Taemin

The worst night of my life behind me, I wake up with a terrible backache. The ground of the forest is uneven, owls hoot incessantly and I don't want to know how many insects have crawled all over me tonight.

But one thing strikes me in particular. I don't feel cold.

Between my fingers I feel thick pieces of fabric. Did they give me a blanket when I fell asleep?

I look around. The fire has gone out and the sun is letting its first golden rays trickle through the treetops. On my mental list of things to learn to become king, I note 'A guide not to be kidnapped'. For a change, I'll nag Kibum for not teaching me that by the time I get out of here.

Kibum.

I have to swallow at the thought. When was my disappearance noticed? Is Kibum blaming himself for not being with me that night after all?

Even if the Merciless said they won't kill me, bandits lie, that much I know. But I don't know how to get out of here alive. We've been riding all night. And even if I make it out of the forest, could I find my bearings to get to the next village?

My eyes fall on Jonghyun, who is currently exercising with his sword.

I wonder if they will kill me today and bury my body here.

Watching him train like this, I can't help but see that he was trained by Siwon and the empty feeling washes over me once more. I wonder if he is already looking for me. Siwon is always tactful, polite and dutiful.

If Jonghyun had him as a superior, why did he then deserted? Siwon himself said that Jonghyun could have gone far.

If there's a spark of respectable decency left in him from his army days, onghyun is my best chance of escape, of survival.

"Do you want to try it?" rips Jonghyun me out of my thoughts. I don't understand what he wants from me. Why is he even talking to me?

"Or do you just fancy me?" But of course there's no decency left in him, if he ever had any let me add, I realize again at his stupid remark.

"What do you want?" I snarl at him, giving him the most contemptuous look I can summon up.

"You're not watching me for fun." He says and I don't know this tone of voice from him yet because it sounds...serious?

"There are only two reasons why you watch me. And if you don't fancy me, which by the way has never happened before and shows me that your taste must be pretty questionable."

"You sure talk a lot for a man who will soon be rotting in the dungeons of Moonhill." But he just laughs off my remark and I become painfully aware that I am anything but a danger to him.

"The other reason is obvious." He goes to the Merciless.

When I see him sleeping there like that, he doesn't look like a robber or a murderer. I feel a little sorry for the bruises and purple marks around and on his nose caused by me, looking at him like that. I wonder what makes people do such things.

Jonghyun takes the Sword of the Merciless and points his index finger against his mouth.

"You need to learn how to defend yourself." He holds out the killer's sword to me.

"That you can't be kidnapped so quickly next time." Perplexed, I look at the elongated steel in front of my nose. Did the Merciless wield this blade when he took people's lives? And besides, why is Jonghyun giving his prisoner a weapon?

"You think I'm going to fall for that?" I stand right in front of him. I may only come up to his shoulders, but I will show no fear.

"You said you won't kill me. But oh, shock! What happened? You accidentally slipped your blade while training! So no, thanks!"

Jonghyun throws the sword at my feet.

"What are you doing?" I'm completely confused.

"Come on." With a welcoming smile, as if we're going for tea, he nods his head towards a field which isn't so much surrounded by trees.

The sword in his hand is sheathed. If I take the sword now, would I get to the Merciles