The Hidden Heir
His voice was urgent. “Princess, hide… fast!”
“Sorry? What do you—”
A sharp knock cut her off. A voice followed from the other side of the door. “Prince Jin… are you awake?”
Lily froze. Her eyes snapped to Jin. “Prince??” she whispered, her face a mix of confusion and shock.
“Lily, hide. I’ll explain everything later — just hurry!” Jin’s tone left no room for argument.
“Oh God!” she muttered, scrambling to slide under the bed in a panic.
Moments later, she heard the door creak open. There was a brief conversation — the voices low and tense — before the door shut again. When the room fell silent, Lily crawled out from under the bed, brushing dust off her clothes.
“Prince? Prince?? Seriously, Jin?” She stared at him, waiting for answers.
“I know this is sudden—”
“Sudden?” she interrupted. “You’re a prince?! Since when? What is happening here? And who were those people outside? Is this a castle or something?” Her words tumbled out in a rush.
“Lily, calm down,” Jin said, his voice gentle but firm. “We have to leave tonight.”
“Leave? Leave where? My apartment? We don’t even know how we got here!”
“Shhh… don’t stress, Princess,” he said with a faint smile, clearly amused despite the situation.
“We’ll leave the palace tonight. I know a safe place nearby. But it’ll be chaotic if they find you here, so we have to be careful. Don’t worry — I’ll stay with you.”
“Ugh, I don’t get any of this… and what if someone comes in before we leave?”
“No one will. I told them I needed rest.” He tried to sound reassuring, but his eyes flicked toward the door, his own tension barely masked.
And then — another knock.
Lily let out a dramatic groan. “Ahhh! These people!”
“Hide!” Jin said, laughing quietly at her frustration.
“Yeah, yeah… Your Highness!” she muttered, shooting him a glare as she dove under the bed again.
The entire day passed like that — Lily cramping up under the bed every time someone knocked. By the evening, she was beyond exhausted.
“How many times am I supposed to squeeze under there?” she grumbled, pointing weakly at the bed.
“From now on, I hate playing hide and seek.”
...Finally, night fell. The room was quiet, the castle outside still. Jin peeked out of the window, scanning the courtyard below. When he was sure the coast was clear, he gestured for her to follow.
“Let’s go.”
They climbed out of the window, Jin landing gracefully while Lily stumbled after him. But as she looked up, her breath caught.
“Wow…” she whispered, her eyes wide.
The palace rose behind them, its towering spires glowing faintly under the moonlight. It looked like something out of a dream.
Jin chuckled softly, taking her hand and leading her toward a narrow alley. They slipped into the shadows, moving quickly and silently.
Jin seemed to know the maze-like paths well, taking unexpected shortcuts with practiced ease.
Lily’s mind spun. Is he really a prince? she wondered, glancing at him as he guided her through the darkened streets.
After what felt like an eternity of walking, they stopped in front of a small, unassuming house. Jin knocked — three sharp taps, then two slower ones. It didn’t sound like an ordinary knock.
It sounded like a signal.
The door creaked open just a crack. Before Lily could see who was inside, Jin pulled her in swiftly — and they came face to face with a strange figure waiting in the shadows.
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