Conquering the Emperor

“Rin, take my hand. Then step one foot on here and I’ll pull you up,” Ren instructed sounding a little more patient than before.

“Ok…” I said as I nodded up at him. The horse was much taller than I had initially thought, now that I was standing right at its side.

With some struggling and effort on Ren’s side of pulling me up, I managed to sit astride the horse in front of Ren.

I felt my face flooded with warmth when I realized how close he was to me on the cramped saddle. I could feel his body press against the whole length of my back as he leaned forward holding onto the reins of the horse. Don’t tell me we’ll be pressed up close to each other like this all the way…

Suddenly I felt Ren’s arm tightly wrap around my waist, pulling me even tighter to his firm body.

“I…I can sit just fine…” I started saying.

“I wouldn’t be too sure if I were you,” Ren replied before digging his heels into the horse’s side causing the beast to start off at a run.

Shocked at the speed of the horse and the sensation of the beast moving underneath me, I let out a cry. Despite my state of worry, Ren was truly amused, and I heard him laughing into my ear. Ren’s arm wrapped securely around my waist, keeping me in place. Soon, I started to relax and was enjoying the scenery around me.

We rode through the town of the capital. The horse slowed down to a jog as we navigated the busy road in the city. This was the first time I had time to pay attention to my surrounding and I was amazed by how full of life the street was. Businesses were open both in the buildings lining both side of the street and there were also street vendors. So many people walked by the busy street as they enjoyed their daily life. Coming from a town much smaller than this, this sight or such prosperity was new for me.

“Like what you see? Welcome to the city of Darukai,” Ren said close to my ear.

“This city is so different from my hometown,” I said as I continued to look around.

I wondered if it was ok for Ren to be out and lone in the open like this, after all, he is the crown prince.

“It’s ok. If you haven’t realized, I’m dressed as a simple trader today. I won’t be easily recognized,” Ren answered my unasked question.

He was right. Ren was dressed in dark blue clothes lacking the luxury and gold that were common in his princely attire. I nodded with understanding and relief as I turned to smile back at him.

“Enough sightseeing. We better head out of town or we’ll never arrive before sundown,” Ren said as he nudged the horse into a faster trot.

…

It must have been a few hours since we’ve left city center and now it was nothing but wild forests around us. Occasionally, there would be a small hut, but it was clear that we were moving on to the path in between towns. Thankfully the weather was pleasantly nice today and there was no rain.

I tried to make small talk with Ren to pass the time but most of the time he was unresponsive or uncooperative. It seemed like Ren would only talk on his terms or when he was in the mood for it. That was fine by me as well. Whenever he was silent, I looked around at the scenery instead as I felt the regular movement of the horse underneath me.

“We should rest for a while. You should eat,” Ren said and soon we came to a stop.

“Wow. This lake is so big…” I said in amazement as I took in the scenery before me.

We were on the bank of a large lake with water as blue as the sky. I haven’t seen a lake this big before in my life, my town was landlocked between many large cities.

“Stop staring and get off the horse. Here, I’ll help you,” Ren said after he got off the horse in one smooth motion.

“Ok…” I said as I offered him my hand.

“Just sit still,” Ren instructed.

Instead of taking the hand that I offered, Ren placed his hands on the sides of my waist. Before, I could protest, Ren had lifted me up and off the horse. I blinked rapidly in surprise as I feet landed on the solid ground. Ren left me standing there still confused and embarrassed at what just happened, as he immediately started to tend to his horse.

“The horse needs to rest as well,” Ren explained as he inspected the horse.

When I had recovered from my slight embarrassment, Ren had already led the horse to the lake, and it was drinking from the lake. The sun was high in the sky so it must be a little past lunch time, we should rest and eat. I wasn’t particularly hungry but eating on time was important. That was what my father taught me when I was little.

“Ren…let’s eat the lunch that Auntie Chen prepared for us,” I called out to Ren as I started to unpack lunch.

Looking around, I tried to find a place where we could sit. Perhaps under that large tree would be good. There’s enough shade and the grass seemed soft.

After an uneventful lunch and the horse was well rested, we continued on with our journey. Same as before, I sat in front of Ren as he rode the horse together. I wondered how far our destination was. We’re supposed to get there by sundown, right?

After a while or riding on the horse, I felt Ren stiffen behind me and the horse became more alert. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but the atmosphere around suddenly changed. The horse slowed down its pace, the air became still and suddenly, it was very silent around us.

--To be continued....