A spy

"Your Majesty, why did we let these masked men go", Warrior Black was confused. "They were here not with the intention to kill but to test me and to warn me. Nilam state has always been very proud and don't seem to surrender to my rule.", "So it was Nilam. They sure have the guts to come and test Your Majesty." The two princes and the king were also trying to recover from what happened all of a sudden. There was no one else except them in the hall. The women were taken back to their places by the soldiers to prevent anyone from getting injured.

Suddenly, they heard some noise from outside. Like someone being hit. They followed the sound to the outside of the hall. It was one of the masked men whose both hands were tied at the back. The one hitting him was Jiu. She was dressed like a female soldier, looking more mature without those jwelleries and skirt along with the serious look on her face in contrast to her cheerful nature. But even after dressing this way she didn't fail to attract Han Jinan. He liked this side of her too. "Speak! Who are the other spies here from Nilam?" A spy? As she saw her father, brothers, the emperor and his guards approach her, she spoke up, "He is one of those spies who sneaked into the palace as a guard. He was supposed to go back with those black masked men tonight to report." "Speak". Jinan advanced towards her and she looked up. "Jiu, leave it to me from here on. I don't want to dirty your hands", he smiled at her. Why was he addressing her so intimately? The warmthness in his tone when he spoke to her was schoking for the people behind. But she won't be giving away her heart so easily. "I can handle this-", he caught her fingers and caressed them reassuringly. Fine. If this is what he wants. She let go of the masked man. He immediately turned to the man tied down, within an instant his expression turned from warm and loving to a cruel one. "I give you three seconds to start speaking. 1, 2 3", He immediately cut off one of his fingers without any hesitation. The man screamed his lungs out. Jiu gasped in shock, he was so scary. "Speak", he was just about to cut off another finger when the man said, "I'll speak, I'll speak. As of now there are two more spies. Nilam is planning to take sides with other states to take down Malani and Pahal state by bribing few selected officials and then joining forces with the foreign rebels to dethrone you. They have succeded in planting spies, and are secretly sending people to the minister's manor which have joined us already". "Very well, now that you are of no more help let me-" he raised his sword to kill that man but, "Please don't kill me, I can help you get into the secret places of Nilam's royal palace.", "And how can it be help for me?", "They have stolen the book of The Law of Military and Military Tactics and there are secret letters hidden which only a handful of people can have access. And I am not sure buti heard there is another more secretive place other than that which only the Nilam's king knows. Nobody has ever been there so I am not sure". Han Jinan stared at the tied man, "Hmm good for you that you can live a bit longer". The man couldn't believe that he was almost killed. "But if I know you are lying. You will be fed to wild beasts alive". The man shivered. Even the king and the princes were shocked. However, for the two warrior guards, they were quite accustomed to His Majesty's way of dealing enemies which was much more crueler than this. "Guards, lock him in the dungeons", "Yes, Your Majesty".

Everyone except Han Jinan and Jiu were gone. He thought she might have been terrified of him by now but he was wrong. She was staring at his arm, which was wounded before, while fighting off the black clothed men. "Your Majesty, your wound needs to be taken care off immediately else it will cause infection", she spoke looking at the wound. Was she worried for him? Slowly advancing towards her he said, "then princess please lead the way". She nodded and turned towards the eastern wings of the palace. After reaching her room, she asked him to sit on the couch. "Your Majesty, let me bring the first aid box", she quickly went and came back with a box. Sitting near him, she began cleaning his wound with cotton and after adding disinfectant, she added an oinment. The room was filled with silence. The night's breeze could be heard. "Done!". He was so focused on looking at her that he totally forgot that he was wounded. When she looked up she saw him staring at her. He began drawing closer to her and she was moving backwards, "Your Majesty, men and women should not be so close", "Oh, then does that allow princess to get close to me?", "No, don't come closer", "I was helping with your wound", "You seduced me", "It wasn't my intention". Her back hit the wall. "Stop you are wounded", "So what if i am?". Locking both of her arms on both sides to the wall, he stood towering her body. He took another good look at her, trying to memorise her features.