secret love

Episode 11

Herry knelt down, his eyes fixed on the strange plant. A single flower had bloomed at its center, its petals glowing faintly under the soft sunlight. He furrowed his brows, deep in thought.

"I’ve seen this flower before..." he murmured to himself, reaching out carefully. His fingers hesitated just above the petals as if touching them would unlock a forgotten memory.

But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t recall where he had seen it.

Max stepped closer, noticing Herry’s intense focus. "What is it?" he asked.

Herry shook his head slightly. "This flower… I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere, but I can’t remember where."

Max exchanged a glance with Lera’s brother, who was also studying the plant curiously. "A dragon turning into a flower... This is not ordinary magic," Max said, his voice laced with suspicion. "We need to find out what this means before we move forward."

Herry nodded in agreement, still lost in thought. Something about this flower was important. He just didn’t know why—yet.

Max looked at the strange plant once more before turning to the soldiers. "We should head back for now," he declared. "We'll take this plant with us and figure out what it means later."

He then turned to Lera’s brother. "You and your soldiers should stay in our kingdom tonight. It’s already late, and traveling such a long distance in the dark won’t be safe."

Lera’s brother nodded in agreement. "That sounds reasonable. We’ll rest at your palace and return home tomorrow."

Herry carefully plucked the plant from the ground, ensuring its roots remained intact. As he held it, he couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling creeping into his heart. There was something about this flower—something more than just magic.

With that, the entire group began their journey back, unaware that the mystery of the dragon was far from over.

As everyone reached the William Kingdom, King William approached Max with anticipation. "So, the dragon has been slain?" he asked.

Max nodded but looked unsettled. "Something strange happened," he admitted.

King William frowned. "What do you mean?"

Max took a deep breath. "The dragon didn’t die in the way we expected. Instead, it transformed into this plant." He gestured toward the peculiar flower Herry had been carrying. "We need to place it somewhere safe. If it regains its true form, it could bring destruction again."

King William’s expression grew serious. "Then we must ensure it never gets that chance."

Without wasting time, Max took the plant to a hidden chamber deep within the palace. It was a place no one ventured—a sealed, dark room where no sunlight could reach. "Here, it won’t be able to grow or regain its strength," Max said as he carefully placed the plant in a reinforced glass case.

As he locked the chamber, a strange feeling lingered in the air. The danger was not over yet, but for now, the dragon was contained.

Herry wandered through the royal garden, his thoughts tangled in confusion. That flower… I’ve seen it before. But where? The question gnawed at him, refusing to let go.

A sudden realization struck him—perhaps if he saw the plant again, the memories would come rushing back. Determined, he made his way to Max, who was speaking with Lera’s brother under the starlit sky. The faint glow of the stars reflected in Max’s sharp gaze as he listened intently.

Herry stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Brother, I need to see that plant."

Max didn’t hesitate. His tone was firm, unwavering. "No. You don’t have permission to go near it."

Herry clenched his fists. "Why not?"

Max met his gaze. "Because it’s too dangerous."

Frustration flared in Herry’s eyes. Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode back toward his room, his mind still restless, unwilling to let the mystery go.

Herry's gaze fell upon Aria, who was carrying a bucket of clothes. He called out to her, "Aria!" and walked toward her.

"How is your wound now?" he asked, concern in his voice.

Aria gave him a reassuring smile. "It's fine now, Prince Herry. You don’t have to worry."

Herry nodded, then glanced at the bucket she was carrying. "Where are you taking these clothes? And how did you end up in the palace?"

Aria hesitated before answering, "I… I needed work, and the Queen made me a maid here. I was just taking these clothes to be washed."

Herry frowned slightly. "Would you like to go on an adventure?"

Aria shook her head. "No, Prince Herry, I have work to do."

Without another word, Herry took the bucket from her hands. "Stay here. That’s an order," he said before walking away. He handed the bucket to another maid and ordered her to take care of the laundry.

Returning to Aria, he smirked. "I know you love adventure. So, shall we go?"

Aria hesitated. "But what if I get scolded?"

Herry grinned. "Then I’ll take the blame for you."

Aria let out a small laugh. "Alright, let’s go!"

Herry led Aria to the place where the mysterious plant was kept. As they approached, two guards stepped forward, blocking their path.

"Prince Herry, you are not allowed to enter," one of the guards stated firmly.

Herry crossed his arms and replied, "Max himself sent me here."

The guards exchanged glances before one of them asked, "Then why is this girl with you?"

Herry looked at Aria, and she looked back at him, sensing the tension in the air. Thinking quickly, Herry said, "She knows something about the plant. That’s why she’s here."

Aria immediately nodded in agreement. "Yes, I do," she added.

The guards seemed uncertain, but before they could question further, Herry’s expression darkened. "And who are you to question me?" he said in a commanding tone.

The guards stiffened but stepped aside hesitantly. Without wasting another second, Herry took Aria’s hand and led her inside.

Herry stepped closer to the plant, studying it carefully. "Do you know what this plant is?" he asked Aria.

Aria shrugged. "How would I know, Prince?"

Herry glanced at her and smirked. "Yeah, I guess you wouldn’t." He then sighed, deep in thought. "You know, I feel like I’ve seen this plant before."

Aria hesitated before speaking. "Prince, may I say something?"

Herry nodded. "Go ahead."

Aria continued, "Maybe you remember this flower because it was present during a time when you were truly happy."

Herry thought for a moment and nodded. "Recently, things have been going well."

Aria smiled. "Then maybe, when your happiness began, you saw this flower."

Herry’s eyes widened as realization struck. "Yes! I saw it in Lera’s garden. She was staring at it intently."

Aria tilted her head. "By the way, who is Lera?"

Herry hesitated, then looked at her seriously. "I’ll tell you, but only if you promise not to tell anyone."

Aria placed her hand on her heart. "I promise, Prince. I won’t tell a soul."

Herry exhaled and said, "Lera is my soon-to-be fiancée."

Aria’s eyes widened in shock, and her mouth fell open. Before she could speak, Herry quickly covered her mouth with his hand.

When he finally let go, Aria gasped, "Prince Herry! Congratulations! May you always be happy with Lera!"

Herry chuckled. "Well, since you said it, I guess we will be happy forever."

Just then, something unbelievable happened. As Herry observed the flower more closely, it suddenly transformed—into Lera.

She was unconscious, and—shockingly—she wasn’t wearing any clothes.

Herry’s heart pounded. "Lera?! What is happening?" He immediately held her, concern flooding his face.

Before he could react further, Aria slapped him—hard.

"Have you no shame? Cover her up!" she scolded.

Herry, startled, quickly responded, "Sorry!"

Aria grabbed a nearby cloth and draped it over Lera, ensuring she was properly covered. Herry looked at Lera’s unconscious face, his mind racing with questions.