Eyes as green as the soul of the dark forest they were currently passing. The carriage was vibrating by the hasty pace of the horses. The sun had risen a couple of hours ago. Golden rays of light pierced through the darkness of the carriage, illuminating the face of the woman whose long black hair was blowing in the wind. Her dark blue eyes were glistening in the light like the waves of the great sea. So lively and yet so distant.

Dreamily she gazed outside the window. Her eyes were focused on a far away point. He stared at her. His eyes were glued to the person that sat opposite to him. Never would he had been able to express what he felt at that moment.

It was a feeling of helplessness. A dark fear that penetrates his every being.

He knew she would not leave him. Lily would not stay behind, even though it woud be less risky.

What would bei if….Soo Won was shaking. His hands dug in his trouser. Calm down. He could not risk to lose his nerves. He had to find her…That person that had nearly killed Yona…

He would not allow that to happen…Slowly Soo Won released the breath he had been holding.

Calm down. There was a realistic chance for her having followed them. The attack on Yona had been not successful. That person wished to instil fear in him. She wished to disturb him, hurt him, make him lose his composure. He should shake in fear like a rat. So that she could break his spine as easily as she had done before with her countless enemies. Most likely she considered him only a small obstacle. Her goal was Kouka and therefore she needed to eliminate him. That was right. Yona would have been an ideal aim, since she was the reincarnation of Hiryuu. A fact that had spread far and wide above Kouka´s borders. Another tactic to cause terror inside the hearts of the women and men of Kouka.

But her original aim was him. She needed him to disappear. He also backed his uncle in Kai Empire. With Soo Won gone, it would be a child´s play to get rid of the opposition. Well, at least many of her enemies would be gone. The king of Kai Empire was weak. His brother…her father…wished fort he throne. The Princess of Kai Empire. She was the power behind the attack on Yona. Soo Won was sure of it. All the information he had gathered pointed to this interpretation.

And she was here. If she was indeed here, he could catch her. No…He would catch her. All he needed was a skillful trap.

„Soo Won," Lily suddenly said," the sea is just around the corner."

Her warm blue eyes were shining brilliantly, when she turned to him. A big smile on her face. Soo Won´s fingers let go of his trousers. Oh how wonderful she looked.

This was her home. How did she feel coming home after such a long time? His heart that had been tight and cold just a moment ago, melted by the mere sight of her expression. She looked as happy as a child. Whatever awaited them would be a dangerous situation- in every case. Soo Won lifted the corners of his mouth and hoped that his smile would be convincing. She did not need to be reminded of the dangers of their journey. At least not now.

„Are you mad?", she asked, rising one eyebrow. Soo Won continued to smile.

„Not at all. Merely worried," he gave his voice a rather reassuring tone. He could feel the corners of his mouth hurt, but he would smile until eternity if it only worked to distract her.

Lily let herself fall back on her seat. She had a complicated expression on her face.

„Do you think I am childish that I can grin like a fool when a friend of mine has been attacked just a couple of days ago?"

He shook his head.

„No. Yona is alright, after all. She wasn´t wounded gravely and we will find the person responsible for this deed," Soo Won gave a warm tone to his voice, but inside, he wished to strangle this person for what she had done.

„Do you have a plan?", she asked and moved unvoluntarily closer to him.

„I do have an idea", he explained. He did not wish to tell too much. „I will try to search for her, but at the same time, there is another trap needed. If everything goes according to plan, she might be very soon in our hands."

„And what is your idea?", asked Lily, tilting her head slightly.

Soo Won smiled: „We will have the assistance of an interesting person."

„Interesting person?", Lily blinked.

„You are right," said Soo Won suddenly," the sea is indeed extraordinary beautiful today."

The wide blue sea was glittering between the passing houses. A little farther ahead there was a huge mansion, that did appear not quite as enormous as the castle in the Earth Tribe.

„I have always wondered, why the Water Tribe had a rather modest castle, although it is -as far as I remember - a finely crafted work."

Soo Won´s blonde hair was caught in the breeze, blowing into his face, when he lifted his head out of the carriage. Lily smirked. He was so concentrated on the castle in front of them, that he did not notice it.

„It was destroyed a hundred years ago," mentioned Lily timidly. Her heart was hammering hard in her chest. He was far too near. The way his bangs were standing up in all directions…One of his dark blonde strands were falling in his eyes.

Blue and yet also green eyes that did not strictly adhere to one color. Lily reached out without really thinking about it. And now these stubborn strands were in her hand.

The expression of utter surprise on his face, was so cute. His greenish eyes were as big as the ones of a cat. The mouth half open. Lily closed her eyes and kissed him. It was merely a tender brushing of her lips against his. She could feel her lips throbbing, while his face was quite flushed. A deep red color that was brightly visible on his pale skin.

„I…", he stammered.

„Sorry,"said Lily wird red ears and an awful hot face," I did not mean to startle you. You were just so…."

She could not say…you were just so unbelievably cute…Could she?

„I thought you were adorable", she told him instead and realized a moment too late, that this wasn´t actually better.

Soo Won laughed.

„Well, thank you," he said, „I have never received such a nice compliment."

„Am I hilarious?", Lily asked. Right now she wished to sink into the earth and disappear.

„Rather funny and very, very…,"Soo Won´s smile widened. His eyes were glowing like the sparkling water beneath them.

„Very adorable," he said. His eyes were so warm that Lily wished to kiss him one time, twice, three times…so many times that she could not count it anymore. Reciprocating that smile, she leaned slightly forward.

Then he suddenly cleared his throat and averted her eyes. The spell was broken.

Did he read her mind? She knew that he had been not to prone to become physical with her…however…maybe since they were both a real couple now…maybe now?

Was he still against it? Lily licked over her lips. That would be quite a pity.

In front of them appeared the castle of her father. Laying on the shore of the sea, the huge building was a pretty new building. When Soo Won looked forward, he caugth the salty taste of the sea in front of him. Up until now, he had been far too preoccupied to notice it.

A salty wind…It reminded him of the last time he had visited this mansion.

He smirked and Lily raised her eyebrow.

„I was just thinking how Mr. Jonghi asked me if I wished to make you my bride," he said still smiling broadly.

She stared at him, mouth hanging wide open.

Sometimes this guy could say a thing like this completely nochalantly, without batting an eyelash.

She grinned. Honestly…that guy…

„They are awaiting us. So you can tell that to my father if you want to…"

With a move of her head, she was pointing to the little crowd beneath the mansion.

„Mr. Judo must have been succesful in securing the neighbourhood," commented Soo Won dryly.

Lily nodded.

„My father might be rather passive, but he is thorough as a leader."

Soo Won half turned to her.

„Your father is still a warrior. He had to wage war against the other participants of that tournament in order to become their rightful leader. The people of Kouka do not grant this privilege of leadership to a weakling."

His choice of words clearly startled Lily. After all, the competitions were no fights where the men risked their lives. They were merely a show. Demonstrations of their strength and abilities. There had never been a case where a man had died during these tournaments. Especially during the reign of King Il, but even before…No, Lily did not remember such a case.

However as she watched him, she saw that expression again. His eyes were as cold as ice and had acquired a light blue color. Soo Won´s willpower was shining through. Lily still did not know how she should feel about this side of her husband.

Most of the time he was a kind, understanding man, yet at the same time, there was a cool current in him. Lily called this feature „the ruler" in these moments. She sensed that Soo Won would do pretty much anything to get what he wanted.

Yet she knew he did not act like this due to selfish reasons. Soo Won believed that he served a greater good. And she knew that this was often the case. In fact, she respected this aspect of his character. Although she also feared these cool eyes and simultaneously she thought it was so…so…very attractive.

Was she nuts?

Then the impression vanished as quickly as he had appeared. As Soo Won gazed into her eyes, there was a complicated expression in them. Rueful, bitter…as if…as if that comment had not been made for another person but…Lily reached out and grabbed his right hand, slighly pressing on it.

„We will get it," she said. Now it was Soo Won´s turn to be startled. Her eyes appeared like the one of a soldier before a battle. Blinking several times, Soo Won could not quite believe what he saw. Then he had to laugh about himself. He knew what kind of woman he had married,didn´t he? So why was he surprised? Lily´s courage and pride was enough to amaze even the hardest men.

„What are you smiling about?", she asked, obviously displeased that he did not let her in his joy.

„Yes, you are right." Just slighly he reciprocated her touch. Her hands were so warm. Then he looked in her eyes. Now even Lily had to smile. It was quite contaminous.

„Your Majesty, would you spare us any further delay", suddenly rang in their ears. The stormy face of Judo appeared in the window of the carriage.

Lily would have nearly jumped. This guy was clearly so near of losing his temper that he barely could hide it. They were most likely saved by the presence of the surrounding crowd from one of Judo´s emotional releases.

„Of course," replied Soo Won and gifted Judo with one of his convenient, pleasing smiles. Lily had always been astonished by the various masks of her husband. He shifted so quickly in this persona of the „nice, harmless King Soo Won" that she could not keep up with it.

„I suggest to step out of the carriage", Soo Won whispered to Lily,"obviously the period was too long for Mr. Judo and I do not wish to displease our hosts."

With red ears Lily climbed down the carriage. The people smiled at them, dutifully how one would expect of the servants of her father. Thankfully there were well-known faces among them, but there were also very many new people Lily had not seen before. A smile plastered on her face, she hoped that nobody saw how embarrassed she was.

One hand in Soo Won´s palm, she approached her father and Nene. Good, nice Nene. She smiled so warmly at them. Her father did appear aloof and calm like Lily had seen him on thousand different occasions. However he wore an extravagant coat. Stylish. Not that her father would have ever shown himself in rags, but he was no peacock. This coat seemed far more flamboyant than she would have expected of him. Lily bit on the inside of her cheek in order not to laugh at it. It seems that her father wished to show the king that he was the master here.

„Your Majesty," he greeted Soo Won first, before he turned to his daughter.

„General Jonghi," said Soo Won, a smile on his lips, however his eyes were serious. Lily smiled at her father. She knew how he was. She could hardly imagine her father being really emotional.

„I hope you had a good journey," he added. That was criticism. The way her father pronounced it made it awfully clear. Most likely they were too late for his taste. The state of the sun told her that her father was most likely right. Lily threw a glance at Soo Won. Was he aware of it?

But Soo Won seemed to be oblivious. Lily rolled her eyes. Her father gifted her with a strange look. He seemed to be not mad, rather troubled. Nene shook her head as if to say „Not now".

„It seems that you may wish to rest before the meal", proclaimed General Jonghi in a way that made it nearly impossible to refuse his suggestion. And Soo Won complied immediately. Characteristic of him. He was not the type to make a matter worse for other people without a good reason. He-more than anybody else-knew the worth of collaboration. Even if it meant to adjust to the wishes of his father-in-law as long as neither of his plans was in danger.

Lily laughed inwardly at her father, at her husband and at herself, as well. After all, wasn´t she the dutiful spouse who stood beside the king like some puppet at this occasion? Hilarious.

Sometimes it was…so sad…and comical at the same time. The whole situation. This was her home…No, her former home. The one of her childhood. Here she had been living just a couple of years before.

Jonghi accompanied Soo Won who occasionally turned around, looking at her who stayed behind. She nodded at him. Go forward. I wish to think about this absurd situation for a little longer.

Upon entering this white house, one reached immediately a long, dark floor that gave the impression as if one would actually step into a world far beneath the surface. As a little girl, she had imagined this part to be a wonderful cave full of wonders and treasures.

Big vases of a dark blue color, yet shining brightly in the dark atmosphere of the floor. Lily had always assumed that the faint glow came from some secret ingredients. And then here it was…Oh…there „he" was. Soo Won stood there. His eyes focused on the picture on the wall. His eyes were shimmering brightly. It seemed as if he enjoyed the image greatly. Some strands of his eyes had worked themselves out of the hairtie. Lily liked it. This feature of losing himself so much into something that he became completely absorbed by it.

„Do you like it that much?", Lily whispered, since she did not wish to disturb him greatly. In fact, she did not really expect an answer.

„I have literally forgotten it," he said, his voice barely audible.

„Yeah, but isn´t it really beautiful," she said, smiling, content.

„Unbelievable beautiful..," he said, his face partly turned to her ,a small smile on his lips. There was a twinkle in his eyes, that told her that he was up to something.

Lily grinned. Right now, she did not care if her father waited or not. She hoped he wouldn´t.

„You won´t find a picture as beautiful in the Sky Tribe. That is for sure! Look at the green of the grass. Does it not seem as if…it is actually real?"

She turned around to the round window behind them, where a certain pattern had been used. The light that hit on the image made it appear as if the grass was moving. As if the leaves of the trees were swaying. The flowers…It was a scene right out of a common garden. But the pattern of the window behind it and the fact that it was partly carved into the wall blew life into this image. A fabulous illusion. A great illusion…illusion…Lily felt tears burning behind her eyelids.

This picture had been a gift from her father to her mother. Her mother used to love the garden and how had she loved this image! But she had died far too soon. And then her father had married Nene, who was far too young to be her step-mother, though she was a good person. Lily liked Nene. There was nothing she could say against this woman. It also seemed that her father liked her very much. So what more could Lily wish for?...Lily looked at the picture and her throat became tight. It was hard to breath for a reason. Slowly she drew the air in and let it out. She could reach it. There was no woman anymore who waited for her husband. There was no mother who hated her daughter. It was all over.

All people have their wishes and commit mistakes. There was no reason to be upset anymore…

„Lily? Are you alright?" Soo Won had a concerned look in his eyes.

„I think", she said absentmindly.

Of course he did not believe her. What could he do against it? Open her head and let all that out that bothered her? She knew that she was unfair, difficult. Not very ladylike, but right now she did not care. Maybe she should have not come home after all. Should have not come on this journey. What use had she been all this time? Was she not like this person said she was? She did not understand very much up until now, while Soo Won pretty much handled everything. Committing grave mistakes could be deadly right now. She tried to help him, but after all…And Yona had been attacked‼!

Maybe she should have waited a little longer….But…she looked at him. It was her own decision to accompany him. She could have stayed behind and let him go on his mission. Running away and closing her eyes in front of the difficulties whose were not only his, but had become also hers. If she desired the power to change their situation, she needed to look at it, observe it and learn to make wise decisions.

„Let´s go," Lily proclaimed loudly. One foot in front the other. Soo Won had a plan. They could make it. After all…

Her hand lie in his on the way to the great hall. Like she had expected….There stood her father. As if this person had ever left a guest alone. Most likely he had given them a little private time. Of course they both had made a mistake in his eyes. Her father was correct and not a person that forgave easily. However…Nene did mean that this was not the case. Lucky her though…

„Did father tell you, why he would not explain the picture to you? Why did he let you alone?"

Soo Won appeared to have realized just now, that his host had in fact behaved strangely.

„I don´t know. Although he did explain it was a picture for his previous wife. I concluded that his feelings might be a little complicated, since your mother died so young."

Lily nodded.

„Indeed. Quite complicated. I can understand that he does not wish to see it anymore."

There was a fine line between his eyebrows.

„Would it have been not been better to cover this picture?…Even though it would be quite a waste to demolish such a breathtaking picture."

„True…" Her throat felt tight.

„However my father knows that life is not that easy. And that some things can neither be forgiven nor apologized for."

Her words were sharp, her eyes cold, but hurting…This person was hurting. He knew it, but he did not know how to help. Right now was a bad time…But it might be better if they had a little conversation later. Soo Won knew better than anybody that something could happen to them at any given moment. Would he survive this ordeal? He did not know…but he would make sure that she stayed alive. And he wanted to know…Damn the gods! He wanted to know her better!

At the same moment Lily felt like Soo Won´s grip became firmer. It felt really nice. Her father stared at his widely grinning daughter and an expression of surprise washed over his face…As if he had seen them both completely naked. Not just his daughter beaming with joy…on the hand of her husband who made a face as if he was going into battle.

Most likely this was the reason, why he had no words in order to reprimand them. He merely said:" I guess it is really better if you can rest in your room for a while."

One might wonder how he interpreted that scene that he immediately showed them their room.

Soo Won certainly didn´t mind that they could both recover from the long journey. In fact, he was not to prone to travelling long hours in a tiny carriage. Riding was an entirely different matter. However…he really wondered why General Jonghi had nearly forced them to go to their room?

It was not that he had anything against this accommodation. Not at all. The bed was wide and big. A canopy above it. It felt pretty much like the one that stood in his room in Hiryuu Castle. The light blue of the canapy gave them even the impression as if they were engulfed by water. It was a strange feeling. Like floating. Soo Won hated it.

Lily sat beside him on the bed. She was embracing her knees. Her bare feet peeped out of her dress. Usually he would have considered this cute and adorable. However he was well aware that she was in pain. The issue concerned her mother most likely. He did not know the full story. In fact he knew next to nothing about this issue. But it was something he should know. No, he needed to know. Yet he was blissfully unaware. So…how…should he start it?...Would he hurt her more?..But…he could not speak about it, right? Stop…

She had helped him with his problems. Actually talking about it had eased them a little. This issues were still there, so it might be too much if he said they were solved. But…but…it had been like lifting a dead weight from him…just that she had sat beside him and listened.

Soo Won let the breath escape that he had been holding. Awfull. Hopefully this would go well…How he hated it…He was not good at all at talking with other people about such difficult topics. Especially with people he did not wish to hurt. Damnation! Gods in heaven, he was not ready fort that task!

Breathing heavily, Soo Won finally turned himself to his spouse. The woman he had married. Lily.

He did not know that he was shaking heavily. One hand outstretched, he hesitated still for a moment if he should touch her. Then his palm rested on her hand. He wondered for an instant if it felt bad that his hands were that sweaty, yet completely cold.

Lily´s dark blue eyes were looking at him. Damnation! How beautiful she was! How the light pasted soft shadows in the corner of her mouth on the round curve of her chin and cheek. How tender do they feel? Soo Won did not realize either that his hand was reaching higher until the tips of his fingers gently brushed beside her left cheek.

She froze. Her heart was pounding so heavily in her chest that she was afraid it would leap out any moment. He was touching her cheek! He was slighly touching her cheek! Did he…would it now happen! Oh gods in heaven! Yes…oh yes!

At once she wished so much that he would go further, simultaneously she wished to jump forward and press him against her. More. Harder.

Oh please!...

Soo Won did not know that he had committed a grave mistake. That something was strange, he did just realize it when he suddenly felt Lily´s hand on his own cheek. The touch was strangely hot. Maybe it were just his own temperature rising even higher than before. Soo Won felt like he was in a delirium. Was this really happening? His head felt so light and yet it was so hard to concentrate. To think…

Her face was so near. He smelled her perfume…or was it just her own odor? Did it matter? He did not know how or why. Or even what he should do and what not….Suddenly he was embracing her, holding her in his arms. It felt so good. So natural. This was how it was supposed to be…All along.

He pressed her lightly against his throat. She could feel his quick pulse. His heart must be beating as crazily in his chest as it did in hers. He had buried his face in her hair. His long blonde strands were tingling her. There were so soft, letting them slide between her fingers…glittering in her hand like gold. He smelled of herbs, the oil he was most likely using to wash…a faint smell of sweat and…Lily sniffed…She could barely believe it…Wasn´t that the odor of roses? Ah…it finally came off…Lily had slowly loosened the belt on his waist with the other hand. All she needed to do was…pull a little and…Slowly she could expose his chest a little. Then it was her turn to delve into the nook after his collarbone, moving upwards his throat. Suddenly Soo Won screeched, pulling away. Shocked he stared at her. His hairtie was broken or vanished into thin air. His hair was falling as wildly as hers down his shoulders, partly covering his now bare chest. She had been successful into striping him from his overgarment. He was still breathing heavily. His former pale face nearly completely flushed. Even the tips of his ears shone in a bright red tone. He was on his knees just like her.

It seems he was pretty ticklish there.

And now it was her turn. Lily let her dress slide down her chest. Merely on her knees in her undergarment. Soo Won´s eyes grew. In an instant he became very pale.

Then she smiled at him. Her eyes shone brightly. The pain he had just seen a while before had vanished. Instead she was brimming with light in her eyes. Full of life and…She was just so…The small dimple on her cheek when she laughed…Soo Won felt his chest become suddenly very tight. And his face became very hot..Huh…he felt tears swelling up in his eyes. He blinked several times. Why could he not control his emotions anymore?!

But he was so relieved…To see her happy once again…He lifted his arms. He wished to hide his face. Suddenly he felt a warm hand on his cheek.

„You are so adorable", she said…her eyes were so warm…so sweet…

Lily felt how he leant in her hand. She was so relieved that he did not mind the touch. He had seemed so sad…So hurt…

It pained her seeing him like this.

Then she cuped his face. She waited…Was he alright. Then he opened his eyes. They were blue and green at the same time. Simultaneously from a greenish blue and a bluish green. One color melted in the other. In perfect harmony. Then she felt suddenly his lips on hers. He gave her a light kiss. She leant against him. She as well had the feeling like she would melt against him. A hard throbbing down below. A feeling between pain and something so unbelievably good that every ice in the world would not be enough to outweigh it.

Lily could feel this prickly feeling down to her little toe. He pressed her against her. Stronger, harder than a moment before. Then she was able to get rid of her undergarment. Finally she could feel him on her bare skin. Every mucle on his back. The broad chest directly pressed against her. Then he suddenly pulled away once again.

An expression of utter shock on his face…She saw that he had started to hyperventilate. Breathing so heavily. Lily was suddenly afraid he would die of a heart attack. Then he was gone. Run away…

Soo Won didn´t know where he was. His sense of orientation completely failed him. Still breathing heavily, he was trying to get air in his lungs…He had the feeling as if he was soon to die…He could not breath…What should he do…What should he do…What had he done…Lily…Breath…Breath…

Suddenly he felt like his face was moved to the side…before he realized. He had been hit…

„Calm down your Majesty!"…Once again there was somebody cuping his face…But the voice was male. Strands of greenish hair…

Soo Won then realized that he faced the Green Dragon Warrior.