Timeless Obsession

Ep 37: No more

(day 129th) (June 2nd)

(Morning)

Winter's P.O.V

It was cold. I groaned as I got up, stretching my aching body. The floor had been unbearable to sleep on, but exhaustion had finally claimed me last night. My muscles protested as I moved, each one stiff from the hard surface.

The dim light from the sun filtering through the window cast long shadows across the room, adding to the bleakness of my surroundings. I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to ward off the chill that seemed to seep into my bones.

Rising slowly, I glanced around, my gaze landing on the crumpled piece of paper still lying on the floor where I had dropped it. The reminder of my resolve, my desperation. With a sigh, I picked it up, smoothing it out as best I could, even though the words remained unreadable.

I walked to the window, hoping the light and fresh air would help clear my mind. The palace grounds outside were quiet, the usual hustle and bustle muted in the early morning. I pressed my forehead against the cool metal bars, trying to gather my thoughts.

As I stood there, the weight of my decisions pressed down on me once more.

Will I be able to leave soon? The question echoed in my mind, a sliver of doubt creeping into my resolve. The thought of escape, of freedom, seemed so distant, yet it was the only thing that kept me going.

The sunlight gradually brightened, casting a warm glow on the otherwise cold and unwelcoming room. I allowed myself a moment to imagine what it would be like to walk out of this palace, to breathe freely and feel the sun on my face.

But reality snapped back, harsh and unrelenting. I couldn't afford to entertain such thoughts. Not now. Not ever. There was too much at stake, too many lives intertwined with mine.

Yi-zhuo and Aeri...

Their names echoed in my mind, a constant reminder of the danger they were in because of me. I sighed deeply, the weight of my guilt and worry pressing heavily on my chest. The fear gnawed at me, knowing all too well what Jimin was capable of, the lengths she would go to keep me close. I felt a cold shiver run down my spine as I thought about what I had inadvertently dragged them into.

I turned away from the window, the view of the serene landscape doing little to calm my turbulent thoughts. My reflection in the glass was a stark reminder of the situation I was trapped in. My eyes, once filled with hope and light, now held a steely determination. The resolve within me hardened, crystallizing into a fierce will to endure.

For now, I had to push forward, to stay strong in the face of the storm. The time for escape would come, but it was not now. I had to navigate this perilous path with caution, to bide my time and wait for the right moment. Until then, I had to face the consequences of my actions, the choices I had made that had led me here.

Suddenly, I heard a clank, the unmistakable sound of the heavy metal doors creaking open. My heart raced as two guards appeared, their expressions unreadable. They seized me by the arms, their grips firm and unyielding, pulling me from the dank confines of the dungeon. The sudden brightness of the palace hallways was almost blinding after the dimness of my cell, but I recognized the familiar path we treaded upon.