The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows over the camp as Jin-Ri sat in the tent, her mind racing. The prince had just walked out, determined to confront the outbreak that threatened their people, and her heart pounded with a mix of anger and concern. "If you wanted to die, you should have told me," she muttered to herself, clenching her fists. "I always wanted to kill irritating princes like you!"
As the hours dragged on, she felt the ache of worry deep in her chest. Young-Sik had excused himself several times, and each time, her irritation grew. "How many times has he excused himself?" Captain Gi asked, his brow furrowed in concern.
"I lost count at five, on the account of I don't care anymore," Jin-Ri replied, her lips pursed in annoyance. How could he be so reckless? It was infuriating.
But deep down, she felt the truth gnawing at her. Jin-Ri cared far more than she'd let on. Fate had a cruel way of revealing feelings, and soon enough, it would show her just how much she cared for the prince.
Suddenly, the flap of the tent was thrown open, and Young-Sik staggered back inside. He looked pale, his muscles trembling, and his skin glistened with sweat. "Ji…Jin-Ri," he gasped, struggling to keep his balance. His vision blurred, and before he could say another word, he collapsed to the ground.
"Your Highness!" Jin-Ri shrieked, rushing to his side. She cradled him in her arms, her heart racing. "Your Highness…please wake up!" Tears streamed down her cheeks as she pressed her forehead against his. The worry and fear enveloped her, and she couldn't help but sob.
As the group decided to move the prince to a nearby rich man's house, Jin-Ri remained by his side, tending to him with a fierce dedication. She helped him onto a makeshift bed in the receiving area, her hands gentle as she cleaned his fevered skin, fed him broth, and administered the medications Captain Gi had provided. "What were you thinking?" she whispered to the sleeping prince, her voice trembling. "Why would you do that? You're a prince, not a test subject."
"Your Highness," she continued softly, brushing a stray hair from his forehead, "all these selfless things you are doing are making it hard for me…not to notice you." She paused, her heart aching with unspoken words. If only he could hear her.
Meanwhile, back at their camp, two soldiers were startled by a sudden thud as an arrow struck the cart of medicine they were guarding. "What the—" one exclaimed, pulling the note attached to the arrow from its shaft.
"Look!" the other pointed, seeing a large contingent of soldiers gathering in the distance. They hurried to inform Captain Gi, who quickly gathered everyone to read the contents of the letter.
"The King has brought supplies, fresh food, water, additional medicines," he read aloud. "How are the prince and villagers? A barricade will be constructed around Haan three hundred meters away…"
Everyone turned to Jin-Ri, anticipation hanging in the air. Captain Gi stepped forward, concern etched on his face. "What should we tell them about the prince?"
"The truth," she replied, her voice steady despite the weight of her worry. "Tell them the prince is still unconscious. But also tell them that he discovered how the sickness spreads and how to cure those afflicted, but we need time to prove that his findings are correct."
"Okay, that sounds like a good plan as any," Captain Gi nodded, relieved by her clarity. "Miss Hong, please return to your post and care for the prince. The rest of you, go back to your stations."
As the soldiers dispersed, Captain Gi used the flag system to relay their message to the King. In his tent, Physician Go carefully read and analyzed the information sent back.
"According to the prince's findings, the disease spreads by ingestion of water contaminated by excrement from an afflicted person," he reported.
"Can it spread using other ways?" Minister Im asked, brow furrowed in thought.
"We are not sure yet," Physician Go replied. "According to Captain Gi, the prince instructed them to not let anyone in or out of the village until he is absolutely sure about this sickness."
The King sighed heavily, rubbing his forehead. "My son… The prince said that the waters of Haan caused this plague, right?" He turned to his advisors, determination hardening his expression. "Construct more barrels of water and deliver clean water every day. What else can we do to help the prince and his group combat this plague?"
Minister Im straightened, offering his advice. "We should ensure that the waters from Haan do not connect and contaminate other sources. We know this area was once a network of canals."
"A sound advice, Minister Im," the King agreed. "Tell the guard captain to dig a trench surrounding Haan, to cut off the flow of water in and out of the village."
With renewed purpose, the King stepped outside his tent, watching as soldiers relayed their orders. "Battle this plague, Prince Young-Sik, with all your might," he whispered into the wind, a prayer for his son's courage and strength. "You need to emerge victorious from this."
Inside the rich man's house, Jin-Ri remained by Young-Sik's side, her heart heavy with worry but filled with fierce determination. She knew the prince was sacrificing so much for their people, and she couldn't let him down now. She would stand by him, no matter the cost.
The moon hung high in the velvety sky, casting a silvery glow that danced on the surface of the earth. Jin-Ri sat beside her master, Prince Young-Sik, her heart heavy with worry. He lay unconscious, the pallor of his skin a stark contrast to the vibrant colors of his royal garments. "It's almost been a day. Why have you not woken up yet?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Come on, you irritating goblin, wake up." Her words were laced with desperation, a silent plea for him to return to her.
Just before midnight, fatigue overcame her. Jin-Ri's head drooped, her hand slipping away from its propping position. The sound of the wind rustling outside jolted her awake. She glanced at Young-Sik, still lost in the depths of unconsciousness. Panic seized her heart as she realized they were out of water.
"I'll be right back," she murmured her voice barely a whisper as she rose to head outside.
As she stepped into the cool night air, the peaceful stillness of the village belied the danger lurking in the shadows. Unbeknownst to her, masked men clad in black were infiltrating the village, their eyes set on the prince. They moved with the stealth of shadows, slipping from one house to another, their intentions dark and lethal.
Jin-Ri walked briskly toward the water source, her mind wandering back to Young-Sik. "I can't lose you," she thought, a knot tightening in her chest. Just then, an eerie sound echoed through the night—a noise resembling a bat's call. "That's strange. I've never heard a bat around here," she mused, a chill running down her spine. But she shrugged it off, focusing instead on her task.
Yet as she glanced left, a shadowy figure darted between the houses. Suspicion clawed at her gut. Her heart raced as she sprinted in the direction of the figure. Horror gripped her as she saw several men converging on the prince's resting place. "HELP! THE PRINCE IS UNDER ATTACK!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the night, a desperate call for help.
One of the masked men heard her and signaled the assassin approaching Young-Sik. The man, weapon drawn, crept toward the unconscious prince. Jin-Ri's heart sank as she realized the danger her master was in, her mind racing with thoughts of his safety.
The masked man raised his sword, intent on delivering a fatal blow. "No!" Jin-Ri cried, but it was too late. Just as the blade descended, Young-Sik, driven by instinct and sheer will, twisted and struck, his sword tearing through the assassin's side, sending him crashing to the ground, lifeless.
"Oh, thank the heavens!" Jin-Ri gasped, relief flooding through her as she saw Young-Sik, though barely standing, had awakened. "Your Highness, you're finally awake!" she exclaimed, but her joy was short-lived as the remaining assassins turned their attention to her.
"Uh-oh," was all she could muster as fear gripped her heart.
"Take the girl!" one of the masked men shouted, and three of them charged at Jin-Ri, their intentions clear. She felt a rush of adrenaline as she realized what was about to happen. But before they could reach her, Young-Sik summoned every ounce of strength left in his frail body and dashed to her side, positioning himself protectively between her and the assassins.
"Stay back!" he roared, unleashing a swift, powerful slash. The blade met flesh with brutal efficiency, taking down the three attackers in one fell swoop. But the exertion was too much. Young-Sik staggered, his body succumbing to the illness that had plagued him, and collapsed to the floor.
Panic surged through Jin-Ri as the assassins, realizing their chance to finish what they started, lunged toward the prince. Without a second thought, Jin-Ri threw herself in front of him, embracing him tightly. "No! You won't take him!" she shouted, determination igniting her spirit.
"Jin-Ri, no!" Young-Sik gasped, raising his sword with trembling hands, desperate to shield her from harm. Their eyes locked, a silent exchange of love and fear passing between them. In that moment, the world outside faded away, leaving only the two of them, bound by their unwavering devotion.
"If this is my time…my only regret will be if I didn't try to protect her, the one risking her life trying to protect me," He thought
"To die protecting him, not because it's my duty but because I want to…I have no regrets about that" She thought