Everyone is Obsessed With Me (reupload)

Chapter 8

Hanbal finally made his way home thanks to the vines tied on the tree branch. He lost track of time; before he knew it, it was already night when he found his way to the front gate.

While sitting around the pond, he pondered and struggled to think of ways to escape. Although smart with numbers, Hanbal has never devised an escape plan since he was and has always been an ordinary citizen. The only thing he had under his belt was the fact that he was poor and grew up in a neighborhood of gangs. He thought maybe, he could earn enough money throughout his time here in hell to successfully run away on his 15th birthday. From his recollection, Hanbal would've been 15 when the crown emperor became the Emperor and married the fl. And he is sure everyone would be too busy to notice he is gone.

He plans to build a small house, maybe a cottage, on the outskirts of the kingdom, far far away from these people. He plans to live his life in peace until he croaks and dies of old age. He will carry out Hanbal's wish to live a long life, and then return to where his father is at.

Hanbal smiled to himself as he threw small rocks along the way to mark his way back to the pond. It now serves as a hiding place from the danger that could harm him.

"This will work.." Hanbal mumbled to himself and shifted the weight from one leg to the other, a habit he does when he feels nervous or tense. Although the plan was undeveloped, he had many years to evolve it into a foolproof plan. He has time, all he has to do is avoid the red flags and stay out of the plot's way. All he has to do is play the game right.

That was what Hanbal thought before he found himself kneeling on the ground in front of an enraged Duke and his sons. He thought if he kept a low profile, he would be ignored like before. But it seems as though he forgot about the changes in the Duke's entire personality.

Hanbal was sweating profusely while staring at the ground, shaking like a bunny cornered by hungry predators. He had no idea what was going on or what he should do, but he was sure that his life was hanging by a thread. He was scared. Memories from Hanbal's past returned like a racing track, causing him to almost shake and convulse like a measly leaf in a raging wind. Memories of abuse, of powerlessness, or absolute dread. Memories that belonged to young Hanbal who has yet to get rid of his baby teeth.

It seems as though despite being Ye Joon in the soul, his mind, heart, and body were still Hanbal. He could feel the sorrow of a child being punished by an adult. He could feel the loud beating heart of a child who was alone and scared.

"Hanbal." The Duke's deep, cold voice shook Hanbal to the core. Hanbal's whole body started to shiver like a pitiful cat shivering in the rain. His forehead was pressed on the floor, bowing and sweating from absolute terror. His mouth became a desert and he could faintly smell the scent of sandalwood drifting closer and closer to him.

When Osric didn't hear a response, he hit his table with his fist, something he doesn't usually do. Typically, he is calm and relaxed when angered, but for some reason, he becomes a tad bit hot-headed when it involves his youngest son.

"Answer me." He demanded, the room grew colder at every word.

"Y-yes, f-father?" Hanbal stammered unconsciously. His mind races in ways to escape this terrifying situation and live to see the next day.

"Hanbal, did you know that it's against the rules to leave without permission?" Osric said lightly, tapping his fingers on the table, his eyes unreadable and his face cold. But everyone in the room could tell he was far beyond mad.

Hanbal swallowed his saliva and said, "I-I didn't know that, father. If I did, I'd never gone out without your permission." Hanbal made sure to choose his words correctly in case he said something that could set this landmine off.