KBS ALLIANCE: KURTIS

Kurtis

(Brief Recap)

I head out of the grand foyer to the garden out back. Wandering around I look at the fantastical world Chief Yaotián has created. There’s every mythical beast from the dragon-like Qilin to the flying Phoenix. There are men on swords while others are staged in a fight scene. I stop at one with a boy looking up to a master or maybe his father with eyes of admiration. Was Han Lee like this? Would I have been?

“Kurtis?” Rubbing my eyes, I slowly spin to face the voice behind me and see Astari standing there in a pink sundress looking at me with concern. “Are you ok?” I return to surveying the scene before me without answering.

I was ok with just leading the Armed Forces. Having to recently babysit Myo was annoying but it wasn’t too bad. Becoming the leader of an entire enterprise is tantamount to babysitting thousands of people. I’m not sure I even want to do that. However, Han Lee only trained in security, so he has no political training and as the Admiral said, he already declined the position.

Astari had quietly moved to my side and seemed to be engrossed in the images as well. She remained silent standing beside me in her thoughts.

“Why are you here?” I ask her.

“Danielle is with Myo and it seemed inappropriate for me to stay.”

“What about Lady Khelani?”

“She’s at work.”

“I see…”

“Why are you here? Isn’t there a meeting?”

“Yea, there is. I am not interested in the proceedings at the moment.”

“Can you do that?” She finally turns to me cocking her head to the side.

“It seems I can do whatever I want.” I laugh at the absurdity of the situation. I went from a servant class to a prince in less than two minutes. What a backward Cinderella story. Where’s my Prince, or Princess would be more accurate.

“Did you need something?” I ask her. She visibly blushes but doesn’t look away.

“No, I was just on a stroll when I saw you. You looked so sad. I didn’t know if you needed anyone to talk to. Forgive me for intruding.” She dipped her head and began to leave.

“You don’t have to go.”

“Then… do you need someone to talk to?”

“Hmm… not exactly, but, I don’t mind talking to you.”

“Oh, ok. Well, why did you seem upset?”

“I just found out who my parents are. Well, my father would be more precise and suddenly I have a brother I didn’t know about.”

“Really? Who are they?” She brightens at the news and smiles widely. It’s contagious and I have already begun to feel better.

“They claim that Admiral Ji-Hoon is my father and Han Lee is my brother,” I say leading her to a bench, and offering her a seat.

“Lord Ji-Hoon is your father?” She exclaims. I nod before sitting and gently tugging her down next to me.

“It’s what he has said. Seems everyone knew but me. Well, and you.” I begin to play with her fingers that are still in my hand. Astari finally notices and politely takes her hand back her face as red as a tomato. I laugh but slide away from her to give her space.

“That explains so much though. I can understand why you are upset though.” She comments. “What are you going to do? Will you lead?”

“I will lead, but, would you lead with me?”

“Me? How?”

“If I lead, I have to get married by 30. Since I was Myo’s guard, I never considered marriage. Now that it’s an option, or better yet mandatory, I have to think about it.”

“So you want to marry me?”

“Only if you are ok and the Council approves. I don’t want my kids to go through the same thing I went through or you to suffer as my mom has.”

“What if the Council doesn’t agree?”

“If I cannot have my preference, then I will honor the Council's decision. Knowing them, they will most likely give me my choice as compensation for everything and prevent the Alliance from being destroyed.”

“Could that happen?”

“It was pretty close last night. Had the Shin been successful, things would have become chaotic. Thankfully, Lord Jaidan, Prince Yantián, and Prince Xie-Yu were able to rescue Danielle.”

“I didn’t realize.”

“It’s been a lot in the last 24 hours. Anyway, would you be willing to be my partner? I will treat you as you deserve and respect you. I promise to consult with you and include you in everything. I value your mind.” I finally proposition her.

“So just for my mind? That’s the first time anyone has ever said that to me.”

“You are beautiful. I will not deny that I have always noticed how sexy you are. It’s just your mind is even more attractive to me than your looks.”

“Then if the council accepts, I will.” Astari agrees. Her face is an even deeper shade of red but she is finally facing me. I stand up and hold my hand out to her and she takes it.

“Let’s head back,” I recommend tucking her hand in my arm. We stroll back leisurely looking at the various sculptures and talking about other things.

“There you are-“ Myo declares before pausing. “What did I miss?”

“Did you really miss anything?” I ask as I continue walking and Myo falls instep on my other side.

“I heard about your dad. He’s worried. You seem fine though.”

“I am now.”

“Oh…?” He sends a quizzical look to Astari who avoids his gaze and continues surveying the gardens in the opposite direction of Myo. “You are… fine now?”

“Yes.”

“Where are you headed?”

“Back to the meeting.”

“Your dad’s about to leave. He told me to let you know he will be at Sooyung Hotel when you’re ready.”

“Has he already left?”

“No, I think he’s in the foyer.”

“Well let’s go then.” We hurry to the foyer just as my father is about to walk out the door.

“Admiral Ji-Hoon.” I raise my voice to get his attention, briefly letting go of Astari and bowing to him. “I will accept the leadership role only if I can wed Lady Bu Astari.”

My father’s face shows shock while Chief Kwan remains passive.

“Lady Astari, you being here, I would assume means you support this decision?” My father asks.

“Yes Lord Ji-Hoon. If the council agrees I will accept his proposal.”

“Why are you right again?” Lord Ji-hoon asks of Chief Kwan.

“It was obvious.” He answers, “I will accept this decision and pass it on to the other council members. We need to reevaluate the arranged marriage process anyway.”

“Lady Astari, you must remain here until we leave for Korea, at that point you can come with us, or you can remain here until you two are wed.”

“Yes, chief.” She bows to Chief Kwan.

“Kurtis, join me later tonight. I have much to talk to you about.”

“Yes, Admiral.” I can tell my refusal to call him Father bothers Admiral Ji-Hoon, but he remains silent and leaves out behind Chief Kwan.

“Amazing, you become a leader and get engaged overnight.” Myo seems astonished. Astari blushes while I shrug.

“Since I have no choice in the matter, I might as well get what I want in the process.”

“And what you wanted was, Lady Astari?” I just smile while taking Astari’s hand guiding her towards my car. I would prefer to spend some time with her away from this house.

“Where are you going?”

“For a drive. You should worry about your own fiancé,” I call over my shoulder tossing the words he said to Hyun-Ki back at him. I then open the door letting Astari in the car and getting in the driver’s side.

“Where are we going?” She asks unconcerned.

“Wherever you want to go. You’re a free woman now. I won’t hold you to the same rules just so long as you don’t cause me undue trouble.”

“Then the beach!” She exclaims and giggles as I speed out of the Yaotián prefecture. I will enjoy today and meet up with my father tomorrow.