вσdчguαrd!?!| (Hak X Reader)

Chapter 24

Hak's P.O.V.

I hear sobs. Sobs mixed in with grunts and I'm caught at a crossroad. I'm torn between going to the sobs who are most likely (Y/n) and Yona who is swinging around a knife carelessly. (Y/n) wants to be alone. But she needs someone

I need to help her

I push my throbbing heart aside. The rain begins coming down harder and my body heat feels fleeting. She must be even colder. You've been out since early morning. It was concerning. Your behavior ever since seeing that man in the forest had been concerning

A bright flash of lightning illuminates the sky and I unconsciously pick up my pace. The clap of thunder follows soon after. The storm is upon us. The pit of my stomach contorts uncomfortably, and a feeling of anxiousness creeps up the bottom of my spine

There she is

Alone. Curled up on the floor whaling. She looks broken, desperate as she clings to the large carved stone. "(Y/n)! What are you doing out here in the rain like this!? How long have you been here?" she can hardly even look up. Why did I ask. I'm an idiot, like I don't already know the answer to that. I kneel down by her side and just pull her into my arms

At first she struggles against my grip to try and return to what looks like a grave. But reluctantly sinks into my arms, arm still outstretched to the stone. I turn my back to the waterfall and her head buries itself into my shoulder, her left arm still reaching from over my shoulder

"You're an idiot"

I'm not much better myself. Expecting a witty remark but am met with silence. It's sobering. This isn't the (Y/n) I know, not right now. Not as she trembles in my arms like a frail crumpled leaf shaking wildly in the wind

I spot a cave. The thunder gets louder and closer. We're too far to make it back to the others and my mind wanders to the princess. Is she still out in this weather?

I set (Y/n) down and kneel beside her, patting her head and going to leave "Please" a cracked plea stops me in my tracks, and I finally get a decent look at her face. There it is, the gravitational pull that chains me to her. I can't bear to leave when her eyes look so sad, so desperate

I collapse at her side. And she leans her shoulder on mine "Today's their anniversary" I hum curiously

"Today marks five years since the collapse of the Meiji kingdom of the North"

My eyes widen in shock. This isn't where I expected (Y/n) to go. I expected a name, or a relation but not a historical fact like this

"It was an organized revolt. Led by an outside organization and supported by our own military" She hides her face in her palm. Its hard to watch; I don't want to see her pain. The turmoil in her shaky voice

"Shh it's okay" I pet her head "You don't need to say anything"

"No! I've withheld my past from all of you for far too long now. I'm practically a stranger. You know absolutely nothing about me while you've all shared your life stories. It's about time I let you in" her voice cracks every few words and it's hard to restrain myself from just pulling her into my chest again

"I'm a fugitive of the neighboring Kingdom. I was banished by an organized rebellion against the royal family. I belong to a very small clan of the royal bloodline's side branch. The (L/n) clan"

I marvel. I've heard of them. They're a family of warriors assigned to protect the royal family directly

"I was procreated to protect his royal highness, Prince Haru. My mother bore two children. My elder brother and myself. He- he and I are three years apart and he was to be Prince Haru's personal bodyguard" her voice broke "But he was executed for treason before it could be made official" her chin scrunched and her lip quivered "I was twelve... I don't even know what he did wrong!" she wailed. I could no longer resist the urge and I pulled her into my lap. Arms wrapping around her trembling figure