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...
Na-Rae's heart raced, and she felt a flutter of anxiety rise within her as she looked at Soojin, sensing the weight of her words. "What's wrong, Soojin? Tell me. It's okay."
Soojin hesitated, her gaze shifting to Tae before continuing. "I overheard Ji Bu-In's court lady talking about a meeting with the king and officials tomorrow. They're discussing... your marriage."
A sharp pang of sadness struck Na-Rae, and she quickly turned her head to hide her reaction. She felt her heart sink, a cold weight settling in her chest as she struggled to maintain her composure. Tae noticed the flicker of distress in her eyes and felt the shift in her mood. His expression fell momentarily, his concern etched on his face.
"This could work to our advantage," Na-Rae said, her voice steadier than she felt, her determination rising to the surface. "If they're all distracted with that, maybe we can use the opportunity to get Mi-Rae out."
Tae nodded, trying to mask his own disappointment. "Yes, we can make a plan. I'll talk with Jungkook, and we can figure something out."
With a determined expression, he added, "I'll leave now, Minion. Keep safe."
Na-Rae turned back to him, their eyes meeting for a brief moment.
As Tae slipped out of the room, Na-Rae felt a mix of hope and sorrow settle in her chest. She took a deep breath, reminding herself of their mission. Tomorrow would be a test of their courage and determination, but she knew they had to act—for Mi-Rae, and for their own futures.
Tae slipped quietly into Jimin's quarters, the weight of the impending challenges heavy in the air. Jimin, Jungkook, and Minho were already gathered, their expressions serious yet eager for information.
Tae closed the door softly behind him, nodding at the three of them. "Soojin told us something important tonight," he began, scanning their faces. "The King and Ji Bu-In are planning a council meeting tomorrow, right after the feast. They're discussing alliances for Princess Na-Rae's marriage."
Jungkook furrowed his brow, concern etching his features. "Are you okay?"
Jimin, catching the subtle shift in Tae's demeanor, frowned. "And Na-Rae... how did she take the news?"
Tae hesitated, letting out a small sigh. "She's putting on a strong face, but I could see it affected her." He straightened, determination sparking in his eyes. "The timing of the meeting could work to our advantage. With everyone occupied, we'll have a clear window to move Mi-Rae out." "If we're going to pull this off, we need to stay sharp. No slip-ups."
Minho chimed in, his voice serious. "Don't you think you need to talk about your feelings for Na-Rae?"
Tae sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know, Minho. Let's focus on the escape first; it's not about me."
They all exchanged nods of agreement, the shared sense of responsibility palpable in the room. After finalizing the details of their plan, they decided to call it a night, each needing rest for the challenges that lay ahead.
The next morning, Tae took his usual position in the palace corridors when he spotted Ji Bu-In's court lady passing through. A mischievous spark ignited in his eyes as he approached her.
"Good morning, court lady," he greeted, a charming smile on his lips. "You handle Ji Bu-In's requests with such dedication—I don't know how you manage it."
The court lady smiled shyly, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Just doing my duty, Sir Taehyung." He kept her engaged in light conversation, skillfully weaving compliments into his words to gather information and maintain her goodwill.
However, as they laughed over a light-hearted joke, Na-Rae appeared around the corner, her gaze immediately honing in on them. The court lady tensed under Na-Rae's piercing glare, her face paling.
"Court lady," Na-Rae said with a forced smile, though her tone dripped with icy authority, "don't you have duties to attend to?"
The court lady fumbled, trembling slightly as she bowed deeply. "O-Of course, Your Highness. My apologies." She mumbled before practically fleeing down the hallway, clearly unnerved by Na-Rae's presence.
Once the court lady had disappeared, Tae chuckled softly, thoroughly amused by Na-Rae's reaction. "Well, that was... intense."
Na-Rae crossed her arms, glaring at the empty corridor where the court lady had fled. Tae watched her closely, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.
"Why are you scaring away beautiful women, Minion?" he teased, raising an eyebrow. "You looked ready to throw her out of the palace."
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