royal blood | sim jaeyun

twenty-five🩸

Jaeyun's eyes blinked open, his vision blurry as he tried to focus. The dim, dank space around him reeked of mildew and decay. He groaned, feeling pain course through his body, a reminder of the brutal fight with Jungwoo. 

Every inch of his body ached, and as he shifted, he felt something sharp sear against his wrists. He glanced down and winced, realising his restraints were silver, its cruel bite blistering his skin.

Breathing heavily, Jaeyun forced himself to look around the cell. His heart sank as he spotted two familiar figures crumpled on the opposite side of the room. There was Miyeon's parents. They looked lifeless, slumped against the cold, unforgiving stone wall.

"Mr. and Mrs. Kim?" he rasped, his voice weak and cracked. "Can you hear me?"

No response. They remained motionless, their faces pale and their breathing so faint he could barely detect it. Panic crept into Jaeyun's chest. He pulled against his restraints, hissing as the silver burned deeper, but the chains held fast. He couldn't reach them. He was helpless, trapped here with Miyeon's parents, powerless to protect her or even himself.

"Jungwoo, what have you done?" he muttered, feeling a surge of anger push against his desperation. He knew his brother was capable of cruelty, but this? This was beyond anything he'd imagined.

It wasn't long after that the heavy cell door creaked open, casting a harsh shadow across the damp floor. He looked up to see Jungwoo standing there, a smug smile playing on his lips.

"Let me go," Jaeyun demanded, his voice hoarse but firm. He tugged at his restraints, the silver biting deeper into his wrists, but he kept his gaze steely and defiant.

His expression remained unreadable as he stepped closer, silently reaching for Jaeyun's bindings. In a single swift movement, Jungwoo unlocked the restraints, and they clattered to the floor. Jaeyun's freedom was brief, though; without hesitating, he lunged at Jungwoo, ready to fight again, rage coursing through him.

But suddenly, he was hit by a blinding, searing pain. A bright light spilled into the cell, illuminating the rough stone walls and bathing him in excruciating heat. He staggered back, shielding his face as he felt his skin burn. It was the sunlight. He'd been exposed to sunlight. And then he realised too late, that his protective ring was missing.

Clenching his jaw to stifle a scream, Jaeyun stumbled back, his entire body reacting to the sunlight's merciless assault. His mind spun, and he looked up to see Jungwoo watching him with a satisfied smirk.

"Seems like you're finally awake," Jungwoo said, his tone dripping with mockery.

Jaeyun squinted through the dimming light as Jungwoo pulled the heavy curtain, finally blocking the sunlight from entering. His skin still stung from the burns, and he struggled to catch his breath, his mind racing to make sense of his brother's intentions.

"Why am I here?" Jaeyun spat, his voice laced with anger and defiance.

Jungwoo smiled coolly, stepping back with a practised elegance. "Don't you remember our little talk? We're declaring war, brother. And whether you like it or not, you're going to help us—one way or another."

Jaeyun's jaw clenched. "No way. I won't let you hurt Miyeon or anyone else," he shot back, his voice steady but filled with fury.

Jungwoo chuckled, a low, taunting sound. "Damn, Jaeyun, I thought you were smarter than that. Even if it hadn't come to this, you and Miyeon...," he paused, tilting his head as if savouring the impact of his words, "you wouldn't have worked. You're from two different worlds, Jaeyun. When she's on her deathbed, old and wrinkled, you'll still be thriving in your youth. And then what? You'll be left heartbroken and alone."

Jaeyun's resolve faltered just slightly, a shadow of doubt flickering in his gaze. Jungwoo took a step closer, his voice smooth and persuasive.

"I'm basically doing you a favour, really brother. Sparing you from inevitable pain."

Jaeyun's fists clenched, his anger surging. "You bastard!" he shouted, readying himself to lunge at Jungwoo. But just as he moved, a calm, disdainful voice drifted from the shadows.

"Your brother is right," his mother's voice echoed through the dim cell. Jaeyun froze, turning to see his parents stepping forward, their faces stern and unreadable. "You're wasting your power, your future over a mortal."

His father nodded, his expression hard. "We expected better from you, Jaeyun. Sacrificing yourself for something so temporary. Do you really think a human would understand us?"

Jaeyun looked between them, the betrayal cutting deeper than any wound. "You don't understand anything," he hissed, his voice trembling with hurt. "Miyeon is more than just some mortal.'"

As Jaeyun's parents prepared to lecture him further, a soldier entered hastily, bowing before approaching the king. He leaned in, whispering something into the king's ear. The king's face shifted from indifference to fury, and his voice boomed through the cell.

"What do you mean she's alive?"

Jaeyun's head snapped up, his heart racing at the mention of Miyeon. He watched the king's clenched jaw and furious gaze as the soldier continued, cautiously, "Our scouts reported sighting her, Your Majesty. Miyeon is alive, and she was seen accompanied by a few of Jaeyun's friends."

Relief washed over Jaeyun, the weight of dread momentarily lifted. Miyeon was alive, and she wasn't alone. His friends had found her, and somehow, against all odds, she had survived Jungwoo's schemes.

Jungwoo muttered under his breath, "Sunghoon. That idiot," his tone laced with irritation.

The king's eyes narrowed as he turned towards the soldier. "Take a team of our best soldiers. Find her and bring her here. And if anyone tries to interfere," His voice turned ice-cold, "...kill them without any hesitation."

Immediately, the soldier nodded and left the cell to carry out his task given by the king. Jaeyun's heart hammered in his chest. The thought of Miyeon and his friends in danger filled him with rage. "Don't you dare!" he yelled, struggling against his restraints. "They're innocent you don't need to hurt them!"

But before he could say more, Jungwoo yanked the curtain open, and the fierce sunlight poured into the cell. Jaeyun recoiled in agony, his skin burning as the intense rays scorched him, silencing his protests.

Jungwoo rolled his eyes, smirking down at Jaeyun's agonised form. "Can't you just shut up for once, Jaeyun?"

Gritting his teeth, Jaeyun shot back, "I won't let you do this, and I will never help you." "Fine, then," Jungwoo sneered. "Enjoy your stay in this cell. But I know you'll break eventually."

With a dismissive chuckle, he turned and walked away. His parents followed him, the king casting one last cold glance before they exited. Once they were gone, the soldier stationed outside Jaeyun's cell slightly opened the curtain, forcing the sunlight to flood in. 

The bright rays of light pierced his skin, and Jaeyun gasped, feeling the burn. As the pain washed over him, he whispered to himself, "Miyeon, please be safe." His heart ached with worry for her and his friends, knowing that his family's twisted plans could endanger them all.