Don't forget to VOTE & COMMENT!!   NFSW in this chap. Those who have trouble reading about blood and things, read at your risk or skip the NFSW mark "~~~~"  

You gasped, looking at him, "Your highness. This-" Prince Taehyung pulled your hand to place it. "You will need this tomorrow. Keep this with you all times. Hide it from anyone." His stoic face looked appeased. It confused you, A dagger? what for? To protect me? "But why this your highness?"

As Prince Jimin's chamber neared, his steps halted, your heart beats paced up fearing what he were to tell next. Fearful eyes fixed on him and with a dead expression which sent a chill down the spine, "You shall accompany my brother everywhere tomorrow. I give you two choices, either kill yourself or murder my brother tomorrow." The words shocked you, your lips agape.  Kill prince Jimin or myself? But why? "Your highness, what do you mean?" in disbelief you murmured, looking at his face for an explanation. 

"I meant what I said." He said to you before leaving you all alone to head back. Your hands trembled, "What am I being pushed too?" caused the dagger fall and for you to tumble down. "What is going on? Why did he say that I have to kill Prince Jimin." The ground felt like crumbling, as you tried to gather your emotions. "No. I will not do anything that prince Taehyung says. I have to hide it before anyone sees." you stuttered, gathered the fallen dagger and rushed to your room.

You flung the dagger onto your bed, gaze lingered on the given weapon, thoughts swirling as you tried to decipher the cryptic words of Prince Taehyung. "Is his highness in danger again? Is that what he meant?" Sinking onto the edge of the bed, your face buried in your hands, the weight of the prince's ominous message pressing down on you. "Banishing Master Jihoon...and then those words from prince Taehyung," you murmured, the implications sending shivers down your spine.

Replaying the conversation over and over in your mind. A hunch that those words held a hidden meaning, "What is he trying to tell me? Prince Taehyung would never mean to kill his highness. Was he trying to hint me to protect his highness? Did 'murder or kill' mean to protect? Did he say that when he realized there were spies on us. But I didn't feel anything." The trail of overthinking began. The hours slipped away unnoticed as you grappled with the uncertainty, your mind racing with possibilities. Eventually, exhaustion claimed you, and you collapsed onto the bed, the dagger forgotten beneath you. In the quiet of early morning, sleep finally found you, though your dreams were haunted by whispers of treachery and danger.

"Is Y/n awake?" Prince Jimin asked eunuch Shin, who was taking back the breakfast tray. "I shall check on her, your highness." he bowed. "She must be horrified and couped up in her bed." He murmured, eunuch picked that phrase before leaving. Eunuch Shin felt bad for you, he saw how prince Jimin too concerned over you. He came back and checked on you, still asleep, "Y/n wake up." He shook your body slightly to wake you up, eyes fluttered as you sat up, rubbing them. A blurry vision of eunuch Shin came, "Eunuch Shin, why are you here?" 

"Y/n, the sun rose up long ago and you are still sleeping." He complained, your eyes shot wide, "Oh my." Your hand covered your mouth as you felt the dagger pock your back and eunuch Shin was in the room. "What happened?" he tried to enquire your scared face. "Nothing." an immediate reply. "You can head out now, I will be ready quickly." you smiled at him trying to cover up your fear. He didn't let his suspicion catch you, simply agreed and left. Steps pacing here and there to find the right place to hide the dagger. A maid caught with something like this is very dangerous. "I'm sure prince Jimin will get attacked today, so I need to stay with him." you mumbled. 

Eventually your mind settled to hide it under your clothes in the luggage and ran to do your morning routine. Meanwhile in prince's chamber, eunuch Shin was getting another kind of treatment. "Why did you wake her up?" His highness scolded the eunuch. "Your highness, she is a lady in waiting and is required to serve you. Your highness can command her to stay back here when your highness leave in the late morning." Shin replied back reminding prince what you were. "But she wouldn't listen." prince Jimin shook his head in denial. "Your highness-" prince interrupted him, "I don't see her as my maid, eunuch Shin. It is true she does her maidly duties but in my perception she is the most reliable and trusted friend I could have in this confined palace. Unlike all those maids and eunuchs, she is the only one who truly understands and support me." He argued. Which is why we even fought over the fact that I don't act as a prince and coddle her.

Eunuch Shin remained silent and gradually prince Jimin stopped speaking, wondering how to stop you. As quickly you had left for the bath house in the same pace you returned to your room, scared if anyone had gone though your room and found the dagger, your hand fumbled through the clothes to see if it was still there, a relief washed over as your fingers felt the dagger. Just then "Y/n, your breakfast." eunuch Shin said from the other side of the room. Quickly you hid the dagger back and hurried to answer the door. "You didn't have to trouble for this. I am capable to get my meals." you complained, as eunuch Shin walked through whilst you waited near the door for him to leave quickly. 

"I was commanded by his highness to serve you the meals." he spoke while his gaze roamed in the room. "You will be served the meals here since you already have your periods." he uttered, your mouth fell apart slightly, confused, "How did-?" he came to the door, "It is only normal for maids to avoid their the masters during their flow." He walked out. "But it is over now." you mumbled, which his sharp ears picked up yet ignored.

After your meal, the dagger was pulled out from its place and nicely hidden in your dress, "For sure prince Taehyung must have got some indication. This time I will protect prince Jimin no matter what." the words of dedication ushered from you. Just then the sound of foot steps picked your ears. You sneaked through the door, his highness's chamber was surrounded by two soldiers and soon his highness had walked out in black hanbok. I have to go with him.

Your door opened, "Your highness." prince turned behind to face. His face had no sign of emotion just a neutral expression. "I would like to accompany you." you requested and he denied it without a thought. "Your highness, please I want to." your voice pleaded. Eunuch Shin interrupted your view, "No." he answered for the prince. "Your highness." Prince Jimin didn't waste another moment and walked away, for he knew if he stayed any longer, you would have your way. When you were to follow him, eunuch Shin stopped you and pushed you to Prince Jimin's chamber, locking the door. "Open the door!" A feared and panicked shout erupted. 

"Y/n. This is for your-" Before he could finish his sentence, you spoke in, "His highness will get attacked today. Please I need to stay with him." Eunuch Shin was shocked to hear it. "What do you mean?" his voice stuttered. You really wanted to tell him that it was prince Taehyung who had given the hint yet felt dragging his name would cause him even more trouble. "I have a hunch that it will happen today. So please let me go with him. Please let me go eunuch Shin." your voice pleaded. The door unlocked and opened, "Are you sure Y/n?" his hands caught your arms.

"Yes. I have a hunch something will happen to his highness. I only need to stand with him just to make sure he is fine. Please we need to be with him." You answered him, wanting to be with prince Jimin since the his destination was not known. "Y/n, I will let the guards take care of it. You don't need to." He gave a concerned expression, trying to push you back in. "NO! I am trained to protect his highness. I will not forgive myself if anything happens to his highness." your frustration surged out, pushing aside eunuch Shin and ran to catch up prince Jimin. "No, Y/n. Don't do this." you heard eunuch Shin shout and follow you. Eunuch Shin wanted to forbid you from doing anything but realized what his highness meant about you, holding you down was difficult for anyone.

The thought of him being attacked, paced your heart beats and fear slithered your mind with n number of possibilities. A few moments later, you caught up to his highness and quietly followed them without the soldiers' knowledge. Eunuch Shin was finally able to spot you and ran up, "Y/n." pulled your sleeve, asking you to stop but your adamant personality didn't give in to him. He believed you and stood with you as he gave up the idea of stopping you from going. The tension in the air intensified each movement and your heart leapt a beat every time a turn was made worried if the assassin would make a move. 

Soon the execution ground; located in the very back of the huge palace compound, came into view. Your heart stopped beating for a moment. The execution ground! Why? Who is to be executed today? A crowd had grouped at the sides of the ground could be seen, why are we here? what is going here? you doubted as a eerily fear dropped your stomach. The men from the noble families, minister, eunuchs, maids, servants and guards were present there. A horizontally long platform in the middle quiet far from the wall, three execution benches arranged on it. Is it master Jihoon and others. But that is impossible. The thought sent a shiver down your spine and turned to ask the Shin but he was no longer with you. 

His highness had then climbed up the royal platform which was a lot higher than the execution platform. You saw how his majesty sat in the middle, with the few other ministers sat to his left, among which the two were those investigation ministers and three seats to his right, empty at that moment till one was acclaimed by prince Jimin. As the guards took their stand behind him, one of the by mistake stepped on your feet which caused you to moan which prince Jimin picked up. The guards were confused as to where you came from. Prince Jimin whipped his head behind and saw you. His teeth gritted, eyes closed in defeat, "Eunuch Shin!" he grunted, you could see the anger in his attitude but didn't want to leave his highness either.

His head motioned you to come closer, and you stood by his side, "Y/n, why do you defy my command. Get back to your room." his black orbs glared at you. His threatening did had you gulp, but then in order to protect him, a rule had to be broken. He didn't receive an answer. "You will regret this now." he let his frustration and annoyance out not realizing what he said. His jaw clenched, as his face expressed exasperation yet concern in those eyes and averted his attention before you could notice his expression. Y/n, why don't you ever listen. Every time I try to avoid you from falling in any traps, you push me aside. You don't heed to my words, it is always your want when it comes to you. This day is going to scar your heart forever. What did you even do to eunuch Shin that had his guard down for you. That old man, he told me that he would take care of everything and look what has happened. He thumped his fist on the chair hand.

Standing on the upper platform gave one the perfect view of what was happening down there. The wind carried the sound of whispers whist the empire flags flew high. Though the day was bright and clear, spotless of clouds, the air there seemed tightening your lungs. An fearing vibe poked you each time the wind blew, your stomach churned in fear. On one hand you were prepared for any attack so there was no need for to be scared but on the other hand there was an uncontrollable panic brewing in your mind as you stared at those benches laid in front. Above all that it also felt that you had been in this similar situation earlier too but couldn't read it. Although this was your first time standing here.

It wasn't much later, that his majesty raised his hand to proceed. One of the ministers, walked up to the platform and soon the crowd fell silent. The only sound of the wind somehow seemed like suffocating you. It was a moment of reveal, each soldier pushed the criminals forward to the platform. Your heart jumped out of your mouth, recognizing those familiar faces; Jihoon, Junmyeon and Jieun. They were pushed forward mercilessly by the soldiers and kicked their knees to kneel in front of the execution benches whilst your body began to tremble. None of them looked up. "Today, three criminals who have disobeyed the rules set by our divine emperor are to be punished for their crimes." The minister announced.

"They were given the chance to say their last wishes. The men took the choice to say it today. Thus, before they are executed, their wishes shall be heard by the divine emperor." he bowed to his majesty. A loud gasp escaped your lips, realizing what was about to happen. Prince Jimin closed his eyes for a moment to have the courage to face such an unpleasant and gore scene, for no royals were supposed to turn away during execution. Your hand covered your mouth, your body trembling lightly as the scenes from the previous nights reminisced, unable to believe that you were lied to about everything.

First Junmyeon spoke up. He took this opportunity to criticize the law of land where he is unable to live with one he loves dearly and his child was forcefully killed, and that such couples should be recognized and allowed to live in peace. He then looked at his father to say that he was grateful to have a father like him but he can't let go of his love and deny everything about her. This speech was not well accepted by the people present there and the soldier stomped on him. You were horrified at how Junmyeon got beaten for his choice of words.

When Jihoon's turn came, a sudden realization hit you. This scene had once appeared in your dream where prince Jimin had forced you to watch the execution, "Now watch how your lover is killed for taking the life of my precious friend." the image of prince Jimin's rage. "This is impossible." your eyes took a glance of his highness, who had his hands gripped hard on the end of chair arms with all his might. Everything was fuzzy and suffocating.

In the mean time, Jihoon began his words, "Oh the great emperor of the Park dynasty, the justful and dutiful majesty. Your humble servant hopes his words heed his majesty later if not now. This servants of his majesty has served as a soldier for the war in the north against the rebels yet upon my return, accusations were charged on me. I prayed to all gods I have come across, to give the mighty emperor the clear mind to provide an unprejudiced verdict. I shall not utter the word for the crime of the crown prince's assassination as that shall unveil to his majesty one day who played the cards against his majesty. A clear verdict did publish, I pray to gods again that they give his majesty the heart to uplift the laws that provide no basis for taking the life of an innocent for his crime was to fall in love with a maid. This law has taken the life of many innocent lovers." His eyes that boldly and confidently peered to his majesty turned to you and they soften, with a big smile, "I too wish that I could live a long life with that certain someone but the law forbid me. I deeply apologize to her and hope she fulfills our promise. Let us be the last to face this charge and no lovers be punished again." tears rolled down as you muffled your cries with hand. An unbearable pain stung your body. 

When Jihoon had stated that, everyone's attention turned to you, including prince Jimin except his majesty. His majesty had another set of internal war of thoughts, when he nodded the executioner to proceed further. It didn't take long for the soldiers to lock their heads to the benches and a cloth masked man entered the platform with his big sword. The silence only grew further, the maids locked on your face to see the coming reaction who could only emotionally pity your pain and suffering. "No!" The pain came out, your hand reached out to Jihoon from the rail wall of the platform but he was too far away. Prince Jimin pulled you back before you could fall off from top, with the help of the soldiers, "your highness, please save them." The cries that prince Jimin could never console. 

NFSW Read on your own risk. This will end with ~~~~~~~~~~~

The couple was executed first. The blood that splattered from the couple, had your mind unstable, your breath becoming uneven. As the executioner wiped off the blood from his big sword and stood next to Jihoon "NOOOOO!! You can't leave me." It was quick and clean, his head fell in the large bowl, blood flowing from his body, your cries ceased, shocked from the scene. 

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Knees dropped on the floor, as the scene replayed in your mind. It felt as though a hug part of you was cut off. There was no longer any pain. Your throat screamed yet it had no voice, the tears had stopped flowing that moment. Prince Jimin hugged and cradled you. Meanwhile, his majesty had asked the executioner and soldier to spike their heads outside the palace for it shall remain as a lesson.

It was at that moment you were reminded of Prince Taehyung's words, I give you two choices, either kill yourself or murder my brother tomorrow. Your dead eyes looked at the cradling man, "Your highness, I am sorry." your lips whimpered, wanting to pick a choice. Prince Jimin was least concerned about your nonsense speech. I made her suffer. Now she will never see me the same. She will never trust me. Your body was shaking. His highness tried with all his might to have you get back on your feet while the soldier moved back. Seeing this as an opportunity, your weak hand pulled the dagger under your blouse without prince's notice as he struggled, placed the sharp edge to the stomach. Your fingers tightly gripped on the handle and pulled prince Jimin in a tight hug. The dagger digging the skin and muscles. Blood spreading their dresses.

Prince Jimin's eyes shot wide and shouted, struggling to free your hold with his strength but you didn't let him. The soldiers rushed to his aid and his majesty came running when heard the chaos that took place beside him.