Chapter 16

It was quiet everywhere. The kind of quiet that felt heavy, pressing against her skin. In the darkness, she stood alone in front of a vast forest. The trees loomed high, their twisted branches clawing at the night sky. The only light came from the moon, casting a pale, silver glow across the land.

A soft, distant voice broke the silence — faint, almost like a whisper carried by the wind. It was coming from somewhere deep within the forest. She took a hesitant step forward, then another. The voice grew clearer with every step she took. There was something familiar about it… something that made her heart clench.

And then she realized — it was Jin.

Her breath caught. She started moving faster, her footsteps quickening into a run. The voice sounded cracked… scared. Panic rose in her chest. The trees blurred past her as she pushed forward, branches snagging at her clothes and hair, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t.

The forest opened up into a small clearing, and there he was. Jin. Right in front of her.

But something was wrong.

"Pri—Princess..." His voice was weak, filled with pain. He was kneeling on the ground, his face pale and twisted in agony.

Behind him stood a dark silhouette — a shadowy figure with no face, its presence cold and suffocating. In its hand gleamed a knife, the blade catching the moonlight.

“No…” Lily whispered, fear rooting her to the spot.

Before she could move, the figure grabbed Jin from behind — and in one swift motion, slid the knife across his neck.

“No!” she screamed as Jin crumpled to the ground. Blood pooled around him, vivid and terrible against the pale grass.

"Jin… no… please…" She fell to her knees beside him, her hands trembling as she reached for him.

"Princess… run…" His voice was barely a whisper now. His fingers twitched, as if trying to reach for her.

Tears blurred her vision. "No… no, I won’t leave you—"

"JIN!"

"Lily! Princess, wake up!"

Her eyes flew open. She was gasping for air, her body drenched in sweat as if she’d been running for miles. Her heart pounded so hard it hurt.

"Jin?!" she choked out, her eyes darting around wildly until they landed on him.

He was there — real and alive, leaning over her with concern etched across his face.

"What happened? You had a nightmare…"

But she wasn’t listening. She grabbed his face, her hands roaming over his shoulders, his arms — checking him, making sure he was whole, unhurt.

"Shhh… Princess, look at me," Jin said softly, his hands cupping her face. His warmth steadied her a little, but she could still feel the terror curling in her chest.

"I’m okay. See? Nothing happened to me… It was just a bad dream."

"Jin… just… stay close to me," she whispered, her voice breaking. "I’m scared."

Without hesitation, Jin pulled her into his arms. His hand moved gently over her back, his voice low and soothing.

"Calm down, Princess… I’m here. I won’t leave you."

The steady beat of his heart against her ear slowly eased the panic inside her. Held in his arms, safe and warm, she finally drifted back to sleep.

When morning came, the sunlight streaming through the windows felt almost too bright. Lily opened her eyes slowly — and the empty space beside her sent a jolt of fear through her chest.

"Jin?" she called, her voice tight. When there was no answer, she scrambled out of bed and ran toward the common room.

There he was.

Seated peacefully, his expression calm and focused as he polished his sword. The gentle sound of the cloth against the blade filled the room.

He looked up when he noticed her, his brow lifting in curiosity. "Princess?"

But Lily couldn’t answer. The nightmare clung to her, its weight still heavy on her heart. He was right there, safe and whole — yet she couldn’t shake the fear of losing him.