❛❛ pirates attacked the palace ❜❜
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a few hours have passed and the sun was already setting in the horizon.
yeosang and soojin were seated on the grass, underneath a tall tree. smoke was still arising from the palace and sounds of canon fire was still heard.
the two were waiting for mingi's return. if the palace guard was to return. both were very worried for the people inside the palace.
soojin's mind kept on thinking about her two siblings, repeating mantras and prayers that they were safe. she'd imagine soobin swinging his sword, deflecting every attack whilst san stayed near the safe room, sword in hand and ready to attack any intruder, they would have not let him fight since the coronation was near, the people needed their future king to be safe.
a few minutes have passed and the two noticed that the canon fire has finally stopped. a loud bell was heard by the sea as the ship sailed away from their kingdom.
yeosang and soojin breath in a sigh of relief as the intruders have finally left, but both was still very tense.
an hour has passed when they finally heard the galloping of a horse near them. they turned to see mingi, riding in his steed, hair messy with mysterious dark stains littered all over his uniform. he had a very sullen look on his face, the palace guard was clearly bothered.
"the pirates have left" he said whilst dismounting his horse, his voice was strained as he felt a lump building up at the back of his throat. he wanted to tell them but couldnt bear to say the news.
"mingi" yeosang was the first to speak "what happened?"
the palace guard only stared at him then at soojin, his face etched with sadness and guilt.
"mingi" it was the princess now, her heart was beginning to beat fast inside her chest, nervousness creeping up on her "answer"
"t–they— the—" the palace guard looked down. yeosang approaches him and placed a hand on his back "they what?"
"they.. they took prince san"
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
soojin rode on her horse as fast as she can. the two shouted her name but she did not stop.
she wanted to reach the castle as fast as she can. the palace guard must have been joking.
within a few minutes soojin arrives at the palace, she dismounted her horse as she ran inside, a few servants approached her but she pushed past them until she reached her brother.
"soobin!" she shouted. soobin had a few cuts on his body and a bandage was wrapped around his leg.
the prince turned towards his sister and immediately embraced her "im so glad you're safe"
"what happened?" soojin asked, burying her face into her brother's chest.
"pirates attacked the palace, they didnt attack the town which was weird" soobin pulls away, holding soojin by her shoulders "they didnt take anything with them. no loot no gold... but... they took san"
"you're joking" she spat, staring at her brother's face, searching for any indication that the prince might have been lying, waiting for him to burst out laughing and saying how gullible she is for believing him "tell me you're joking"
soobin only looks down, not having the heart to tell her again. tears swelled up along soojin's eyes as she hugged her brother once again, much tighter than the first time.
they just lost her father a few weeks ago and now they have also taken their brother away from them. soojin wouldn't be able to take the loss of the two people she loved the most.
san was supposed to be king in two days. why did this have to happen?
─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───
a week has passed since the capture of the crown prince. the coronation was postponed and the people of zeeta was grieving once again.
everyone in the whole kingdom has thought that their beloved prince was already dead.
other kingdoms has sent their regards for another loss of the royal family.
soojin also has received a letter from the crown prince of sagwa, stating that he wished that he was there to comfort her.
for the whole time, the princess has locked herself inside her room, isolating herself from anyone and everyone— refusing to eat any food and comfort the people were giving her.
she just wanted to wrap herself inside her blankets and stare blankly at the four walls of her room.
she had stopped crying for a long time now, only to be left with an empty feeling inside her chest.
memories of san kept on replaying inside her mind nonstop, keeping her awake at night and depriving her from any sleep. she have grieved the lost of her brother more than when she had lost their father.
san was always there for her when she grew up, along with soobin who played with her and made her laugh even through the saddest of days. they both were around more than she had been with her parents since their father and mother had businesses to attend too.
soojin would often remember san wearing his coronation outfit— the golden crown nesting perfectly on his head, the smile on his face when soobin had told him that he looked like a real king. san was so happy that day.
a soft knock came on her door, disturbing the princess from her thoughts.
"princess, its yeosang" the wizard's voice was muffled through the door, voice gentle as he speaks "may i come in?"
soojin didnt reply as she only dug herself deeper into her pillows.
"im coming in" yeosang announce before opening the door.
the wizard stared sadly at the state of their princess. she had looked a lot thinner the last time he had seen her— skin pale and her usual bubbly aura gone.
yeosang placed the tray of food he was holding onto a table before crouching in front of soojin, coming face to face with her. he plasters a soft smile on his face as she stares back at him "i brought food. you should eat"
soojin only shakes her head, turning herself around so that her back was against the wizard "i dont want to" her voice was hoarse probably from the lack of water in take as well the fact the she has been crying nonstop the nights before.
"you need to" yeosang stands "do you think san would be happy to see you like this?"
the wizard approaches the tray he had brought and hands a glass of water towards soojin "drink"
soojin followed the wizard and took the glass of water, sipping it before handing it back empty "thank you"
"now eat" yeosang placed the tray in soojin's lap before signaling her to start eating.
soojin only picked on her food, taking a few bites of bread and eggs "i miss him"
the wizard smiled sadly at the princess "i miss him too"
the two shared a comforting silence as soobin came inside her room "knock knock" he said.
soojin weakly smiled at her brother "you know you're supposed to knock before entering right?"
"i know" soobin said "i just came here to tell you to get ready. i have a surprise waiting for you downstairs"
the younger raised her brow questioningly towards her brother "just get ready. i'll call in some maids to assist you" and with that soobin left.
yeosang and soojin just stared at eachother, confusion etched on both their faces.
"oh by the way" soobin's head poked around the door, a playful smile plastered on his face "you look ugly"
★
thank u so much for reading this book! i think we're at 50+ reads now and it's honestly amazing aksosndi