I Wished For You [Michaeng]

Chapter 23: Flames

A/N: Sorry for such a late update again, man this school stuff really be doing me in. Anyway, here it is, the second to last chapter! Hope you enjoy!

TW: mentions of violence and blood, but it's not extreme

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A terrible sense of déjà vu overcame Mina as she stood in the main building of the palace. The position reminded her of her nightmare from a few weeks ago. It was a cold day in January, the sun was barely up, and her father was absent from his throne. Exactly how her nightmare began. The only difference was that she was presently alone, standing with her own thoughts.

Mina was just being paranoid. Chaeyoung was fine, standing right outside. Far from how she ended up in that nightmare. Dead in her arms. In turn, causing her to no longer put up a fight. It was only a dream, but, because of what she did, in a way, she thought what those villagers said to her and her brother all those years ago was right. A coward, disgrace, ruiner, didn't belong.

"In my opinion, the rumors about you are baseless. It was really brave of you to say something. I don't think many would have."

She suddenly remembered Chaeyoung's words from that day. Back before they even knew each other. Back before they had a real conversation. She never fully believed in destiny, but maybe this was it. Maybe they were meant to be, despite it all. That was something she wanted to believe.

"My daughter, are you okay?" her father asked as he went to sit on the throne.

Mina turned to face him. "Just thinking."

"Mun for your thoughts?"

"I had a nightmare about something terrible happening on a day quite like this. Right here, in this building. The throne was vacant. I lost a battle, my lover died in my arms. They walked past me and took the throne. I couldn't fight."

"I see. If a battle does occur, be rest assured, I'm not going out without a fight. This throne will not be vacant. I'll be here at dawn if that's what it takes. And I'm sure you know, but your lover is right outside that door," her father looked at his watch, "and her shift is about to end. Perhaps get your mind off of this nightmare. Dreams rarely come true."

Mina chuckled. "Very subtle, father."

He shrugged with a smile. "What can I say? I'm a sucker for a happy ending. And if there's one I'm fighting for, it's my children's. I've failed you guys one too many times. But, there's one thing I'll promise. I'll fight for everything I hold dear or die trying."

Mina, despite being adverse to fighting, agreed with the sentiment. If there was ever a situation in which she was forced to defend what she held dear, she would fight every time. No matter what.

"Well, I normally don't like fighting, but in this case, I'll make an exception. You are not getting there that easily." I said that in my nightmare. It felt so real. Because that's exactly what I would do. I would fight and protect that throne with all I had.

Her father banged his fist on the armrest of the throne. "Mina! Stop! What did I just say? I can practically hear you thinking from here. I'm this close to getting up and just pushing you out of that door and letting Guard Son deal with all of your paranoia."

Mina looked up in realization at her father's words. "She doesn't deserve that."

"Then take a deep breath and get out of your own head!"

That sounded like an order and one thing Mina never disobeyed was an order. She sucked in a breath, feeling her lungs expand, and let it out slowly, resulting in a deeper sigh than expected. It actually helped a fair amount. Her mind still swirled with a magnitude of thoughts, but her nightmare was no longer at the forefront.