Reincarnation In Another Timeline

Chapter Nine: An Unexpected Encounter

Ho-Yeon was walking around the palace back to their house when she saw shadows lurking around the village's dark alley. She decided to check the alley, not thinking about the danger ahead. When she peaked she saw a man in black attire with a stiletto knife. She gasped and she covered her mouth. Her body froze as she thought she'd be killed.

The assassin heard Ho-Yeon's gasp and, instead of attacking, his eyes widened in alarm as he looked at her. Their eyes met. He-Yeon blinked a few times as he recognized those eyes, but she didn't remember who. Without a word, he turned and dashed away, disappearing into the night. Ho-Yeon hesitated for a moment, torn between pursuing him and ensuring her own safety.

Just as she decides to follow, a firm hand grabs her arm, pulling her back.

Minghao looked at her with a worried frown. "Hey... What are you doing around here? It's dangerous..."

Ho-Yeon looks at Minghao with a mix of surprise and frustration. Her gaze is intense, searching his face for any sign of recognition, but she remains silent. Minghao's grip on her arm is tight, and his expression is a mix of concern and irritation.

"I asked you a question. Why are you out here alone?" He insisted as he looked into her eyes.

Ho-Yeon remains still, unable to speak. Her eyes lock onto Minghao's, and she studies him carefully, trying to piece together what she has seen. Minghao shifts uncomfortably under her gaze, clearly unsettled.

Minghao notices the intensity in Ho-Yeon's eyes and is momentarily taken aback. He realizes that she's not just frightened but deeply affected by the encounter. His own resolve weakens slightly as he looks away, trying to maintain his composure.

Minghao's heart skipped a beat as he looked into her eyes. He swallowed hard, feeling a sudden wave of vulnerability. The strong facade he usually maintained faltered, and he found himself momentarily lost for words. 

"You should head back, Woman." His knees felt weak, and he looked away, clearing his throat awkwardly.

He releases her arm, his voice softer than before, and takes a step back. His demeanor is still stern, but there's a hint of unease in his eyes.

 "Why? The assassin is still out there. We need to—" He-Yeon finally spoke in a worried tone as he looked in the direction of the dark alley.

Minghao interrupted her, his tone firmer now but still carrying an undertone of concern.

 "It's too dangerous for you. I'm not going to let you put yourself at risk. Go back to the palace."

He-Yeon looked up at him, "But—"

Minghao spoke before she could finish her sentence, "No buts. I'll handle this. Just... stay safe."

He turned to follow the direction the assassin had fled, but Ho-Yeon's gaze lingered on him. Despite his brusque demeanor, she sensed a genuine concern behind his words.

Ho-Yeon watched as Minghao disappeared into the darkness, his figure gradually swallowed by the night. She felt a mix of frustration and gratitude. Frustration that she couldn't continue her pursuit, but gratitude for his intervention.

 "Thank you," He-Yeon mumbled

 Ho-Yeon watches him with a mixture of confusion and frustration. She remains silent, processing what just happened. The assassin's familiarity lingers in her mind, and Minghao's unexpected appearance complicates her thoughts. She knows she needs to focus on the investigation, but she can't shake the feeling that Minghao's presence is somehow linked to the case.

 I need to find out more about that assassin and why his eyes seemed so familiar. And why is Minghao here? There's more to this than meets the eye. He-Yeon thought.

Ho-Yeon returns to her quarters, her mind full of unanswered questions. She resolves to dig deeper into both the assassin's identity and Minghao's role in this tangled web of mystery. Her determination to uncover the truth grows stronger, even as she grapples with the complications arising from Minghao's unexpected involvement.
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Minghao's POV

Minghao turns away, struggling with his own emotions. He glances back at Ho-Yeon, noting her beauty and the seriousness of her expression. Despite his usual arrogance, he feels a pang of guilt and concern for her safety.

"Please don't get involved...Ho-Yeon..." Minghao muttered to himself as he walked into the dark alley.

>>>Ho-Yeon's heart raced as she walked back towards the palace, the chilling encounter with the assassin replaying in her mind. The night air was cool, and the shadows seemed to stretch endlessly around her. The assassin's familiar eyes haunted her thoughts, a strange mix of recognition and uncertainty gnawing at her.

As she neared the palace gates, her pace quickened, eager to be back within the safety of the palace walls. The encounter had left her shaken, but there was something else—an inexplicable feeling that she couldn't quite place.

Entering through the side gate, she was greeted by a few guards, who nodded respectfully. She hurried past them, wanting to avoid any questions. Her thoughts were still jumbled as she made her way through the palace corridors, her steps echoing in the silence of the night.

The palace was quiet, with most of the household already retired for the night. Ho-Yeon's mind drifted back to the assassin's eyes. There was something disturbingly familiar about them, something that made her feel uneasy yet curious.

As she approached her quarters, she paused, her hand resting on the door frame. The encounter had raised more questions than answers, and the one face that kept resurfacing in her mind was that of Xu Minghao. Could it be? No, she couldn't jump to conclusions, not without proof. But the thought lingered, refusing to be dismissed.

Ho-Yeon pushed open the door and stepped inside, closing it softly behind her. She let out a sigh, trying to steady her racing heart. She knew she needed to tread carefully. The palace was full of secrets, and she had just stumbled upon one that could change everything.

As Ho-Yeon lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, her mind couldn't stop replaying the encounter with the assassin. Those eyes—they were seared into her memory. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to recall every detail.

The way the assassin had looked at her, a fleeting moment of recognition, and then the sudden decision to flee—it all made no sense. But it was those eyes, dark and piercing, that haunted her. They were familiar, almost unnervingly so, but from where?

Her thoughts wandered to Xu Minghao, his sharp eyes often filled with mischief or sarcasm. Could it be? The shape, the intensity, the way they seemed to see right through her—it was all too similar. But how could someone so playful and carefree be connected to something as dark as an assassination?

Ho-Yeon turned onto her side, frowning. She didn't want to believe it. Minghao had been irritating, sure, but dangerous? The idea seemed ridiculous, yet the unease wouldn't leave her. What if the person behind those eyes was someone she knew, someone she had come to trust—even if reluctantly?

Her mind raced, making comparisons. Minghao's gaze had always unsettled her, but it was more due to his teasing nature and smug confidence. The assassin's eyes, however, carried a weight, a depth that spoke of something far more sinister. But still, that nagging feeling persisted—what if they were the same?

She sighed deeply, opening her eyes to the darkness of her room. There was no way to be sure without proof. Jumping to conclusions could lead to disastrous consequences, but ignoring her instincts could be just as dangerous.

As she finally began to drift into a restless sleep, one thought remained clear: she needed to find out the truth, no matter how unsettling it might be.