The sudden, unexpected voice breaks Y/N out of her shock. She looks up to see a unfamiliar man looking down at her, concern etched on his face. His features are shadowed by the dim light of the room, but his eyes glint with worry as he asks, "Are you okay, Y/N?" The question hangs heavily in the air, and she finds herself taken aback by the unexpected intervention and the presence of a stranger.

The unfamiliar man swiftly moves into action, swiftly grabbing the unconscious man by his collar and lifting him off of Y/N. With a fierce display of strength, he tosses the man to the side, his unconscious body hitting the ground with a thud. Without missing a beat, he turns his attention to the other man who had been holding Y/N's hand, delivering a powerful punch to his gut that sends him staggering backward, gasping for air.

The unfamiliar man doesn't hesitate. With a firm but controlled movement, he kicks the three men, forcing them to scramble out of the house in pain and confusion. His kicks are precise, and he makes it clear that they are not welcome. They stumble and scramble to their feet, hastily leaving the house, their egos bruised and their intentions thwarted by the unexpected intervention.

The unfamiliar man offers his hand to Y/N, his voice gentle yet firm. "Come on, let's get you out of here," he says, his eyes filled with concern. He can sense the shock and confusion coursing through her, and his movements are deliberate, attempting to provide some reassurance in the midst of the chaos. His hand remains extended, a silent invitation to take hold and find some semblance of stability in this unfamiliar situation.

Y/N slowly rises to her feet, her body still trembling with the adrenaline of the ordeal. She looks at the man who has come to her rescue, her eyes locking onto his as she asks, "Who are you?" Her voice is a mix of gratitude and lingering uneasiness, the situation still fresh in her mind. She takes a moment to compose herself, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves as she awaits his response, hoping for some answers in this strange and unnerving encounter.

He introduces himself, a calm and reassuring presence amidst the chaos of the moment. His voice is steady as he says, "I'm Ho Jin. I was one of the men watching over the crowd on the day you stumbled into town, unconscious." His words carry a sense of empathy and understanding, and it's clear that he has been keeping tabs on her situation. His eyes meet hers with a gentle yet determined gaze, conveying a silent promise of assistance and support in the uncertain times ahead.

Y/N nods in acknowledgment, her eyes meeting Ho Jin's with gratitude. They move away from the room, stepping out into the cool night air. The chaos of the ordeal seems to slowly fade away, replaced by the tranquility of the night. Despite the lingering sense of unease, Y/N finds herself grateful for Ho Jin's intervention and presence.

After a brief moment of silence, Ho Jin breaks the quiet with a gentle question. His tone is soft, and his eyes hold a mix of curiosity and concern as he asks, "Do you remember Misun?" His inquiry is posed delicately, as if aware of the potential emotional weight it may carry. He waits, his gaze fixed on Y/N, searching for any signs of recognition or understanding as he patiently awaits her reply.

Y/N nods, her expression thoughtful as she responds to Ho Jin's question. "Yes, I remember her," she says, her voice filled with a trace of fondness. She then poses a question of her own, her curiosity piqued. "But why do you ask? Is there something I should know about her?" Y/N's eyes lock onto Ho Jin's, her gaze filled with a combination of curiosity and a touch of apprehension, as she awaits his response.

Ho Jin chuckles softly, his expression filled with warmth as he reveals, "Misun is actually my sister." A small smile curves at the corners of his lips, his eyes glistening with pride as he thinks of his sister. It's clear that he has a deep bond and affection for Misun, and the knowledge adds an extra layer of familiarity to the situation.

Ho Jin continues, his voice determined and confident. "You can stay at Misun's place tonight for the time being. She'll be delighted to have you there. We'll figure out how to deal with this situation properly by tomorrow." His words are a mixture of assurance and authority, and he looks directly into Y/N's eyes, conveying his trust in her and his commitment to taking care of the matter at hand.

Y/N meets Ho Jin's gaze, her expression filled with gratitude. She takes a deep breath, her voice filled with heartfelt appreciation. "Thank you so much, Ho Jin. You have no idea how grateful I am for you saving me," she says, her eyes shining with sincerity. "I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't intervened. You came to my rescue just in time, and I'll be forever thankful."

Ho Jin shakes his head, a soft smile gracing his lips. "No need to thank me, Y/N," he says, his voice carrying a hint of humility. "I'm just glad I was able to help." He gives her a reassuring look, his eyes soft and filled with genuine compassion. It's clear that he takes no credit for his actions, seeing it simply as a natural response to help someone in need.

Ho Jin looks at Y/N, his voice gentle yet filled with empathy. "My home is relatively close to where you were staying," he explains. "When I heard the commotion and your screams, I knew I had to come and check. And once I saw what was happening, I couldn't just stand by. I'm glad I got there in time to help you."

Y/N listens to Ho Jin's words, her heart filled with relief and gratitude. The knowledge that he was close by and willing to help when she needed it is a balm to her frayed nerves. "Thank you, Ho Jin," she says softly, her voice carrying the weight of her gratitude. "I'm so grateful that you were there to intervene."

Ho Jin nods, his gaze steady and his expression filled with sincerity. "It was my duty to come to your aid as soon as I got wind of the situation. I couldn't just stand by and do nothing. You're safe now, and that's what's important." His words are steady and reassuring, his eyes conveying a sense of responsibility and a dedication to protect those in need.

Ho Jin's words break through the tension, and he informs her gently, "We've arrived at Misun's place. You can stay here for the time being. You'll be safe here." The air around them is filled with a sense of relief, as Y/N takes in the familiar surroundings of Misun's home. The tension in her shoulders relaxes, the weight of the night's events slowly lifting, as she finds safety and comfort within the familiar walls.

𓆩♕𓆪

The room, opulent and grand, is filled with an air of importance. The king, Jungkook, sits on his throne with regal poise, his eyes piercing as he listens intently. Ho Jin stands before him, his body language a picture of respect and discipline. As he delivers his report, Ho Jin's voice is clear and level, his gaze unwavering. "My King, I regret to inform you that last night, while our esteemed guest, Y/N, was left alone in her lodgings, three miscreants attempted to take advantage of her," he says, his voice carrying the weight of the circumstances.

Jungkook's expression shifts slightly, his brow furrowing with a mix of concern and disappointment. His gaze locks onto Ho Jin, his eyes demanding more information and details about what transpired. Ho Jin continues, his voice steady as he describes the events of the previous night. "Luckily, I was nearby and heard her cry for help. I quickly intervened and dealt with the situation, ensuring Y/N's safety," he reports, the tone of his voice conveying a sense of relief mixed with anger.

Jungkook calls out for Y/N to step forward and share her account of the incident. With a mix of trepidation and determination, she walks forward, her steps echoing softly in the grand hall. As she approaches the king, she can feel the weight of his gaze upon her, his eyes sharp and probing as he seeks the full truth of the situation. Despite the nervousness that grips her, she stands tall, her voice unwavering as she begins to recount the events of the previous night, sparing no detail.

"My King, last night, when I was about to retire to sleep, three men forcefully entered my dwelling." She takes another brief pause, the memories of the previous night's encounter evident in her expression. "They had malicious intentions, attempting to lay their hands on me. However, just in time, Ho Jin, who was near my lodgings and heard my cries, quickly intervened."

Jungkook leans back in his throne, his expression grave and unyielding. With a commanding voice, he declares that such actions are inexcusable and cannot be tolerated. "This is not a light matter," he says, his words carrying the weight of justice. "It is paramount that we uphold the safety and respect of all our citizens, and especially the women in our kingdom. Therefore, it is my judgement that those three men shall be beheaded for their heinous actions." His voice echoes with resolve as he delivers his decision, leaving no room for negotiation.

The throne room falls silent as Jungkook delivers his verdict. Everyone present, including Ho Jin, obediently drops to one knee, their heads bowing in reverence and respect. The weight of the king's words hangs in the air, the heavy atmosphere almost tangible. However, Y/N, standing tall amidst the bowing crowd, does not bend her knee. There is a flicker of defiance in her eyes, a silent rebellion against the submissive gesture, and she remains standing, her chin raised slightly.

Jungkook turns his piercing gaze toward Y/N, their eyes locking in a moment of quiet understanding. He speaks with a firm yet gentle tone, acknowledging the importance of her safety. "Our guest's security is paramount," he declares. "In order to ensure your well-being and to prevent any further incidents like the one you experienced, I implore you to stay with us within the walls of my castle. We will ensure your protection and safety here." His words carry the weight of seriousness and sincerity, a solemn commitment to protect her within his domain.

Y/N's eyes widen as she absorbs Jungkook's words. The offer of staying in the castle, away from the dangers she faced, is tempting. She looks around the room, seeing the faces of the crowd, all of them having pledged their allegiance to their king. Their loyalty and the king's determination are evident, and it gives her a sense of security. After a brief moment of consideration, she gives a determined nod, acknowledging her decision to accept the offer. "I accept your proposal, My King," she responds respectfully.

Jungkook nods in approval as Y/N accepts his offer. Turning to one of his trusted courtier, Chin Hae, he gives instructions. "Chin Hae, make all necessary arrangements to ensure our guest's comfortable stay within the castle walls," he commands, the authority in his voice leaving no room for doubt. Chin Hae, ever-respectful and obedient, bows in acknowledgement, promising to fulfill the task with the utmost diligence.