Join V(Kim Tae-hung), a skilled archer and avid reader, as he discovers an ancient book in his grandparents' village. The book, filled with mysterious symbols and forgotten stories, leads him on a journey of time travel and romance. As V unravels th...
As they exited, the guards were chatting amongst themselves, completely oblivious to the tension that had just unfolded. Their voices floated through the air, filled with gossip about the latest happenings in the palace, making them an easy distraction for the group.
"Did you hear about the feast tomorrow?" one guard said, chuckling. "Apparently, the royal chef is experimenting with new recipes again!"
"Yeah, I hope it's better than last time. Those 'delicacies' nearly made me lose my lunch!" another guard replied, laughter ringing out.
Taking advantage of their distraction, Jungkook, Tae, and Na-Rae slipped away silently. Just as they reached the corner, Soojin suddenly halted, her eyes wide with panic.
"Oh no! Ji Bu-In's court lady!" she exclaimed as she spotted a familiar figure approaching.
Before she could duck behind the corner, Ji Bu-In's court lady caught her,"Lady Soojin!" she exclaimed, blocking their path. "What a lovely coincidence! I was just looking for you. Have you heard any news about the upcoming festival?"
Soojin's heart sank. She was caught in a friendly conversation that could expose their escape plan. "Um, yes! The festival... it's going to be splendid!" she stammered, trying to keep her composure.
While Soojin tried to navigate the conversation with Ji Bu-In's court lady, Jungkook took the opportunity to slip away, his mind racing with thoughts of Mi-Rae and their next move. He dashed down the corridor, seeking out Jimin for guidance.
"Jimin!" he called out, spotting him leaning against a wall, arms crossed. "I need your help!"
Jimin reached out, steadying Jungkook as he prepared to jump from the wall. They moved quickly and silently, knowing each second mattered.
“Ready?” Jimin asked, his voice low.
Jungkook nodded, taking a deep breath. With Jimin’s boost, he managed to jump the wall gracefully, landing with only a soft thud. Once Jungkook was over, he brushed himself off, keeping his stance casual. Jimin followed, and they began chatting as if nothing unusual had just happened.
“So,” Jimin said, stretching his arms with a grin, “what are the odds the royal chef finally figured out those dumplings for tomorrow’s feast?”
Jungkook smirked. “We can only hope, I don’t think the palace staff will survive it.”
Just then, Minho approached, joining the two of them with a casual stride. He glanced around, making sure no one else was nearby, then leaned in slightly, whispering “Any progress on the plan to get Mi-Rae out of Ji Bu-In’s chambers?”
Jungkook’s expression grew serious, and he nodded slightly. “We’re still working out the timing, but tomorrow night’s feast might be our best chance. Most of the court will be occupied, and the guards will be focused on the festivities. We’ll need someone on the inside to keep the servants from getting suspicious.”
Minho nodded thoughtfully, glancing toward Jimin. “Think you can create a distraction if needed?”
Jimin smirked. “Distracting people is my specialty. Just give the signal, and I’ll have the guards questioning their own shadows.”
Jungkook grinned, the tension in his shoulders easing just a bit. “Good. Then tomorrow, we’ll set everything in motion.”
Minho patted Jungkook on the shoulder, a reassuring smile on his face. “We’re with you all the way. Mi-Rae will be safe soon enough.” slipped into Na-Rae's chambers, the door clicked softly shut behind them, cutting off the sounds of the busy palace halls. Na-Rae leaned against the wall, catching her breath, her pulse still racing from the close calls. Tae stood opposite her, his usual smirk masked under a deeper intensity.
“Princess, I never thought I'd be sneaking through the palace at your side, dodging guards as if we’re characters in some fabled tale,” he murmured, voice low but laced with that familiar teasing spark.
Na-Rae raised an eyebrow, catching the glint of amusement in his eyes, but she quickly schooled her expression. “You looked like you were enjoying it a little too much.”
A laugh escaped him, but there was something softer there. “Can you blame me? You’re proving to be more... unpredictable than I anticipated.” His voice held a warmth she’d rarely heard, making her heart skip a beat.
She started to reply, but a gentle knock at the door froze them both. Their expressions instantly turned serious, and Na-Rae pressed a finger to her lips, signaling Tae to be cautious. He cracked the door open, only to find Soojin, eyes darting nervously, slipping in.
“Princess,” Soojin began, barely above a whisper, “there’s… something important you should know.”
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