"It's because he's sick. That's why I'm hanging with him," Jiyeon replied.

When both Nari and Jiyeon came around the classroom door, they heard yelling and shouting. Jiyeon asked, "What's going on here? Why is it so loud?" She shouted, "Jihoon!"

The scene was chaotic. Theodore was grabbing a student's collar and hitting him, furiously shouting, "I knew it! You're an assassin! Tell me who sent you!"

Jiyeon, totally confused, thought, **_What on earth is he talking about??_**

Jiyeon rushed to Theodore, who was in the body of Jihoon, and loudly exclaimed, "What are you doing?" She pulled his hand, and he glared at her furiously, shouting, "This time, I'm not going to listen to you!"

With determination, Jiyeon dragged Theodore out of the classroom. As they left, she turned back and apologized to the students on Theodore's behalf. "Jihoon is not in his right mind due to his sickness," she explained.

The scene then shifted to the sickroom. After closing the door, Jiyeon yelled at Theodore, "What were you up to?"

Theodore explained, "That boy fed me fiery noodles, and I know he's up to something."

Grabbing his hand, Jiyeon clarified, "It's normal for our culture to have such spicy food. They just fed you out of concern because you missed lunch today."

Theodore realized his mistake and asked, "Now, what should I do?"

Jiyeon, responded, "You have to apologize for the fuss you caused. And remember, don't do it with that proud face. Make sure you look sad and guilty."

Theodore replied with attitude, "I'm a king, and I should wear a proud face every time."

Jiyeon folded her arms, visibly angry, "Look, you're still not listening."

Theodore flirted, "Yes, my queen I'll listen to you every time," staring into her eyes with a smile.

Confused, Jiyeon responded, "What??"

Theodore continued teasing, "You're nothing if not a flirt. Is it that people in your world don't know how to reply?"

Jiyeon retorted, "Yeah, no, it's only me." Then, furiously, "Look, you turned the conversation away from what we were discussing."

Laughing, Theodore said, "You really get angry very fast."

Jiyeon murmured, "But not as much as you."

Theodore agreed, saying, "Okay." Still holding his hand, Jiyeon suddenly noticed and let go. The moment was awkward.

"Let's head back to class," Jiyeon said, turning towards the door.

Jiyeon and Theodore walked home together, chatting along the way. They arrived at their building, and Theodore opened his apartment door with a beep. Jiyeon did the same, as their apartments were opposite each other in the corridor. Jiyeon said, "Today at 5 PM, come to my place. I'll teach you other things."

Theodore responded, "Okay, but what will your parents think when you teach me basic things? It might be an odd situation."

Jiyeon replied, "For the next four days, my parents and brother are at my grandma's house."

Theodore nodded, "Alright then, I'll be there at 5 PM."

The scene shifted to Jiyeon waking up from bed. She hurriedly grabbed her phone from the side table and saw the time—it was 7:45 PM. She thought, How did I sleep so late? Then she recalled telling Theodore to come over at 5 PM. Why isn't he here yet? Maybe he forgot.

Jiyeon got out of bed, washed her face, drank some water, and sat at the dining table, calling Theodore. "Why isn't he picking up? What's wrong with him?" she muttered, calling him 7-10 times. Now it was 8:02 PM. She decided to go to his apartment.

Knowing his door password, she entered. The door opened with a beep, and she was shocked by what she saw. Blood drops on the floor, a broken glass vase, and a messy kitchen and living room. Worriedly, she started yelling, "Theodore, where are you? Where are you?"

She carefully went to Jihoon's room, which was also a mess. She saw more blood drops and followed them to the kitchen. The drops were around the fridge, and there was blood on the fridge too. The glass racks of the fridge were outside on the table, and one rack was broken with shattered glass on the floor. She tried to open the fridge, but it was locked. Then she noticed the fridge key on the table, grabbed it, and opened the fridge door.

Inside, Theodore was sitting, blood coming from his forehead and cuts on his arms. He was tied with rope—his hands, legs, mouth, and eyes all bound. Jiyeon untied him and pulled him out of the fridge. He was dizzy, but after she sprinkled some water on his face, he opened his eyes and saw her.

"You shouldn't be here. They will tie you up too," he said loudly, seeing her eyes filled with tears.

Jiyeon told him to relax, "It's okay."

Theodore replied, "It should be you who should relax. Look, you're crying."

Jiyeon realized her eyes were filled with tears. She wiped them and said, "I'm okay. I was just a little worried about Jihoon's body. What if that person killed this body?"

Theodore asked, "You're not worried about me?"

Jiyeon hesitated, "Umm, yeah, I was," not looking into his eyes.

Theodore felt sad, thinking, She only cares about this body, not the soul inside. Disappointed, he said, "Oh."

Jiyeon quickly added, "I searched the whole house. There's no one here right now, but they could come back at any moment. Let's call the police and escape to my apartment."

Theodore agreed, "Yes."

Jiyeon remembered, "Oh, my phone is in my apartment. Where's your phone?" she asked.

Theodore replied, "That man took it with him."

Jiyeon asked, "But how did this happen, and who was that man?"

Suddenly, the door beeped.

!!!TEASER!!!

As Jiyeon and Theodore strategize their next move, the room's tension mounts with every ticking second. Their plan to escape is abruptly interrupted by the unmistakable beep of the door unlocking.

Who's about to walk in? Is it friend or foe?

Next time on The Ruler's Awakening, discover the truth behind Theodore's mysterious attacker and the hidden secrets that lie within.

Stay tuned for an episode filled with suspense, unexpected alliances, and the heart-pounding thrill of survival.