Inked

7-

The atmosphere in the palace was suffocating as Jasmine paced the ornate halls, her mind racing with thoughts of Mingyu's warning. She had made her choice, but the repercussions were unfolding faster than she could have anticipated. Her heart sank as she overheard hushed voices discussing Wonwoo's fate.

"Where is he?" she demanded, seeking out the guards who flanked the entrance to the dungeons.

"Why do you care?" one guard sneered, crossing his arms. "He failed in his duty. That's all that matters."

"Let me see him!" Jasmine insisted, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger. But the guards only shrugged, their expressions indifferent to her distress.

It wasn't long before she learned that Wonwoo had been thrown into an underground cell, left to suffer the consequences of his perceived failure. The thought of her loyal bodyguard, who had sacrificed so much for her freedom, enduring punishment tore at her heart.

Determined to help him, Jasmine slipped away from the palace, her mind set on bringing him medical supplies. She moved swiftly through the shadows, her heart racing as she navigated the familiar paths to the dungeons.

As she descended into the dark, damp corridors, the air grew colder, each step echoing ominously around her. The flickering torches cast eerie shadows, heightening her sense of dread. Finally, she reached the cell where Wonwoo was being held.

"Wonwoo?" she whispered, her voice barely above a breath.

"Jasmine?" he replied, his voice hoarse but filled with relief at the sound of her. "What are you doing here?"

"I had to see you," she said, kneeling before the barred door, her heart breaking at the sight of him. He was dirty and disheveled, a shadow of the strong protector she knew. "I brought a medkit. Let me help you."

She fumbled to unlock the bag, her hands shaking as she pulled out antiseptic wipes and bandages. "You shouldn't have to go through this," she said, tears pricking at her eyes. "It's my fault you're here."

Wonwoo looked up at her, his expression stern yet softened by concern. "This isn't your fault, Jasmine. You made your choice, and I knew the risks when I agreed to protect you. But I'll be fine. They can't break me."

"Just let me take care of you," she insisted, wiping the dirt and grime from his skin. "You deserve better than this."

As she tended to his wounds, Jasmine heard footsteps echoing down the stone corridor, the sound growing louder until Mingyu appeared at the entrance, his demeanor radiating authority. He crossed his arms, his expression a mix of frustration and concern.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded, his voice cold as he stepped into the cell's dim light. "This is not where you belong, Jasmine."

She turned to face him, anger and defiance burning in her eyes. "I'm here for Wonwoo. He doesn't deserve this punishment."

Mingyu shook his head, disbelief evident on his face. "You really don't understand the consequences of your actions, do you?" His gaze flicked to Wonwoo, who stood tall despite his condition. "And you," he added, directing his ire toward the bodyguard. "You failed to keep her safe, and now you pay the price."

"Enough, Mingyu," Jasmine interjected, stepping forward. "You think this is right? Throwing him in a dungeon for doing his job? He was protecting me!"

"And where has that gotten you?" Mingyu shot back, his voice rising in frustration. "Do you think this is some kind of game? You can't just flit in and out of the palace like you own the place! Your actions have repercussions, and you've put him in danger because of your reckless choices!"

Jasmine clenched her fists, her heart pounding. "I'd rather be in danger than live a life of imprisonment, Mingyu! I refuse to be your puppet, or anyone's for that matter!"

Mingyu's expression darkened, the lines of tension in his face deepening. "You may think you're free now, but this is just the beginning. They will come after you for defying the royal family, and it will only get worse for everyone involved."

"I don't care," she replied defiantly. "I will not be scared into submission. I'm willing to fight for what I want, even if it means facing the consequences."

Wonwoo, still recovering from the treatment, looked between them. "Jasmine, you have to listen to Mingyu. The palace won't tolerate this kind of defiance. It's not just about you anymore."

Jasmine felt a pang of regret but held her ground. "But it should be about me, Wonwoo. I should be able to make my own choices without fear of punishment."

"Life isn't fair, Jasmine," Mingyu interjected, his tone softer now, almost pleading. "And you're right. I can't protect you from every consequence. But I can help you navigate them."

She shook her head, her heart racing as she realized the depth of the dilemma. "I don't want your help if it means going back to that life."

Mingyu stepped closer, lowering his voice. "Then you need to understand the stakes. You may be brave, but there are powers at play you don't fully comprehend. If you continue down this path, there will be no turning back."

Wonwoo's gaze flickered between the two, sensing the tension mounting. "Jasmine, we need to think this through. You can't just charge in without a plan."

"But I can't just stand by and watch innocent people suffer for my choices!" she exclaimed, frustration bubbling to the surface.

Mingyu's eyes narrowed as he studied her, weighing his options. "I won't let them hurt you, Jasmine. If you continue to defy the palace, I will have to take measures to protect you, even if it means using force."

Jasmine's heart sank at the implication. "You would threaten me?"

"No," he said, his voice steady but intense. "I'm saying I'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe, even if you don't understand it now."

As the weight of his words hung in the air, Jasmine felt the walls of the dungeon closing in around her. She turned to Wonwoo, who offered her a faint smile despite his injuries, and then back to Mingyu, torn between her desire for freedom and the reality of her situation.

"I need time to think," she finally said, her voice wavering.

Mingyu nodded, understanding the gravity of the moment. "I'll give you that. But remember, the clock is ticking. You can't escape your destiny."

With that, he turned and left the dungeon, leaving Jasmine and Wonwoo alone in the dim light.

"I'm so sorry, Wonwoo," she whispered, her heart aching for what he was enduring.

"It's not your fault," he replied, his voice steady despite the pain. "Just remember, your choices have power. Use them wisely."

Jasmine nodded, her mind racing as she realized the true weight of her freedom. As she sat beside Wonwoo, the flickering torchlight illuminating their faces, she understood that the fight for her life, her identity, and her future was only just beginning.