The Blood King
The Blood King. The name alone strikes fear into people's hearts. He was seen as a tyrant, a monster. They say that he was capable of making the bravest of men cower. He's even more ruthless than his father. He doesn't hesitate to destroy those who oppose him. People feared King Asukai Katsu. They feared the Blood King.
So, why is he the one I find comfort in? Why does his embrace make me feel safe? Why can't I see him as the cold-blooded king that everyone else is terrified of? Maybe it's because he was close to my brother. Maybe it's because he saved my life. Maybe it's because he took it upon himself to train me. Or maybe it's because he doesn't show me that side of him. Well, at least not often anyway. I look at him and don't see the Blood King. I just see Katsu and I'm still trying to figure out who that truly is.
I remember that day when I saved his little brother, Osamu. That was the day that caused the chain reactions that I was never expecting. That day led me to meet the dreaded Blood King for the first time. I would be lying if I said I wasn't afraid. I bowed before him, I didn't see his face. I just heard his voice. His voice...was not what I expected.
Who knew that day was the day that would cause my world to turn upside down? Who knew that day would of led me into taking residence in the palace and joining the Core? And let's not forget that I'm currently in a fake engagement with the king.
A part of me wished I never came to this palace. This place is filled with secrets, lies, and deceit. I hate it. I hate that I feel so lost and weak. I hate that it seems that everyone around me is keeping me in the dark. I feel so vulnerable and paranoid especially after...after Kozuke. I wish I could tell someone. I wish I could tell Katsu. But I can't. Not when my little brother is at risk. Gods, I just feel so helpless and scared.
But if I didn't find Prince Osamu that day and didn't go to the palace, what would have happened? Would Osamu have survived that day? If he didn't, how would Katsu live with the loss of his little brother? Would I have even met Katsu if not for that day? For some reason, the thought of never meeting Katsu was unsettling.
The first time I actually saw his face is engraved in my memory. Of course, I didn't know he was the king at the time. I mistook him for a intruder that night when I saw him walking around with a weapon. I remember the little fight that we had. If you can even call our encounter a fight. It was clear that he was far more skilled than me. He had me at sword point but my mind was taking him in. Saying that he's attractive was an understatement.
He was tall, basically towering over me. His long, silver white hair matched what he was wearing. But it was his eyes that made me lose focus for a second. Something about his emerald gaze was just so memorizing and disarming. There are times when Katsu looks at me and I feel so...exposed. Too many times than I care to admit.
The second time I saw him, I saw the scar on his chest and a few smaller ones on his abs. Later, I would see the scars that covered his toned arms. Katsu was physically fit to say the least. He had so many scars...were they all from battle? His scars tell me that he's a survivor as well as a fighter. Though, that's a pretty obvious with or without the scars. Is it wrong that I find that his scars just adds to his appeal?
We've come a long way since we met. It seems so long ago even when it was only a few weeks ago. Now, I'm his fake bride for a month. I keep wondering what happens after the month is over. And no, there's no knot in my stomach when I'm reminded that I'm just a fake bride. There was no uneasy feeling when I was told Katsu used to be engaged to princess Akane. I'm fine with this farce. Right?
Katsu is the Blood King. He is royalty. He is now one of my mentors. He's a mystery. The villagers see him as a heartless tyrant. He, himself, said he was a tyrant. But why can't I see him in that way?
A/N: So what do you think? I'm sorry for any mistakes in my writing and if it seems a bit all over the place. I just needed an outlet while waiting for the next update for My Dear Cold Blooded King by Lifelight. I hope you enjoyed reading my fanfic. If the story gets some good feedback I might continue writing this story. If you haven't read the amazing webtoon called My Dear Cold Blooded King, I highly recommend it.
