Rose stayed rooted on her spot. It was her first time witnessing a vicious side of an Angel before. And to pile up the layers of her agony, that Angel was none other than Jisoo.

Rose was Y/n's childhood friend; she was even Jisoo's bridesmaid on her big day. Rose always maintained a certain distance from Y/n's family. Being a commoner, she knew her limits and never engaged herself in the royal family's matters. Jisoo knew about this very well that's why she went to her house to personally invite her to her wedding. She even requested her to be her bridesmaid. That day Rose understood that Jisoo will be the one who will change the picture of Moonland. One day, she would be successful in eradicating the seeds of partiality, building a new Moonland.

A sad smile appeared on her lips. They all used to be so happy then, sharing each other sorrows and celebrating their joys. Those golden days today appeared like a dream to her as if they never even existed rather, it was all her imagination. Jisoo was like her elder sister but today she was ready to kill her baby, Nancy only because she defied her. Rose's glossy eyes then landed on Sunghoon who was smirking at her. The reality hit her like a whiplash, harsh and painful.

That means the yawning gap between them still existed. She was a fool to think of herself and Nancy as a part of Y/n's family. They were just like a use-and-throw item for them, a pawn to save Y/n. Only Y/n matters to them and for that, they were even ready to shed blood.

But the way Y/n matters to them, Nancy matters to her and for her, she was ready to sacrifice herself. She can't let these covetous, heartless monsters kill her only family. Moreover, her stubbornness will only risk her sister's life.

'Let's accept it, Rose. There's no way out now,', she convinced herself with a heavy heart.

Battling with her heart which was still deterring her from taking such a dangerous step, Rose looked at Sunghoon and spoke in a firm tone, "I am ready to marry you."

Her words were like an alarm that brought Y/n's numb mind back to motion. Y/n swiftly turned her neck and looked at Rose who was walking with Sunghoon back to Moria to complete the ceremony.

"No, Rose, stop. What are you-", she shouted in panic but was cut in midway by Rose who looked at her with glassy eyes.

"Let it be, Y/n. Jisoo Unnie is right. We all are bound to Moonland by certain laws and regulations. I was thinking immaturely before but Unnie is the future Queen of Moonland. She would always think for the benefit of our kingdom."

A scowl appeared on Y/n's face when she heard her fabricated words which didn't sound genuine from any aspect. It was as if she was stressing herself from praising Jisoo. Y/n strode towards Rose with heavy steps, "Your worries are only because of Taehyung's threats, right? Then let me help you. I will talk with Jungkook regarding this. I am sure he'll make him understand. There's no need to get married to Sunghoon.", she spoke while passing a glare to Sunghoon. His jaw instantly got ticked by her words.

Now that was his last straw.

Sunghoon was controlling his rage only because Y/n was once his friend. Hurting Y/n would ruin his plan and also, he didn't want to vandalize his image more in front of Rose. But Y/n's continuous provocation drove him to the edge of losing his calm.

With a jerk, he pulled Rose behind him and looked at his guards. Y/n kept staring at him with confusion but her eyes widened when she was dragged back by the guards away from Sunghoon and Rose. Not only her but they also captured Nancy who started shouting and screaming in fear.

Rose was horrified. She looked at Jisoo who was staring at everything emotionlessly.

"NO!! YOU CAN'T DO THIS SUNGHOON!! UNNIE, TELL THEM TO LEAVE ME!!", Y/n yelled and tried to free herself but her hands were tied behind her back and she was forced to sit on the ground. Finding no other option, she closed her eyes and tried to mutter a spell but her heart jumped in fright hearing Sunghoon's furious voice.

"Don't even think about using it or I will rip her head off!!"

Her eyes instantly shot open. A scream escaped her lips when she saw a guard piercing his sword in Nancy's neck. Y/n looked back at Jisoo who was avoiding eye contact.

She spat in disgust, "AND YOU CALL YOURSELF ANGELS?? SINCE WHEN DID THEY STOOP SO LOW AND STARTED PRACTICING SUCH MALFEASANCES? UNNIE, YOU TOLD ME THAT LORD PARK'S SON WILL BE THE SAVIORS OF THIS KINGDOM. IS THIS THE WAY THEY'LL SNATCH WHAT THEY'VE PUT THEIR GOLDEN FINGERS ON?? YOU ARE TRYING TO PROTECT THE GIRLS OF MOONLAND BUT YOU DIDN'T TOLD ME THAT YOU HAVE TRADED THEM TO THESE ROYAL JERKS!!!!"

*Smack*

Her face instantly got turned to the right. Jisoo not only slapped her but even broke her heart as it was the first time, she had ever raised her hands on her.

Y/n's lips wobbled when she felt excruciating pain on her left cheek. But before she could overcome this heart-wrenching reality, her face was again turned harshly as another smack landed on her right cheek.

"IF THIS HAD BEEN DONE WITH YOU FROM THE STARTING ITSELF, THINGS WOULDN'T HAVE ESCALATED THIS FAR TODAY!!", Jisoo roared, her voice trembling as she was seething in anger.

"I always pampered and loved you as my child but now I think you never deserved my love. You spoiled brat; you are a disgrace to Heaven. I have stored so many dreams for you. Your parents never even spared a glance at you, they were only concerned for Jin and how to prepare him for the throne but I've seen your potential. I know he is my husband but I won't lie, you are much stronger, brave, and agile than him to handle the huge empire of Moonland. But they kept limiting your abilities by mollycoddling and never allowed you to make your own decisions, stand for yourself and voice out your opinions. That's why I wanted to take you out from this cobweb and resettle yourself in a place that understands your worth. I was the one who compelled Sunghoon to convince Lord Park to approve your and Jimin's marriage. You would become the next queen of Heaven and bring prestige to our family, make us proud, and would work for the welfare of Moonland. But you're only bringing shame and had made us a standing joke in the entire universe. You ruined my whole plan, Y/nnie. And now you've grown the audacity to raise your voice at me and question my decisions. That Jungkook is teaching you very good manners, Y/n. He is ruining you and you are letting him do that like a BRAINLESS IDIOT YOU'VE ALWAYS HAD BEEN!!"

Y/n started crying loudly as she was shattered by Jisoo's harshness. Her cheeks were very throbbing badly and Jisoo's knife-sharp words were only rubbing salts on her wounds.

Sunghoon was staring at Y/n coldly but deep down he also felt a tinge of guilt watching her chubby cheeks that had turned swollen and red. Rose was shedding tears silently watching her best friend getting beaten and berated in front of everyone.

But Jisoo was seeing red everywhere. The girl who couldn't see a single tear in Y/n's blue eyes was today unbothered by her wails. Her cries fell deaf to her ears. All the pent-up anger and frustration surfaced in her mind like a tsunami. The humiliation she faced in the court of Jimin, those whistles and taunts which had been haunting her since the day she returned from the Park Empire started playing in her mind like a recorder.

Gulping down her rage, Jisoo then closed her eyes and mumbled something. Y/n who was crying non-stop flinched when a golden flame circled her. She panicked and was about to get up but that flame immediately vanished instead got replaced by white ropes that bind her limbs tightly. Horrified, she looked at Jisoo who only stared her down with contempt, "You had done enough. Now it's time I take things in my hand."

With that, she lifted Y/n by her forearm and flicked her fingers in the air. Two female guards instantly appeared in front of them and bowed to them.

"Take Princess to Whitestone Citadel and look after her. Maids should be at her every back and call. Sana, you make sure that Princess doesn't face any difficulties. Dahyun, you are in charge of her safety. Don't let anyone enter the mansion except me, and make sure the princess doesn't escape. I will handle Jin and others myself."

Y/n gasped in shock at Jisoo's indifference, "UNNIE!!"

"Take her away".

Jisoo immediately dismissed them. The maids again bowed to her, grabbed Y/n, and vanished in thin air. Nancy and Rose were too stunned to react. They kept staring at Jisoo in disbelief.

Sunghoon looked at Rose who was staring at naught with wide, fearful eyes. Her face was soaked with tears and she looked awful. His heart clenched by her pitiful state. Grabbing her hand, he made her look at him and wiped her tears with his fingers. Rose flinched when his fingers made contact with her skin. His heart twitched in guilt and he immediately retracted his hands.

Clearing his throat, he backed a little to give her some space, "Our marriage will be in two days. I think you need some time but don't you dare pull up any stunts."

His words caught both Rose and Jisoo off guard.

Jisoo marched towards him before glaring him down, "What do you think you're doing? I tried so hard for you and here you're delaying it again. You should marry her before Taehyung and Jungkook come to know about all this."

Sunghoon narrowed his eyes at her, "I know what I am doing, you don't need to teach me. Moreover, once I marry Rose, I won't her come back to Moonland ever. She loves Nancy a lot that's why I am giving her some time to give a proper goodbye to her sister. Because once she becomes my wife, I won't let her have any relations with any person of Moonland."

Rose clenched her fists. White-hot anger surged through her veins as she was done being their marionette, "WHO ARE YOU TO DECIDE THAT?? STOP PLAYING WITH US!! I NEVER ASKED FOR YOUR HELP IN THE FIRST PLACE. YOU ARE FORCING YOURSELF ON ME AND STILL, YOU HAVE THE GUTS TO SEPARATE ME FROM MY SISTER. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!! I DON'T CARE ANYMORE THAT YOU'RE THE PRINCE OF THE PARK EMPIRE!! BETTER GET THIS THING STRAIGHT IN YOUR HEAD, PRINCE SUNGHOON, I WON'T LEAVE MY SISTER, NOT NOW NOT EVER!!", she screamed at the top of her lungs.

Sunghoon glared in her red eyes that were shining with rage and resentment. He grabbed her nape with his left hand and with his right hand, he pinched her chin, "You're taking me lightly Rosie. If I want, I can forcefully cage you in my mansion and confine you in those golden walls till your last breath. Consider yourself lucky that I am letting you see your sister who is not even your blood."

He whispered the last words. A strangling sob escaped her lips as she stared at Sunghoon who flashed her a devilish smirk.

"If you don't want me to let the cat out of the bag, better do as I say. Or I won't hesitate to open your family's secret to your baby sister."

He grated out. Rose immediately shook her head in denial. She even forgot how to breathe. Never in a million years, she had thought that Sunghoon would threaten her with this.

Watching her defeat, Sunghoon flashed her a triumphant smirk before releasing her. Rose couldn't maintain her balance. Her body swayed and she was about to hit the ground when Nancy quickly rushed to her and grabbed her.

"You okay?"

Rose sniffed. Her soft voice increased the burden of remorse on her shoulder, crushing her last hope.

Sunghoon then looked at Rose and raked a hand through his brown hair, "Two days. I am giving you two days and then you'll be mine. I am being generous Rose, don't make me use force."

His voice dropped octaves making a cold shiver run down her spine. But she was too exhausted to reply and kept staring in space hopelessly. Sunghoon and his army eventually left. Without sparing a glance at the two broken souls, Jisoo also turned her heels and left.

Rose couldn't hold it any longer. Dropping to her knees, she burst into heavy tears. Nancy pulled her in her arms and started calming her down.

"Everything is over Nancy. Because of me, both of you will suffer. Poor Y/nnie is captured and soon I will also leave you. Two days later was her big day but see how these two clever people changed her fate. I am sacred for Y/nnie. What if Jisoo gets her married to Jimin cleverly? What will happen then? Oh my God!!", Rose started panicking as dreadful possibilities started roaming inside her mind. She looked at Nancy and found her lost in thoughts.

Suddenly something clicked in her mind. Rose wiped her tears before turning back to look at her who was staring at one spot, "Nancy, you've learned the spell on how to break into any secure place, no matter how guarded they are. Moreover, you're the Angel of knowledge and have mastery of war strategies. If we both try harder, we can save Y/n. Come on Nancy, we have to do that."

Rose grabbed her both hands and spoke earnestly. Nancy kept staring at her when all of a sudden, the corner of her lips lifted. Rose's heart rejoiced when Nancy winked at her and smirked.

"I have a plan."

*****