Sung's voice cut through the tension like a blade, firm and resolute in its conviction.
"No, it's better to take care of Bonhak here right now," he declared, his gaze steady as he met Kooju's concerned eyes.
Kooju hesitated, his brow furrowing in worry. "It's too dangerous, Your Highness," he insisted, his voice tinged with urgency.
But Sung remained steadfast in his decision. "This is better than being chased and attacked," he reasoned, his tone unwavering.
The weight of the decision hung heavy in the air, palpable even in the silence that followed Diana's words. With a sense of unease settling over them, Sung and Kooju turned to her, their expressions a mirror of conflicting emotions.
Diana's heart raced as she grappled with the gravity of the choice before her. On one hand, there was Sung's unwavering resolve to confront Bonhak head-on, to put an end to the threat once and for all. On the other hand, there was Kooju's cautious warning, urging her to consider the risks of staying and the possibility of a safer escape.
As she weighed her options, Diana couldn't shake the nagging uncertainty that gnawed at her. The dark mountain loomed ominously in the distance, a foreboding reminder of the dangers that lay ahead. And yet, the thought of delaying her return to the workshop filled her with a sense of urgency.
In the end, it was Sung's unwavering determination that swayed her decision. With a deep breath, Diana spoke, her voice trembling slightly with the weight of her choice.
"I agree with Lord Sung," she declared, her words ringing out into the stillness of the night.
Kooju's expression faltered, a flicker of concern passing through his eyes as he processed her decision.
"Lady Diana..." he began, his voice tinged with apprehension.
But before he could say more, Sung cut in with a quiet reassurance.
"I know it," he said, his voice steady and sure.
As Sung spoke, his words carried a weight of both reassurance and underlying concern, his weary smile betraying the gravity of the situation.
"I guess it's not easy to let go of me," he remarked, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness.
Diana's heart clenched at his words, a mix of emotions swirling within her. She couldn't deny the truth in Sung's statement, nor could she ignore the unease that gnawed at her conscience.
"What did you say? On second thought, I think this is wrong," she murmured, her voice betraying her uncertainty.
Despite the chaos unfolding around them, Sung remained calm and collected, his actions deliberate and measured.
"I'm sorry. But once you pick, you can't change it," he replied, his tone solemn yet firm.
Diana couldn't help but feel a sense of dissonance at Sung's words. Here they were, surrounded by danger and uncertainty, and yet Sung seemed almost nonchalant, as if he were simply going about his daily routine.
As Sung carefully placed the fallen assassin's shoes on her feet, Diana couldn't shake the surreal feeling of the moment. It was as if they were in their own little bubble, separate from the chaos and turmoil that raged around them.
"The situation here is quite messy," Sung remarked, his voice tinged with irony as he surveyed the scene before them.
And as Diana looked around at the chaos and destruction, she couldn't help but agree. But amidst the madness, there was a sense of calmness in Sung's presence, a reassurance that gave her the strength to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Diana couldn't help but marvel at Kooju's composure amidst the chaos that surrounded them. As they hid behind the thick foliage of a lush tree, she couldn't shake off the sense of unease that lingered within her.
"You're the most relaxed one here, you know that?" Diana remarked, her voice tinged with disbelief. "You know what's going on behind you, right...?"
Kooju's gaze remained steady, his expression unreadable as he surveyed their surroundings. Despite the imminent danger that lurked nearby, he exuded an air of calmness that was both reassuring and unnerving.
"Lady Diana, please come this way," Kooju said, motioning for her to follow him deeper into the cover of the forest.
As they moved away from the scene of the skirmish, Diana couldn't help but feel a wave of exhaustion wash over her. Her legs trembled with each step, her body still reeling from the adrenaline of the encounter.
"I'm fine," Diana assured Kooju, though the words felt hollow even to her own ears. In truth, her entire body felt like it was on the verge of collapse, but she refused to show any signs of weakness.
"Thank you, Lord Kooju," she added, her voice barely above a whisper.
Kooju's response was simple yet heartfelt. "Thanks to you, I feel relieved."
There was a sincerity in his words that touched Diana, a sense of gratitude that resonated with her deeply.
But amidst the chaos and uncertainty that surrounded them, there was little time for sentimentality. As Kooju turned to face her, his gaze piercing and unwavering, Diana knew that they had to remain vigilant.
"That's enough," Kooju said, his tone firm yet gentle. And as they stood together in the quiet of the forest, Diana couldn't help but feel a sense of solidarity with the man beside her, a shared determination to navigate the challenges that lay ahead.
As Sung's whispered warning reached her ears, Diana felt a rush of anticipation mingled with fear. She crouched down beside him, feeling the weight of his protective presence on one side, and the reassuring touch of Kooju on the other.
In the dim light of the forest, Diana could barely make out Sung's hand as he prepared to give the signal. Yet, despite the tension that hung in the air, she found herself drawn to the warmth of his touch as he subtly intertwined his fingers with hers.
"It's okay," Sung murmured softly, his voice a comforting reassurance in the midst of chaos. And then, with a swift motion, the soldiers unleashed a volley of arrows into the darkness, igniting a new wave of conflict between the opposing forces.
As the clash erupted once more, Diana could feel her heart pounding in her chest, her senses heightened by the adrenaline coursing through her veins. In that moment, surrounded by the chaos of battle, she found solace in the presence of the two men beside her, their unwavering support giving her the strength to face whatever lay ahead.
As the chaos of battle raged on, Diana's heart pounded in her chest with a mixture of fear and anger. With a sense of urgency, she glanced around, searching for any sign of Bonhak amidst the swirling shadows of the forest.
"But... Why can't I see Bonhak?" Diana murmured, her voice tinged with frustration.
Before she could process her thoughts further, a sudden tug on her wrist pulled her back just in time to evade a sharp arrow that sliced through the air where her head had been moments before.
"I was wondering who's got such nerve," a voice echoed through the darkness, dripping with madness. It was Bonhak, his presence looming ominously nearby.
Diana's heart skipped a beat as she locked eyes with her enemy.
"Bonhak," she whispered, her voice laced with both fear and defiance.
Meanwhile, a drop of blood traced a path down Sung's cheek, eliciting a cry of concern from Diana.
"My lord...!" she exclaimed, trembling with uncontrollable anger at the sight of her protector wounded.
Bonhak, however, showed no remorse as he addressed Kooju with a twisted grin, his tone filled with malice.
"It's not like I didn't doubt you, but... I'm quite disappointed, Kooju," Bonhak sneered, his words dripping with disdain. "I hope you haven't believed all the information I gave you."
Kooju's expression hardened at Bonhak's taunts, his eyes blazing with fury as he prepared to face his former ally.
Bonhak's mocking laughter echoed through the forest, his voice dripping with scorn as he taunted Kooju and the others.
"Have you?" he sneered, his words cutting through the tension like a knife. "I think... I've sent most of the troops to Sukjeong Gate. Well, there's no point in knowing that right now."
Kooju's expression hardened at Bonhak's words, his fists clenched in frustration.
"Bonhak...!" he growled, his voice tinged with anger.
But Bonhak paid him no mind, continuing his tirade with a twisted grin.
"I can't understand why you all fuss over one woman," he jeered. "I haven't expected you'd make a trip yourself. I guess I've made a patrol for nothing."
Sung's eyes narrowed, his patience wearing thin as blood began to stain the edge of his robe. Without a word, he drew his sword, a silent promise of vengeance in his eyes.
"What's wrong with everyone?" Bonhak mused, his tone filled with amusement. "Please indulge me. Am I the only one having fun in this situation? Is that so, Your Highness? Oh. No, that's wrong. Son of a sinner."
As Sung's resolve hardened, Bonhak's facade began to crumble, revealing the fear hidden beneath his bravado. Diana, despite her own terror, reached out and grasped Sung's hand firmly, a silent gesture of solidarity in the face of danger.
Diana's words were a reassuring balm in the chaos surrounding them.
"Here, I'm right next to you....It's okay," she murmured, her voice steady despite the danger.
As Sung reached out to clasp her hand, Kooju intercepted another arrow with his sword, his resolve unwavering.
"I'll stop them. Go ahead and take her with you, Your Highness," Kooju declared, his gaze meeting Sung's with a silent understanding.
Diana felt torn between the two men, both risking their lives for her sake. But she knew she had to make a choice. With determination, she reached out and grasped both their hands firmly.
"Come with me!" she urged, her voice filled with conviction.
Sung's surprise was fleeting as he quickly took her hand in his own.
"I'll leave the rest to you," he said, his tone resolute.
Kooju nodded in acknowledgment, a faint smile playing on his lips as they turned away.
As they fled the scene, Diana felt a sense of peace wash over her. She had made her choice, and she had no regrets. With Sung by her side, she knew she could face whatever challenges lay ahead.
The forest seemed to close in around them as they pressed forward, the tension palpable in the air. Despite the urgency of their escape, Sung and Diana forged ahead, their footsteps quickening with each passing moment.
"Master Danro's royal soldiers will be joining us soon, so we'll just have to hang in here until then," Sung reassured, his voice strained with the weight of their predicament.
Diana nodded, her eyes scanning their surroundings warily. But then, she noticed something amiss.
"All right. By the way... Why are you sweating so much?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.
Sung's response was evasive, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
"...Maybe it's because we're walking faster," he replied, his words lacking conviction.
But as Diana glanced at his other arm, hidden from view until now, her heart froze in her chest.
"My lord...!" she gasped, her voice catching in her throat.
His arm was coated in blood, the crimson stains stark against his pale skin.
Sung's hollow laughter echoed through the forest, a chilling sound that sent shivers down Diana's spine.
"I've thought it would be okay..." he murmured, his words heavy with resignation.
Diana's hands trembled as she reached out to him, her voice pleading with him to stay still.
"Don't move! Please don't...!" she begged, her eyes brimming with tears.
In that moment, it seemed as though their misfortune knew no bounds, casting a dark shadow over their desperate flight through the night.