Writing Prompt 668 - "I will always protect you." - Changbin

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Decided to make it a Royal AU with a sprinkle of angst because why not?

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"The castle is under siege!" One of your guards shouted loud enough for you to hear, even if you were locked up in the tower.

You expected this much. After all, your father confined you in this place earlier that day specifically because it's the safest, the hardest to reach. Once he gave you this order, you knew that your Kingdom didn't have much longer.

Enemies have been taking over your territory little by little for a while now; a battle lost here, a battle lost there, and your Kingdom was bound to fall into ruins.

The worst part of it all was that there was nothing you could do to prevent it. Not as a powerless princess, anyway. You vowed to yourself that you would rise in power and change everything as your father fell sick, but there you were, locked in the tower, sitting idly on the floor and hearing your soldiers' last screams in what would be the final battle before everything would fall apart for good.

You wondered briefly if they reached your father's chambers yet. He was even less powerful than you now, with the impending death hovering over him like a kettle of vultures awaiting their prey. You wondered if his sickness would get to him first, or if the attackers would land the final blow.

Your thoughts were cut short when the sound of a powerful explosion rang in your ears, and you immediately turned your head to the small window above.

You could see your castle, your precious home, fully engulfed by flames, and your heart began beating alarmingly fast in your chest.

How long until they would find you? And what would come of you once they got to the tower?

Would they kill you?

Would they keep you alive and turn you into a slave to mock you for the rest of your life?

Would they put their dirty hands all over you, force you into submission?

You didn't enjoy this pointless waiting for the inevitable. You loathed being so powerless, and if these walls were supposed to offer you any protection, you found yourself suffocated by them instead.

You wanted to escape, but how? The door was locked, the window was too small and way too far up for you to reach it. There wasn't even a blade for you to use to end this suffering of anticipating the inescapable.

The only thing you could do was wait for the attackers to find you, and oh, how funny this game of waiting was. You almost wanted to laugh.

"Your Highness!" You heard a familiar voice from the other side of the door, before it flew open, broken by one of your guards.

"Changbin! If you're here, that means..." You stood up immediately, running directly towards him.

He took into a tight embrace before grabbing your face with his hands and looking you right in the eyes. His look was grave, indicating the worst.

"Yes. I'm afraid our King has fallen. We must haste, Your Highness."

"Where are we going?" You asked breathless as he gripped your right hand and began running outside of the room into some underground tunnels under the Tower.

"We can't stay here any longer. We will escape to the Eastern Kingdom through the sea. A ship should be waiting for us." Changbin spoke hurriedly, guiding you further into the dark abyss.

"But Changbin... what about our home? What about our friends and families?" You frowned, worry plastered all over your face. You unfortunately knew the answer already, but still had a glimmer of hope inside your heart that maybe, just maybe, things could be different.

"Your Highness..." He spoke, shaking his head softly and trying to forget all about the once peaceful life you both shared.

"Then, why?" You suddenly stopped running, pulling him back to force him to face you. "Why did you come for me? You should've protected them..." You continued, feeling tears building up in the corners of your eyes.

"How could've I?" His voice fell. "How could've I run away with them and leave you behind?"

"Why would I matter more than them, then? I couldn't even protect my own people..."

"And I'm no different. I couldn't protect anyone... anyone but you, Your Highness. You are our only hope, and I swear on my life, I will always protect you." Changbin spoke in a grave tone, and you knew he was serious, and that you could count on him to always be there for you.

"So will I." You raised your head. "We will get out of here alive, and after we pull ourselves together, Changbin, I promise you that we will take back everything that rightfully belongs to us."

Changbin took you in his embrace once again, and even though the whole world crumbled around you, you were truly thankful that you had him. A burning desire began rising in your chest, and you vowed to yourself that no matter what, you will take your revenge one day.

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(A/N) Hope you enjoyed this short story!

If you want to request a Oneshot, send me a number between 1-2675 (look at the Welcome! chapter for more info) and who it should be about, and I'll do my best!

Love,

Storm