𝐓𝐁𝐙 𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒

37 - Hyunjae (Part 2)

1.20.18
genre: fluff, time-travel
HYUNJAE - ヾ(๑╹◡╹)ﾉ"
length: 3 part
P.O.V: 1st & reader insert
~~~~

"Do you know me?" He tilted his head to one side quizzically before pulling me up onto the same branch as him. "Hyunjae!" I laughed emptily. "What are you doing? Stop this act! It's ridiculous. If you think this will make me forgive you, you're so so wrong," I shook my head at him. "Your Highness, what are you talking about? Have we met before?" He sat back after hoisting me up safely onto the branch that cracked under both our weights combined. I stopped my fake laughter immediately. "What?" I choked on my own saliva. "Your Highness? I'm not a princess or a queen, honey. So ridiculous," I retorted in annoyance.

Hyunjae stayed silent. He seemed to ignore what I said. "But what is the Crown Princess doing here and not staying in the palace?" he questioned. "Huh? You're still going to put up that act? So ridiculous," I snorted. "Then why are you wearing the Crown Princess's clothes?"

"Huh?" I looked down at myself. The men on ground level were scouring the area below us. I stuttered, "T-these are the Crown Princess's clothes?" I was in utter disbelief. Why was I wearing them? How was I wearing them? I could clearly recall wearing casual clothes earlier before I ran off and abandoned Hyunjae and the girl at the outskirts of the forest. "Wait.. I need to clear this up. Who are you?" I interrogated Hyunjae. At least, he looked exactly like Hyunjae except wearing ninja-style clothes and portraying expressionlessness.

"Your Highness, my name is Hyunjae. But you mustn't speak of that name, or you may face punishment," he bowed to me to show respect. "Hyunjae. What year is it?" "1832, why?" He answered in a flash, diverting his attention from my puzzled expression to the men on the ground scanning the surroundings. "Ah, nothing," I quietly muttered, horror-stricken. Did I really travel back in time? That was impossible. I only saw it in dramas, no where else! "Are.. Are those soldiers on the ground?" I was hesitant to ask, just in case he became suspicious of me. "Yes. Shouldn't YOU know that the best, Your Highness?" a smile blossomed on his parted lips, and I almost fell in love with him all over again. That smile of his was enough to mesmerize a horde of women.

"What do you mean?" I inquired, crossing my arms indignantly. "You're famous around town that you're a trouble-maker and always escape from the palace," Hyunjae chuckled. I thinned my lips, "That's not much of a surprise. Oh! But what about you? They seem to be chasing after you." "Me? Ah, well, I'm just someone you wouldn't want to get to know," he replied. "Why?" I shuffled closer to him, peering at his face and giggling. My heart fluttered like it used to do when I first confessed to him in the present time. "Your Highness, don't be so curious. Curiosity killed the cat," he gently pulled me away to widen the distance between us.

"Are you a murderer? Thief?" I signaled to his black clothes. "No. Just someone being ordered around for money," Hyunjae swung off the branch and landed with a soft plop on the ground as soon as the soldiers marched away in a formation, drawing their swords back into their sheathes. I knew that he was the one that slaughtered all of those soldiers, but I was still somehow at ease because he was a familiar face, even if he doesn't know me personally in this era. I was reassured by it. "Hey, get me down too!" I whined. "Princess, you need to jump," he flicked his hands at me in one sharp movement.

I bit my bottom lip before shrieking, "YOLO!" and sliding off of the branch. Before I tumbled to the ground, I was caught by Hyunjae, who swiftly helped me straighten myself after climbing off of him. I flashed a smile in gratitude. "What does yolo mean?" He suddenly asked after placing me down on the ground. "Hm? Oh, it means 'You Only Live Once'," I laughed at how confused he was at the abbreviation. He nodded to me thoughtfully before opening his mouth to say something, "You should go back to the palace, Your Highness." he curtly dipped his head. "Your Highness this, Your Highness that. Just call me Y/N!" I flung my hands up in the air. I was starting to get agitated by him calling me not by my name, but by honorifics. I was getting comfortable in this era quickly, and was used to having to deal with the puffy dress.

"As you wish, Your Hi- I mean, Y/N," he shifted from one foot to the other and locked eye contact with me. But me, having to go back to the castle? I barely paid attention in school when we learned about all the dynasties and the eras. How would I know how to act around everyone, and what would I do? Would I need to stay confined in my room and unable to get some fresh, crispy air? "Hyunjae. Can I sleep with you tonight? I'll probably be gone tomorrow or something," I shrugged. At least I hope I'll be gone, I thought to myself as I waited for his answer. He seemed surprised at my sudden request. "What? But..." He reluctantly said. I glowered at him, knitting my brows together. "Fine," he exhaled heavily and I cheered with delight.

"Don't tell anyone about this!" I warned him as I followed him to wherever he slept. "If you haven't realized yet, I'm not exactly wanted by the palace. So don't worry," Hyunjae smiled warmly to me. We maneuvered around the shrubs and the maze of withered trees. There was a small shack built in the center of the forest, and although it was too rickety and shabby for my liking, it was strangely comfortable and cozy on the inside. "Sleep. I need to go somewhere," he informed before disappearing out the front door and slamming it shut. The door creaked open and a gust of wind swept into the building. For some reason, I felt eyes watching my ever move.

I sat down on the floor, a warm blanket wrapped around me tightly. I had a strange sensation churning in my stomach. I felt queasy. Then I saw someone in the corner of my peripheral vision. I swiveled around and raised my fists as a defense tactic, but suddenly I felt hands clasp around my waist and my arms. "Oh looky here, isn't this the Crown Princess?" a man gruffly questioned in my ear. I held my breath as a putrid odor wafted into my nose from his breath stench. "Yeah, I'm the Crown Princess. So let me go!" I wriggled around desperately. "That's all the more reason to take you, dear. Don't bother Hyunjae. He has work to do, and he's becoming distracted," another hissed before quickly and expertly tying my waist, hands, and legs in tight ropes.

A white piece of cloth blinded me and I screamed my lungs out in hopes someone would figure out I was in trouble. "Ooh, look at all the gold she has," they chorused gleefully. "Hyunjae works for you?!" I spat out. "Yes, he does. And he's content with his job!" one cackled malevolently before knocking me out.