Whispers of the Mystery Book

Chapter 105: Heart or Throne

Na-Rae gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as she watched Taehyung stagger, blood seeping from his side. Despite the pain, he grabbed the masked man by the wrist, wrenching the sword away before delivering a brutal punch to the man’s face. The attacker fell, unconscious.

Taehyung turned to Na-Rae, his face pale but his eyes steady.

Taehyung: (hoarsely) "Are you hurt?"

She shook her head, tears streaming down her face as she reached for him.

Na-Rae: (sobbing) "Why did you do that? You didn’t have to—"

Before she could finish, the remaining masked men were subdued by the King’s guards. The hall fell silent, the tension dissipating as quickly as it had appeared.

The King stepped forward, his expression unreadable as he looked at Taehyung, who was struggling to remain on his feet. Blood dripped from his side, staining the floor.

King: (quietly) "You’ve proven your worth."

Taehyung’s gaze met the King’s, his voice steady despite the pain.

Taehyung: "I would give my life to protect her."

The King studied him for a moment longer before turning to the guards.

King: "Call the royal physician. Now."

Na-Rae clung to Taehyung as he finally allowed himself to lean against her, his strength fading.

Na-Rae: (softly) "You’re going to be okay. I won’t let anything happen to you."

Before she could finish, Taehyung’s knees buckled. His body collapsed into her arms, his weight dragging them both down.

Na-Rae: (screaming) "Taehyung! No!"

His eyes fluttered closed, his breathing faint. Blood continued to seep from the wound at his side, staining her hands and dress.

Na-Rae: (desperate) "Someone help him! Please!"

The royal physician rushed in, summoned by the King’s earlier command. Guards stepped forward to assist, carefully lifting Taehyung’s limp form from Na-Rae’s trembling arms.

Na-Rae: (crying) "He saved me! You have to save him! Do whatever it takes!"

The King approached, his expression unreadable as he looked down at Taehyung.

King: (quietly, to the physician) "See to it that he receives the best care. His life depends on your skill."

The physician nodded, already issuing orders to his assistants as they carried Taehyung away.

Na-Rae turned to her father, her face streaked with tears.

Na-Rae: (pleading) "You saw what he did. He risked everything—he protected me with his life! How can you still doubt him?"

The King’s gaze softened, though his tone remained measured.

King: (softly) "I do not doubt his courage or his loyalty now. But courage alone is not enough to stand beside you, Na-Rae."

Na-Rae’s voice broke as she shouted back.

Na-Rae: "He loves me! And I love him! Isn’t that enough?"

The King’s expression hardened once again as he turned back to Na-Rae, his tone sharp but layered with the weight of duty.

King: (firmly) "Na-Rae, his courage is undeniable, but I am a king. My decisions are not only for you—they are for the entire kingdom. I cannot allow my daughter, a princess, to marry a commoner."

Na-Rae’s tear-filled eyes widened, her voice rising with desperation.

Na-Rae: "But he’s not just a commoner! He’s proven himself today! He saved your life, Father. He saved mine. Doesn’t that mean anything?"

The King looked away, his jaw tightening.

King: (calm but resolute) "What he did was honorable, but the laws and traditions of this kingdom are not so easily changed. You are a princess, Na-Rae, and with that title comes responsibility. You cannot let your heart lead you astray."

Na-Rae stepped closer, her voice trembling but determined.

Na-Rae: "Responsibility? Is it my responsibility to deny love? To live a life without the one person who truly sees me for who I am, not for the title I hold? Is that the kind of life you want for me?"

The King’s gaze softened slightly at her words, but he shook his head.

King: "It is not about what I want, Na-Rae. It is about what is best for the kingdom. The people will not accept a man with no name, no title, and no legacy as their future prince."

Na-Rae clenched her fists, her voice thick with emotion.

Na-Rae: "Then what is the point of all this? What is the point of him fighting, of him risking his life, if you’ve already made up your mind? Why did you even allow this test if you wouldn’t consider him?"

To be continued!!!!!

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