Silent Vengeance

EPISODE-9

Ji-Dwi's POV

"Mother, I find myself in a dilemma—my heart urges me not to believe you, while my mind insists that I should place my trust in your words," Ji-Dwi spoke, his voice heavy with inner turmoil. The silence in the room felt suffocating, as though each word hung in the air like a whispered confession, too grave to be ignored.

"Dearest, I assure you, this is the truth," the queen responded, her voice laden with a mixture of frustration and solemnity, her brow furrowed with evident concern.

Ji-Dwi's gaze remained fixed upon her, his emotions torn between doubt and longing. Could he truly accept the woman who had raised him as his mother, the one who had shaped his world, as the bearer of such a monumental revelation? Or was this a deceit that could shatter everything he had known?

Meanwhile, in the Clinic

No One's POV

"Hey, get down from there! You'll break it!" Min-Lee chastised Hansung, who was perched carelessly atop her desk, a look of pure boredom written across his face. She swatted lightly at his arm, urging him to descend.

"Why are you even here?" Min-Lee inquired with a raised eyebrow, her tone a blend of exasperation and curiosity.

"I was simply seeking respite from the monotony," Hansung shrugged nonchalantly, his mischievous grin a stark contrast to the seriousness of the situation. However, his sentence was cut short by the unmistakable voice of his brother.

"Hansung! Come to the backyard. It's time for practice," he ordered, his voice firm and commanding.

Hansung sighed, clearly displeased by the interruption, but he acquiesced with a reluctant nod. "Fine, fine," he muttered, sliding off the desk. He gave Min-Lee a fleeting wave before stepping out, leaving her to return to her duties.

Sun-Woo's POV

The dormitory was eerily quiet as I lay upon my bed, staring at the ceiling with a sense of ennui creeping into my bones. The day's classes had been adjourned, and we were granted a full day of rest. However, all I felt was a dull sense of disillusionment.

In a bid to alleviate the tedium, I approached Su-Ho, who was lazily sprawled across his own bed, a faint trail of drool escaping from his lips. I shook him lightly.

"Su-Ho, rise and shine," I called to him. He groggily stirred, blinking up at me with the weariness of someone who had just emerged from a deep slumber.

"Hmm, what is it?" he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

"I need your counsel," I said, sitting beside him. "I've been thrust into a role I barely understand—acting as Ah-Rho's brother. We're not blood-related, and yet, I must assume the position of a sibling. I've no experience in such matters. I need your guidance on how to behave."

Su-Ho stretched languidly, cracking his knuckles as though preparing for a battle. "Ah, so you wish to learn the fine art of siblinghood?" he said, a grin creeping across his face. "Having a younger sister is a blessing, you know. A bit of playful teasing, a few jests, and you've formed a bond."

"Teasing? Bullying?" I raised an eyebrow, dubious.

"No, no, not bullying," Su-Ho replied with a dismissive wave. "It's harmless fun. You playfully torment her—grab her neck, make it seem like you're choking her, you know, just a little 'brotherly' torment. It gets them riled up, and they'll probably whack you in the end, but it creates a connection. Then, you just keep annoying her, saying things that will get under her skin. Trust me, it's foolproof."

I stared at him, uncertain. "But won't she get hurt?"

"Nah, not really. It's all in jest. But you have to keep it light-hearted. Don't cross any lines, and it'll work."

I left his bed with this unorthodox advice in my mind, my mission now clear: find Ah-Rho and test this strange theory.

Ah-Rho's POV

I was walking through the courtyard when I noticed Sun-Woo approaching me, a strange look on his face. Before I could greet him, he suddenly lunged at me, pretending to choke me. His hand clamped awkwardly around my neck for a moment before he quickly released me, his face flushed with embarrassment.

What just happened? I thought, stunned. Sun-Woo, usually composed and thoughtful, had acted in the most bizarre manner. His sudden, awkward retreat only added to the confusion. What is he doing?

I stood there, my mind racing, trying to make sense of his odd behavior. It was clear that something was off, but I didn't have time to dwell on it.

Ah-Rho's POV (continued)

I shook my head and continued toward the clinic, but something caught my eye. Min-Lee was hurriedly covering something on her desk, her movements sharp and deliberate. When she saw me, she quickly discarded the large sheet she had been using to hide whatever was beneath it.

"Ah-Rho," Min-Lee greeted me, her voice strangely calm, though her tense posture betrayed her unease.

"I saw that," I said, crossing my arms. "What are you hiding, Sis?"

Min-Lee sighed deeply, as though the weight of the secret had become too much to bear. She motioned for me to approach, her voice dropping to a whisper. "It's time to act, Ah-Rho," she began. "I'm orchestrating something. A plan to have Sun-Woo assume the role of the king, at least temporarily. The queen's influence is waning, and Ji-Dwi will soon be ready to claim what is rightfully his. But until then, Sun-Woo must take up the mantle."

She explained the intricate details of the scheme, outlining how they would manipulate the situation to their advantage. It was a dangerous path to walk, fraught with risks, but Min-Lee was resolute in her plan. She needed someone she could trust, and she had chosen me.

"I'm counting on you, Ah-Rho," Min-Lee said, her voice filled with quiet urgency. "But this must remain between us. No one else can know."

"I swear, I won't tell a soul," I assured her, my heart heavy with the gravity of the situation. "I'm sorry for your loss, Sis. I can't imagine what it must be like, but I understand the need for this."

Min-Lee placed a hand on my shoulder, her eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and sorrow. "Thank you, Ah-Rho. You don't know how much this means to me."

Min-Lee's POV

I watched Ah-Rho leave, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. She was the one person I could trust with the delicate details of my plan. The stakes were high, but with her assistance, there was hope.

As I turned to resume my work, Hansung entered the clinic. His easy smile and carefree demeanor always had an effect on me. He was so different from the others—so full of life, so full of light.

"Is something going on in here?" he asked, a playful glint in his eyes as he surveyed the room.

I quickly covered up my anxiety, putting on a casual smile. "Oh, just some planning. Nothing major."

Ah-Rho, ever the mischief-maker, shot me a sly grin. "Can I steal Min-Lee for a moment?" she asked, her tone dripping with playful intent.

Hansung's face lit up. "All yours," he said, with a wink.

I followed Hansung out of the clinic, our path leading us toward the Hwarang dorms. However, upon arrival, the scene before us was far from what I had anticipated. The dormitory had descended into chaos, a battleground where hwarangs clashed mercilessly with one another. The air was thick with tension, and amidst the turmoil, Sun-Woo lay motionless on the ground.

Edited: 30012025

author's note 

heya people sorry for the late update, will surely update regularly now onwards. thank you so much for 1k reads I literally appreciate you guys. 

see ya....

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