BURNING AFFECTION - EPISODE 22 AND 23

Jimin led Kimora to the maids chamber and he left her, without saying a word he left for the king’s chamber

“I’m glad you’re awake, Hale and hearty” King Jung said when Jimin got to his chamber

“I’m glad too father, it was really painful yesterday but right now I’m not in pains anymore” he said

” Who got you healed? ”

” Huh? ”

” Royal shaman Gaeul said you’ll get healed before this morning and it really happened, how did it happen?” King Jung said

” I just woke up to find that I’m ok, I don’t understand too” Jimin replied

” Then I guess it’s the heavens”

“Yes father, I heard about the attack last night” he said

” It was done by a non-human”

” I didn’t get the chance to see the corpses before they were buried” job Jimin replied

” They were hideous and it’s obviously done by a non-human, but since she helped, it’s ok… she eliminated the assassins without harming the palace guards” king Jung said

” Oh….then I guess she was sent by the heavens to help father” he replied

” You can say that again” king Jung smiled

” It’s been long since I saw you smile father’ he said

” The situation we are in this palace is not giving me the chance to smile, Rachel is always not in good terms with Sera, Suzy and Royalty are always on edge with each other, then you and Cal, everyone knows you both are never in agreement with each other, at this rate I’ll die an unhappy king” he said

” Father…

“I always look up to the heavens maybe they’ll just help with the affairs of this place and…..bring everyone together but it’s not happening” he said

” Your majesty, it will only take time” Jimin said..

” You just said the right thing, it’ll only take time but it won’t happen, harmony will forever be far from this palace so far Rachel is still troublesome, so far Cal is still hateful and if Suzy is still bitter, you can leave I need to take a nap” king Jung said

” Ok father” he replied with a bow before taking his leave.

******

Miryang town**

Brayden just finished telling his story to the crowd for today when he sighed Ginelle in the midst of the crowd

“That annoying face, he saw me…dang it!’ Ginelle said, walking away from the place Immediately

“Running away from me after almost destroying my books?, Are you scared that I might ask for money?” He said behind her and she stopped

” Just leave ok?, I don’t want to see your face today” she replied without looking back

Brayden walked up to her and stayed in front of her, he smiled cutely and her eyes widened

It’s only now she just realized how handsome his smile is

“You’re staring” Brayden said and she stopped

” Not at you, I was staring at those fowls over there” she lied and he smiled again

” So you do listen to my stories too, I’m flattered” he said

“Well….I don’t really listen.. I just happen to bump into this crowd, listening to a storyteller so I decided to wait and watch, then I saw you’re the storyteller, I was shocked” she replied and he laughed..

” What’s funny” she replied

“You, you were shocked” he replied and started laughing again

She swatted his arm with her hand and he stopped laughing.

“By the way it’s a pleasure to have you as one of my listeners, I would have denied it if anyone told me a crazy personality like you will listen to me” he said

” For the fact that I once destroyed your writing book?” She asked

They’re walking by now, down the town

” That’s part of it but I’ve really heard people saying something or another about a girl called Ginelle who’s just as crazy as something else” he replied and she stopped

” Have you been stalking me?” She asked

“Stalk?, Well I can’t call it stalking directly, I just happen to always come across you anytime I’m gathering stories around” he replied

” Gathering stories around?”

” Yes, I walk around, looking for silent places, my inspiration to write comes in any silent place and that’s why I can only wrote in solitude” he replied

” Oh… cool” she smiled

” It’s good to see you smile” he said and he faced him, she smiled again

“What do you do” he asked

“Nothing to be proud about” she replied and immediately, many hairpins and bands fell from her robe pocket

“Darn” she said

“I’ll pick them for you” Brayden said, bending down to pick them though she joined him

He handed them to her after picking it and she returned them to her pocket

“By the way, why do you have so much hairpins?” He asked

“None of your business” she replied, her mood changing

He noticed and decided not to probe more

“Ok” he replied

“My house is some meters away, you can go back now, I can’t let you know my house” she said and Brayden stopped following her

” Ok, get home safely” he said

” Sure” she replied and started walking away

” Hey!” He suddenly called.

She looked back immediately

“We’ll meet tommorow right?” He asked

“Why?, Are we friends?, How annoying” she said and left

Brayden smiled and turned back

” She’s interesting, really really interesting” he thought.

He passed by the market place during his journey home and saw a disheartening scene

A man is kneeling in the middle of the marketplace, a guy who looks like a guard is placing a sword on his neck, ready to behead him, people gathered around to watch .

It’s obvious the man is a farmer, judging by his dress and look, he looks pitiful

“What has he done to deserve death?” Brayden asked someone among the crowd

” He mistakenly bumped into Riya Park” the man replied.

“Riya Park, daughter of nobleman Park Sun?” Brayden said

” Yes, I heard she’s very scary and dangerous, anyone who steps on her toes gets killed but this man right there mistakenly bumped into her and stained her robe, she has ordered her guards to kill him” the man replied

” This is ridiculous, how could she….” Brayden said and people started parting ways as an horse stepped into the middle, on the horse is Riya Park herself, she’s veiled so her face is not revealed but rumours had it that she’s beautiful, a beauty to behold

“Gon, what are you still doing?, Behead him” she said and the man started shivering, begging at the same time as the guard raised the sword to kill him

“Stop!” Brayden said and everyone turned to him as he walked to the middle

” who are you?’ Riya asked from the horse

” I’m sure you know who i am… Riya Park” Brayden replied

” Oh…son of Morris Jung, I know so many noble people but your father is the least of them so don’t be surprised that I didn’t recognize you at first” she said

” Offended?, Why would I be when I know you’re the most arrogant girl in Miryang” Brayden replied

” I have every right to be….. right after king Jung Mal, my father Park Sun is the richest” she replied

” Let this man go” Brayden said

” You have no right to order me around unless you wanna die by same sword this fool will be killed with, move!” Riya said

Brayden swallowed hard, it’s surely a hard task cos truly, her father is the richest after the king and that’s why she’s just too full of herself, Brayden watched as the guard started bringing down the sword to the man’s neck again and hoped for the heavens to intervene…

“Stop!’ a voice said and people started parting ways while bowing

“A royal?’ Brayden wondered and when he saw it’s a palanquin, he smiled, it’s surely a royal

Jimin came out of the palanquin and Brayden’s smile grew wider

“Your highness!” Everyone bowed

Jimin gave Cory signals and Cory went to the guard, he knocked him away from the man and held the man up

“Prince Jimin?” Riya said

“I don’t know who you are and I don’t care to know, your nobility is not my concern and so far I still remain Jimin Jung, son of King Jung Mal, I have the right to stop the inhumane activity you were about to carry out” he said

” You don’t know what he did your highness” she said

” I don’t wanna know, all I know is that I’m ordering you right now to leave!, People like you are what we need to eliminate from Miryang to make it prosper” he said authoritatively

” Your highness…” Riya wanted to talk…

“Say another word and you’ll be dragged down from that horse, I’ll kill the horse right in front of you and you’ll trek home” Jimin said and Riya went mute

” Kajja (let’s go)” she said to her horse and it moved out of the place.

“Gamssamnida your highness (thanks your highness), I’m grateful, thanks for saving my life, thanks for sparing me” the man said, bowing down every now and then

Jimin pointed his palm at Cory and Cory placed a small bag of coins on it, Jimin took the man’s hand and placed it on it

“Your highness… for me?” He said unbelievably

Jimin nodded and patted him. “Be good” he said and entered the palanquin

” Thanks your highness!, Your highness I’m grateful!, May you live long your highness!” The man shouted as the carriers carried the palanquin out of the place

Jimin raised the window and Cory bowed

“When we get to the palace, I’ll send him foodstuffs from the store myself, he looks like he hasn’t eaten for days” he said

” As you please your highness” Cory replied.

*****

Palace**

“I’m so tired!, Today has been hectic!” Kimora said after she finished serving princess Royalty’s lunch

Lunch was prepared some minutes ago

“I couldn’t find prince Jimin in his room when I went to serve his lunch” Tania said

” I don’t know but he was acting weird this morning” she replied, remembering he didn’t say a word to her after saving her earlier

“What do you mean?” Tania asked

“Kimora” Janis waved from the door

” Janis ” she smiled, waving back

He came in fully and took her hand

“Always stealing my friend away from me huh?” Tania said and Janis giggled, taking Kimora away from the kitchen

He took her to the store room and stood facing her

“What?, Is something wrong?” She asked when she saw how he’s staring at her

“Why are you always in Jimin’s room?” He asked

” Why?, I’m a royal maid so I serve him” she replied, moving back cos he’s moving closer

“Kimora you’re not the only maid in this palace so why always you” he said, not breaking their eye lock as he continued moving closer, her back hit the rack and she stopped

“Why are you suddenly like this?” She asked

” Kimora I don’t know why too…I just started growing fond of you overnight and…I just… couldn’t control the feelings I….I started longing to see you everyday, watching the stars with you became my happiest moment, I just….I..”

” Janis…can you step back a bit?” She said

” Kimora I love you” he said and her eyes widened

” What are you talking about?”

” I love you a lot, I swear it Kimora, I do love you” he said, staring at her deeply

” Janis you’re like a brother to me” she said

” The heart can’t be controlled Kimora, I tried to tame my feelings but no….it won’t go, I just love you” he said seriously

Kimora held her robe awkwardly as he started leaning in, closer and closer

“Janis no…” She said, trying to get out of his trap but it’s Impossible

She pushed his chest away from herself but it’s hard, he kept leaning in and when his lips is about to meet hers, the store room door flipped open and it revealed Jimin and Cory

Jimin saw Janis bending over someone and smiled

“So you have eyes on someone in this palace, who’s she?” He asked, going closer

He almost couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw Kimora, he stopped on his tracks and stepped back

“Your highness” she said in a hush tone

Jimin turned around and left the room, Cory followed

“I’m sorry” Janis said, releasing Kimora but she pushed him out of the way and rushed out, Jimin is gone

She backed the wall sadly. “What do I do?” She wondered.

****

Morris Jung’s house**

“Father, you need to see what Riya Park almost did today” Brayden said during dinner

” That spoilt rude daughter of Park Sun?” Morris replied

“Yes…she almost killed a poor man just because he bumped into her by mistake” he replied

” That brat has always been like that, she has no respect or regards for anyone” Morris replied

” It’s disgusting, I don’t like her” Brayden said

” What type of a girl do you like?” Morris asked

“Crazy, sassy, beautiful,… interesting” he replied and Morris smiled

” Where will you find that kind in this town”

“She’s somewhere around” Brayden replied

Janis suddenly entered the house, literally barging in and without greeting, he went into his room

“What’s wrong with him?” Morris said

“I’ll go talk to him” Brayden replied and went in, knocking on Janis door but he refused to open up

“My Lord!, A pigeon letter is here for you from the palace!” One of the guards said, rushing in with it

It was handed to him and he opened it

“Rachel’s handwriting” he said, bringing out the letter.

****

Palace**

Suzy suddenly blocked Cory on his way to Royalty’s room that evening

” Where are you going to?, You think it’s cool to enter the room of a princess and come out just anytime you like?, She’s a princess for crying out loud!” Suzy said loudly

” She gave me the orders, disobeying it means disobeying her” he replied

” Bullshit, don’t go in there,she can tell her teacher to teach her french, she has more than three teachers!” Suzy said

” But I want him to teach me, any problem with that?” Royalty said, appearing behind Cory

” Royalty you’re trespassing”

“Trespassing on what?, You don’t care about guards, so why are you fussing?” Royalty said and grabbed Cory by the wrist

She made to go away with her but Suzy grabbed the other arm

“It’s an order, you’re not going anywhere” she said

” It’s an order, follow me” Royalty replied and they both started pulling him till he snapped his arms out of their hold, surprising them both

Immediately he did that, he walked out without saying anything

Royalty and Suzy glared at each other dangerously before leaving in opposite directions…

*****

Jimin’s room**

“You’re taking this whole thing personal, you haven’t called Kimora today, is it because of the scene you saw?” Cory said immediately he entered the room

” It looks like .. they kissed” he replied and Cory laughed

“Even if they did, she’s not your lover so…” Cory said

” You don’t understand how I feel” Jimin said

Cory moved closer

“How do you feel?, Is that heart getting stressed already?” He teased

“You’re not helping matters” Jimin said and left the room

” Keep deceiving yourself your highness” Cory said, he remembered the struggle with Royalty and Suzy earlier and his smile dissappeared

“Is it what I’m thinking?” He asked himself.

****

Night**

Kimora got to the fence and waited for over an hour for him to show up but he didn’t

She planned to wait a little bit more, the wind is blowing slowly and right now she cares less about the stars, he hasn’t talked to him since the incident in Suzy’s room and the look on his face when he saw her with Janis earlier was fire

She looked around again and her mind went to the flower garden

“Did he perhaps…go already before I came?’ she asked herself

She decided to take the risk and went there, she entered the garden and when her allergy didn’t take action, she knows he’s there

She searched the whole place till she found him admiring a particular flower in the middle of the garden

He looked up and saw her, immediately their eyes met, he looked away and started walking away

She rushed to him and blocked him

“It’s not what you think your highness” she said

He made to take another path but she blocked it again

“Don’t snub me I beg you” she said

“Why were you with Janis in the store room?” He asked

” He took me there and told me he loves me and…

” What!

“Yes, I..

” You both kissed?” He said

“No we didn’t, believe me” she replied hurriedly

He looked at her again and turned his back, he started walking out of the garden

She rushed after him again and hugged him from behind , tightly

“Please don’t go, we did nothing like kissing and I promise I won’t love him, don’t avoid your guardian Jimin, let’s watch the stars together here, don’t leave me” she said, resting her head on his back

Jimin stood still for a minute before facing her

He held her face and smiled, seeing his beautiful eyes again made her heart race

“Call me Jimin again…. right now” he said

” Jimin” she said, her tiny voice made it sound different on her lips..

He smiled and kissed the space between her eyebrows before hugging her tightly..

“I love it when you call me my name” he said, rubbing her back gently while she buried her face on his manly chest.