Bleeding Secrets

Jin stood there, his wounded arm hanging limp at his side. Blood dripped from his shoulder, soaking his blue robes and turning them a deep, horrifying crimson. He leaned against the wall, barely holding himself up — his body swayed like he could collapse any moment.

“Jin!” Lily’s voice cracked with fear as she rushed to his side, grabbing his uninjured arm and guiding him inside. She settled him into a chair, her hands shaking. The sight of so much blood made her stomach churn, but there was no time to panic.

“Stay here! I’ll… I’ll get water,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

Jin didn’t respond. His eyes were closed, his face pale, and he barely seemed aware of his surroundings. Lily’s heart raced as she grabbed a clean cloth and a bowl of water, rushing back to him. She knelt down and started cleaning the wound, trying not to cry when she saw just how deep it was.

She needed medicine. Fast.

Lily ran to Yoona’s small medical room, scanning the shelves desperately. But there were no neat labels, no familiar bottles — just herbs, roots, and strange ingredients she didn’t recognize. Panic started rising in her chest. What do I do?

Then her eyes fell on a bowl of paste sitting on the table — the one Yoona had used that morning to stop another patient’s bleeding. It was her only option. Grabbing it, she hurried back to Jin.

“Jin… I-I don’t know if this is right, but it should help stop the bleeding… I hope,” she said, her voice barely steady.

Jin gave a weak nod of approval.

“It’ll sting a little,” she warned softly, her fingers gentle as she spread the cool paste over his wound.

Time passed, and still he didn’t move. His breathing slowed, his skin grew paler, and Lily’s patience broke. Tears welled up in her eyes as she gripped his hand.

“Jin… please… open your eyes. Say something,” she whispered desperately.

Finally, his eyelids fluttered.

“Princess…?” His voice was weak, but there was a soft, teasing smile on his lips. “Scared…?”

“Are you laughing right now?” she snapped, fresh tears slipping down her face. “You could barely stand! You’re covered in blood, and I don’t even know if I used the right medicine! And you—”

“Princess… you did well,” Jin murmured, his voice soft. “See? The bleeding’s stopped. Thank you.”

Lily wiped at her eyes, trying to steady herself. “Jin… what happened to you? Where have you been?”

He let out a long, exhausted sigh. “I know who’s behind this… They didn’t want to kill me — that’s why they attacked from behind.”

“But you had a sword! Why didn’t you—”

“It happened too fast. When I reached for my sword… they were already gone. Vanished into the dark.”

Lily’s mind spun with questions. “But you’re a prince! Where were your guards?”

“I don’t keep guards,” Jin said quietly. “I won’t put anyone else’s life in danger because of me.”

Her heart twisted painfully at his words. “But what if something had happened to you?”

He smiled faintly. “They won’t kill me. They can’t. It would create too many problems… even the Queen isn’t that reckless.”

Lily’s breath caught. “The Queen…? You mean… your mother?”

Jin’s face darkened. “No. The King’s second wife.” His voice hardened. “My father… the King… killed my mother for that woman — a woman who only loves the throne.”

Lily’s throat tightened. “That’s… horrible.”

“But they can’t kill me,” Jin said softly. “Not yet. Not without risking everything they’ve built.”

“But how long can you live like this? Can’t you fight back? You’re a prince — surely you have some power to protect yourself!”

He looked away. “I… can’t.”

“Why not?!”

“Because…” Jin’s voice broke. “I’m cursed.”