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ᴏᴘᴇɴ ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴀᴛᴇs
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"Who's that man? He looks like
he'd been mauled by a bear—!"

People watched Jungkook as he limped towards the castle gates, leaving a pool of blood behind his feet. He stopped in front of the guards, giving them his full name and quest.

"It doesn't seem like you've found the missing princess." The guard raised his brow. "You're not allowed in until y—

"She's in an underground bunker near the south side of the village." Jungkook quickly blurted out, trying to hold his guts in one place. The guards eyes were wide as he quickly pushed the gates open, rushing Jungkook through the castle.

"Quickly—!" The guard pulled at his arm. "We need to inform the king immediately."

With one last corner to turn, the guards pushed through the doors, interrupting a family discussion the king was having with his children. The king became worried as he saw Jungkook all bloody and covered with gashes. It wasn't the boy he was feeling sympathy towards, but his daughter.

"Your highness, this boy found the princess along with her kidnappers in an underground bunker not far from the South of the village."

The queen let out a whimpering cry, holding her hands over her mouth as tears surrounded her eyes. Namjoon on the other hand, bit down on his lip, knowing this would change every one of his plans.

"Well, why are you just standing around—?" The king shouted. "Get your men armed now!"

"She's gonna be okay mom." Taehyung comforted his mother, hugging her from behind.

"Namjoon, you're coming with me." The King quickly motioned with his hand. Namjoon gulped before nodding and following his father outside. Taehyung glared at him while he calmly walked as if none of this was bothering him. "Maybe someday you'll look back at this and actually feel guilty."

"I have no reason to feel guilty." Namjoon barely looked over his shoulder, stopping for a brief moment before leaving the room.

The men stormed out with weapons in their hands, following the kings lead. One of the soldiers pulled a red lever, alarming the village of their sudden intrusion. Families hid their children inside, while others stood aside to watch the arrival of the king.

"Hand me the lever." The king ordered, catching it as it was thrown to him.

Namjoon noticed the familiar ground door, but tried to act as if he's never seen it in his life. The king, along with the help of a couple soldiers, broke through the wooden door, letting the scraps of wood fall into the dark bunker. "I need light!"

Namjoon handed his father a torch, watching as he took the first step forward. The soldiers followed after him, aiming their weapons high. The king narrowed his eyes as he brought the torch to the third step, seeing a waterfall of blood dripping down the wooden stairs. His breathing became heavy as his heart beat did. The men encourage him to keep walking, and they were finally on leveled ground.

"Do you see anything?" The king whispered as they began to split up, searching every corner of the dark room.

"No." The soldier quietly remarked. "But I found this."

My father rushed towards the soldier as fast as his legs allowed him. In front of him, was a blood stained table surrounded by knives and rusted chains. "What have I done—" He brought his hands to his face, sobbing uncontrollably.

Namjoon bit down on his bottom lip as he watched his father sob over something he could've prevented. A soldier approached the king, standing by his side.

"We'll test the blood to see if it's hers."

The king grabbed the shoulders of one of the men. "I will search day and night for her until the day I'm deceased!"

"We will help you find the princess, sir."
The soldier nodded.

"She's my daughter." The king took in an angry breath. "Not just some princess."

≽                ≽              ≽

I hissed at the cold touch of the metal on my wrists along with Jimin's hands roughly gripping my injured hand. I feel like an idiot for complaining about the rope. The metal was far worse, leaving my bones sore and bruised. I heard him speak of an auction, but wasn't too sure what he meant by that. That's the down side of being locked away in a castle for my entire life. I know nothing that other girls my age know.

"Can you loosen the cuffs please." I quietly mumbled as my eyes slowly met his.

Jimin lowered his brow at my request, sighing as he dug through his pocket for they key. Well, that was unexpected of him. I thought he'd just shout at me like he usually did whenever I'd ask him for something. He grabbed the keys and then my arms, loosening the cuffs so that the metal wasn't pressing into my aching skin.

"t-thanks." I turned to face him, but he just grabbed onto the metal chain and began walking again.

Why was he like that? When I'd be act pushy and annoying he'd respond, but when I'm actually being cooperative and kind, he suddenly doesn't have anything to say.

"Stop dragging your feet." Jimin's voice interrupted my train of thought.

"I'm injured, so I can't—

"I don't fucking care." He abruptly shouted, turning to me.

"Well you should!" I finally snapped, shocking both him and myself.

"You think because your the princess I have to treat you like one?" Jimin stepped closer, making me take a step back as he shouted. "I already told you, your title means nothing to me."

"I'm not asking you to treat me like some damn princess." I stood up to him, stepping forward to close the space between him and I. "I'm asking you to treat me like a human being."

"What do you know about being humane? Jimin scoffed, letting out a small chuckle. "Your father kills his people, starving us to death and you're telling me to treat you like a human being?"

"I never knew he did those things." I quietly spoke, gulping as the thought crossed my mind. "I'm sorry."

"Of course you're sorry." He lifted my chin. "Do you really have the guts to say otherwise?"

"I'm not doing this to get on your good side, trust me I know that's never gonna happen." I felt the need to cross my arms, but was trapped by metal chains. "I really am sorry for what he's done to your people, but why do the same?"

"We'll all die someday princess, so why live like a poor and abused goon while the rich white man spends his wealth on expensive jewelry, eats seafood for dinner, and orders maids around to pick up the shit he leaves behind."

"We don't all live like that."
I quietly mumbled, not knowing
how to accurately respond.

"Who washes your clothes princess?"

"A m-maid."
I slowly lowered my head,
embarrassed from my answer.

"My point exactly."
Jimin turned away, pulling me as he walked.

Things were going fine until I opened my damn mouth. I shouldn't even bother trying to have a conversation with him. He's never going to set me free, no matter how much I beg. I looked up and narrowed my eyes at the new building that faced us. It was worn down, but still looked more put together than the whole village itself. He pushed open the door and I was suddenly standing in front of a room full of glaring men. I gulped, looking over at Jimin who seemed unfazed by all of this. He pulled me to the front, then stopped to speak to another man.

"Jimin." The man slowly shook his head as he stared at me. "You're going to make millions of dollars tonight."

I narrowed my eyes as they spoke. "Make millions of dollars, how?"

The man raised his brows, surprised I had the nerve to interrupt. After all, I was just a quiet, polite little princess in their eyes. Jimin glared at me, but I just glared him back, refusing to keep silent.

"You're going to be auctioned." The man smiled, as if he was telling me good news.

My mouth parted as I turned to face Jimin. "You never told me you'd be auctioning me—!"

"Actually, I did." Jimin scrunched his nose. "You must've not been paying attention."

"You can't do this." I jerked my arm back, flinching as he harshly grabbed both my shoulders.

"You got yourself into this mess—it's too late to get out now." Jimin spat, as I frowned.

He pushed me towards the other man, glaring at me as I looked over my shoulder. My face was pale, as the only emotion I could feel was worry. Jimin sighed before turning away, leaving me with the stranger. I continued to watch him as he left, hoping he'd turn around and change his mind, but he didn't.

"Let's go." The man gently took my hand. "We need to get you ready for the auction."

I looked over my shoulder, searching for a sign of Jimin, but was let down once again. The man lead me into a dimmed room, sitting me on the floor beside other girls. Some of them were calm, and others frightened. The man left the room, locking the door behind him. I looked over to girl next to me. She blankly stared at the wall in front of her, not showing any emotions.

"I'm Alana." I whispered loud enough for the girl to hear.

The girl slowly turned her head, as she glared into my eyes. "This isn't a time to socialize."

"I know." I quietly sighed. "I just didn't want you to feel alone. How'd you get here anyways?"

"My parents needed the extra money." She shrugged her shoulders.

"Your own parents sold you away—?" I widened my eyes.

"Yeah, that should come as a shock to you." The girl scoffed. "You live in the castle, with loving parents and siblings."

"Actually—" I glanced at the floor. "My older brother hates me. He doesn't think I fit the role of a princess, whatever that means..."

"That's messed up." The girl played with her shoelace. "I've been here for two weeks, you know. I was told that I was going to be sold at an auction, but now that I think about it—I don't feel so scared anymore."

"Why?" I tilted my head.

"I have no purpose." She bit her lip as she looked down at her lap. "I have no where else to go."

"That's not true." I slowly shook my head. "Don't let these guys make you feel like you aren't worth it. I know you have a purpose, and it's definitely not being sold to a stranger for money. I doubted my self worth when I was first kidnapped, but now I realize I'm stronger than I ever was. I learned to cope with the unbarring pain, and you can too."

"How does it feel to know you have a castle full of soldiers, guards, and family searching for you at this very moment? How does it feel to know that someone actually cares that you're missing? It must feel good to know that you're the only one that has a chance to get out of here alive." She wiped her eyes, refusing to let any tears fall onto her cheek.

"I'll get you out of here alive." I gently rested my hand on her shoulder. "I promise."