Jong Kook's dream...

In the large field where nothing but knee high grass grew tall, stood a young Jong Kook, gazing at the distance. He was lost and afraid, unsure of how he had ended up here in the open fields. 

"Jong Kook-ah~" Called a gentle tone, making his eyes widened as he turned around crying out to the woman that stood a few meters away. 

"Eomeoni!" He cried, bursting out into a sprint towards her. But the more he ran, the further she got. "Eomeoni! Don't go!" He screamed extending his arm towards his mother.

"Jong Kook-ah~" called his mother again, a warm smile on her lips as she slowly began to fade away. Jong Kook had tears streaming down his face as he ran persistently towards her. 

"Eomeoni! Dont leave!" He pleaded before his mother was gone, disappearing into fine dust. As soon as she disappeared, the ground beneath trembled and opened up. Jong Kook tried ot move his feet but they were stuck in the spot, not letting him escape the painful reality. With a last long scream, he was swallowed up into the ground, bringing his senses back to the cruel reality. 

Ji Hyo sat in the room, kneeling beside the motionless King who was laid down on a bedspread. She had ripped the hem of her dress and dipped it in the stream, using the wet cloth to dab at the swelling bruise that had formed on the side of his head. With a heavy sigh, she dabbed at it carefully, moving down his face with the cloth. She patted his foreheads, down the bridge of his nose and under his eyes, admiring the eye catching man who was the new crowned King. 

//What the hell are you doing?! He is the King! Snap out of it!// Ji Hyo scolded herself, shaking her head, snapping back to reality. But as she patted his jawline, she couldn't help but bite her lip, out of nervousness. While dabbing at his cheekbones, she hadn't realize him slowly opening his eyes.

Jong Kook woke slowly, in a daze before a sharp pain in the side of his head made him wince. He noticed another body close and looked up to see a focused attendant tending to his wound. Had she not noticed him regain consciousness? With a low voice, he spoke, closing his eyes again, liking the feel of the wet cloth against his face and liking it even more since his favourite attendant was holding it. 

"Ji Hyo-ah~" He whispered with shut eyes, extending his arm and placing it on her lap. He could feel her tense up at his touch, was she scared? 

Ji Hyo's mind froze at the sudden movement and voice, turning to look at the large and strong hand that was laying on her lap, noticing his slightly tanned skin. She gulped down a sudden amount of saliva and placed the cloth on the floor, looking down at the King with a gentle smile. 

"Your Majesty." She replied quietly, forcing herself to stop staring at him. //Quit being a creep Ji Hyo!"// she told herself silently, turning away to look at the door, peering to see the outside. She cleared awkwardly and combed back her hair, tighetening her braid. "Ah... Your Majesty. Excuse me for a moment." She said, lowering her hand to move his. She placed her hand in his and was taken aback by how soft it was but she lifted his hand and was placing it on his chest. All of a sudden he tightened his grip on her hand, making her stumble as she stood, falling back onto the floor. She stared at their hands and at the King who had a smirk planted across his lips.

"Y..Your Majesty." She muttered in attempt to pry her hand away but he was very strong even for her. "Your Majesty, we need to return to the palace." She said, looking at the sun that was high in the sky, hence the mid afternoon. She looked back down at their hands and pulled but he didnt budge at all. The King let out a sigh and loosened his grip on her, flicking his eyes open to look at her. 

"Alright.... " He mumbled, slightly dejected things didn't go as planned for him. He sat up and Ji Hyo leaned back, watching him with concern.

"Your Majesty, Please forgive me for the incident earlier..." She started bowing her head deeply towards the ground. "I have harmed Your Majesty and will pay with my life." She finished, chewing on her bottom lip. 

Jong Kook, being frustrated at not making his move decided to take advantage of this moment. "How could I forgive you?" He said, acting angry. "Giving me your life won't heal this!" He huffed pointing at his wound which made Ji Hyo bow in fear. "This won't do... I will have to punish you for such acts." He proclaimed loudly, standing up and looking down at the bowed servant. 

Ji Hyo was genuinely scared at his sudden act, "Of...C..Course!" She answered, frightened at what he might do. "I..I...will do anything Your Majesty asks!"

"Anything?" He scoffed raising a brow, mastering a serious look even though he was dying laughing inside. "Fine! If you will do anything, I ask you to come and drink with me." He ordered, holding back his laughter. 

Ji Hyo looked up with a baffled expression. "Your Majesty... drink?" she asked unable to process his words properly. He nodded in response and took steps towards the door. 

"I want to drink in the village and eat fried dumplings." He said, craving the sudden taste of alcohol. He wasn't much of a drinker but had gone through a phrase after his mother's death. But ever since young he was spoon fed the best foods of the palace that he never got the chance to try the food from the common village even though he inspects them weekly. Clearing his throat, he walked outside, hands behind his back casually as he finally released a busting sound of laughter. 

Ji Hyo was left shocked in the room, before she finally made a move outside, dusting off her dress which she had ripped roughly. She found His Majesty standing by the exit, waitinf for her perhaps? She walked closer and dipped her head towards him before pushing the gates open, waiting for him to exit first. He sighed at her treatment of him and grabbed her arm, pulling her out alongside him. "For tonight, treat me as your friend not the King. Dont even dare call me 'Your Majesty'" he ordered in a hushed voice. 

"But Your Majes-" Ji Hyo started only to be shushed by Jong Kook. 

"What did I just say? Call me that and I might reduce the amount of food you get." He threatened, chuckling at her depressed look at the sound of her food being taken away.

Ji Hyo couldn't help but smirk at the King's sudden show of childishness and agreed to his orders reluctantly and having to call him by name for tonight. 

"I had asked my retainers to leave a horse for transport." Jong Kook explained as they walked to the back where there was a feeding station. Ji Hyo paused when she saw the horse. 

"Your Maj-. I mean Jong Kook-ssi." She said feeling weird calling him by name. "There is only one horse and there are two of us.." She said pointing it out as they stood beside the saddled horse.

"Exactly." He grinned, lifting her off her feet and placing her onto the horse with ease. She let out a yelp and clung onto the neck of the horse before Jong Kook mounted seating behind  her. 

"Shouldn't you sit in front?" She asked feeling her cheeks turn red from sitting in such a close proximity to him. 

"Its okay. You are short enough so I can see over you~" he teased flicking the reigns of the horse as they proceeded in a fast trot towards the village. 

"Yah!" She shouted before realizing who she was shouting to, silencing herself from saying any vulgarities. She felt hot from sitting in front, feeling his steamy breath against her neck and odd trembles each time his arm grazed hers. 

This was going to be a looong night...

Omo~ Late as always :3. I didnt plan to post today but I couldn't leave my bootiful subscribers without a chapt to read for the day/night. <3 Okay its 5:25am, I need to sleep =.=  Mehhh this chapt might have a lot of errors but please forgive me :o Also slight interest in the King?! Whaat?! Next Chapt: Someone gets drunk.