Almost Killing the Prince | Minsung ✓

-II-

Jisung was stupid to think that the guard captain wouldn't remember him. He was stupid to forget what town he was in as well- and he stupid for failing to hide his recently acquired bag of silver he worked so hard for, as the guards stripped him clean of possessions except for the clothes on his back.

They thought it would also be funny if they tied him to one of the wooden pillars the archers use for their target practice.

It was near midnight, the moon still rising to get at the peak of the sky- he's been tied to a pillar since sunset.

He was sure they were going to execute him. Hyunjin apparently wasn't joking about the general wanting his head served on a platter. And considering how none of the guards ever came his way (except for the few guards that patrolled the wall to check if Jisung hasn't escaped), it was safe to say that he was an insect in their mercy.

Really, Jisung wished alcohol poisoning got to him first. But it felt like every time he drank, he felt less and less of the effects brought by the liquor, no matter how strong it was.

Though if the archers torture him by shooting arrows near his head come morning, he kind of wished that his head was swimming in drunken thoughts.

But he's been ready- with everything passing him by so quickly, it was hard to continue living from scrap food. Even the money that he bargains from stolen items seemed to last him at least a couple of days; if he were to die now,  nothing would last.

No one would remember him- who would? He was a thief. Maybe the guards would, though they would be relieved that another rat was off the streets and no more merchants would go complaining to them.

And what about his goals? Did he finish everything he wanted in life? His life long dreams?

After finding comfort in liquor, he thought he's lost them. And for good reason too. What was there to life other than the sappy happy endings? Happy endings that, for people like Jisung, are impossible to get.

Tied up, hungry, and sore, Jisung was ready to receive what he deserved years ago. He only wished that his next life would at least be better than the shit thrown at him in this one.

Though his body tried to escape on impulse, the small survival instinct that barely got control of his wrists as he squirmed around the bounds, Jisung shut his eyes.

He thought of the last things he could've done. Tap his foot? Breathe? Not much.

What must've been hours seemed like minutes to him. He stopped struggling and his breathing slowed. He couldn't feel the ropes against his wrists anymore and maybe it was a good thing. He still felt the slight pressure the ropes around his torso and shoulders had, but it was easily forgettable. If he focused enough, maybe he could pretend he was-

"Yah." Jisung jumps- or tried to- when he felt cold water splash against his face. He let out a gasp, eyes darting and squinting at the torch that a guard held close to his face. "Wake up."

"I wasn't sleeping," Jisung huffs, Hyunjin crossing his arms with his eyebrows arched.

"If you were thinking of us letting you go-"

"I wasn't thinking of that either," Jisung grimaces, feeling the heat of the torch close to his skin. The guard pulls it away with a chuckle, especially when Jisung eyes him from the corner of his eye.

"The general wants you dead," Hyunjin gestures to Jisung, the guard handing the taller the torch before he goes to cut the rope around the thief from behind the pillar. 

"Shouldn't I pretty myself up then?" Jisung mocked, Hyunjin scoffing.

"Savor your words thief. It won't be long till you're dead."