castle runaway. ˡᵉᵉ ᵈᵒⁿᵍʰʸᵘᶜᵏ

SEVENTEEN

Monique's POV

"I owe you so much, sir—" He chuckled. "I told you, call me Haechan. That's my name and I'm no 'sir'." He said and motioned his hand to the tea pot on the table. "More ginger tea?"

"I will help myself, thank you." I smiled and slightly bowed my head. He stood up from his seat. "But don't expect too much from me, really. I'm mostly mean and rude but apart from that, I was labeled as Good."

"Oh, don't worry. I was surrounded by rude people ever since I was born," I said and stared at the cup on my hands. "Except for the friend I talked about earlier. Three of them, at least, including him." I added.

He picked up the mortar and placed it in the sink. "My kindness is triggered today so don't tell me about it if you don't completely trust me yet," He turned to me and flashed a grin. "Would you mind watching over my house while we're away?"

I raised a brow. "With who?" I asked. "With my dog. His name is Elyas. Belgian. We're going to go out for a bit." He washed his hands and dried it using a towel hanging near a drawer.

"I don't mind at all." I said, emptied my ginger tea and stood up to follow him outside. "I will show you to your room later when we get back." I stood in the doorway as Elyas barked at me, wagging his tail.

"He doesn't bite. He does to people I don't know or hate," He pulled Elyas' leash. "The shocking part was he didn't bite you." I looked at the dog with wide eyes then back at Haechan. "That's a good thing, right?"

He shrugged. "He must have known I'm going to be acquainted with you," Elyas nodded like he understood our conversation. "Anyway, we better head off now. See you later!" He waved goodbye and they walked away from the house.

I shook my head as I returned inside and closed the door. He didn't even change his dirty clothes. I decided to clean the house but when I looked around, everything was clean and organized. At least his house looks presentable.

I have nothing to do and nothing to entertain myself so I went outside and sat down on the porch, just staring outside. I don't get bored with watching nature alone and I spent my hours there, no talking and no moving.

The sun was setting and the blue sky turned to a color mix of orange, pink and red. I stood up to get back inside when I heard barks behind me. I turned and saw Haechan and Elyas.

"Where have you been?" I asked. I also noticed Haechan has some packet with him. "Just in Snow Kingdom. Have some friends there and I decided to buy us some meat!" He raised the packet.

"How about Elyas?" He tied his dog to the terrace rail while replying, "He already ate Pinocchio's chickens. Poor wooden man was sad." He laughed and went inside. I tailed behind him and I immediately looked away when he took off his shirt.

"Oh, right, I'm not alone anymore. Sorry for that." I waited for him to say, "Dressed" and observed him as he put the meat on a deep bowl filled with water.

I fiddled with my fingers. "Sorry if I can't help you with the cooking. I always have maids with me." I said and looked down. He hummed. "Are you a princess?" He asked while putting a pan over the fire and poured some oil.

"'Was'. I ran away and I don't want to come back.. ever." I slumped down a chair and tapped my finger on the table. "That explains why. Don't worry, I lived alone for years. I'm just not sure if I can also help you."

I chuckled. "Again, I can help myself. Thank you so much for everything, Haechan." The corners of his mouth pulled up. "You're welcome, Monique." He replied and placed the meat on the pan.

He was honestly a good cook. He turned the meat from here and there and when he was done, he took the pan out on top of the fire. "Can you get me a plate?" He asked and I nodded.

I stood up and took a plate and placed it on the table, then he put the meat on it. "I bought a big one for the both of us. I don't really have something on me." I just nodded.

"Uhm, were you.." He gulped. I looked at him as he took the plate from me. "Were you serious of letting me kill you?" He asked in a small voice.

I nodded. "Yes. I don't really care anymore if I'm alive or not. My life was tiring enough. I want to rest and never want to wake up again." I said while sitting on a chair.

"You were serious." I heard him murmur. He placed the plate on the table and took another two including forks and knives. Haechan sat in front of me and he cut the meat into two. I took the other sliced side and started to eat it.

I felt the hairs on my skin stand up and I started to shiver. Haechan stopped eating. "Are you cold?" I gave him a small smile. "A bit, but I'm fine." I said and finished my dish.

I am so bipolar. My depression is eating me up again, alongside with guilt, anger, self-hate, sadness and every negative emotion. My heart skipped beats. I want to die.

Haechan also finished and he motioned for me to follow him to my supposed-to-be room. "You'll stay here," He opened the door and it was small bed room with a small bed in the left corner. "I'm once thankful for myself that I dust this room every week."

"Oh, no. You.. didn't need to." I said blankly. He looked at me. "Are you okay?" I nodded again. "Don't worry about me. See you in the morning." I went inside and slowly closed the door, Haechan disappearing behind it.

I just want to sleep.

Or die.

I didn't tell Haechan I have a fever. I wanted it. It can be on its worse stage and it would be the reason of my death. If I stay alive, I would probably pass through the same things from the past.

Hell, I don't know why I want to die, but it's like I'm going there already.

•••

Third Person's POV

Haechan watched as Monique closed the door in front of him. He sighed. "She sure is bipolar as hell," He walked back to the kitchen to wash the dishes. He put his hands on the end of the sink.

"The thing is," He pursed his lips and brushed his fingers on his hair. "She has the utmost desire to die."

•••