~~SANGHEE'S POV~~

"I tried to kill him."

I become unresponsive for a moment... unable to respond, quite frankly. Why would he try and kill the prince?!

"W-what?" I breathe, awfully skeptical.

"I tried to kill him," Yoongi speaks causally, as though it's no big deal.

"Why?" I ask, incredibly curious. However, at the same time he's speaking to me, I can't help but think about that strange dream...I try to shove it out of my brain.

His dark eyes interlock with mine, making me shiver to the bone. His state is so alluring and intense, dangerous, and cold all at once.

"It's a long story," he says dismissively, his voice drowning out into what sounds like a painful tone.

Though I'm filled with curiosity, I decide not to pursue the topic.

"You should rest," he announces, rising from his seat, "I'll go get some rice."

"Wait..." I blurt, determined not to stay in here, "Can I please come? I—,"

"You're hurt," he interrupts, his voice piercing my ears like icicles, "You need to rest, Sanghee."

"It really doesn't hurt, I promise," I insist, feeling normal inside and out, "Please."

"Fine," he caves, throwing open the door. I smirk proudly as I scamper towards him, trying to catch up with his quick steps.

We walk in silence for a while, both afraid to make a conversation I suppose.

"Why were you looking for Jimin?" he suddenly asks, avoiding any eye contact.

I smile, nothing the slightly jealous tone in his usually shrill voice, "I just wanted to see how he's doing. I was curious. And he is Sumi's brother."

"Mmmm," he hums, glancing around in annoyance when people begin whispering about us. Many of the civilians wonder why I'm still alive.

"Stay here," he gestures, turning around towards a stall of rice.

"Okay," I respond, awkwardly standing in the middle of the area.

I watch Yoongi intently, studying his every move. The man at the rice till walks into his house for a moment, leaving Yoongi alone.

I furrow my eyebrows when he snatches a bag of rice from the till, running towards me and gesturing for his home.

Anger begins to surge through my veins at the sight.

I reach out my arms, stopping him dead in his tracks.

"You can't just steal it!" I demand, angered by the situation. I notice everyone is watching us now.

"Sanghee, how many times have I told you—,"

"I don't care if that's the way it is here. You should pay for it. The man has a family, Yoongi."

He tries to skim past me, but I block him again.

"Please— just listen to me—,"

I let out a small gasp when he shoved me to the ground, causing me to fall against the dirty road. A sharp pain begins to radiate in my lungs, where I had inhaled the gas earlier.

The crowd around us begins to gasp and flea at a quick speed.

I reach a hand towards my throat, wincing when I realize the gas has left effects on my insides.

I slowly glance up at Yoongi, who's face is covered with guilt and shame. He quickly attempts to change his expression once I glance upwards. But he fails.

"I-I—," he stammers in a choked voice, "S-sang—,"

A spurt of blood erupts from my mouth, slowly trickling down my chin. I close my eyes, fighting back the growing pain in my lungs.

Yoongi drops the rice, rushing to my side. My muscles slightly relax when his arm brushes against my back.

"Sanghee!" he nearly cries in a distressed tone, "Can you hear me?"

I nod my head, unable to control my body.

~~YOONGI'S POV~~

I whip my head up when the owner of the rice till charges towards us with anger written all over his expression.

He's a large burly man with pure muscle— and he's glancing straight at Sanghee. I dropped the rice beside her.. he must think she stole it.

I quickly dash behind a house, peering at the man from the side...

Maybe I should let him kill her. Then this could all be over—

Min Yoongi.

What has gotten into you?

Maybe this is a chance. A chance to redeem yourself. Maybe you can save her...

But why does helping always come with a price? Why do I always have to take a life in order to save the ones I care—

Care?

Do I care about Sanghee?
If he killed her right know what would I do?

I would charge at him, rip out his guts and shoot him in the head.

She's still coughing. She can't fight back. Not in this state.

I feel my body itching to jump out and finish the approaching man.

Don't do it, apart of me says.

Save her, another part says.

The imagine of her coughing blood because of me enters my mind. How could I have done that? How did I let my anger take over?

I'll make it up to you.

What is this woman doing to me. Why do I feel so conflicted?

I suddenly bolt from behind the house, yanking out my knife at quick speed. The man does not seem to recognize me.

"Don't touch her," I snarl, stepping in front of Sanghee.

He cocks his head to the side, and tried to jab me in the side.

I quickly dodge under his legs, cutting at his ankles. The man howls in pain, but takes a closer step towards Sanghee.

I push him from the behind, causing him to whirl around and face me. He punches me across the face, his big burly hand smashing me into my jaw.

I snarl, blood releasing from my lip. I take the knife, and jab him deeply in the side, releasing the blade after he screams in pain.

I drop the weapon, proceeding to pound his face with my fists until he collapses to the ground with a loud thud.

"I said, don't touch her."

He shoves me backwards, but I refuse to give up.

I shoot upright, retrieving the gun from my pocket. I aim directly at his face. He screams in shock, murmuring and begging for mercy.

"W-who are you?" he cries.

"I'm August D," I reply, pulling the trigger, and glancing away at the following grotesque sight. Blood spurts against my skin, making me huff in disgust.

I snap my head towards Sanghee, brushing the blood and sweat from my face. My breathing is scattered and heavy.

Her watery eyes slowly rise to meet mine. Why am I feeling this way?

Whenever she looks at me, I feel like I'm drowning in honey: slowly sinking into a warm and sweet ocean with no escape... I sink deeper every second...

"Thank you..." she murmurs, "For saving me..."

The image of me pushing her returns once again, making me feel awful. Her current state is my fault.

"I'm sorry."

I've never said that word before...

I've never apologized to anyone.

It just came out....

I didn't want it too...

"I'm sorry," I repeat in a choked voice.

I wipe the blood from my lips, feeling so conflicted and messy inside.

Maybe. Just maybe. I could protect her... I've failed to protect everyone else... maybe I could make up for that. No, I won't ever love her. I'll never see her as a wife. But I could at least save her. To avenge my family, right?

Maybe they weren't my blood family. But they loved me more than anyone else ever could have. More than my blood relatives.

More than my blood brother.

I must avenge them. I've failed.

But protecting her can make up for that.

A/N

Hello besties!

If you didn't get the announcement yet, I'm on a 7 day hiatus starting Friday because I'm off camping for seven who dayyssss😭😭😭 I'll miss you all so much!! I'll have no access to my phone:((

Please please message me privatley if you update your book. I'll have so many notifications and it'll be hard to sort through all of them. So that would be very helpful:))

I have some plot twist coming up, in case you didn't get the hint from the end of this chapter😏😏

Also, is it moving to quickly? Is Yoongi changing to fast? Or is it slow enough?? His character development that is...

Love you all so much! And I cannot thank you enough for reading this book. Borahae 💜💜