The Sugilite Prince

′I’m not sure how I feel about this,′ Jimon thought, jealousy stirring in his gut. He tried to eat but he was very nervous. The mix of happiness and fear making him a nervous wreck. He could still hear those words, ′I think I love you,′ that Sugi uttered so vulnerable and sweet. He wanted to tell him how much he adored him, but now was not the time. Why did Jeon have to find the witch? It was such bad timing.

After they finished their breakfast, they retired to the pretty morning room next to the garden courtyard. A lovely breeze fluttered the curtains giving the room an otherworldly feel. Jimon relaxed himself concentrating on the particles of dust swirling in the wind as Sugi explained to Fay what was going on. Fay shared his reticence that Maeve had been found and would be there soon.

“Are you sure that is a good idea?” Fay expressed the thought at the forefront of Jimon’s mind.

“Do you have a better idea?” Sugi asked.

“She doesn’t belong here, Sugi. She will feel lost and intimidated not to mention resentful. What if she lashes out at you again? She tried to kill you once.”

“That’s not going to happen. It all depends on how I treat her. If she feels safe and I apologize right away, there is no reason for her to lash out,” Sugi explained calmly.

“Tell me how you know that? You can’t be sure of her state of mind. She is a vindictive witch. I’m afraid I don’t agree with this at all.”

“No, I can’t, but I can try. I can’t live like this anymore, Fae. Just when I decided to search for her myself the next day she turns up. This is fate. I’m being shown my path.”

Jimon speaks softly, “Is she your path?”

“Jimon, my sweet, it’s not her I want,” Sugi says just as Jeon arrives with the witch.

They turn to look towards the entry as Maeve slowly walks in and stops. Her eyes look at Sugi’s mask. With his face covered, she can’t judge his reaction.

“Come closer,” Sugi says gently, “I won’t hurt you.”

“What do you want from me?” She asks.

Sugi can see the fear behind her fierce gaze.

“I want you to accept my sincere apology,” he pauses at her surprised look. “I want both of us to live a better life. We are both hiding instead of living. You in the forest and me behind this mask.”

Maeve’s hands drop to her sides. Even with his mask, Sugi can see that she is with child.

“Maeve,” he says softly.

She stares back in defiance.

“Tell me. Whose child do you carry?”

“You don’t need the mask,” she says. “You owe me nothing, not even an apology. I forgave you long ago. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you but I was a coward.”

“Come closer, please.” Sugi raises his hand slowly to remove his mask.

Both Jimon and Fae stare at him as Maeve walks closer. Jeon’s eyes glitter watching her every move. She stands close to him and raises her hands to remove the mask. Maeve stares at his violet eyes and smiles. “I’ve missed you. You were the only one that didn’t shun me.”

Sugi stares into her eyes, he realizes this is why Jimon could look at him. There was no curse. Not anymore. He wants to look at Fae and Jeon but a part of him is still afraid. But Fay is brave and comes closer searching for his eyes and finds them.

“Vante is going to be so upset that I got to see you first!” She laughs breaking the tension in the room.

Jeon looks at Sugi too and nothing happens.

Sugi is so happy his eyes tear up. He warmly hugs Maeve and says he’s sorry again.

“And the baby?”

“He’s yours, dummy. How many guys do you think I meet in the forest?”

Sugi looks frozen. He can’t believe he’s going to be a father and pretty soon by the look of her.

Sugi breaks from his frozen stance. “Come sit down. Do you need anything? Are you hungry?” His face is full of concern for the expectant mother that carries his child.

“I’m okay. Calm down.”

“Maeve, I want you to stay here. I want you to have everything you need.” Sugi looks at Jimon. “Jimon! I’m going to be a father!”

But Jimon’s eyes hold a glint of fire that Sugi had never seen before.