[Jeon Jungkook's POV]
"What the hell??!!"
I groaned when someone crashed into me, knocking both of us hard onto the ground.
The sudden impact sent a jolt of pain through my back, and before I could even process what had happened, I felt a soft, warm body pressed against mine.
Strands of long, silky hair fell over my face, brushing against my skin.
Then, it hit me.
The scent.
A mix of strawberries and apple.
My jaw clenched.
Inaya.
I knew it was her before even seeing her face.
My hands instinctively gripped the floor as she hesitantly lifted her head, her hands pressed against my chest for support.
Her deep, dark eyes locked with mine, and for a brief moment everything around me faded.
The noise of the headquarters, the papers scattered on the floor, even my irritation all of it disappeared.
I could only see her.
She looked nervous, her lips parting slightly as if trying to say something, but before she could, her fingers tightened on my chest.
I snapped back to reality.
What the hell am I doing?
The moment the realization hit, I immediately pushed myself up, feeling a surge of anger rise within me.
She quickly got up as well, her expression shifting from nervous to cautious.
I clenched my jaw, bending down to gather the paper rolls that had fallen from my hands.
These were important documents, and she had just barged into me like always, disrupting my work.
Not like this was the first time.
It almost felt like she had some secret mission to constantly bump into me.
Or maybe, she just loved pissing me off.
She opened her mouth, stuttering,
"I-I"
But I cut her off.
"What the hell are you doing here?!!"
My voice came out sharp, cold, and demanding, making her flinch.
She looked taken aback, probably not expecting me to snap so harshly.
I scanned my surroundings.
The corridor was empty.
This was the headquarters I couldn't create a scene here.
Without a second thought, I grabbed her arm and dragged her inside my cabin, slamming the door shut before turning to face her.
She looked uneasy, shifting on her feet as her gaze flickered between me and the locked door.
"I... I came with my grandfather."
Her voice was small, almost hesitant.
I folded my arms, staring at her.
"For what work?"
I questioned, stepping forward.
Her eyes widened slightly as I moved closer.
"I don't know... I just came here... I-I"
I narrowed my eyes.
"Say it clearly."
She gulped, pressing her lips together before speaking again.
"Just to accompany him..."
She took a step back.
I didn't stop moving forward.
Something about this infuriated me.
She always annoys me, always finds ways to bump into me, always somehow gets herself into trouble.
And yet
I couldn't look away from her.
Her face.
Her eyes.
It was frustrating.
Her back suddenly hit the wall.
I placed both my hands on either side, trapping her.
"W-what!?" she stammered, clearly flustered.
I tilted my head, my eyes fixed on her.
"Why do you always bump into me?"
She blinked.
I leaned in slightly.
"Why are you so in love with getting into trouble?"
My voice dropped lower as I stared into her galaxy-like eyes.
"I-I... I didn't understand."
Her voice came out hesitant, almost uncertain.
She quickly tried to slip away from my hold, attempting to squeeze past me, but before she could, I leaned in closer.
Her body instantly froze in place.
A small smirk tugged at my lips.
"No, no. You're not going anywhere now... it's my turn."
My voice was low, firm, as I watched her reaction carefully.
She swallowed, her wide eyes locked onto mine, her breath slightly uneven.
I took a step closer, making the space between us even smaller.
"You know... I was working."
I lifted my hand, gesturing towards the scattered papers on the floor.
"Handling important military documents."
I looked back at her, my gaze intense.
"And you just bumped into me?"
She stood still, her lips slightly parted as if she wanted to say something to justify herself.
But she didn't.
Instead, she just stared at me, completely at a loss for words.
I let out a sharp exhale before tilting my head slightly.
"I am the Head General of the military."
I stepped even closer, feeling her body tense against the wall.
"Everyone fears me."
My eyes locked onto hers.
"And you...?"
I let the words hang in the air for a moment.
"I don't understand why you don't fear me."
The room felt heavier, the air between us thick with unspoken tension.
For a moment, she simply looked at me.
But this time, there was no nervousness in her gaze.
Instead, her expression shifted her eyes glistening with something different.
And then, to my absolute disbelief
She rolled her eyes.
"You're not a crocodile that I would be scared of."
Her voice came out casual, almost unimpressed.
"You don't even look scary."
I blinked.
What the hell did she just say?
I clenched my jaw, my brows furrowing as I narrowed my eyes at her.
"So, you think I could be a crocodile?"
My voice was laced with irritation as I gritted my teeth.
She shrugged.
"Maybe. Who knows?"
I let out a sharp breath, my patience hanging by a thread.
And then she added
"I was wrong about you."
I raised a brow, waiting for her to continue.
"You... you are just full of yourself!"
She crossed her arms, her tone carrying a hint of anger.
I let out a low chuckle.
What a fireball she was.
I could never guess when her mood would change.
I leaned in even closer, bringing my face inches from hers.
"You think I'm full of myself?"
I murmured, watching her expression carefully.
Her dark eyes flickered with annoyance, determination.
I was enjoying this.
Being this close.
Seeing her flustered, irritated.
Pushing her buttons.
"Yes, you are!"
She huffed, her jaw tightening as she shot me a glare.
Then she suddenly added
"I-I came here for a purpose! But now I won't!"
Her voice was sharp, filled with resolve.
I smirked.
"A purpose?"
I leaned back slightly, tilting my head.
"A purpose to make my work harder?"
She clenched her fists at my words, her expression shifting into pure frustration.
And yet
I couldn't look away.
My gaze lingered on her face, trailing back to her eyes.
Her dark, endless eyes.
They were like a galaxy, pulling me in
mesmerizing.
For some reason, everything else faded.
I forgot the irritation, the teasing, the reason she was even here.
My eyes drifted from hers down to her nose, taking in its delicate shape.
Then, slowly, they moved lower...
To her lips.
Those cherry-colored lips.
A faint memory flickered in my mind the market.
I had seen her standing inside a shop that day, completely unaware of my presence, and I remembered thinking the same thing.
Her lips... exactly like ripe cherries.
I stared longer than I should have.
The scent of her fragrance filled my head, making it impossible to focus on anything else.
She noticed.
Her breath hitched slightly as she caught me looking at her lips.
Our eyes met again, and for a brief second, neither of us moved.
Then, a few strands of her hair fell onto her face, blocking my view.
Without thinking, my hand moved on its own.
I reached forward, my fingers grazing against her soft skin as I tucked her hair gently behind her ear.
The moment my fingertips brushed against her, she stiffened.
A sharp inhale left her lips, and I could feel the way her breath hitched against the small space between us.
I let my fingers linger for a second longer before slowly pulling away.
A small part of me felt relieved.
Relieved that she was back to her normal self.
I had seen how certain women never truly recovered after experiencing something traumatic...
But Inaya...
She wasn't like them.
She was strong. Resilient.
And for some unknown reason, that thought made me a little happy.
I took a slow breath.
It was strange.
I had never behaved like this before.
I had never stood this close to a woman never allowed myself to.
But with her...
With Inaya...
I was breaking my own rules.
"Mr. General..."
Her soft voice snapped me back to reality.
I blinked, realizing how close I had been.
What was I doing?
Taking a deep breath, I immediately stepped back, turning away from her.
I needed a second to compose myself to clear my head from whatever just happened.
I clenched my fists for a moment, trying to shake off the strange feeling before exhaling slowly.
When I finally turned to face her again, she was already looking at me.
Her dark eyes held something... something unreadable.
"I... I just came here to... to say thank you,"
she said, looking away as if it took her effort to say it.
I frowned slightly. Thank you?
"For what?"
I asked, genuinely confused.
"For... saving me that day and taking care of me,"
she said, finally meeting my gaze.
For a brief second, I didn't know what to say.
She was thanking me?
I hadn't expected that.
My chest tightened in an unfamiliar way, but I quickly masked it, shaking my head slightly.
"Oh... I see," I said, my voice steady.
"I just helped... out of humanity. It was my duty."
It wasn't entirely true, and I knew it.
The way my voice sounded made it clear even to me that I was lying or at least, not saying the full truth.
Still, she didn't push further.
A strange silence settled between us, stretching longer than it should.
Then, she broke it.
"I need to go..."
she said, her voice softer than before.
I felt something in me falter.
I watched her turn towards the door, preparing to leave, and for some reason, I didn't want her to go.
Before I could think, my hand shot out, wrapping around her wrist.
She stopped immediately, looking at me with wide, questioning eyes.
I had no reason to hold her back.
No logical explanation for why I had done it.
She waited for me to say something, but I had nothing to say.
I hesitated before finally letting go.
"Hm... nothing. Go,"
I muttered, releasing her wrist.
She stared at me for another second before hurriedly leaving, her footsteps echoing in the corridor as if she was rushing before she got caught.
I remained standing there, unmoving.
What the hell are we?
We acted like enemies, always finding ways to annoy each other.
Yet at the same time, we acted like people who had known each other forever.
We fought like lovers yet we weren't.
I shook my head, exhaling sharply.
Then, my gaze dropped to the ground.
Something white caught my attention.
A small envelope... lying near my feet.
I frowned, bending down to pick it up.
It was a letter.
My fingers tightened around it as I slowly stood up.
My eyes lingered on the door where she had disappeared.
Did she drop this?
I bent down and picked up the envelope, my brows furrowing slightly as my eyes landed on the writing.
"To General Jeon."
My name.
Did... she write this?
For me?
I stared at the envelope for a moment, my fingers tracing the edges as curiosity filled my mind.
A part of me wanted to tear it open immediately, to see what was inside.
But just as I was about to unfold it
Knock. Knock.
The sudden sound made me straighten my posture instantly.
My expression hardened into its usual unreadable mask as I swiftly slipped the envelope into my pocket before answering.
"Come in!"
The door creaked open, and a soldier stepped in, bowing respectfully.
"Sir, the King and the ministers are waiting for you in the main room."
I gave a firm nod, already knowing why they had called me.
Without wasting any time, I grabbed the paper rolls and documents before making my way toward the grand hall.
As I entered, I bowed to the King, showing my respect.
The ministers who were seated in a semi-circle around the room returned the gesture, acknowledging my presence.
The King sat in the center, his expression calm yet expectant.
I took my position in the middle of the hall, standing tall and composed.
Clearing my throat, I began my report in a deep, authoritative voice.
"Your Highness, we have been investigating the recent attack thoroughly. However, as of now, we have not found any trace of where those men came from or who might have sent them. There are no leads yet."
A wave of murmurs passed among the ministers as they exchanged glances.
"Other than that,"
I continued, my voice firm,
"I have tightened security throughout the kingdom. Guards are stationed at every crucial point, with a particular focus on the plaza. Since it connects all major areas, it is the most vulnerable spot for an ambush."
The King listened carefully, nodding in acknowledgment.
His sharp eyes observed me, waiting for more details.
A minister cleared his throat before speaking.
"And what about the military training? The new project we initiated?"
I gave a small nod before turning toward the soldiers standing by. With a quick signal, they stepped forward, placing a sturdy wooden table in front of us.
They carefully unrolled a large map across the surface, pinning down the corners to keep it steady.
I took a long wooden pointer and stepped beside the table.
"This,"
I started, tapping the map lightly,
"is the designated area where we will train our future soldiers."
The ministers leaned forward, examining the map with interest.
"I have selected a location near the forest,"
I continued, my voice steady and clear.
"It provides the best possible terrain for rigorous training harsh, unpredictable, and challenging. The soldiers will develop strength, endurance, and survival skills in real battle-like conditions."
The ministers exchanged whispers, seeming both impressed and concerned about the difficulty level.
I straightened my posture and glanced at the King.
"Soon, we will issue an official notice to the villagers. Each family will be required to send at least one able-bodied man to join the training. This will ensure that every household contributes to the kingdom's defense, strengthening our forces from within."
The King observed the map carefully, taking in every detail.
"Hmm... Good. Continue."
I nodded and went on, explaining the training structure in detail.
I pointed out the key strategies we would implement, the advanced combat techniques, and the grueling challenges each soldier would have to overcome.
The plan was tough
unbeatable.
When I finally finished, I placed the pointer aside and stepped back.
Silence filled the room for a moment as the ministers absorbed everything I had presented.
Some looked surprised by the intensity of the new system, while others seemed deep in thought.
The King, however, looked satisfied.
After further discussion, we concluded the meeting.
One by one, the ministers rose from their seats and exited the hall, their voices still murmuring about the new military strategies.
Soon, only a few of us remained in the room me, my father, the King, and a handful of trusted soldiers, including Taehyung.
The King leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering as he spoke.
"The Crown Prince of Daegu is arriving tomorrow night."
I kept my expression neutral, listening intently.
"This information is known to no one outside this room,"
the King continued, his tone carrying the weight of secrecy.
"We have enemies lurking in the shadows, watching our every move. If they find out about the prince's arrival, it could lead to trouble."
I gave a firm nod, fully understanding the gravity of the situation.
The King exhaled deeply before continuing.
"The prince will arrive at night through the Sinan route. He will meet us at the military base you are constructing near the forest."
I nodded once again, already calculating the security measures needed. The Sinan route was isolated, making it a good choice for discretion, but it also meant it was vulnerable to ambushes.
"Your Highness, I understand my duty,"
I assured him, my voice firm and unwavering.
The King studied me for a moment before adding,
"And one more thing."
I straightened, waiting for his command.
"I want the Crown Prince to stay with you,"
he said, his sharp gaze fixed on me.
"He will disguise himself as a new military trainee from the village. No one should suspect his real identity-not until I say otherwise."
For a brief moment, I was taken aback.
The Crown Prince of Daegu-training as an ordinary soldier?
But I didn't question the order. The King always had his reasons.
I gave a small nod, my expression unwavering.
"He will be under my protection, Your Highness. He will be safe with me."
The King observed me for a second longer before nodding in approval.
Beside me, my father remained silent but watchful.
Taehyung, who had been standing nearby, exchanged a brief glance with me. He, too, understood the weight of this responsibility.
I clenched my jaw slightly.
A hidden prince among the soldiers.
A secret mission. And an enemy lurking in the dark, waiting for an opportunity.
This was about to get dangerous.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The barracks were quieter now, the night sky stretching above me as I led my horse, my fearless panther, toward the stable.
Her hooves clicked softly against the stone path, her powerful frame slightly heaving from our long ride.
"Got tired, princess? My fearless panther, hm?"
I asked, running a hand down her sleek neck.
She let out a deep exhale, shaking her head slightly, confirming my words.
I smiled.
She was strong, unyielding-like a warrior.
"What a hectic day, right, princess?"
I murmured, patting her side as we reached the stable.
I gently pressed my forehead against hers, closing my eyes for a moment as I stroked her face.
The warmth of her breath mingled with mine.
She was more than just a horse she was my companion, the one who had carried me through countless battles, through every storm.
"Get yourself some rest, okay?"
I whispered before giving her one last affectionate stroke.
She neighed softly in response, as if understanding. With a final glance, I turned on my heel and made my way back to my chamber.
.
.
.
The moment I stepped inside, exhaustion weighed heavily on me.
The day had been long-meetings, training, securing the kingdom's defenses.
Yet, amidst all of it, one thing kept replaying in my mind.
Her.
Inaya.
Shaking my head, I began to remove my clothes, my movements slow and deliberate.
My armor and tunic fell to the floor as I walked toward the bath.
The warm water was inviting as I stepped in, my muscles relaxing instantly.
I leaned back against the edge of the pool, spreading my arms, feeling the tension seep away from my body.
My jaw loosened, my breathing evened out.
The heat of the water worked through my sore limbs, and for a brief moment, I allowed myself to let go.
But then, she appeared in my mind again.
Her eyes. Her lips.
The way her breath hitched when I was close.
I could almost hear her voice-soft, hesitant, uncertain.
"Mr. General..."
My eyes snapped open.
The way she had said it... it echoed in my mind.
I ran a hand over my face, my fingers pressing against my temples.
Why?
Why was she invading my thoughts like this? Why did I remember every detail about her-her nervous glances, the fire in her words, the way she looked at me?
I had never felt this way toward any woman before.
Not once. Not until... her.
A frustrated sigh escaped my lips.
I had too many responsibilities on my shoulders to be distracted.
The kingdom needed me. The soldiers needed me.
The Crown Prince was arriving tomorrow.
I couldn't afford to think about her.
And yet-
I did.
I stayed in the bath longer than I intended, as if the warm water could somehow wash away the questions tormenting my mind.
But it didn't.
I stepped out, wrapping a towel around my waist as I walked into the dimly lit chamber.
Droplets of water slid down my skin, my wet hair clinging to my forehead.
I grabbed another towel, running it through my hair with one hand while the other reached for my clothes.
And then-
I froze.
The letter.
My gaze snapped toward the table where I had placed my belongings earlier.
The envelope.
The one with my name written on it.
I had forgotten about it.
My fingers curled slightly as I reached for my coat, pulling out the neatly folded letter.
The parchment felt delicate in my hands, the inked words on the front still as clear as before.
To General Jeon.
I stared at it, my heartbeat slowing.
Did she write this?
Did she leave this for me?
A strange sensation settled in my chest anticipation, curiosity, something else I couldn't quite name.
Taking a deep breath, My fingers trembled slightly as I unfolded the parchment, the edges delicate, the ink slightly smudged in a few places perhaps from the pressure of her hand or the hesitation in her grip.
I stared at her handwriting for a moment before beginning to read.
Mr. General Jeon
"I am... writing this letter to you... in order to say thank you to you. I am really thankful to you for saving me. If not, I would have been... worse. If you didn't come in time and save me, I would have become their prey and later been killed by them."
My throat tightened as I read those words.
Even in writing, her voice sounded so hesitant, so raw... vulnerable.
I could imagine her struggling to even start the letter, pausing with each sentence, probably erasing and rewriting before finally settling with this.
"I tried to come and speak in front of you b-but... didn't get any chance, so I just thought to go with this idea... This letter is not formal, so don't take out any mistakes!"
A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips.
Her nervousness seeped through each word.
She must've really wanted to say this-thank you.
And despite her awkward phrasing, I could feel her sincerity.
"That's it. I had to say... thank you!"
That short, simple line felt heavier than any award I had received on the battlefield.
Her gratitude, hidden behind trembling words, held more weight than any formal speech.
But just when I thought the letter had ended, my eyes scanned the next part-her tone shifting suddenly.
"...This is my additional. Other than that, I thought...as I am writing you a letter...why not say an advice to you?"
My brows raised slightly, surprised at the sudden change in her mood. Advice?
"Well, you have anger in your nose so much!"
I blinked. What?
"That's why you are always like a volcano ready to get burst, and also you need to stop bumping into me and making me get into trouble. It's your mistake!"
A low chuckle escaped me before I could stop it. She was scolding me... in a thank you letter?
"You were the first to always come in front of me whenever I was getting away from problems... You should wear glasses. Maybe you will see more clearly... and stop getting in my way."
I couldn't help it this time, I laughed softly, shaking my head.
Typical Inaya. Even when showing gratitude, she couldn't help but point out my flaws.
That playful irritation in her words it was almost endearing.
"Anyways, that's it. Hope you improve yourself. Bye."
"Yours??... No no"
By Inaya
I stared at the letter for a long moment after finishing, reading it again this time slower.
Her words were a mixture of sincerity, nervousness, awkward gratitude, and sarcastic teasing.
But beneath it all, I could feel the warmth.
A warmth I hadn't felt in a long, long time.
I folded the letter slowly, with great care, as if it was something precious.
I didn't know why... but it felt like something I would want to keep. Hide away. Read again.
She may have ended it with
"Yours??... No no"...
But my heart somewhere deep inside felt like she already was.
I shook my head with a soft smile, still holding the letter gently between my fingers.
She wrote so many pages... and still found time to scold me?
Even when I hadn't done anything wrong, she was telling me to "improve myself"? Aish...
"What is she made up of..."
I mumbled under my breath, the smile on my face growing wider.
For a moment, the air in my chamber didn't feel so heavy anymore.
There was a strange lightness in my chest, like the letter had melted away something inside me.
Something I didn't know existed until now.
Still smiling to myself, I leaned forward and was about to keep the letter carefully on the table somewhere safe, where I could look at it again later when my eyes caught something else.
Wait...?
I noticed there was a scribble some messy handwriting on the back side of the envelope.
Curious, I turned it over and began to read.
"Mr. General, I know you might be a big person, but don't you dare to think anything!"
"I wrote a very nice letter to you sacrificing my sleep!"
"If you dare to point out any mistakes from this and then come to me the next day saying anything, then... then I will kick you again!"
"You are just a bit nice person keep it up!"
"And don't think of me as some creepy person to kick you like that... I am a very decent person."
I blinked.
And then burst out laughing.
A loud, genuine laugh escaped my chest, echoing through the empty chamber.
I couldn't stop. My hand went to my stomach as I laughed so hard, my muscles ached.
I leaned against the edge of the table, my head down, tears nearly forming in my eyes.
"Oh my God..."
I breathed out between chuckles,
"She really wrote this... to me? To the Head General of the Military?"
I couldn't believe it.
This serious, always on alert life I lived... had no space for anything light.
And yet here I was, laughing like a fool because of a girl who kicked me, teased me, and then called herself very decent.
"Ouch,"
I winced, remembering her words,
"That kick... that sensitive place..."
I shook my head, chuckling again.
"Yeah, very decent person you are, Inaya."
Still smiling, I looked down at the letter again, then the envelope.
Her handwriting, her tone, her boldness it all lingered with me like her scent, soft but stubborn.
Aish... she really was something. Something out of the world.
And somehow, somewhere deep inside, I knew
This wasn't the last time she would make me laugh like this.
I somehow managed to control myself, brushing off the smile that still lingered on my lips.
Taking a deep breath, I stood up slowly-still only wrapped in the towel around my waist.
My steps were quiet, calm, unlike the whirlwind of thoughts running inside me.
I walked toward the drawer and gently opened it. Inside was the claw clip... the one that belonged to her.
I stared at it for a second before carefully folding the letter and placing it beside the clip, as if keeping both her memories together.
Both these things so small yet they felt precious, more than anything I owned.
After that, I finally wore my lower clothes, leaving my upper body bare like always.
My skin still slightly damp, hair messy and falling over my forehead, I didn't bother fixing anything as I walked to my bed and dropped onto it, heavily.
The mattress welcomed my weight, but my mind was still floating elsewhere.
What I didn't realize... was that I was still smiling.
Smiling like an idiot.
Smiling just because of a silly letter.
Smiling... because of her.
My eyes stared blankly at the ceiling, my smile now fading into a confused expression.
What is happening to me...?
One moment I'm arguing with her, ready to bark orders and discipline her and the next moment, I'm thinking about her, laughing like a fool, craving her presence.
This wasn't normal... not for me. Not for a man like me who had never given a single moment of thought to any woman before.
I sighed deeply and sat up again, frustration hidden beneath the exhaustion.
I reached for the drawer and pulled out the claw clip her claw clip and laid back on the bed, holding it above me.
I stared at it.
It was just a hair clip.
Ordinary.
Simple.
But in this moment... it felt like a treasure.
I turned to my side, clutching it gently.
Tonight-tonight felt different.
Tonight was... peaceful.
Maybe it was because of that letter.
Maybe because, for the first time in a long while... I laughed.
Not the kind of laugh I give during victory.
Not the kind of smirk I give to mock others.
But a genuine laugh. A heartfelt laugh... because of a woman.
I looked down at the claw clip again, holding it closer now.
Somehow, I didn't even realize when my hand had pulled it against my bare chest, holding it like it was a part of me.
And then it hit me.
The fragrance.
Soft.
Sweet.
Strawberry with a hint of apple...
something light yet addictive.
It was her scent.
Inaya.
It still lingered on this little clip.
Like a whisper of her presence.
A reminder of how close she was... and how far.
The scent curled into me like comfort.
My body finally relaxed.
My eyes grew heavy.
Still holding her clip close to my chest, I slowly drifted off to sleep.
And just before sleep fully took over, my mind played its final trick
I imagined her soft hair brushing against my face... like a feather.
Gentle. Innocent. Warm.
And then, everything faded into peaceful darkness.
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