The Ambassador's Daughter

Choices

Jimin POV

It was supposed to be simple. The guard at the front door would go to get help and Jang-mi would sneak out and meet us in the alley. She would bend down and pretend to tie her boot to let us know if she was ready. When I saw her with a guard and lady's maid heading to get a physician, I knew she was forced to improvise in order to get out of the house. I reminded Taehyung of my instructions. If something happened to me, he was to take Jang-mi and flee to his farm. I warned him she would fight him on it, insisting he save me, but it did not matter. Her freedom came before my life.

We waited for her return to ensure that a physician was found for her mother. I noticed the maid distract her guard and she quickly bent down to tie her boot. We slowly trotted up behind them, but when Jang-mi tried to get on my horse, the guard caught us. My horse reared up at the sight of his sword. He grabbed my leg and yanked me off the horse and I fell hard to the ground. I yelled at Taehyung to take her and flee. He got her onto his horse and bolted. The lady's maid grabbed the physician by the arm and ran to the house.

Just as the guard came at me with his sword, Jungkook blocked it with his, giving me time to get up and join in the fight. I was sore from the fall, but I was not about to let that stop me. Jungkook held him off well but got slashed badly on his right arm. I took over and the guard proved to be a worthy opponent. I just about had him beat when Jang-mi's father, John Towle, and the two other guards appeared. It was now four to two and one of those two was an injured Jungkook. We were ready to give them our all.

John Towle reached into his jacket and started to pull out a gun. I spun around and kicked it out of his hand before he could aim it while fighting off one of the guards with my sword. Jungkook was holding off the other guard when suddenly a shot rang out and everyone froze.

Jang-mi's father, having given a warning shot, lowered the muzzle of his gun and aimed it straight at me. We had no choice but to surrender.

After we dropped our swords, I saw John Towle gesture at me as he yelled at Jang-mi's father. He wanted her father to shoot me. Jang-mi's father shook his head. He ordered the guards to take us captive, and we were brought back to the house and tied up.

Jang-mi's lady's maid brought out supplies to treat Jungkook's wound. She whispered to us, explaining that the physician arrived at the house at the same time as Father and Mr. Towle and had reported that Jang-mi had been taken, not realizing we were there to rescue her. The maid did not get the chance to explain. She apologized and asked if Jang-mi was alright. I confirmed that she escaped, and her maid smiled and thanked us for saving her.

I listened in as Jang-mi's father attempted to communicate with the physician. He understood enough to learn that his wife was not well. He hurried up the stairs to go check on her. John Towle sat and watched us with his gun drawn. Da-eun, as she introduced herself, carefully cleaned and stitched up Jungkook. I noticed he became bashful and he flashed a shy smile as she worked. After she left, he whispered to me, "She did a good job. And she is a pretty maid, is she not?"

"If you say so. I only have eyes for Jang-mi," I smirked.

John Towle growled at me and smacked me with the back of his fist.

Jang-mi's father came back downstairs several minutes later, this time slowly. He looked to be in a daze. He wiped his hand down his face, took a deep breath, then pounded the wall next to him with a clenched fist. He then charged toward me and grabbed me by the collar and started screaming at me. I noticed tears on his face and I feared for Jang-mi's mother. He then let me go, turned his back to me, and took another deep breath.

I spoke up in English as best I could.

"Flora mother? She is alright?"

John Towle smacked me again, hitting me even harder.