.forty five.

Days later, Eun and Minji went to the lake together with Soon Deok and Han again. 

Minji was sat on the rock that was her usual resting place when she used to go with Jung. Her husband had quickly stripped down and jumped into the water, beckoning for her to join him. But she refused with a smile and a shake of her head. Han and Soon Deok jumped into the water after taking off their heavy armor.

The four were enjoying the waterfall, having fun, when Minji felt a presence quietly approaching her. They were human footsteps that she didn't recognize. She had already learned to tell what Han, Eun, and Soon Deok sounded like, as she spent a lot of time with them. But these footsteps were new. Minji turned in the direction of the sound and grabbed a rock the size of her fist from nearby. If it was an attacker, they would have to get through her first. Her hand felt for the pointy side of the rock first and when she felt the intruder close enough, she shot her hand out to hit them.

The person grabbed her wrist just before the rock could pierce his skin, and he pinned her arm by her side, hoping to calm her with the sound of his voice. "Hak Soon-ah, its me, Jung." He told her in a gentle voice, since she had still been struggling in his grip.

"Jung-ah..." She gasped, dropping the rock in her hand immediately.

"What are you doing here?" He asked her, at first his words were full of hope that maybe she was there to find him. Maybe she was there to find comfort in his arms, just like the king thought. But he found the answer himself when he heard laughter coming from the water down below. It was the loud and bubbly laughter of his older brother the tenth prince. But he was joined by two more people. They were Soon Deok and his other brother Han. 

Minji's expression shifted into one of sadness because she felt bad for him. But also because she knew he would not be happy with what he was seeing. It was supposed to be their private place and now she had divulged it to the world--maybe not to the world, but she had taken three people there who were not supposed to have found out about it. Minji felt a bit guilty because Jung was being burdened with so many misfortunes lately, the biggest was the fact that they were to be kept apart because she was married to his brother.

"You brought them here?" Another question escaped his lips, this one full of hurt and disappointment. His eyebrows furrowed in annoyance as he saw Eun once again. The others had yet to notice what was going on above. From the position of the boulder, it was easy for the person on the high ground to see everything below. But it was nearly impossible for the people below to see anyone on the high ground. "Hak Soon, this was supposed to be our place, and you brought him. Why would you do something like that?" 

He wasn't so much upset that Soon Deok and Han were there. What really irked him was the fact that Eun was there. Where once he and his older brother got along really well, there was now a growing resentment. Jung had always suspected that Eun liked Minji, but was not willing to admit it. He thought his suspicions were confirmed when Eun chose Minji to marry, out of anyone else he could have chosen in the kingdom.

Minji felt her eyes brim up with tears at the way he sounded so hurt. But she was going to have to hurt him even more. Maybe then he would leave her alone. All she wanted was to save him from any trouble, and to spare Eun from any heart break. She was going to be loyal to her husband no matter what, even if her heart wanted someone else. "Jung-ah, you have to understand that I'm married now. Eun and I are happy together, and we're already thinking about starting a family. Please don't bring us anymore burdens and stay away." She almost couldn't finish her sentence, as her voice cracked and tears started spilling from her eyes. 

"If you really feel that way, then why are you crying?" He asked her. She dropped her head to avoid him from seeing her face, as she knew he would see right through her. He probably already had, since she didn't sound as convincing as she had hoped.

"Because..." She started, trying to steady her voice in order to be as convincing as possible. "I'm so tired of everyone mistreating me and my husband...for your sake."

Her words were like a blow to his chest, and he felt like the wind had been knocked out of him. He took a step back away from her, his hand letting go of her arm. Minji didn't dare turn her head up towards him. She couldn't see him, but facing him was almost the same. She couldn't face the hurt that she could already feel coming from him. It was far too painful, and she wanted to take him into her arms. She wanted to tell him that she wanted to be with him too, but she just couldn't because of Eun. She had grown to truly care about him, and love him. Even so, she couldn't so easily forget about her feelings for Jung.

"He's making you treat me like this, isn't he?" Jung asked her, his eyes glancing down towards the waters, where Eun was playing a game with his brother and his sister-in-law. Jung's words were full of venom and his eyes full of resentment.

"He isn't." Minji quickly said with a shake of her head.

"If he's forcing you to say these things, you can tell me, and I'll set him straight. I'm not afraid of him." He said to her, a promise in his words. He was ready to walk past her and confront his brother. 

But Minji stopped him by grabbing his arm, her eyes widened with fear and desperation that he might to something to harm Eun. "Don't hurt him. You know your brother better than anyone. He wouldn't hurt a fly, much less would he ever hurt me or force me to do anything I don't want to do."

Just then, her long hair that had been combed out and fell past her shoulders, was blown back by a slight breeze that came in through the tress. She had instructed the servants not to put her hair up in an updo, as they normally did. When her hair was pushed out of her face and neck, falling down her back, Jung's eyes spotted something on the side of her neck. His fingers touched the sore skin and made Minji flinch at the feeling.

"What is this?" He asked her.

"Nothing." Her hand quickly shot up to cover the bruise given to her the previous night. Minji quickly tried to change the subject. "Jung, you have to go before anyone sees you. I don't want any more problems."

He finally heaved a sigh. He knew that he really had to be careful not to be seen with her. Any sightings would probably be reported back to the king, and he knew that the king already had a threat on Minji's life. He would have to find her again, when he could be sure that no one was watching. "I'll go." He told her, "But I'll come back for you, Hak-Soon. I won't give up on us. You were promised to me, and that's where you belong."

-

When Jung left, Minji broke out into tears. She cried into her hands, and her sobs were heard over the sound of the waters below. Her husband heard her cries and hurried to her aid, finding her right where he had left her when he jumped into the water.

"What's wrong? Are you okay?" He asked her full of concern.

She nodded her head, hoping to reassure him quickly. She could already hear the worry in his voice and she hated making him worry for her because he was such a pure person who loved her so much. "I'm fine, love." She forced a smile onto her lips, and touched the side of his face softly. "I was just trying to move into a more comfortable spot and I fell. But everything is okay. It was just the scare because I can't see."

His lower lip jutted out into a pout and he knelt by her side, trying to examine her for any damage. "Tell me where it hurts and I'll make it better."

"I'm fine, love." She repeated, cupping his face in her hands and bringing him in for a small peck on the lips. She wouldn't dare tell him that Jung was there because she knew he wouldn't be pleased.

When they tore away from their kiss, Eun pulled her into his arms for an embrace. He was dripping wet from the water, and she shivered at the cold sensation. When he felt her shiver in his hold, he decided to crack a joke that would hopefully help her mood. "Don't you think I'm just dripping with good looks?"

Minji was shaken with a light little laugh, and he laughed along with her.

"You sure are, love." She nodded her head.

Eun sat by her side until she calmed down, and she encouraged him to go back into the water with the others. But he refused to leave her now. 

The group stayed again until the sun set, and then each couple returned to their respective homes. Eun and Minji had dinner together silently, when they normally had lively conversations together about the day that they shared. But Minji had been quiet, picking at her food and responding with vague answers to anything that he said.

After their meal, the servants helped them bathe and then get ready for bed before excusing themselves for the night. Eun didn't mention anything to her as they both got under the covers. Minji snuggled close to his side, like a small child trying to hide from their fears. Her voice came out as soft and quiet as she spoke to him. "Can we just cuddle tonight and save the rest for tomorrow? I'm not feeling so well." Her mind was focused on Jung, and the way that he sounded so hurt. But he also sounded full of resentment towards his brother.

He held her in his arms, just happy to get any speck of affection from her. His chin rested atop her head, and his long fingers danced along the skin of her arm subconsciously. He wanted so badly to ask her what was wrong and what was bothering her. But another part of him forbid him to do so, deciding that she probably needed some space and that she would open up to him on her own whenever she was ready. 

The tenth prince pulled back just enough to place a kiss on her forehead. "Goodnight, jagi." He said softly to her, his words and his embrace soothing her into a comfortable sleep.

Minji closed her eyes, willing away the thoughts that had made her cry that day. 

"Goodnight, love." She greeted back.

-

so i have to go get ready and go to the dmv with my dad. which is fucking dumb because we could have gone this morning when it wasn't that hot. but he said nothing. and now he wants to go when its like a hundred fucking degrees outside? its fucking ridiculous.

but i guess i will go. but i will be miserable throughout the entirety of it. could have said something yesterday morning, or today morning since i had the two days off.

but fucking no.

bro gotta wait until its hot as fuck outside to suggest making a trip to the dmv. you all dont understand how mad i am right now.

but anyway, what do you all think of jung refusing to give up? should he just call it quits already? or should he keep fighting for her?

-clary