Save Me (Kim Namjoon X Readers)

Chapter 35

Your father lifted his head up, upon hearing the squeak of the door. Namjoon flashed an apologetic smile, he debated if he should leave or not as to not disturb the father-daughter moment. The doctor stood up, "Your Highness, please come in." he spoke. Obeying the order, Namjoon entered and approached your bed. Your father waited until Namjoon stopped moving to pay his respect. The man started to kneel down, complying to royal customs It didn't matter now how Namjoon grew up, the important thing was that he's a prince.

Namjoon gasped and moved quickly to stop the man. "Please, it is not necessary." he assured. He had felt uncomfortable anytime anyone bowed to him or address him like he's the ruler. He would much rather if people would treat him the same way, but obviously, that would never happen again.

Lord Song shook his head, "It is the rule, Your Highness. I have to obey it." He was more than shocked to find out Namjoon's origin. He never held any grudges against the boy, in fact, he was much more fond of him than the Kim's young master. But he didn't voice his opinions since the household activities and relationships were mostly supervised by his wife.

"No, please don't," Namjoon pleaded, holding the man's arms. "I don't deserve this courtesy. And I certainly don't deserve the kindness you are showing me." When the man stood up, it was Namjoon's turn to kneel. Lord Song's eyes grew as it was his turn to pull Namjoon up. The Prince was much stronger, and stubborn. He didn't budge one bit.

"Your Highness, what are you doing?" Lord Song asked urgently. A part of him didn't want a maid or someone to see the Prince bowing in front of anyone that wasn't royalty. He also didn't want to see the boy in such a despair state. Your condition was taking a toll on Namjoon, your father realized that. He also realized the immense relationship between the two.

"I am so sorry, Lord Song," Namjoon began. "I had been too much of a coward to face you properly and apologize for everything I have done. I shouldn't have let her come with me. I should have done a better job at protecting her. I should have taken that stab for her. If I could, if my magic would let me, I would trade my life for hers."

Lord Song had also forgotten about the part that Namjoon had magic in his blood. He brushed that fact aside. "Please don't say that, it'll make her upset. And please stand up."

"No," Namjoon objected. "Not until I can forgive myself."

The doctor sighed, "For what it's worth, I have already forgiven you."

"What?" Namjoon shyly glanced up at the man, who had always shown a kind smile to Namjoon, even when he was an orphan boy with nothing to his name. Namjoon saw the same gentleness on his face as the time he would offer Namjoon food and writing lessons in companion to Lord Kim. Whenever Seokjin was out playing somewhere and forbade Namjoon to follow him, he would listen in on Lord Kim and Lord Song's conversation about politics and the battlefield. The men knew he was hiding, and they generously talked a little louder for the boy to hear. It must be why he felt a little more confident now with being a prince.

Your father sat down beside you on the bed. For now, he will allow the Prince's wish of kneeling before him. "I'll admit, I wanted to kill you when I heard what happened to my daughter." he chuckled a little, and Namjoon wanted to cry once he heard the anguish in your father's voice. "As a doctor, that would be morally wrong. But as her father, I knew she did it because she wanted to and even if you get the chance to redo everything, I'm so sure it would be her who takes the dagger. She's that stubborn."

"That sounds like her," Namjoon agreed. You wouldn't comply to anyone.

"And she's incredibly loyal. You saw how she devoted herself to Seokjin. I should have seen it coming, I wasn't able to ease her pain in time."

"I was the catalyst for everything. I shouldn't have opened my mouth."

Lord Song shook his head, "I think that was the only thing you could have done. She needed to know. Her mother needed to know. The Kim's needed to admit to it. Everything happens for a reason, and as much as I don't want to admit this, I am glad she went on this journey."

"Really?" Namjoon asked.

"I think I've sheltered her so much of her life. I thought it would be good because I want to protect her, and keep her safe from the world. But that did more harm than good. She relied on herself to build her dream and happiness that I should have provided for her. She was reaching out for love, connection, something more than just sewing and cooking. I should have taken her out to the market, to ride a horse, to pick up a sword and fight." As he spoke, his voice grew quieter and his eyes were glimmering under the sunlight.

"You still can," Namjoon interjected, "She will wake up and you can show her how to ride a horse."

The man laughed, "I heard from about the horse incident from Commander Jeon. I don't really think she will want to get on a horse ever again."

"You're right," Namjon nodded. "But I'm sure she would love to learn more from you, especially about medicine."

"Medicine?" your father repeated.

"She has a gift," Namjoon recited, remembering how you saved Yoongi in the village. And the medicine will help so many more people around the country. "She's passionate about helping people."

"I know, that's another reason why I'm not mad at you."

"Pardon?" "You helped her realize her passion." the doctor explained, "In a way, you were her first patient." Namjoon agreed, you did save his life, but hated that there's nothing he can do for you. All he could do was pray and wait.