Author POV :
On the Way to Northeast
The sun was burning high. Her cloak stuck to her back, sweat trickling down her neck. The road was dry… too dry. No people. No sound. Just the crunch of her footsteps on the dusty ground.
She didn't stop.
Suddenly, she heard a soft bell sound.
A bull cart was coming from behind, its wheels creaking. Lotus stepped aside and bowed slightly.
Lotus: Hello, sir. Could you please give me a ride to the nearest village? I'll pay.
The old cartman smiled kindly, wiping his forehead with a cloth.
Cartman: Sure, sure. No need to pay, miss. Hop in.
Lotus climbed into the cart, grateful to sit down. As the cart slowly moved, the man looked back at her with curiosity.
Cartman: Where are you going? You don't seem from around here.
Lotus (she softly said): I'm from So-Land Kingdom. Going northeast to find a dress… it's for my grandmother. Her last wish.
Cartman (shaking his head): Ah… the North. That place's different now. A new king has taken over ruthless, they say. He has Cold eyes. People don't stay there long. You be careful, young lady.
Lotus nodded, holding her bag close.
Lotus: I'll leave as soon as I get what I need.
The cart moved slowly under the open sky. A soft breeze touched her face. She closed her eyes for a moment... until something strange happened.
Cartman (suddenly): By the way, young man, you still haven't told me where you're going.
Her eyes opened wide.
Young man?
She hadn't even realized someone else was in the cart.
She turned her head slowly… and saw a figure lying on the other side of the cart, cloth covering his face.
Stranger (calm voice): Wherever she's going… I'm going there.
Her heart stopped.
Her throat felt dry.
She stared at him.. long and hard.
He didn't move. Just spoke again, playful tone:
Stranger: Staring at someone for so long… isn't that bad manners, miss?
Just then, the wind blew harder. The cloth on his face lifted slightly…
Enough to see his face.
Lotus (gasping): YOU…!
Her voice trembled with shock. Her fingers curled into fists.
Lotus froze for a movement.
Lotus: What are you doing here?
Max Roy (smirking): Is that the way you greet someone you've missed?
Lotus (coldly): You shouldn't be here. You said you were leaving… going far. What is this now?
Max: Plans change. People don't.
Lotus: Why are you following me like a common traveler? Why now?
Max (softly): Because this is the only time I can walk beside you… as a common man, not a king. No guards. No crown. Just me.
She stayed quiet.
Lotus: This isn't fair. You show up whenever you want. You leave whenever you want. You expect me to wait?
He leaned forward slightly, voice deeper now.
Max: No. I never expected you to wait. But I always hoped you would.
Her eyes stung. She quickly looked away.
The cartman, sensing the heavy silence, hummed an old folk song and kept his eyes on the road.
After a while, Max spoke again, this time softer.
Max: Where are we going, really?
Lotus (whispering): In heaven
Max (nodding): Then let me come with you. Just this once. Just a man walking beside the girl he loves.
Lotus: Don't say things you can't keep. They won't take you in heaven anyway.
He looked out at the horizon and laughed at her words.
Max: I always mean it when it's about you.
The cart moved slowly toward the northeast. As the sky turned darker and the sun disappeared behind the hills, Lotus stepped off the cart. Her body was tired, her clothes dusty, and her mind heavy. She just wanted a place to rest.
She walked toward a man arranging pots outside a little shop.
Lotus: Excuse me... is there any place to stay nearby? Even a single room?
Man: Ah, go straight till you see a big mango tree. There's an old inn on the left. But hurry, rooms don't last at this hour.
Lotus: Thank you.
Just as she turned to leave, Max Roy appeared again right behind her. She frowned.
Lotus: Are you seriously still following me?
Max Roy: I'm not following. I'm just walking the same way.
Lotus: You could walk any other direction. Why this one?
Max Roy: Because I don't trust this place. And I don't trust leaving you alone in it.
She rolled her eyes and walked ahead quickly.
At the inn, she asked for a room but the old woman at the desk just shook her head.
Innkeeper: No rooms left. Sorry, all full for tonight.
Lotus sighed deeply and left. She tried two more inns. Both full.
She turned around this time Max was gone.
Good, she thought.
But ten minutes later, he returned with dust on his clothes and something in his hand. A room card.
Max Roy: Room 6. Near the pottery market. I found one.
He Paid extra.
Lotus: I didn't ask you to.
Max Roy: I know. But I still did.
Lotus: I don't want it.
Max Roy: Lotus, just take the room.
Lotus: I can find my own place. I don't need your help.
Max Roy: It's getting dark. You don't know this area. What if something happens?
Lotus: I'm not a child.
Max Roy: You're not. But I still worry about you.
Lotus: Worry about yourself.
Max Roy: I already do. But that doesn't stop me from worrying about you too.
She folded her arms and looked away.
Lotus: Fine. But stay away from the room. And don't follow me after this.
Max Roy: Room 6. Just push the door hard it sticks.
She snatched the card from his hand and walked away fast.
Max Roy stood still, watching her go.
Max Roy: One day you'll understand why I keep showing up.
Lotus tossed and turned on the bed. The room was quiet… too quiet. Her body was tired, but her eyes wouldn't close. Her stomach started growling softly.
Lotus: Ugh... seriously?
She sat up, rubbing her face. The candle was almost burnt out. She looked at the window.
It was cold outside. Windy. The night sky was covered with stars, and she could see the village lights dim in the distance. Her eyes searched… and there he was.
Sitting under a tree. Back resting against the bark. Arms crossed. Head down.
Lotus: He's sleeping outside...?
She stared at him for a few seconds.
Lotus: Why... why does he still act like this?
She wrapped her shawl around her shoulders, pulled the door open slowly, and stepped out. The cold air hit her face immediately.
She walked across the small yard, her footsteps soft but firm.
Max Roy didn't move. But he wasn't sleeping either. As she stood near him, he opened his eyes like he already knew she was coming.
Max Roy: You didn't sleep?
Lotus: No.
Max Roy: Something wrong?
Lotus: I'm hungry.
Max Roy: You came all the way out here... just to tell me that?
Lotus: What else should I do? Knock your soul through the wall?
He chuckled lightly, then stood up, brushing his coat.
Max Roy: There's a stall down the street. Old man sells rice and soup till late night. Let's go.
Lotus: Are you sure it's open?
Max Roy: If not, I'll make them open it.
Lotus: Of course you will, King.
They walked quietly through the village road, her steps slow, his steps steady beside her. She didn't say much. Neither did he. But the silence wasn't uncomfortable.
They reached a small stall, a faint light burning. The owner recognized Max instantly and welcomed them in.
Old Man: You again, young warrior. Still roaming like a thief at night? Umm who is she? Your wif-
Max Roy: Ahh yes.. ahmn..we were Just hungry. Make that two bowls. And make it hot.
Lotus gleared at him in disbelief as she sat on the wooden bench. Her hands were cold. Max took off his outer coat and placed it gently on her shoulders.
Max: Unmarried women with unmarried man they will think we have wrong relation
Lotus: You'll catch a cold.
Max Roy: I already caught worse than that.
She didn't reply.
The food arrived. Hot rice, soup, and a small plate of pickled vegetables.
She took the first bite. Her shoulders relaxed instantly.
Lotus: Mmm… this is really good.
Max Roy: Better than the palace food?
Lotus: Maybe… just because I'm starving.
They ate slowly. Max watched her from time to time but didn't say anything.
When she was done, she set her spoon down.
Lotus: Thanks... for this.
Max Roy: For the food?
Lotus: For… everything, I guess. Even if I still hate you.
Max Roy: Hate me all you want. As long as I'm the one sitting beside you like this.
She didn't smile. But she didn't walk away either. They walked back to the room.
Lotus opened the door first and stood there, expecting him to stop at the entrance.
Lotus: You should go back to your tree now.
Max Roy: It's freezing out there.
She didn't say anything.
He looked at her, calm, almost emotionless, then stepped inside without asking again. He didn't even wait for her response. He walked straight to the empty side of the bed, pulled the blanket off, spread it on the floor, and laid down with a sigh.
Lotus: You're sleeping there?
Max Roy: I've slept on colder stone floors in war camps. This is heaven.
She stood, shocked.
Lotus: You didn't even ask.
Max Roy: If I did, would you say yes?
She scoffed and turned her face, crawling into the bed silently. She watched him from the edge of her eyes he was already asleep. Like nothing happened. Like everything was fine.
Lotus: How can he sleep so peacefully?
๑♡๑
Lotus blinked her eyes. The room was faintly lit. Birds were chirping softly.
Then she noticed something Max's clothes were on the chair.
Lotus: Huh?
She sat up slowly.
She glanced at the curtain separating the bathroom.
The sound of water splashing echoed faintly.
Her eyes widened. Lotus's breath caught.
Lotus: Wait... why are all his clothes here?
Lotus: Is he bathing right now? Oh my god… he's in there… and all his clothes are here…
Lotus: No way…
Her brain started working overtime.
Lotus: No no no... what am I thinking…
She imagined the water gliding down his body, those broad shoulders, strong chest, the defined muscles he always kept hidden under royal clothes...
Lotus: Stop. Stop it, Lotus. Don't imagine. Don't...
Lotus: Why does he even look like that? How is this fair?
But it was too late.
Suddenly, the curtain shifted.
He walked out barefoot, steam rising behind him, hair wet, droplets trailing across his torso. A towel sat low on his waist, clinging lazily to his hips. The rest of him
She froze.
Eyes wide.
Mouth slightly parted.
And before she knew it saliva began to pool under her tongue. She was caught staring. Totally, shamelessly staring.
He raised a brow, amused.
Max: You good?
Lotus blinked rapidly, snapping herself out of her daze. Standing near the door.
Max Roy: Where are you going this early morning… without washing your face?
Lotus: I... uhh... I was just checking the door! Thought it was open. Yeah! That's all.
Max took a slow step forward.
Max: Was it?
Lotus (stepping back): N-No. It's closed now!
Max: Hm. Let me see.
Lotus: No! I mean it's fine! I'm just going to wash up now!
Max: Careful there's water on the floo-
Too late.
Her foot slipped on the wet wooden floor. She yelped. He reached forward to catch her instinctively.
And in one swift, chaotic second...
The towel fell.
Time stopped.
Lotus stumbled right into him, her hands landing on his now fully exposed chest, her face inches from his.
Eyes down.
Eyes up.
Total chaos.
Lotus: AAAAAHHHHHH!!!
Max stumbled to pull the towel back, trying to cover himself while steadying her. His arms wrapped around her instinctively.
Max: I knew you were impatient, but this... this is a new level.
Lotus (panicking): No I'm not!! I-I wasn't- I didn't mean... ahhh!
She shoved him back with both hands, bolted to the bathroom, and slammed the curtain shut, diving inside. No door. No lock. Just a thin layer of cloth between her and the embarrassment of a lifetime.
She pressed her back against the wall, breath shaky, face burning hot.
Outside, she could hear his smirk in his voice.
Max: You liked it.
Lotus: Shut up!
Max: You really liked it.
Lotus: I'm never speaking to you again!
Max: You say that every time. Yet, here we are. Again.
Lotus: Ughhh!!!
Max (mocking): You're welcome.
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Hope you guys enjoy this chapter 🦢
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