𝘼𝙐𝙂𝙐𝙎𝙏 𝘿 |𝙈𝙔𝙂|

Four: Accused

I begin to tremble...
This is worse than any possible punishment I could have received. This is worse than death. The awful stories that come out of that place disturb the heck out of anyone...

People setting homes on fire; whilst children are sleeping. Families having to murder a child of choice; just so the others have enough to eat. Babies being abandoned on the streets, and dying overnight. Shootings, murders, and many other gut wrenching events... it's a foul and hellish place.

It's like a cage— everyone is locked up inside and there is absolutely no escape. The entire place is surrounded by long and thick highly electric fences. And royal guards surround the fences, at all times. There is a perimeter of forest between the town and fences, making it quite a long journey to even reach the fence. It's a horrible place.

I try my hardest not to faint...
I wasn't expected the king to be this harsh! I'm being falsely accused!

"I-I didn't try to kill him," I murmur, knowing no one would ever believe me anyway.

"Guards will come tomorrow," the messenger says, "They will come from Changu to pick you up. As for now, you're presence is requested by Prince Jiun."

    My stomach lurches, "The Prince? He wants to see ME?! No! I won't see him! Go ahead and shoot me, or stab me with a sword. I will never lay my eyes on that piece of shit again!"

     The messenger's eyes bulge out of his sockets, "Miss—."

"He tried to hurt me," I snap, "I'm being falsely accused... everyone knows the Prince has a faulty eye for women! How is this a surprise? Why does no one believe me? You know I'm innocent, don't you? Why won't you help me? I'm being sent off to—," my voice halts as guards pour into the jail, pushing the messenger out of the way.

    They unlock my cell door, harshly yanking my arm, drawing me to my feet.
"Please," I beg in distain, "I'm innocent. Don't make me face him."

    I know no one will listen. That's just the wall our world is; people don't even bother to fight for someone with no power. Why would anyone take their time to fight for me, though? They wouldn't gain anything. Deep down inside all these soldiers know that Prince Jiun isn't the innocent victim in this story. Their just to afraid to stand up for the truth.

Sometimes I wonder... what would I do? What would I do if I was one of those soldiers?

I don't even bother to protest when they grab my arms, forcefully pulling me up the long staircase.

They continue to lead me up the stairs until we reach the sunlight. A large mass of government officials and scholars swarm in the court yard, with solemn expressions on their faces. Some of them cuss at me; while others look at me with strong pity.

Prince Jiun is nowhere to be seen... same with the King.

The soldiers push me to the ground, causing me to land on my knees. I don't flinch. I don't whimper. I can handle the pain. I can be strong.

"This woman," one of the soldiers says spitefully, "Tried to murder our prince."

The courtyard erupts into chaos, and becomes even worse when a figure runs out from the crowd, his eyes fixated on my frail state.

"Sanghee!" the familiar voice of my father shouts, causing me to shamefully look up as my father runs towards me. He will probably loose his job because of this: or just be highly looked down upon.

"Father," I say weakly, my throat sore from lack of water.

He kneels down beside me, his eyes slightly tearing, "Why don't you just marry him?—,"

The courtyard falls silent when the Prince himself slowly steps down the staircase, casting a dark look in my direction.

I try pulling my eyes away from his, but they somehow have a way of capturing me; not in a good way. My father slowly backs away with a nervous bow.

He inches closer and closer in my direction, his eyes fixed upon me.

"Sanghee," he hisses, his voice sounding equivalent to danger, "I have a little deal for you."

He slowly kneels down beside me, pulling my head up until I'm staring directly into his eyes. Clenching my jaw with his hand, he tightens his grip. I feel sick as soon as his skin touches mine.

"You can say yes right now.. marry me.. or you can go to Changu. The choice is yours."

The officials gasp and murmur to one another.

"Why would he marry the woman who tried to kill him?"
"Is he being generous?"
"Is he okay?"

A wicked smirk spreads across his face...

Spending the rest of my life with him would be worse than anything. I would rather die than be with him...

I grimace, knowing that Changu is an awful place... but...

"Sanghee!!" My father shouts, "The prince has shown you benevolence! Take it! Marry him, Sanghee!!"

"Listen to you're appa," Jiun smiles.

I grab his arm, shoving it away from my face.

"I told you not to touch me," I hiss under my breath, tension building up in the courtyard.

I can hear my father sighing and desperately pleading me to accept.

"But if you're my wife, I can do whatever I want," he says, and then adds, "Even when you are covered with ash and dirt, you still look stunning. You are the talk of the palace. Everyone seems to be in love with you—."

He pauses, and then glares at my father, "I though you're parents may have been more helpful in convincing you."

I know what I have to do...

I weakly stand to my feet, ignoring the fear building up inside of me.

"Changu," I say loud enough for everyone to hear, "I choose Changu."

The area falls dead silent; father lets out a cry of dismay and Jiun's eyes blaze with anger.

"Oh really?" he snarls, his voice raising, "Fine then! Go! Die! Live a rotten life with a few hundred of the kingdoms nastiest criminals! Did I mention their families, too? Go ahead."

I hold in my vicious reply, bracing myself for the future. As the guards grab me once again, my father falls on his knees, pleading with the prince.

"Just so you know," the prince calls, "The decree applies for people in all parts of the kingdom! Good luck, Sanghee. You'll get a criminal far worse than I could have ever been."

I try to contain my fierce emotions...
I'm going to be forced to marry a complete stranger... but no one could be worse than Jiun. I desperately wonder why the king declared such a ludicrous decree...

I fight the sinking sensation in my stomach. I try to be brave, but once a dingy wagon comes to pick me up, my confidence slowly fades to fear...

A/N

Hello!!
PTD Vegas wrapped up nicely, yeah? Omg V's wet hair last night—I almost fainted. He's just so handsome I can't— my hearteu💔🥺😅

Anyway, thank you very much for reading! What would you do if you were Sanghee? Would you choose Changu for life or Jiun?

Do you have a fav BTS solo song right now?? I'm honestly really loving Filter and Sweet Night rn... and Daechwita ofc!

Have an amazing day/night!
P.S— Yoongi is coming next chap!