I Wished For You [Michaeng]

Chapter 18: (Prince) Kai

A/N: Hello! I was facing a little bit of writer's block with this chapter additional to the fact that I had to get a new battery for my laptop because it wasn't working properly, but all is good now, so enjoy! 

Chapter Summary: Prince Kai ran away with his partner four years ago, but what happened to them during that time? A story about where Kai is now. 

TW: brief mentions of death 

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Three years ago

Kai ran as fast as he could, but it wasn't enough. After nearly a year of this near-constant state of avoiding capture, it all finally caught up to him. He was alone, losing his partner a couple of months ago in a fight with a group of royal guards as he jumped in front of Kai to defend him, getting stabbed. Kai was lucky that day—running away when his partner told him to—and barely avoided getting caught.

He slumped behind a tree in the forest past the village and broke down, covering his face as tears streamed down it. But, wasn't it befitting? Ironic even? That a guard was eventually killed by one of their own? Kai was warned after all, tragedy and hardship always befell relationships like this.

So, maybe he was glad that his sister despised guards, that way she would never have to experience something like this. However, there was a key difference between him and his sister, whereas Kai always opted to fly in a flight or fight scenario, Mina always fought back. She was courageous, even fighting battles that weren't meant to be hers. Kai, on the other hand, always ran away from his problems.

When he was eventually found, he sadly accepted his fate. A guard tied his arms together behind his back with a rope.

"You surely know how to run, your highness. But, it seems your stamina has finally run out. You're coming back with us," a second guard said, tugging on Kai's arm, willing him to walk forward.

"Just call me Kai, I'm not worthy of that title anymore," he said as the guard who tied him grabbed his other arm.

"Okay then, Kai, keep walking, we still have quite a bit of time until we get back to the palace."

Kai merely nodded and continued walking with his head down in defeat as the two guards held his arms. Some prince he was.

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After a few weeks of staying in the dungeons, Kai had learned to live with his circumstances. He sat and thought—about everything. He even went as far as to create stories in his head when just reflecting on the past wasn't enough to appease his mind.

A few hours later, however, something unexpected happened. His mother approached the cell where he was housed. He watched as she unlocked it and stepped in, walking up to where he sat.

She crouched down to meet him at eye level and grabbed his chin. "Oh, son. Look at how pitiful you've become. Imagine if your sister saw you now. What would she think of you? Will she finally see you for the coward you are? I wonder. And what about your so-called partner? What was his name again? Oh, it doesn't matter anyway. He's long gone," she paused when she noticed how Kai clenched his fists and gritted his teeth at the mention of his late partner, "Did I strike a nerve?" she chuckled.

"Why are you here, mother?" Kai asked with a frown.

She let go of his chin and stood up. "I found out you were caught. Can't a mother see his son?"

"Are you sure that's the only reason?"

"I'm sure."

"So, did you get what you wanted?"