I'm entranced by you, like a moth to a flame.

She wanted to give in. Give in to the comfort he had to offer, to the words he used to lure her trust, and to the aroma of strength that hugged his aura. He seemed like a wonderfully dangerous path that could lead her out of everything miserably wrong in her life.

"What took you so long to come to us when the assassin attacked?" she asked, prioritizing her conscience instead of her credulous heart. She hated this cold feeling crawling on her skin, the fear of being stabbed again.

"I couldn't find the way around the palace. I had to ask the palace guards. Wait-," his eyes narrowed in disbelief, "Are you doubting me? Do you think I could ever hurt you? Or Taehyung for that matter?"

She scoffed. "That attack was meant for me and unfortunately Taehyung got involved. I can even see why you would do that. I know you hate me from the beginning, but I don't mind that. You should have only opted for harming me. For what you did to my brother, listen to me carefully, If you are the one who poisoned him I'll make sure you will regret it," she said, her jaw clenched, and the fury returned in her soul.

It was all on her shoulders now and desperation brought her worst self to light.

This time Jimin just stared at her.

"You did meet my brother a few times and had supper together, perfect opportunity to feed him poison" she recalled, gaining surety over her theory, "let me tell you, I hate you just the same. Do you know what is stopping me from burying you alive under this ground right now? King Namjoon. He showed us his generosity, and my brother wouldn't like it if I repaid him like this."

"So you hate me, princess?" Inhee couldn't read him, she could hardly ever do that.

Inhee scoffed. "I thought you were good at reading minds. You saw through Yoongi from the beginning, and you were cautious of Hoseok, but you couldn't tell how much I despise you?"

"Because I don't see the reason, or maybe I don't see that in your eyes," he snapped, "you claim to hate me then why can I hear heartbreak in your voice? Isn't that because you trusted me, and now you feel hurt thinking I betrayed you?"

"As I said, Prince Jimin, the only reason you are still breathing is because of your King. The faster you get out of here, the better. I can have the guards show you the way out," Inhee was fast on her feet, rushing out of that place because just as Jimin said she was heartbroken.

She trusted him when she shared the room with him, when he held her hand through their trip to the Silver Kingdom, and when she gave him her Daisy brooch, which belonged to her mother. Seokjin had told her the brooch was on her shirt when they first found her on their doorsteps.

She had no memories of her life before she was taken in by the royal family. Things that belonged to her past were of very little importance to her, so losing it was not a big deal, but she gave him that as a token of friendship. Although she found him to be quite annoying, she hoped they could become good friends in the future.

She went to where the guards kept the assassin. "I'd like to have a word with him," she sat down until the guards brought him to her. His hands were chained and his eyes blindfolded. "What's the cure for the poison?" she asked, not wasting any more time.

"Only My Majesty knows! Please have mercy on me. Let me go!"

"Your Royal Highness, we will make him speak the truth," the guard offered.

"No, free his arms and leave the room," she ordered. The guards looked at each other in concern but followed her orders nonetheless. "Take me to your king, and I will spare your life."

"Please, Your Highness, let me go. I failed my mission, My Majesty will kill me."

She crouched down to his level. "Either he kills you or I will. What is your choice? Take me inside the Crimson Palace and you may find yourself still breathing. Staying here only means death."

He shivered at her threats. "I-i will take y-you to the palace. My kids are alone at home! Please have mercy on me."

Hearing the part about kids did manage to fade a good amount of her anger.

"At least take me to the palace, I will find my way inside it. That way you will not be caught and can go home to your kids."

"B-but Your Highness, I tried abducting you and harmed the prince."

"You did. Your kids did not," she sighed, "I am giving you a chance to change. Stay with your kids, they need you."

"Thank you, Princess. You are very kind."

Inhee managed to sneak her necessities from her chamber, and then she broke out of the window with the assassin following right behind.

She wanted to see Taehyung and Seokjin before going, but she knew she wouldn't be able to leave if she did. The king was not conscious, and she feared the worst could happen if she didn't get the antidote by time.

They stole two horses from the palace's stable and made their way to the Crimson Palace with the assassin's guide. The whole way, she inquired him about the inside structure of the palace and how she could sneak in without getting caught. He helped her make a mental map of the tunnel and secret passages that would take her into the King's chamber, where she suspected the antidote would be.

Upon reaching the Crimson Palace, she parted ways with the assassin. She used the gate which is used by the maids, leading into the kitchen. Then she took a secret passage that led her inside the great hall.

From the holes in the wall, she could easily spot the royal guards lining up the passages. Red carpets, Maroon armors, and Burgundy curtains. She spotted a little kid trailing behind a maid.

After crossing two more tunnels, she reached the King's chamber. She tiptoed her way in. Noticing the dead silence, her fingers wrapped around her sword for protection. She took a step and then another.

The chamber seemed empty, and then her eyes fell on the gold containers filled with jewels and diamonds beside the bed. She suspected the antidote to be there as well.

"Not so fast, my dear niece," her uncle, the king, laughed, "I must admit, I was not expecting you to come all the way here. How shameful it would be if you harm your own blood."

She looked at him with grave hatred. "You should have thought of that before you gave poison to my brother! Now, who's going to save you," she seethed.

He stepped back, gesturing for the guards to catch her. She was quick on her feet and strong with her hands, as she took the guards one after another, leaving them unconscious on the ground.

She smirked, "Have you not heard about me Uncle?" Two more guards restricted her arms, and she jumped freeing herself and sending the guards backward with a fall.

"I think it's unfair Inhee that you blame me for everything when the snake who poisoned your king was your own," Inhee glared at him while trying to fight off a guard who held her foot.

"Do you know, my little niece, the poison was given slowly over a long time, and that stayed inside your brother's body gradually killing him, little by little?" Inhee furiously kicked the guard running forward for the king's throat."

"Wait—Don't you dare take another step. I'm the only one in this world who possesses the cure for your brother. If you don't obey my orders, I am afraid, nobody can save him." Inhee swallowed her anger, fisting her hands.

"What do you want from me?"

"Oh, I will tell you that. For now, I know somebody who will be grateful to see you alive and shackled in metal chains. Guards, take our little princess to his room. He'll come running when the word reaches him about this."

Inhee's arms were now bonded, and she was dragged into a huge chamber. The guards threw her inside and locked the door. She hit her head and started losing her vision from the impact. She blinked, looking around herself. Tidy bed, dim lights, and swords on the wall.

She struggled to free herself. After her useless trials, her eyes landed on the bed. Through panting hard, as her vision kept blurring in and out, she saw a white badge. She dragged her body closer for inspection, and she saw a White brooch, resting on the pillow.

The same white Daisy brooch she had given to Prince Park Jimin.

_______

Author: I apologize for the late updates. I've been quite busy with life. ^^

Have a great day/night!