. I have yet to sign it."

Imara furrowed her eyebrows. "Has it yet to end?"

He bowed his head shamefully. "No, your Majesty. The war has not ended."

The contessa slowly sat herself up, ignoring the complaints from Hayleigh and faced Namjoon completely. "Well then, it seems we must do that right away." She signaled the servant over without looking away from her husband. "Get my documents."

"But-"

"Hayleigh," Imara said sternly. "Have you already forgotten your place?"

"My apologies, my queen."

Hayleigh left the room to gather the documents for the queen. The king looked to his wife with tired eyes but he hid it with a small smile. She only stared back at him.

"What is it you wish for me to do? I will do anything you request for me, my queen."

Imara cleared her throat. "Tell me what all did you find?"

"Find?" Kim questioned. "I do not know of what you speak of. What are you asking me?"

"The journal," she stated. "What did you find within my journal?" Her hand raised up to her hair and she combed it back, the worry that was slightly growing within her started to spread to her heart. "What all do you know?"

Namjoon froze for a moment. He carefully took Imara's hand in his own, then looked into her eyes. He relaxed his expressions and gave her a nod. "I found what was necessary. Only read to an extent."

"How far," she starts, almost annoyed with his half answer. "Did you read?"

"I read to you naming your children."

"And?"

"That is all."

"You speak a lie? To your future wife and the queen of your country?"

"No lie. I read of your parents. I was informed of your sister-"

Imara's eyes widened. "Sister? You know of her?!" The shock was clear in her voice. The queen ripped her hand from his once again. "What do you know."

Kim took a second to think of the princess whom had spent most of his week with. "Quite the princess. She has a very weak heart but a strong mind. You both have a dark hatred for one another, it seems."

"You seem well-known of her."

Kim nods. "Indeed. I have met the princess many times. She does not wish for me to speak with you. All is well, though. She is to return home now that you have woken."

Imara's mind caught the slight tone in his voice shift. "Return? That must mean she is here."

Namjoon realized she wasn't asking. "Yes, the princess is here."

The queen looked down at Namjoon with a neutral expression. "I suppose it's alright. You were to have nothing to do while I was in rest. She must leave now."

He nodded. "Yes."

"Anything else?"

"There was this man who came by to speak with you, though. Not long ago."

She became stiff. "A man? Who?"

Namjoon took notice in her posture. "He was called Daesun. He claimed to be your cousin."

Imara's mind went black, and her husband realized it. She became silent in that moment, which gave Hayleigh an opportunity to finally stop eaves-dropping and enter the room. The servant quickly stepped over to her royals and laid the documents on the Queen's bed. She bowed before leaving once again.

As Namjoon took the silence as a way to think of other things Imara could have missed, he lost the chance to continue to speak with her. The chamber doors spread open quickly and revealed a dark princess.

She grabbed her hanbok between her fingers and marched towards Imara and Namjoon. "You," she angrily spat towards her sister. "Just what do you think this is?! A drama?"

Imara blankly stared at her sister. "What do you wish for?"

Beatrice grew bright red. "Heol! You think I would take something given by your filthy hands? You rotten human!"

"What is it that you are here for?"

The princess stomped her foot, finally showing her childish ways to the king. "This is unfair! You get the throne, mother, and now a king! You faint after knowing him for a week and he does not stop worrying for you!"

Imara shook her head. "That has nothing to do with me. Go home now."

"You are so selfish! You cannot even look at him, can you? The guilt seeping within you has been brought out by your weak system. You also realize your wrong doings."

"Leave."

"What was that man here for? Asking to speak with you! You know mother banished for a reason-"

"Get out!" Imara screamed, startling Namjoon. It didn't frighten Bea, since she was use to it. "Guards! Take her home!"

Beatrice shook her head at her sister as the guards piled in the room. "You just couldn't take it? You did this to father, and now you speak with such a man as him!" She yells, the veins in her neck popping. "I would hope you die in the most gruesome way, but that would be too cruel to Namjoon."