Save Me (Kim Namjoon X Readers)

Chapter 1

The weight of the letter dragged him down, even more than the sword hanging at his side. It took him 10 minutes to reach the door when, on any other day, would take him only milliseconds. The smell of wood was always soothing to him. The door looked the same as any other in this town, maybe even the whole world, but there was something else about this one in particular that he had always loved, something unattainable. He couldn't delay it any further, the letter demanded to be read.

With a steady knuckle, he knocked on the door. Three thuds, the usual. The door cracked open and a slightly older woman greeted him with a hesitant smile. There was a feeling in his gut that she didn't like him, and he was almost correct. She pitied him, just like everyone else in the world. All except one. "Hello, Namjoon." she said.

"Good morning, Lady Hana. I have a letter from the young Master." he replied. Hana pulled the door back a little bit and Namjoon stretched his neck to see if he could catch a glimpse of what inside, rather, who. But Hana knew better and expertly positioned herself well. She was already dressed in her hanbok, soft brown with some embroidered daisies. A hanbok that is much simpler than the other inhabitants of the house and one that showed her social status.

"Wonderful, the Lady has been looking forward to it all morning." Hana answered. "You may go now." Just as she was about to close the door, Namjoon jerked his foot out to keep it open. Hana blinked, waiting for an explanation. She was growing impatient.

"Excuse me, but I was wondering if I may greet the young Lady. It's only customary." he lied. It was not the custom at all. In fact, if the young Master knew of this action, Namjoon would sure be punished.

Hana parted her lips. "I'm afraid the young Lady is busy with her writing right now and would not take any guests-"

"Hana, is that Namjoon?" asked someone from behind the door. At the sound of your voice, Namoon perked up and could not suppress a smile. Hana grew nervous, she did not want her Lady to get in trouble with her parents. It was already risky that a man was near an unmarried woman's presence, but it was worse that the man was far from noble lineage.

"Yes, and I was just about to send him home."

"Nonsense," you said. "He must be tired from his trip, invite him in for some tea." Upon hearing that, Namjoon was mentally preparing himself to enter your room. But Hana hadn't opened the door for him.

"My Lady, I don't think that would be appropriate. Please consider who he is." she said quietly, but it was enough for Namjoon to hear. His shoulders dropped a little bit and his body shifted backward. Hana eyed him up and down. From afar, no one would be able to tell he wasn't noble. He was dressed in expensive silk, his hair was neat, and his face was even handsome to some. Nonetheless, Hana did not want her Lady to be associated with people like him. They were far below you in her opinion.

"He is Kim Namjoon, and he is my friend." you declared. You wondered why Hana was being so hostile right now. She practically watched Namjoon grew up in the Kim's residence. Still, she hadn't moved. You got up from your table and approached the door. Hana blocked the door with her body but you could see the figure outside. He hung his head low, as he does most of his life. He was wearing his midnight blue Hanbok, the one designed for combat, with a matching headband.

"No man should step inside your room except for your future husband." Hana stated clearly. At that moment, Namjoon looked up and made eye contact with you. He stopped breathing and it wasn't until you smiled at him that he found the courage to take in air again. He studied the rosiness of your cheeks, your long braid with a red ribbon at the end, your striking red hanbok to match. Suddenly, he loves red.

"Alright then." you said. "Meet me in the garden, Namjoon."

"But my Lady-"

"No but's. Go get the tea ready." you ordered. With no other options, Hana nodded and headed for the kitchen. Still stunned by your offer, Namjoon walked to the garden and sat under the modest gazebo. He tapped his foot impatiently, then cursed himself for it, but continued to do it anyway. He scanned the surroundings for the sight of you, afraid that you would blend perfectly into the garden. Then he saw it, the red.

"My apologies for taking so long." you said once you got near him.

"Please do not apologize for anything, my Lady." he said immediately after.

You scrunched your nose. "I told you not to call me that. It's so weird."

"I dare not to call you by your first name. It's reserved for someone with more class than me, I'm afraid." Namjoon smiled bitterly. Once again, his head was down to the ground,

"Good thing you know." Hana said under her breath. You turned and gave her a glare. You began pouring the tea and handed the cup to Namjoon. At the same time, his hand had already moved and a slight physical contact was made. But you both pulled away before Hana could notice.

"Thank you for the tea."

"Thank you for bringing me the letter." you giggled. The letter, Namjoon thought, he was hoping it wouldn't come up right now. "My heart was pounding while waiting for it. I was starting to think he forgot about me."

Namjoon gulped as his body shook. "The young Master would never forget about you. He had just been busy with his studies. But you can see from the letter that he cares very much about you."

You blushed and looked down at your hand, admiring the jade ring your lover had given you. "It was silly of me to worry. Soon we will wed and things will be alright."

Namjoon felt his heart breaking once more. Like it had when the proposal happened. "Yes, soon, you and the young Master will wed and things will be alright."