HWARANG Rewritten✅

17. Library

"What is this contrived reaction? Is it because I am the King?" Ji-dwi asked casually, folding his arms in seriousness. He watched in amusement as Sa-do's eyes widened as she looked around before leaning towards him and whisper yelling, "are you crazy? What if someone hears?"

Ji-dwi tried not to laugh as he assured her, "there are only two of us. Two."

Sa-do paid no attention as her eyes darted around again. "How frustrating! You don't know even after you lived wandering around to hide yourself? 'In the day the mouse hears and in the night the bird listens'," she huffed, annoyed at how careless he was being.

Ji-dwi tried really hard this time not to burst out laughing. "It's probably, 'in the day the bird listens and in the night the mouse hears'."

Sa-do glared at his mirth filled warm brown eyes and his horrible attempt at not laughing at her. "Is that important when we are talking about the King?" she asked incredulously before her eyes widened in realization. "Oh no! I said 'king'. And again 'king'. Ki- Arghh I am going crazy," she groaned in irritation.

No longer able to contain himself, Ji-dwi burst out laughing. After calming down he eyed the huge stack of books in her arms. "Are you going to Ji Hun Dang library?"

Sa-do nodded, making a noise of affirmation, not trusting herself to speak without saying 'king' again.

"Is that so?" he mused as he tried to take the heavy pile from her, only to have her back away, making that hilarious noise again as she kept her lower lip trapped between her teeth. "Quiet," he demanded but Sa-do just continued making that noise in an attempt to decline. Trying hard not to laugh he ordered in a strict tone, "be quiet and just follow me," as he successfully snatched the books from her.

He walked away with her tailing behind, still making the strange noise. He imitated her as if they were having a legitimate conversation. "Yes. Alright," he conceded as he continued towards the library, a large grin on his face.

As they were returning the books to their correct places on the shelves Ji-dwi asked her, "are you uncomfortable because I am the King?" with his back facing her, not wanting to see her reaction.

Sa-do ran to his side and whispered lowly, "can you not talk about that anymore? It's making me nervous and anxious."

Ji-dwi smirked, "why are you nervous? I am the King."

"Again. Again," she tutted in annoyance at his stupidity. It didn't matter that they were the only ones in the library. He should still be more careful.

Eyeing her Ji-dwi asked disbelievingly, "are you perhaps worried about me? Is it like that?" he turned his head to the side, observing her squirm with amusement. Although he sounded teasing, he was wary of what her answer would be.

Sa-do made a move to leave but he was quick to block her path as he trapped her between the bookshelf and himself with his arms. Sighing in defeat she claimed in all honesty, "obviously I am worried. I am not completely clueless to the kind of life you have lived. And I am aware of the threats you are surrounded by," as she looked him dead in the eye.

Ji-dwi's arms dropped to his side as he turned away, unable to hold her burning gaze. "Is it this feeling?" he asked aloud, mostly to himself though, "meeting someone who truly knows me." His eyes flickered with warring emotions, rapidly changing as he tried to comprehend the new feeling.

"I have never felt this before in my life." Ji-dwi was silent for a while before he grabbed her arms, turning her to face him. "You don't know," he questioned unsurely as he stared into her eyes, "how precious and important you are to me?"

Sa-do gulped and looked down, unable to meet his intense eyes. Why did he keep doing and saying things like this and make her confused? Did he perhaps, enjoy watching her get flustered? Why would she be precious to him anyway? He was Silla's king and she was a nobody. Just another subject in his kingdom.

Then why did he sound so sincere? It made it harder for her to dismiss his confession. And though she would never admit it, a huge part of her did not want to dismiss it either. Her heart thudded so loudly against her chest; it was surprising that he hadn't heard it yet.

What was happening? Where was this heading? Her breath faltered when she looked into his warm brown eyes, that reminded her of the forest on a sunny day.

She was doomed, she realized with a start.