✓ the hooded princess • kim seungmin

f i v e

My family will surely find out I'm gone. They won't let me attend the class anymore.

I puffed my cheeks and looked around. The room was occupied by archery equipment. They were separated by cabinets that made this room look neat and clean. At the corner of the room there's some swords. My eyebrows knitted in wonder. Why do they have so many swords?

Eight in total.

Coming into conclusion that he might have other siblings, I looked at the other side. My eyes travelling halted when seeing Seungmin silently treated the wound on his arm at the side of the bed.

I pressed my lips together. Even though he was injured by me he saved me from that unknown guy.

I pushed away my suspicion towards him. Scooting closer, I tapped his shoulder.

"Is it bad?" I found myself asking him. He glanced towards me for a second and shook his head. The wound didn't look deep or bad, but I cringed when he disinfected them.

That must hurt.

A small sigh escaped my lips as I sat in my previous position while hugging my knees.

"Why do you look so upset?" he asked.

I hesitated to answer. "I hurt you."

"Figured out."

Clicking my tongue in annoyance, I glared. "Why did you save me?"

"I told you, you're a princess. I'm the son of the royal archer. If I left you there they'd suspect the closest people around you," he shrugged. "Just don't want to get into jail before my thirties even if I want to actually kidnap you."

I hissed and he lightly chuckled.

"What's so funny?"

"How you have bad speculation about me but still sitting here."

"If I'm not injured I wouldn't be here."

"Even if the gate closed?" I nodded, "Then where would you live for one night?"

"Han's," I muttered. He chuckled again, as if he was teasing me. "Shut up, I know what you're thinking right now. Just finish treating that first and send me home. There's a way to get in."

Seungmin just hummed. He put a bandage over the wound and got up. Without letting me stand properly he already pulled my arm. I yelped. "Do you have a death wish?"

"Now that does look hurt." he smirked, "Come on princess, a courier is waiting for you outside." he said and left immediately. I couldn't count how many times I rolled my eyes because of this annoying guy. Taking my sword, I limped out to the kitchen's door.

There's no courier, no vehicle, no horse to ride. I had to walk.

I approached Seungmin who stood in the middle of the open space with his hands tucked into the cloak's pocket. "Do I seriously need to walk?" I muttered, avoiding eye contact.

He sneered, "You can use the sword as a cane."

"Use the sword to stab you sounds nice too."

He cringed, "My arms are hurting. I cannot carry you like a bride or give you a piggyback ride, can I?"

"You can't even touch me."

"Or what?" he raised a brow, taunting. I showed him my sword and he scoffed. "Quit it, you're already walking." That's when I realised we were already walking away from his house. The pain was bearable while talking to him. "But how do you climb the stairs later on?"

"I still can walk." I stated the obvious and gave him a weird look. He just nodded thoughtfully and we continued walking in silence. Like Han's house, his house was not that far too. Plus his father works for the royal family so supposedly he's living nearer to me compared to Han's house.

As we were approaching the castle we noticed there's a small crowd in front of the gate. I closed my eyes and heaved out a heavy breath. Hesitantly I held out my arm to him. He laughed a bit, taking my arm and putting it around his neck. His other hand snaked to hold my waist. "I thought you're going to let me get caught."

"You saved my life, shut it or I make you look like you hurt me."

"Ironically, you were the one who did that."

"One more word- yah!" I hit his arm when he suddenly walked. "Idiot! You hurt my feet more!"

"It's intentional." he pouted his lips. I swear if it was not because of the crowd and this injury I would have buried him in front of this castle as a memorial. My mind was full of profanities until one of the guards spotted me. I hung my head low in defeat when seeing my parent's disappointed look.

I heard Seungmin sighed, "It's alright, they just care about you. Staying in the castle is the best option."

"You think so too?" I mumbled, already disliking what's going to happen.

He hummed while tightening the grip on my hand. He turned his head to me. "You're injured. Stay in the castle and that unknown guy won't appear anytime soon."

Right, the unknown guy. I almost died because of him.

Seungmin let go of me when we reached the gate. My mother let out a trembling sigh. She immediately ran to me and engulfed me in a hug. "Honey, what did we say about going out at night? You got me worried sick!"

"I'm sorry." I said halfheartedly. My father shook his head lightly. I bowed as an apology. "I guess they told you." I looked over to the guards and my mother nodded.

"This is why you should not go out at night, Eunkyung. Look what happened." My father referred to my leg and hand. "Also the sword, it's not something you can play with."

I have been playing with swords ever since I was little. I grew up with my ancestors. They taught me how to fight because a princess living outside the castle was dangerous for her. I thought my parents had already understood me.

I guess not.

"Thank you for bringing our princess home, Seungmin." I heard my mother say. I couldn't move an inch. Being scolded in front of him was embarrassing. Suddenly I want to dive into the pavement.

"It's my responsibility, Your Majesty." His voice was one hundred percent different from the way he talked to me. This one was way more polite, soft and formal.

I glanced towards him and he sent a small smile with a hand waved. I ignore it. The only thing I'm supposed to worry about is my schedule after this. My parents would probably fill my free time at night with some royal classes.

Oh, to be a normal folk.

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