Yuna shivered as soon as she stepped outside. It was dark out and the lanterns lit up the walkway. She hid in the shadows behind buildings. There were a few guards keeping watch at night. It would be difficult for her to make it past the guards without getting caught. She picked up a stone and tossed it as far as she could.
Luckily for her, the guards heard the sound and rushed towards the stone. She made her way around the building and into the garden. She made sure to not step on any branches to alert the guards. The trees and bushes were a great cover. She was easily able to maneuver through the garden without getting caught.
She made her way towards Minho's quarters. If Minho were to kidnap someone the prison cell should be near his courtyard. She remembers being locked up in there during her first life. She made her way through the garden towards his courtyard. It was a good thing she remembered the exact layout of Minho's residence, else she would have been lost.
While walking towards his residence, she heard muffled voices in the background. She tiptoed closer towards the sound of their voices. She found a large bush near the entrance to his personal courtyard. She hid behind the bush and focused on what they were saying.
Haemi's annoying voice loudly rung out, "Prince. Stop it tickles!" She peaked through the bush and found out Minho was tickling Haemi. They looked so happy together. Minho grinned, "I won't stop tickling until you admit that you love me." Haemi giggled, "That depends. You've been so busy lately. You don't spend enough time with me."
It seemed that Minho was plotting something. Yuna hoped that it wasn't related to Jimin or the Emperor. She worried that her 3 year absence may have accelerated his plans to assassinate them. Right now wouldn't be an ideal time for an assassination. He still hasn't gained anything from keeping her captive.
If the maids at his residence were correct, then her father must be causing a ruckus in the palace looking for her. It should be a very dangerous time for Minho to plot an assassination attempt. He's probably more focused on dating Haemi right now. Yuna reassured herself and tried to convince herself that the worst isn't happening.
Minho won't be able to easily gain support from her father. She already changed so much of the past. Her father and her have a better relationship. He wouldn't just easily give her away to Prince MInho. She trusted that her father was who she thought he was. He isn't the cold father she imagined. He truly cared for her and she believed in that.
While Yuna was lost in thought, Minho and Haemi continued to banter. Minho pouted, "You know I would spend eternity with you if I could. I just have so much work to do." Haemi smiled with a hint of sadness, "I understand." Yuna was shocked at how good of an actress Haemi was. She already had small pearl like tears at the corners of her eyes. If she were to become an actress, she would've already won a few rewards.
If Yuna were to guess what was happening, she would guess that Haemi was probably going on many dates with other guys while he was busy. It truly worked in her favor. She was probably hiding that fact by acting like she craved his attention. That's the typical signs of a cheater and a manipulator.
Minho fell for her tricks. He leaned in and began kissing her. Yuna cringed her forehead in disgust at the couple. For some odd reason, she didn't feel hurt at all. Watching them kiss made her compare her first kiss with theirs. Her first kiss was an accident. She wanted to forget the accidental kiss, but she never could.
Minho was kissing Haemi like a dog. It was gross. She could recall the soft touch of Eunho's lips brushing against hers. Although it was an accident and it wasn't a real kiss, he was the first. She's never kissed Minho in her past life. If Eunho kissed her, what would it feel like?
Yuna's face instantly burned red from the scene in her thoughts. She slapped herself to wake herself up from her delusions. She accidentally alerted Haemi and Minho with her sudden slap. Haemi leapt towards Minho and said, "I think there's someone watching us." Minho quickly grabbed his sword and pointed towards the entrance of his private residence.
Yuna quickly escaped towards the garden. She hid herself behind a tree and watched to see if she was being chased. Looks like Minho didn't chase her. She sighed in relief. Someone suddenly said behind her, "Are you hiding from someone?" Yuna jerked in surprise. She didn't expect that someone else would be here.
She slowly turned around and saw Princess Ara sitting by the tree. Since Yuna wasn't responding she asked, "Are you there? I know you're there." Yuna responded, "I'm here. Sorry, I was just surprised to see you sitting there." Princess Ara pointed at herself, "Do you remember me? You came to my birthday three years ago. Although it ended in disaster..."
Yuna nodded, "Of course. You're Princess Ara. I know who you are. I promised you I'd teach you how to read with the book I created. Would you like to learn?" Princess Ara smiled, "Yes. I waited so long for you, but I wasn't able to meet you. I really want to read. It's been so long since I had something fun to do. All I do is roam around the palace listening to gossip. It's boring."
Yuna laughed, "Gossip? What kind?" She shrugged, "All sorts: Romance, consorts battling it out and just a bunch of drama, but that's not the only thing. I know a lot of secrets. I can tell you if you're curious?" Yuna declined, "I am curious, but I wouldn't want to waste your time. I'm actually quite busy right now." Yuna made an attempt at trying to leave. She couldn't waste time talking to Princess Ara at the moment. She needed to save Sun.
Princess Ara interrupted her plans of escape, "I'm sorry for wasting your time, but I have to talk to you. Please just give me a few minutes for me to explain and you'll see why we need to talk. So, how long have you been out?" Yuna was a bit confused, "Out?" Princess Ara sighed, "My brother was keeping you captive for three whole years, right?" Yuna nodded, "It's sort of like that, but not really. I was unconscious for three years." She looked stunned, "You were unconscious? What did he do to you?" Yuna smiled reassuringly, "I'm okay. He hasn't done anything to me. I just got back from spying on him flirting with his consort."
Princess Ara asked, "Is that true? I thought my brother doesn't have a consort other than you." Yuna choked when she heard this, "I'm not his consort! I didn't agree to this marriage!" Princess Ara frowned, "but isn't that too late now? You've already spent three years at his residence."
Yuna frowned, "This is a misunderstanding. I was kidnapped, okay? The last thing I remember was being taken from my own home. How is that considered marriage?" Princess Ara sighed, "I understand how tragic that is, but people will talk. Plus, his majesty approved of my brother's arranged marriage."
Yuna explained, "Your brother won't reveal to anyone that I was at his residence. He kidnapped me and he can't bear the wrath of my father. My father has not approved of this marriage and neither have I." Princess Ara unexpectedly said, "Are you really a Guwon citizen? Do you understand that we live in a society where woman have no power? Once you've been taken away from your home and taken in by a man, you are already considered a wife."
Yuna felt sad thinking about how Princess Ara grew up to think this way. She believed that it was a woman's duty to get married and have babies. That was the only purpose for women. Yuna patted Princess Ara's head, "Don't worry so much. Your brother and father won't be able to tie me down. Both me and my father are strong and powerful. This marriage is definitely invalid."
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