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.