Fated Hearts[The8 FF]✅

5

As soon as Seungcheol left, Minghao turned to Mi Soo, his tone tinged with concern but edged with something else—something like jealousy, though he tried to mask it. "What were you doing here? You know it's not safe to be alone, especially in a place like Silla.."

Mi Soo noticed the unusual casualness in his voice, something she hadn't heard before. She raised an eyebrow, surprised. As Minghao realized his mistake, he quickly bowed his head, his formal demeanor returning. "I’m really sorry, Princess. I shouldn’t have spoken to you so informally—"

Before he could finish, Mi Soo gently interrupted, "It’s alright, Minghao. I like it when you talk to me casually." She smiled, trying to ease his embarrassment, but she couldn’t ignore the slight tension she sensed in his words.

She continued with a soft smile, "Silla is beautiful, isn’t it? And the people here seem kind too."

Minghao shook his head slightly, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Beautiful, yes. But as for the people… Well, appearances can be deceiving, Princess. Not everyone here is as they seem."

Mi Soo tilted her head, curious about his words. "What do you mean?"

Minghao looked away briefly, as if choosing his words carefully. "Let's just say that Silla has its charm, but not everything that shines is gold. You should be cautious, especially around those who are too eager to show their kindness." His tone was light, but there was an underlying seriousness that made Mi Soo wonder if there was more he wasn’t saying.

Minghao nodded, his expression softening slightly. "I think we should head back now. Your brother might be worried about you. And where is Jun?"

Mi Soo glanced around before replying, "He went with Chan."

Minghao hummed in acknowledgment. "Alright, let's go then," he said, offering his hand to help her up.

As they began to make their way back, Mi Soo couldn’t help but feel a lingering curiosity about Minghao’s earlier words, but she decided to let it rest for now. They walked in silence, each lost in their thoughts as they returned to the palace.

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Late into the night, when the palace was shrouded in quiet, Princess Mi Soo carefully slipped out of her chamber, managing to avoid detection by her guard, Jun. As she silently made her way toward the palace gates, a hand suddenly grabbed her wrist from behind.

Startled, she swiftly turned, her instincts taking over as she pressed a dagger against the neck of her would-be assailant. But as soon as she saw who it was, she exhaled sharply, her grip on the weapon relaxing.

"Minghao..." she breathed, relief washing over her.

Before she could fully lower the dagger, Minghao gently pulled her close, her back pressed against his chest as his arms wrapped around her protectively. Mi Soo's heart raced, not just from the suddenness of the encounter, but from the unexpected closeness. She could feel the warmth of his body against hers, the steady beat of his heart, and it made her cheeks flush with an unfamiliar warmth.

But before she could dwell on the moment, the sound of approaching guards broke through her thoughts. Minghao tightened his hold on her, whispering softly, "Stay still."

They stood there, hidden in the shadows, as the guards passed by, oblivious to their presence. Only when the footsteps faded did Minghao release her slightly, though he still kept her close, his concern evident.

"What are you doing out here, Princess?" he asked quietly, his voice laced with worry.

Mi Soo hesitated, her heart still fluttering from their proximity. "I needed some air... I didn’t mean to cause any trouble."