Chapter 67 - COLD WAR BETWEEN PRINCE ETHAN AND PRINCESS MIA

"What did you just say?"

King Liam could not understand the sudden request.  Well, he understands the words, but why so suddenly?  Princess Mia raised her face, then to explain.

"It's been three years now since my marriage to Ethan, but I never get to follow any journey that has been assigned to him.  And now, with Jieun also gone, I also wanted to go.  At least, there is another woman who can accompany Jieun on this journey too.  Also, I'm sure I can help a little bit with my power and knowledge.  This will be a great experience for me as a princess to reach out to the people and get to know them better."  Princess Mia explained at length.

This is better than her to be left behind in that castle anyway.  After she got married, she is devoted to being a good wife and doing regular work in the palace.  Yes, it's not that she doesn't have any work.  As a princess she always had something to do to give back to the people, but she grew up to be a warrior, her heart cannot hold on much longer embedded in that great palace without doing something like that without sweat.

But with her and Ethan circumstances now, it will make her gone more crazy if being left alone again.  Even if, their relationship now in a cold war, at least she can watch him from afar.  Like she always does. 

King Liam at that time was thinking about something.  It's not that he cares if she wanted to go or not.  The problem is her father.  Someone that scary and famous for his ferocity in the small land that he conquered before.

They had an agreement previously, that nothing even a scratch should be seen on her daughter's skin after she lived in Dream Land.  If he finds out his son is hurt or whatever he doesn't hesitate to start the war again, even though they are still in agreement.

It's not like him, the great King is scared of Princess Mia father, but her father is one of his biggest assets in his military field.  So, he didn't want to get into a fight with someone like him as it will be too troublesome next.

"Your father will not allow you to do such thing Princess.  You better stay here and accompany the Queen instead."  King Liam gave a recommendation.

Princess Mia bit her lip slightly.  She did not want to give up.  She knew the true nature of her own father that are too protective of her, but she also wanted to build on her own experience, her own life.  She's big enough.

"I will tell him myself.  I promise I won't be making any trouble for you.  So please, King Liam, Queen Anna.  Please allow me to go."  Princess Mia said hopefully.  King Liam looks at his Queen right there as if wanted to know her opinion. 

On the other hand, Prince Ethan is feeling quite angry there as Princess Mia didn't discuss this in advance with him.  In fact, after their last 'conversation' they didn't even talk anymore.  He thinks that is just her being rebel as she always did and will be back to her usual self.  Which is always cheerful and playing around him, but that kind of scene never comes.

Just about Ethan was about to voice his opinion, wanting to argue about it, 

"Very well then."  King Liam finally decided.

"You will go with them tomorrow.  But make sure your father knows that this is coming from yourself."  Princess Mia at that time could not hide her happiness, she just smiled satisfied there.

"Thank you so much your highness.  I promise I won't let you down."

Sigh.  "Dismiss!"  King Liam finally said his last order.

_______________

::Prince Ethan and Princess Mia residence::

"What do you think you are doing?!"

'That first', Princess Mia smirks a little seeing her husband who was angry.  She is actually busy packing her things for tomorrow's journey.  Only the important one or it will be difficult to move.  Anything else she will just buy it on the way.  There are a lot of small towns here and there anyway.

Hearing Ethan that screaming, making her gaze shift to the man, Ethan is not a person that always raising his voice to her.  But she rather hear that than not hearing anything from the man.  Like before.  It seems like she already pressed a rare button inside the man apparently. 

"You heard whatever I said to the King, so no need for me to say it back."  With an indifferent face she said it to the man.

She tries to go away now, finding her other things, but Ethan, grab her hand there.  Don't let her go from there. 

"What are you doing?  It's hurt!"  Mia feels irritated now.

"Don't avoid me.  We need to talk."  Ethan face is now too serious.

"I'm not avoiding you.  Don't you see I am busy packing things now.  You can say whatever you wanted to say but let me do my work!"

"Mia!"

Both of them froze there.  Even Ethan was shocked by himself.  They now looked at each other.  After a while, Ethan slowly released his wife's hand.  His heart felt a little guilty when he saw the skin of the hand he was holding quite tightly before was now flushed red.

"You can't go.  Please, just stay here."  Ethan is soft -spoken now.  Expecting his wife to want to follow his words. 

"I can't.  And The King already gives me a permission before, remember?  I want to have some fun too.  I won't be bothering you if that's what you're afraid of.  Even, I'll keep a distance from you if you feel I'm a bit annoyed.  I just want to accompany Jieun.  Nothing else.  It must be awkward when she is the only girl there. "  A white lie that both of them know deeper inside their heart.

"That's not what I mean!"

"So what that you actually mean?  Why Jieun can and I can't?  I can fight pretty well and you know that as I used to beat you before in fighting.  So what is the problem?"

"Just... stay here, would you.  Your father also will never allow or like this."

"I'm already sending him a letter.  Once he knows about this I'm already far away and he can't do anything about that."

Ethan feels dumb flooded then.  Why is she too stubborn nowadays?  Why she changed so drastically?  Is he is the cause?

"I won't allow you."  Ethan said firmly.

"Do whatever you want to do, even lock me in this room or whatever, because I can find a way to get out.  No matter what.  I won't budge."

"You could die!"  Ethan finally said his concern then.

Mia was silent. Yes. The reason why her father is so protective is because when she was young, she used to follow her father around on the journey and one day, there's a terrible battle going on and she almost died at that time. When Ethan knows about that she still can remember his concern and sad face when she is in rehab. But that's been so long ago. When she does not really know how to fight well. But, if that kind of time happens again, at least she dies close to her sweetheart. She already prepared herself that much.

"So what?"  Mia began to speak again.

"If that is my fate, then I die.  Nothing can change that.  Don't say it like you are caring so much about me.  I'm sick of that."

Ethan bit his lip then.  Feeling too angry now.

"I am care about you!  What can I say or do to make you aware of that?!" Ethan is now holding both sides of his wife's shoulders. 

Mia pushed her husband's hand away.  Step back a little as she knows she can sway if he's been like that.

"How can I know with what you have done to me all these years Ethan?  I feel like I am transparent whenever I am around you.  I don't feel appreciated at all.  I feel like I am imprisoned here.  Always abandoned but once you come back, I still feel lonely.  And it's worst each day.  My heart is now become so fragile and this time I want to do whatever I wanted.  Whatever I'm missing before. "  Mia looked Ethan right in the eye.  Want him to know what's been locked in her heart all this time. 

"I'm not a pet, nor a doll.  I have a heart.  You hurt me more than you think you are already."  Mia is now crying a little.  She tries very hard not to.

"If you said you are afraid if I die.  I am also afraid if you die.  You are always gone and coming back in wounds and sometimes with severe injuries.  Only God now how I feel then.  I can say the same thing to you too.  What makes it different?"

"Mia ..."  Ethan wanted to persuade her again but lost his words.

"Don't. This is my choice.  Nothing you said can change my mind."  With that Mia came out of the room quickly.  Didn't want her husband to see her in a fragile state, in deep grief.   

While Ethan let out a long sigh there.  He realized he had hurt the girl a lot..  But why?  Why he cant comfort her?  Why can't he pull her in a hug?  He can't understand himself then.