The Innocent and The King

Chapter Seven - The Fire Within

Reva woke up to the sound of muffled voices outside her bedroom door. For a moment, she stayed still, her eyes focused on the ceiling as the low hum of Jungkook and Namjoon’s conversation filtered through the walls. It had been a few days since she’d arrived in Jungkook’s penthouse, and while she was starting to adjust, the unease never truly left her.

Pushing the blanket aside, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed. The cold floor sent a shiver up her spine, but she didn’t hesitate. Quietly, she cracked the door open, just enough to hear their words more clearly.

“…got too close last night,” Namjoon was saying. His tone was sharp, tinged with worry.

“They’re testing me,” Jungkook replied, his voice low but unrelenting. “Trying to see how far they can push before I retaliate.”

“And how do you plan to respond?”

There was a pause, heavy with meaning. “They won’t live long enough to try again,” Jungkook said finally.

Reva’s breath caught. She had seen glimpses of his ruthlessness, but hearing it so plainly reminded her just how dangerous his world truly was.

She stepped back, her foot catching the edge of the doorframe. It made the faintest sound, but it was enough.

The conversation stopped.

“Reva?” Jungkook’s voice called out, softer now.

She froze, her heart hammering in her chest. A moment later, the door opened wider, and Jungkook was there, his dark eyes locking onto hers.

“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop,” she said quickly, feeling her cheeks heat.

Jungkook’s expression softened immediately, the hard lines of his face relaxing. “It’s okay,” he said, stepping back to let her into the living room. “You’re not intruding.”

Namjoon gave her a polite nod, his gaze flicking between her and Jungkook before he excused himself. The tension in the room eased slightly as he left, but Reva could still feel the weight of the conversation lingering.

“Is everything okay?” she asked, her voice quieter now.

Jungkook motioned for her to sit. Once she did, he crouched in front of her, his hands resting lightly on her knees. “There are things happening that I can’t shield you from completely,” he admitted. “But I promise you, Reva, you’re safe here. I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

She studied his face, searching for any sign of hesitation, but there was none. His words were a promise—a vow—and for reasons she couldn’t quite explain, she believed him.

---

The day passed slowly. Jungkook had business to attend to, leaving Reva alone with her thoughts. She wandered the penthouse aimlessly, eventually finding herself in the library again. The towering shelves and the quiet atmosphere offered her a sense of comfort, a reprieve from the chaos outside.

She picked a book at random and settled into one of the plush armchairs, but her thoughts kept drifting. Images of Jungkook—his intense eyes, the way his voice softened when he spoke to her—played over and over in her mind.

The way he looked at her was unlike anything she had experienced before. It wasn’t just attraction; it was something deeper, something that scared and exhilarated her in equal measure.

As she turned a page, the faint sound of paws on the hardwood floor caught her attention. She looked up to see a small, scruffy dog cautiously padding into the room.

“Hello there,” she said softly, setting the book aside.

The dog stopped, its dark eyes watching her warily.

“It’s okay,” she murmured, holding out a hand. “I won’t hurt you.”

After a moment, the dog took a tentative step closer, then another. Finally, it pressed its wet nose against her hand, letting out a soft whine.

Reva’s heart melted. “You’re adorable,” she said, scratching behind its ears.

She didn’t know how long she sat there, stroking the dog’s soft fur, but it was long enough for Jungkook to find her.

“That’s Gureum,” he said from the doorway, his voice breaking the quiet.

Reva looked up, a smile lighting her face. “He’s lovely.”

Jungkook stepped into the room, watching as Gureum curled up beside her chair. “He’s usually wary of strangers,” he said. “But he seems to like you.”

Reva shrugged, still smiling. “Maybe he senses I’m just as nervous as he is.”

Jungkook’s lips quirked into a faint smile, but there was something else in his eyes—something softer. “You’re not a stranger anymore,” he said quietly.

---

That evening, Jungkook insisted on taking her to the private garden on the roof. It was a space she hadn’t seen before, tucked away behind thick walls and secured by cameras.

The garden was beautiful, lit by strings of fairy lights that cast a warm glow over the greenery. Flowers of every color bloomed in carefully tended beds, their fragrance filling the air.

Reva wandered through the space, her fingers brushing against the petals of a rose. “I didn’t expect this,” she said, turning to face Jungkook.

“It’s a place to breathe,” he said simply. “Even in my world, you need moments like this.”

Reva nodded, her gaze shifting to the skyline beyond the garden’s edge. The city stretched out before them, its lights twinkling like stars.

As she stared, she felt Jungkook step closer, his presence a comforting weight beside her. She turned her head slightly, meeting his eyes.

“Why are you doing all of this for me?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Jungkook’s jaw tightened, his gaze unwavering. “Because I can’t imagine my life without you,” he said. “And I don’t want to.”

Reva’s breath caught. His words were raw, unguarded, and they struck something deep within her.

“But what if I’m not enough?” she asked, her insecurities bubbling to the surface. “What if I can’t handle your world?”

Jungkook reached out, his fingers gently brushing against her cheek. “You’re more than enough,” he said firmly. “You’re everything, Reva. And I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe. To keep you with me.”

Her heart swelled at his words, tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. She didn’t know what the future held, but in that moment, standing under the fairy lights with Jungkook’s hand on her cheek, she felt something she hadn’t felt in days: hope.

---

But as they stood there, lost in their quiet moment, shadows moved in the distance. Jungkook’s phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking the silence.

He pulled it out, his expression darkening as he read the message.

“What is it?” Reva asked, her voice tinged with worry.

Jungkook’s grip on his phone tightened. “Stay here,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Before she could respond, he was gone, his figure disappearing into the stairwell.

Reva stood there, her heart pounding as unease crept in. She didn’t know what was happening, but one thing was clear: the peace they had found in the garden was about to shatter.

And this time, she wasn’t sure if even Jungkook could protect her from what was coming.