Deceived

"Your Majesty, the morning meeting to discuss about how to bring back the prince has been scheduled."

The young king glanced at the eunuch. The king who just aged 20 years was forced to be ascended the throne due to the late king death caused by severe illness. His tall figure and handsome face made many princes squeals every time they met him. However, his usually sly and carefree treats should be subdued due to the sudden status change.

"Alright."

The maids carefully helped the king wearing his royal robe. The red silky robe with gold thread creating a phoenix embroider adorned his perfect body.

The guard announced his departure from his personal chamber. He walked with eunuch and the guards towards the main hall in the center of the palace. While walking, he heard a hummed tune. Suddenly, the king halted, that made everyone stopped in their spot.

"What's wrong, Your Majesty?" The eunuch asked politely.

Some distance ahead he saw a man in black cloth was guarded by some of his army into the main hall. The cunning eyes glance at the King for a moment.

<System, don't you see it? The king winked at me! I nearly tripped on my legs!>

<Dear Host. Maybe you should tone down your hallucination.>

<Right. Whatever.>

++++

<Host, 10 remaining days>

<I know>

<Why you just lazing around, then?>

<To catch a bigger fish, of course.>

"Boss, the King has arrived with his troops!" The wounded face man come again to the room. Rei who just lazily playing with his sword then stopped and strapped the sword to his back.

"Hey prince, your dear brother is here."

The sleepless prince stared at the villain with his unusual pale face.

"Why? Can't you have a good sleep last night?"

A deep scowl appeared on the young prince's face.

'With sword on your hand, how could I sleep peacefully?' He cursed internally.

The sly smile appear on the villain's face.

"Don't be too enthusiastic for the show that you abandon your sleep. We don't want you to be fainted out of the excitement."

The prince glared at the villain.

"Well.. well.. Let's meet our dear King."

The prince was escorted by Rei and his subordinates to the main living room that has been destructed by his hand-made firecracker last night. The remain smelt of gunpowder still lingering in the room.

The King stood in the center of the room and surrounded by his guards. His calm light brown eyes stared at the villain.

When standing face to face with the King, Rei took out his sword and directed it towards the prince's neck.

The prince's face become paler.

"My King, please help me." tears slowly flowed out of his eyes.

The King looked at the prince apprehensively and silently assessed the situation.

A loud bang could be heard from the room behind Rei. One distraction moment, then Rei bent down while holding his bleeding abdomen.

The prince ran into his royal guards who swiftly surrounding the prince to protect him. A pocket knife with trace of bloods in his hold.

"Surrender now! You have been surrounded!" The head guard announced with smug face. Then suddenly his trusted subordinates pointed their swords towards the villain.

"You should be aware that you are the one that will be ended today, right?" The prince walked out of the guard protection and laughed.

"I have bribed your subordinates to deceive you. Now you are all done!"

The villain grimaced while pressing his wound.

The King nodded his head then pat the prince's shoulder.

"Good job, prince."

The king looked at the villain and his subordinates who has deceived him.

"Now, villain, you should be punished in accordance with your crime."

The King then threw his gaze towards the villain's people "While for his subordinates, even though you all has changed your master, you still should be judged based on your previous crimes."

"Catch them all and bring them back to the palace!" the King commanded.

Rei and his defected subordinates then were pulled into the cart and off they were taken to the palace.

****