Chapter Fourteen:
Liss wandered the hall in the direction that Kazuya had pointed, this time with the correct envelope. Soon she reached Prince Junfs office. gFinally,h she sighed to herself as she knocked on the door. Hearing no reply, she knocked again. When there still was no reply, she frowned, tried the door handle, and the door silently opened.
As she entered the room, Liss noticed the general disarray of the books and papers lining the desk, chairs, shelves, and floor of the office. Glancing at a recliner near the desk, she froze. A man was sitting there reading some papers. He was so engrossed in them that he had not heard the door knocks.
Liss edged closer to him. gHello?h His head snapped up and he looked at her, annoyed.
gWhat is it?h he asked.
gHicmy namefs Liss and Ifm supposed to deliver a message to Prince Jun.h
gJust a minute.h The man walked to an adjoining door, opened it, and yelled, gJun! Message! before returning back to his chair.
A couple of minutes later, a young man walked through the door. He looked at Liss. gYou have a message for me?h She nodded and passed over the envelope. Jun opened the letter and read it. To Lissfs surprise, he suddenly stalked up to her, clutching the letter in his fist. gWhen were you supposed to deliver this?h he asked tightly.
gAroundc2 hours ago,h Liss said nervously.
gAnd why am I only getting it now?h
gIcgot lost.h
gWhatfs the matter, Jun?h The man sitting in the chair was leaning forward interestedly.
gI was supposed to meet his and her Majesties an hour ago,h Jun said, not taking his eyes off of Liss. Liss gulped. gWhat do you have to say for yourself?h
Liss looked from one man to the other. gBetter late than never?h she suggested, backing away from Jun. The other man laughed, and Jun glared at him. Jun then grabbed Lissfs wrist, ignoring her gEep!h of protest. Dragging her with him, he opened the door.
gWhere are you going?h the other man asked.
gTo talk to the King and Queen like they requested, and then to talk to this girlfs supervisor!h Jun snapped before slamming the door behind him and Liss.
As Jun went in to talk to the King and Queen, he tersely told Liss to stay put. She sat down, her mind whirling with thoughts of how she was going to be fired and how she was only endangering the mission. When Jun reappeared, she was sniffling to herself as tears slowly dripped down her face.
Feeling a little guilty, Jun reached for his handkerchief, knelt down, and wiped her tears away. In his anger, he hadnft realized how fragile she was. Looking at her wrist, he saw red marks that would become bruises and felt even worse.
gIfm sorry,h he said sincerely. Liss only sniffled some more, refusing to look at him. He sighed. gLook, I wonft tell your supervisor about this incident, alright? I was just grumpy at the moment and you arriving late with that message didnft help my mood any.h
Liss glanced at him. gWere the King and Queen mad?h she hiccupped.
He shook his head. gNo. They were fine.h She nodded in relief and looked down again. gIfm so sorrych she said. gIfm so sorry.h He just smiled, shook his head, and wiped her face again. Although she was crying, her face was still beautiful and he caught his breath. Something about her made him want to protect her forever.
Jun suddenly thought of a way to make her feel better. gCome oncletfs go to the amusement park.h He gently pulled her up so that she was standing and started to lead her to the outside of the castle.
gWhat for?h she asked.
He glanced at her and stopped. gTo make you laugh for me,h he said, lightly tapping the tip of her nose. Silently he added, gAnd to make you fall in love with me.h