Bloody romance

{ PROLOGUE }

Set during the Joseon era, Silla Kingdom was known among every kingdom for its riches and wealth. King Malik, the king of Silla ensured his people were living a happy life.

In the presence of his citizens, he was the great King whom everyone feared, but within the palace, his only solitude, which is his family, turned out to be greatest rivals.

King Malik had tried numerous times to create a peaceful coexistence between his family just like he had done to other kingdoms but it was fruitless.

Married to three wives, one which is the queen and the other two, his consorts were enough to send him to his early grave. Seeing his sons and daughters fighting for power and having deep hatred among each other was a great pain to him.

This went on for a very long time, and after trying to no avail, King Malik gave up.

••••

Arya Tang, only daughter of the Prime Minister, Leo Tang. A young beautiful lass whose smile is enough to grace the world. Her life with her parents had been the happiest days of her life until when a tragedy occured.

Her parents were killed brutally right in her presence. Being the little girl she was, Arya could do nothing but watch her parents breathe their last.

That night, she vowed to avenge her parents death, slashed the killer's throat just like they had done to her parents.

{ THE ENCOUNTER }

The sun shone brilliantly in the clear blue sky. It was a bright and sunny day; the roads shimmered in the heat of the midday sun.

Loud chortles could be heard as a young little girl ran around the beautiful garden filled with exquisite flowers adding a sweet fragrance to the air.

Arya twirled around, her long silky black hair flowing along with the breeze. A beautiful smile plastered on her face.

"Young Mistress!" Marie, Arya's maid, called as she ran to her. Marie and Arya are of the same age and they were more like sisters. Arya never took Marie as though she were a maid but like a sister.

"Why are you still here? Your parents are on their way to your chamber," Marie managed to say through heavy breathing.

Arya spun towards her, the smile on her face vanished into the air.

"My parents?" She asks to be sure and Marie nods her head, still trying hard to catch her breath. She had been searching the whole place for Arya and luckily for her, she found her just in time in the garden.

"Oh, no!" Arya gasped, taking to her heels immediately. She held her long skirt as she ran her way to her room with Marie running behind her.

Her steps were suddenly halted when she saw her mother before her, having a stern look on her face.

Arya stopped running and adjusted herself. She tucked her hair behind her ear before smiling at her Mother.

"Mother," she called, stylishly avoiding her Mother's eye.

"Playing around again?" Frida queried, holding a stern stance. Arya took the remaining steps to her and held her by the arm.

"Mother, I was just taking a stroll" she pouted, giving her mother the cute puppy look.

Frida sighed before touching Arya's hair fondly, she smiled down at her.

"You should play less, your Father is going to get mad" she muttered. Arya nodded before resting her head on her shoulder.

"Get some wine for us" Frida instructed Marie who immediately scurried off. Frida faced Arya.

"Let's go in. Your Father is waiting" they both went in. Immediately Arya sighted her father in the room, she hid behind her mother, peeking at her Father who was trying hard not to smile.

"Come out of your hiding, I won't scold you" Leo said loudly, his lips curling up in a smile.

Arya stepped out of her shield and immediately went on her knees, fiddling her nails.

"I'm sorry, Father. I know I should be reading my books now but I..." she stopped when she realized she had no excuse to give.

"You're no longer serious with your studies, I guess I should start locking you up in your chamber, is that what you want?" Leo raised a brow.

"Father, no!" Arya cried. She crawled to where he sat and held his arm, shaking it with a pout.

"I'm gonna die if you do so" she whined while Leo smiled. He touched her hair and she stared up at him.

"Then, be good. You're still so young, you shouldn't be slacking off this way" he chided. Arya only pouted.

"Your tutor will be here soon, behave well" he muttered. Arya's eyes widened and she wiggled her legs before folding her arms against her chest.

"I hate that scholar, he's a bad tutor" she scoffed. Frida chuckled where she sat. She knew her daughter well and she could tell that was something Arya brought up.

"Really? Then, you have to face it that way"Leo said.

"Fath..." Arya tried to call but he shut her off with a simple glare. Arya huffed before getting to her feet, she went to sit beside her Mother.

"One word from you and I won't hesitate to lock you up," he warned sternly.

Arya sat down quietly as they dined happily. Staying silent was what she decided to do even though she had other plans in her mind.

•••••

"His Majesty is here!" A masculine voice announced and the door flung open immediately. King Malik entered the chamber, decorated with all different kinds of flowers and gold furniture.

Prince Alexander got to his feet and his mother, Consort Lu did also.

"Your Majesty" they bowed when King Malik got to them.

"Drop the formalities" King Malik waved his hand, gesturing to them to get to their feet.

"Thank you, Your Majesty" Prince Alexander and his mother chorused.

"There'll be a banquet tonight at the hall, do well to be present there" King Malik said. He glanced at Alexander before clearing his throat.

"Xander, if you dare miss this feast, then you'll be locked up in the Ice manor" he warned sternly. Knowing the kind of son he has, King Malik couldn't help but to inflict fear into his heart.

"I won't, Father," Alexander said. King Malik nodded before leaving the room.

After he was gone, Consort Lu faced Alexander before grasping his shoulder.

"Listen to me, Xander. Like His Majesty has spoken, don't you dare miss this banquet, I know you" she chastised while Alexander sighed.

"Are my brothers going to be there?" He asked with a pout.

"Of course, we're families after all" Consort Lu smiled before holding his cheek.

"I'm here for you, Son. Fret not" she pulled his cheek and Alexander smiled.

"Okay, Mother." After a while, Alexander left his Mother's chamber and went to his room where his guard, more like a friend, was waiting for him.

On sighting Connor his friend, Alexander walked briskly to him before whispering in a low voice.

"Is it ready?" He asked. Connor nodded before having a frightened expression on his face.

"Is this the right thing, My Prince? The King is going to behead me when he finds out" Connor whispered in fear. Alexander held his shoulder before patting him

"Father is never going to find out about this, I'll be back soon before the banquet starts" he grinned.

After much contemplation, Connor agreed and within a short period of time, he exchanged clothes with Alexander.

Alexander laughed when he saw Connor's expression.

"Just pretend to be me for once, stay inside the manor and I'll be back soon" he walked to the window where he was to sneak out.

"Be careful, Your Highness" Connor whispered. Flashing a last smile at him, Alexander jumped off the window steadily, making his way out of the palace like a normal person would.

•••••

"Young Mistress, your tutor is here" Marie announced loudly as she barged into the room. Her eyes widened when she saw the room empty with no traces of Arya. Fear crept into her mind immediately.

"Young Mistress!" She entered the room further and her eyes caught a glimpse of a letter by the flower vase.

With her curiosity piqued, she picked the letter and her eyes widened when she read the contents.

★ Marie, attend my lectures for me just this once, I so much hate that scholar. I'll be back soon before you know it ★

"Young Mistress!" Marie gritted, clutching the letter in her hand tight. With Arya out of the Manor, she knew she had no choice but to act like the Young Lady of the house.

If the Prime Minister and his wife should find out that Arya was missing, then she's dead. For that, she needed to save herself.

Walking to the bed which was beautifully furnished, she drew down the curtains covering her face from the tutor's view. In a loud voice she uttered,

"Come in"

•••••

Arya ran from one stall to the other, giggling to herself. The market square was filled to the brim and she loved it that way.

"Freedom at last!" She screamed, laughing in total excitement. Her eyes caught a woman who was selling hot buns, with a watering mouth, she ran to her.

"Welcome, Young Miss. How many buns would you like?" She asked.

"Three" Arya smiles, her eyes filled with hunger. Life in the Manor had felt like a prison, she had always wanted to try the world outside and here she was.

"Thank you," she paid the woman and left, having a small bite from the buns. The sweet taste filled her taste bud and she moaned sweetly, taking a big bite this time around.

As she strolled around, her eyes caught a festival going on and she ran to the place, squeezing her way through the crowd.

"Wow!" Arya gasped as she saw two women dancing crazily with beads adorned on their bodies. She watched as the women danced till their performance ended.

With loud laughter, Arya clapped her hands, cheering the women up. This was the first time she'd be experiencing things like this and it was fun!

The next show that came up was two men who began wrestling among each other after the referee had blown the whistle.

"Wow!" Arya awed as the men wrestled as though their life depended on it. She was too engrossed in it that she failed to see the men had gotten to where she was.

Just as the first man raised his leg to hit the second man, he dodged it and his leg met with Arya's face instead.

"Oww!" Arya winced as blood oozed out of her nose, a bruise formed on her head immediately.

"Oh no!" The crowd gasped.

"Aish!" Arya left the place instantly, wiping her bloody nose with her sleeve at intervals. What was she to tell her parents when she got home?

Meanwhile, Alexander was walking around, enjoying the beautiful view of the place. He watched as men and women conversed and had a great time together with a proud smile on his face. His Father was surely doing great.

Suddenly, he heard the neighing of horses and his eyes widened. Out of fright, he glanced back and almost stumbled when he saw guards from the palace on horses. Was Connor caught? - that was the first question that came to his mind.

In an attempt to escape, his eyes caught a little girl of his age, wiping her face with her sleeve. She was oblivious of the horses coming towards her.

Reflexively, Alexander ran towards her and pushed her to the other end, falling to the ground with the Unknown girl.

"Ouch! This is a bad day for me!" Arya yelped as she got to her feet. She glanced at Alexander who was still on the floor.

"Why did you have to push me that way?" She yelled. Alexander groaned and got to his feet, he threw a glare at her.

"Is that what to say to someone who had just saved you?" He scoffed in disbelief.

Arya rolled her eyes before folding her arms across her chest.

"I never asked for your help anyways" she scoffed. Alexander stared at her in disbelief. He was about to utter a word when he heard a voice.

"Are you two hurt?" He turned and on finding out it was a guard from the palace who asked the question, he grabbed Arya's hand and without any word, he dragged her along with him as they ran away from the guards.

"Let me go! My parents..." Arya tried to say but she was ignored as Alexander kept running, running from the guards.

Alexander led her to a not so bushy forest before letting her go. He was sure the guards won't be able to see them that way.

"You idiot! Why did you do that?" Arya hit his shoulder and Alexander hissed.

"Can you just keep quiet?" He scoffed.

"Keep quiet? You brought me to a forest without my consent and you asked me to stay calm?" She raised her voice.

"You know what? I'm going back!" Arya huffed. She took a step and before she could take another, the cloud rumbled and thunder clapped loudly.

"What? Mother..." the rain started drizzling before and before they knew it, it became heavier.

"Noo..." Arya turned to Alexander who was also scared just as she was.

They are doomed!