My Forbidden Fruit - Choi Beomgyu

Chapter 10

Choi Beomgyu's POV

I tightened my grip on my wine glass when I noticed Hana engaged in a conversation with a handsome guy. I had been trying so hard to focus during the party, amidst all the dancing and socialising, but Hana's presence there, looking so stunning, was a distraction I couldn't ignore. I had already felt a surge of emotions when she asked me to zip up her dress earlier, but I tried my best to keep it together. 

Rosé approached me and inquired, "Beomgyu, I hope you're enjoying the party." 

"Of course, Rosé. So, how's life in Korea treating you? I heard you recently moved here from Australia." 

"Oh... yes. My parents wanted me to settle down and get married, you know how it goes for all of us." 

I could certainly relate to that sentiment. Just as I started to immerse myself in the festivities and momentarily forget about Hana's captivating presence, I caught sight of her making a beeline for the entrance. I was about to follow her, but Jimin grabbed my arm and raised an eyebrow. I simply shrugged my shoulders and returned to the dance floor.

After an exhausting 10 minutes of dancing, I descended from the dance stage and encountered a royal guard approaching me. 

He bowed respectfully and delivered the news, "Prince Beomgyu, your bodyguard has been found injured at the castle entrance." 

My heart practically stopped for a moment as I stammered, "I-I'm sorry, what?" 

Before I could say anything else, the man Hana had been conversing with earlier stormed toward the guard and practically shouted, "Hana got hurt?!" 

The guard nodded and led us in the direction of the castle entrance, with Jimin and the other guy who had been conversing with Hana following us. As we rushed through the hallways, my heart began to race. If anything had happened to her, I couldn't fathom the despair I would feel. 

As I spotted two girls, one of them cradling the other, my world seemed to shatter. I sprinted over to them, taking Hana from the girl's arms. Hana's dress was in tatters, her hair a disheveled mess, and her arms and legs were marked with bruises and cuts. 

I held her close against my chest, calling out her name in desperation, "Hana, Hana? Can you hear me?"

As Hana struggled to open her eyes, I noticed warm liquid on my hands. My heart sank as I looked down and saw her blood oozing from her injured hip. It was a gut-wrenching sight, but I had to stay composed. Carrying her to the infirmary, I could feel the other guy and Jimin following closely behind. 

Gently placing her on the bed, I was about to step out to give her and the doctor some privacy when she grasped my hand, her fingers curling around mine, and she mumbled something. My heart tightened as I felt an overwhelming desire to protect her. I didn't know who had harmed her, but they were in deep trouble for having crossed her. 

Leaving the room, I encountered the guy she had been talking to earlier. I asked, "Who are you, by the way? How do you know her?" 

The man respectfully bowed and replied, "Prince Beomgyu, my name is Kim Dohwa, and I'm one of Hana's closest friends and colleagues." 

The name Kim Dohwa struck a nerve, and my blood began to boil. So, this was Dohwa?

I nodded and replied, "I think you should go and attend to your own prince or princess. You don't have to worry about Hana, she's my responsibility from now on." 

Dohwa raised an eyebrow at my statement but didn't press further. He returned to the party room, while Jimin dealt with the entrance guards regarding a third party's entry. I remained in the hallway, anxiously awaiting Hana's treatment to be completed so that I could be by her side again. Leaning against the wall, I closed my eyes. The worry and fear for Hana swelled within me, and tears began to well up.