white rose. // jinjoo

IV: feohtan

They went home when it was already past midnight. The ride home with Pearl was a little bit awkward, well for Minjoo at least. She was so awkward around Yujin, and it didn't help that Yujin was just literally behind her on the ride, back hugging her because she needed to hold the strap while she was in front of her.

And as expected, the royal guards, guests, especially the Queen and King were panicking, searching for the princess around the palace premises and even outside. Yujin sighed, she knew she'll be punished for escaping the princess away from the palace but it's worth it, she got to spend time with her, confessed, and even shared a kiss with her. The guard blushed when she remembered what happened earlier.

"OVER THERE!" A palace guard shouted while pointing at their nearing figure at the gates. The people who're crowding over the gate gasped when they saw Minjoo and Yujin, riding a white horse.

"MINJOO!" Chaewon shouted first as she was the only family member with Yongbok who are waiting at the gate.

Pearl slowly came into a halt when Yujin gripped and moved the strap. When the horse stopped, almost everyone ran to them with a relieved expression on their faces.

Yujin unmounted from the horse first before helping Minjoo to go down. The princess just kept mum, nearing herself to Yujin when the others started to bombard her with a lot of questions and swarmed over her, very uncomfortable.

Chaewon pushed off the crowd, hugging her cousin. "Minjoo! Where have you been, oh dear god!" She exclaimed and pulled away to cup Minjoo's cheek. The princess smiled. "I'm okay, I'm not hurt." She answered timidly and the orange head snorted. "Of course! You're with Yujin, you'll go home without a scratch. I know you'll be with her because she was also missing that's why I'm not really that worried, but I'm just scared for you both later at your parents." She said, side-eyeing the quiet guard. Minjoo gulped at the mention of her parents, they will definitely be upset.

"I'm sorry that I worried all of you, and even ruined the night. I apologize for running off with Yujin without a word, I just wanted to think peacefully because the recent events made me feel suffocated." The princess said to the guests that are outside with a hint of guilt on her voice. She felt a tap on her shoulders and saw Yongbok trying to comfort her.

"We heard," He started off and sighed. "But still, you made us get so nervous-wreck." And earned a nudge from his twin sister.

Minjoo was about to respond when the crowd suddenly went into half, giving way for the King and Queen. Both of them are hurrying to their daughter. "Minjoo, dear!" Her mother shouted, tears forming on her eyes while the King just intently looked at her with a worried yet angry expression.

"Where did you go, young lady! We're so worried! We can't find you inside the palace!" He yelled. Haejoo just embraces her daughter.

Minjoo bit her lower lip and nervously looked at her Father. "I-I asked Yujin to escape me—" She's not even finished when the King already made his way towards the quiet guard and grabbed her collar. "YOU! Why did you take my daughter out of my palace?!" He shouted at her, eyes burning in anger but Yujin just hung her head low and did not fire back, expecting for the worse.

"FATHER! Stop it! It's not Yujin's fault! I'm the one who asked her to take me out of this place!" Minjoo went over to them, defending Yujin from the wrath of the King.

But Minhoon just threw dagger looks to the guard and didn't pay attention to his daughter. "How dare you, you wolf!? You know I forbid Minjoo to take a step on the outside world because it's so dangerous and here you are! You should obey the King's words, dirty dog!" He hissed, and Haejoo tried to calm him down. Yujin didn't faze at the harsh words, only Minjoo can break her walls and heart, Minjoo is the only person who can make her feel bad and hurt.