The morning sun was just beginning to rise over the castle walls when Jimin made her way to the training grounds. She had woken up early, eager to watch Minjeong practice her sword fighting skills.

Jimin stood at the edge of the training grounds, watching intently as Minjeong engaged in a fierce sparring match with the other knights. She couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and admiration for her friend.

Minjeong was a force to be reckoned with, her movements precise and fluid as she blocked and parried her opponent's attacks. Her focus was unbreakable, and her determination unwavering. Jimin had always known that her friend was a skilled fighter, but seeing her in action was truly awe-inspiring.

As the spar continued, Minjeong's opponent stepped up their attacks, launching a series of quick strikes aimed at her unprotected areas. Jimin held her breath, fearing the worst, but Minjeong's reflexes were lightning-fast, and she managed to dodge and counterattack with ease.

The other knights looked on in amazement as Minjeong took control of the fight, driving her opponent back with a flurry of blows. Jimin could sense the energy and intensity of the moment, and it was clear that everyone present was witnessing something truly extraordinary.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the spar came to an end, with Minjeong emerging victorious. She bowed respectfully to her opponent, then turned to face Jimin, a grin of satisfaction on her face. "Did you see that?" Minjeong exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement. "I'm getting better every day!"

Jimin smiled back at her, feeling a sense of warmth and pride in her friend's accomplishments. "You were amazing," she said. "I don't think anyone could have beaten you today."

But suddenly, everything changed. One of the knights made a reckless move, lunging at Minjeong with a savage ferocity that caught her off-guard. She barely had time to react before his sword connected with her armor, sending her reeling back with a sickening thud.

Minjeong let out a blood-curdling scream as her opponent's blade sliced through her armor like a hot knife through butter, leaving a wound in her side. The sound of metal clanging against metal echoed through the courtyard as she stumbled backwards, clutching her wound in pain.

Blood gushed from the wound, soaking her armor and staining the ground beneath her feet a deep shade of crimson. Her breathing became labored and ragged as she fought to stay conscious, but the pain was too much to bear. She sank to her knees, her vision growing blurry as the world around her began to fade away.

Jimin's heart leapt into as she rushed forward to help Minjeong, the other knights standing back in shock. She felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes as she knelt by Minjeong's side, feeling helpless as she watched her friend's face contorted with pain.

"It's going to be okay," she whispered, her voice shaking as she brushed a strand of hair away from Minjeong's face. "Just breathe. It's going to be okay." But as she spoke, Jimin felt a sob catch in . She had always known that being a knight was dangerous, but seeing Minjeong hurt like this was almost more than she could bear.

The other knights looked on in confusion as Jimin began to cry, tears streaming down her face as she clutched at Minjeong's hand. It was unheard of for a princess to show such emotion, and they stared at her in shock as she struggled to regain her composure.

Finally, Minjeong spoke up, her voice strained but gentle. "It's okay, Jimin. I'm going to be okay. Not my first time." She tried to joke only to cough.

Jimin looked up at her friend, her eyes red and swollen with tears. "I know," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But it's just...it's so scary, you know? Seeing you hurt like this. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you."

Minjeong reached up a calloused hand to brush away Jimin's tears, but winced in pain as she did so. "Shh," she said, trying to comfort her friend. "It's alright. I'm still here, and I'm going to be okay. You don't have to worry about me."

But Jimin couldn't shake the fear that had settled in her chest. She knew that being a princess came with certain expectations, but in that moment, all she wanted was to be able to cry and be comforted like anyone else.

Eventually, the castle doctor arrived and began to tend to Minjeong's wounds. Jimin stayed by her friend's side the entire time, watching anxiously as the doctor worked to stitch up the scary gash in her side.

As the sun began to set and the other knights began to pack up their things and head back to the castle, Jimin lingered behind. She couldn't bear the thought of leaving Minjeong's side, even though she knew that there was nothing more she could do.

It wasn't until Minjeong fell asleep, her breathing slow and steady, that Jimin finally allowed herself to leave. She couldn't help but think about the events of the day.

She had always known that being a princess meant putting on a brave face and holding her emotions in check, but in that moment, all she wanted was to be able to cry and be comforted. She had never felt so vulnerable, or so afraid.

But she also knew that she had to be strong for Minjeong. 

As Minjeong winced in pain, Jimin couldn't control her tears. She had always seen Minjeong as a strong and unbreakable person, but seeing her hurt like this made her feel helpless.

Minjeong reached out to wipe away Jimin's tears, but her hand was shaking with pain. Jimin took her hand in hers and looked at her with eyes full of love.
"I'm sorry," Minjeong whispered through gritted teeth.

"Don't be sorry," Jimin replied, her voice shaking with emotion. "I just can't bear to see you hurt like this."

Minjeong managed a weak smile. "I'll be fine, Princess. It's just a flesh wound."

But Jimin knew better. She knew the pain Minjeong was enduring was more than just physical. She knew the weight of the responsibility Minjeong carried as the future commander of the army.

"I wish I could take that burden off your shoulders," Jimin said softly.

Minjeong looked at her in surprise. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, I want to help you," Jimin said, determination in her voice. "I want to be there for you, to support you, to love you."

Minjeong's eyes widened in shock, but before she could say anything, a group of knights entered the training ground. They were all looking at the two girls with curiosity and surprise.

Jimin quickly wiped away her tears and stood up. "I need to go," she said, her voice steady now. "But I'll come see you later, Minjeong. I promise."
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Minjeong staring after her, feeling more confused than ever.