sɴᴏᴡᴛᴀᴇ│ᴛᴋ [reposting]

.ɪɪ.

"Please tell me what is wrong," asked the Prince, standing on the mossy bank of a clear stream they had come across while galloping through the woods. They hadn't stopped once since their departure from the castle that morning and the horses were exhausted.

The hunts woman was filling the water bag and didn't look up as she replied, "what makes you think there is something wrong?"

"First of all, we're in April, in the middle of mating season. We don't hunt during mating season. You taught me that."

She nodded. "I'm glad you remember that."

The boy went on. "Second of all, we've crossed paths with at least three different set of tracks. A boar, a stag, and a couple of hares. Yet you didn't bother to trail any of them."

"Well done. You make me proud."

"Third of all, when hunting, travel light. What's with the heavy satchel full of supplies?"

She finally grinned. "I don't have anything left to teach you."

The boy's seemingly carefree attitude hid a rather insightful mind. He would be alright, she thought.

"We're not out here to hunt, are we."

This wasn't a question. The Prince was merely stating a fact, awaiting for an explanation.

The woods were still on castle grounds, but the hunts woman knew that further north was an ancient mountain that marked the edge of the kingdom. She finally managed to meet the young man's inquisitive eyes. "The Queen has gone mad. She wants you dead."

She pulled out her knife. Before the boy could process what was happening, she had transferred the satchel to his shoulder and slid the blade inside his belt. "Go north. Run if you can. Get away from her evil magic and hide where she may never find you!"

Hadn't his skin been already pale, he would have turned white at those words. He just stood there, horrified. "But—why?!" was all he could ask.

He had served his stepmother to the best of his abilities, and always done her bidding in spite of the lack of acknowledgement, let alone gratitude. What else could he have done?

"It's not what you did or didn't do. It's what you are."

The woman had barely uttered those last words, yet he still heard them. "What do you mean? What am I?"

"There's no time left. Daylight is your ally. You must flee at once. GO! Go find shelter before night falls."

Prince Taehyung noticed the tears glistening in her eyes and finally grasped the gravity of the situation. He went in for a hug. Surely, his lifelong mentor wouldn't deny him that. After the hasty embrace, and armed with courage he didn't know was in him, he turned around and disappeared into the darkening forest.

Her watchful gaze followed him until his shadow vanished from sight, heart clenching at the thought of the young prince being much too precious for this cruel world.

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