Conquering the Emperor

“I did not…expect to meet you here, Prince Kin,” I said as I tried to keep my voice steady and a friendly smile on my lips.

I bowed politely to him. It doesn’t matter whether or not I wanted him here. He’s still the second prince which meant that I had to show respect.

“I did not get a reply to my latest letter, so I was just a little bit worried about you…” Prince Kin said.

His overly sweet smile was starting to creep me out. He was right, I did not reply to his latest message because I did not see the need to. Was that too rude?

“I apologized, Prince Kin, for my delayed response. I was planning to send you a reply later today after my lessons are over,” I said, trying to sound pleasant. Obviously, I lied.

“Then I guess I’ll be patient and wait for your favorable response. I truly wish to spend more time with you and a dinner would be a good start. After all, you would be my sister-in-law very soon,” Prince Kin said, his eyes watching me intently.

Oh…

“You are too kind…” I murmured.

“If you’re worried about appropriateness then we can always wait for when Ren returns,” Prince Kin said while making an understanding face.

“When the crown prince returns?” I asked, picking up on news about Ren. He’s out somewhere…?

“Oh…he didn’t tell you, did he?” Prince Kin asked.

“Tell me what…?” I whispered, sensing something amiss.

My body froze as Prince Kin bent his head down to whisper into my ear as if he was telling me a secret.

“Ren…is at war…” Prince Kin whispered next to my ear.

Ren…

My eyes widened in shock as I gasped. Ren really isn’t in the palace. Worst, he’s gone out to fight…and he didn’t even tell me?

“When is he coming back?” I asked the first question that came to my mind.

“Who knows…he’s been gone for almost a week now,” Prince Kin said with a shrug.

I couldn’t understand how Prince Kin could act so carefree when his brother is at war. From the timeline, I figured that Ren had been gone since the day he parted ways with me. Why didn’t he tell me anything?

Was he afraid that I would try to stop him? Perhaps, I would have tried…

“Are you worried about Ren?” Prince Kin asked.

I felt his long fingers trace the side of my face and my body froze at his touch. I looked at his cunning face and his eyes reminded me of that of a snake’s. This man…he’s…

…

**Late last night**

The sound of the fire crackling was the only sound in the silent night. Ren and Shin sat side by side on a log as they stared into the fire, their heads fill with their own thoughts. It has been many days since they had travelled out to the boarder to observe the situation of the battle taking place there.

The situation did not perfectly match with the report that they were provided and that bothered the two men immensely. Inaccurate reports could spell trouble and inaccurate future actions. The report that Ren had received clearly stated that the battles were small fights that should be quelled in no time.

However, the reality they witnessed since the first day was different. At first Shin was absolutely against Ren taking the trip to see the situation for himself. However, Ren was adamant regarding his decision.

“My precautionary plan to bring a larger army than we had initially thought required seemed to have paid off well in our favor,” Shin said followed by a sigh.

Shin brought along a large army to protect Ren in case it was necessary. Better safe than sorry. However, what was described as small fights were actually mid-scale battles. The army they brought suddenly became necessary to help act as reinforcements for the soldiers stationed at the border.

“Are you alright? You’ve been spacing out on me lately…” Shin asked as he looked at his friend’s face.

“I don’t know…something’s bothering me…” Ren muttered.

“About this battle?” Shin asked.

“Let’s finish things up here as soon as possible…” Ren said, sounding tired and bored.

“It’s not like you to want to return back to the palace so soon,” Shin said, observantly.

“I feel…restless,” Ren said, his eyes looking deep into the fire.

“My guess is that you’re worried about a certain someone back home…” Shin teased.

However, Ren did not find his friend’s joke very funny right now.

“Go to sleep, we march tomorrow at dawn,” Ren stated before getting up from his seat.

“Yes, Your Highness,” Shin said with a mocking salute.

…

***Back in the garden***

“Of course, I am…” I said, honestly. Who wouldn’t be worried?

“You’re a cute little lady. I can understand why Ren seems smitten with you,” Prince Kin teased.

“Where is the crown prince right now?” I asked, getting straight to the point.

“Promise to have dinner with me next week…and I’ll tell you. Deal?” Prince Kin said with a calculating smile.

If Ren is already back then it should be ok, right? I really want to know where Ren is right now and if he’s ok…

“Ok…” I replied softly.

“Good. We have a deal then,” Prince Kin said as a satisfied smile spread across his face.

“Where is Ren? Is he ok?” I asked again.

“I haven’t heard any news from the frontlines, so I bet he’s ok. Ren’s out to suppress some uprising around the boarders…” Prince Kin said casually.

“Thank you…” I said as I breathed a sigh of relief. Ren is ok…

“I have to thank you. I look forward to our dinner…” Prince Kin said.

Prince Kin nodded at me with a satisfied smile on his face. I couldn’t understand why he wanted to have dinner with me. As far as I was aware, I didn’t have anything to discuss with him or anything that would interest him.

Perhaps, I was being too overly cautious. He did mention that he wanted to get to know me more as his future sister-in-law. Maybe he’s really just trying to be friendly…

I bowed politely to him as he turned to leave. I felt my heart beat loud and fast in my chest in anxiety as I watched the man leave.

Something about Prince Kin doesn’t sit right with me…

--To be continued…