Chapter 302 - Crown Prince

Opening her eyes, Jinhee removed the blanket from on top of herself and sat up on the bed. Seeing the room around her, she could not recognize it. While she was about to get down from the bed, she heard someone.

"Miss Lee Jinhee, Crown Prince ordered me to take care of you, and unless or until it is of dire necessity, he said for you to remain in bed," the Maid said before bowing towards Jinhee.

"What is your name?" Jinhee questioned— her voice sounding hoarse due to thirst.

The wounds on her body were bandaged, and after recalling what had happened, fright began to rise within Jinhee regarding what Jinkyung might do to her. 

Lee Jinkyung made it clear to her to not be near Jaehyun, and although that was not her intention, she was aware that Jinkyung will not be sparing her. 

Sweat began to form on her face while nervousness brewed within her. If Jaehyun tried to protect her from Jinkyung, things will become difficult for him.

Although Jaehyun would not admit it, he really needed Minjoon's power if he were to win against the other Princes, and making any move against Jinkyung might make Minjoon hostile towards him.

"Min Areum," the maid answered, "Miss Lee Jinhee, should I bring you your meal now? Crown Prince said that you will be hungry after you wake up. Miss Lee Jinhee, should I wash you before you eat?"

"First, take me to meet the Crown Prince. After that, I will have my meal," Jinhee vocalised as she stood up from the bed.

Even though she was hungry, the feeling was something she had gotten used to, and it did not bother her that much anymore. 

A slight pain went through her head in that moment, and she felt fatigued. It was difficult for her to keep standing. Nonetheless, she managed to do so. Pain was something she was used to after all.

"The Crown Prince left instructions stating how you are not allowed to leave the room before having your meal, and I will be punished if that happens. Please do not make matters difficult for me, Miss Lee Jinhee," the maid vocalised before making a deep bow towards jinhee.

Lee Jinhee let out a sigh. As much as she wanted to go outside at this moment to meet up with Jaehyun, she was well aware that it would not reflect well on her if the maid got punished due to her. 

Therefore, she nodded and ordered, "Alright, bring out the meal. I can wash up and get dressed by myself."

Lee Jinhee did not have a maid to help herself for a long period of time for Jinkyung took it to be a waste of manpower. Jinhee did not mind that much, considering how she preferred to do her things on her own. 

Having a maid to serve her now was something she took to be awkward, and she had no clue on how to deal with it.

"But Miss Lee Jinhee, I must get you washed up—"

"No worries about that; I'll manage on my own. So, please get me my meal," Jinhee said, "Make it quick because I have to urgently discuss some matters with the Crown Prince."

Hesitantly, the Maid nodded her head and answered, "I will be doing that then, Miss Lee Jinhee."

°°°

As the maid, Areum, helped her, Jinhee entered into the Crown Prince's study room. The Crown Prince, Kim Jaehyun, was working on some doc.u.ments. 

Nonetheless, upon sensing Jinhee's presence, he halted his actions, and looking up towards her, he flashed her a small smile.

"Oh! You are here, Jinhee," he vocalised.

Then, looking back towards Areum, he ordered, "Leave us alone."

After Areum had walked out of the room, the door was closed behind, and Jinhee stepped closer to his desk.

"How are you feeling now, Jinhee?" he questioned.

"Much better, but what has happened? Did you do anything to the Lee Family? What about Jinkyung?" she asked her voice showing how anxious she was.

"You have just woken up, Jinhee-ah; you should not worry about such unnecessary matters. Let me deal with them," Jaehyun voiced out, "Just rest and enjoy your time here."

"Jaehyun, I can not be more of a burden to you. Please send me home. I have dealt with this for years, and a couple of more days would not be killing me," she vocalised.

"In your state, it is not good for you to continue standing. Let's go outside to sit somewhere," he vocalised.

°°°

The two of them currently were in one of the rooms, and as a table was placed in front of them, both of them were seated opposite to each other.

A cup of tea was placed before the two of them along with various assortments of desserts. The maids were dismissed.

"Jinhee, if I would not have saved you, you would have been married off to that minister. When were you planning to tell me about this? You do know how cruel he is and what he does to girls! Are you truly willing to go through that?" he vocalised sternly.

His words caused Jinhee to look down at her knees, and she clutched her hand into a tight fist— her nails digging into her palm.

"I'm sorry, Jaehyun; I'm really sorry. You really don't deserve to be involved in all of my troubles. I am sorry for dragging you in. About that Minister, I know what he does. But I did not have an option," she said, "I do not want to burden you anymore, Jaehyun. You have done enough for me, and I could not accept your help in that matter."

"There is one thing about this entire thing you don't understand, Lee Jinhee," Jaehyun— as a dark look settled in his eyes— vocalized, "I am pursuing you, and therefore, I cannot let you be taken away by someone else or let you be harmed."

Before Jinhee could give an answer to those words of Kim Jaehyun, the door to the room was pushed open, and someone ran into the room.

"Jinhee-ah!"