Chapter-8|The King's Transformation

Berry walked away. Mark scoffed, "Why is she so pissed at me? Oh right, I gotta meet the queen...but I don't know the way to her chamber. How do I go? Oh right."

Mark started walking towards his chamber. "I'll ask one of the servants to prepare fruits for the queen and then follow them there." As he continued walking, he saw the king approaching. "I think I should greet him," said Mark.

The king looked at Mark and smiled. "I heard you passed out. How have you been, my son?"

Mark bowed to the king. "I am all well now, Father," said Mark.

The king put his hand on Mark's shoulder. "Son, I have a request for you."

Mark smiled. "Your wish is my command, Father. Please state your request."

The king laughed. "Oh dear! You have changed. You used to walk away whenever you saw me and once said you wished to leave the palace forever with Anna. What changed, son?"

Mark smiled. "I think I realized that your and the queen's happiness is more important."

The king raised his brows. "I heard you didn't visit her yesterday."

Mark knelt. "I am sorry, Father. I have disappointed you. I wasn't feeling well and didn't want to trouble her with my health. I was on my way to visit the queen."

The king smiled. "That's great then. How about you visit her and talk to her, then later come to my chamber to hear my request?"

Mark bowed. "Sure, Father."

The king kept smiling and left. Mark thought to himself, "Was this guy retarded or something? He had such good parents and yet was in love with a vicious woman who didn't even truly love him and left the palace for her? Love is truly blinding, I see."

After a minute, he reached his chamber. As he opened the door, he saw Anna sitting on his bed in nighttime clothes. As Mark walked in, she let her hair down. Mark scoffed, "Stop whatever you are doing and get out."

Anna fell to the floor. "My lord! I know I made a mistake. Please forgive me. I can't live without you!"

Mark walked toward Anna and picked her up from the ground. Anna had a grin on her face, thinking, "I fooled this man again."

Mark smirked. "You think you can fool me again?"

Anna thought, "Shit, I didn't." She made a pitiful face. "My lord! You know how much I love you, right?"

Mark smirked. "Yes, now I do...I don't want to raise my hands on a woman, especially someone from the scheming Ming dynasty. Therefore, I request you leave for your own good before I slaughter you with my own hands."

Anna laughed. "Oh dear! You are so funny. I know you love me and wouldn't even raise your hand at me."

Mark laughed. "You know how hilarious you are right now?" He picked Anna up by her throat and threw her down.

Anna shocked screams. "Arh! What- did you just hit me?"

Mark scoffed. "No! I didn't. I just threw you on the ground, the place you belong."

Anna tried standing up but couldn't. She screamed in pain.

Mark laughed again. "So you see, I am not in this so-called love with you! You don't even deserve to be my maid, you scheming bitch."

Anna begged, "My lord! Please don't do this! I love you!"

Mark opened up his upper piece and showed her the wounds. "Bitch, you call this love?"

Anna was flabbergasted. "I asked Master Jake to give him the med that would make him forget whatever happened, but it looks like he didn't. I did that out of anger, my lord! Please forgive me."

Mark took out his sword. "Scram off, Princess Anna."

Anna slowly got up and left. Mark laughed. "I don't even know how to use this. Gosh, she got scared for no reason. But why was I feeling so hurt, like I was the one who got betrayed...Whatever."

Mark came out of his chamber. Outside, several soldiers were guarding him and a few maids standing by to serve him. He looked at one of the maids and smiled. She was flabbergasted and said, "I-is there anything I can help you with, my lord?"

Mark nodded. "Hurry and prepare a healthy basket of fruits. I am visiting the queen."

The maid scared, nodded and left. Then he looked at one of the soldiers. "You!"

The soldier bowed. "Yes, my lord?"

Mark asked, "The king said I have changed. What was I like before?"

The soldier replied, "Forgive me, my lord, but I dare not insult you!"

Mark scoffed, "Looks like I was bad. Don't worry, I will not punish you no matter what you say."

The soldier replied, "You were dumb, my lord."

Mark laughed. "Dumb? What do you mean?"

The soldier replied, "We thought we were doomed when you were announced as the king. You were merciless, my lord. You killed your own secretary because he forgot to bring you flowers for Princess Anna."

Mark replied, "Well, that's dumb. I guess. What was I like to the king and the queen?"

All of the soldiers and maids looked down. Mark asked, "Was I that bad?"

One of the maids nodded. Then the soldier said, "The only person you cared for was Princess Anna...Forgive me, my lord, but she does not deserve to become our future queen!"

Mark nodded. "I agree with you. By the way, what's your name?"

"I am Nick," the soldier replied.

Mark put his hand on Nick's shoulder. "You are working hard. Take some rest. See you around, Nick!"

Nick was flabbergasted. "My lord touched me!!"

The maid who left to get fruits for the queen returned. "Here are the fruits, my lord. They are all fresh!"

Mark nodded and said, "Nick!"

Nick replied, "Yes, my lord?"

"Can you carry this for me to the queen's chamber?"

Nick nodded excitedly. "Yes, my lord! It would be a pleasure to help you!"