"Pretentious Fellow"

Elizabeth widened her eyes in surprise. Why did the King bring her into his bedroom? Unless…

"King, please don't do anything lewd!" She said out loud, as she raised her hand, gesturing to him not to approach her.

But the King said, "You might have hit your head hard when you made it here in the palace. You said I looked like your husband, and now you thought I'd do anything lewd to you?" he turned his back on her. "I will call someone to clean your wound," then he stepped out of the room.

Minutes later, a dark brown-haired young man in a thick, light brown robe bringing a basket of leaves and containers of medicinal concoctions, entered the King's bedroom, and he attended to Ely.

As he applied herbal medicine to her feet, he asked, "Are you the King's lover? He seemed worried about you."

"Uhm… No…" Ely shyly replied. "You're mistaken..."

"I see… What is your name?"

"Elizabeth Berry. Just call me Ely."

"I am Solomon, the royal physician," he uttered with a kind smile. He noticed the color of her lips and her skin, "You look weak and pale. May I check your heartbeat?" He reached over to her wrist and placed his middle and index finger over it.

Seeing the serious face of the physician, she asked, "Is… is there anything wrong with me?"

He let go of her and replied, "You have a weak pulse…"

"Am… Am I going to die?"

Solomon shook his head, "Do not worry. I will just have to recommend that you rest well and eat good food," He reached over to the wooden clipboard and wrote on a piece of handmade paper using a charcoal pen, "I will be giving your diet plan to the culinarian, and I shall speak to His Highness about your condition."

When her wound had finally been dressed, the royal physician went out of the room. Minutes later, some maids entered, bringing with them a clean set of clothes - a long chemise made from silk and soft undergarments. Even though Ely insisted that she would be the one to wear her own clothes, the maids pleaded that she'd let them, because they would not want to be thrown in the prison. Taking pity, Ely agreed, and besides, she couldn't move that much because of her wounded feet.

The King had not returned until evening, due to the assembly. He met with the Ministers and the Clan Leaders once again to discuss about finding the lost royal artifacts, and the hidden temple. Even though they were very curious about the King's prisoner, they had decided to shut their mouth as they value their lives. Among all of them, only Clan Leader Owen had the guts to speak directly to the King.

His daughter, Rija, became the second prince's wife three years ago. It strengthened the Pho Clan's power in the nation, enabling Owen to become the most influential Clan Leader, having connections not only within their land but also on foreign lands.

When the assembly ended, Owen approached the King and spoke, "Your Highness, please allow us, the Pho Clan, to accompany you to Prince Kaio's birthday next week."

"Your clan is invited. You should go separately," The King said in a cold tone. He knew what kind of a person Owen was, and how he badly wanted the second prince to become the King to make his daughter the Queen of the nation. Right now, he seemed like a faithful man, but he knew that time may come when he would turn his back on him. The King knew he was a pretentious fellow.

When Owen had given up his suggestion, all the Clan Leaders and some Ministers stepped out of the room. Minister Holter, who had been assigned as the King's aide, told his Highness as they walked on the hallway, "Almost everything has been set for next week, your Highness. I have asked the wine merchant from our neighboring nation to give us the most expensive red wine. I also asked for high-quality wool, which will be put inside a brass-wood chest with an intricate design of a lion's head - the symbol of the royal family."

"Good," Seeing that he seemed uneasy, he asked, "Is there anything else?"

"Yes, my King. There is one…" he felt in doubt whether to mention it or not.

"What is it?"

"You have no partner to go with… Shall I ask the Clan Leaders to present their daughters to you-"

"Minister Holter."

"Erm… Yes, your Highness?"

"Do I look like someone who needs a partner? I did well going to my brother's feasts without one."

"But… I am just worried that Prince Kaio might mock you again because you do not have a woman-"

"Let him be. He has always been like that," he responded, and they finally arrived in front of the King's bedroom.

"Then, I shall take my leave, your Highness." Minister Holter bowed one last time, then walked away.

The King did not know why, but he seemed excited to see Ely. He wanted to get to know her more, not only because her whole existence was a mystery, but also because he was attracted to her. Having her in his mind, he slowly opened the double doors with a slight grin. He peeked at what his prisoner was doing, but he was shocked to see that she was not on the bed. He entered his bedroom to look for her if she was hiding in any corner, but he could not find her!

He hastily went out, then called for General Lum. He ordered him, "Find her… Bring her back to me at once!"