Playing With Fire

17

17

Imara placed another document in the finished pile. "That is it for now, you may leave," she informed Namjoon. Her eyes fell on his slouched form. He was leaned over his desk that was placed on the floor. His head was in his hands as he stared at the desk.

"Is that all?" He repeated, slowly shifting so he could look at her. "Oh, goodnight then."

Imara frowned, but nodded. "Yes, goodnight." He barely moved from his spot when she was out of her chair, reaching for his hand. "Wait, Namjoon. Enlighten me."

The tired man looked to his wife in surprise. "Anything."

Imara, who was lost in her actions and own confusion, released his hand. "Are you wanting this?"

"This?" He questioned, siting himself comfortably on the dark red pillow. He signalled for Imara to kneel on the ground with him, but she stood standing.

"The marriage."

Would it matter? She thought bitterly. He has no choice.

"A marriage with the queen is nothing but honorable, your highness. This marriage will not be in its grave before it happens. Please, do not concern yourself over such things."

The queen sucked in a sharp breath. "Trivial things such as this are important to me," she whispered. Realizing what she was doing, Imara turned her back to him and went to sit at her desk.

Namjoon wasn't prepared for her answer. He stood to his feet and gripped her hand within his own and gently yanked her back to him. The unfamiliar feeling rose within his chest as her soft skin met his. Her long black hair tickled his arms. The scent of her filled his thoughts. 

He gulped. "I-Imara. Do not think of things like this. We have a country to rule, and a palace to maintain. The marriage will happen no matter the extent. Everything will play out well." He gently placed his hand on her side, cautiously and carefully as if afraid he would hurt her. 

Imara breathed deeply. Chills ran down her spine the moment his hand sat on her waist. She wanted to close her eyes, but her heart was beating too loud for her to function properly. The queen couldn't move.

Namjoon stood behind his future wife, barely touching her in fear of the pain he could cause. His breath hit her neck a few times, but because his tall frame wavered, it only lasted a second. He focused on her back, afraid to see her face him.

Neither one moved. The confusion they felt only glued them still. The king and queen stayed there until Hayleigh knocked on the office door.

"My queen, there is news about the war!" She rushed in, startling the two.

Namjoon hadn't removed his hand from Imara's waist, too shocked about Hayleigh. Imara eventually ripped it off of her and cleared her throat. "What is it?"

"Two large villages were struck and taken down. No survivors."

Imara soaked in the information. "Is that all?" She asked after a moment.

"Sadly, it is not. Forgive me, but the soldiers have been taken as hostage."

"A count?"

"Twenty four have been wounded and kidnapped. Seventy have been taken from a village hideout. A total loss of a hundred men, my queen."

Kim stared at Hayleigh. "That many?"

She faces him and bowed. "Yes, my king. Our enemy is not weak."

Imara piped up. "Have you located their weakness? Hideouts? Anything?"

"No." She shook her head.

Imara slammed her fist on the wooden desk. "Egregious! Send the troops-"

"Imara!" Namjoon shouted, catching her attention. "We need to take this slow and thoroughly plan this out. If we make a mistake, it can greatly affect the kingdom."

Hayleigh hurriedly left the room, leaving Imara to glare harshly at him. "Who are you to overthrow my words?"

He shook his head. "That is not what I seek to do, my queen. Though you may have changed some ways in this kingdom, it is all the same in the end. The court officials can bring you done from your throne at any moment."

"Do you not trust my officials?"

"It was what they were born to do. Trust has not been given to them for generations."

She clicked her tongue. "Your suggestion?"

"Let word get to the State Council-"

"Absurd! Those rats are nothing but gossip men."

Kim realized if he didn't explain it well enough, he might distance Imara further from him. He didn't want another incident like the coma to happen again. He had never been so at loss.

"Let us speak with the Chief State Councillor. We may have a better chance at ending this war."

Imara refused. "That man is so high on his throne if he came down it will kill many around him. His position has made him greedy."

"The ministry of defense?"

"We have that?"

Kim's jaw slackened. "A queen whom has been on the throne since age sixteen is uninformed of her military defense?" The surprise was clear within his voice. "How have you sent troops?"

"By the general."

He sighed heavily. "Which is in the ministry of defense. It seems I have just worded it differently." He looked to his wife. "You are quite intelligent, though head strong. We do not want to make a mistake that could lead to your farther taking over this country."

Hyung Sik, Imara thought. ​​​​​​Hyung Sik would take my throne under all cost.

She looked to the king. "What do you remember about that man who requested my present?"

He was surprised by the question. "Does he have something to do with this?"

He might.

She shook her head. "No. I wish to send him a letter after I finish these documents."

Namjoon noticed he had lost her interest and rather, placed her back into work. "Imara, please. We need to speak with someone in the military defense."

Her hand picked up a document. "Have Hayleigh deliver this to the Office of Records. We will discuss this tomorrow."