Chapter 3: One Shelter, Two Lies

The storm showed no signs of stopping.

Snow continued to pour into the ravine, covering the ground in a thick white blanket.

Jeon Jungkook stared at the narrow alcove.

Then at the stranger.

Then back at the alcove.

The situation was ridiculous.

The shelter was barely large enough for two people.

The stranger looked equally unimpressed.

For several moments neither moved.

Neither wanted to be the first to surrender.

Another icy gust swept through the ravine.

Jungkook felt the temperature drop even further.

Fine.

His pride was not worth freezing to death.

Without a word, he entered the alcove.

The stranger followed.

Immediately the cramped space became suffocating.

Their shoulders almost touched.

The ceiling hung low overhead.

Even sitting properly was difficult.

Outside, the wind screamed like a wounded beast.

Inside, silence settled.

An uncomfortable silence.

Jungkook leaned against the stone wall.

The stranger sat opposite him.

Close.

Far too close.

For the first time, Jungkook could properly study the man.

His features were striking.

Not merely handsome.

Beautiful.

Even exhausted and covered in dirt, there was an elegance about him that seemed impossible to hide.

His hands were smooth.

Not a laborer's hands.

Not a common physician's hands.

Noble.

Definitely noble.

The stranger caught him staring.

"See something you like?"

Jungkook blinked.

Then frowned.

The man actually looked amused.

Interesting.

Most people became nervous under his gaze.

This one seemed entertained.

"No."

The stranger hummed.

"A pity."

Jungkook almost rolled his eyes.

For someone running from assassins, the man appeared remarkably relaxed.

The silence returned.

Several minutes later, Jungkook noticed something.

The stranger was shivering.

Only slightly.

Most people would not have seen it.

Jungkook did.

His eyes narrowed.

The poison.

The man's complexion had become noticeably paler.

"Your wound."

The stranger glanced down.

"What about it?"

"The poison is spreading."

A brief pause.

Then a smile.

"You sound concerned."

"I'm not."

"Liar."

Jungkook's jaw tightened.

The stranger chuckled softly.

For some reason, the sound annoyed him.

And yet...

Not entirely.

Before Jungkook could respond, the stranger suddenly swayed.

His hand shot out against the wall for support.

The smile vanished.

Jungkook immediately sat upright.

"Hey."

No response.

The man's breathing had become uneven.

Damn it.

The poison was worse than he thought.

"Can you hear me?"

The stranger opened one eye.

"Barely."

Jungkook cursed under his breath.

Wonderful.

The suspicious physician was dying.

In a ravine.

During a blizzard.

With him.

The stranger attempted to sit straighter.

He failed.

His body leaned sideways.

Instinctively, Jungkook caught him.

The movement surprised them both.

For one strange moment, everything became still.

The stranger's body was warm despite the cold.

Warmer than it should have been.

Fever.

His head rested briefly against Jungkook's shoulder.

Dark lashes trembled.

Jungkook froze.

The distance between them disappeared.

Too close.

Way too close.

The stranger seemed to realize it at the same moment.

Slowly, he pulled away.

Neither spoke.

An unfamiliar tension settled inside the small shelter.

Jungkook cleared his throat.

"You have a fever."

The stranger looked exhausted.

"And your medical diagnosis?"

"You'll die if it gets worse."

"How reassuring."

Jungkook ignored him.

After a moment, he removed a small leather pouch from inside his cloak.

The stranger's eyes sharpened immediately.

Medicine.

Jungkook noticed.

Interesting.

A normal physician would have looked relieved.

This man looked suspicious.

As if analyzing every possibility.

Jungkook handed him a small pill.

"Take it."

The stranger did not move.

"What is it?"

"Poison suppressant."

"How generous."

"You can refuse."

The stranger studied him carefully.

For several seconds neither blinked.

Then he accepted the medicine.

Jungkook watched him swallow it.

Only then did he relax.

Slightly.

The fever should stabilize.

Hopefully.

Minutes passed.

The storm intensified.

The entrance to the ravine was almost completely buried.

They would not be leaving tonight.

The realization settled heavily between them.

The stranger sighed.

"This is your fault."

Jungkook stared.

"My fault?"

"You appeared."

"I appeared?"

"If I hadn't met you, I wouldn't be trapped in a hole."

Jungkook laughed.

Actually laughed.

The sound surprised both of them.

The stranger blinked.

Then stared.

Jungkook immediately stopped.

An awkward silence followed.

Something strange had just happened.

Neither knew what.

Neither mentioned it.

Outside, the snow continued falling.

Inside, exhaustion slowly won.

The stranger's head dipped forward.

Again.

Again.

Eventually he lost the battle entirely.

Before he could hit the stone wall, Jungkook caught him.

The movement happened automatically.

Without thought.

Without permission.

The stranger was already asleep.

Jungkook looked down.

The man's breathing had finally steadied.

His face seemed younger while sleeping.

Less guarded.

Less dangerous.

For the first time, Jungkook wondered who he really was.

Not a physician.

Definitely not.

The mystery irritated him.

And intrigued him.

An unfortunate combination.

After a moment, he carefully adjusted his cloak over the sleeping man.

Just enough to keep out the cold.

Nothing more.

Absolutely nothing more.

Then why am I doing this?

Jungkook frowned.

He had no answer.

Across from him, the stranger shifted slightly in his sleep.

A soft crease appeared between his brows.

Even unconscious, he looked troubled.

As though something was chasing him.

Or someone.

Jungkook looked away.

This was temporary.

One night.

One storm.

One stranger.

By tomorrow they would go their separate ways.

That should have been a comforting thought.

Instead, for reasons he couldn't explain, it left an unpleasant feeling in his chest.

Outside, hidden beneath the storm, dozens of assassins continued searching the mountains.

Far away, powerful men celebrated what they believed to be two successful assassinations.

And within the cramped shelter, neither crown prince realized the truth.

The enemy they had been taught to hate all their lives was sleeping only a few inches away.

Closer than any ally.

Closer than any friend.

And with every passing hour, fate tightened its grip around both their hearts.

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