34 Victorious.
"Welcome one, welcome all! Welcome to Baekmin's first Royal Horse Race. Please take your seats and under no circumstances, cross the barricade. We have 8 race tracks today, which means 8 of the Royalties will compete against one another to win the prestigious title." The Royal announcer announces amidst the pomp and chaos of the attendees.
Rows of children line the barricade holding self-crafted placards with Casper's name.
On the other side of the arena are the seating areas for the Royal Families.
Rows of shaded cushioned velvet seats with maidservants fanning each member.
Soojin and The Queen are seated in the very first row, watching through gold rimmed binoculars.
Soojin's mind is in an emotional turmoil.
All she has her eyes on is, the time.
The Chief Guard would be searching for Bohoja in the capitol and he'd sneak him in by the break of dawn, as promised.
"On track number 1, we have our very own Crowned Head, His Majesty Min Yun Gi, sporting a black cotton vest and his signature golden mask. We wonder what lies beneath it and yet he continues to tease us with the mystery he exudes. Can we hear some cheers of our very own King? C'mon people of Baekmin!"
The announcer cheers and roars of Baekmin are heard reverberating through the arena.
It was half an hour to sunset and the sky had been painted in an orange hue, casting a golden reflection on Yun Ki who sat proudly on his loyal comrade, Casper.
Yun Ki waves at the mob as chants of Baekmin are heard and his chest hasn't seemed fuller and swollen with pride, before.
One by one, names of the Royalties are heard.
A referee checks the arena tracks efficiently and signals a green flag indicating the tracks were ready to race on.
The announcer takes his position on the inner field, blaring into the mic as his finger rests on the trigger of the Starting Pistol.
"On your mark….Get set....GO!" The pistol goes off and a loud screech is heard in the sky as the horses canter the tracks, dust rising to the surface, making the scene rather cloudy and poorly visible, sounds of horses neighing and instructions being shouted.
"Yun Ki looks like he's in form this time, look at his thighs clenching through the white breeches." A feminine voice squeaks from behind Soojin and she looks back to lock eyes with an obnoxious Princess who returns Soojin a look, sly eyed.
Soojin goes back to looking into the binoculars, watching Yun Ki and Min Hyuk separated by a few inches, Hyuk in the lead..
Until, Yun Ki tightens the reigns over Casper, causing the white beauty to take over Min Hyuk, centimetres before the finishing line.
Casper crosses the finishing line first, followed by Min Hyuk's horse.
Yun Ki lets go of the reigns, undoing his top knot, causing his silky ashen grey hair to cascade down his head, over his masculine broad shoulders, wafting through the air as Casper gallops around the arena, closer to the barricades.
This visual draws ample amount of attention from the crowd and viewers as they gasp out loud watching Yun Ki's wild mane floating through the wind, his pink lips drawn into a smile as he pumps his fist into the air in victory.
Casper gallops along the mob, Yun Ki bending down to shake hands with the children and young girls lining up before him.
Children pet Casper's mane and young girls fawn over how majestic Yun Ki looks.
"Can you show us your face, Your Majesty?" One girl asks, holding onto Yun Ki's hand a little longer than usual.
"Unfortunately, no. This is how I will present myself in public for safety reasons.." Yun Ki responds, clasping hands with another girl who laughs at his response.
"Is it because your looks can kill us?" She asks as the mob giggles.
Yun Ki laughs in response.
"Your Majesty, when can we expect to see an heir?" Another asks and Yun Ki blushes.
"I'll have to ask the missus, won't I?" He replies, cheekily.
On the other hand, Soojin amongst the other royalty, were up on their feet clapping and cheering for the winners.
She stood watching Yun Ki gallop over to his people and that made her feel somewhat warm.
He did care for his own.
She watches the nasty petty Princess scolding her brother who was still seated on his horse and heard his sister blabber his ear off with complaints from the stands.
"Soojin ah, look!" The Queen calls.
Soojin looks at the Queen and follows where her fingers are pointed to.
She watches Casper canter towards the stands, Yun Ki getting lifted with every gallop as he points at Soojin from a distance and everything comes to a standstill.
Yun Ki prods over to the stands that carried the Royal family.
Soojin walks ahead, towards the barricades on the stand.
Casper neighs with every prod, shaking it's head to let its own hair float in the air.
Yun Ki reaches the stands, towards Soojin who is at an elevation.
His chest is heaving at an erratic pace as he searches Soojin's eyes for approval and appraisals of some or just any sort.
"Remember you asked me why I married you?" He asks, panting and out of breath.
Soojin nods, confusion clouding her breath and being.
"It's because you were the only one who looked into my eyes." He responds, grabbing her arm from the other side of the barricade, holding onto the reins with the other.
He pulls her in, causing her to let out a shriek as she's now face to face with him, half her body hauled over the painted wooden barricade as Royalties awe in wonder as to what is unfolding before them.
"I see right through you, Soojin, right to your soul." He whispers against Soojin's parted lips as they quiver in response before Yun Ki plants his lips on her own, meshing them with his, in a passionate kiss, causing Soojin to grab onto his shoulders to maintain adequate support.
"Mmngh.." She gasps.
He lifts her off of the stands, planting her body on the saddle, in front of him as she looks at him wide-eyed.
"Hold me tight." He says and she grasps onto Yun Ki's torso, head burred in his chest as he takes his victory stride all around the arena, with his wife snuggled up against his chest after a heated public display of affection.
The royal painters go ballistic, trying to keep fresh the imagery that had presented itself before their very own eyes.
The Kingdom press would publish a headline, in big black and bold letters,
'The Cold and Ruthless is smitten.'
