Royal Assassin

Chapter 5

It was official; Justin became King Justin and Jaden, Queen Jaden. There were a lot of things to do like meeting and seeing various people from different level of societies. And then, there was also making occasional appearances at the local market or town, to showcase their good relationship and assessing the welfare of the people.

Jaden was rather overwhelmed by the vibrant of the people. Do they really trust him to be King? Jaden felt perplexed and astonished. But she was adamant of him to take her to the left wing library. However, she didn’t realize it ended up this way. She should’ve known. Well, it couldn’t be helped since the Prince was already significant since birth while she, as the last princess had the least prospects of sitting the throne in her own kingdom. The throne didn’t bother her but seeing herself and her husband boy, she felt they were quite different and somehow similar. She did her homework on Justin’s history and lifestyle before coming here.

Justin, the second child from five siblings was the only son of that foolish late King. Because the country needed a man from royalty to be King, the responsibility to take over the throne was shifted from the eldest daughter to him. Inside rumors said that he did try to stop his father from initiating war but his father was stubborn and greedy and arrogant, that he turned a blind-eye on people’s sufferings and the country’s deteriorating state. And Justin lost the will to convince his father to stop. From that point on, his attitude became rotten. He couldn’t care less of the people’s problems and played around and even occasionally traveled far away for a long time to escape various tasks. If the story was true, Jaden thought that Justin was quite a coward and easily gave up on things.

On the other hand, Jaden’s story was rather different. Even though she was raised without the motivation to become Queen, she was very close to the people and did various charities for her country. However, because she had no potential to be Queen, the royal house only saw her as a way to forge alliance with other countries. In other words, she was raised as a refined lady to be married off to. But there was more; she was also trained the harshest in combating skills, knowledge, language, arts and arithmetic. She was used as a tool, a weapon and a peace offering. But that part no one should know except the royal house.

Jaden thought back of how she claimed Justin to be a coward. But the truth was, was she any better than him? At a point in her life, she too dirtied her hands and she might have to do it again and just when she thought she could achieve peace.

Unfortunately, she felt something odd, slithering to her waist, which snapped her to the present. And it turned out it was Justin’s arm wrapping around her body. She wanted to push him off but they were in the public’s eyes. Jaden tolerated holding hands but this was breaching her virtue, she thought.

Endure, Jaden.

Justin thought the way Jaden’s body became rigid as he held her waist was funny. He knew it was the only chance for him to unmask this diamond princess. There was no other way to tease her than to do it when the people are around. After for so long, he had never felt such triumph even if it was only for a short while.

Finally, they reached back the palace and Jaden was so relieved to be released from Justin’s tight embrace.

Geez, thought Jaden, can’t he ever be more childish to play her that way? But she knew she responded the way he anticipated she would and the more she felt like breaking a table in half.

Almost quickly when the couple was greeted by their attendants, Jaden tried to make a dash to her room but she was quickly held by the hand.

“What?” Jaden sounded dumbfounded and in a rush, in a rush to escape from his torments on her.

“Let’s have tea before we go to the left winged library. I promised you to bring you there, remember? Plus, this will be the only time available and tomorrow we have to prepare to go to your kingdom”, said Justin.

Oh yes! The library, Jaden realized. She was so hooked on those walks that she felt rather tired and had actually forgotten her true purpose for agreeing into this marriage. Before she knew it, she was gently pulled by her own husband to a relatively smaller dining hall. Along the way, she couldn’t help feel something different on the way his hand directed hers. It was warm and firm and somehow made her feel something odd within herself.

It was comfortable and somehow spelled dangerous.

No, wait! What am I thinking!? I don’t give a damn about this. I shouldn’t be wavered by this! Focus…concentrate…prioritize...you hate him, remember? But the current Justin in front of her was rather different. He still had his eloquent arrogance but he seemed more responsible than she used to know. But did she really know him? Her heart and mind were arguing. She really didn’t like this kind of feeling to start developing.

The evening tea was peaceful and both the King and Queen drank in silence. Jaden was anxious because she was thinking of the library that Justin would show to her. But at certain moment, Jaden took her turn to actually observe him as the big window allowed light to shower on their table.

What are you thinking, exactly? What are you feeling? Why was she trying to understand him? He was not the puzzle she should solve. She resolved and took a sip, well at least she tried to sip when Justin spoke, “And what do I have the honor to have your beautiful eyes gazing at me for?”

She put the cup gently as she tried to sip her tea calmly, but her insides were cursing for not realizing that he’d noticed her.

“What are you talking about?” she uttered. The truth was she was actually taken aback by his compliment even if she didn’t know if he was pretending or just saying to break the silence. But she knew better. “There is nothing special about these eyes”.

“Maybe it’s common in your kind. But it’s a rare and beautiful sight, to me”, Jaden was glad she could remain not swooned by his words, his charming, full of sweet talks. It made her think how many times he said such sentences to.

Jaden stood up which surprised Justin, “You are so ignorant, aren’t you?” she said. “I’m the only kind to have these eyes. Neither the people nor my family has these”. These eyes are able to see things much clearer and faster than a normal human. These eyes are cursed because of the potential power it yielded. She wanted to say them but what would it do, anyway? “Anyway, let’s go before it gets too late. We have a big day to catch up, am I right?”

He was stunned by her words. But he couldn’t come up with a good response. He felt rather foolish for not learning a bit more of her homeland. He just followed her and guided her to the left wing of the castle.

When Justin unlocked the door to the library and they both entered, Jaden felt her breath was caught as she saw books all around her climbing to the ceilings. It was more than a library; it was a tower of knowledge.

Justin noticed the awe look in her eyes and felt relieved that she seemed delighted.

But then Jaden looked serious and was thinking hard. Tch, how am I going to find it? There are so many books in here. It’s really wonderful, those books, those knowledge kept inside them. Ugh! I’m torn between…her heart screamed.

Never mind, she just had to search for it in this tower-sized room. And then, she did something unimaginable.

Rip!!!

She tore her long gown.

“Hey! What do you think you’re doing?” he freaked. And he could see her legs.

Jaden made her way to climb the ladder to get to the top shelves of the books. She thought of how the women in Justin’s country could live wearing long skirts all day. After all, she grew up in an environment where women wore pants.

“Will you relax? It’s really hard to climb around in this…”

“And those were fine silks!”

“Geez, if your kingdom claim to be rich, then a torn gown is not a big deal, especially worn by me. Besides, I will repay the dress and help spur a seamstress’s business here”.

He sighed at her boldness. He approached her. Jaden felt perplexed by his actions but even more after he suddenly untied his cloak and wrapped it around her collar.

Jaden was caught by surprise. She wanted to push him away but for a moment she felt entranced as she watched his fingers twisted and turned as he tied the knots.

“You’re really something. Just don’t go around exposing your skin like that, Jaden…” he said thoughtfully and softly.

And then it hit her. The scar! The long scar on her visible right leg. He saw it. And she felt ashamed all of a sudden. Of course, I’m not pretty. To him, I’m a handicap.

This was bad. Why was she getting so worked up about it?

“Oh”, Jaden replied, “I’m sorry…” for disrupting your eyesight with my hideousness, she wished to add.

“It’s okay. You did nothing wrong”, he finished tying the knot; “I’ll be going out first. If you need me, I’m close by”. And just that, he easily left her among the pile of sacred books and scrolls around.