✓ the hooded princess • kim seungmin

t h i r t y t h r e e

Jisung shut the door. He stared at the struggling man on the couch bandaging his injured hand. He approached him silently to help.

However, just when he wanted to take the bandage, Yunseo slapped his hand and yanked him down on the floor. "You should have let me kill that boy!"

"We have neighbors here." the younger muttered and pretended that action didn't hurt. He got up and reached for the metal clasp but Yunseo harshly grabbed his hair and made him to look up. Jisung kept his mouth shut.

"You're a fucking idiot child, no wonder your parents left you."

With that, he shoved his head to the table with a loud thud. Jisung closed his eyes to bear the pain as he did not dare to produce a single sound, even a hiss. Yunseo finished his bandage improperly and disappeared into his room.

Liquid trickled down his forehead. Jisung wiped it with a finger only to find out that blood oozed out. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes once again and exhaled.

If only he could, he would use all the weapons in the house to use it against the people he hated the most.

༆

Seungmin did not return home right after.

He took Jasper to the nearby hill and sat there. His mind was blank. He could not think of anything even though a few squirrels ran in front of him, birds chirping to return home, kids' laughter while running to their houses. None of that budge him.

Seungmin tried hard to swallow the fact that his life and Eunkyung's might be in danger. He had never expected that Jisung would threaten him such things. Honestly, that scared him.

The guy just returned after two hours or so. He went to the shops to look around while holding Jasper's lead line. He thought this way he could soothe himself, but when he entered his neighborhood, he felt uneasy again.

The moon had taken over the sun by the time he reached his house. The glowing light illuminated the entire area. It automatically made everything that shone under it glow.

Including the person who was standing in front of his house.

Seungmin halted in his steps when making an eye contact with the princess. She was alone in a different set of white knee length dress. Her white pleated skirt swayed along with the wind's direction. A cream headband put her long hair in place neatly.

Among all the things that glowed under the moonlight, she might be his favourite.

Just by seeing her standing there, he could feel his heart acting up again. A faint smile appeared on his lips before approaching the aimless girl who had both her hands clasped at her back.

"Good evening, Your highness. What brings you here?"

Eunkyung forced a bitter smile, "I fought with my father."

Giggles erupted from his lips. He tugged Jasper's lead line. "Come in then, wait there while I put Jasper in his stable."

She trailed behind him and went to the garden table where they always have study session. A part of her scolded herself for coming here but another part told her it's a good thing she came. Fighting with a family member is tiring anyway so why not running to someone she feels comfortable and safe with?

Two cups of milk were placed in front of her. Seungmin took the place next to her and raised the cup. The corner of her lips curled up as she did the same and clink it together.

"Why milk?"

"So that you will grow taller."

She playfully scoffed, "You're short too, actually compared to Soobin."