Chapter 111 - The festival [1]

"I should have gone with him! This is entirely boring!" Moon Jiwoo let out a groan.

Other than walking through the hallway in front of her room, there was nothing she was able to do at this moment. 

Sookyung had left earlier this morning for sightseeing, and even though he tried to convince her to come along, Jiwoo remained adamant to stay at the mansion.

However, now, she was regretting it. Without having anything to do, Jiwoo felt as if she was about to die out of boredom. There was no one at here for her to talk to, and the maids at here did not appear to quite friendly although they treated her well.

Her mind was exhausted earlier from thinking about Sookyung, and therefore, right now, she preferred to avoid keeping him in her mind.

"Are you free?"

Hearing that voice, Moon Jiwoo instantly whipped her head back, and Kim Joohyun was standing before her. Creases formed between both of her eyebrows while she stared at him cautiously.

Jiwoo cursed at herself for not noticing this earlier. It was probably because of how she was caught up in her thoughts. Then again, she wasn't thinking of anything right now that hard, so it did not make sense for her to not notice his presence.

There was something strange about this.

Nonetheless, not mulling over this, she stated defensive while questioning, "Is there something you need, Kim Joohyun?"

"You don't need to look at me like that. I am not here to create any trouble," he said, "It's not like I dare to do that anymore. Do you find going outside on a walk with me? There are some things I need to talk to you about."

"Sure," Jiwoo vocalised, "But what things? If it is anything immoral, I am telling you that you can't involve me in it."

"It's nothing like that," Joohyun said.

"The fact that you have such a dull expression on your face makes it suspicious. Where is that usual smug look you wear?"

"You have only seen me once before, so you are in no position to judge me," he vocalised, "And I am sure walking around in the hallway is not that enjoyable. If you don't want to follow me, fine. I will go on my own."

Seeing how he turned his back on her and was about to walk away, Jiwoo vocalised, "No, stop! I will go with you. It's not like you will be able to do anything with me anyway."

"You seem to be quite confident about that," Joohyun pointed out.

Folding her arms over her ċhėst, Jiwoo bragged, "Of course I am! I am really strong, and taking care of you isn't even a hassle for me! Even Sookyung can't be compared with me when it comes to strength."

"Can't be compared with you? Are you feigning it or could it that you are oblivious?" Joohyun asked.

Confused at his sudden words, Moon Jiwoo raised one of her eyebrows and spoke out, "Huh? What do you mean by that?"

"No, nothing," he replied.

°°°

Seeing the various coloured icicles that hung above her head and shone caused a wide smile to form upon her face. Raising her head, Jiwoo stared at the icicles and watched her reflection at the similar shaped icicles.

Beside her was Kim Joohyun, and while two of them walked through the streets, Jiwoo noticed how the streets were quite boisterous. Kids of all ages ran through the streets while cheerful squeals left their mouth.

Desserts and street foods were sold at either sides of the road along with various events. From the corner of her eyes, Jiwoo spotted the clowns that were trying to entertain the kids, and a play took place at the theater couple of steps away.

"Is there some kind of festival going on?" Jiwoo questioned.

Crowded place was not something Jiwoo was quite fond of, especially when people bumped into her. The only thing about this place she was fond of was the beautiful icicles.

Nonetheless, that would only be able to keep her attracted for a certain amount of time. With how people kept coming in contact with her, coupled with the loud noises, Jiwoo was bound to get annoyed with it soon.

"Yes, you could say that," Joohyun said, "You don't seem to be quite pleased."

"This is not the type of place I am used to," Jiwoo replied, "Since you brought me to talk, wouldn't have been better to go somewhere more calm and quieter?"

"I thought that it would be impolite to not show our guest one of the most important festival at here. But since this doesn't seem to be your cup of tea, let's find somewhere more quiet," he voiced out.

"No, there is no need to do that now. Let's talk about the thing at here. Sookyung will be returning in a while, and he will be worrying if he doesn't find me at the mansion," Jiwoo spoke out.

"Alright. I had some questions about the current king," he vocalised.

"Aren't you being too obvious? If you are trying to tip me off and harm Oh Sookyung, there is no way I am siding with you. Don't even try this because I can ȧssure you that nothing you do will be working. Regardless of how I appear like, I am quite loyal person," Jiwoo stated, pulling on a serious face.

Joohyun let out a sigh and voiced out, "Hear me out first before interrupting me, and although we hate the kingdom, we have no dėsɨrė of taking the crown. 

You are really clueless, but only the one selected can sit upon that throne. That's why, any information you give me would not be helpful if I want to take that throne."

"Is that so? It seems that I have overreacted. Anyway, as long as you don't have any intention to harm him, I guess I can answer all of your questions," she voiced out.

"About his powers, to what extent is his power?" Joohyun questioned as his eyes sharpened, trying to read every single emotion on Jiwoo's face.

"His powers? As much as I know, he has two elements unlocked, and I think he is working on the third one," she replied, "That makes him quite strong I suppose."

"That's all?" he raised one of his eyebrows.

Nodding her head, Jiwoo spoke out, "Yeah, that's all. Why? Were you expecting something else?"

Scrutinizing her facial features, Joohyun could see that Jiwoo wasn't at all lying or maybe it could be that she was good at hiding her expressions.

Nonetheless, although he bȧrėly knew her, he could see that she was like an open book. Therefore, he did not find himself entirely doubting her words.

"No, it's nothing like that," Joohyun stated, "Did he practice any kind—"

Before Kim Joohyun was able to continue further, Moon Jiwoo felt someone grip her wrist and pull her back. A gasp escaped from her mouth at that happened as she was caught by surprise.

Raising her head, she saw Sookyung standing behind her, and his presence there shocked her. Then, seeing the wide smile on his face made Jiwoo nervous. 

Although she was not able to pinpoint it completely, she could see that there was something wrong about the smile.

"Oh! Daerin, what a pleasant surprise!" he commented.

Noticing the hint of anger in his voice, Jiwoo pulled on a confused expression, and that's when, it had hit her. Her eyes widened as the realization dawned within her.

With the excuse that she was feeling unwell, Jiwoo stayed at the mansion and did not accompany him. But now seeing her with Joohyun definitely revealed her lies to him. Jiwoo wanted to bang her head against the wall for creating such a mistake.

"Yeah, you could say that," Jiwoo said, "I really didn't expect to meet you at here."

"I know that without you mentioning about it," Sookyung vocalised. 

His tone caused a chill to go down her back as she found herself cowering. Jiwoo wanted to curse herself for finding someone like Sookyung fearful at that instant, but she was not able to help it.

"Kim Joohyun, do you mind leaving us alone?" Sookyung asked.

Nodding his head, Joohyun vocalised, "Sure, your Majesty. I will be leaving."

With that, Joohyun turned his back on Sookyung and was about to walk away when he said, "I will look past it one time, Kim Joohyun. This shouldn't be repeated."

Sookyung's words clearly indicated how he knew everything Joohyun was planning to do, and, nervous, Joohyun nodded his head.

"I am sorry," he voiced out before going away.

Once Joohyun was out of the sight, Jiwoo placed on a smile upon her face, and facing Sookyung, she said, "I am sorry. Can you look past it for me too? I want to come up with an excuse, but I am unable to do so."

Without saying a word to Jiwoo, Sookyung tightened his grip on her wrist and pulled her along with him. Surprised by how she was unable to pull away her hand from him, Jiwoo followed after the man.

"Wait! Sookyung, where are you taking me to?"