Chapter 25: Missing Home

I was excited and nervous for the trip that I just couldn’t sleep. After tossing and turning in bed for what seemed like an eternity, I simply gave up on the idea of sleep and decided to take a stroll in the garden instead. The palace was quite dark and dead quiet since it was late at night and the only ones awake were probably the guards that were on duty guarding the wall and the entrance.

I slipped slowly outside and along the walkway leading to the garden. Since I couldn’t sleep anyways, I might as well enjoy some peace and quiet out in the garden where the lotuses were. I was able to make my way there without getting lost in the dark and also without being spotted.

I sat down next to the lake as I watched the moon reflecting off its surface. Tonight, was a full moon and the moonlight provided enough light for me to see quite clearly in the garden. I sat there lost in thought as I thought about my hometown and uncle and auntie. I wonder how they were holding up. What was the village like now that the war was over?

I wasn’t sure how long I sat there all alone, but it must have been a while since the sky started to change color signaling that the sun would start to rise soon and dawn would break. The sky was now tinged with a hint of orange and pink and it was so beautiful.

“What are you doing out here all alone?”

I turned around in shock at that familiar cold tone.

“Ren! Why are you here?” I gasped in surprise. When did he get here? I couldn’t sense his presence at all. How long had he been standing right behind me?

“I did say that we were going to leave at dawn…or did you forget?” Ren retorted as he sat down next to me.

“You’re right…” I said nervously.

“So, what are you doing out here?” Ren repeated his question once more.

“Oh…I couldn’t sleep so…I came here to think…of some random things…” I said hesitantly.

“What were you thinking about?” Ren asked without looking at me. Glancing over at him, I could see that his eyes were away on the horizon.

“I…” I said, not sure if I should simply tell him the truth of my worries.

“You were thinking of your hometown?” Ren guessed and he guessed correctly.

“Yes. How did you know?” I asked in return.

“This direction that you’ve been staring off at…is the direction of your hometown. Don’t tell me you didn’t even know that…” Ren said as he turned to grin a little at me.

“You’re right. I was thinking of my hometown and…I didn’t know my hometown was in this direction,” I admitted shyly as I offered him the best smile, I could manage without breaking into tears.

“Worried about your hometown?” Ren asked.

“Yes. I wonder if everyone is ok...” I replied softly.

“Do you want to go back?” Ren asked, judging my reaction. His voice wasn’t warm, but it wasn’t unkind either.

“Yes, I want to go back. Can I?” I replied firmly.

“No. You’re stuck with me for the time being, unfortunately,” Ren replied as he patted the top of my head. Perhaps that was his way of comforting me?

“Is the town and everyone fine?” I asked the question that had been plaguing my mind.

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“Do as I say, and your town will be fine. Please me, and your town will be more than fine,” Ren replied with a low laugh.

“I’ll settle with the town being just fine…” I said firmly.

“We’ll see about that,” Ren replied as he chuckled.

Without another word, Ren got up and offered me his hand. Placing my hand into his much larger one, Ren pulled me up to my feet with ease.

“Let’s go. Dawn has broken…” Ren said as he started walking; however, unlike last time, this time we walked side by side and hand in hand.

…

“As you can see, all this stuff doesn’t fit on my horse,” Ren’s cold voice rang out loud and clear.

“But Crown Prince, you cannot travel without these essentials,” Auntie Chen protested as she tried to keep her voice humble and respectful.

“My horse is a war horse. He is not a simple labor horse that is used to carry things. We are not taking all this stuff with us on this trip,” Ren said definitely.

“Then may I suggest that a cargo carriage accompany you? It can transport all the trunk for you…” Auntie Chen suggested an alternative while still trying to make her case.

I have to say that I was with Ren on this one. For the life of me, I couldn’t imagine why we would need all those stuff in the trunks for a three-day trip.

“No. It will slow us down. I’m going alone with Rin,” Ren stated firmly as he beckoned to me with his hand.

“We’re going alone?!” I asked in shock. I honestly thought we would have a large group of escorts including guards and all.

“What were you expecting? Get on the horse,” Ren asked rhetorically as he pointed his finger at the saddle.

How do I tell him this…?

“Umm…I don’t know how to ride…or get on a horse,” I said as embarrassment flooded over me.

Ren looked at me silently like I was a nuisance.

“I apologize for my lack of competence. The Lady is not the blame. I promise I will educate her on all skills necessary for a Lady. Please forgive me, crown prince,” Auntie Chen apologized profusely.

Great. Auntie check is taking all the blame for my inability to get on and ride a horse. I’ve been here for less than two days; how can she possibly teach me anything in that short period of time.

“Enough,” Ren said with plain annoyance in his voice.

In one swift and graceful movement, Ren got atop his horse. I hated how he made it look so effortlessly easy.

--To be continued....

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