~~YOONGI'S POV~~

My body goes into complete shock, unable to process or even comprehend what has taken place.

I can feel my heart begun to pound in my chest. The entire world feels as though it's spinning upside down. My stomach sinks with fear, terrified of what may become of Sanghee.

I can't loose her.

I gaze down at her limp body, slowly soaking into the mud. I can't handle such a sight. I failed to protect her.

It's my fault.

I raise divert my gaze towards the man who is frantically pulling his trigger...

The man tries to shoot again, but his gun is out of bullets.

"You bastard!" I shout angrily, inner pain and guilt eating me alive. I rip out my revolver, running towards him.

He begins to scurry away like a coward, but I am quick to react, shooting him in the knee. I am driven by pure rage and stabbing pain. I'm not sure why I suddenly feel so broken inside. I'm beginning to wonder if I care abo Sanghee a lot more than I've ever wanted to admit...

"AHHHH!" the man screams in agony, immediately toppling over.

I lean over his scrawny figure, decking him across the face with my fists.

All of the building and fuming rage in my body begins to disintegrate as he inherits the punishment he deserves.

"You could have killed her!" I shout, sweat pouring down my face, "What if she's dead? I'll make you you never touch her again."

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Four times.

I use all of my bullets, watching in satisfaction as the man squirms below me, creating a messy bloodbath.

However, my attention is elsewhere. I waste no time searching his body.

She needs me.

I immediately drop my gun, rushing to Sanghee's side as quickly as possible. I scoop up her helpless body in my arms, shaking her shoulders, ignoring the emotions surging through my heart.

She lets out a soft groan of pain, grabbing onto my arm for support. Beads of sweat drizzle down her smooth skin. Dark crimson blood pours from her stomach, mixing in with the filthy mud below.

"Sanghee," I say sternly, trying to hide my worrisome tone, "Can you hear me...?"

She slowly nods, gasping in pain and breathing heavily in search of oxygen.

"You weren't supposed to do that," I say in a choked voice, my anger returning, "This wasn't supposed to happen."

"Y-yo-oongi," she cries softly, her visible pain breaking my heart, "Why does it hurt so much?"

I carefully lift her up from the ground, hastily carrying her towards the house. I walk with great ambition and determination. No matter how I feel about this woman, I can't bear to watch her suffer like this.

I kick open the door, gently setting her down on her mattress. I quickly glance at Hoseok, who is still sound asleep to my relief.

I push the covers away, immediately heating up a pot of warm water. She shivers in pain, clutching her stomach.

"Listen to me," I speak sternly, "You are going to be okay."

"It hurts," she barely utters, grasping onto my arm.

"Sanghee," I choke on my emotions, "Please stay with me. I'm going to remove the bullet... It's going to hurt..."

She doesn't even respond, but faintly nods, and I scurry off to gather any of the medical tools I have in my possession. I've fixed many wounds before and have removed countless bullets.

But what if I hurt her?

I shake off the thought, knowing she is bound to feel some pain.

I apply the warm cloth to her forehead, gripping onto her hand. I shiver at the feeling of our skin interacting...

Why does this happen to me every time? Why do I feel as though I might explode out of bliss? Yoongi, something is happening to you. Something indescribable.

For a moment, I forget about everything. I forget about my terrible past. I forget about all the countless lives I have taken. I forget about the kiss. I forget about all the blood. I forget abo Hoseok's condition. I forget about my usual cold self.

I just focus on one thing.

Saving Sanghee.

I slowly remove her jacket, slightly lifting up the material of her shirt. My hand skims agaisnt her warm silky skin, but I try to control myself and focus on removing the bullet.

"I have to take it out now," I say through gritted teeth, dreading the next step. It's going to hurt. I'm going to hurt her...

She hesitantly nods, her grip on my hand tightening even further.

I slowly reach for the metal object, carefully placing it around the bullet before slightly tugging on it. My stomach twists with guilt as I draw more blood, causing silent tears of pain to escape her eyes.

"I'm sorry," I speak softly, trying to be as gentle as possible.

She clenches her jaw, gripping the bedsheets as I proceed with the operation, successfully removing the bullet. She shudders in discomfort as I begin to bandage the messy wound.

"You need to get sleep," I insist, "Get some solid rest."

What if she doesn't live? What would I do? Can she even survive such a fatal shot?

I shake off the terrible possibility, trying to calm myself down, "Just sleep for now. I'll arrange for Hoseok to be sent to Heyra's immediately."

However, as I'm cleaning up and disposing off the blood, I just can't rid something of my mind...

The words she uttered last night.

Could they really be true?

And...

Am...

Am I...

Starting to feel the same way?

~~JIUN'S POV ~~

"Prince Jiun," a loud voice booms from outside the door, causing me to drift from my dreams. I groggily open my eyes, cursing under my breath at the sudden interruption.

I throw off the silk blankets, disturbing the sleeping woman beside me.

"Jiunie," Goorae whines sleepily, reaching for my arm, "What's wrong?"

"Go back to sleep," I command, rising from the bed and opening the door. I am surprised to be greeted by Commander Yoon.

He bows dramatically, casting a questionable glance in the direction of Goorae.

I wave my hand dismissively, "She's not important. What's wrong?"

"Our neighbouring country, Juhan, is not happy with the new border restrictions you recently implemented. There has been a lot of conflict with the court, and they would like you to reconsider--"

"--What else?" I interrupt, not paying much attention to his previous banter.

Commander Yoon blinks several times, baffled by my dismissive attitude.

"What else?!" I demand, getting annoyed.

"Forgive me, uh, Muhyeok sent word... He's asked for an extension. He said they have run into a bit of a situation."

"Tch," I scoff in bewilderment, "Does he think he can just walk all over me?! Another incident? Give him three days, that's it! I thought that useless creature would be of more use!"

"I'll relay that message to him right away," Yoon nods, bowing.

I turn around, but he opens his mouth once more before I get the chance to escape him.

"Oh, your majesty, one more thing..."

"Yes?" I mutter between clenched teeth.

"That girl you've been looking for..." he says slowly, "We may have finally located her."