In Between Worlds | Lee Juyeon x Reader

Chapter 22:

"There must be a way, Hatter. There has to be at least one single way for you to talk to your daughter again."

I say as an idea comes up in my head, letting go of Hatter as I later help him get up from the floor. If I can tell Y/N or the prince to call for the Hatter to serve them extra tea or make custom clothing for their wedding, maybe Hatter can come and talk to his daughter. I know that Y/N is still overwhelmed with the fact that her father is still alive but I shouldn't care.

I don't want Hatter to die of hopelessness.

"I know what to do."

I tell him with an encouraging tone so that his mood lightens up.

"Will it work?"

Hatter asks with a worried look on his face as I nod, disappearing in my purple fog as I appear at the entrance of the Tulgey Woods. I walked around, simply observing the woods before I exit as quick, scattering sounds of leaves were heard. I rolled my eyes, looking behind me to see my father once again.

The face of a traitor, I see.

"Lost in the forest again, Son?"

My father grins, resting his back against one of the branches of the tree.

"You betrayed me. You betrayed the rest of us! What are you still doing here?!"

He betrayed my deal with him and I just can't believe that I ended up having a father like him. No wonder why I am a disappointment to him... It's because I'm nothing like him.

I might keep secrets but I haven't betrayed anyone. I won't do that! How could someone do that to his own son?!

"I did not betray you one bit, Ju. I have my own plans in order to achieve what we've planned altogether!"

He grits his teeth, resting his chin over his knuckles as I snarl in disbelief.

"Then, why did you do such a thing?!"

I yell back, causing him to jump off of the branch and face me eye-to-eye.

"The prince was making himself look suspicious, wanting the marriage to be on paper when we all know that this queen is all about tradition. So, I went the opposite way to make it seem as if we're planning nothing but organizing the wedding with her!"

He spoke quickly, raising his voice in every word he put emphasis on.

"Juyeon... Think better, eh?"

He gives me a pat on my back as I look down at the ground in guilt. Maybe I shouldn't be too gullible about this. My father knows what he's doing.

Maybe he's not tricking us this time.

"You're my son and I know you're better than that."

He says, disappearing in smoke as I cough out because of the unpleasant smell. I didn't know that it was his backup plan to "help" the queen with the wedding. I didn't know that he was protecting us from being viewed as suspicious Underlandians. That's the worst thing we could all be seen as...

We shouldn't appear suspicious or our heads will be... chopped off.

~ Sunwoo's P.O.V. ~

It was very much visible that the girl didn't like Chanhee in the same way. Both of them preferring to link arms instead of holding hands explained that fact a lot. But the way Chanhee just had this lingering look at her whenever she goes to where the queen ordered her to go to make me finally conclude that the prince was indeed very in love with her.