The Promise ♡

🍃 Trust me

Ji min lo ked himself in a guest chamber

"Ji Minie... I don't know why you're upset, but let me tell you, I didn't touch the girl last night....not even her finger," Markov reassured, knocking on Ji Min's chamber door.

"I'm feeling off for some other reason.. its nothing like you think... She is also your wife. I don't mind you touching her," Ji Min responded from inside

"Okay, I'll give you some time, but remember, I love you no matter what...." Markov said and left.

After a few minutes...

"My Queen!! You seem upset about something. I don't know what it is, but know that I'm true to you. I didn't get anywhere near the king..," Mila explained standing outside the chamber

"Then why did you marry him??? For playing hide ans seek?? Ohhh For the love of God!!! Please, act like married couples. Why are you both doing this?" Ji Min exclaimed.

"For you... we decided not to do it without you," Mila said with a hint of shyness.

"Insane!!! You people left me with no choice but to run away from you both.." Ji Min sighed in frustration...

"Don't go, my Queen... why are you upset?!"

"Don't call me 'my Queen' anymore... call me Ji Min... and I'm not upset... I'm practicing for tonight's feast. I want to perform. It's been a year since I performed in front of an audience," Ji Min said to tackle the situation.

"Ji Min??! You are a Queen... you cannot perform in front of many people... you are not allowed to do that," Mila objected.

"I want to, Mila... I don't know how you're going to convince Markov... go and convince him so he will let me dance," Ji Min insisted to send her away

"How can I do that? I don't even know him well."

"Please do it for me... just let me practice," Ji Min shooed her off.
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Mila did her best to convince Markov, who eventually accepted after realizing Ji Min's adamant desire. However, Mila, concerned about perverted intentions of other men, took it upon herself to ensure a safe environment around Ji min.

She banned all men who were not nobles and allowed only married fathers from noble families to watch the final performance. Mila proposed a formation with the army and King's guards forming a circle around the performance ground, facing away from Ji min while he perform.

She ordered dim lights towards the end of the ceremony and intervened in the feast's organization to prevent any men from feasting on Ji Min with their eyes. After making sure everything went according to her plan, Mila informed Ji Min that Markov had agreed to the performance.
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"Did you make sure that all men's eyes are covered, including the King's?" Ji Min playfully asked, knowing what was happening outside while being inside a chamber.

"I had to, Ji Min... because you belong to the King and me," Mila boldly stated to register her interest.

"You better call me Queen..." Ji min sighed

"I know you'll change your mind about how I should call you... it's not new. But the fact is, you are a royal asset and only belong to us. I married Markov for you, and you know that, my Queen Ji Min," Mila confidently said.

"Feels like I'm just an asset and belong to everyone who wants me... I feel like a whore..." Ji Min scoffed sadly.

"Don't say that, Ji Minahh... After everything, it's your choice. I'll be happy to be by your side all my life just as someone who admires you. I'm not as strong as you, but all I want is to protect you," Mila said in a worried, soft, yearning voice, leaning on the door. Ji Min suddenly opened the door.

As Ji Min opened the door while Mila was leaning on it, she fell onto Ji Min, who caught her securely. Mila turned all red with the simple touches of Ji Min.

"Look at you...!!! So tender and weak... you're going to protect me??!!! Huh??" Ji Min chuckled.

"I will!!! I will do everything to protect you..." Mila insisted.

"I really don't deserve to have good people around me... I'm not a good person... I manipulated you..." Ji Min said emotionally.

"I know you did everything for Taehyung... that makes you a very good person... I may look innocent, but I can understand many things happening around me..."

"Oh!!! Really??! But you only know 10% of everything happening around you... but you still trust me... I don't know what I did to earn your trust... or whether I can return your favor for protecting my secrets," Ji Min said.

"I want you to trust me... that's all I ask from you," Mila said.

"Mila! Can I ask you one last favor??"

"Of course, Ji Min..."

"Taehyung is a soft, innocent soul... can you please protect Taehyung and his brother Suga in my absence??!" Ji Min politely asked.

"You don't have to ask me... I know how important Tae is to you... I will protect him."

"Even if it is from your people... you should take Tae's side... don't forget Suga hyung... he is important to me as well... I know Jeon is there for them... but still, I want someone poweful like you to be with them... especially while they are here in your place..." Ji Min said.

"I promise!!! I will put them before me..." Mila kneeled in front of Ji Min to take his request as an order.

"Thank you, Mila. I am eternally in your debt," Ji Min expressed his sincere gratitude as he gracefully lifted Mila back to her feet.

"Mila, where is Tae? I haven't seen him since morning," Ji Min inquired with a hint of concern.

"He's resting in my chamber. I intended to check on him, but I noticed Jeon and Suga oppa standing guard outside, so I decided to stay here," Mila explained, her eyes reflecting a mix of care and responsibility.

"It's reassuring to know they are vigilant around him," Ji Min remarked, acknowledging the importance of the protective circle forming around Tae.
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Meanwhile, news of Mila's proactive measures to safeguard Ji Min reached Head. He couldn't help but chuckle at the ironic twist, realizing his daughter's obliviousness to the fact that she couldn't shield Ji Min from her own father's sinister plans.

"I'm paving way for her prestigious status, and that naive girl is infatuated with my intended prey... Ji min is going to be my prey until he takes his last breath..." Head mused to one of his trusted soldier, who is the sole confidant accomplice of Head's elaborate plot to eliminate Ji Min.

"Head nim, while leveraging Queen's affair and inviting him for a night may work.... even though its dangerous... but....plotting his murder carries immense risk. Our soldiers and the public won't easily accept such treacherous acts against the Queen's life.." cautioned Head's guard, urging him to avoid making wrong move

"I can see your jealousy talking... I'm not going to kill him... I'm gonna fake his death and chain him to my basement for me to enjoy him the way I want all my life," Head revealed with a sinister smirk, his words carrying a villainous undertone that sent shivers down the spine of his trusted soldier.
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That evening, an hour before the feast ceremony starts, everyone was busy preparing for the event. Ji Min instructed Tae to get ready for the ceremony, planning to deliver the performance with him. He assigned Jeon to look after Tae and intentionally sent Yoongi away, ensuring he could escape the place. Ji Min made sure to rescue his neglected eagle on his way out.

As the festivities' preparations consumed everyone's attention, Ji Min stealthily entered the dark chamber and released his bird. It was at this moment that he discovered only Head and two of his soldiers were involved in the sinister plan, and the others were unaware of the treacherous plotting.

"The day you face me without the shields you have is going to be your last day," Ji Min mumbled before he left the place, his words carrying a quiet but resolute warning.