Noble Heart

14

"The king is dead." Danbi had just turned on the TV and immediately turned it back off. For weeks and months she hadn't been keeping up with the Royals, trying to not waste a single tear for Youngjo. And now, this was the first thing she heard.

Guilt was spreading in her chest, making her lungs feel tight. Had it been a sudden passing? How long had the King been feeling ill? The female didn't ask herself that because of the King but because he was Youngjo's father. She couldn't imagine how he must be feeling now.

He hadn't reached out. How should he? The female hadn't given him the chance to. Mentally slapping herself, she got up immediately. She hadn't been there for Youngjo.

What made her even think he needed her? The Prince had Minnie now, yet Danbi wasn't so sure whether that helped him in this situation, mentally.

Then she realised that Youngjo was king now.

The black-haired woman rushed down the stairs, put on her shoes and stormed outside. Not realising that it had been raining, she just ran for it. In vain trying to remain a somewhat dry head, Danbi put her hands above her head. Until she reached the palace, her hair and clothes would be dripping wet.

In front of the palace, hundreds of people with black umbrellas had already assembled, mourning their King's death. Danbi could barely see the guards of the front gate in between the mass of people. She had to get through. Sighing, the female pushed herself through the crowd, not minding the complaints of everyone she was passing.

The guards didn't let her inside. What? She asked again and again, rain dripping down her face, until the guards didn't reply to her pleading anymore. The rain was overshadowing their words. Danbi had no choice. She had to make a run for it. It was dangerous, knowing that all of the security was heavily armed and could end her life within a blink of an eye. She didn't care. She knew they would not dare to shoot her.

The guards were too slow to react. Only one of them sprinted after her to tackle her down but only got to the door when she had already closed it behind her. Inside, guards were approaching from left and right. The stairs, she needed to get upstairs to Youngjo's chamber. Once she was on the stairs, jogging through the hall, the woman realised she was trespassing the palace of her country's rulers. She could be arrested for that.

She knocked on the door. No response. The door creaked as it was slowly opened anyway. There he was, Youngjo, sitting on his bed facing the windows which were wet from the rain. His eyes were closed as he had his hand in a praying posture against his nose. His upper body was slightly bend forward, his elbows supporting it on his knees. Without a word, Danbi sat down next to him.

After a while of him not moving, Danbi hesitantly put her right arm on his back, moving her thumb up and down. He didn't even acknowledge her presence at first. Finally, Youngjo pulled away his hand from his face and turned his head to the right, quickly trying to dry his tears. Then, his head turned to the left, into Danbi's direction.

Her heart shattered once more when she saw his broken expression. His round eyes were puffy and red, there was nothing left of their usually so expressive look. They were empty, the only thing filling them were tears. The female's face was reflecting in the glistening. Youngjo was so vulnerable right at this moment, he couldn't help it. The new King couldn't fake it anymore. He couldn't hide it anymore. Nevertheless, he felt like he needed to.

Her hand wandered up to his face. Wiping away his tears with her thumb, his expression deformed again. The male didn't know how to react, but he didn't need to. Danbi wrapped her arms around him and quickly pulled him into a warm hug. Her clothes were still wet, but none of the two cared about that right at that moment.

The man broke down in tears once more. However, this time it was in the arms of his only true love. This time, he felt safe. He felt as he was able to overcome it eventually.

"I'm with you." Danbi whispered, his heart fluttered.

"I'm sorry." He mumbled in between his sobs. He was sorry for everything he had done to make Danbi suffer. He was sorry because in his eyes, he was showing weakness. Weakness, a King and not even a Prince was allowed to have. The weight of a whole nation had been put on his shoulders with no time to prepare. Youngjo felt weak. He couldn't do this alone.

"You don't have to be. I do. I didn't even know your father had fallen ill. I should have been there for you."

He looked up to her, eyes still wet,

"You're here now, that's what counts."

Remaining like this for some minutes, Danbi could feel him steadily calm down. Playing with his black hair, the female looked outside the window. The rain had stopped and left were heavy leaves, a clear sky and countless little puddles in the palace's garden.

"How have you been?" Youngjo suddenly mumbled.

"How have I been?" She questioned "I should ask you, Youngjo. Clearly, you are in a more miserable place right now. Don't make this about me right now."

"So, you know how I've been, no? Hard to miss it with news spreading like a wildfire. Tell me about you." He had a point.

"There's nothing much, really. To be exact, there is nothing. That's how I've been: empty."

A question was whirring in her mind, yet she didn't dare to ask it out aloud. She glanced at Youngjo and their eyes met. The male noticed her trouble look immediately.

"What is it?"

"Where is Minnie?" She hesitantly asked.

"Minnie?"

"Your wife?"

"You don't know? Wow, you really cut ties completely," Her eyes got big as she didn't understand "We have gotten divorced following my wish. She's been back in her castle for weeks."

"I didn't know..."

"I can tell." He forced a smile with his puffy eyes. His eyes had stopped tearing.

"I'm sorry."

"There's nothing to be sorry about. I'm glad you're here with me now. Truly."

"Me too, Youngjo."

She pulled him back into her embrace, gently stroking his back as she put her chin on his head. She felt their hearts beating in sync again, a feeling, that had been long lost. Oh, how they had missed each other, how much they needed each other. They didn't even have to tell each other. They knew, both.