The Villianess's Redemption (HYUNJIN ff) ✓

15. Midnight Reflections

Chapter 15: Midnight Reflections
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Y/N’s POV

"Isabella??"

I turned to see Hyunjin walking toward me, his expression curious but concerned. “What are you doing out here? You should be resting.”

I offered a small, tired smile. “I couldn’t sleep,” I admitted, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “Too much on my mind, I guess. Besides, I feel better after taking a walk.”

Hyunjin nodded, his eyes searching mine as if trying to gauge how I was really feeling. “It’s been a rough day,” he said, his voice gentle. “I don’t blame you for needing some time to clear your head. But you should be careful… After everything that’s happened, it’s not safe to wander alone.”

I sighed, the weight of his words settling over me. “I know,” I replied quietly. “But I needed some time to think. Everything’s changed so much… It’s hard to keep track of it all.”

Hyunjin stepped closer, his presence warm and comforting in the cool night air. “I understand,” he said, his voice carrying a note of empathy that surprised me. “But you don’t have to go through this alone. We’re all in this together.”

I looked up at him, gratitude welling up in my chest. “Thank you,” I said softly. “For everything. I don’t know what I would have done today without you. You protected me when I couldn’t protect myself.”

Hyunjin’s expression softened, and he shook his head slightly. “It’s me who should be thanking you,” he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. “You saved my life back there. If you hadn’t pushed me out of the way… I don’t know what would have happened.”

His words made my heart skip a beat. The memory of the ambush flashed in my mind—the moment when I saw the knight’s blade coming for Hyunjin, the instinctual need to protect him overwhelming any sense of fear or self-preservation. “I couldn’t just stand by and let you get hurt,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I had to do something.”

Hyunjin’s gaze softened, and for a moment, the world seemed to still around us. “You’re braver than you give yourself credit for,” he said, his voice filled with quiet admiration. “I’m glad you’re alright… and I’m glad you’re here.”

His words warmed something deep inside me, easing the turmoil that had been churning in my heart. “Would you… like to join me?” I asked hesitantly. “For a walk, I mean.”

Hyunjin smiled, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. “I’d like that,” he said, stepping beside me as we began to walk through the garden together.

For a while, we walked in comfortable silence, the only sounds the soft crunch of gravel beneath our feet and the distant hoot of an owl. The night felt less intimidating with Hyunjin by my side, the weight of my thoughts lightening just a little. We started a conversation getting to know more about each other.

“You know,” Hyunjin said. “I’ve always felt a lot of pressure to take care of my family’s business. Being the only child… it’s like everything rests on my shoulders. I’m expected to be strong, to make the right decisions, to protect what’s important. But sometimes, it feels like too much.”

I glanced at him, surprised by his admission. Hyunjin always seemed so confident, so sure of himself. It was hard to imagine him feeling the same doubts and insecurities that I did. “I know what you mean,” I said quietly. “I grew up with a lot of pressure too. My parents, especially my mom… they always expected so much from me.”