Sacrifice || ENHYPEN FF

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 102

~im just binge listening to Doctor Doctor by ZB1... its too goodd!!!(im a baby zerose. are u a zerose?)~

~also next ch is out too~

-Start of Chapter 102-

A/N's POV

The evening air is cool, seeping through the gaps of the windows as the maids settle into their shared quarters. The room is dimly lit by lanterns, casting soft shadows over the wooden floors and walls. It's a quiet space, filled with the sound of tired sighs and the rustling of blankets as the girls wind down from the long day.

Isla steps inside, stretching her arms before rolling her sore shoulders. She's exhausted, but there's something oddly comforting about the warm atmosphere of the room. A sense of belonging that she hasn't quite grasped yet.

From across the room, Jia notices her. She sits on her bed, neatly folding a fresh set of linens. "How was your first day?" she asks, offering Isla a small smile. "Did you run into any problems?"

Isla shakes her head, returning the smile. "No, everything was fine. Thank you."

She moves to her own bed, plopping down with a sigh. The other girls are engaged in their own quiet conversations, some already drifting off to sleep. But after a few moments, something tugs at Isla's mind—an encounter from earlier that refuses to fade.

She glances toward Jia. "Can I ask you something?"

Jia hums in acknowledgment, still focused on folding.

"Is Prince Jungwon always like that?" Isla asks, voice casual but curious. "Cold and quiet?"

Jia pauses, then looks up. She doesn't seem surprised by the question. If anything, she almost expected it.

"Yep," she says simply. "Always like that. No one dares to approach him or even talk to him."

One of the other maids, half-listening from her own corner, chimes in. "No one can even look him in the eye without getting scared. He's very intimidating"

Other maids, also hum in agreement.

Isla raises an eyebrow, leaning back against her pillow. "Huh."

Jia studies her for a second before asking, "Did you run into him today?"

Isla nods, recalling the moment in the garden. "Yeah."

Jia lets out a small sigh. "Don't mind His Highness. It's just who he is."

Isla doesn't say anything. Just hums in acknowledgment.

She should probably leave it at that. Shouldn't give it another thought.

But for some reason, she finds herself thinking back to the way he had looked at her—sharp, indifferent, dismissive.

Really? Scary? He just seemed like a very rude person.

~~~~~~~

The morning sun filters through the palace gardens, casting soft golden hues over the neatly trimmed hedges and vibrant flowerbeds. The air is crisp, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and blooming jasmine.