Chapter 25 : Noo!

The sky brightened and Joab as usual went to Yeli's carriage to check on the latter. After all, the night was long and everything could happen.

"Honoured Prince!"

He yelled but there was no answer. He thought the Honoured Prince was still sleeping. Yeli was a kind of person who would go to sleep early and wake up late. Hmph!

Joab didn't want to disturb Yeli from sleep, so he left.

After sometime he came back to Yeli's carriage.

"Honoured Prince!"

He yelled.

There was no answer again.

"Honoured Prince!"

He yelled again.

There was no answer this time too.

This time Joab felt a cold chill run down his spine.

'What is happening?'

He opened the curtains. The moment he glanced inside, his heart skipped a beat.

No one was there.

He was shocked and scared out of his wits his forehead broke into cold sweat.

Joab then noticed a letter. He grabbed it frantically in the way that looked like he was snatching it from someone.

He started reading while wiping cold sweat on his forehead.

The letter reads;

"Uncle Joab and everyone. I'm really sorry for being foolish and failed to control my feelings. In a book that Kim Hyun gave me as a gift, there I found a letter from Ari. In the latter, . Ari admitted that she loves me and was failing to admit it publicly back then to protect me from the wrath of king Choi and Prince Ha-joon. She really loves me uncle. She also begged me to save her from the forced marriage with the ruthless Prince Ha-joon. She begged me to go and take her away. She don't want to marry that bastard, Prince Ha-joon. I will meet her at the residence we used to stay previously. Yeah, the residence which her father gave us. I'm sorry if I have broken your heart again. I will be back soon with my princess. But don't follow me. The forest is too dangerous as you've already seen. I repeat, please don't follow me. I'm your foolish Honoured Prince Yeli. Thank you"

Before he even finish reading the letter, moisture could already be seen in his eyes. Him, a battle-hardened man was on verge of crying.

Of course, there was no way he could go back and follow Yeli. The forest was too dangerous. That was courting death. Only careless and stubborn could do so.

But what would he tell the The King, if Yeli would not return?

Could that not cost their lives?

Joab became weak that he laid his back on the carriage without knowing what to do.

When some of the soldiers noticed him and his strange expression, they gathered around him and began asking what was wrong.

****

In Jiuhon, precisely, in the palace court hall, a some people had gathered.

By this time Prince Ha-joon had realised that he missed Yeli and his people. In others words, his soldiers in Huryo hadn't found and killed. Yeli's soldiers.

However, he knew that meant Yeli and his people had use the forest route. In that case, they might be already dead.

But what troubled and enraged him was that Ari had gone missing again. To make matters worse, the rumours were that she had gone to meet Yeli.

His fiancee had escaped from him for another man who was also his enemy. Worse still, that also meant that Yeli wasn't dead.

Thus, Prince Ha-joon was extremely furious and agitated to the point that he was inactive.

"Hyun tell us the truth, where is Ari?"

King Choi bellowed.

Ari had been missing again for two days. The last time Ari was seen, she was with Hyun outside the palace. Therefore, they suspected that Hyun knew where Ari was.

"I know nothing, I know nothing"

Kim Hyun replied while trembling.

"King Choi! If you won't handle this matter properly don't blame me for being ruthless."

Prince Ha-joon said in incredibly cold tone causing King Choi's heart to leap at once.

Prince Ha-joon was in extremely bad mood. He could do something bad.

In just few days coming he was supposed to marry Ari. But she ran away.

"Don't worry my lord, I will sort out this matter. Rest assured."

King Choi said to Prince Ha-joon fearfull then he glanced at Kim Hyun with overflowing hostility.

In his eyes, Kim Hyun was the culprit and only hope at the same time. It was certain that she knew where Ari had gone. If she would reveal it, he would be relieved but if she would continue hiding, he and his kingdom had to face Prince Ha-joon's wrath.

"If you won't speak up, I resort to any means to make you speak."

King threatened while pointing at Kim Hyun.

Kim Dae-seok was watching this from the side in extremely terrible mood. Hyun was her daughter but if she would not reveal the truth there was no way he could not save her.

"Hyun please tell them the truth. Ari is Prince Ha-joon's fiancee. Please don't make him upset."

Kim Dae-seok was nervous and timid when he was saying these pleading words.

Kim Sui chimed.

"Yes Hyun, offending Crown Prince Ha-joon will only result in overbearing consequences. Please think carefully."

"I don't know"

Hyun uttered in determined tone.

Her face was extremely gloomy.

This caused king Choi to be even more enraged.

"Shut up Brat!"

King Choi bellowed as he stood up from his throne. Anger was bubbling inside him.

"Calm down, calm down King Choi"

Prince Ha-joon said calmly worlds apart from his usual arrogant and ruthless self.

He stood up from his seat and sauntered toward Kim Hyun. The hall became deathly silent that his light steps echoed throughout the hall.

Even though crown Prince Ha-joon looked calm, everyone knew he had extremely malicious intentions.

He stopped right in front her and stared at her from toe to head. He smiled evilly as he reached out his hand and raised her chin in a lustful way.

"How old are you"

Prince Ha-joon asked with a smiling face.