The continious sound of shouting and barking orders rang in my ears as I regained consciousness. My ribs were still hurting but I pulled myself up and walked over to the door of the store room. After pushing the door open, I poked my head out but saw no one. The never ending shouting of the generals continued, but the corridor was deserted. I was about call out for help when I heard a familiar voice few yards away.

"Princess!!" I heard commander Hoon's voice.

I looked up as he came running to me. He lifted me up and pulled me out of the store room, before I could protest.

"General Wook! General Young! I found the princess!!" he called out and I heard a couple of more foot steps approaching.

"Princess! What happened?" I heard general Young's panicked voice.

"I'll call the physician." General Wook said, his voice sounding worried.

The marshal... I thought as grabbed the commander's sleeve, who was holding me.

"The marshal... he's in the store room..." I said. I wanted to explain more but I was too tired.

With a simple nod, I saw general Young run into the store room.

"The marshal will be alright. Now, allow me to take you to the physician, princess..." Commander said, lifting me up effortlessly.

I leaned my hard against his chest and closed my eyes, letting the darkness around me to take over me.

••••

My eyes fluttered open. The bright sunlight hurt my eyes but after a few blinks, I got used to it. I looked around the unfamiliar room, when an elderly man stepped in.

"Princess Ran! You have finally woken up..." he said, as I got up and sat down, rubbing my hurting head.

"Where am I? What happened?" I asked him.

"I am Chun Yeongsoel, the royal physician. Our commander brought you to me late night the day before yesterday." He explained, handing me a cup of water.

"What!? So I've been unconscious whole yesterday?" I asked, totally taken by surprise.

What? I was suppose to meet the slaughter king yesterday.... I thought as I emptied the water cup in frustration.

"You were lucky to get up this fast considering your injuries princess. For a person with half of the rib cage broken, it is unlikely to wake up for few days." He said.

"What about the marshal?" I asked.

"No need to worry about him. He's doing well." Yeongsoel answered with a laugh.

"Then, I'm glad. It would be upsetting to see him hurt even after he saved my life...." I said, smiling.

"Do you feel any kind of pain, princess Ran?" He asked, changing the subject.

"Not at all sir. I believe your treatments have cured me." I said, getting up.

My body was still a bit sore, but it was way better than before. I thanked him and he handed me a couple of herbs to help my recovery.

"Please, address me by my name, princess." Yeongsoel said, as I stepped out of his quarters.

"And also, thank you princess, for you saved the marshal's life." Yeongsoel said, squeezing my hand tightly.

I smiled and took my leave, leaving the friendly physician behind.

He seems to have a tight relationship with the marshal. Perhaps that was one of his relatives....? I thought, unable to forget how glad he was to see the marshal safe.

I was walking doen the corridor when I spotted commander Hoon leaning against the wall. His dull brown hair was a mess on top of his head and his face looked tired and sleepy. I walked over to him quietly.

"commander Hoon?" I called out to get his attention.

Hoon stood straight with a jolt, startled by my calling. I gave him a smile, which he returned with a weak and lifeless one.

"Commandee, you look tired and -" I started, but I he cut me off.

"I'm okay princess. I'm feeling better, seeing that you have recovered well... allow me to escourt you to your room." He said as he took the lead, guiding me to my room.

He accompanied me until we arrived to my room and left after dropping me off. Miri helped me to change my clothes and she combed my hair and put it in a neat ponytail as I heard a voice call from outside the door.

"Princess, it's General Young." The voice said.

I instructed Miri to let them in and she opened the door before leaving the room, giving us privacy.

"Are you feeling better princess?" the general asked me.

"Yes. I'm feeling much better because of the physician's treatments." I answered.

"Be more careful princess. This whole kingdom will be burned to the ground if the king found out." He said as he leaned agaisnt the wall.

"I agree general. Is there any special information you found?" I asked curiously, trying to change the subject.

General Young had been familiar with me ever since I was small and I love him for his very much fatherly and caring attitude, but when it comes to nagging, he's famous for never stopping.

"Well, I'll rather put it as a problem. The ceremony has been postponed for the day after tomorrow because of the...... incident." he explained.

"So we'll have to stay here until then. I'm concerned about two things. First is your safety princess. I believe we can't protect you very well in here. And secondly, I'm afraid that the king will start searching for you." He said, scratching his head.

"The second concern, osnt really a big problem since Joo's out in the battlefields." I said as the general nodded.

"About the first concern....... I'll try my best to be more careful until we return." I said, flashing a big smile at him.

"That's what I'm afraid of princess. But I'll support your decision anyway" he said, as he bowed and left the room.

The rest of the morning went on smoothly. I was getting familiar with the huge palace bit by bit, but Miri always accompanied me since I was her responsibility. I how to go to the gardens, which became a part of my daily routine. That day, I was walking to gardens as usual, when I found the marshal general passing by.

"Princess! I'm glad that you are okay." the marshal said, shooting a smile at me.

"So am I. Im glad to see that you are doing well." I said as he approached me.

"I'm actually here to deliver a message, princess." he said.

"For me? From whom?" I asked.

"The Slaughter King himself..." my blood froze at his answer.

I knew I had to meet that horrible blood-thirsty man at some point, but I wasn't ready now. This was happening too soon.

"Princess, no need to fear yourself. I'll be escorting you to the king myself. The king told me to inform that he would expect you right before sunset." Marshal general Cha said, soothing my nerves a bit.

"O-okay. Sure" I said as the marshal bowed and left, leaving me totally shocked.

I went to my room and was freaking out when Miri knocked on the door. She entered after I called her in, holding a beautifully crafted box.

"What is this?" I asked her as she handed me the box.

"It's the evening attire for the princess. Picked specially by his majesty." She explained as I opened it.

Inside the box, a beautiful red satin dress was neatly folded. The dress had a gold lining on the hem and the shoulders. It was simple yet elegant and both Miri and looked at it in disbelief.

"I- this is too much. I cannot accept this..." I said, closing the box.

"Nonsense! This'll suit you very well!! Now c'mon!!!" Miri said, practically dragging me with her to wear it.

After about half an hour, I was sitting on the chair, two or three maids were over my head, dressing my hair. The three young girls were fighting with each other over the best hairstyle for me.

"Girls, I've heard that your majesty isn't a patient man. And it is only a professional meeting, so no need of beauty..." I reminded them.

"No way princess! You should see the way every woman swoons in front of his majesty. They say, he's got all the charms to...." one of the girls leaned in towards me eat and looked around for evesdroppers.

"..... seduce a woman..." she whispered.

I felt my ears get hot with embarrassment and the other girls squealed in excitement.

"I'm aware that no one knows his tricks better than me. Seduce? Huh , give me a break.... if his majesty learned anything about seduction, it would have been from me." I turned around as I heard a voice right by the door.

I was greeted by the mesmerizing honey coloured eyes of the marshal. All the three girls squealed in excitement their faces turning pink. I couldn't disagree. He was tall and muscular, his hands crossed infront of his chest. The katana sword, which was hanging from his belt proudly, added more effect for his image.

"Shall we leave, princess? I know that the king isn't a patient man..." He asked turning around halfway.

I was already tying my hair in a ponytail as the girls turned around to face me. I searched the box for an accessory and found a beautiful red and gold flower which matched my dress. I placed it near the hair tie.

"Yes. We shall leave marshal" I said as I stood up.

I flashed a huge smile at the three girls and thanked them. I followed the marshal who was now waiting for me outside.

"No wonder the maids adore you, princess. You treat them well." He commented with a smile.

No wonder the maids drool over you. You flirt and compliment so smoothly. I thought, but thanked him for his compliment.

I followed him quickly and approached an isolated cottage, which stood amongst the thick woods. Marshal general motioned me to go in as I took in a deep breath. I entered the cottage as the marshal closed the behind me. I was left in the total darkness, except for the moonlight which came through the open window.

Is this a trap? I'm not even armed..... I thought, looking around.

"Pleasure to meet you, princess Ran." I heard a voice boom in front of me.

I jumped at the sound of it and I saw a faint figure, which sat on the chair, in the darkest corner of the room. My mind went totally blank as I stood there.

Oh my god, he must be the slaughter King. What am I doing? I should respect him properly. I thought as my legs hit the ground.

My knees were agaisnt the floor now and I bowed my head low.

"It is a pleasure for me as well, to meet the Slaughter King in person. I sincerely thank you for inviting me for the upcoming ceremony your majesty." I said, my head lowered.

He didn't reply, but I could hear a sound of fabric rubbing against the floor, followed up with a creak of a floorboard.

Is he approaching me?? I was panicking and my thoughts were scattered everywhere.

"Get up. I don't want my guest to kneel on her feet...." I heard the voice, much more gentle and much more closer than before.

I stood up instantly, not daring to look up at his face.

"So..... my choice was right." I heard the voice sau in a satisfied tone.

"....Excuse me your highness, but may I know what you meant by that?" I asked after gathring up my courage.

I looked up to see the figure stand few feet ahead me and could make an outline of what looked like a mask. His eyes were hidden in the darkness, but I felt them stare at me. His dark coloured bangs covered the mask. He leaned in closer towards me as I took a step backwards. I saw him smirk at me.

"The red satin...... it matches your complexion very well." He said coming towards me.

What? Is he saying that..... he's seen me before!? I thought, slowly loosing my mind.

"I mean, I've only seen you once. I saved you when you were drowning, remember?" He asked me, coming closer.

I stood there astonished. So it was the real slaughter king who dragged me out of the water that night? Oh my god! I thought as I backed away from him involuntarily.

"....Which reminds me that You are entirely different from your brother, princess." He said suddenly, changing the subject.

"What do you mean by that, your highness? Your questions and speech in confusing me..." I questioned him.

"I thought he will be a good challenger for me. He proved me right in the battlefield. But when it comes to expanding his land, I'll just say that he's a greedy coward." He said, scoffing at his own words.

He confused me with every word he said, so I stood there, staring at his masked face, trying to figure him out.

"I feel really bad for you princess, but a deal.... is a deal, right?" He asked, looking me straight in my eye.

".....I believe that I am unaware of what you are talking about" I said.

He paused for a second, looking at me suspiously. Then he sighed, putting a hand into his robe and fetching out a scroll.

"I bet he's a greater coward than I thought he was. Your own brother traded you to expand his territory." He answered me, handing me a scroll.

I read it from top to bottom, my stomach turning upside down as I read the agreement. At the very bottom, I spotted Joo's fingerprint.

"Too bad.... it's already signed with his blood...." I could hear the slaughter king's words.

"..... just what did you do to get him so mad?" He asked me, his voice whispering in my ear.

I looked at him, anger pooling inside me. I folded the stupid agreement paper and threw it towards the slaughter king.

"How dare you even think that it was..... my fault?" I asked, anger getting the best of me.

I hurled myself towards him, my fists clenched. Obviously he held both my wrists and held me still, blocking my punches. He didn't let me go, so I stood there and fought my tears.

"How could he... Am I that worthless? Worthless enough to be tossed around like nothing? How could just leave me alone in the darkness" I hit the ground after reading it.

I wept as the words of pain and betrayal slipped through my lips. I shivered from the cold wind which blew through the window. Suddenly, I felt a warm coat cover me up. I looked up to see the Slaughter King looking at me.

"You maybe many things princess. But you are neither worthless nor alone." He said as he wiped away tear which was rolling down my cheek.

He pulled me closer to his chest and the last thing I remember was falling asleep in his arms, hearing his rhythmical heartbeat.