Chapter 4:

Andy stared at the guy in shock. “What do you mean…?” He asked. “He was not assassinated. He died due to normal reasons.” he frowned.

The bodyguard shook his head, and held the wounded arm. “Jeehoon attacked him long time ago, and due to that all the use of magic was forbidden.” He explained. “It was banned from our kingdom, but Jeehoon escaped to the kingdom of black magic.”

The king gulped down, watching how the purple smoke rose from the man’s arm. Junjin was wincing, but Andy had no idea how much purple dust could hurt someone. It seemed to be painful, since slightest movement hurt the bodyguard, and he couldn’t remove the hand or it hurt even more. The king had more questions.

“Why don’t I remember any of this…?” He interrogated.

Junjin cleared his throat.

“Your majesty shouldn’t rely on someone like me…” he looked down. “I have already broken so many rules.” he stood up.

Andy followed him, but didn’t let him go. “But you already told me so much. You should tell me everything since you started…” he pouted.

The bodyguard heaved a long sigh, squeezed the bruised arm, and said, “Your memory was erased the day Jeehoon hurt your dad for the first time…and my father did it.”

Andy gasped.

“Mr. Kim…?”

Junjin nodded.

“He doesn’t practice that anymore, so he doesn’t know any spells,” he explained. “But he knows how to get rid of this wound…” he added and turned his back at the king. “I have told too much. Pretend like you know nothing, your majesty…” Junjin strode toward the staircase and disappeared to the darkness.

                             ***

Junjin entered the chapel and saw his dad praying at the altar. The priest heard the boots clasping to the floor and raised his head. He didn’t look at Junjin, as he mumbled, “What happened?”

The bodyguard harrumphed.

“Jeehoon attacked the king and I rescued him,” he whispered. “His black magic hit my arm.” Dongwan turned around fast and strode to his son.

Junjin stared at him in shock, scared that he had done something wrong. But the priest lifted the tight sleeve up and revealed a wound that produced purple dusty smoke. Dongwan examined it, touched it, even tasted it, as he gazed at the bodyguard. Junjin was frightened as he didn’t know what Jeehoon had done to him.

“You will heal,” Dongwan muttered. “But you need to remember to drink juice.”

“Juice?” The tall man asked his father. “Why juice?”

Dongwan shrugged.

“Vitamins always help…” he said and walked back to the altar. “So, how is his majesty?”

Junjin sat down to one of the seats. “He is surprisingly fine…he found out about Jeehoon and his father.” he told. “And I told him about the magic ban…”

Dongwan shifted his head at him and glowered at Junjin. “You told him about the one thing his majesty shouldn’t know!?” he hissed.

Junjin gulped down a lump.

“I…I shouldn’t have…?” He whispered. “But father…he already thinks he is incompetent…I don’t want our king to feel helpless. He should know what he is dealing with!” He stood up. “Why does it have to be a secret what you could do once!?” Junjin curled his hands to fists.

Dongwan kneeled down in front of the altar and put his hands to a prayer. Junjin strode to him and pulled him back up.