Pied Piper (Kim Namjoon x Reader)

Chapter 18

"Oppa, how many times do I have to say I'm sorry for trying to save you? But again, I was trying to save you!" you begged.

"Save me from what, Y/N?" he asked in frustration.

"Your execution. It was going to be a live broadcast tonight. Taehyung heard Daehan talking about it." You held onto the barriers that separate you two, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. But he had position himself in the corner furthest from you. He laid down leisurely, as if he was at a resort.

"Y/N, think about it. There's no reason for him to kill me. Even if I did threaten Namjoon, he would never agree to kill his friend, under any circumstances. You were tricked, and you fell right into the Prime Minister's trap." He adjusted his position, obviously uncomfortable with the floor.

You slumped back into the wall. Since the moment Daehan left, Yoongi had been yelling at you for being stupid, saying how you wasted the chance he gave you to escape. When you finally got a good look at him, he was still in his clothes from that day. They were covered in dirt but since he wore all black, it was hard to see. His chubby cheeks were still there though, so it meant that hadn't been starving him. Though it was already night time and you were pretty hungry now.

"I'm sorry Yoongi. For everything. Maybe you should have killed me then, then everything wouldn't be so messed up." You pulled your knees closer and fend off the cold and loneliness.

"I don't think killing you would have fixed anything." he laughed, it sounded empty and it echoed through the rest of the dungeon. "The King's dead and everything is a mess."

"It's all my fault." you breathe out. Yoongi glanced at you, but said nothing about what you said.

"How did you escape the palace anyways?" he asked instead.

"Taehyung found me and took me to a secret tunnel that his grandpa had made with my grandfather, I-I mean, the late late Moon King. Then he took me to his house and took care of me since." you explained, hoping he wouldn't be caught on to anything.

"That's strange. I didn't realize you two had such a relationship." was all that Yoongi said.

"Yeah, I didn't realize that either. People can be deceiving, relationships are weird." you sighed.

"I know you didn't kill the King, and eventually, Namjoon will realize that too."

"I don't think it matters if he knows or not. Events had already begun to unfold and even if he forgives me, there's not much we can do to stop them."

"Why do you sound so sad?" Yoongi asked, his voice was closer this time and you saw that he was by the barriers. His dark eyes hooded by his shaggy hair.

"I'm not who he thinks I am. And when he finds out, it might ruin his world." You subsequently began thinking of what this title meant, not just to you, but those around you. If and when your identity is out into the world, political parties would be in chaos. But how would the Prince react. It would mean that his family no longer had the right to be in the palace. It would mean that you would be taking his throne away from him, even though he deserves it more than you.

"Does it have anything to do with why Daehan called you 'princess' earlier?" Yoongi asked.

"I-"

"Quiet down prisoners." You both turned your attention to the entrance where the two guards who were stationed outside suddenly appeared. They could be here to deliver dinner, but their hands were empty. They did bring something with them though, or rather, someone. The Prince moved through them like curtains. He wore more or less casual clothing. A long light cardigan wrapped around his slender body. The dimmed lights above cast shadows under his eyes, but even without them, the shadows would stay.

He had the same agony as that day. Maybe he came to finish you off. He waved at the guards for them to leave. "But your Highness, they're dangerous." one of them said.

"Leave us. They have no power here." He looked directly at you when he said that, which made you lean back closer into the wall, wishing you could sink right into it. The guards nodded and exit the room, closing the doors behind them. He walked slowly, swinging the keys in his hand. Yoongi and he held eye contact for a long time. But then it broke off when he got to your cell. Without taking his eyes off of you, he jammed the key into the lock and threw it on the floor once he opened the door.

Unknowingly, you stood up, your back still touching the cold wall. The Prince took one step inside and breathe out. The next thing you know, he was right before you, inches from your body. He raised a hand out slowly and you closed your eyes, thinking he was going to strangle you to death. Not the way you wanted to go, but you obviously did not have a saying in this matter. He did wrapped his hands around you, but not your neck.

You opened your eyes as he enveloped you with his embrace. You froze for a moment but instantly melted into his touch. His body was trembling like he was crying. The only sound from the dungeon came from his breathing. "Please hug me back," he whispered. And on cue, you placed your hand on his back, taking all of him in. He smelled of home and affection. Before you know it, you were crying too.

"Now I really know that I'm dead. Because you would not be here right now if I wasn't," you said, a sad smile forming. He pulled back, sorrow in his eyes. He wiped your tears away with his thumb, it was gentle, like a mother's touch.

"You are still alive and I am here. I'll prove it to you." He leaned in and met his lips to yours. His lips were soft and they moved slowly, waiting for your response. You hesitantly mirrored his movement, there was a taste of lavender in his kiss. It was sweet which made you lean in more. His hands were still on your cheeks, he didn't want to take things too far, not here. "Now do you believe me?" he asked, nose touching yours. You nodded and cried harder.

"But you said... that you wished you didn't love me? And you're getting married to Lady Hwasa. And.." you wiped your tears away violently. He pulled your hands away, but you kept on crying.

"Y/N, I still care about you so much. And nothing has changed. I'm sorry." He kissed your cheek. "I didn't mean to say that, at all. I had to put on the act in front of my uncle, and the engagement was his idea. I couldn't say no with all the political pressures."

"Your Highness, I did not kill the King." you said, suddenly remembering.

"I know, I know that my uncle did it and blamed you." He sighed and turned to look at Yoongi, who looked like he was falling asleep. "My father and I had always known of Daehan's evil deeds, I didn't think he would go so far as to kill his own brother."

"I'm so sorry, your Highness."

"No, I'm sorry for causing you all these pains. Seeing you in that situation, I wasn't thinking straight. I'm so grateful to Yoongi for doing what he did, he saved you, and I owe him my life. And Taehyung as well, I heard he took you in."

Yoongi chuckled silently. "You should release me then. I miss my bed." he said.

"I'm sorry hyung, not yet. I still need to figure out my uncle's plan and stop him. Keeping both of you in here will be the safest option."

"I wish I could do more for you." you said. He turned to you and smiled.

"You're alive, that's all I need."