Your Highness

S I X T Y F O U R

C H A P T E R   S I X T Y F O U R

[At the capital]

People was gathering at heart of the capital to witness the great execution of prisoner from Kang. The prisoners were from all ages, young, old, men and woman. With the emperor's order these people were to be beheaded with open gates, so the peasants would learn from this and stay away from plotting against the emperor.

The emperor sat on the highest seat looking down at the prisoner as if they were worth dust. Next to his dragon seat was his empress, her beauty indeed unparalleled.

Peasants gathered at the palace's gates, curiously looking at today's execution. The crowd of people attracted more and more newcomers.

With his trip to the land, Ki young couldn't help but find himself among the crowds. It has been over months since he had been here, as he was afraid that Hayoon would feel lonely at the island.

"What is all this turmoil?" Ki Young asked one of the peasant, unknown of why the palace's gates were open.

"Don't you know? It's The great beheading day of the Kang traitors. His majesty is personally present to witness this,"

It was him no surprise. The emperor was merciless, after conquering the other nations, people were taking in as slave not as human. In his eyes, everyone was a potential traitor.

"Who is that woman beside him?" Ki Young said, his eyes narrowed at the Phoenix seat.

"You are not from the capital are you?" The elder man asked Ki Young.

"How could you tell that?"

"No one in this capital don't know that woman."  Putting a hand to his mouth the man whispered, "she is the empress, the emperor's most beloved person."

"Ahhh...I see,"

Then my Hayoon is safe. By he bought he couldn't help but smile.

"but why does she look so unhappy?"

"Of course she had to fake that expression! It's her people that is being executed! Even if it's for show, shedding a few tears is the courtesy,"

"She is also a peasant Kang? What a dilemma,"

"Not only a peasant! She was the ruler of Kang!"

Then what was Hayoon? Air?!

"Are you sure you are not mistaken? She doesn't appear with the aura of an ruler?." Ki young said carefully.

"How would you know that? Have you met the ruler of Kang before?" The peasant said, sounded a little offended.

Definitely! And she is much prettier than that- Ki Young turned his furrow brows at the woman sitting next the emperor. As Ki young didn't respond the old peasant could only click his tongue and send Ki Young a look of disregard.

"Young man, if you don't know then sit back and learn. I've lived here since I can remember, there isn't a thing that this old man doesn't know,"

You have no idea. Ki young mentally scoffed.

"Respected elder is right," Ki Young played along, pretending to acknowledge his mistake. "I've been away from the capital for over half a year so everything is still new to me. But elder, what do you mean by faking her expression? Who wouldn't feel sad if one's fellow where to die, not to mention a whole court."

The elder man grabbed Ki Young's arm and pulled him away from the crowd. As if he intended to tell Ki Young something of a secret.

"Listen young man, she is a woman who betrayed her people to save her own life. Such a beauty means nothing but a harm to society. Even if she is pretty there is nothing that can overlook her bad deeds,"

Hearing those words Ki Young couldn't help but burst out in anger.

"She is not such a woman!"

"Why are you yelling at me?!" The elder said. "do you want me to die by the hands of the guards?! Enough I wasted my precious remaining life on an ungrateful fella,"

I need more information! Ki Young grabbed the hand of the elder.

"No, no, no elder please don't leave. I might have been possessed by ghost for a moment to say those words. Please don't take it to heart. Dear elder can you tell me? I'll soon return to my village and people are all expecting me to come back with hot news from the capital. If any I'll be able to earn a couple of coins for storytelling, please elder I'm have nothing beside my looks,"

"Ehem," the elder cleared his throat, raising his chest high with a slight arrogant expression.

"Are you looking for even more hot news?" The elder man asked.

"Yes, please tell me." Ki young begged, appeared as desperate as possible.

"Apparently the one who caught all those traitors is the emperor's little brother himself. He miraculously woke up after seven month of sleep. Healers said that he was just a living corpse but our benevolent emperor did not give up. He called the most talented physician and healers across the country and after seven month the prince woke up. After only three months he was able to return to the army and wipe out the evil traitors."

"Respectable elder, by the emperor's little brother who do you mean?"

"I don't remember his name, but his hair has the colour of the ocean flame... what was his name again..."

"Han," Ki Young said with no soul in his words.

"Right! Right his name was Han!" The old man laughed.

"But young man, why do you suddenly look so pale? Is there something wrong?"

Han was supposed to be dead in attempt to protect the former emperor from Hyun's tyranny but is still alive?

Every question made Ki Young's mind explode and he couldn't fight the urge to go into the palace even if it meant that he had to sneak in. It couldn't be Han, no it must be another person.

If it was Han, there would be no reason for him to let that fake empress take Hayoon's place and put dirt on her name. There was no reason he would kill the people Kang as the first thing after waking up and no reason why he wouldn't search for Hayoon. Ki Young turning his heals back to the gates of the palace only to witness the mass beheading of the people from Kang.

What was more shocking than the tragic view, was the person who was taking charge of the execution. With accurate slice the executor made a clear cut without as much as leaving himself with a drop of blood from his victim.

The blueish hair was carried away with a little breeze and fanned the air gently. In the glowing sun the shades took colour of various shades changing from blue to silver at the end of his lock.

With emotionless expression Han took charge of the execution without blinking and eyes as heads rolled to the ground. Han was no different from Ki Young's memory a skilled warrior and a merciless murder. Horrified cries filled the court and returned with the gasp of the peasant.

Han is alive...