Poisoned

In an instant, Min Gwan's instincts kicked in, his concern overriding any hesitation. He rushed to Min Joo's side, his heart pounding with worry. Gently cradling her face in his hands, he lowered her head onto his lap, hoping his touch would bring her back to consciousness. His fingers lightly patted her cheeks, his voice a soothing whisper, "Min Joo, wake up."

But her response was feeble, her eyes remaining closed. Seeing her struggle, Min Gwan grabbed a water pouch from his side and gently sprinkled cool water onto her face, hoping the sensation would rouse her. Her eyelashes fluttered, and she stirred slightly, her brows furrowing. He knelt beside her, his voice tinged with concern, "Min Joo, what happened?"

Her voice trembled as she managed to form words, her tone weak and uncertain, "I... I don't know." Her confession was accompanied by a faint wince, her hand unconsciously reaching up to touch her cheek. Before Min Gwan could react, a deep unease settled over him, the pieces clicking into place. He had seen this before, in his own past, and he dreaded the implications.

Min Joo's eyes flickered open briefly, revealing a mixture of confusion and discomfort before they fluttered shut once more. Her breathing was shallow, her brow damp with perspiration, and a tear escaped the corner of her eye, trailing down her pale skin.

Min Gwan's heart clenched as he examined her more closely, his thoughts racing. He brushed her hair away from her forehead, his touch gentle yet laden with worry. His mind drew connections he wished weren't true, a conclusion forming that filled him with dread. He murmured her name softly, his fingers tracing over her skin as he prayed against the possibility he was now almost certain of.

As minutes ticked by, Min Joo's state remained unchanged, and a sense of urgency propelled him. He pulled out a small vial of salve he had brought for emergencies, and after a moment's hesitation, he applied a small amount to her skin, a part of him hoping against hope that he was wrong. But as her skin reacted, the itchiness and redness spreading, his heart sank.

Min Gwan's gaze remained fixed on her, his expression a mixture of anguish and determination. He had to act swiftly, he knew, to counteract the poison's effects. His hand pressed against her cheek as he leaned in, his voice determined, "Min Joo, listen to me. We need to find a remedy, and we need it now. Can you hear me? Stay with me."

Min Gwan's heart sank as Min Joo remained unresponsive to his words, her breathing growing more labored. Panic bubbled within him, but he had to keep a clear head. His fingers touched her forehead, and he recoiled slightly at the heat radiating from her skin. She had developed a fever, and the situation was becoming dire.

With trembling hands, he scanned her body, his worry deepening when he noticed a telltale sign on the inner sides of her right hand nails. A greenish residue clung to her skin, a grim confirmation of what he had feared – she had come into contact with the poisoned weapon. Horror clenched around his heart, knowing that the poison was now coursing through her veins.

Taking a shaky breath, he carefully cleaned away the residue with a cloth, his movements meticulous yet urgent. Time was slipping through his fingers, and he couldn't afford to waste a moment. After disposing of the cloth, he returned his attention to Min Joo. Her face was pale, her features drawn in distress even in her unconscious state.

Gently, Min Gwan lifted her into his arms, cradling her as he would a precious gem. He moved with purpose, his steps swift and sure, as he navigated back to where his horse stood. His gaze never left Min Joo's face, his heart aching at the fragility of the situation. Carefully, he settled her on the horse's back, ensuring she was secure before mounting his own horse.

The night around them was dark and unforgiving, the moonlight casting eerie shadows as they galloped forward. Min Gwan's thoughts were a whirlwind of fear and determination, his grip on the reins tight. The path ahead was treacherous, but he had to get Min Joo to safety, to find the cure that could save her.

With each passing second, Min Joo's body felt hotter against his own, the fever burning brighter. He urged the horses to move faster, his own resolve growing as the urgency of the situation weighed heavily on him. He stole a glance at Min Joo, her face illuminated by the moonlight, and his heart clenched at the thought of losing her.

As they rode on, the wind carried their desperate journey through the night, a race against time and fate itself.

With a heart filled with both determination and trepidation, Min Gwan gently positioned Min Joo beside himself on the horse. He secured her own horse beside his, ensuring that she wouldn't be separated from him. The urgency of their situation fueled his actions as he spurred the horse into motion, galloping northward at a breakneck speed. Every beat of his heart was a testament to the weight of his fear, the possibilities that he dreaded.

But fate seemed to have other plans, as out of nowhere, the heavens opened up and rain began to pour down in heavy torrents. The raindrops pelted against him and Min Joo, soaking them through. Panic rose within him as he realized the black dye he had applied to his hair was now washing away, revealing his true identity with each passing moment. But that concern was pushed aside by the more pressing need to save Min Joo.

Beside him, Min Joo's fever raged on, her body shivering uncontrollably from the cold rain that only intensified her pain. Min Gwan's heart ached for her as he watched over her, his protective instincts kicking in. With each passing second, his own disguise was washed away along with the dye, revealing his golden hair beneath the rain-soaked cloak. He didn't spare a thought for his own identity at that moment; all that mattered was getting Min Joo to safety.

As the rain continued to fall heavily, Min Gwan's mask of composure began to crack, revealing the true Min Yoongi beneath. He discarded his hood, using it to shield Min Joo from the cold wind and the downpour. Her shivering began to ease as the makeshift shelter provided some relief. He watched over her with a mixture of concern and determination, his golden hair now glistening in the rain.

Through the thick curtain of rain, his eyes caught a glimpse of something that ignited a spark of hope within him. The hill that stood opposite the great waterfall came into view, a beacon of guidance in their desperate journey. As the rain continued to fall, Min Gwan's gaze shifted between Min Joo and their destination, the fire of resolve burning fiercely within his eyes.

After a relentless ride of twenty minutes through the pouring rain, Min Gwan finally reached their destination – the waterfall hidden behind the hill. Despite the relentless downpour, a sense of relief washed over him as he gazed at the roaring cascade of water. Amidst the chaos of the rain, his heart found solace in the fact that he had managed to bring Min Joo to this point of hope.

With careful tenderness, he lifted Min Joo into his arms, her fragile form cradled gently against his chest. Hopping off the horse, he used his cloak to shield her face, ensuring that the rain wouldn't exacerbate her discomfort. He found a spot under a tree where the rain was less intense and laid her down with the utmost care. His concerned eyes scanned her figure – her limbs were more like fragile branches now, her skin a fiery red from the cold.

Hurriedly, he made sure she was properly covered, his gaze lingering on her before he turned his attention to securing the horses. Binding them close to her, he created a makeshift shelter for them to offer further protection from the rain.

With determination, Min Gwan moved around the waterfall, navigating the slippery terrain. After a dash of fifteen minutes, he finally spotted the precious calamine plants near the edge. Ignoring the rain that drenched him, his wet clothes clinging to his frame, he wasted no time in collecting the valuable remedy. His focus was unwavering, his purpose clear.

Once he had gathered enough calamine, he retraced his steps to Min Joo. He set the bag of calamine aside and, with skilled movements, began grinding the plants in a pestle and mortar. Each twist and turn of his wrist was an act of urgency and purpose, knowing that time was of the essence. The medicinal mixture slowly took shape under his hands, a promise of relief for Min Joo and the ailing king.

Despite the cold sensation that seeped into his bones and the rain that continued to fall relentlessly, Min Gwan's determination remained unyielding. His heart beat in rhythm with his efforts, a symphony of hope and healing that echoed through the tumultuous rain.