[Author's POV]
A man stood still, his back facing his men.
The cold night air hung heavy around them, the forest behind cloaked in eerie silence.
Shadows danced in the flickering flaming torch, but none dared to speak until spoken to.
The man's presence was dominating he didn't need to shout to be feared.
"What news do we have now?"
His voice broke the silence calm, but sharp as a blade.
One of the men, visibly nervous, stepped forward and bowed his head respectfully before replying,
"We have... we have started clearing the route at the backside of the forest area, away from the main center, just as you ordered."
The man gave a slow nod, still not turning around.
His eyes stared ahead into the darkness, as if calculating a hundred moves at once.
After a moment, he asked again, his voice dropping into a deeper tone,
"When will it be done?"
The question held weight. Pressure. A silent threat wrapped in simple words.
"W-Within two days,"
the man answered, his voice slightly trembling under the weight of the tension.
There was a pause.
A deadly silence followed before the leader's voice roared out, now colder, sharper than before.
"I want it fast! The transport of the gold should be done soon! And I need no troubles in it!"
He finally turned his head slightly, just enough for his glare to be felt by every man present.
"Or else... you all will be dead."
The harsh words cut through the cold air like a knife, making his men flinch and nod hastily, not daring to raise their heads.
"Y-Yes sir!"
they responded in unison before quickly scattering, their footsteps fading into the dark woods.
The man stood alone again, silent, his face half-hidden in the shadows.
But in his eyes burned a flame-of ambition, of greed, and of something far more dangerous... a plan that must not fail.
[Han Inaya's POV]
It was night time, and I was in my bed, rolling over and over, completely embarrassed.
My hands were flying in the air, legs kicking the blanket off as I groaned into the silence of my room.
"Ahhh!! Why me!! Why is it always me!!"
I fake cried out, burying my face into the pillow.
"Am I the only person in this world to bear all these kinds of things?!"
My cheeks were burning red as flashes of today's encounter with Jungkook came rushing into my head.
The moment replayed again and again like a loop, making me more and more flustered.
"Ahhh! I just want to throw myself somewhere far, far away!"
I whined again, turning on my side and hugging the pillow tightly.
He... he was so close to me, and I couldn't even open my mouth to say anything! At least I managed to speak at the end, but only I know how much I was struggling.
My heartbeat was going crazy, pounding like a drum inside my chest as if it would pop out at any moment when he leaned in so near to me.
"What was he even trying to do?!"
I muttered under my breath, frowning and then blushing right after.
Yes, he was angry... maybe he wanted to annoy me like always.
But then... why did he gently brush my hair strands to the side? Why tuck them behind my ear... just to see my face clearly?
I groaned loudly, burying my face deeper into the pillow again.
My entire face felt like it was on fire.
And then just when I thought I had calmed down another flash hit me.
The way he looked at my lips... so intensely... like he was
"AHHHH!"
I shouted silently into the pillow, my fists tightening around the bedsheet.
Why am I not angry about all this?!
Why am I blushing and acting all shy and stupid?!
This isn't me!
"What the hell is happening to me?!"
I whispered with frustration, hiding my red face under the blanket now. I wanted to disappear out of embarrassment.
And then suddenly my eyes widened.
"W-Wait... the letter?!"
I sat up immediately.
"Oh my God!"
I had written that silly, messy letter to him.
After our little argument, I had thought I wouldn't give it to him.
I planned to just thank him directly at the last moment... and I did! But ugh! I left the letter there... right there in his cabin!
That monkey ugh, I mean Jungkook he must have read it! And I know that letter was so informal, full of nonsense, and completely crazy... just like me! Huff!
I fell back on the bed with a loud sigh.
"Please, please, please... I just hope he won't say anything about it. How can he even bring it up...? No. I've decided I won't go near him anymore. Problem solved!"
I turned to lie straight on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
My cheeks were still a little warm, but my mind was slowly calming down.
At least I managed to escape quickly after leaving the letter.
Thank God Grandpa didn't catch me sneaking out of Jungkook's cabin... otherwise, I would've gotten a long scolding!
But still... there's one thing I can't understand...
I blinked and looked at the ceiling again, whispering softly to myself.
"I... I'm feeling strange. So strange."
I swallowed hard. My fingers clutched the blanket.
"I... enjoyed it.
When he tried to piss me off... I... I didn't feel uncomfortable with him."
Jungkook...
I don't know what's happening to me. We fight like kids.
We argue.
We pull each other's hair metaphorically. But somehow... we also get so close so easily.
And when we do, I don't hate it. I don't push him away.
I don't know if I'm the only one feeling this strange confusion, these butterflies in my stomach... or is he feeling the same too?
"Let it be!"
I huffed, covering my face with the blanket.
"If I keep thinking about it, I'll go mad!"
I turned to the side, closed my eyes tightly, and tried to sleep.
But inside... my heart was still fluttering.
I... I haven't even spent that much time with him. It's barely been a few days, and yet... in this short period, whenever we've crossed paths it's always been so strange. So unexpectedly strange...
"Aish!"
I huffed, covering my face with both hands.
Should I... should I even think about being friends with him?
"What?! No way! Absolutely not!"
I said out loud, quickly shaking my head under the blanket.
"He's cold... always grumpy... looks like he hates talking to people... and his expressions ugh!"
I pouted, trying to convince myself.
"I will make... way better friends than him!"
But then... a small voice in my heart whispered something else.
"He's not that bad also..."
My lips slightly parted as I sighed.
I couldn't lie to myself not about this. I knew how it all started.
Our first encounter was something totally unexpected and awkward.
And the second time... it was full of hatred, annoyance, and complete misunderstanding.
But still... something changed after that. Something shifted inside me.
The day he saved me... the day he hugged me close... even now, when I think about it I don't know why, but my heart feels something I can't explain.
No matter how much I try to forget it or act normal, I just can't help but feel it deep inside me...
That moment.
That comfort.
His comfort.
It was something I... I can never describe in words.
The way his arms wrapped around me when I was breaking down, the way he didn't say anything but stayed... that one hug, without saying a single word, spoke louder than anything.
I clutched my blanket tightly against my chest, eyes blinking slowly as I stared at the wall in silence.
"I... I don't know why all these things are happening to me..."
Why is my heart reacting like this?
Why... why is my fate playing around with me in such confusing ways?
I closed my eyes, hoping sleep would erase all this chaos inside me.
But somewhere deep in my heart... I knew these feelings weren't going to disappear so easily.
.
.
.
.
.
I had fallen asleep peacefully, the confusion and chaos in my heart buried under the warmth of the blanket.
But after a few hours, my sleep broke.
My throat felt dry and scratchy.
I sat up, still half asleep, eyes barely open as I reached for the glass of water on my side table.
I slowly drank from it, letting the cool water calm the dryness.
Just as I was about to lie back down and return to sleep, something caught my attention soft noises, barely audible.
It was like someone whispering or talking in hushed tones.
I paused, sitting still for a second.
I could tell it was coming from somewhere close my grandparents' room.
I got up quietly, my bare feet touching the cold floor.
My steps were as light as a feather as I made my way out of my room and towards theirs.
The hallway was dark and silent, the only sound being that low murmur of voices.
I know it's wrong to eavesdrop... but ahem, I can't help it! I'm curious by nature.
And once my attention is caught by something there's no turning back until I know everything.
Carefully, I leaned in and placed my ear lightly against their door, trying not to make any sound.
"Everything is now going smoothly... I don't want any trouble now! Whatever you're saying... I can't. I won't agree with it!"
It was grandma's voice. She sounded worried.
Her tone wasn't loud, but it was filled with broken emotions.
My brows furrowed slightly.
What... what are they talking about?
Then grandpa responded, his voice deep and firm.
"Today, I went to the headquarters. They're planning the new trainee base. Each family has to send one man for training."
My heart skipped a beat.
Trainee base?
Grandma gasped, her voice now panicked and more emotional.
"I... I won't send my kid anywhere! I won't! I've already lost my child! I can't let the same happen to my grandchild!"
There was a sudden ache in my chest as I heard her say those words.
My grip on the wall beside me tightened unconsciously.
Child?
Were they talking about... Eunwoo?
Grandpa's tone grew stern now, mixed with frustration.
"What are you saying!? He will go, train, and fight for our kingdom! How can you say this to me? I am an ex-soldier!"
His pride and responsibility as a former soldier were clear in his voice but so was the anger.
But grandma didn't back down.
Her voice trembled with both pain and determination.
"Are you forgetting what happened to our child?! How they suffered! How my son and daughter-in-law had to suffer!! How it ended how we're still suffering now because of that!! Do you really want the same thing to happen again?!"
I could almost hear her eyes filling with tears. My heart felt heavier with every word she spoke.
And then-
"I-I haven't forgotten anything... that time was different. That was a really dark phase... the army was in wrong hands-"
"Wrong hands?!?!"
Grandma suddenly shouted, her voice rising even more.
"This isn't going to change! I'm not sending my grandchild anywhere! I WILL NOT-!"
Her voice suddenly cut off... followed by a harsh coughing fit.
My eyes widened in panic.
"Grandma..."
I froze as I heard her coughing so badly, it made my own throat tighten in fear.
Then I heard grandpa's hurried movements, the clinking of glass.
"Shh... nothing is happening... don't take tension... drink water... slowly, carefully..."
he spoke softly now, trying to calm her, gently rubbing her back as she coughed again.
Her soft sobs broke the silence, and I felt my chest ache deeply.
"Don't cry... please. We can talk about this later. Don't spoil your health... it's too late now. Sleep. Nothing is going to happen."
Grandpa's voice was softer than before, comforting and filled with love, trying his best to console her.
I stood outside, my eyes turning moist. I had never heard my grandma so broken... so terrified.
And my grandpa, who was always strict and firm, now sounded like a man struggling between duty and love.
I wiped my tears quietly before stepping back from the door.
My heart was heavy, and my mind filled with questions and emotions I wasn't ready to face just yet.
They were talking about Eunwoo...
And something told me... something big was coming.
I slowly walked back to my room, each step feeling heavier than before.
The quiet of the hallway didn't comfort me this time it only made my thoughts louder.
As soon as I entered my room, I closed the door gently behind me and sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the floor blankly.
My sleep was completely gone now. How could I even sleep after hearing all that?
I laid down, but instead of closing my eyes, I just stared at the ceiling.
Eunwoo...
He's just a teen. Still so young.
Yeah, I know he'll be turning 18 next month but still... military training? That's too much.
That's a huge responsibility to carry on such young shoulders.
Why does he have to go through this?
And then... my mind repeated the words grandma said again.
"I won't send my child anywhere! I've already lost my child!"
Her voice echoed in my ears like a haunting cry.
What did she mean by that?
What suffering were they talking about?
All I know is... I don't have parents.
It's always been just me and my grandparents.
I never even asked much about my parents because it always felt like a sensitive topic. And now... I regret it.
How... how did my parents really die?
Did something happen related to the military? Were they involved in something dangerous? Did someone hurt them?
A chill ran down my spine as I turned on my side, hugging my pillow tightly.
There's so much I don't know.
And suddenly, all the questions started flooding my mind at once.
Why me?
Why was I the one to time travel?
Why did I enter this life... my past life?
What's the reason behind this strange journey I've been pushed into?
Everything around me feels like a giant puzzle.
Nothing is making sense, but the more I look, the more I feel like... I'm meant to find something.
What is my purpose here?
Why am I being shown all this? What am I supposed to do with it?
I clenched my fists under the pillow, determination starting to rise in me even though fear still lingered.
I had to find the answers.
I needed to find the answers.
And the first thing I had to do... was find Yoongi. He was with me before I came here.
He saw everything.
He must know something. But when I woke up here, he wasn't by my side.
Where did he go? Why isn't he here?
The second thing... I had to dig into what I just heard.
That conversation between grandma and grandpa wasn't just a fight it was filled with secrets.
"Wrong hands?"
What wrong hands were they talking about? Was someone corrupt? Is this tied to something darker?
And if it's connected to the military...
Then does that mean it's connected to the kingdom too?
My thoughts were running wild now, and yet something in my heart was quietly telling me...
All of this is connected.
Every little piece. Every word. Every feeling.
And I was no longer going to sit quietly and wonder.
I need to find Yoongi.
I need to know about my parents.
I need to uncover what's hidden in the kingdom... what truth lies beneath those uniforms...
And I will find the answers to every question.
No matter what.
[Jeon Jungkook's POV - The Next Night]
It was pouring.
The sky was crying heavily, the sound of rain hitting the ground almost louder than our thoughts.
Thunder kept roaring from above, lighting up the dark sky every now and then.
We had finally reached our new trainee base a secluded area located near a thick forest.
The surroundings were cold and quiet except for the rhythmic patter of the rain and the occasional rumble of thunder.
I stood with my soldiers, waiting.
We were expecting the arrival of someone important someone we couldn't afford to miss. But it was already late.
The rain was probably making it difficult for them to travel.
The muddy paths and heavy downpour would slow down even the strongest of riders.
I pulled my cloak tighter, standing still despite the discomfort.
The forest behind us felt like it was watching, holding secrets in the shadows.
Suddenly, the sound of horses galloping pierced through the rain.
I straightened.
Two horses were approaching fast one had a rider, and the other was strangely empty.
My brows furrowed in confusion.
The horses finally reached in front of us. The man on the horse was drenched, his face covered, making it impossible to recognize him right away.
He dismounted gracefully, but with alertness like someone used to danger.
Before I could step forward, I sensed something sharp behind me.
A sword.
One of my soldiers had already raised his weapon, reacting instinctively. I stayed still, raising my hand to stop them, keeping calm despite the tension.
Then came a familiar voice.
"Won't you welcome me, Mr. General Jeon?"
My eyes widened slightly. That voice I knew that voice.
"The Crown Prince?"
I whispered, disbelief and surprise mixing in my tone.
The man slowly removed the sword and stepped in front of me, pulling off the cloth that covered his face.
His features were sharp, wet strands of hair clinging to his face, and yet his presence was as strong as ever.
"Yes, you're right."
He gave a slight, knowing smirk.
"Min Yoongi... the Crown Prince of Daegu."
I smirked right back.
He hadn't changed at all.
Behind him, the man who rode the second horse also removed his mask, revealing his face.
"Jackson Wang... his personal guard."
I gave a short nod, acknowledging both of them before signaling to my men to lower their weapons.
I led them into the wooden room that served as the temporary base.
Once we were inside, I turned to him with a smirk still tugging at my lips.
"You never changed, Yoongi."
He let out a soft chuckle, and we embraced like old times.
A tight, brotherly hug.
We weren't just two royals-we were childhood friends.
We had grown up together, trained together, fought together.
And even now, years later, the bond hadn't changed.
"You also never changed, huh?"
he replied.
"I heard a lot about you. Especially the recent punishment you gave to those criminals it went viral."
I shook my head with a half-smile, a bit amused but not surprised that news like that would reach him.
Once we settled in, I turned serious and leaned closer to him.
"You'll stay with me,"
I said firmly.
"You'll act like a new trainee. If anyone asks which family you belong to, say Jang family. Same goes for Jackson."
Yoongi gave a short nod, understanding the weight of my words.
Jackson, too, remained silent and alert beside him.
Because we weren't just here for training.
We were here for something far deeper. Something far darker.
Something far beyond anyone's imagination.
And now the game was about to begin.
.
.
.
.
.
.
It's already been a week since they arrived here...
And what a week it has been.
I've been extremely busy-running around from place to place, managing things, giving orders, checking every little detail.
The new trainee base near the forest is finally complete.
Everything from the open training grounds to the horse stables, weapons, and practice areas all of it is ready now.
Soon, we'll be sending the official notice to the nearby villagers, informing them about the upcoming training sessions.
Right now, I was standing inside the newly built training ground.
The rain from last week had passed, and the weather was clear, but the air still held a chill.
The base looked perfect.
Wide fields for combat training, fresh horses brought from the royal stables, the smell of earth and wood everything was in its place, ready for the trainees who would be trained here for months to come.
They would learn everything... from swordsmanship to war tactics.
I looked around, quietly satisfied.
We had worked day and night to get this done.
Still... I hadn't visited the plaza even once during this entire week.
I had no time. Or maybe I was just making excuses.
Each night when I returned to the barracks, exhausted, I found myself reaching for something strange her claw clip.
I didn't know why I held onto it, but every night I'd sleep with it in my hand.
The faint fragrance that lingered in it... it reminded me of her.
Calm. Soft. Something about it made my mind feel at peace in the middle of all the chaos around me.
I missed seeing her.
I wanted to go to the plaza. Maybe she would be there today...
"What are you thinking so deeply,
Mr. Jeon~"
Taehyung's playful voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
I turned to find him walking toward me with that usual teasing grin on his face.
"Oh, nothing. Just some work related stuff,"
I replied quickly, my tone cold to brush off his curiosity.
He narrowed his eyes at me, clearly not believing a word.
"What?"
I asked, annoyed by his stare.
He just shook his head with a small smile, saying nothing.
I rolled my eyes and looked away.
"So, the work is done now... we should head back to the barracks,"
he said casually.
But I reacted instantly, a little too quickly.
"NO!... I mean... no, I... I have some work in the plaza. Let's stop by there on the way."
My voice cracked slightly, and I mentally cursed myself.
Taehyung raised an eyebrow, now fully focused on me.
"What work do you have in the plaza? As far as I know, everything there has already been taken care of. What's left?"
The tone of his voice was playful, clearly teasing me.
"I-what!? I do have work there! I... I need to buy something!"
He didn't stop.
"What do you need to buy?"
".....I need... to buy... clothes. Yes! New clothes!"
I replied, blurting out the first excuse that came to my mind.
I avoided looking into his eyes.
He stared at me.
Long and hard.
I could feel his gaze poking holes through my lame excuse.
Then he spoke slowly, a mischievous smirk forming on his lips.
"Inaya won't be at the plaza today. So it's a waste of time going there."
My heart skipped a beat.
"What? And why?? How do you know-"
Sh*t.
My eyes widened the moment I realized what I had just said.
Why did I respond like that so fast!?
I facepalmed myself right then and there.
Taehyung laughed.
The kind of laugh only a best friend gives when they know they've caught you red handed.
"Wow... So your 'work' is related to Inaya, huh? Not clothes?"
he said, dragging the words with mock curiosity.
"Or wait... are you trying to buy clothes for her?"
"Shut up!!"
I snapped, trying to sound angry, but I already knew it was useless.
"It's nothing like that! You're just imagining nonsense!"
But he clearly wasn't convinced. His smug grin said it all.
And me?
I immediately regretted everything I just said.
"Okay then, I'll shut up now... as you say,"
Taehyung said, raising both his hands in mock surrender,
"But just so you know... I met Inaya. I even talked with her."
His words made me snap my head toward him immediately.
My eyes narrowed as curiosity and annoyance rushed through me at the same time.
He what?
I stared at him, jaw clenched slightly.
"You talked with her?? When? Where? And how??"
But this guy... this drama king just kept quiet. He didn't even blink, and it made my blood boil even more.
"Open your mouth and say it already!!"
I shouted, clearly irritated now.
He gave me that smirk again that smirk which told me he was enjoying every bit of this.
"Weren't you the one who told me to shut up?"
he said, acting all innocent while his grin stretched wider.
Oh my god.
Who in the world gave this theater actor the title of a captain??
"I'm saying it now! Open your damn mouth and tell me!!"
I snapped again, pointing at him as my patience reached its edge.
"Should I? Hmm... okay then, I'll say it,"
he said dramatically.
I folded my arms, nodding at him to continue.
"She said to me..."
I leaned forward a little, my expression expectant.
"She said what??"
"She said... that... she told me..."
My fists clenched at my sides.
"Why are you dragging this!? Just say it already!!"
I said, almost losing my temper now.
And then, just like that-
"Nothing. I just lied,"
he said casually.
I stared at him, stunned.
My face went completely blank-done.
I was done with this man.
"I'm going to kill you now!!"
I shouted, completely fed up, as I lunged at him.
Taehyung's eyes widened in fear as he quickly tried to back away.
He knew I wasn't joking.
He was dead in my hands now.
Just when I was about to grab him by his collar, a calm but unexpected voice interrupted us.
"Who's Inaya?"
I froze.
Turning around, I saw Yoongi standing there with his arms crossed, eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Oh, she's Jungkook's lo-"
Taehyung was just about to drop a bomb when I slapped my hand over his mouth, silencing him immediately.
"Stop it!! Or I'll kill you for real this time!"
I warned him in a low, threatening tone, glaring hard.
Yoongi raised an eyebrow and smirked. Oh no. Not another one.
Please no more.
"Ohhhh~~ Inaya~~"
Yoongi dragged her name teasingly,
"The one our Mr. General punished those men for? So ruthlessly? Ahem... I see, General Jeon is floating on cloud nine for someone now."
That smirk on his face... it made me want to bury myself right there.
"Stop it, both of you!!!"
I shouted, genuinely frustrated now.
But instead of stopping, both of them laughed together, clapping each other's backs like it was the best entertainment they had in weeks.
God!
What kind of friends did I end up with??
Why did I even bother making any friends??
I was better off being the cold, heartless General who didn't entertain anyone!
Because these two were driving me insane.
Seriously. The hell with them!
.
.
.
.
.
.
"This is not fair!!!"
Taehyung and Yoongi whined in unison,
both of them carrying a heavy wooden carriage behind them while I walked ahead, relaxed, sitting beside an old farmer on his cart.
The old man was heading toward the plaza to sell his goods, and I knew him from earlier visits.
Since his cart had a little space and he was heading in the same direction, I took a seat beside him.
"That's your punishment for making me angry,"
I said casually, not even turning to look at them as I sat comfortably.
Both of them shot death glares at me,
their faces red not just from anger but also from the weight they were dragging along the road.
But I didn't care. I lifted my eyebrow at them, a silent warning.
Immediately, both of them turned their faces away and continued pulling the cart without another word.
Good.
They deserve it.
Soon, we reached the plaza.
As soon as the carriage came to a halt, I got down along with the old man.
He turned to me with a gentle smile and blessed me sincerely for helping him out.
Then he walked off with his things, heading toward the market area to sell.
"We worked hard here, and you got the blessings! So irrational!!"
Taehyung complained loudly as he threw his arms in frustration, watching the old man disappear into the crowd.
I rolled my eyes at his exaggerated drama.
"You made us pull the carriage just because we teased you!"
Now Yoongi joined in, his tone annoyed as he massaged his shoulder.
"That was your fault. Both of you dug your own graves,"
I said, smirking with satisfaction.
"I didn't ask you to open your mouths."
They groaned again but didn't say anything more.
We entered the plaza after that, our steps light but our eyes scanning the area.
Well my eyes were looking for someone specific.
I didn't want to admit it... but this was strange.
So strange how someone managed to grab my attention like this.
Her presence, her expressions... the way she spoke... it all lingered in my mind constantly.
And now that I was here, all I wanted was to catch a glimpse of her.
Just once.
Inaya.
I didn't even realize how fast this feeling had crept into me, but I couldn't deny it anymore.
As we walked deeper into the plaza, the weather above us turned darker.
Thick clouds started to gather, and the wind blew gently, signaling that it might rain any time soon.
The sky was grey, heavy with unshed rain, matching the strange tension I was feeling in my chest.
Would she be here today?
Or did I come all the way for nothing?
I scanned the plaza again, hoping... just hoping for a glance of her.
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