Chapter 21: Betrayed

Yona pushed the doors to her grandfathers study open. Over the years she had learned that when the King wanted to avoid crowds he would come here. Years ago she use to see her grandfather as someone to fear, but as she grew up she found that he was nice. She also knew that nice people had to act mean in order to make others respect them or to hide their own fears. She had learned that from her grandfather.

Kija, on the other hand, feared the King and was afraid they were going to get into trouble for disturbing him. So when he felt a heavy hand land on his shoulder he almost jumped out of his shoes. As it was he spun around to attack them, only to come inches from gutting Jae-ha. "S-Sorry!" he stuttered.

Jae-ha laughed nervously with his hands raised to show he was defenseless. Both Hak and Su-won peered out from behind Jae-ha. "Oh?" Hak began. "Did white snake just almost kill droopy eyes?" He grinned when Kija's face turned pink as he was about to spout off how he wasn't a snake. Jae-ha sighed at the tease. He really couldn't help that his eyes look that way. He use to play into the tease, but lately it had become annoying.

"Grandfather..." Yona's voice caused all of the boys to turn their attention towards her soft and gentle voice.

"Yona." The old King answered, acknowledging her presence. The group turned to see Joo-nam sitting next to his desk overlooking some papers. "You should be outside enjoying your birthday celebration child." he told her as he brushed his old hand over her red hair.

"Grandfather." Yona began as she puffed her cheeks out at him. "We were talking about prophecies and was wondering Am I the Red Dragon that's spoken in them?" The King seemed shocked at the question. He knew this would become a subject one day but he had hoped she would've gone to her parents with it. "Also, what's the sword and shield? Are they real or is it just, um..." She looked at her cousin as she tried to recall the word he used.

"-just figuratively speaking." Su-won finished for her, a smile appearing on his innocent face.

Yona nodded. "What Su-won said!" She yelled with excitement. "Oh and what's the darkness?"

"My, my..." The King said feeling a bit overwhelmed with these questions. "Well...to answer the first question," He gently touched her head once more. "Yes, I believe you are the reincarnation of Kouka's first ruler, King Hiryuu." He held up his hand to stop Su-won, Hak and he from speaking. "The first reason is standing beside you. Both of these boys would not be here if it was not so. Second, is because of your red hair. Only Hiryuu had such red hair and legend said it was the envy of many. You are a very pretty little girl and your hair makes you exotic."

"Grandfather are you not being bias by saying that?" Su-won inquired from him.

The King laughed. "Perhaps." he admitted. "A third reason I believe she is the reincarnation of the Crimson King is because of the priests; which was the main reason my eldest son kick them out. He believed they had too much influence over me." He shook his head. "My son sees me as a foolish old King who is past his prime."

"Is this why you're going to be naming the heir soon?" Hak inquired gaining a surprised look from the King. "What?" He asked everyone who was staring at him. "I'm Mundok's heir. I do listen to the old man once-in-a-while." he mumbled acting a bit defensive to their stares.

King Joo-nam gave a nod. "Yes." he answered with all honesty. He looked at Yona. "I will be naming you my heir."

Yona's eyes widened, however before she could say something Jae-ha spoke first. "I think that may be a mistake your majesty." The King raised a brow at the youth a silent question asking him to elaborate. "If you name he as your heir it will cause problems. She's too young to become queen. The other nobles will rebel because they will not want a Queen Regent. Of course if by some miracle she does make it to her eighteenth year, she will have the obstacle of overcoming whatever difficulties the one before her had caused this country." Before Jae-ha could continue the King held his hand up to stop him from speaking.

"You are afraid for her." Joo-nam stayed simply.

"Of course I am!" Jae-ha yelled at the King angrily. "You'll be placing a mark upon her for every enemy of yours who will try and kill her before she can take the throne and afterwards she'll have to deal with the nobles and prejudices-"

"Then you will have to stay by her side and ensure she is well protected." Joo-nam countered.

"There's only two of us." Jae-ha muttered. "Ouryuu is in the wind and who knows where Seiryuu is."

Hak snorted. "Guess you'll have to recruit some people you trust." he then grinned. "Good thing I know a couple of people willing to pick up where you're lacking." he said pointing at himself and then looked at Su-won who gave a nod.

"Sounds interesting." he agreed. "One big adventure!"

Hak looked at his friend nervously. "You're way too happy-go-lucky for your own good." he mumbled under his breath.

"Hak! Don't be mean!" Yona yelled at him.

Su-won gave his friend a dumbfounded look. "Happy-go-lucky?" he asked as he pointed at himself before laughing lightly. "I'm not like that."

Joo-nam sighed at his grandsons words. He's worse than Il at times. He then looked at Yona who was looking angrily at Hak who seemed oblivious to the Princess. Perhaps it is wrong to hand over the future of this country to these children at this moment in time, but I know that Yu-hon will make his move soon. Reaching out he placed his hand upon Yona's head. "I name you my heir, my granddaughter; Yona." He looked up towards the doorway of his study. "You will ensure this happens, General Geun-tae."

The earth General grinned as he came out of his hiding place. "How long did you know I was there?" he inquired, his usual carefree grin was in place upon his face.

"I knew the moment they came inside that you were not far behind them." the King answered matter-o-factly.

Geun-tae burst out laughing at this. "Can't fool you!" his side grin turned soured as he went into a more serious mode. "As much as I would love to support your eldest son in becoming King, I believe Lord Yu-hon would put Kouka through a thousand wars before his reign ended." His gaze went from Su-won to Yona. "If she is who you say she is, the Earth will support her." His gaze turned to Kija. "As long as that kid becomes her future husband."

"Eh?" Kija asked sounding surprised.

"General Son Mundok may have adopted the Hakuryuu as his grandson, but the earth tribe has first claim, as it was his ancestor who created our tribe in the first place!" Geun-tae shouted with glee.

Joo-nam have a nod in agreement. "Agreed." he said seeking to ignore the shocked looks upon the children's faces. "However, he cannot become King himself, as he is one of the four dragon lords. "

"I'm fine with that." the Earth General said with a shrug. He really didn't care if there was a Queen regent ruling Kouka. The only one objecting, that he could see, would be the Fire tribe General, Kan Soo-jin.

"Grandfather!" Yona cried out, her cheeks were as red as her hair. "Why are you saying that? Kija is my friend, not my future husband!"

Kija's stunned look had him silent as Jae -ha poked his shoulder to see if the white haired boy was even still fully conscious. Both Hak and Su-won were hovering in front of his face. "I think the King broke white snake with those words." Hak muttered quietly to Su-won.

"Perhaps a cup of cold water will bring him out of his shocked state!" Su-won said with worry as he grabbed the cup that was on the table next to his grandfather. Kija's sputtering had the effect that was desired, though it had him looking around at everyone to see if what her just heard was true.

"Congratulations White Snake, you're getting married to the Princess." Hak teased him.

Kija really was speechless. True, it was his desire to be by Yona's side at all times in order to protect her. She was Hiryuu reborn and it was the Hakuryuu's duty to protect his master. But marriage? That was a whole other deal! He shuttered at the idea of marrying anyone as young as Yona. She was a child! So was he, if he thought about it!

Jae-ha seemed to sense his inner struggle and placed a hand on his shoulder for support. Speaking up, he got both adult's attention. "Of course this won't happen until all parties present are of age; am I right?" The look on his eyes was one of a protective sibling watching out for the younger one. He may have denied liking being a protector, but Jae-ha took his role as big brother very serious.

The two adult men shuttered slightly as the image of a green and gold chested dragon appeared behind the boy, challenging them on this topic. "A-Agreed." Both men stuttered in unison.

Yona suddenly felt a cold breeze at her back. Looking over her shoulder she was her Uncle walking towards them through the door of the study. "You seem to be entertaining children a lot these days father." He stated as he looked coldly at his niece .

Su-won had never seen his father look so coldly at his dear cousin. Feeling a need to protect her, he stepped away from Kija and Hak and stood between his father and cousin. He then felt a presence beside him and saw Hak take up position beside him. "Son," he heard his father acknowledge his presence. "You should not be here."

"Mother told me to come celebrate Yona's birthday." he told his father. "Why do you look at her with such hate?"

"Because that girl will be the ruination of our country." he simply stated. His gaze turned to his father. "You have already decided, haven't you? "

"My decision was made the day she was born." Joo-nam stated already knowing that this day would come. "Il will rule until Yona turns eighteen, in which she will become Queen over Kouka and bring us into a new era."

"You are a fool, old man." Yu-hon said. "I will not allow you to bring Kouka down this path." He suddenly pulled his sword from its sheath and brought it down to strike his father, only for his sword to clang against Geun-tae's. The Earth General had remain quiet in hopes that he'd be ignored, which he had been. When he had heard the metal sword leave it's sheath he had pulled his from his hip in order to do what he was suppose to do, protect his King.

"This is not your fight boy!" Yu-hon yelled at the new Earth General brat.

Grinning Geun-tae answered. "A general's job is to protect his King, no matter who the enemy is." Using his body, Geun-tae pushed Yu-hon out of the study and into the inner garden that was between the King's study and the main building of Hiryuu Castle.

As the two men fought the King looked towards the children and shouted at Jae-ha. "Why are you standing there boy!?" Jae-ha jumped at the commanding tone coming from the old King. "Get her to the safe confines of the Crimson Dragon Keep that is at the center of the Castle!"

"Sure." Jae -ha's tone made it sound like it was a chore to do so, even though the King knew the young man would rather die than see his red haired mistress harmed. As Jae -ha picked Yona up and placed her on his back, the King stood from his seat and pulled his own sword out of its sheath, the handle having a giant red dragon carved into it. The blade was red on silver and it seemed to have an unearthly glow about it. As the children followed Jae-ha, he stepped from the room. In an effort to stop his son's madness, Joo-nam planned to kill his eldest son, a plan that would ultimately end with his own death.

M-Angel: Another chapter posted. I did plan on having this posted by the first of the month, but it's better late than never I suppose.