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whispersatdawn · 7 years ago

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Light in Darkness

Pairing: Sam Maek Jong (Park Hyung Sik) X Reader

Genre: angst, slight fluff

Word Count: 3,231

Request: So I saw that you were taking Hwarang requests so I decided to drop by. How about a Sam Meok Jong one where you're ordered to assassinate him or something but you actually like/love him so you're stuck between a rock and a hard place. Angsty with maybe a sprinkle of fluff? - anonymous

You sat still in the middle of the room. The room was dark, and the only thing that helped your vision was the few candles lit around. In front of you was your uncle, True Bone and traitor to the Royal Family. When your father - your uncle’s blood brother - died, your uncle took you in as if you were his own daughter and trained you to be an assassin with hopes of rebelling against the Royal Family. Everything went according to his plans so far, and his time of rebellion was approaching fast. “There will soon be a new ruler of Silla, my niece, and after I get what I want, you will also have whatever you desire,” your uncle told you, a devious smile on his wrinkled face. “How has it been in the castle these days?”

“Queen Jiso is still on the throne, but I have word that she is planning to reveal the hidden King and abdicate the throne to him soon. Several palace guards and Hwarangs have left to Baekje which gives us an upper hand.”

Your uncle stroked his beard, humming, taking in your words. “When do you think you’ll be able to take out your order?”

“King Jinheung has a bodyguard with him always close by, but I will find a way for him to be occupied on a night when the King is asleep.”

“Will you need some of the others to infiltrate the castle and assist you in carrying out your orders?”

You shook your head firmly. “No, Uncle. I am capable of taking out the King myself. Bringing in any of the others will can make things more difficult.”

“Is that so?” Your uncle replied. “And you do know the consequences if you fail to carry out the order and kill the King?”

“Yes, Uncle,” you confirmed, with a nod of your head. “If I get caught by the King, I will suffer with the punishment the Royal Family decides to carry out, most likely death. You will not bother to save me in order to risk them finding your plans. If I fail and make it back here, you will kill me yourself.”

“I adore you, my niece, but this is what we’ve been waiting for. Do not dare to disappoint me.”

“Yes, Uncle.”

You returned to the castle without anyone noticing that night and pretended as if you never left when morning came. Hiding your black assassin clothing deep in your closet, you changed into a pretty pink traditional dress that made you look even more innocent in one’s eyes. “Has the King woken?” you asked a maiden that was walking in your direction.

“Yes, Miss (Y/N). He was last seen in his study room with the private instructor,” the maiden answered.

“Thank you,” you said to her before changing your direction from the throne room to the King’s study.

With quiet steps, you walked towards the door that was slightly ajar. You peeked in and found him sitting in the middle of room, practicing calligraphy. You smiled, watching him. Never have you seen a man so handsome as him. His features were striking from his hypnotizing eyes to his blinding smile. When he spoke, his voice sounded like music to your ears.

You felt sorry for almost all the maidens. Because he was hidden, no one knew what he looked like. At the same time, you were lucky that you were one of the few who have seen his face, and you didn’t anyone else to have the pleasure of seeing him like you. As you tried to lean in to get a closer look at His Highness, the door suddenly flew open, knocking you back on your bottom.

“Ow!” you yelled from the impact and rubbed the part that hurt.

“Seems like we have a little spy, Your Highness,” you heard a gruff voice on top of you say.

When you looked up, you found the King’s bodyguard Pa Oh wagging his finger at you and clicking his tongue. Your face flushed, and you let out a nervous laugh. “I just wanted to greet Sam Maek Jong this morning. Also, good morning to you, Pa Oh.”

“Is that (Y/N), Pa Oh?” Sam Maek Jong asked from inside the room. The private instructor then walked out, leaving. “Let her in, Pa Oh.”

Pa Oh reached his hand out, and you held it so that he could pull you up to your feet. As you walked into the King’s study room, you hoped that your heart would calm down from the sight of him. He smiled when he saw you. “Good morning, (Y/N). What brings you here so early?”

“I should have a reason, shouldn’t I?” you replied with laughter. “I actually just wanted to see you, Your Highness. If you have some time to spare, would you like to walk around the palace with me?”

“He can’t,” Pa Oh answered from behind you. “His Highness has been busy preparing for his inauguration for the throne.”

“I can speak for myself, Pa Oh,” the king said while looking at you, smiling.

“Yeah, but if you did, you’d accompany her in a heartbeat,” Pa Oh muttered under his breath.

Though Sam Maek Jong heard his personal bodyguard, he decided to let the comment go. “Sorry, (Y/N). It will get harder for anyone to come see me now that my mother will soon give up the throne. In addition, Pa Oh is just frustrated since he has to leave the palace tomorrow for a few days.”

“Your Highness,” Pa Oh said sternly.

The king’s bodyguard won’t be by the king’s side for a few days?

“I have to aid some relatives of mine, but I insisted to stay with the king,” Pa Oh said worriedly. “In about a week, King Jinheung will take the throne which means he has to be very careful until then. How can I just leave him alone when there are people out there trying to stop him?”

“I’ll just stay in the castle. There’s nowhere else for me to roam off to,” Sam Maek Jong responded.

“For a king, anywhere can be dangerous. Even his own palace.”

You were supposed to feel relieved. Knowing that the king will practically be defenseless will make it easier for you to carry out your orders, but a part of you felt sick to the stomach. Since you have a chance to take out the king, there shouldn’t be an excuse for you not to assassinate him. You have to do it. If your uncle finds out about your feelings for the king and sees that you decide to let him live, you’ll be the one who’ll pay.

“Are you feeling unwell, (Y/N)?” Sam Maek Jong asked, his brows furrowing, when he saw you spacing out and fiddling with your fingers.

Hearing his voice, you snapped out of your daze. “Huh? I am fine, Your Highness. I actually have to get going. I promised one of the maidens to help with the laundry, but I almost forgot. She’ll have a fit.”

Sam Maek Jong chuckled. “You are quite a silly girl.”

You nervously laughed and stood up, but while you got back on your feet, the king stopped you. “Wait, before you go, (Y/N), I would like a word with you. Pa Oh, please step outside for a moment.”

Pa Oh bowed and hurried to step out, leaving only you and Sam Maek Jong alone. Your heart beat faster. What did he want to speak to you alone for?

“Please sit back down,” the king told you, and you obliged.

You sit across the handsome king. Only a small table separated the both of you. Sam Maek Jong moved one of his hands forward and opened it. You looked at him curiously, but when he nudges his head to his hand, you slowly placed one of your hands on top of him.

His big hand embraced your small, soft ones. Your cheeks flushed a little pink from his movement. “(Y/N),” he said softly, like a sweet spring day.

“Yes, Your Highness?”

“I was thinking of waiting a little while to tell you, but I don’t think I can anymore. It’ll be hard for us to meet until I officially become king, but even after that, I have so many duties to take care of, especially taking care of the people. I think it would be best if you knew my heart now. (Y/N).”

“Yes?” you said again, voice even lower this time. You didn’t how you were supposed to react in front of him.

“No other maiden has ever caught my eye, but ever since you set foot into the castle, I keep on trying to find my way to you. You’re a beautiful, bright woman... and it would really make me happy if you were my woman.”

Was he confessing? King Jinheung of the kingdom of Silla was confessing his feelings for you. The man you grew affection for reciprocated your feelings. The very person you were ordered to kill. You felt like something was lodged in your throat, making it impossible to respond. He had no idea what kind of person you were, and you were scared.

“You’re surprised, aren’t you?” Sam Maek Jong chuckled, oblivious to the situation. “You don’t have to say anything, but I still want to know if you feel the same way about me. A nod would be just fine.”

You slowly nodded your head.

Sam Maek Jong lightly squeezed your hand before letting go. He had a big smile on his face, satisfied with your answer. “I’ll come see you before night falls. You should go ahead, or the other maiden will really throw a fit.”

“I...I’ll be going, Your Highness.”

That night was the most recent time you saw the king. Following that very night and a few more days afterwards, you were determined. You were going to go through it. Looking at yourself in the mirror in your all-black outfit, you knew there was no going back.

Most of the palace were asleep already, minus some of the palace guards watching for trespassers. Your uncle had raised and trained you ever since your parents died. He prepared you for this and told you that it was going to be the greatest achievement of your life. Your uncle would be proud.

Could you really do it? Three days after the king’s confession, you found it so difficult to face him, scared that he would be able to see right through you. You might as well be dead if he found out about your secret. “You need to do this, (Y/N),” you whispered to yourself as you grabbed your sword out of the closet. Pulling up your mask over your mouth, you looked outside to see if anyone was wandering around the area before stealthily making it to the room that belonged to the future leader of Silla.

Quiet as a mouse, you entered the dark room. It took your eyes a minute to adjust to the lack of light. Your footsteps could barely be heard. The only noise was the king’s breathing. He laid in the middle of the room, sleeping soundly. Step by step, you closed the distance between the two of you. When you were able to see Sam Maek Jong’s face, your chest tightened.

“I sometimes wished I was born as someone else...” You remembered him telling you that one day.

“Why? What makes you say that, Your Highness?”

“I’m a coward, and a coward like me will never be able to bear the weight of the crown. All my life, I had to watch my own back. Other than Pa Oh, I can’t trust a single human being. Not the True Bones. Not the servants. Not even my own mother, the queen. I don’t have anyone to lean on because everyone is out to get me. They’d rather have me dead.”

You remembered how you remained silent after he said that. Then, when he called your name, you could barely face him. The guilt was eating you alive.

“But I can trust you, right (Y/N)? I want to trust you.”

Guilt. Even now it continued to eat you. The man in front of you wanted your loyalty. He didn’t have anyone else’s, and you were about to turn on him, too. Reaching behind you, you reached for your sword and wielded the weapon.

Trembling, you tried to hold onto the sword. Before you knew it, your eyes started to become blurry. For what reason did you need to assassinate a member of the Royal Family? It was an order from your uncle, but why did he have to involve King Jinheung? He was shoving his long hatred and vengeance on the Royal Family over to you, making you do his dirty work.

Your own reflection appeared on your sword, and you changed your mind. You didn’t have the heart to do it. You loved the king too much to take his life. “You insolent girl.” You knew that’s what your uncle would say before he killed you and take matters into his own hands. You would have to come to terms with that.

Death. You were prepared to greet it. That was the sacrifice you were willing to make. Then, the king would never find out.

“I’m so sorry,” you whispered to him before you began to back away. You turned around, attempting to leave before someone found you in the king’s room. Before you reached for the door, you heard the sound of sword slashing in the air, and a blade just inches from your throat, scaring you into dropping you own sword. You didn’t dare move.

“How dare you come into my room?” he hissed in a low voice. You’ve never heard him speak this coldly to anyone. “Who sent you? Tell me before I slit your throat.”

You glanced down at your sword. If you could push him back and reach your sword fast enough, you could fight him off to get away before he figured your identity. No. You already underestimated him once. If you moved, it was over. Your mind raced as you thought of a way to escape.

Maybe you would risk that chance. You were dead either way. “Ugh!” you grunted as you quickly pushed Sam Maek Jong, sending him stumbling backwards. At lightning speed, you scooped up your sword. Both of your weapons went up against each other, but still shaken up, you barely found any strength to fight back. Your sword was knocked out of your hands, and you were backed up against the door.

Sam Maek Jong held the sword against your neck once more. Now that you were facing him, you saw the rage in his eyes. “I will not say it again. Tell me who sent you,” he threatened with his teeth gritted.

With his free hand, he started to reach for your mask. “Stop-” Before you could finish, your face cover was yanked off.

Your couldn’t tell if your heart was working anymore. Probably because it had shattered in a million pieces. You’ve experienced it before: anger and betrayal. Those were the emotions your uncle always wore. That was what his people wore all the time. You know what it looked like. But seeing it on the king’s face along with confusion, and knowing you were responsible for it, you wanted nothing more than for him to strike you. You deserved it.

“(Y-Y/N)...” he managed to say while stuttering. His eyes were red, and you were your’s matched. Tears fell down your cheeks. “W-What are you... W-Were you trying to...”

“I...” There were no excuses to give.

“Tell me, (Y/N)!” his voice raised. Angry. Desperate. “Tell me this isn’t true! You walked into my room by mistake, right?! There’s no way. I refuse to believe this. Why would you do this?!”

“I was given an order,” you replied, voice shaking. “You can’t be king. That throne belongs to my uncle. It’s time for the Royal Family to step aside and stop interfering with the real owner of the throne. It is correct. I was sent here as an assassin to watch you and take action when it was time.”

“No...” The king removed the sword from you, and it clattered on the ground.

“What are you doing?!” you shouted as you glared at him. “Pick up the sword! I have rebelled against the king. I don’t deserve to live. I will take my consequence whatever it may be. If you let me go now, my own uncle will throw me away anyway, so pick up the sword!”

“Your own uncle will throw you away?” Sam Maek Jong repeated.

“That’s right! I’ve failed my mission. You think he’s going to give me a chance to live? Well, not a chance.”

“I’m not going to kill you.”

“What?”

“I love you, (Y/N). I stand by what I said about my feelings for you, and I know you feel the same way. Your uncle put you up to this, but you’re nothing like him. You don’t have to be like him, (Y/N). I know you want to be a good person. (Y/N), you are a good person. You don’t have to do this.”

“How are you so sure I haven’t been messing with your heart this whole time, and I have pretended to have feelings for you?” you asked in anguish. You felt sorry for him. A king, his world so cruel, and he was so pure.

“Because...” he replied, smiling sadly. “You could kill me right now. What’s stopping you? I don’t have a sword in my hand.” He raised his hands, showing his defenselessness.

You were going to choke on your own tears. The king bravely made his way towards you. He cupped his hand over your cheek and leaned in.close to you. When his lips touched you, you could taste the salt from his tears. Or were they your own? He kissed you and kissed you, and your whole body felt weak. You wanted to slump against him when he pulled away.

He then reached down, and fear spiked you when Sam Maek Jong slowly reached for your sword and placed it in your quivering hand. He stepped back until he was right in front of the tip of the blade. “It’s okay...” Sam Maek Jong assured you, the melancholy smile still on his face. “Finish your mission and go before the guards catch you.”

“No...” you cried. “I don’t want to.”

A cold assassin? The king was right. You were built to be that person, but that was never you. You were a weak young girl who missed her parents and just wanted someone to please.

You slid down to the wooden floor and placed your clean weapon on the floor. You continued to sob. Sam Maek Jong knelt down next to you and pulled you into his arms as you wept. “It’s okay,” he said again, holding you tight like he wanted to protect you from the rest of the world. “You’re going to be okay.”

“M-My uncle-”

“We’ll figure it out. I’ll keep you safe. If he wants to deal with me, I’m going to face him. I won’t be a coward anymore. I won’t let him get to you.”

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withasideofeggsy · 8 years ago

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Hwarang :: Sam Maek Jong x Reader :: Part III

Hi hello sorry this took me forever to write. I wrote this over the span of the past few months so I hope it flows okay. I had a lot of trouble concluding this series as the show ended. I was at war with myself to add more details of the drama or how I imagined the drama to end so here it is! I hope you all like it regardless. I know the Hwarang hype died but I wanted to finish this for you guys :) so I hope you read it nonetheless! I also added a little sexy time for yall so please enjoy! See ya in my next fic!

Read part 1 and part 2 here!

“Mother.”

The room’s temperature dropped and the tension got thicker by the second, the faceless King finally made his appearance. Mustering up the last drop of strength I had left I look up to see the long awaited King, only to reveal Ji Dwi.

“Mother! Just this once, won’t you allow me to be happy?” he cries out, startling everyone in the room. I couldn’t process anything in my throbbing head, all I could make out was that Ji Dwi, the man who I was dotting after for the last few days was calling the Queen his mother. “Sam Maek Jong…I’m protecting you! Her dangerous mentality will get you killed,” the Queen explains with as much frustration. Sam Maek Jong? I couldn’t ponder on what the Queen called Ji Dwi as what left his lips next practically stole my last breath. “If a dangerous mentality will get anyone killed here, it will be you Mother. If you dare touch a hair on her head again…I can’t even imagine the things I will do. I will kill, and I will show you how dangerous I can be.” With that calm threat he sheathes his sword, “Now leave.” The Queen lowers her sword, “I know you too well, to know that you are only all talk, Sam Maek Jong.”

It was too fast for Ji Dwi to register, I fell watching him as he screamed. I felt pain as my body collided into the ground, knocking the air out of my burning lungs. Only with enough strength to control my eyes, I lock them with Seyeo who had pushed me out of the way, he gives me a small smile in contrast to his usually cocky smirk. “Seyeo…” I breathe staring at the long blade sprouted from his shoulder. “Let me protect you one last time, my Princess.” “No…no…no…” I mumble reaching out for him. It all happened so fast, I could only focus on the blade sliding out from his shoulder causing more blood to seep into his dark hanbok. There was so much yelling from Ji Dwi and the Queen but I couldn’t hear anything. I couldn’t even hear my own sobbing as I engulfed Seyeo into my arms, despite his serious injury he still managed to pull my hanbok back onto my shoulders and helped me tie the front, “You are still the Princess, I know you like Ji Dwi but you can’t be showing him your body this soon.” “You are so dumb, you are hurt and you care about that?!” I scream applying pressure onto his wound, in which he shrugs. “This isn’t as bad as that time you impaled me by accident during training three years ago.” I cracked a smile despite the hot tears running down my cheeks, “Shut up will you? You’re hurt I can’t have you bleeding out on me. That’s an order.” He nods, “I can’t disobey you so I guess I won’t die on you today.” I scoff pulling him into a tighter hug, “I’m sorry…I couldn’t protect you.” In which it was his turn to return the scoff, “I should be saying that to you. You’re a mess your blood is soaking through your hanbok and your face is smeared in it.” A soft cough gained my attention. We both looked up to Ji Dwi who held the most irritated expression I’ve ever seen on a person. He kneels down to our level and clasped his hand onto Seyeo’s wounded shoulder, “Are you alright?” to which Seyeo nods, “Yeah this is nothing.” Ji Dwi then turns to me and his expression softens significantly, “I’m sorry for not being able to protect you.” He places a hand on my dampened back from all the blood, “I’m so sorry.” I look up at him through hooded eyes, I was getting sleepy, slowly craning my neck I pressed my lips against his, “There’s nothing to apologize for. Thank you for saving us...your Majesty.” He holds me against him gently so that he wouldn’t cause any more pain to my injuries, “I love you,” he whispers against my forehead. “Alright, let’s go before the Queen comes back and decides to stab me again,” Seyeo interrupts getting up from my lap with surprisingly no difficulty for someone who just got impaled. “I love you too,” I bashfully smile looking anywhere but his face. He places a chaste kiss onto my blooded forehead before scooping me up into his strong arms. I suck in a sharp breath as my clothes scrape against the broken skin on my back, “You’re a good girl, please be strong for me. Don’t fall asleep.” I nod, gripping his shoulder with one hand. I was starting to feel light headed but I couldn’t fall asleep for his sake, “(Y/n) please stay awake, for me okay?” “Okay…” I mumble holding him even tighter so that I wouldn’t slip away. Seyeo retrieves the discarded swords on the ground before quickly joining our side. With one hand pressed against his shoulder he angrily waves the sheathed swords in his other hand, “This stupid sword stabbed me twice, I’m going to throw it away. It’s bad luck.” “That’s my favourite sword, I’ll throw you away,” I manage a soft giggle snuggling into Ji Dwi’s chest.

The walk back to the Hwarang house was slow, it felt like years has passed. “Ji Dwi?” I mumble against his neck, “Yes?” he responds back softly. “So…you are King Jinheung? Do I address you as that? Or Sam Maek Jong? Or Ji Dwi?” He nuzzles his nose against mine, “You can call me Jagi.” I smile as I hear a slight gagging sound come from Seyeo who lagged behind by a few steps. “I like that…Jagi?” “What is it (Y/n)?” “I’m getting sleepy,” I mumble with closing eyes, “Be good for me, keep your eyes open just a little longer okay?” I nod quietly, forcing my heavy eyes to open just a crack, “Okay for you.”

Shortly like he said we finally made it back to the Hwarang house. Seyeo insisted that Ah Ro treated me first but it was evident to everyone in the room that he was bleeding out quickly, so much to his protests Ah Ro treated him first while Sam Maek Jong combed his fingers through my hair soothingly while I waited for my turn. When Seyeo was all patched up Ah Ro smiled at me and brought her kit over to where I sat. “Alright time for you guys to leave, she needs to strip of her clothes.” Seyeo gets up obediently when I nod for him to be dismissed however Sam Maek Jong was more reluctant to. “It’s alright, you can go I’ll be okay,” I assure him with a small nod and he shakes his head, stubbornly continuing to be planted onto the floor. I turn towards Ah Ro and shrugged in which she glares up at Sam Maek Jong and she shakes her head disapprovingly, “Ah no such respect for a woman’s privacy. Who raised you? Aish!” I quietly snicker at her bad mouthing the King of Silla, if she only knew whom she was lecturing at. “You’ll need to completely take off your top,” Ah Ro says and I nod untying the belt of my hanbok. She gently peels the blood soaked fabric from my skin and I cringed as I hear her sucking in her breath when the wounds were revealed. “Is it really bad?” I ask with squeezed shut eyes, the only response I got was Sam Maek Jong patting my head softly as he pulls me into his lap. “Ah okay! Let’s…start…somewhere…” Ah Ro mumbles fumbling with her tools. She begins by wiping at the cuts with a wet towel and I accidently whimpered out loud causing her to stop in shock. “I’m so sorry it’s going to get worse from here…” she confessed placing a soft warm hand on my shoulder in which I nod to, “Y-Yeah it’s okay. Please continue Ah Ro.” She nods with her lips pulled into a tight line. I slowly look up at Sam Maek Jong and his eyes never left my scar littered back until I slipped a hand into his and gave it a tight squeeze. His warm chocolate orbs met mine and he pulls me flush against his chest despite my nudeness. “I’m going to start stitching up the deeper cuts okay Princess (Y/n)?” I nervously nod and squeezed his hand tighter. In response he combs his fingers through my sweat soaked hair trying to soothe my pain, “Keep your eyes on me, okay?” I nod again whimpering as I felt the needle sink into the skin of my back. He coos encouraging words to me, but by the fourth stitch I started to feel even more faint. I squeezed onto Sam Maek Jong’s hand tighter if that was even physically possible. I was grateful that he didn’t seem to mind too much that the circulation in his hand has stopped completely. He continues to stroke my hair in comfort as Ah Ro tried her best to be as gentle and as quick as possible. The ringing in my ears got louder, and I knew I was going to pass out soon due to the pain, and ultimately the feeling of safety made my adrenaline run dry, draining my body of energy. I didn’t realize I broke my promise to Sam Maek Jong of staying awake until I slipped into the darkness.

“You’re awake,” A low voice calls out. I blink away my blurry vision until I see my favourite person hovering above me. “Ji Dwi?” I mumble, from underneath the covers. “Ji Dwi?” He inquires with a raised brow and I gave him a questioning look in response. His lips pull into a firm line, “You don’t remember what happened yesterday?” I purse my lips, racking my brain for anything important that I might’ve forgotten and alas everything flooded into my head. I throw a hand onto my forehead due to the overwhelming rush of thoughts that I whacked myself on my head injury. He chuckles, “What will I do with you, you idiot?” I shrug with more caution to the stitches in my back, I was definitely not prepared to go back for more stitches anytime soon. A cute shy smile tugs at his lips and he leans down to press them against mine. Mustering up some strength, I raised my hand from under the cover so that I could cup his cheek. He closes his eyes peacefully and leans into my touch causing me to smile. “I’m at war with myself,” the male confesses under his breath. I almost laughed at the ridiculousness of that if it weren’t for the uneasy expression on his usually stoic face. I frown pinching his cheek gently, “Why?” He cracks open his tear brimmed eyes and tried for a smile, however it wasn’t very convincing due to the wavering. “Are you safest by my side or back home in Goguryeo?” His shoulders started to shake and quickly his tears bubbled over and streamed down his face. Using the pad of my thumb I caress his tears away, in which he expresses his gratitude by pressing his lips against my wrist. I take in a deep breath and smile up at him, “I think you know the answer to that,” he nods closing his eyes again and I giggle, “And I’m sure you also know my thoughts on that as well.” “I know, and it worries me that you would rather be by my side than be safe,” he groans in annoyance. “Even though being back home would be the logical choice, I feel safest by your side, Sam Maek Jong. And nothing can change that.” I took the opportunity of his shock to wrap my arms around his neck so that I could pull him into a hug, “I love you, and nothing can change that either.” Sam Maek Jong cups my cheek as I did to him earlier and brings himself down to gently plant a kiss onto my lips. He pulls back with a soft smile, “I love you most, and nothing will ever change that either. If you will have me, I wish for you to be at my side every step of the way.” I smile, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

*Mild smut warning*

Sam Maek Jong returns my smile and sits up right, “I almost forgot why I am in here.” He sighs and starts to pull down my covers, it was then that I realized that I wore nothing but a pair of loose pants and bandages around my chest. Sam Maek Jong shuffles closer to me and pulls me up into a sitting position as well. Even though he was extremely gentle I could feel the stitches pulling at the swollen skin. Sucking in a sharp breath I could feel the tugging of the broken skin as he starts peeling away the bandages from the sticky wounds. “I need to change your bandages okay?” As he unravels the bandages I stared to feel bashful, even though the situation was nothing but innocent I couldn’t help but feel shy as I become more naked by the second in front of him. As the bandages fell away from confining my breasts I hug my front to shield them away from Sam Maek Jong. “Why are you embarrassed? It’s not like it’s my first time seeing you naked. This is my…hmm…third actually,” he nods almost as if he was content with himself, “When I saved you from my mother, when you got your stitches, and today.” “Sam Maek Jong!” I gasp turning around to slap him. He flashes me a sly smile, evading my hit with much experience. “Hold still for me, my Princess,” he coos ringing out the warm wet towel to blot clean the wounds. I hated being addressed as Princess or any title of royalty but whenever those titles left his perfectly plump lips I knew he was teasing and it made me feel strange. Like a warm feeling pools in the lower portion of my stomach and I didn’t know how to deal with such new and foreign emotions. He pulls away the wet cloth and to my surprise replaces the lingering touches with his plump lips. I gasp at the new sensation of his soft wet lips trailing up and down my back. “W…What are you doing?” I whimper as his hands snake around to my front to cup my breast. He gives them a light but firm squeeze causing a moan to escape my lips. I could feel him smirking against my back. The male sits up right and pulls my back flush against his front. He leans forward so that his long hair tickled my bare skin, dipping his head into my neck where he suckled the skin gently. I groan, bringing my hands to cup his that continued to fondle my breasts, “What got into you?” I whimper with swallow breathes in between each word. Sam Maek Jong chuckles deeply and I could feel the rumble against my back, “Sorry, I got a little carried away,” he chuckles again and I blush meeting his dark gaze. “Forgive me,” his breath fans over my face as he nears closer to mine. I watch him carefully with hooded eyes, a small smile was fixated onto his features and he presses his lips against my partially agape mouth. He pulls back slightly before quickly diving back in with such passion and force I accidently let out a whimper of pain. “Sorry, we shouldn’t be doing this until you are completely healed,” he apologizes, pulling away with a pout. I frown evidently more upset than he was and he completely knew that as he lets out a chuckle. He gives my breast a final squeeze earning him a lewd mewl in which he smirks at. “If you continue to make such cute sounds I won’t be able to control myself,” he warns and I nod shyly, covering my face with my hands, “Sorry.” He hums as his way of accepting my lame apology while he bandages me back up with no funny business of any sorts. “Although you did start it,” I breathe under my breath. “What was that?” He raises a brow and I grin, “You heard me, my King.” He rolls his eyes, which was a reoccurring habit that he had whenever he was teased, frustrated but not frustrated enough to have a verbal or physical smack down with whoever was unlucky enough to be on the receiving end of his hot headed temper. “You are honestly testing me,” he sighs getting up from his seated position, “I’ll be back with something for you to eat.” I shake my head causing him to raise a brow, I pull onto the sleeve of his hanbok as I carefully lower myself back into the soft warm mattress. “I’m not hungry…can you just stay here with me while I rest?” He smiles softly, “Of course.” Sam Maek Jong lowers himself from his seated position and slipped under the sheets joining me. He pulls me close to his body and I sighed contently. It was very warm and overall very relaxing due to the security his presence always provided without fail for me. The silence was definitely comfortable but I couldn’t stop myself from asking him this, “Were you ever going to tell me that you were the King?” He raises his head so that he faced me, “Of course, I just couldn’t find the right time to tell you,” he confesses with knit brows, worry evident on his features. “I just…thought that you didn’t trust me or something,” I timidly giggle. “That’s stupid though,” he nods with a chuckle of his own, “That is really stupid.” I raise a brow for him to continue, in which he does with a grin, “I trust you more than I trust myself. If you told me to close my eyes and walk blindly into war I would, because you told me so.” I slap him playfully on the shoulder, “Now don’t you get dumb on me. There’s only enough room for one of us to make bad choices and that’s me, got it?” “Wouldn’t it be more fun if both of us made bad decisions together?” At the proposal I mock ponder for a second, “Then I would really have to rethink of our marriage. If we are to rule both Silla and Goguryeo it would definitely be trouble.” Sam Maek Jong nods in agreement, “We will keep each other grounded. And stop each other from making bad choices. But I assume that would be you making the choices and I would be there saving you from them.” I gasp offended, just slightly, I push him over onto his back and I sat on his stomach victoriously. “I would be protecting you from all those elites who want you dead. I would chop them down.” He chuckles at that, “Don’t be silly. You are a peaceful soul. You won’t harm a fly.” Using my index finger I boop his nose lovingly, “I will do anything to protect my man!” “You are the cutest,” he says breathlessly, pulling me into a kiss.

We spent most of the morning like that, snuggled into each other and enjoying the quiet blissfulness it had to offer after yesterday’s eventful evening. I was curled on my side with his warm chest pressed softly against my back. His arms wrapped around my waist and his chin was propped on top of my head comfortably. I really wondered how I ever slept peacefully without him by my side. I didn’t want to scare him away, so I didn’t vocalize this but I was extremely excited for the day we would get married so that I could start and end my day like this in his arms. He softly hums, the soft rumble in his chest resonated into my back, “I look forward to having this everyday once we get married.” The man had no shame and was so blunt about his feelings I really didn’t know how to handle it. The blood rushes to my cheeks, a rather reoccurring thing that happened whenever anything leaves his mouth. I stutter shyly, “I was just thinking the same thing.” Sam Maek Jong shifted from his lying down position, “Oh? We are soul mates aren’t we?” he cheekily grins gazing into my eyes. I bite my lip, trying to hide an enormous bashful smile, “Stop saying those things Maek Jong…” “Why are you getting shy when I only speak of the truth?” He teases causing me to playfully slap him upside the head, “Sam Maek Jong!” He hums with closed eyes, “I love it when you say my name. I wonder how I’ll react when you start calling me King Jinheung.” His dotting behaviour was too much to handle right in the morning, I groan shoving him off of me, “What are you? A pervert?” He ponders hard for a minute with knit brows and pursed lips, “Yes. Just a little bit though,” he confesses with a bright grin that showed off his pearly white teeth. “What have I gotten myself into?” I mutter under my breath, and much to my dismay he had extremely good hearing, “Marriage to the said pervert.” “Aish! Okay I had enough of you,” I exclaim getting up from under the covers. Sam Maek Jong pouts and rolls onto his back, “Where are you going?” I stare at him dead in the eyes, “Back to Goguryeo.” He sits up quickly with wide eyes and a gaping mouth. I roll my eyes at his reaction, “Don’t be stupid, I’m just kidding. Sword practice is going to start soon.” He lets out a sigh, “Of course I knew that,” he says rolling his eyes but I could see the relief washed over his features, “also you should be resting,” he adds. I smile picking out a clean hanbok to wear, “I’m alright, besides I need to help Han Sung.” He gets up from the mattress and walks over to across the room to where I stood skimming through my pile of clothes. “No you aren’t,” he says stubbornly pulling me into his chest as he rests his chin atop of my shoulder. “He needs the help,” I explain looking over my shoulder into his huge doe eyes, “Besides I promised him, and I’m fine. It’s just a flesh wound.” He chuckles lightly, “You aren’t fooling anyone, come on.”

He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me along to practice where Seyeo was already standing under our usual shaded spot. He quickly made his way towards us and instantly pulled me into his chest, “Why aren’t you resting?” he mumbles into my hair. I scoff, “Why aren’t you resting? You’re the one who got impaled.” Seyeo sarcastically laughed and rolled his shoulder, “I’m fine. Let’s get you settled down,” he suggests planting a soft kiss on my forehead. Sam Maek Jong clears his throat, catching my attention. “Oh you’re still here,” I muse causing him to roll his eyes. He quickly dips down to my height and presses his lips firmly against mine as his hand held the back of my head. I started to get flustered as whistles and hollers erupted from the Hwarang who watched the scene unfold. “Oh gosh…” I mumble covering my face missing the sly smirk he flashed to Seyeo who just rolled his eyes in return. “Okay just go to practice you!” I scold shoving Maek Jong towards the rest of the men who already had their swords in hand.

“So you got the hots for the King huh?” Seyeo teases breaking the comfortable silence. “And you were dumb enough to get kidnapped huh?” I poke back. He sighs, rolling his shoulder, which was obviously causing him discomfort much to his denial. “In my defense I was easily taken because they told me that they had you.” I raise a brow at that, “Really?” Seyeo smiles softly and ruffles my hair, “Well duh. How else would they have gotten me to go anywhere against my will without a trail of dead bodies?” I giggle at his statement which made absolute sense. Of course they blackmailed him, he has easily one of the best swordmen I’ve ever seen in my (y/age) years of living. “Also it’s my job to care for you and to protect you, so no need to give me a lecture saying that I don’t have to put my life on the line to protect you. Because I actually do, not that I’m complaining though,” he adds with a gentle assuring smile, “But who would’ve thought that he was the King.” I laugh along with him, “I know right? I never thought that this trip would actually succeed in its purpose. I came here to marry the King and apparently I really am. And I’m actually really excited.” Seyeo smirks, “It’s even more amusing seeing before this trip you had no intention of marrying anybody, instead using this trip as some sort of vacation. And not only that, you accused the King to be some huge stuck up jerk with, I quote, not a silver spoon, but a huge gold spoon about the size of a ladle to be so stuck up his ass that you can see it exiting from his mo-” “Okay!” I interrupt smacking his injured shoulder, effectively shutting him up instantly. “I wonder how this will all pan out though, seeing that his mother wants me dead and half the nobles want him dead.” “It’ll work out.” “I really hope he doesn’t die though. Apparently that ‘battle to the death’ thing is really going to happen.” “It’ll work out.” “I’m-” “It’ll work out, now shut up and stop over stressing.”

Like promised, Sam Maek Jong helped Han Sung in his training which he was super excited about. So excited that Han Sung ran over to tell me the great news, “I heard you aren’t feeling too well so Ji Dwi will be helping me out today! If you are sick you should go see Ah Ro! She’s very good and kind. Oh and I knew it!” Han Sung exclaimed pausing to pull my hands into his chest, “You like Ji Dwi! Is it because of his beautiful glittery eyes or his charming smile?” he adds batting his eyelashes cutely. “Aish! Just go train Han Sung!” I scold shoving him away playfully in which he flashes me a wide grin in return before hoping back to Sam Maek Jong.

“Thanks again for helping Han Sung with his training,” I say for the umpteen time that afternoon. Maek Jong smiles casually with a shrug, “It’s nothing really. It’s nice to see him finally improve.” “Right!?” I excitedly exclaim causing him to chuckle. He slips his hand into mine, intertwining his slender fingers with mine. “I sometimes wonder if you love Han Sung more than me,” he playfully pouts. I giggle at that, squeezing his hand tightly, “I love you, you dummy.” He leans down to press a chaste kiss onto my lips, “Is that anyway to speak to the King of Silla?” he teases pulling away with a smile. “Just because you are a King it doesn’t excuse you of being stupid,” I truthfully answer causing him to smile fondly. “I am so in love with you it’s quite embarrassing.” “It’s alright, you are always embarrassing yourself anyway. Picking fights with Sun Woo…occasionally Ban Ryu. And apparently Seyeo, wow you are on a roll huh?” He humours me with a blank expression, staring unmovingly into my eyes. Somewhere looking like a dead fish. “Alright I take it back! Just stop staring into my soul!” I dramatically exclaim with the back of my hand pressed against my temple for effect. Maek Jong pulls my arm away so that he held both of my hands in his. He leans forward, so close that our noses with practically touching, “I can see into your mind…and…I see nothing but emptiness!” “Wow!” I yell directly into his face causing him to flinch back, “Oh wait…I see something. A temper shorter than Ban Ryu’s!” I pulled back with a mock hurt expression in which he responds with a mock grimace himself, “That’s too much huh? No one has a shorter temper than Ban Ryu.” giggling at that I could’ve sworn I heard Ban Ryu sneeze in the distance.

Walking aimlessly we ended up back at our usual place, behind the Hwarang house and at the small lake. Being alone I finally managed to ask him about the worry that was nagging at my brain the entire day. “What’s going to happen tomorrow?” Tomorrow was the battle to the death event that Princess Sookmyung kindly put together, and for whatever that was going to go down tomorrow I don’t think I could ever be ready. Maek Jong paused in his steps and turned me to look up at him and he said what he always said, “It’s going to be fine,” he told me again. “I know,” I lied again. I couldn’t bear to watch the Hwarang put their lives on the line for nothing but shear entertainment of the royal family. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt,” I mumble and he nods in compassion. With tomorrow coming so soon he couldn’t find it in his heart to lie to me saying that no one was going to get hurt, instead he pulled me into a tight warm embrace.

Saying that I had a restless sleep was an understatement. I spent majority of the night pacing in Seyeo’s room complaining about everything and anything until he had enough and picked up his sword, “Okay that’s it. Let’s go fight this out of your system.” He always knew how to make me feel better. The harsh clacking of wood caused some of the Hwarang to wake up, considering if they could even sleep a wink with the events coming in the morning. “Sorry did we wake you up?” I asked stopping momentarily in our heated sword fight. Most of the group shook their heads, “We couldn’t sleep anyways,” admitted Han Sung. I smiled softly at him, combing his messy long tresses behind his ear. “Also you shouldn’t be moving Princess (Y/n), Ji Dwi said that you were feeling ill.” “That’s right,” Maek Jong interjected causing me to grin awkwardly. “Um it’s just that…I couldn’t sleep. I was worried about you…all of you actually,” the Hwarang stayed silent some with soft smiles adorning their lips, “I…whatever happens tomorrow…just do something you won’t regret. If you want to hold back your attacks do so, if you want to attack full force then by all means do so. Just don’t regret it and remember that this isn’t the real fight.” The air around us was physically buzzing, however I wasn’t sure if it was exactly comforting, it was just sparked and alive fueling the group of young men. “Everyone got that?” and a chorus of hollers erupted them, most likely waking up any of the remaining Hwarang that were actually sleeping, “Very well then, go back to your rooms and try to get some sleep. Whatever happens tomorrow I hope to see all your faces happy and well the following day. Dismissed.” Han Sung managed to beat Maek Jong in approaching me first, “Wow that was so cool!” he excitedly mused causing embarrassment to rush through my body. I didn’t know what got into me to be honest, I almost sounded like my mother when she was giving pep talks to our soldiers back home. “Get some sleep Han Sung,” I stutter shyly in which he nods, “Not before a kiss good night right?” “Wha!” I gasp in shock but before I could give a proper reply Seyeo threw his arm around Han Sung’s shoulder, “Of course not.” Seyeo jokingly kissed Han Sung on his cheek effectively causing the poor child to scream in disgust as he was dragged away back to his room by my always reliable royal guard and friend. “If that kid survives tomorrow I’m going to kill him myself,” Maek Jong breathes out in annoyance. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to laugh or scold him so I did both simultaneously, most likely coming off looking like a crazy person. “Let’s get you some rest, I’ll tuck you in my Princess.” I blush with a small nod. Even though it was his big day tomorrow here he was spoiling me like usual.

“You know if it’s too much for you, you don’t need to come tomorrow to watch it,” Maek Jong softly says caressing my cheek. I look up at him from my lying position as he sat comfortably beside me. “No it’s alright. I’ll watch, I need to be there if things get out of hand.” He was quiet for a moment before speaking up again, “My mother will be there.” I nod knowingly, “I’m aware.” “Aren’t you scared?” The corners of my lips pull into a small smile as I lean up to press them softly against his, “There’s nothing to be scared of when you’re here.” He reciprocated my smile and gently brought me into another kiss, “That’s right my Princess.” He looked into my eyes with his warm brown ones and continued to stroke his long slender fingers through my hair. “And don’t forget that I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself,” I add resulting him to chuckle. “How could I ever forget? Sometimes I feel like you are more capable of protecting me than I am of you.”

I reach out to cup his cheeks, bringing him closer. His broad chest was flush against mine as I gave him a longer kiss. He softly massages his lips against mine as his hand skims down my waist and into the knot of my flimsy nightwear. A soft moan escapes my lips when I felt his cold digits teasingly scratch at my stomach, travelling lower and lower, “Maek Jong…” I breathe. He chuckles deeply, connecting our lips again before reluctantly pulling away. I frown at the lost of contact and he mockingly pouts as well with a shake of his head. “Be good for me, I can’t control myself if you keep being so cute (Y/n).” I sit up with a soft groan to grab his hand, “Then don’t control yourself…” “(Y/n)…” Maek Jong groans with a small shy smile, “You are hurt, this can wait until you are better.” I cast my gaze down still holding his hand tightly and he knew what was bothering me instantly. “I’ll be okay, trust me. I’ll be extra careful to make sure that my, you know, doesn’t get damaged in the fight,” he chuckles and I couldn’t help but to giggle along with him. “Even if I end up losing both of my hands tomorrow I’ll find a way to pleasu-” “Okay!” I cut him off as all the blood in my body rushed to my cheeks, “Okay…I got it…” I timidly smile at my lap, “You’re such a pervert you know that?” He hums kissing the back of my hand, “Try to get some sleep, I’ll see you in the morning alright?” I nod watching him get up. He pauses by my door before turning around to flash me a smile.

I managed to sleep for a few hours before the sun seeped into my room. And right on cue a knock was heard on the wood of the thin paper door. “(Y/n), you should go visit Ah Ro to get your bandages changed before it starts.” I sit up with much less difficulty compared to yesterday, “Okay, thank you Seyeo.” I look at the stash of clothes I packed and I couldn’t decide which one to wear on this eventful day. I usually wore black or dark colours but I feel like it would be too ominous, and with that, it cancels out half of the clothes I brought. White feels the same, red could symbolize blood…and that left me with the last hanbok I had in my pile, a soft pink one. I didn’t remember packing this or even owning such a hanbok at all…so probably mother snuck this in. I smile, stripping myself of my silky white nightwear to envelop myself with the soft material. I don’t know if this was at all possible just by the clothes I had on my back, but I felt like a good omen.

Walking out of my temporary room I see Seyeo at his usual spot in the morning, leaning on the pillar closest to my door. He raises a brow with folded arms across his chest, “Well that’s new…and quite refreshing actually.” I slap his arm, I would like to say gently but that was never the case with Seyeo, “Is that what I get for getting that for you?” he asks rubbing his arm and I look up at him dumbfounded, “You got this for me?” “Are you stupid? Was it there for the past few weeks? I got it made for you considering what’s happening today. I doubt you would want to wear what you usually wore since it screams funeral,” he adds indifferently as if he didn’t just go through the trouble in getting me new clothes just to make me feel better. I pull him into a tight hug, “Thank you.”

With Seyeo by my side walking from Ah Ro’s office and into the tournament was a lot more bearable. Before walking up in the viewing area I tried my best to delay that and Seyeo noticed it too. So he suggested that I went to wish the Hwarang good luck. “Are you sure? Wouldn’t everyone be watching?” I ask quietly in which he shrugs, “Then give them something to look at. These sickos are here to watch these guys shed blood for entertainment. I wouldn’t care much of what they think.” I grin, that’s my best friend right here. Pursing my lips I nod slowly, “Yeah I think I’ll go do that.” I jog up to the Hwarang and enveloped the closest one I could get my hands on. “Good luck!”

By the tenth Hwarang I finally reached Maek Jong, and I lost my ability to speak. He smiles warmly and pulls me into a hug, “You look different,” he says pulling away and I nod, “I’m wearing pink! It’s a good omen!” I blurt out in a frenzy causing him to chuckle, “Alright, alright, go wish Han Sung good luck before he explodes.” “Okay...see you after? In one whole piece?” “Of course, and I’m keeping my promise, I will protect my…” “Aish! I don’t want to hear it! Bye Ji Dwi!” I could feel his gaze on me as I walked away to see Han Sung who huddled in the corner of the field with his brother close by his side. I nod at his brother who returns the gesture before I focused on Han Sung, “How are you feeling?” He pouts pulling me into a tight hug, “I’m kind of scared.” I pat his head gently, “It’s normal to be scared, just don’t freeze up during the fight okay?” He nods against my shoulder and I pat his back before puling away. “I’ve seen you improve with my very own eyes. You’ll be just fine.” He nods with a wavering smile, if something were to happen to him today god have mercy, I will tear this place apart. I lean up to place a quick chaste kiss onto his cheek, “For good luck,” I pull away again with a smile and he nods enthusiastically with a bright boxy smile of his own. Suddenly the gate doors opened and entered the Queen, signalling for the tournament to finally start. My heart hammered against my ribcage but thankfully Seyeo was there to place a hand on my arm pulling me along towards the seating area. He practically had to drag me up the steep set of stairs as my legs started to feel like lead, “Get a hold of yourself,” Seyeo whispers in my ear and it finally snapped me out of my daze.

I walked up to the seated Queen and I bowed, “Your majesty.” I look up from my long lashes to see her curtly nod, “Princess (Y/n), take a seat here beside me.” The request was a bit nerve racking considering that her own daughter was seated a fair distance from her and how I was to be seated a little too close to her for my own comfort. But nonetheless I nodded with a smile, “It would be an honour to, your majesty.” I slowly lower myself on the hard wooden chair with only slight discomfort as the ridges in the slats of the backrest started to dig into the closing wounds. The Queen leans towards me and looks straight into my eyes with a small knowing smile, “Does it hurt?” Of course she wanted me to sit right beside her and on this chair of all the damn chairs in Silla, the detailing in the backrest was protruding into next week for reason but for aesthetics and for my discomfort apparently. “Why would it hurt?” I politely ask leaning further into the chair with a smile of my own. The sour expression doesn’t leave her expression as she leans back into her own, much more comfortable looking I must add, chair as she nods, “Good.” Seyeo stood closely behind me as his hand gently rests on my shoulder comfortingly before returning to his side.

When the tournament started I wasn’t at all fazed of what went down. The Hwarang refused to go through with a proper fight. I bit my lip refraining from grinning proudly as Soo Ho and Ban Ryu, the two who were constantly at each other’s throats refused to harm one another. What fazed me was that Princess Soomyung stood up in anger and shouted for blood to be spilt. That’s when one of the elders suggested that his personal swordsmen should join in the fight against the Hwarang since they refused to hurt each other. And of course, it had to be “to the death” with these people. My gaze wandered over to Han Sung’s shocked but evidently terrified face before it travelled over to Sam Maek Jong who was having some intensive staring contest with his mother. I should’ve spoken up but the hand on my shoulder stopped me from acting brashly. “I get to choose the Hwarang,” says the elder who I recognized to be Ban Ryu’s step father, also known as the key player to trying to get the King out of the picture. I then looked over to the Queen who had her lips pulled into a thin line, “Alright.”

My heart hammered violently as I watched the set up of the field change, and to my surprise Sam Maek Jong wasn’t called out. Instead it was Ah Ro’s brother, Sun Woo. I furrow my eyebrows together in thought as I realized what had happened. The Queen has been using Sun Woo as a coy for Maek Jong to be safe. Although evidently the love of my life would be safe I couldn’t help but feel anger coursing through my veins as an innocent had to play bait. Sun Woo stood in the middle with the swordsmen, ready for the fight to commence. “But, do you know what would be even more entertaining?” The Queen began and the elder raised a brow. “To show the Hwarang that a fight means a fight, there is no holding back no matter who you are.” I couldn’t follow along her proposal until I realized that I was being dragged to replace Sun Woo.

I could barely process the events flying by before my very eyes until I stood right in front of the swordsman. I guess the Queen really wanted to get rid of me by the end of this week. I stretch out my back and I could feel the stitches starting to tug at the swollen skin, the Queen is smart I’ll give her that. If my health was at its peak, practically nothing could take me down but considering that I almost died a day ago I didn’t see any good chances that I would make out of this “life or death” showdown. Seyeo stood beside me and unsheathed my two swords at his hip, all the while casting a worried gaze my way. “Don’t forget your morals, but also don’t forget your own safety.” Basically summarizing that I shouldn’t go full out crazy and kill the poor swordsman but instead try to make peace and parry the blows. I frown looking up at the swordsman who’s face was void of any emotions, then to the left where Han Sung held a concerned expression, and Maek Jong who held an even more concerned one. I tap the floor with one of my swords, gaining his attention. “It’s okay,” I mouth and he nods. He was trying to be nonchalant about everything but I could see the stress and worry etching across his usual poker face. The Queen’s loud voice booms across the courtyard, “Hwarang! When I ask you to fight you fight. I don’t care who you are or who your parents are. Take example of (Y/n) who will fight to the death because I said so.” I swallow thickly and tightened my grip on my swords.

A gong suddenly echoes into the deathly silent air, signalling for the fight to start. Almost immediately the chosen swordsman lunged forward with his blade. Taken aback slightly by his quick advance I barely dodged the blade as it skimmed across my ribs. The familiar trickle of warmth filled me as I rolled my wrist that held the offense sword. Okay, focus (Y/n), one sword offensive and one sword defense. Advancing quickly, I used the technique that always worked, keep pushing the pace with light swings until your opponent gets tired and deliver the final strike. The only difference today was the uncomfortable tight tugging felt on my entire back with each swing I made. His stamina was no doubt impeccable, but so was mine. Once he lost his rhythm slightly, I wasted no time to let out a frustrated cry, lunging at him. As the sword neared his neck I flipped the blade causing the cool blunt edge to glide across his throbbing jugular. The swordsman drops his sword and gazes upon the ground in defeat. I remove the blade from his neck and dropped both of the swords in my hands. Walking over to the hunched over male, I bent down to pick up his discarded blade before holding it out for him to accept. “I don’t believe in killing for entertainment. So I’m sorry to disappoint,” I announced while moving my gaze from the man to the royal audience above, “However, it is obvious that this man would’ve been dead if I followed through. Which means theoretically, there is no opponent for the Hwarang to fight, so that concludes the tournament.” I couldn’t help the cocky grin from spreading across my face as I watched the Queen’s stoic gaze ever so slightly crack. After basking in the hard earned victory of the Queen’s little game I turn towards the group of Hwarang with a nod. “You’ve done well today, take the remainder of the day off to spend time with your families or go treat yourselves at the Okta!” The familiar hollers resonated throughout the Hwarang house as they made a break to freedom. But unsurprisingly a few of the men lagged behind. “That was so cool!” Han Sung practically swoons before engulfing me in a tight embrace. “I’m glad you thought so! Aren’t you relived that you didn’t have to fight?” I tease nudging him in the side causing him to childishly giggle, “Yeah! Thank you Princess (Y/n) for taking one for the team!” I roll my eyes with a shy smile, “Yeah, yeah, I know. Now run along kid.” He pouts, “I’m not a kid! I’m a grown man!” he whines but obediently runs back to his older brother who stood nearby. I sigh with a smile as I turn towards Maek Jong who stood there with a small smile himself. I took a step towards him but I didn’t get far before an extremely worried Seyeo threw himself in front of my line of vision, completely blocking Maek Jong from my view. I gasp in shock as he quickly pressed his hands on my cheeks, giving me a quick once over. He tilts my head side to side, back and forth, “Are you hurt in any way?” he inquires, repeating his examination. I shake my head and used my hand to swat his away, “I’m okay I’m okay! But my head is going to fall off if you don’t quit doing that!” He let’s out a big sigh, “Oh thank god. Okay you may proceed to see your husband.” I blush at his embarrassing ways, “Aishhh why must you tease me like this? He’s barely ten steps away! He could totally hear you, you idiot!” I scold as Seyeo casually whistles strutting away from the scene he caused. “Come here then my wife,” the smooth voice I’ve came to love teases, “Oh gosh not you too,” I mumble under my breath as I close the space between us. I stood right before him, I could feel the warmth radiating off from his body as it seeped into mine. “I’m glad you are okay,” he says holding me tightly against his chest. “I’m glad you are okay too,” I smile against his neck as his hold tightened. “If I didn’t respect your wishes, I would send you home in an instant. You aren’t safe here. At this rate you are a bigger target than me in Silla with my mother after you,” he grumbles against the crown of my head. I let out a quiet chuckle, “I know, but I’ll say this again. I can take care of myself.” Sam Maek Jong lets out a frustrated groan, “I know you can but I just want you to be safe. Always safe, and I want to take care of you okay?” I’m not sure if it was the heat, or the fact that we had this conversation multiple times already, but nonetheless it ticked me off. “I don’t need you to take care of me okay? I proved that today haven’t I?” I groan challenging his frustration. He sighs while shaking his head gently, “I’m well aware, my love. But isn’t it natural for one to wish an easy worry free life upon those they love?” I cast my gaze to the ground while pulling my bottom lip between my teeth, I felt bad for snapping at him. I nod in agreement as he plants a soft kiss against my forehead despite my skin being sticky from sweat. “I’m sorry for getting angry,” I mumble against his red Hwarang uniform. He chuckles light heartedly, “Nothing to be sorry about, if anything I am to apologize. You are strong, brave, and intelligent. And I am well aware of that but yet I still try to protect you from everything and hide you away. It’s obvious you can take on the world by yourself unlike someone like me, the face less king, who all he does is hide.” I knit my brows together in confusion while hearing out his self-degrading confession. I raise my hand to give him a good whack upside the head, he sucks in a sharp breath and I nod, “Aish that is the last time you say and think about such things okay? Next time I will hit you ten times harder!” Maek Jong nods rubbing his head, slightly dumbfounded by what happened in the short time frame. “We will work together from now on okay? No more hiding, we fight the battles we cannot avoid and give whenever possible. We will protect each other. And…besides I kind of like it when you want to protect me. I think it’s refreshing and very…alluring to say in the least.” He raises a brow cockily, “Oh?” I look up at him shyly, “Oh?” I echo and he smiles down warmly at me. “It seems that everything I do these days is suggestive to you, my Princess.” I roll my eyes, gently pushing him away, “You are testing me are you not?” He chuckles with a casual shrug.

After the tournament it has been a pretty relaxing week in the Hwarang house. So the recovery process was clean and fast, however the peace and quiet didn’t last long seeing that this is Silla after all. Baekje, another neighbouring Kingdom of Silla initiated war. With the Queen’s ruling there was a lot of poverty in the outskirts of the capital, forcing the citizens to hunt on Baekje’s land. If this happened on their other neighbouring Kingdom, Goguryeo, it would’ve been fine. Seeing that my Kingdom was rather peaceful and fruitful with the vast amount of land we were fortunate of ruling. However, it had to be on Baekje’s land, causing a whole uproar with the notorious Prince who practically was born from the bloodshed in a battlefield. Now this led to where we are today, in the present where volunteers are asked to accompany Princess Sook Myung as a peace offering tribute.

“I’m coming too!” I argue gripping onto the collar of Maek Jong’s hanbok, practically screaming at his face. He places his hand on top of mine and squeezes back softly, “No you’re not, we talked about this,” he hums patiently as my adrenaline ran high. Maek Jong chuckles quietly when he realized that my lower lip was trembling as I fought back the tears from overflowing, “Don’t go…” I choke. He leans down to give me a long and soft passionate kiss, “It’s my duty to go to make things right for Silla,” he says pulling back with a gentle smile adorning his lips. I shake my head childishly, biting my lip to keep the tears at bay, “No! It’s your duty to stay here, by my side where it’s safe. Where I can protect you.” He lets out a heavy sigh, gathering me into his arms, “Now that doesn’t sound like the Queen of Goguryeo I’ve grown to love.” He was right, the real me would tell him to hurry up and fight for what’s right, no running away, and protect his people with pride. Was it my emotions that are getting in the way of the possibility of never seeing him again? Or was it the fear I felt knowing that he is stepping up to the blood thirsty Prince of Baekje, and I wouldn’t be there by his side. “Go fight with pride and protect your people…” I trail off focusing on the floral patterns in the fabric of his hanbok, “It’s just that I’m worried. Seeing that you will be confronting the Prince of Baekje. You know how he is…” Sam Maek Jong caresses my cheek softly with the pad of his thumb, “Of course I know how he is, that’s why I can’t allow you to accompany me on this journey. He will cause bloodshed regardless of the situation and I don’t want your eyes to see such a thing. And importantly, he would want such a beautiful, strong, and intelligent girl like you, and I can’t have that. He can have my blood by not you, never, not even over my cold dead body.” He had a point, however I was famously stubborn and I had a point as well. “If I go... I can stop all of this without anyone getting hurt.” “Anyone but you, love. I will never let him lay a finger on you let alone look your way.”

With only three kingdoms making up our land, practically all royal families knew of each other, perhaps a little too well. The Prince of Baekje liked destroying things, especially living things. He would find much pleasure in breaking strong headed people into small submissive toys for him to play with. I knew that, Sam Maek Jong knew that, everyone knew that. If I went as a peace offering it would be without a doubt successful. No one would get hurt, besides just one person, me. But here was the peaceful soul that was Sam Maek Jong who would not even consider the proposal just to protect one person, rather than the greater good of his people. “Maek Jong…I can stop a war from ensuing. I can prevent hundreds upon hundreds of meaningless deaths.” He sighs shaking his head to clear his thoughts, “For you to breakdown because of someone like him, or anyone for that matter…I would rather have someone rip my arm out of its socket and beat me up with said arm than for you to endure anything of that sort. I can’t have him see you, because he will want you, and he search everywhere for you until he can have you and I can’t have that, I really can’t,” my heart hammers against my chest at his confession, “I also have an important job for you to do while I’m gone.” I nod for him to continue so he does, “I need you to go back to Goguryeo and inform your people about this. If Silla were to fall Goguryeo would be next.” He looks intently into my orbs for a moment before I nod, “Yes, understood.” No matter how selfish I wanted to be, if it were to put my people in danger I had to step up to fill the shoes my mother entrusted to me, that’s something he knew and I hated him for that. “I will prepare men to station along Silla,” I propose and he nods, “If you can that will be great, however I’m concerned that your men will question as to why they are protecting their neighbouring Kingdom instead of their own.” I chuckle at that, “Well we are to get married soon no? Should we not treat Silla and Goguryeo as one, my King?” His mouth opens slightly to only close again, he was at a loss of words it seems. Sam Maek Jong simply nods with a grin stretched across his beautiful features, “Yes of course, that is right my Queen.”

I understood my role, however I was still reluctant to leave his side, especially as I watched him pack his belongings for the three day long trip. It was great that he was finally stepping up to this royal title however, if it wasn’t for me…would he have been safe instead of taking on such roles to prove his worth? One promising thing out of this entire mess was that the Hwarang who volunteered to accompany Princess Sook Myung on this trip were the most talented individuals that caught my eye on the first day I stepped foot into the house. I woke up from my daze as Maek Jong plopped down beside me on my futon, “When are you setting out?” he softly asked. I tilt my head slightly so that I could gaze into his soft brown eyes, “In tomorrow’s time, shortly after seeing you good bye.” He chuckled deeply shaking his head, “This isn’t good bye, you know that.” No I didn’t know that for sure, and that’s what scares me. “Promise me you’ll come back,” I whisper as the corners of my eyes started to bubble with hot tears. He nods with a soft smile, “I promise to return to your side in a few days time (Y/n).” There it was, another lie. I smile up at him regardless and in turn he leans down to place a gentle kiss upon my lips. “Get some rest, it’s going to be a long ride back home tomorrow,” he suggests while getting up to retire to his room. He makes it to the sliding paper door but before he could exit I ran up to him and embraced him tightly from behind. “Don’t leave me.”

~NSFW kiddos~

I roughly turn him away from the door to face me and slipped my hand into the knot of his hanbok. I look up at him dumfounded as he laughed out loud, “Ahh you are too cute…” he sighs placing his hands on my hips as I groan, leaning up against him to give him a kiss, “It’s supposed to be sexy you idiot!” I whine as he hushes me while carding his long slender fingers through my silky locks, “I don’t think you are capable of that (Y/n), you are too adorable. “ Blood rushes to my cheeks at his flustering words, as I roughly slam him into the paper door causing the poor wood to creak. “Aishhh my Princess, you are so rough…do you want me to fall through this door and have everyone see and hear us?” he teases causing all my intentions of having him right here and now to fly out the breaking door. I frown turning around to make my way back to my futon. I plop down into the soft cushion and wrapped my blanket around myself ready to retire for the night. That annoyingly sweet chuckle of Maek Jong filled the room as he made his way towards my reclined form. He pulls the covers off my body as I whine in protest, “I’m sorry for teasing, come on my love,” he laughs as I giggle in response to his fingers dancing up and down my ribs. “That’s my girl,” he breathes as his fingers untie my hanbok, allowing the silky material to slip open. He hums peeling away the material open from my front causing a soft gasp to escape my lips as the cold night air bit at my exposed flesh. As my hanbok fell open I felt extremely bashful as Maek Jong’s eyes started to wander. I pulled my hanbok closed again causing him to smile, “Now you are feeling shy? After trying to strip me huh?” I playfully slap his bicep and he took this as an opportunity to pin both of my arms above my head. My heart hammers against my chest as a sweet smile sweeps across his face, “I’m going to mark you as mine.” I nod wanting every bit of him as his dominance took over. He guides my hands into his hanbok where it easily slipped through the loosening material, thanks to my eagerness earlier. I could feel his milky smooth skin beneath my fingertips as they ran up and down his toned front. His breath hitches in his throat when my nails accidently traveled a little too low and grazed the top of his pelvis. He smirks, shaking his head lightly, kissing the top of my head, “Let me take care of you first, okay?” I nod shyly while carefully watching him as he slips the fabric away from my body, leaving me completely naked and feeling slightly vulnerable being completely bare before his eyes. His eyes rake over my body and I bit my lip nervously a waiting for his reaction. “Mmm so beautiful,” he hums with a bright smile. I felt lightheaded with the amount of blood continuously rushing into my head in the past few minutes. “Do you want to stop?” he inquires and I instantly shake my head causing him to chuckle. “I…I’m just nervous is all,” I confess throwing an arm over my breasts. Maek Jong lets out an airy laugh and shakes his head with a smile. Instead of providing me with comforting words he swiftly strips himself of his own clothes instantly putting my nerves at ease seeing that he was completely bare for me to see as well. I gingerly lift my hand that was cupping my breast to touch his hot smooth skin causing a low rumble to erupt in his chest. His hand in return reaches out to knead my breast into his large palm. I let out a small cry as his lips met my other breast where he nibbled gently at my nipple before lightly suckling the bud into his mouth. The coolness of the night air mixed with his hot mouth latched onto my breast and his warm hands exploring my body caused endless shivers to run up my spine. I bashfully let out a lewd mewl as warmth filled my lower belly. The tension in my stomach grew as his long slender fingers rubbed at my core. I wasn’t entirely sure what was happening to my body but the new sensation was exciting. I sigh out his name encouraging him to continue which he willingly does. His wet kisses trail down my ribs, stomach, hips, and my thighs. A sharp gasp escapes my parted lips as his warm lips met with my core. “Maek Jong…” I cry out as I feel his wet appendage prod into my opening. He lets out an airy chuckle causing blissful vibrations to stimulate the sensitive region. I felt over stimulated with the amount of attention he gave me. One of his hands held my thigh down while his fingers rubbed circles into my skin soothingly, his other hand kept busy by teasingly prodding into the hot tight cavern while his mouth latched and suckled on my swollen bundle of nerves. I whined loudly before I could catch myself. Maek Jong, rather content with himself, pulled away with a smug grin. “Do you really want the entire Hwarang to hear, Princess?” I wasn’t sure what got into me, but the spark of confidence he gave me when his head was between my legs allowed me to say such lecherous words, “It’s Queen to you, and did I give you permission to stop?” I barely had time to cringe at my statement before Maek Jong slides his slender fingers out of me and into his mouth all the while maintaining eye contact. He pulls his index and middle finger away from his mouth with a pop and he grins, “A King does what he wants no?” I gasp, not from his sexual innuendos however. I sit up to face him directly, “Excuse me?” his orbs suddenly widened and his mouth gapped as his hands waved around the air frantically, “I-I’m just kidding! I was just talking dirty jagiya...and you ruined the mood.” “Oh,” I bashfully add causing him to roll his eyes with a smile, “Oh,” he mocks earning him a well deserved smack on his head. His smile never wavered but the atmosphere thickened once again as he lowers me back onto the futon with himself hovering above my frame. “I’ll make it up to you,” he huskily states, burying his nose into the crook of my neck. “Just…do it already!” I say rather impatiently making him let out a cute breathy chuckle, “Do what?” I couldn’t believe he’s making me ask for it. I stared at him with a raised brow and he blinked innocently in response, reluctantly with a blush I shyly mumble, “Y-You inside of me.” I could literally slap a gayageum into my face and kill myself right here and now. Sam Maek Jong couldn’t just put me out of my misery, instead he pretends to ponder about the sit\uation, “You need to be more specific jagiya.” I roll my eyes with flushed cheeks, “Of course I mean your-” I cut myself short when my eyes started to wander and they just so happened to land on his tall standing member. My gapping mouth twitched, I can’t believe I didn’t notice until now how large he was. Taking no opportunity to miss he strokes his thick girth of his length with a low groan. His thumb smears the pre cum beading at its tip along the throbbing vein running underneath his erection. My heart hammered against my ribs as I watch him guide his member near my opening. I eagerly spread my legs wider for him and he delivers. Rubbing the soft skin of his erection’s head along my slit lubricated the tip allowing him to teasingly prod in and out. Whining impatiently at the growing and dissipating coil in my stomach I clutched onto his shoulder doing the last thing I ever thought I would do, beg. “Please, please just put it in!” I hiss causing him to smirk. My eyes roll back as he pushes his thick length in, stretching and filling my core. He moves his hips slightly causing a sharp gasp of pain to leave my lips, he leans down slowly to place a kiss on my sweaty forehead. “Ah I’m sorry my Princess,” he coos placing another kiss on my nose. He stays still, comfortingly rubbing patterns into my hips with his fingers while he waits for my body to get used to him. After a few moments I squeeze his bicep signalling him to start moving. He kisses me again before pulling out slowly and thrusting his hips back, the feeling was much more enjoyable as my body adjusted to his size. I let out a soft moan raking my fingernails along his back to encourage him to continue. He rocks his pelvis against mine rhythmically building up the tension in my lower belly to coil once again. Breathing seemed to get more difficult as his pace quickened to the point where the sound of skin slapping against each other filled the room. I started to pant as his thrusts came more irregular and more desperate, clawing at his broad back as he slammed his hips relentlessly into mine. His name stringed with a fury of incoherent cries left my parted lips as my body shuddered against his. The creaking of the floorboards was utterly shameful but that didn’t slow down his thrusts. The coil in my stomach reached its limits feeling his erection twitch inside. I clench my walls around his length while my thighs hug tightly around his waist. “I’m not going to last…” I pant lightheadedly and he nods burying his face into the crook of my neck where he bites and sucks the skin harshly as if he was desperate for one more touch. He lets out his own breathy cries when the clenching mixed with my own thrusts that met his got too much for him to bear. With a loud moan he pulls out quickly before he could release within me. “T-That was close…” he pants as small starting squirts of hot liquid met my inner thigh. Hastily I grabbed his member and guided him back into me. “What are you doing?” he cries out in surprise as I pull him on top of me once more. “If…if tomorrow is the last time I see you…I want this,” I confess watching his confusion turn into admiration when he finally understood. He nods, picking up from where he left off until his high was met again. He groans out my name spilling his hot seed within me. My arms move to wrap around his chest allowing me to hug him inhumanely tightly while he rode out his orgasm. I was so close to finishing so I was slightly disappointed that it ended so soon. “We aren’t done yet Princess,” Maek Jong pants with a sloppy grin. His fingers found my bud of sensitive nerves working his index and middle finger relentlessly, speeding up my high exponentially. He watches my expression intently as I felt over stimulated. My eyes roll back and my walls clamped around him as I came mixing my warm fluids with his all the while his name left my lips at volumes that I’m sure everyone in the Hwarang house heard. Sam Maek Jong lets out an airy laugh at my dishevelled state, I gaze up at him with unfocused vision as he pulls slowly pulls out allowing his sticky warm seed to dribble out and onto the futon. “Ahh what a mess,” he chimes disappearing from my line of vision. Before I could sit up to see where he left to I felt his familiar soft warm lips on my core where he places butterfly kisses up along my slit to the swollen bundle of nerves. “Maek Jong…” I whine reaching out with grabby hands. He chuckles vibrating my womanhood one final time before pulling away to lie down beside me. I brush away his long silky hair that surprisingly failed to get dishevelled from his face. I giggle placing a kiss on his cheek causing a bright cheeky smile to bloom across his face. I snuggle against him resting my head flush against his neck while I tangled my limbs with his. The air was sticky and thick with the smell of sex and sweat however it was pleasant knowing that it was the result of lovemaking. I also couldn’t be bothered that probably the entire house heard of our nightly activities, especially my next door neighbour Seyeo who would most likely give me an earful the following morning. I simply didn’t care, I was worried, terrified even with the events of tomorrow coming so fast as I bask in this moment.

~End of sexy time~

Shivers run up my spine as Maek Jong’s warm fingers rake across the healing scar tissue littered across my back. The night air was biting harshly tonight but I was glad that I had Maek Jong beside me to provide one more warm safe night where I could close my eyes without a single worry. “I love you,” I hum closing my heavy eyes. He chuckles kissing the crown of my head, “And I love you most.” With a tired airy laugh I embrace him tightly, “I’m going to miss you.” “I’ll be back before you know it,” he whispers against the top of my head. I pull back slightly so that I could face him and look into his eyes, “You promise?” “I wouldn’t leave you for the world,” he confesses with a smile, “Besides…if your little intention works out…I can’t leave our child either.” I shyly smile biting my lip as he easily read through me, “I just want a piece of you if you didn’t come back.” “To remember me by?” I shake my head hastily, “Of course not! I would never forget about you…it’s just that…it’s like a safe keeping.” His contagious eruption of giggles filled the room, “I’m just teasing, I know (Y/n)…” his smile suddenly disappears from his face and the air in the room turned almost bitter, “I’m going to miss you my love. Please take care of yourself…and everyone.” I shake my head with hot tears threatening to bubble over, “Stop talking as if you won’t make it back!” I yell hugging him tightly. He sighs, “I’m sorry, to be honest with you…I’m nervous about the coming events.” As much as I didn’t want to admit it, if there is any slight hiccup in the peace offering plan all hell will break loose and war will ensue, however not before the heads of the treaty group are sent back to Silla as a present to the Queen. I knew all too well about the reality of things but I had to stay positive, or others would call this being completely mad and in denial but I was never one to care about what others thought about me. “I’ll see you again. This isn’t good bye,” I choke out between sobs, “It can’t be good bye! I don’t want to live waiting for you each day to come back home but you never do!” Sam Maek Jong brushes away the matted hair covering my face so that he could get a good look at my violent crying that racked my entire body, “This isn’t like you (Y/n).” I balled up my fist, angry at his words, “For once let me be just (Y/n) the girl who is madly in love with you. I don’t want to be Queen if I don’t have you by my side!” I scream plummeting my fist against his bare chest. He catches my fist in his large palm, “I don’t want to lie to you. I don’t know what’s going to happen. But I need you to be strong and keep making this shitty world a better place. I need you to make things right if I fail tomorrow. I need you to fight and win the battle I couldn’t. I need you to never lose that fiery aura around you that burns everything in your quake. I need you to be alive.” I lie there in silence basking in his words and in the finality of them, as much as I hated to admit it he was right. “You are the Queen everyone has been waiting for, don’t let them down or me. But importantly, don’t let yourself down.”

The morning came too fast. I didn’t even realize that I fell asleep while listening to Maek Jong’s final words. I watch him from afar as he stood tall beside his horse, ready for departure at the gates. We haven’t exchanged any words since last night and I felt utterly speechless in saying one final good bye. Do I say good bye? Is that a bad omen do I say see you again? Or does that just completely ignores what he said yesterday? I snapped out of my internal war instantly when I heard Princess Sook Myung’s voice boom in the courtyard, “Let’s go!” No this can’t be it, not yet. I sprint up to him ignoring the dull ache in my hips with my sword clutched tightly in my hand. I take him my surprise as I threw my arms around his neck in a final desperate embrace. I pull back slightly embarrassed at the scene I caused, feeling all the eyes in the proximity to fall upon me. I cough to clear my throat, “Um here take this with you,” I murmur indifferently holding out my most prized possession before him. I close my eyes and held my head up high a huge attempt to hide how broken I felt inside. I only cracked open one eye slightly when his familiar chuckle that I’ve grown to love echoed in the courtyard. He takes my sword and straps it against his hip, once secured he casually asks “I’ll see you soon?” I roll my eyes, folding my arms across my chest, “I’ll see you if I see you, if I don’t then bye I guess,” I huff with puffed out cheeks. I catch a glimpse of his grin before he pulls me flush against his chest, “I love you,” he whispers against the shell of my ear. I wrap my arms around him tightly nodding as tears streamed down my face, “I love you.” With a final lingering kiss he left.

And he never came back.

Just kidding.

I sat at my throne back home in Goguryeo, it’s been almost a week since he left. And to say I was getting restless was an understatement. I groan flopping on side with one leg sticking up and over the arm rest while the other stayed planted on the ground. It was an unpleasant sight for anyone who walked into the throne room to witness but I could care less at the moment. Anytime today I would receive a letter from Sam Maek Jong, or not but I didn’t want to think about the latter. A familiar voice, a very very annoying voice I might add chimes in the large empty room. “Wow what an unpleasant sight.” “Shut up Seyeo, if you don’t have any good news regarding Maek Jong leave me alone,” I groan shaking my leg impatiently. “I leave you for a week and his is how you greet me? Really (Y/n)?” My eyes widen to unnatural sizes as I see the man I’ve been restlessly waiting for stand beside Seyeo who looked utterly done but the relief and happiness on his features was easy to spot. I literally rolled off my throne and flew down the set of stairs and into Maek Jong’s awaiting arms. “I’m sorry I took so long to get to you, I was supposed to send you a letter but I thought it would be a better surprise if I came here myself.” I was ecstatic but also extremely angry, “You made my wait for this?!” I yell hammering him in the chest with my fists. “Ahhh that’s my cue to leave,” Seyeo whistles indifferently striding out of the room as if nothing happened. Maek Jong chuckles, “I had some things to work out. I’m sorry for keeping you waiting my Princess,” he apologizes holding my hands. I tried to frown but I failed seeing how extremely happy I was at the moment, “Well it better be for a very good reason!” He laughs, “I worked everything out with Mother. I’m officially King of Silla and I’m here to ask for your hand in marriage as I’ve seem to have gotten her blessing as well. Is that good enough of a reason for keeping you waiting?” My mouth hanged open like a dead fish, there was no other way to describe it. I gapped for a bit while his grin never wavered. After a long moment of silence I finally answered, “Yeah okay I guess.” “Yeah okay I guess I went through all that trouble for such a reaction,” he teases hugging me tightly to his chest. “Yeah okay I guess,” I hum mockingly in which he says, “Yeah okay I guess that’s okay since I love you.” I smile against his shoulder embracing him just as tightly, “Yeah okay.”

End.

#hwarang #hwarang the beginning #hwarang the poet warrior youth #hwarang x reader #hwarang imagine #hwarang imagines #sam maek jong #sam maek jong imagine #sam maek jong x reader #ji dwi rang #ji dwi imagine #ji dwi x reader

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puppy-sam-maek-jong · 8 years ago

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Her (Part 2)

“Your Majesty!” Pa Oh was by his Majesty’s side in matter of seconds.

Pa Oh fired some arrows to the black masked enemies, but they just ran for themselves. Their only target was arguably the young king himself, as they didn’t seem to even think to harm the lady and the guard even the slightest bit.

“Your Majesty!?” Pa Oh’s voice was almost hysterical but he kept his demeanor calm, until he saw the sight of blood. It was His Majesty’s.

Blood ran through his arm where the arrow hit. He was lucky to have it graced his arm alone.

“Majesty, what on earth..?!” Pa Oh tried to examine His Majesty’s wound, he was worried sick but also relief that the arrow only wounded his arm.

She was silent and froze on her place, but he could see sight of horror in her eyes which turned bigger than its own.

“I’m fine,” he whispered through gasps while trying to get up from the ground, but ended up falling, wincing at the pain.

“Let’s go back to the palace!” Pa Oh carefully helped Sam Maek Jong up and held his Majesty on his right, aid him to the horse.

“My lady,” Pa Oh called as soon as settled his majesty behind him. It took back to her senses.

“I, I will ride his Majesty’s horse.” she said in a low voice, with that Pa Oh lead his horse down the alley escaping the forest. Y/N followed behind to the palace.

“It is fortunate that his majesty’s wound is not deep, the physician said he just needs some rest,” Pa Oh went to update Y/N as to Sam Maek Jong’s condition. She was waiting from the moment they arrived in front of Sam Maek Jong’s room, quiet anxiously.

“May I come in?” she asked as Pa Oh who was about to leave.

“Ah, yes” it took Pa Oh by surprised; he just had weird feeling about this lady from south. She was just so distant.

“Thank you,” she bowed, then went inside as the guard in front of the door let her in.

Inside, she carefully let herself sit next to his bed. He was lying still with bandages on his right arm. As she was observing the motionless king, she noticed how his pale face was having little to no color. She took the wet cloth next to his majesty and slowly carefully wiped his temple from beads of sweats.

After a while, she finished attending his majesty and decided to leave.

“Don’t leave,’ Sam Maek Jong held her wrist stopping her from leaving, leaving her confounded.

He tried to get up from his bed, which she helped him immediately.

“Is it not the time already that you take off your mask?” he asked that question all the sudden.

She instantly, unknowingly looked at him in the eyes, quite startled with the rhetorical question from the young king. It was also the first time she really looked into his sharp eyes, as it is not polite to stare at the king directly.

“You’re technically my bride-to-be, are you not?” He threw another rhetorical.

“I suppose so, Your Majesty.” She whispered calmly, but actually her insides’ churned. She took her eyes off him and slowly tried to escape his grip. As he let her, she slowly took off her satin mask.

“Are Your Majesty not angry?” She turned to him, meeting his eyes once again. It revealed a scar along her right cheek.

“For an alliance, someone sends you a bride,” she took her halted breath “with a scar.”

“No,” his voice was gentle, he stared more through her eyes.

“You’re not a mere trade,” he carefully reached and ran his fingers through her scarred cheek.

As it was on his fingerbreadth, she suddenly move away avoiding his touch.

“I, I’m sorry,” he felt awful and out of place, he turned his gaze from her.

“You should go,” he said almost coldly as he couldn’t face her more.

She put back her satin masked, then left room. It left him strained and somehow broken.

**GIF and charaters are not mine.

#park hyungsik #park hyungshik #Sam Maek Jong Scenarios #Sam maek jong #ji dwi #ji dwi scenarios #ji dwi rang #king jinheung #hwarang #hwarang imagine #hwarang the beginning #hwarang imagines #hwarang scenarios #park hyungsik scenarios #kpop scenarios

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hwarangs-say-what · 8 years ago

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au where ji dwi, soo ho, ban ryu, and yeo wool are roommates with a pet dog named sun woo and yeo wool picks up a stray puppy one day and names it han sung

#hwarang #the poet warrior youth #hwarang au #can you imagine #sun woo is a dog because his name is dog-bird #or is it bird-dog #you get the idea #he's ji dwi's dog #but he acts like a cat #soo ho and yeo wool are chill with ji dwi's dog #ban ryu isn't really #he wanted a cat #but soo ho's allergic #one day #yeo wool finds a puppy starving in the alley during a mild blizzard #he takes it home #but the other guys weren't welcoming #because there wasn't enough room for another dog #but yeo wool begs #and they finally agreed because its so cute #and yeo wool names it han sung #ban ryu even grows soft for it #pupper han sung starts mimicking sun woo's actions #sun woo eventually is chill with it #han sung would only follow sun woo around #yeo wool is jealous #i begged the guys to take you in and i am the one who takes care of all your needs #yet you like to be with sun woo over me?#ji dwi finds it hilarious #sun woo would be a big awkward pitbull

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angustdtt · 8 years ago

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You go to visit TaeHyung while filming Hwarang~ (Ft. Park HyungShik) A/N: THANKS NONNIE FOR REQUESTING THIS, I LOVE HWARANG AND JI DWI!! <3

Masterlist Request one here!

#Bangtan #BTS #Text Bts #Fake Text #Hwarang #BTS Scenarios #BTS Imagine #Park HyungShik #Ji Dwi #Tae #TaeTae #BTS V #V #Taehyungn #Kim Taehyungn #Kim Tae #Taehyung

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angelsvoice1love · 3 years ago

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In the Moonlight (pt 2)

You stood at the door of the Hwarang house, scared of not knowing what happened.

All the guys, except Han Sung went to the King on the other side to create piece and still nothing was heard of them. The only friend besides A-ro you had was Han Sung, and you adored him more than anything in the world.

He was like the brother you never had, the brother you've always wanted.

Finally one of the Hwarang men yelled they have returned causing you to drop everything you were busy with, as you made your way to the entrance of the building.

Once you saw all of the men alive, a smile crept onto your face as you felt relieved.

Soo Ho: Y/n. Soo Ho yelled, as he ran over to you.

You ran over to all of them, not just Soo Ho. But he got a different message, once you were close enough he grabbed you and pulled you to his chest.

Soo Ho: I'm so glad to see you. He whispered, into your hair as he hugged you tightly.

Y/n: I was so worried. You replied, as you wrapped your arms around him.

Ban Ryu: Y/n, you might want to check Soo Ho's wound. I did my best to close it up, but we still need to make sure everything is fine.

Y/n: You got hurt? Where? You asked frantically, as you searched him up and down.

Soo Ho: My arm, but I'm fine...really I am.

Y/n: Go wait in the pidiatrician room, I'll be in there soon.

Soo Ho: But-

Y/n: Please, just do it. I...i need to say hi to everyone. You, replied as you looked at the others.

Soo Ho nodded his head, as he walked off. Turning to find Sun Woo with facial wounds, you ran into his arms hugging close as you could.

Sun Woo: I'm fine, y/n...promise. He laughed, as he patted your back.

A-ro: We are all fine promise. I took care of them. She said, with a bright smile.

Ban Ryu: Don't you care about us? Ban Ryu, questioned with a raised brow.

Y/n: Of course I do...i just want to hug everyone. I missed you guys so much...and you worried me.

Ji Dwi: Sorry, that wasn't our intention. Ji Dwi, said, as he walked into view.

You didn't say anything, as you stood there for a second completely shocked. There he was, the man you truly loved and wanted to make a life with. He hadn't had a scratch on him, his facial features were perfect like always. A smile crept onto your face, as you ran over to him almost knocking him down to the floor as you inculfed him in a hug.

Tears started running down your face, as you burried your face in his chest. You held in those tears for so long, you held them in for Ji Dwi, Soo Ho, Sun Woo, Ban Ryu, Yeo Wool and A-ro. But none of them made you worry like Ji Dwi did.

Yes, Soo Ho was your boyfriend but that didn't make any change.

You felt Ji Dwi's arms wrap around you as he pulled you even closer, he brushed his hand down your hair as he soothed you while calming you down.

Ji Dwi always had this effect on you, he always knew what to do or say to make everything okay. He was, and has always been your best friend.

Pulling away, you looked into his eyes, his soft brown eyes as he smiled while cupping your cheeks as he brushed away the tears.

Ji Dwi: It's okay.

Y/n: Don't ever leave me like that again, p...please.

Ji Dwi: I won't...i promise. He replied, as he hugged you again.

Little did you know, Soo Ho saw the entire thing. He knew you and Ji Dwi were best friends, but he didn't know that there was something more. You were his girlfriend, did that mean anything?

To him it meant the world, but to you? Did it mean anything to you? Or were you just using him, to get to Ji Dwi?

Shaking his head, Soo Ho turned to go back to the pediatrician room where he'd be waiting for you.

He sat down, thinking as a million different thoughts ran through his head. As you entered the room, he straightened himself up and smiled as you approached him with some warm water.

Y/n: Soo Ho, could you please take off your shirt? I...i need to clean it.

Soo Ho nodded, as he took off the shirt. The wound was clear to see, and it looked like it hurt a lot. Swallowing you took some medicine and applied it to the wound, causing Soo Ho to grunt of the pain.

Y/n: Sorry. Are you okay? You questioned, as you wrapped up his wound.

Soo Ho: Yes. I'll be fine. He answered quick, as he smiled at you.

Y/n: I was so worried about you. You smiled, as you traced his jaw with your hand.

Soo Ho: All I thought about while in that prison, was if I'd ever be able to see your beautiful face again. Seeing you again, was the thing that kept me saine. You kept me alive.

Y/n: I kept you alive? How?

Soo Ho: By waiting for me. He replied, as he took your hands in his.

Soo Ho leaned in, ever so slowly as he brushed some loose hair from your face. He placed a soft kiss on your forehead, then he kissed each cheek, moving to your nose where he gave you a small peck on it and from there kissed your lips.

Soo Ho: I care deeply for, y/n. Please, forgive me for being negligent with my life and the others.

Y/n: Soo Ho...i have nothing to forgive. If you are back safe and the others are too, that's all that matters to me. I couldn't want anything more.

Soo Ho: Really? So, we're fine?

Y/n: We're fine. We've barely dated Soo Ho, I believe it's all good still.

Soo Ho: So, we're still in the lovey dovey, enchanted with one another stage?

Y/n: Yes. I believe we are. You replied, as you placed your hand on his cheek.

Soo Ho: I want nothing more than to be here with you. But...

Y/n: But what?

Soo Ho: I can't help thinking...that your heart is not in this. He said, letting gobofbyour hands.

Y/n: What do you mean?

Soo Ho: Y/n...do you in love Ji Dwi? He asked, as he looked into your y/e/c eyes.

Y/n: What? Why are you asking me that?

Soo Ho: I saw how you acted towards him, when we arrived back. It was different...you acted more scared of loosing him then you were for me-

Y/n: Soo Ho-

Soo Ho: Y/n...i don't want to be the second choice. I want to be the first choice, the one that you choose because you love me not for other reasons. I can't be the one that's chosen because it the simple and easy way out. Soo Ho said, as he got up. I won't do it y/n.

Y/n: Wait, Soo Ho...please-

Soo Ho: Y/n, I think we should break up-

Y/n: No...please Soo Ho. You begged, as you grabbed onto his hand. I don't want tot loose you.

Soo Ho: Y/n, do you know what you want? I believe you care for me, and Ji Dwi but you need to take time to think who you want to be with. You can't have us both, or be unhappy with the choice you make. Please, take this time apart to make your decision. I'll be waiting for your answer.

Soo Ho said, as he kissed your forehead. Taking in your scent, a single tear left his eyes as he walked out of the pediatrician room and off to his room where he could rest.

As he left, you stood there dump founded. Completely confused, as to what just happened. You thought that you and Soo Ho were strong, but to your dismay it wasn't what you expected. Yes, you knew he was right about the situation, and you needed to make the right decision but the queen wasn't fond of the idea of the prince soon to be king wanted to choose his own bride.

Ji Dwi already confessed his love to you, so if you chose him you knew he'd still feel the same way about you...right?

Soo Ho, gave you the option to choose again which might not be the best choice for him to have made but he did it to make you happy. You knew that you had to make a decision, the right one, even if it took forever to make it.

One week later

You sat outside by the river, when the guys arrived to wash their clothes. Once Soo Ho saw you, he swirved away and headed into another direction.

Ji Dwi saw this, and came over taking a seat next to you.

Ji Dwi: Trouble in paradise?

Y/n: Sort of. He broke up with me.

Ji Dwi: He what? Why would he do that?

Y/n: To be entirely honest...Ji Dwi...i have feelings for you too.

Ji Dwi: I-

Y/n: Soo Ho knows, I have feelings for you and that's why he left me. Yes it's true, I have feelings for you but j also have for Soo Ho...i need to choose one of you t...thats what he said. But when I do, I need to choose the right one, the one that I'll be happy with for the rest of my life. I want a one love, forever love.

Ji Dwi: Whichever one you choose, I know it'll be the right choice for you y/n. No matter what, or whom you choose I'll still be here...I'll still be your best friend. He said, as he hugged you before getting up and leaving you to think.

Who were you going to choose? Yes, you could have a happy life with Soo Ho, and Ji Dwi but each of them held complications.

#Hwarang imagines #Ji Dwi Rang imagines #Sam Maek Jong imagines #Soo Ho Rang imagines #Moo Myung imagines #Sun Woo Rang imagines #Han Sung Rang imagines #Ban Ryu Rang imagines #Yeo Wool Rang imagines #Dan Se imagines

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bangtan-army-canada · 8 years ago

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Boyfriend Yoongi Reacts to You Fangirling over Sam Maekjong :)

Request: Instead of a BTS reaction, can I ask for a boyfriend! Yoongi reaction to you fangirling super hard whenever Sam Maekjong comes on during Hwarang? 😂😂😂

Note: First time doing fake texts!! I just wanted to try it even though I think their not greatttt :/

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join-hwarang · 8 years ago

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River (Sam Maek Imagine)

Summary of Request: You are a princess from a different capitol/kingdom, who meets Sam Maek-Jong at the palace and maybe find a little love there?

Pairings: Sam Maek-Jong x Reader

Gif is not mine, credit to owner.

🌹 🌹 🌹 🌹 🌹 🌹

I sat in my covered throne being carried by guards of our kingdom. I don’t consider them “my” guards or servants, since they do not serve me, but my parents. I wish I could roam freely, but that was low chance considering how protective my parents were.

My parents decided to come to the kingdom of Silla, so I could meet my future to be husband/king. I had no word in this, it was between my parents and the queen of Silla decision.

Arriving to the palace I was sat down and helped out of my throne, beside me my parents made their way to the door me following behind. The doors were opened for us and was met with the queen on the other side.

She gave us a short smile and greeted us, “welcome, I hope your travel wasn’t too troubling I am pleased to have you in my kingdom.”

“Thank you for having us here and we can not wait for our daughter to meet your lovely son,” my mother said with an over ecstatic voice.

“As do I, your daughter seems lovely, just right for my son," she smiled at me, I smiled back trying to be rude, but I was not excited to meet this boy. I want to fall in love, not be forced into it, but I had no choice.

“But, please do excuse my son, for he has not returned from the west yet,” she continued. So, he isn’t even here. She led us inside the palace were her servants showed us the rooms in which we would be staying in.

I had gotten my own room, my case where all my clothes are in were placed inside the room. I adjusted to the room I was in. “Why must life be like this?” I questioned myself.

A few days have passed and the king had yet to arrive. It was night time, I sat in the room looking out the window seeing young faces below walking and laughing enjoying themselves. I sighed, then thought of an idea it wouldn’t hurt to go out would it?

The height from the window and the ground wasn’t to high. “Just a little jump Y/N,” I pepped talked myself. I sighed and slowly sat at the edge of window looking back at the room door. I jumped from the window and laded on my feet I felt a small surge of pain go through my legs.

I slowly started to walk, checking my surroundings seeing if anybody was around. I walked on the dirt roads seeing all the rights that surrounded me. I walked some more and found myself in front of a river. I sat at the edge of it placing my hand in the water making ripples in it.

I noticed another reflection in the water, both of us didn’t make a sound. “I can see you,” I spoke not turning around to face the person behind me. “I know,” the person responded sitting down next to me. Neither of us spoke, it was odd to be this comfortable with a stranger, but it just felt right.

“I’ve never seen you around here before,” the voice beside me spoke, I turned and faced him. He was handsome, I admit that, a very handsome stranger.

“I came to visit family with my parents, I come from a different kingdom,” I responded, well more like lied. He hummed in response, “what’s your name?” he asked. “Y/N,” I responded without hesitation. “Ji Dwi,” he stated, “my name is Ji Dwi.”

“It’s nice to meet you then, Ji Dwi.” “To you as well.”

And that’s how it started, Ji Dwi and I met up by that same river every night until that dreadful day. The future king had arrived from the west back to the kingdom, the day that I would be meeting my future husband.

The queen’s servants helped me get dressed before meeting him. As one of the servants finished pinning up one last bit of my hair, my mother walked in smiling, “good you’re all done, now it is time for you to meet him!”

I gave her a fake smile and followed behind my mother to the dinning room where we would all meet. As I entered a figure sat in front me their back facing me, the queen making her way towards me, “Y/N you lovely, please let me introduce you to my son.”

“Sam Maek this is Y/N L/N, Y/N my son Sam Maek,” as she introduced Sam Maek stood up from his seat and turned around to face me. I was flabbergasted at seeing his face. It was him Ji Dwi, wait he, he was the king? Not only that, but my future husband.

His reaction was similar to mine, his eyes widened at seeing me. My father cleared his throat, “well we will give you two a moment to get to know each other.”

Our parents left the room leaving us both in the dinning room. “It’s you,” Ji Dwi, well Sam Maek said. I nodded, “and it’s you.”

He chuckled, “how ironic is it, that we both ended up like this.” I laughed lightly to, but then realized, “you lied.” “I can say the same to you,” he retorted. I nodded knowing he was right, we both lied.

He sighed, “so, we are getting married, to each other.” I nodded looking anywhere, but him. We were so comfortable with each other before and now it is just awkward.

“Well then I guess this shouldn’t be a problem,” he said then placed his lips upon mine. They were soft and his kiss was sweet, it took me a few seconds to respond to it, but when I did it was a bliss. He held me in his arms holding me close.

“I am glad to being able to call you my future wife and queen.” “And I to call you my future husband and king.”

Who would’ve known that this man I met by the river, that I fell for, would be the one I’d be getting married to.

🌹 🌹 🌹 🌹 🌹 🌹

What you guys think of this one? Should I leave it like this or make a separate imagine on how they fell for each other at the river? Excuse any mistakes I’ve made.

Disclaimer: I will be using some scenes from the series, but they will not be following the plot of the actual episode unless requested so. Also, I apologize for any mistakes when using some parts of the episodes if the translation is correct.

#Hwarang #Hwarang Imagines #Sam Maek Jong #Sam Maek Jong Imagines #Ji Dwi #Ji Dwi Imagines #Sam Maek #Sam Maek Imagines

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purplegirlsworld · 8 years ago

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Hwarang: Lost Princess

Disclaimer: Hwarang and its characters do not belong to me. Plot and characters were based from the drama Hwarang.

Prologue

Yoon Shi Yoon’s POV

“Go to your Uncle Seub in Silla. Take care of yourself and your sister. Always be safe. You’re father and I will always love you. You must leave now. Hurry!” Those were the last words from our mother.

In the dead of the night, carrying my little sister in my arms, we fled from the palace. Away from the battling soldiers. Away from the dead bodies. Away from our father’s enemies. Away from our family.

‘Abeoji, Ommonim, I’ll come back someday. I’ll seek revenge from the ones who did this. I promise I’ll protect Ara, my sister. I’ll keep her safe.’ I silently thought. Looking down in my arms, I saw that Ara is already fast asleep. We’ve been riding hard and fast for the last few days, we needed to get as far away from the palace as possible. Our enemies are sure to be on our tail and we need to get as much distance from them as we can.

After a week of travelling, we finally reached Silla. We went straight to Uncle Seub’s home. Uncle Seub is a close friend of my father, that is probably why mother sent us here. Upon reaching the place, I knocked on the gate and a servant came out. “I am looking for Minister Kim Seub. Please tell him that Yoon Shi Yoon is here.” I said. While the servant was announcing our arrival, I took the time to look at my sister. She’s looking worse for wear given that we’ve ridden hard for a week. Her hanbok is dusty, she has dirt in her face, and her hair is in a disarray. I’m pretty sure I look just as bad, if not worse.

After waiting for a few minutes, we were finally let in. We were shown to the receiving area where Uncle Seub was waiting. “Shi Yoon, what happened? It must be pretty bad for you to come here unexpectedly and looking like that. You and your sister look exhausted,” said Uncle Seub. “We were attacked, father’s enemies wanted to overthrow him. I’m not sure if they are still alive. Ara and I fled the palace during the fight. Mother told me to come here.“ I said. “The enemies of my old friend finally made their move. You and your sister can stay here. We’ll take care of you.”

“If it’s not too much trouble, I’ll be leaving Ara with you. They will be searching for us and it would be safer for her to stay here. Please take care of my sister. I’ll rest for a bit and leave.”

“Why don’t you stay here as well?”

“I can’t. It will be too dangerous for you and your family. They will be more interested in me than with her. I’ll throw them off their tracks by going far away from here. Please take care of Ara.”

I left their home after 3 days. Seeing my sister crying pained me but this is for the best. She’ll be safer here. I can’t stay and I can’t take her with me. ‘One day, after I’ve completed my revenge, I’ll come back for you.’ I thought.

#hwarang imagines #hwarang ff #ah ro #ji dwi #sam maek jong #hwarang #hwarang au

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thehauntrpg-blog · 6 years ago

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Name: Hyun-Ki “Rowan” Moon Age Range: 26 Gender: Male Pronouns: He/Him Occupation: Freelance photographer/document forger Status: TAKEN by phnx

Sallybrook was only a stop on a much bigger cross country road trip. But as soon as you drove into town, you felt like there was something calling you here, something telling you to stay. So stay you did. You got a room at the motel, and stayed for a few weeks. Every time you tried to leave, something held you back. Either your car broke down, or you lost your wallet, or you met someone who wanted you to stay a little while longer. After a few months of living at the motel, you got an apartment, totally unsure of why or how you ended up there. It feels like you were tricked into staying, although you don’t know who exactly it was who tricked you. You’ve heard in passing the history of the town, but it isn’t enough for you to put anything together.

Elodie: You find them cute- always asking questions, eyes bright with excitement as you tell them stories about the different towns you’ve been through, the different people you’ve met. Some of the stories might not be true, or might be slightly exaggerated, but how could you disappoint someone who looked at you with such wide, excited eyes?

Jude: There’s comfort in knowing you’re not the only new person in town, especially someone around the same age as you. You don’t have much of the same interests, but there’s excitement in that. In knowing that no matter what you tell them, it’ll be the first time they hear it. You respect each other, and understand each other in a way that goes beyond shared interests.

faceclaim: Hong Jonghyun

tw: neglect, drinking/drug abuse, endangerment of minors, DWI, death, overdose mention

i. the genesis

There was a rumor around Westlake Prep that if one were to bring a wad of cash, a loaded flask, and their best pretty-please to the water fountain outside the boys’ locker room after swim practice, one could have a fake ID in hand in time to go clubbing on the weekend. Though no one said his name, everyone knew that the boy with the designer smirk and the genuine leather backpack could get them exactly what they needed to have a good time, and though he wouldn’t do it with a smile, he’d do it damn fast and better than they could possibly have imagined.

What they didn’t know was the truth: it was hard being the least interesting person in a school full of ingénues and future-famouses. In a world built on family lines and reputation, being new money was anathema to popularity, and there was nothing Rowan desired more that to be adored—if not as a person, then as a figure, one who took on an almost mythical quality during his four years at the elite L.A. prep school.

Though his house in the hills was just as splendid as any of his classmates’, it hadn’t always been that way. Little Hyun-Ki, as he was then known, grew up in a public school with the rest of the normals, though he was by no means hurting for money. In those early years, his father supported the family as a businessman, his mother an up-and-coming artist. Try as she might to gain foothold in Los Angeles’ fast-flowing art market, she was quickly swept under the current. Her gallery, however, took off at lightspeed: it was not her painter’s eye the people sought, but the eye of a collector.

The changes were slow at first. He and his older sister Ji-Min started getting nicer clothes, then his mother got a new car. These material changes were dwarfed by his parents’ behavior however, which shifted rapidly before his eyes. Though they had never been particularly warm people, during his tweens they seemed to withdraw into their work completely, often leaving him and his sister to fend for themselves while they holed up in her studio, working late into the night. Hyun-Ki thought little of it when he stumbled upon his father in the studio one day, dipping a crumpled up sheet of paper into a pan of what smelled like coffee. His father shooed him away with a barked command that he heeded quickly, returning to his reading in the living room.

It wasn’t until they moved into one of those monstrous McMansions he’d seen only in catalogues that he began to realize that something had fundamentally changed. As far as he could tell, their life circumstances hadn’t changed so drastically as to warrant a mansion, so where was all the money coming from? He got his answer in bits and pieces throughout middle school, beginning almost by accident. Ever the forgetful child, he left a permission slip for his parents to sign until the night before. They had disappeared, as usual, so that night he got creative: sneaking into his father’s study, he rifled through the documents on the desk until he came upon his father’s signature. With careful eyes and a tongue stuck out sideways in concentration, he copied the signature onto his permission slip in flourishing letters, then sat back to admire his handiwork. Not bad, he thought, and that was that, until it wasn’t.

It slipped his mind that he would be late returning home after the field trip. His best friend’s mother dropped him off at home, only to find his parents seated at the dining table, phones clutched in white-knuckled hands, faces pale, sheetlike. There was no effusion of relief or affection upon his return, but an enraged outpouring, demanding to know what, exactly, he had done. His cheeks burned with embarrassment as he sputtered his confession. Bitterness crept up his throat at the realization that this was the most energy they’d put into him in years, but the thought was swept away by their puzzling reaction: the anger seemed to fade away, replaced by a quiet interest as his father’s eyes met his mother’s.

As his sister watched quietly from the corner, his mother placed a single blank sheet of paper on the table in front of him.

“Show us what you did,” she said in even tones, sliding a pen to him with a slow and deliberate scrape. Hyun-Ki looked from one to the other, then to his sister, who offered a hungry gaze as a substitute for solace. Then, with a deep breath, he shut his eyes, conjuring up the hills and valleys of his father’s signature behind closed lids.

He picked up the pen and, with great, sloping strokes, signed his father’s name.

ii. the indoctrination

From that moment on, his parents took an interest in him like they never had before. With his father’s assistance, he learned to artificially age paper, creasing it carefully and staining it with coffee and tea. Words like “provenance” and “ownership” floated in those coffee-stained waters, but he gave little thought to it at the time. His father asked him in tones he’d rarely heard before to sign the names of people he didn’t know, showing pictures and old documents he couldn’t make sense of that he was supposed to imitate. Despite a hundred questions brewing in his mind, he did as he was told dutifully, grateful to finally have the attention he had so craved.

Meanwhile, his mother tried to teach him to paint. His sister, he quickly discovered, had been taking lessons for some time; she was far better at it, and over time he began to suspect that it wasn’t just a difference in practice that separated them. They were each tasked to replicate a painting before them, and while neither of them got close, his sister’s showed real artistry, something he didn’t quite understand at the time yet could still feel withering deep within himself. He saw how his mother gazed at Ji-Min in moments like those and felt resentment’s icy tendrils wrap themselves around his heart and squeeze.

The sessions with his mother stopped soon after that, and so, too, did her warmth toward him. And that was when he came to understand a tenet of his tenuous existence that would come to shape the rest of his life: his parents, and by extension, everyone else, valued him only for his usefulness.

As he entered his first year of high school, he struggled between two extremes, one moment feeling determined to earn his place, the next, certain he didn’t need to. He became colder and more distant from his parents—if that was even possible—and distanced himself from their sham of a business. He was older now, smarter, and he could see them for who they really were: hungry wolves, eager to take advantage of anyone who was naïve enough to believe the elaborate show they put on.

There were three parts to the ruse, and each was essential. His mother was the artisan, the master crafter, spinning “authentic” works of art from the tip of her brush, in turns delighted and furious that she could only sell her work if she passed it off as the work of another, one with more name recognition and star power. His father was the historian, often researching techniques late into the night, fabricating the necessary paperwork to make the art appear authentic. His sister, now having bloomed fully into equal parts of their mother’s artistry and their father’s business savvy, was the face of the collection, selling the ruse with her silver tongue and million-watt smile.

And Hyun-Ki, little Hyun-Ki, well, he didn’t fit anywhere into their equation.

iii. the rebellion

He stopped trying. He bleached his hair and changed his name, opting for the spartan “Rowan” that his friends had dubbed him years before. He’d liked the name, but it wasn’t until that point that he began referring to himself that way internally, replacing it everywhere he could. Having just entered a new school, the transition wasn’t difficult, since no one save his best friend Malia knew him anyway.

Yet try as he might, something small and sick and coughing curled deep within his chest still yearned to be loved, to be needed. From what he’d learned so far, love was transactional, so he sought it out the only way he knew how.

It started out small. Rowan offered to sign a detention slip for an acquaintance, amazing them with his precision. They didn’t know that, when compared to the techniques his father taught him, this was baby stuff. Word spread quickly of his skill, and before he knew it, classmates were asking him for all sorts of things, anything from tardy passes to endorsing checks. That last one gave him pause—was he ready to commit a serious offense? But seeing that adoring look in their eyes, he was powerless to resist.

They came for his skills, but they stayed for his biting wit and unique worldview. A small clique formed around him, but it wasn’t enough; it never was. These people, they were interesting enough, but they weren’t what he was looking for. He needed more, and he needed it now. The only person who knew of his secret desires was Malia, and even she didn’t fully understand them, despite them having been friends for most of their adolescent years.

His chance came in the form of a beautiful and mysterious girl named Cassie St. Clair, with fiery hair flowing down her back and cherry-red lips to match. The daughter of a pair of famous actors, she owned the school and knew it, too. Whenever Rowan saw her floating down the hall with her posse, he felt jealousy scratching at his insides, desperate to know what just one night in that life was like.

From those candy-coated lips issued his golden ticket: she needed a fake ID. She was tired of being asked if she was that St. Clair, wanted to be someone else for a little while. He found that whole concept kind of baffling, but he was hardly oblivious to the promise behind her eyes. She took care of those who cared for her, and there was nothing he wanted more than to know what that care felt like.

iv. the ascension

Rowan made a deal with the devil. In recent months he had become aware that his father was losing some of the mobility and precision in his hands due to early onset arthritis. His father had not yet asked him to step in and complete the work that he could not, but Rowan knew the ask was coming soon, and he wouldn’t exactly be able to refuse. Might as well get ahead of it and receive something in return, right?

So they came to an agreement. Rowan would do what his father asked of him, and in return, his father would teach him some of his more advanced skills and knowledge when it came to official documents. Rowan was surprised to find that his father already had all of the necessary equipment, but it quickly morphed into a deep and painful understanding: he wasn’t the only one trying desperately to secure his place in a world where social currency was more valuable than the millions upon which their meaningless estate was built. He thought he was branching away from his parents, distancing himself from them, but in his efforts to ingratiate himself to the elite, he had never resembled them more closely.

But a deal was a deal, and his mind had long been made. Picking up the camera he had rarely used since purchasing it the year before, he arranged to take Cassie’s picture one afternoon after school. Though her standards for the portrait were stringent, he found himself actually enjoying the process, and he even made her laugh a few times, too. It was the beginning of something new and beautiful, he was certain. Surely this would be enough. It had to be.

Even he had to admit that the ID was convincing. Her eyebrows shot up when he presented it to her, as if to say, I didn’t think you’d really do it. But she didn’t know him, not yet. Rowan always did what he set out to do.

After that, his circumstances changed rapidly. Gone were the useless nobodies that had once wasted his time, replaced with pure-white smiles and perfect hair, Gucci bags and envious stares. With Cassie’s approval came everyone else’s, all at once, and overwhelmingly so. Rowan was plunged into a world of hedonism and excess, spending nights on rooftops dancing until dawn, reveling in the company his savvy had bought him, if only for the moment.

For the first time, somewhat unexpectedly, he found he could be himself. These kids, he realized, were just as fucked up inside as he was: their sweat-shining bodies writhed to the rhythm of some desperate beat, dying to be known, to be loved. And they were. Maybe it took a few shots and a couple lines to get them there, but when he took that first hit, felt that powerful rush flow through him, he had never felt more connected to anyone in his life. Bringing his camera along, he would take pictures of them in their ecstasy, capturing them at what he believed was their most beautiful.

He paid little mind to the microtransactions that seemed to make up their sober hours, helping his friends where they needed it. They wanted in to the best clubs in town, so he provided. It was all so they could have a good time together, right? Malia insisted that they were using him, but when he grew too annoyed with her repeated warnings, he simply stopped listening. He didn’t need her anymore, anyway. These people were his friends—no, his family. They loved him, and he them. Nothing could tear them apart.

But as all children must eventually learn, nothing lasts forever. Just as he reached the zenith of his popularity, valued for who he was rather than who he associated with (if such a thing was possible in a school like his), it was all over. They graduated, and their clique drifted apart just as easily as it had come together. The faces of the familiar were replaced by the new elites, and he suddenly realized that he was in danger of becoming one of the drifters on the outskirts of the group, too old for their juvenile antics, yet unable to live any other way. So to stay relevant he indoctrinated others into their glittering life, though the edges were running ragged and the gold didn’t quite shine the way it used to. He was the gatekeeper, the new Cassie St. Clair. Where he had once sought their approval, they now had to seek his.

He had never felt more powerful, and he had never been so lonely.

v. the fall

Nights blurred into days blurred into nights. He didn’t have a job—didn’t need one, of course—so he devoted himself entirely to his own pleasure, spending his early twenties in a blur of sex and drugs and bright neon lights. He held hands with strangers, woke up in their beds, skin slick and insides sickly. He lost track of who he did what for, and though he knew he was toeing a dangerous line, he couldn’t bring himself to care. Even if he did get caught, at least it would be something different. The bright lights that had once thrilled him seemed dull now, and the photographs he once adored now all looked the same. Some faces changed, others grew older, but they shared that hollow look, the glassiness behind eyes pleading to be seen. He saw them, alright. He just didn’t find anything worth looking at.

One summer afternoon, he was busy performing some task for his father which, at this point, had become mindless, when he heard a knock on the door. When he opened it, he did a double take: the tousled black curls and piercing brown eyes smacked of his ex-best friend, whom he hadn’t spoken to in years. But it wasn’t Malia, but rather her little brother, Milo, who had been a little pizza-faced pipsqueak the last time Rowan had seen him. Milo was growing into himself rather nicely now, flashing him a bright grin; he couldn’t have been more than sixteen.

Puzzled, Rowan let him in, while the boy gushed about how beautiful the house was, and how excited he was to see Rowan, and wow! he didn’t know they liked art so much! Rowan smiled and indulged him, in part because he liked the youthful energy, and in part because, if he were honest, he missed Malia so damn much. They talked for a little while, but at last Rowan became too curious and wanted to know what the boy had come for.

He should have known better. Rather than to reconnect with an old family friend—or to pass on Malia’s fond wishes, as he had secretly hoped—Milo wanted what everyone else wanted from him. A fake ID, so he could hang out with the cool people. Rowan’s insides soured, though he was secretly a bit pleased that his legacy at the school remained in whispers among the students long after his tenure there. He was poised to refuse, knowing full well what that life promised versus what it delivered—and painfully aware of how much Malia would hate it. But there was something about Milo’s earnestness, the aching desire to fit in, that was a little too close to himself. Who was he to refuse the kid a good time?

So he agreed to it, snapping a photo of the kid, collecting some info, and sending him on his way with the goods a few hours later. Then he returned to his monotony, figuring that was the last he’d hear of it.

Oh, if only that were true. Not a month later, he was on his way home late at night, having for once decided to spend the night in his own home, when he spied police lights flashing at the entrance to his neighborhood. He was a little high, which made him a bit paranoid, but all that melted away when he saw the car wrapped around a telephone pole, smoke rising from the crumpled engine. He recognized it as the very same car that Milo had pulled up in his driveway. A body lay draped under a cloth outside the ambulance, while he caught a glimpse of someone else being cared for by EMTs.

Heart pounding, he drove home, refreshing the news all night to see if the victims had been identified—it could have been a coincidence, right? It’s not like Milo’s car was one-of-a-kind. But sure enough, he saw the boy’s latest school portrait online, and beneath it, the word deceased. He had been driving under the influence with two friends, one of which died in the crash.

The wake was a week later, and against his better judgment, he went. Malia’s parents were about as happy to see him as they could be under the circumstances, but when Malia saw him, her eyes were instantly aflame. She stalked up to him and shoved him backward, to the shock of onlookers.

“How dare you come here?” she exclaimed, shoving him again. “You did this. You did this!”

For the first time in recent memory, his eyes grew wet.

“Malia, I’m sorry… I didn’t…”

“Sorry won’t bring him back,” she said, crossing her arms, lips trembling. “Get out.”

“Malia, please—”

“Get out!” she shrieked, and he at last obeyed. Rushing to his car, he drove home with shaking hands, head full of cotton. He raced up to his room and slammed the door, breath heaving, leaning against it. He could see himself in the mirror opposite the door, how small and pathetic he looked. He was a killer, and he couldn’t even look himself in the eyes and admit it. Instead he tore the mirror off the wall with an animalistic scream, watching as it shattered into a million pieces.

Crouching down to examine them, he at last saw his face: jagged and distorted, as twisted up outside as he was inside. Gazing at that shade of himself, breath tight in his chest, tears pooling on the surface of the ruined mirror, he finally understood.

He would take Malia’s advice. He had to get out.

vi. the escape

The cool breeze winding through the mountains. The rush of water over well-worn rock. The quiet snap of his camera. Out here, he could be anyone he wanted, or no one at all. It was refreshing to stay in bed and breakfasts where no one knew his name, to talk quietly over warm croissants and tart orange juice. He listened to their stories with a smile on his face, and when they asked for his, he told them of his travels, the beautiful places he had seen, showed them his pictures. He made no mention of the life he had left behind, and in moments like those, he could almost believe that it had never even happened.

But the further he got from home, the more the different locales blurred together, the louder the little voice in the back of his head became. He could outrun his parents, who would surely be looking for him—they relied upon him for many of their documents now, after all—but he couldn’t outrun his guilt. Sometimes he felt that Milo was with him, standing just behind him, accusing eyes boring into his back. But when he could no longer resist the urge to look, the boy was nowhere to be seen.

Of course he wasn’t. Rowan didn’t believe in ghosts. But he did believe in karma, and he was pretty sure it would catch up with him eventually. All he could do for now was run, run, run, from town to town, state to state, zig-zagging with little forethought, often deciding his next destination just before he left for it. He liked it that way: his days used to be monotonous, and now, each one was different, with new beauty to be discovered around every bend in the road, befriending people who understood the transience of their relationship, even appreciated it. It was enough to almost forget the itch scratching at his throat, asking for just a little more wine at the end of the day, wondering if any of the drifters he met were packing something stronger. And if he did pull his flask out at noon on a Sunday while walking a nature trail, who was there to judge him?

No one, that’s who. And so he did as he damn well pleased.

His intention was to make his way to New York City to start a new life. He’d saved up quite a bit of money from his “side job” over the years, and he was pretty sure his parents weren’t going to look for him for too long. As collateral, he’d taken one of his mother’s favorite paintings with him, leaving not a goodbye note, but a threat: Pursue me and I will destroy it. It wasn’t perfect, but it would have to do.

When he reached New York, however, he found himself repulsed by the loud city life. During the single night he spent there, he had a vivid nightmare that he overdosed at a party while his friends all stood around, laughing and jeering. When awoke, he ran to the bathroom and vomited. Then, he grabbed his bag and got back on the road.

vii. the rebirth

And then there was Sallybrook.

He couldn’t say for certain what it was that drew him to the town. Maybe it was the fog surrounding it, how unique the pictures would be. Maybe it was the ramshackle buildings which at once dared him to explore, yet warned him away. Maybe it was that the voice in the back of his head, the one whispering killer, coward, waste of space, was replaced by something else, something imploring him to stay. The town wanted him there. He wasn’t sure how exactly he knew that, but he could feel it in his bones, how badly it wanted him.

Damn it all if he didn’t enjoy the feeling of being wanted.

So he stayed. It was provisional at first, transient, a one-more-week affair—one week, which turned into two, which turned into a month, which turned into an apartment with a lease. Against all odds, he’s realized that he kind of… liked it there. Plus, it’s not like his parents would look for him in a tiny town like this one, right? New York, now that was an easy guess. But Sallybrook?

Sure, maybe some of the residents treat him like he has a second head, but honestly, he’s used to that feeling. There are plenty that don’t, people who have lived here their whole lives, who are dying for a taste of something different. People like Elodie, who values him for his words and stories rather than for what he can do for them, or Jude, whose knowing smile and haunted gaze seem to imply that they shared more in common than either of them would admit. He sometimes wonders whether they’d still like him if they knew who he is—who he really is, not this untethered world traveler that he makes himself out to be. Though he sometimes longs for acceptance in his true form, he knows that isn’t possible. So he’ll be Rowan Kim for now, adventurer, photographer, storyteller and mischief-maker. Hell, he certainly likes the guy better than he likes himself. What’s the harm in playing the part for a little while, right? If he inhabits the role deeply enough, maybe Milo will lose the scent and stop fucking haunting him.

Or maybe he just needs to replace Milo’s ghost with another. He’s been in Sallybrook long enough to hear the whispers, stories of children disappearing, of the dead among the living. He isn’t quite sure he believes it, but he almost wants to be true. If there were honest-to-god ghosts in the town, at least he isn’t personally responsible for any of their deaths. That has to be better, right? Anything’s better than this. So when people tell him stories about it, he listens. And when they insist that it’s real, he indulges them and himself, immersing himself more and more in the lore so he might forget about his own. But even so, there’s still that little voice in the back of his head, asking him what it means if they’re real. Wouldn’t that mean Milo is real, too?

He’s not sure he wants to find out.

#lsrpg #rpg #horror rp #town rp #skeleton rp #rowan

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withasideofeggsy · 8 years ago

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Hwarang :: Sam Maek Jong x Reader :: Part II

Thanks to everyone who waited and sent me nice encouraging messages! :) I felt bad for making you all wait so I made sure this chapter was extra long! 6505 words for you! I hope you enjoy :)

Read Part 1 here!

The sun seeps through the translucent film of the screen walls, it was warm. Really, really warm. I opened my eyes and I realized that the heat was not only radiating off the rising sun but also from Ji Dwi who was cuddled at my side. His arm was folded under my head, serving as a pillow while his other arm was wrapped around my waist holding me close to his body. I could feel the blood rushing to my cheeks at his close proximity, his chin rested on top of my head while mine was nestled into his neck. He was so warm and cuddly…if only I could see his cute sleeping face. Carefully and very slowly I peel myself away to get a peep but instead I received a surprise when his grip tightened and pulled me closer into his chest. “Just stay for a moment longer,” he mumbles into my hair. I smile into the collar of his hanbok, “I wasn’t leaving. I just wanted to see your face.” At that he shifts lower so that we were face to face. Being so close I could admire how perfect his face really was. From his long lashes, perfectly round almond eyes, sharp sculpted jaw and shaped eyebrows. “Wow,” I breathed out loud which he smirks at, “What’s wrong? First time seeing a handsome man?” I roll my eyes, quickly turning over so that he faced my back. His breath fans across my neck as he chuckled, “I’m just teasing.” “No, you’re just annoying,” I correct as his arms found their way around my form again, pulling me back towards him, “And really cuddly” I muse allowing him to nuzzle his nose against my ear. “We should get up. It won’t be long before the intensive training starts to prepare you for that stupid…really stupid unnecessary spar in a weeks time,” I explain but it falls on deaf ears since he made no effort to pull away. “Ji Dwi!” I whine with a laugh trying to sit up but the man-child was not having it as he playfully flops on top of me. “G-Get off! Stop!” I scream with giggles in between the kisses he placed on my face and along my neck. Let’s just say it was a very compromising position to get caught in when the wooden door flew open to reveal a very alarmed and ‘ready to kill a man’ aura radiating off of Seyeo. Besides the embarrassing situation it was funny to see his shocked face with his sword ready in his hand when he realized what he interrupted. “I told you it was time to get up,” I teasingly scold Ji Dwi which he replies with a small smile. He rolls off of me and into a seated position then he proceeded to stare intensively at Seyeo, almost impatiently waiting for him to leave. “Seyeo, you are going to catch flies if you don’t close your mouth,” I casually say with a stretch. To my surprise, he doesn’t even reply or say a sarcastic remark before turning on his heel and hastily running off to god knows where. “Now where were we…” Ji Dwi hums, gently pushing me back onto the floor. “Hmmm…waking up to go to practice?” I suggest which he immediately tuts at, “Then what?” I smile knowingly as he lowers his face towards mine, planting a firm and sweet kiss onto my forehead. He pulls back slightly and looks up with knotted brows as if in deep thought, “I can’t seem to remember.” “Wow…such a dork. Just kiss me properly,” impatiently I cup his cheeks to pull him forwards. “Okay,” he agrees planting a kiss onto my nose. “Not there.” “Over here?” he inquires placing one onto my cheek. “No!” I laugh squishing his cheeks. “How about here?” he tries again with my other cheek. “Ji Dwi!” “One more try?” he chuckles, finally placing a firm one onto my lips. I laugh hugging his neck tightly, “I wish we could wake up every morning like this.” He nods in agreement, “I’m sure I can do something to make that happen.” “Then I’ll look forward to it! But let’s get you to practice now, okay?”

I join beside Seyeo who was watching the Hwarang set up for their sword practice. “So this is where you ran off to,” I tease taking a seat closely beside him. The male rolls his eyes and pulls out a parchment of crispy rice from his hanbok. “I wanted to surprise you with your favourite but I guess you surprised me instead. You know you could’ve told me so I wouldn’t have barged in like that!” I burst out laughing, realizing how embarrassed he was about the whole over deal, “You know we didn’t do anything right?” He breathes out almost in relief, not before quickly snapping a, “Yeah you better haven’t done anything!” I groan at his brotherly protectiveness, but all was forgotten when I remembered the crispy rice in my lap. Which I happily and quickly ate. Taking my last bite the Hwarang finally started their more intensiveness training in preparation to the fight taking place next week. Seyeo whistled beside me, “Wew, look at your man go!” I look up to find Ji Dwi showing off some really impressive moves, “Oh shut up you!” “Oh, he’s looking his way!” Seyeo exclaims excitedly and with no shame started waving at Ji Dwi which caused the corner of his lips to pull up. Not missing a beat Ji Dwi flashes me a wink before focusing on his sparring partner. “Oh what a cutie,” Seyeo sighs mockingly which I easily ignored since growing up with this annoying child that seemed to be the best option to shut him up. Observing the Hwarang carefully it was obvious as to who were the most skilled of the group, and much to my dismay I could easily tell that the sweet younger member, Han Sung, struggled to keep up. He wasn’t particularly horrible, he just needed a bit more practice. It was difficult to watch his sword constantly fly out of his grip since in a real situation that would’ve meant that he died…at least seven times in the last fifteen minutes. I couldn’t possibly watch him get killed at the sparring event, sending him with his current skills would just be suicide. So by the end of practice I thought of a solution to help Han Sung out, and importantly not to accidently hurt his feelings.

As the males started to put away their swords on their respective racks I walk towards Han Sung who sat defeated on the dirt ground. He was panting and out of breath but what took me back were the tears that started to well in his eyes. “Han Sung, you did great today!” I smile patting his head gently. He looks up with a pout, “Really?” I hum in agreement, “Of course! I was actually wondering if you could show me a few moves.” He blinks in confusion, “But you are already so good. I saw you the other day beating the other Princess and Ji Dwi.” He had me there, I guess I should give him a little more credit for being sharp when he wanted to. After a short moment of silence I nervously scratch at my temple, “But there’s always room for improvement right Han Sung?” Which to that he nods with his usual bright large smile. I nod contently, “Now that’s the spirit! Come on teach me something!”

Sam Maek POV

After practice I was looking forward to spend some time with (Y/n) seeing that we had the day off to relax. Apparently, it was part of the new practice regimen, practice intensively for three hours straight and rest for the remainder of the day. However, she seemed to be occupied. After putting away my practice sword I walked towards her usual observing spot but only her personal care taker was there. I follow Seok Hyeon’s line of vision to see (Y/n) gently patting Han Sung’s head. “What’s she doing?” I ask curiously plopping down beside Seok Hyeon. He cocks his head a bit in acknowledgement of my presence and explained, “(Y/n) couldn’t stand watching Han Sung fight like that. She knows he’s going to get hurt or worse, killed, at the spar so she’s trying to help him practice. Obviously without being obvious that he sucks.” I chuckle at the situation, that was something she would do, “So even when the situation is so dire she’s scared to hurt his feelings?” Seok Hyeon laughed with a scoff, “Yeah, so she’s using the excuse of asking him if he could show her some of his awesome moves.” I watch her and I found myself smiling like usual. From the way she watches Han Sung lovingly, the elegant sword movements, how she tenderly held Han Sung’s arms to help him get in proper position…it was all so perfect. She is definitely the Queen every Kingdom was waiting for. “Hmm…you are staring intensively are you jealous of the boy?” Seok Hyeon mused and I chuckle at that, “What? No of course not.” “That’s good. She already made up her mind that she wont be marrying the King so if that doesn’t prove her loyalty to you then I don’t know what will.” For once I broke my gaze from (Y/n) to look at Seok Hyeon with evident shock, “She said that?” To which he nodded at, staring intensively into my own eyes, “She told me that after her fourth encounter with you. She is extremely fond of you. You know if you end up hurting her I will kill you.” I chuckle at his threat, “I wouldn’t dream of hurting her, ever.” “I’m serious. I will kill you…excruciatingly slowly and painfully. Like I will skin you piece by piece,” Seok Hyeon explains never breaking eye contact. I was glad that (Y/n) has someone like him to watch over her, she was strong and smart but it put me at ease knowing that there will always be Seok Hyeon closely beside her to protect her if I wasn’t there. If she ever needed protecting that is, everyone here knows she’s deadly with her bare hands, let alone with a blade. Well maybe everyone but Han Sung as I could see how excited he was on the field to show (Y/n) some of his moves. “Look (Y/n)! I will teach you this move next!” The young Hwarang will exclaim before presenting some very off technique slash, which would then follow a, “Oh what if we did this instead? I think it would be much cooler!” (Y/n) would add just as excitedly. Call me blinded by love but she was absolutely perfect no matter what light you shine on her there was no imperfection to be seen. I didn’t even realize that they stopped sparring until the Princess started walking towards me. No wait towards Seok Hyeon. I wasn’t upset or anything. “Seyeo! Do you mind if you could go get Han Sung some jerky from town for doing so great?” She asks with a hand on Seok Hyeon’s shoulder, which he immediately accepts and gets up. Now that he was gone I look up from my seated position to see her smiling at me, “What’s up with your face?” “W-What’s wrong with my face?” I nervously ask attempting to cover it with my long sleeves which caused her to giggle and pull my hand away. “You look bothered, Ji Dwi.” Which I immediately reply with, “Why does he have a cute nickname?” (Y/n) snorts and slaps me upside the head, “Don’t be like that…my King~” she sings planting a soft kiss onto my cheek. I could hear my blood pumping in my ears and my heart skipping a beat at what she just called me. I couldn’t even reply as she quickly gets up and returns to help with Han Sung’s training. If only she knew the weight of her words.

Normal POV

Now knowing Han Sung’s strengths it was easy to help him hone into techniques that he could naturally execute. To be very honest I was just as out of breath as he was, “Do you want to take a break Han Sung?” He excitedly shakes his head with a gigantic grin plastered on his face, “No I’m having so much fun! We can take a break once Seok Hyeon is back with the jerky!” I return his smile genuinely happy that he was finally getting into the spirit of sword fighting and finding his confidence, “Okay, that sounds like a plan!”

Practice ensued for probably half an hour more before Seyeo returned with a large parchment of jerky, probably enough to fill up the entire Hwarang. Sitting under the shade of a tree I asked Han Sung to start unpacking the food while I went to invite Ji Dwi over to join us. To my surprise he had plans, “Sorry, I have to go see someone. But I will see you in the evening okay?” I frown but nodded nonetheless, “Okay…sorry that I didn’t get to spend more time with you on your day off.” He chuckles at that and combs my hair back with his long slender fingers, “Don’t be sorry. You were working hard with Han Sung. Enjoy the rest of your day, I’ll see you tonight.” Reluctantly I pull away from his embrace to allow him to go on about his day, “Bye be safe, okay?” To which he nodded with that charming smile. By the time I made it back to Han Sung he was already happily enjoying his share of jerky. I plop down beside him in the shade, safe away from the blazing afternoon sun. It was a nice comfortable silence that enveloped us, so I was quite taken aback when Han Sung spoke up suddenly. “Thank you for helping me,” he shyly smiles scratching his cheek, “I know you were just trying to help me and it makes me really happy.” It’s not even an understatement if I said that my heart just about exploded. “Han Sung...it’s no problem at all. I wanted to help you. I don’t like seeing you upset over something so trivial like sword fighting.” He pulls a funny face, something between a pout and a smile, “Can I tell you a secret?” I quietly nod and he sighs, nibbling on his jerky. “I wished I was born a half blood instead of my brother.” My heart swells up at his confession, “May you tell me the reason why?” “He’s great at everything unlike me…but he isn’t allowed to do anything because of his blood. While I have the blood but I’m useless I can’t do anything right. Maybe if he was the true blood our family’s lineage wouldn’t disappear. God knows it’s going to end with me.” “Oi! You aren’t allowed to speak of yourself like that!” I scolded with a frown, “You will succeed if you keep trying hard and so will your brother! I promise, once I take my throne I will remove all hierarchy and allow anyone to work at the palace as long as they are passionate and hard working. Please continue to try your hardest with your brother, the time will come very soon.” Han Sung’s face lights up, “Wow so cool!” I laugh and pat his head gently, “No…it’s the right thing to do and about time. Blood shouldn’t decipher what an individual can or cannot do. Their actions should be accounted not something that no one has control over, like blood lineage.” He male hums with a closed eye smile, “I can’t wait for you to rule then. Serving you would be really fun with my brother, (Y/n).” I tut at that, “Silly, you won’t be serving me. We are equals, friends even. I just wish for everyone to work along side one another…no serving of any sorts.” “Ji Dwi is very lucky to have you love him (Y/n),” Han Sung suddenly states changing the topic. “J-Ji Dwi?” He hums with a nod in approval, “Although the King would miss out on someone like you, you make Ji Dwi very happy and he’s usually like a rock.” I laugh at that, “Like a rock?” Han Sung nods and joins in with the laughter. “I’m glad you are feeling better, Han Sung. Shall we continue to train for the days coming?” The male nods happily, “I would love that!” “Alright then. Just on one condition, always try your best.” With that we sealed our deal with our pinkies.

Sam Maek POV

Even though it was tempting to stay with (Y/n) and Han Sung I couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling I had that I needed to talk to my mother. Although our talks usually end up fruitless I still found myself trying to reason with her anyways. I walk into the empty throne room to see her perched on her throne…my throne. “Sam Maek, what are you doing here?” she asks surprised at my random visit, “It’s still light outside someone can see you.” “Mother, I wasn’t happy with you trying to marry me off to one of the Princesses, but I made my decision,” I say ignoring her previous inquiries. Mother chuckles softly covering her mouth, “Oh Sam Maek…” she coos getting up from her seat. She started talking again once she walked up to me, “You never had a choice as to whom you were going to marry.” She says with knotted eyebrows but I knew her enough to know that there was no concern behind her actions. “Then why did you bring Princess (Y/n) here if you wanted me to marry my sister.” She smiles shaking her head, “I honestly thought she would just make Princess Sook Myung look even better, besides a friendship to guarantee an alliance with Goguryeo is intelligent. I’m surprised that you could take a liking to someone like Princess (Y/n).” My blood started to boil but I knew I had to keep my anger at bay, “Emotions aside, marrying Princess (Y/n) makes perfect sense. It creates a stronger alliance with the Kingdom of Goguryeo. Your narrow minded decisions has lead Silla to being the smallest of the three Kingdoms.” Mother furrows her eyebrows and reaches out a hand to cup my cheek, “Get rid of such silly thoughts regarding Princess (Y/n). It’s not going to happen. You are to marry Princess Sook Myung and it’s not up for discussion.” I turn my head away from her touch, it felt toxic, “For my entire life I obeyed your every order, however this time I cannot follow through of what you ask of me. You can send me away again, isolate me, deprive me of my throne, but you will not take her away from me.”

The walk back to the Hwarang house took longer than it should have, maybe because I took my time thinking about the event that just unfolded. The talks with Mother were usually like this but I felt uneasy that I told her so much about my feelings. She was controlling and consumed by fear which makes the most dangerous of people. “I missed you!” The sweet voice I learned to love called out. I look up from the ground to see a small blur running towards me, instantaneously engulfing me into a bone crushing hug. “I know you were only gone for only a few hours but I missed you already…can we go to Okta together? A bunch of the Hwarang are going!” she grins up at me excitedly. I gaze into her large round eyes and I found myself smiling as well, “I will accompany you anywhere, but I think it’s better if we stay inside tonight if that’s alright with you.” Without further questioning she nods contently and pulls me along to the small pond located at the back of the Hwarang house. I lower myself and sat down on the rocky surface beside the water, “Come here,” I softly coo pulling her into my lap. She quietly snuggles herself into my hanbok and rests her cheek against my shoulder.

Normal POV

Being so cozy and warm I started to drift off, but the nagging feeling regarding how strangely Ji Dwi was acting tugged at the back of my mind. “You know if something is bothering you Ji Dwi, you can tell me. I’m here to listen.” He momentarily remains silent threading his slender fingers through my locks, it took a few seconds of silence before he collected his thoughts and found his words, “I’m alright…just promise me one thing, okay?” I lift my face away from his neck to clearly into his face, it was obvious that something was tugging at the back of his head as well, “That really depends on the promise. If I can’t keep it I won’t lie to you.” He chuckles at that, “What I ask of you is quite simple, I wish for you to stay on Hwarang property. If you leave I will personally accompany you. That’s all I ask.” His proposal was strange indeed. It wasn’t something he would usually say, especially since he clearly knows how capable I am of protecting myself. “I have to be accompanied by you? Not even Seok Hyeon?” I inquire causing Ji Dwi to immediately nod his head, “I know you are capable of protecting yourself but I need you to do this for me. Please.” I silently nod, wrapping my arms around his now relaxed form, “Thank you (Y/n).” He strokes my back in slow circles, relaxing me enough to doze off.

I lost count of time, only realizing that it’s evening when the sun started to set into the horizon. Pulling back from Ji Dwi I stretch popping multiple joints, and I groan contently at the shift of tight muscles in my back. “Sorry I fell asleep,” I groggily chuckle getting off his probably now numb lap. Ji Dwi softly smiles, “That’s alright. I don’t mind being your pillow if that means that you are well rested.” I scoff with a shy smile in response, “No matter how sweet that was it was also excruciatingly cheesy.” Holding out my hand Ji Dwi takes it and pulls himself up and I was definitely correct about his legs being numb. The next second I knew we were both tumbling into the pond screaming, although the screaming didn’t last long as loud hearty laughter took over almost instantly. “You should’ve seen your face!” I exclaim pinching his cheek between by thumb and index. A mischievous glint sparkled in his chocolate brown eyes, before I could warn him not to he scooped water into his hands and splashed my face with it. “Bleh! Don’t you guys clean your bloody laundry with this water?” I spat but it was fruitless as he ignored my complaint and legitimately showered me. “Oh you’re on!” I growl tackling him into the pond where he slips and ended up pulling me along with him. “I’m soaking wet thanks to you!” I frown, “I just took a shower a few hours ago too…” “Come then let’s go take one together,” he winks cheekily causing a loud gasp to leave my wide hanging jaw, “Aish! Ji Dwi ah you can’t just say those things!” I stutter evidently flustered by his dirty teasing. He chuckles softly, caressing my cheek with the pad of his thumb, “You are so innocent it’s adorable.” “What? No!” I shake my head vigorously, “It’s all your fault for thinking such impure thoughts!” Throwing the blame onto him I cover my flushed face with the now wet sleeves of my hanbok. “Well we are going to get married no? Won’t we do so eventually? I’m just suggesting a head start,” he smiles innocently and I shake my head with a tut, “Please say you are joking!” Ji Dwi chuckles and leans forward, planting a soft warm kiss onto my forehead, “I’m just teasing. You are so easily flustered it’s quite precious.” I shake my head stubbornly never once breaking the intensive eye contact from him, “I’m not easily flustered! I am a proper Princess who is aloof and wears a face of unchanging stone!” “That sounds like something you can read from a scroll in etiquette lessons given from your mother or nanny.” “Well…you’re not wrong,” I burst out laughing and it was music to my ears when he joined in.

After taking a shower, alone, I must add. I snuggle into my mattress with Ji Dwi closely beside me. “Are you really going to stay the night with me?” I ask hopefully which he nods in confirmation, “You mentioned this earlier on the day that you wanted to wake up every morning like this.” I nod contently holding him close to my body as did he to mine. “Can you tell me stories about yourself so I can fall asleep listening to your voice?” I ask closing eyes. His index finger drew circles into my shoulder blade while he pondered, “There’s nothing really interesting about me. How about I tell you about my favourite story that I heard growing up?” Without opening my eyes I nod and snuggled closer into his chest so that my ear was pressed against his chest, so close that I could hear his even breathes and the strong beat of his heart.

There was once a boy who was born with powers. Powers that allowed him to do whatever he wanted and everyone had to listen to him. His mom didn’t want him because of that so she sent him very far away where his powers couldn’t touch her. Growing up he never knew love or where he belonged as he never had a home. One day he finally decided to embrace his powers and return home. When he went home he finally met the girl that showed him what love meant. Even though he kept his powers hidden he ended up getting many killed just by getting near them, so he’s terrified that he will hurt her one day. Despite the paranoia he opened his heart to her much against his mother’s wishes. He finally found happiness and he was terrified.

Throughout the story I could feel his heartbeat quicken and in all honesty it made me curious, “Was that by any chance a real story?” I quietly ask and he shook his head with a light chuckle, “Of course not. It’s just a story I heard growing up.” I nod thoughtfully and in relief, “That’s good…I don’t know what I would do if that was really happening to someone. That’s so sad.” “What would you do if it was true?” Humming in deep thought I tightened my hold on him, “I would hug him sooo tightly!” Ji Dwi hugs me just as tightly, “You have a good heart.” For all my life I always heard that from others but I never really understood what made me different from the rest, “No I’m only human…I don’t understand why people always tell me that. Doesn’t it make sense though? Why treat someone poorly based on circumstances that they were born with. They can’t help it!” Ji Dwi pats my head in a soothing manner attempting to calm me down, I don’t understand why my emotions were bursting left and right I was usually pretty good at holding it in. Maybe the talk with Han Sung earlier made me feel more defensive about the topic. “Having a good heart should be the norm but it isn’t. That is why you are praised (Y/n). We need more people like you in this world. Especially those who will be leaders,” he explains warmly caressing my (h/c) locks, his voice cracks, “I need people like you in this world.”

“I shall make a promise with you like I did with Han Sung, once I take my throne I will make it all right. I’m going to destroy the True Bone hierarchy, it’s only good for dividing people within a Kingdom and we don’t need that when true success is where everyone is equal,” taking a deep breath I continued, “Does that sound promising?” Ji Dwi never gave me a verbal response but the sealing of our lips meant much more than a ‘yes’. “How can you just break away from traditions so easily? Don’t you fear the results in doing so?” He questions showing his genuine concern but peaking interest to my proposal. “There is nothing more to fear than the injustice that is ruling our every action and thought. I will take the risk of being hated and threatened to make my Kingdom right.” Ji Dwi nods satisfied with my answer, “Very well, then I’ll be there with you every step of the way to make that happen.” “Then I cannot be anymore sure that everything will work out with you by my side!”

I wasn’t sure when I accidently drifted to sleep but when I opened my eyes it was already bright out. That was strange that I ended up sleeping until this late, the sun was already high up in the sky. What was even stranger was that Ji Dwi didn’t wake me up…and importantly Seyeo who never let me sleep past two hours after sun rise. Over sleeping I was groggy but I needed to get ready to help Han Sung with sword fighting, and hopefully be able to get a quick meal in before that. Throwing on a navy blue hanbok and some gold accented embellishments I quickly left my single room, no matter how much I didn’t want to admit it I wanted to dress better to impress Ji Dwi even though it was silly. He would never care about such materialistic factors but nonetheless it made me happy to wear nicer clothes once in a while. Running into the dinning hall I quickly grab a steamed bun before joining the last few minutes of the intensive sword training. My eyes caught Ji Dwi glancing over to me so I waved gleefully at him which he responded with a small smile and a nod. When they ended I quickly joined Han Sung to keep up with my promise. What I didn’t expect was his dramatic pouty face, and that he didn’t voice his problems immediately. “W-What’s wrong Han Sung?” I nervously ask dipping my head to get a better view of his face. He whines with scrunched up features, “You weren’t here to watch me at practice! I was so good!” I laugh whole heartedly in relief that he wasn’t upset over something serious, “I’m sorry Han Sung, I slept in. I’ll watch you tomorrow okay? I promise.” He raises a brow and holds out his pinky finger, “Promise?” “Promise.”

After practice Han Sung mentioned jerky and that’s when I realized that I haven’t seen Seyeo all morning. Which was very odd since he was usually always by my side unless I was with Ji Dwi. Slightly concerned was an understatement I searched the entire Hwarang house for my best friend to no luck. Even asking around no one had a clue to where he went. Sighing in defeat I returned back to my temporary room to collect my thoughts that were spewing with, very unlikely, but worse case scenarios regarding the mysterious disappearance of Seyeo.

Plopping down by the small table I noticed a small envelop on the usually empty surface. Cautiously I opened the envelop to reveal a folded note that held two sentences that immediately caused my blood to run ice cold. If you want him back in one piece go to the Inn. Fear not, every hour you make me wait I will send a piece of him back to you so you won’t be lonely. I couldn’t hear my surroundings as my quickening pulse drowned out any sound in my ears. Scrunching the note I threw it back onto the table along with all the accessories I wore. I was going in for a fight regardless of this person’s intentions, there would be no room for treaty after having the nerve to send me such a letter. Strapping on two swords at my hip I didn’t waste any time dashing out of the Hwarang house. There was a nagging at the back of my brain saying that I should’ve told someone, someone like Ji Dwi but I didn’t have time to dwell on it as I already weaved my way through half of the capital nearing the Inn. Out of breath I made it to the entrance, it was hard to calm down as anxiety took over. What a waited for me on the other side of the paper wall? I just prayed that Seyeo was in one piece and alive. Taking deep breaths I wrap my hand around the hilt of one of my swords and it instantly evened out my ragged breaths. With both swords in hand I slammed the door open with the hilt of my sword stepping in and I saw red, literally. A ceramic pot collided with my temple and blood quickly bled down into my vision. With my impaired I blindly waved my sword, allowing me to slash my assaulter’s arm. It was hard to process anything with a blurring vision but I could make out a bounded Seyeo on the ground. “Let him go,” I order pointing my sword at the man who stood behind him as he drew his sword and held it against Seyeo’s throat. “Drop your weapon or I’ll drop his head,” he hisses. I was reluctant to, of course, I was a fighter and I wasn’t one to be cornered helpless. But I instantly dropped my swords when Seyeo winced when the blade at his neck dug into his skin. Instantly I was shoved into the ground by the man I attacked earlier, successfully smacking my injured forehead into the ground. I held back my scream and took deep breaths, I had to collect myself, if I let fear consume me now I would be useless to Seyeo. With my cheek pressed against the ground I steal a glance at him and I was relieved that he wasn’t missing any body parts. Our eyes lock momentarily and he whispers, “You shouldn’t have came.” “And you shouldn’t have gotten kidnapped you idiot,” I spat back. We could’ve continued to bicker for another ten years but we both fell silent when the sliding door opened.

Biting my lip I raise my head and sat up straight, trying my best to ignore the plitter platter of blood droplets on the hardwood ground that continuously oozed out of my head. “Sorry I had to do that, I know it would be hard to keep you still if you didn’t suffer a serious injury,” a familiar voice coos. A soft hand lifted my chin and there was the Queen in all her glory. “What’s the meaning of this?” I ask evenly and she smiles her usual smile that never reaches her eyes. “My son wants to marry you and I can’t have that. He insists that he will follow you to the end of the world so the only way I could think of to solve this issue is to remove you, completely.” I scoff with a light chuckle, “That is absurd, I never met the man.” The Queen tilts my head side to side which really didn’t help with my pounding headache, “I really don’t see what he sees in you Princess…no Queen (Y/n).” I smack her hand away and instantly I felt cold steel against my neck, “And I demand you to let me and my servant go.” It was the Queens turn to laugh, “That’s where I have the upper hand. He’s not your servant, he’s like a brother to you,” she waves her hand and one of the men swung his sword towards Seyeo’s neck. I scream and grasp onto her hands, “No please! I’ll do anything. Just kill me he has nothing to do with this. Send him back home, he won’t tell anyone about this. He will say that I got sick and passed…just…don’t hurt him.” The sword never met with Seyeo’s neck and hot tears streamed down my face in relief, I could see him in my peripheral and he was shaking his head begging for me to just leave him. I close my eyes so I couldn’t see his tears, I never seen him cry before and I didn’t want to now. “I offer you my head, hang it up wherever you please. Just promise me that you won’t hurt him.” The Queen smiles, “Of course, I’m understanding. Just be good for me and I won’t hurt him. But I warn you, pull anything and his head will hit the floor faster than you can beg.” Gazing at her unwavering face I nod and sit up confidently, “I understand.” “However,” she starts, “Since you caused me so much trouble I won’t kill you so easily.” I silently stare into her eyes as she tugged at my hanbok causing the fabric to slide off my shoulders, “My son always listens to me, and it upsets me that he will ignore my orders for someone like you.” I grasp the fabric against my chest to keep it closed, trying to save the little dignity I had left. Seyeo pleads for the Queen to stop when she held a whip in her hand. “Please your Majesty, can he leave the room before we start?” Without an answer she flicks the whip, surprising me when the skin on my back split. I squeeze my eyes shut, biting my lip. Not allowing me to catch a breath she threw back her whip and slashed again. I grit my teeth, refusing to show weakness, refusing to cry or scream. By the sixth slash I felt light headed, by the tenth I started to shake but I still refused cower away. She stops for a moment, “Why aren’t you afraid?” Sitting up right once more I try to speak evenly, “I don’t fear death, the only fear I have is to see people like you rule.” I say lifting my head and turning slightly so that I could see her fuming face, I smirk at her, unwavering as she brought her whip down once more. Out of anger she grabs the discarded sword from the ground and brings it over her head. Spitting out the blood that collected in my throat I smirk up at her once more, “People who live in fear are the most dangerous. And you are the perfect example of that your Majesty. I feel sorry for Silla and it’s faceless King.”

She lowers the blade and I finally allowed fear to consume me, I closed my eyes.

Metal clacked against metal, the final blow never came.

“Mother.”

Read part 3 the final part here!

#hwarang #hwarang the beginning #hwarang x reader #hwarang imagine #sam maek #sam maek jong #sam maek x reader #sam maek imagine #ji dwi #ji dwi x reader #ji dwi rang #ji dwi imagine #hwarang imagines

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