castle runaway. ˡᵉᵉ ᵈᵒⁿᵍʰʸᵘᶜᵏ

FORTY FOUR

Monique's POV

On the way to the castle, Haechan and I were quiet on the ride and no one dared to start a conversation after what he answered to my question earlier. I was looking down below as we slowly go up.

Every now and then, I glance at him to see if he's okay but I always catch him looking at me. I didn't mind it. He was probably scared I would let go of myself and fall down.

The leaf made a movement and I thought it was alive. I then found out it was just Haechan who stood up from it. "Come on, we're here." He said and gave me his hand. I took it and he pulled me up.

I raised my head and saw a huge castle sitting above a pile of clouds. "How is that not falling?" I asked unbelievably. Haechan didn't reply and chuckled instead. Our ride stopped on the pathway to the doors and we stepped on it in time just as the leaf started to go down again.

"How are we going to get there? The path seems so long since we're small." I said. He raised a forefinger and tapped it once on my nose. "And that's where Koko comes in." He sing-songed and something popped up from the cloud near the beanstalk.

A horse landed in front of us. Its color was brown and he has no wings. It neighed happily when it saw Haechan. The boy rubbed its head and looked at me. "Koko, meet Monique. Monique, Koko."

Koko turned to me and neighed. I just gave a smile, not knowing what to do. Haechan started to go on top of him and helped me up. He took my arms and wrapped it around his waist. "Hold on tight. This steed flies dirty."

I chuckled and yelped when Koko flew in the air (with no wings). I intertwined my fingers and buried my face on Haechan's back. I lightened up when his comforting scent lingered in my nostrils; daisies.

We flew towards the window in the east side of the castle and Koko entered. I looked around the place and it's like I suddenly turned so small. Is this how Thumbelina and Cornelius felt? Small and vulnerable?

Just from riding Koko, I remembered the song that Thumbelina and Cornelius sang. I started humming the song lowly but as usual, Haechan heard it. I was surprised that he knows the lyrics as well.

"Anything that you desire, anything at all~," He sang and I smiled. Together, we sang, "Everyday, I'll take you higher and I'll never let you fall." The both of us chuckled after ending the line.

Haechan suddenly starts waving his hand. I looked to the direction of where he's motioning and I nearly dropped my jaw when I saw Emily. "Emily! Ems!" He shouted with all of his might.

She looked up from putting a gigantic (literally) apple pie in the oven and smiled at us. "Haechan!" She exclaimed. Koko landed on the kitchen counter and we went off. The horse stayed in there, unlike Shimmer.

"It's nice to see you again, Em!" Emily spread out her palm for us to step in. Haechan took my hand and we both scurried on her palm. We're now facing the female giant. This is kind of a lot to take in.

"Same as you! Oh, and you got a friend. How delightful! What's your name?" She asked. She does seem friendly. I waved my hand then gave her a smile. "Hi, Emily. I'm Diamonique, but you can call me Monique."

Her smile got even wider. She was cute for a giant. "Diamonique! Such a lovely name. You do sparkle like one, yes, you do!" She exclaimed and turned me around using a finger. "Thank you."

"So, are you Haechan's girlfriend?" Haechan and I looked at each other and smiled awkwardly. I turned back to Emily and shook my head. "Oh, no."

"Fiancée?"

"Emily, she's not—"

"Wife?"

"Em!"

I just face-palmed, my face red in embarrassment. Emily giggled. "I'm sorry. I was too bewildered, I guess." Of course she said that sarcastically.