➼ So what ➼

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- A possibility -

Jeongguk's POV

I awoke to the sun hitting my face, my eyes opening slightly, quickly shutting again due to the light. I sighed, stretching a bit while I sat up, opening my eyes again. Getting out of my bed, I noticed a paper on my nightstand, something written on it. Picking up the paper, my eyes began to scan over the writing.

Thanks for letting me stay with you. It was fun, honestly. I can't wait to meet up with you again. To avoid making the King curious about my whereabouts, I'll come to visit you once every two weeks. Is that alright with you?

Nonetheless, I appreciate the help with hunting. It was an eventful day we had yesterday. I hope to see you alive in two weeks, my friend. Take care!

Your friend,

Hoseok.

I sighed, rereading the note over and over again. Two weeks was fine, honestly. It gave me enough time to be alone. After all, I wasn't too fond of human interaction. Placing the note down, I grabbed an outfit and dressed, putting my cloak on as well. "Wait a minute," I said, snapping my gaze onto the paper on my nightstand. "Where the hell did he get the paper from?"

Shrugging, I decided not to think too much about it. I picked up my bow and arrows from the ground, looking at the quiver. Recounting the arrows I had, I sighed again, a frown settling upon my face when I only had nineteen. I can't believe I left the arrow in the ground. "If that gets me into trouble, I'll never be able to forgive myself," I muttered coldly, walking towards the door.

Opening the door and walking outside, I looked around in search of my horse. "He better not have taken Constantine," I whispered, cursing under my breath when the sun's light hit my face full-on. Why was it brighter than usual today? Gasping slightly, I raced back inside, realizing I forgot my mask. What was wrong with me?

Once outside again, I looked around for Constantine, calling out his name every once in a while. Where did this damn horse run off to? Hearing his footsteps approach, I smiled a bit, my hand reaching out to caress his face. Grabbing the bridle off of the post and putting it on Constantine, I quickly mounted him. My arrows and bow were slung over my right shoulder while I mounted him, feeling him start moving. I rode bareback almost all the time, this wasn't something new.

Heading in the direction of the Acedus kingdom, I gulped, slight fear taking over my body. What if the arrow wasn't there anymore? Maybe I'm risking this, riding back to the boundaries just to search for one arrow. I knew how dangerous this act alone was, but leaving that arrow there was even more dangerous. What if they found it? What if they realized that there was someone within the woods?

Shaking my head, I focused on the forest ahead of me, grabbing onto the bridle to make sure I wouldn't fall off. Constantine's footsteps weren't as loud as I thought they would be, making me sigh a bit in relief. I needed to relax, stressing and worrying wasn't going to get me anywhere. Plus, if I wanted my aim to be on point, I needed my mind clear.

Soon enough, we were nearing the boundaries for Acedus. I took a deep breath, motioning for Constantine to slow down to a walk. My eyes scanned over the forest, looking for the arrow I left in the ground. Once I neared the area Hoseok and I were in yesterday, I let my mind clear and my body focus on my vision.

Dismounting my horse, I grabbed my bow with an arrow, preparing myself in case I saw something in the woods. Running towards the spot where I almost shot the deer, I looked around, looking for a trace of the arrow still being there. Spotting a small piece of cloth on the floor, next to the hole in the dirt from where the arrow landed, I cursed under my breath.

The arrow was gone.

I punched the ground, letting my anger out with that one punch. "Fuck!" I yelled out, not even caring about being inside the boundaries for Acedus. Hearing a twig snap in the distance, my head shot up, looking around. It might have just been an animal, Jeongguk.

Hearing another twig snap, I got up, sprinting over to my horse while I heard footsteps approaching. Fucking shit, someone's here. They probably heard me! Mounting Constantine again, I drew my bow back, preparing myself to fire it once my eyes landed on the person in the woods with me. Having Constantine take off running right now would only let this mysterious person know someone was here.

I felt Constantine back up a bit while I focused on the trees ahead of me, hearing humming and footsteps. My mind raced with possibilities of who the person could be. A noble? A slave? No that's not likely. A guard? Probably. I inhaled, seeing the silver armor slowly appear. Of course, it was a guard.

His eyes landed on my figure while a sinister smile crept onto his face. I felt my anger grow a bit as they walked closer to me. "Running away wouldn't be such a good idea," They stated cockily while I scoffed. "Does it look like I'm running away?" I heard a laugh emit from him, watching as he pulled out his sword and continued to stare me down.

"So, you're the one who left the arrow in the ground, huh? Pretty careless if you ask me," He said while I grit my teeth. It's not like I meant to leave it there. "I didn't come out here to hear your opinion," I laughed humorlessly, while he clenched his fist. "Watch your mouth, archer."

"Or what? You're going to kill me?" I teased, playing with the arrow in my hand while he raised his sword and pointed it at me. "I said watch it." I laughed again, drawing my bow once again. "Maybe you should watch your mouth. My arrow can kill you faster than your sword can." His eyebrows raised as he took a small step closer.

"Ah ah ah," I smirked underneath my mask. "Get any closer and I won't hesitate to put an arrow through your head, just like I did to your two buddies," I stated, seeing him back away, his face evident with rage. "You're the one who killed them?" He spat, his body shaking.

I laughed again, watching him shake and tremble with rage. "Of course. I couldn't risk them telling the kingdom, now could I?" I saw him begin to run at me, making me smirk more as I signaled for Constantine to run. We circled the guard, all while he proceeded to run after my horse and I. "Come back here you coward!" He roared, digging his sword into the ground while I aimed my bow at his forehead.

I've toyed with him enough, it was his turn to die. "Say hi to your friends for me!" I yelled out, seeing him grit his teeth while I raised the bow up to aim right in the middle of his forehead. "You can't kill me! A simple archer can't take down someone as skilled as me!" I laughed, feeling Constantine stop moving as I took a deep breath. "You sure about that?"

Quickly moving the bow downward, I launched the first arrow into his arm, hearing him scream in pain. "Why, you brat!" He screamed, his arm gushing out blood while he kneeled to the floor. "Already falling to your knees so quickly? I get I'm royalty but I expected better from 'someone as skilled as you'," I teased, seeing his head shoot up.

"What did you say?" He asked, his mouth agape while he stared at me on my horse. "You heard me the first time." He shook his head, teeth-gritting in pain while he clenched his fist. "You said something about royalty! Who are you?" He questioned, eyes glassy while I smiled evilly. Taking off my mask, I slowly opened my eyes to see his shocked expression. His face now completely pale as he fell forward a bit.

"You're... You're.." He trailed off, his expression showing pure shock and disbelief. "I'm the long lost Prince," I stated, drawing the bow back quickly before he could register what was about to happen. "And you're about to join your friends in eternal sleep."

Shooting the arrow into the air, I saw it plant itself directly into the middle of his forehead, the head of the arrow coming out through the other side of his head. Putting my mask back on, I dismounted my horse and ran to pick up my arrows. "I can't forget them this time," I muttered, wiping off the blood. Picking up the guards sword, I placed it directly into his heart, making sure he was dead.

"Next time, don't wander into the woods alone," I retorted, scoffing slightly as I made my way back to Constantine. Looking back, I could see the sight of the castle off into the distance. "It feels like I'm getting closer and closer to that castle as each day passes," I whispered, shaking my head as I got on my horse one last time.

"They may have found an arrow, but that doesn't mean the Prince is alive," I stated coldly, signaling for Constantine to move. "After all, I've already killed three guards with ease." Letting out a small laugh, I held onto the bridle again and let the breeze knock down the hood to my cloak.

"Whether they found the arrow or not, it doesn't guarantee that I'm still alive." Sighing, I let myself relax as I rode back to my home, feeling the breeze flow through my hair. "And if they're smart enough, they'll back off."

*

Namjoon's POV

Closing my eyes, I leaned back on my throne, a yawn escaping my parted lips. Sighing, I let my eyes flutter closed and my breathing become steady. I let my mind clear from all the stress and worry. At this rate, I'll age faster than I needed to. Just as I was about to fall into the depths of sleep, the sound of the throne room doors opened.

My eyes snapped open, staring at the ceiling as I heard the sound of rushed footsteps make their way into my throne room. Looking at the doors, my eyes widened when I saw Jackson, the head guard, kneel before me. "Your majesty," He stated, his sword lying in front of him as he hung his head down in respect. I hummed, leaning forward. "Jackson."

"I am truly sorry to interrupt your alone time, your majesty," He stated, standing up and meeting my gaze as I cocked an eyebrow. "Well since you've entered the throne room with such urgency, there must be a reason," I replied, seeing him nod his head a bit before responding correctly. "Yes, your majesty. I have news to report to you."

I adjusted my crown, my eyes glued onto the guard as I signaled for him to proceed with what he needed to say. "Well you see, your majesty, yesterday we went to search the woods again and sadly we didn't come across the Prince," He started, making me sigh with annoyance, "But that isn't it. On the return back to the castle, I happened to notice that two of our men weren't with us. In fact, none of the other guards knew where their whereabouts were either," He said, making my eyes widen in shock.

"What do you believe happened to those two guards, Jackson?" He sighed, shaking his head slightly before he met my gaze again. "If I'm being honest, your majesty, I believe they were killed. Those two guards were very loyal to the kingdom, and I know how much they wanted your son to come home. I don't believe that they would have betrayed us." I nodded, pleased with his response.

"But that isn't all, your majesty." My mouth opened a bit, shocked that there were actually things happening within the kingdom, but at the same time, I was excited. Was there a possibility that we could find the prince soon? "Proceed." He nodded, bowing slightly as he pulled out something from behind him. "We found this in the ground, your majesty."

He held the object in his hands, extending them outward for me to see. I gasped slightly, not believing the sight before me. "An arrow?" I asked, disbelief evident on my face. "Yes, your majesty. We, unfortunately, did not get the chance to see who shot the arrow, but we did find it in the ground. Either they were aiming for one of us or an animal."

I motioned for him to step forward so I could grab the arrow, to which he easily complied. "Where was the arrow?" I asked, hoping he'd understand what I meant. "At the border of Acedus. It was still within the boundaries." I nodded, taking in the information he was giving me.

"And you said that you didn't spot who shot the arrow, correct?" I questioned, hearing him reply instantly. "No, your majesty, we didn't get to see who shot it." I sighed but nodded, signaling him to leave the throne room which he quickly did. "Thank you for the report, Jackson," I called out before he could close the door to the throne room.

There wasn't a reply, but in all honesty, there didn't need to be. I sighed again, admiring the arrow. This wasn't a regular arrow that could have been bought within the kingdom, it had finer details and patterns on it, meaning this was only available to higher classed people. A noble at least. Stepping down from my throne, I walked through the halls in search of my husband. He needed to hear the information I just received.

"Hello appa," Jimin greeted me as I smiled at him, seeing him eat an apple. "Ah, hello Jimin, have you seen eomma anywhere?" He nodded a bit, a small smile making its way onto his face. "I saw eomma in the kitchen not too long ago," He replied, taking another bite from the apple.

"Perfect. Come along son, we have a few things to discuss together with eomma." He easily complied, following behind me as we both greeted the maids and servants in the halls of the castle. Reaching the kitchen, I called out for Jin, seeing him walk out with an apron on. "Honey, we have chefs for a reason," I stated, a small chuckle leaving my lips.

"I'm well aware, but I enjoy cooking, so I'll continue to cook. Did you need something, babe?" I nodded, asking him to follow me back to our suite. I wished to talk in private, and our suite was one of the only places where we could do so. Stepping inside the room, with Jin and Jimin following right behind me, I closed the door and turned to face them.

"What's the matter, babe?" Jin asked, seeing my troubled face as I adjusted my crown again. "Jackson came to inform me that two of our guards have recently gone missing. He suspects that they were killed." Jin frowned a bit while Jimin let out a small gasp. "That's terrible! Do they know who killed them?"

I shook my head. "No, they don't, but they also found something within the woods. It's not much, and it doesn't guarantee anything, but it's something," I stated, pulling out the arrow and showing them. Jin gasped, the apron he held in his hands falling to the ground. I turned his way, my face filled with concern.

"When did they find that? And where?" He rushed out, taking me off my guard. "They found the arrow yesterday, apparently it was in the ground. Jackson claims it was at the border for the Kingdom of Acedus." Jin's eyes widened, making me beyond confused at this point.

"Why do you ask, babe?" He shook his head, sitting down on the bed next to Jimin. "One time, I saw Jeongguk outside with a bow in his hands. I didn't think much of it, I just assumed he was fascinated with it. I did see him try to shoot a few arrows, though, before I left and retreated to the throne room." My eyes widened alongside Jimin's.

"How long ago was this, eomma?" Jin shook his head, sighing a bit while his hands shook. "It had to have been ten years ago, maybe even eleven. He was young, maybe that's why I didn't think much about that," He replied while I stared at the arrow in my hands. "So, what are you saying then?" I asked, seeing him look me in the eyes before responding.

"What I'm saying is that there is a possibility that Jeongguk is still alive."

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(:

Careless Jeongguk. Will the search for the missing Prince continue, or will the guards back off?

I purple you 💜

~Pisanthrophobia.