Chapter 117: Chapter hundred and seventeen: The summon

Chill crept up her back as she opened the door leading to her room, the sunny temperature which should have brought warmth seemed to emit coldness. Slowly and carefully, she crept in to find its source but found nothing. She opened her window which flooded her room with rays of sunshine, at the same time, the source of the ominous feeling was revealed.

The black hawk with a red painted feet.

The hands which held the window frame relapsed to her side as she squinted her eyes at the nature of the bird. On it's feet, very prominent and undeniably noticeable was a tiny rectangular bamboo container secured firmly on its feet painted in red too. She retrieved the bamboo container, pinched out the paper message but found the page empty. Recollection of something she read dawned on her.

Hurriedly, she ran to retrieve the hidden book of wisdom handed over to her by the fiery arrows, on its pages were marks of old age and repeated usage, the edge of some leaves were even falling off. She flipped to the desired page and her face turned sour, blue veins bulged out from her hands as her fist was tightened painfully.

As she suspected, the bird itself was the message and the book said it's a summon. What, they dare summon their master? She turned to the bird to do as instructed, picked up a raw meat and edged closer to it. Poor bird seemed to feel danger as it screeched loudly but it's bead of an eye never left Myung OK for a second. Gently, she fed it raw meat which means she accepts their challenge as opposed to nuts or fruits which meant she was open for negotiations. She gave a warning to it.

"If you could talk, I would have said you tell them I accept their challenge, but can they handle mine?," she smiled warmly as the last bit disappeared from her hands. The bird screeched one last time before it's flight to the air.

Same moment, she felt another presence which was warmer.

"It's time to show yourself young man," she said before a soft chuckle which sounded more like melody was heard. The tall male who oozed of strength and courage showed himself before her and bowed.

"Master, your acumen is to be feared. You've really gotten better," was his quiet observation.

Myung OK smirked and at the same time sucked in a deep breath. Cold sweat broke out from her forehead and a shiver went down her spine, she saw the kind and concerned look on his face and knew he had noticed. While he looked stoic, his brown almond shaped eyes spoke of real concern.

"You already knew?," she asked nonchalantly which was responded with a nod. He guiltily ruffled his own hair while his other hand fidgeted with his sword.

"I smelt blood the moment you came in, is the wound deep?" he asked but she shook her head in denial.

"Just a scratch but probably festered due to lack of care," her eyes went below his belt, just the place she hoped the item would be.

"Jae joon or is it number six, why are you loyal or rather pretend to be loyal to me?"

He smiled but made no comments, probably thinking of what to say or has nothing to say.

"Is it because of Seohwa, once you get your revenge will you also wage war against me?"

The hairs on his arms rose in protest. " I chose you," was his reply without batting an eyelid.

Myung OK expected such curt answer, she pressed on her wound gently and made to speak again but Jae joon interrupted her.

"People are coming here."

He gave his last bow and through her window disappeared. Few seconds after his departure, she also felt people coming and smiled at Jae joon's best Keenness. As expected of a well trained assassin was her thoughts.

"Physician Kim, his Majesty has summoned you," the voice said. She came out gracefully but begged the messengers to give her time as she can't deign in the presence of the most revered emperor unkempt and smelly. They had no reason to refute her hence they agreed totally.

At the large bath bowl filled with herbs, flowers and warm water, she soaked in to rid herself of the blood stench and dirtiness . Out of the bath bowl, she saw her wound bleeding fresh blood, she applied a coagulating ointment and bandaged the wound with a clean bandage.

"Physician Kim, his Majesty sent you clothes and shoes," was another distraction from the door. Ladies bearing the varieties of cloth waltzed in making her embarrassed. What exactly is Daejong thinking by sending her high quality fabrics made for royalty with first class courtmaids that serve him alone?

Sensing the trouble he was about to stir she applied wisdom in handling the matter. Of ten gowns brought, 6 light colored ones were set aside under the guise of being her worst colors, the rest for being too dark. They opted to bring in another set which prompted her to tell more white lies.

At last, she went to answer Daejong in her physician robe.

On her way going, she made sure she looked as serious as possible to evade the prying eyes of spies who would wonder why the almighty Daejong summoned a female physician; the female word in italics.

Lily flowers surrounded his palace, from his entrance down to the path leading to his barricading door were filled with soldiers and highly trained palace guards. Like all other palaces , his door was painted green with a touch of gold on its frames. Her eyes were fixed on the dragon sculptured in pure gold lying above his roof but incorporated with the building. The staircase leading to the door was flagged side by side by high ranking courtmaids who took a sneaky peek at her. They're probably wondering what the fuse is about because of an ordinary courtmaid and physician, but their formation was orderly and to be envied, after all, they are the highest paid maids.

Just like she gave a slight bow to the guards on the entrance, she bowed before them too as custom demands. The one who looked like his chief courtmaid announced Myung OK's presence which was almost replied immediately. In fact, Daejong wanted to fetch the door himself but he knew tongues would wag and she might distance herself from him.

Ceremoniously, some courtmaid entered with her and bowed together before him.

His eyes remained closed as he sat on his chair and acknowledged the greeting. He made a nonchalant gesture which the chief eunuch understood as a signal.

Immediately, the chief royal secretary came in with an imperial edict and read out rewards which everyone, Myung OK inclusive felt was too much but none dared make any protest.

Traditionally, her knees bent to kowtow but was shocked with his next sentence.

"I'm hungry,"

The courtmaids ran helter-skelter to accomplish his wish, Myung OK stood stupefied at the turn of event but dared not make any complaints as people were still in the room. She watched the monarch who sat still with his eyes still closed, he would have been thought a statue if not for his rhythmic breathing and the words he uttered few minutes ago.

Courtmaids bearing sizzling hot foods with rich and enticing aroma soon emerged and neatly laid the delicious looking meal before him. Like a robot, his eyes flickered open but didn't find it's way to her face or even her position. Maids tested the meal for poison with silver spoon and certified it safe.

Silver chopsticks were handed over to him, he picked up a meal and gazed coldly at the uncomfortable number of people in his room.

"Are we eating together now?," he asked sarcastically which led to his chief eunuch shooing everyone away as the man in charge but left Myung OK alone as the emperor hadn't acknowledged her thanks of gratitude.

"Are you that important to stay behind?," he asked the chief eunuch who stayed behind. Embarrassed by his master's cold treatment, he went to lead Myung OK away with him to avoid his Majesty getting angry again.

"Who gave you that job?" Daejong asked more coldly this time around.

I give up! the poor man cried in his heart as he scampered away for his safety.

Light bang was heard and almost immediately, the cold Daejong turned to a spring of sunshine, his chopsticks made a clatter as he dropped it down and ran like a happy child towards Myung OK. His red dragon robe seemed to flutter in the wind as it emitted soft fragrance of lily perfume; her favorite. There was no dragon crown on his head but the dragon hairpin held his hair in a chignon and created a majestic aura around him.

He held her few inches away from him and smiled a loving smile filled with longings, his eyes dimmed with unadulterated happiness, his lips curved nicely and his cheeks seemed to deepen with a dimple. Since when did Daejong have dimples?

She saw and felt his happiness same way she felt his coldness earlier.

"Why did you act like that?," she blurted out as she struggled to break free from his hold and get away from him as he inched closer.

Deaf at her tone and blind at her expression, he pressed himself on her for a kiss, his eyes closed as he savoured the taste of her lips.

"That was your punishment for agreeing to dowager's request to pick a date for me. " He chuckled loudly when she slapped his chest playfully.

"I was afraid I would lose control in their presence if I saw your beauty. Truly, I made the best decision." he sincerely said.

She softened at the explanation and smiled happily which seduced Daejong innocently. He drew her closer to himself and she felt and smelt his testosterone.

"Do you know the moment you walked in I felt you in my mind; your footsteps, your movements and even your breath,"

He caressed her cheeks and traced his fingers on her lips.

"I felt your rapid breathing, you were probably angry then," he kissed her cheeks but she dodged when he went for her lips. He didn't mind at all.

He traced her brows and kissed it too. "I felt you blink."

He went back to touch her lips again, then her cheeks and back to her lips, every touch made her shudder despite herself, his warm breath on her face didn't help matters as they sent her hairs to stand at attention.

She digressed with a question, "You felt all this with your eyes closed, do you have psychic power?"

He smiled brightly at her and she noticed he looked more manly and handsome that morning but wondered why she hadn't noticed it before.

"If I had psychic powers, I wouldn't use it for that but to know when you will be my wife," her eyes went wide with shock but Daejong wasn't done with her.

"So my dear, when will you marry?"

He didn't wait for her to answer as he pried open her mouth sensuously, his mouth covered her lower lip totally as he deepened the kiss. He pressed her closer to himself and placed her hands around his waist but felt he couldn't get enough but didn't dare disrespect her.

With the heat of the moment, she unconsciously gripped his robe, crumpling and creasing into a fine mess. She felt his masculinity, his vulnerability, his longings, his hot desires and his restraints. Man was filled with testosterone.

When he felt he might lose all his sense of reasoning, he stopped and looked at her flaming cheeks which resembled the color of tomatoes with satisfaction.

"Myung OK, when will you marry me?"

She blushed further, covered her embarrassing cheeks and turned her back to him.

"When..." she replied but couldn't continue.

"Your Majesty, the palace officials are here to see you!" a voice announced carefully from the closed door.