Jinu

*So, the next day, it was 10:30 AM and Livanna was working in the kitchen, cleaning the floor with the broom, she looked so tired but she knew she had to kept working, even though she's been working since 5 AM.*

*Jinu stepped into the kitchen, his eyes immediately finding her. The sight of her, so exhausted, made his chest ache.* You've been working since dawn, Livanna. *He walked over and gently took the broom from her hands.* Please, let me do this. You need to rest.

*Livanna sighs and she shakes her head no, still cleaning the floor, feeling very determinated, but after a few minutes, she collapses on the floor, crying out in pain, grabbing her leg.* Ow!

*Livanna grabs his arm and she says in a firm voice, her eyes filled with tears* Don't. You're just a poor farmer, and you don't even have any weapons to defend yourself. *She pauses* And besides, I don't want to lose as I lost my parents. It's too painful.

*Jinu's gaze dropped to her hand on his arm, and his expression softened. He gently placed his free hand over hers, his touch a warm, steady pressure.* You won't lose me, Livanna. *He looked into her eyes, his own burning with a quiet, unshakeable resolve.* I'm not going to fight them with weapons. I'm going to fight them with the truth.

*Livanna tilts her head confused and she says in a quiet voice, her face is still tear-stained.* W-wait... What? How?

*Livanna's eyes widen and she covers her mouth with her hands, she says in a shocked voice, as she realizes what he's suggesting* W-What?! No way! We are loyal, we don't steal from others, Jinu! And besides, this will only sent us to the dungeons for years and that monster of the emperor isn't as kind as he seems, he is a monster.... *She pauses* He doesn't feel guilty for anything he does to poor children and their parents.... He just wants gold and money for himself and us other kids to get that. *She pauses, her eyes getting watery* A-and Ellie needs me... She needs us.

*Jinu's expression softened at her words. He shook his head, his gaze intense.* I'm not talking about stealing, Livanna. *His voice was a low, steady murmur.* I'm talking about taking back what that monster has stolen. Justice.

*Livanna sniffles and she says in a shaky voice* A-and h-his m-men t-tried t-to t-take h-her f-from m-me b-because t-they w-wanted h-her t-to b-be a-a g-gold d-digger, b-bu s-she i-is o-only 2...

*Livanna nods her head slowly, and she smiles softly* Mh! *Ellie sniffles she grips tightly onto the fabric of his shirt, as if she's scared to be taken away from Livanna and Jinu by those emperor's cruel men, as she's shaking, she clings onto him for dear life and comfort, shaking and she says in a shaky voice again.* D-don't l-leave u-us, P-papa... P-pwease...

*Jinu's heart broke at her words. He held her more tightly, rocking her gently. He looked at Livanna, his gaze full of a painful, fierce tenderness.* I'm not going anywhere. *He whispered to Ellie, his voice thick with emotion.* I'm right here. I'll always be right here.

*Ellie sniffles and she accidentally bites his hand while squirming.*

*Livanna's eyes fill with tears and she hides her face, she says in a shaky voice* B-but I-I've f-failed p-protecting h-her... *She pauses* A-and t-then, t-these m-men t-told e-everyone I-I'm a-a w-witch b-because o-of t-that a-and n-now, e-everyone k-knows I-I f-failed p-protecting h-her....

*Jinu's face went utterly blank, the fury in his eyes replaced by a chilling stillness. He shook his head slowly.* They are the ones who are failures. Cowards who hurt children. *He looked at her, his gaze burning with conviction.* You are not a witch, Livanna. You are a miracle. Don't ever let them tell you otherwise.

*Livanna sniffles and she wipes her tears away, she whispers in a shaky but quiet voice.* I-I'm s-sorry, I promise I will protect her better, as I promised my mom and dad, the emperor's men won't be able to take her away from me as they said.

*Livanna shakes her head and she says in a firm and quiet voice* Please, don't do anything stupid,nor that could put your life at risk.

*Jinu's expression softened, but the fierce light in his eyes remained. He took a step closer, his voice a low, earnest promise.* It's not stupid to protect what's mine. And I am much harder to kill than they think, Livanna.

*Ellie sniffles and she clings tightly onto him,not wanting to let go, her small hands gripping tightly on the fabric of his shirt as she whispers in a shaky voice, feeling very scared* P-papa...?

*Livanna smiles softly and she says in a gentle and caring voice, taking her own hair behind her ear* Thank you, Jinu... Nobody ever called me cute before... And yes, I'm very protective of her because I love her...,

*Jinu looks at her, his heart swelling with affection. He can't believe that no one has ever called her cute before. She is so beautiful, both inside and out. He says softly* Well, they were missing out. You're one of the most beautiful women I've ever met. And I can see how much you love Ellie. You're an amazing sister.

*Livanna's face turns bright red and she hides her face with her hands, feeling very shy.*

*Livanna looks down and she whispers in a quiet voice* No, it's okay... B-but... I know I'm asking for way too much, b-but... *She pauses and she takes a deep breath* I would feel safer if you could stay here with me and my little sister for a while, especially after they threatened me to take her away from me if I didn't do as I said... *She pauses again and she hides her face, her voice breaking* A-and I'm very scared of losing h-her...

*Jinu's heart breaks when he hears this. He can't bear to see her so upset. He reaches out and gently pulls her into a hug, holding her close and stroking her hair. He says softly, his voice muffled* Shh, it's okay. I'll stay with you and Ellie. I'll protect you both. I won't let anyone hurt you.

*Livanna sniffles and she smiles softly, but she immediately gasps and pulls away slightly, cupping his face in her hands, gently placing her hand in his forehead* Oh My Gosh... You are burning up... I felt that when you hugged me...

*Livanna sniffles and she smiles softly, but she immediately gasps and pulls away slightly, cupping his face in her hands, gently placing her hand in his forehead* Oh My Gosh... You are burning up... I felt that when you hugged me...

*Jinu's eyes widen in surprise when she touches his forehead. He didn't realize that he was running a fever. He looks at her and says softly* I'm okay. It's just a little fever. I'll be fine.

*Livanna shakes her head and she says in a gentle and caring voice, feeling very concerned about his health right now than her own.* Jinu, you need to rest, I can tell you're not feeling well... *She pauses and she gently strokes his hair with her hand* You can get some rest if you need, and I'll sleep in the floor... Don't worry, I'm used to it by now.

*Livanna nods her head and she says in a gentle and caring voice* And, how old are you? You seem in your early or mid twenties, but you said you've been working as a farmer for as long as you can remember, right?

*Jinu smiles softly and nods his head. He says softly* Yes, that's right. I'm 25 years old. I've been working as a farmer since I was a young boy. It's all I've ever known.

*Livanna smiles softly and she says in a gentle and caring voice, taking another sip of her own soup* Mh, same here... I've been working since I escape my father's house with my little sister... I remember she was only a 9 months old and I was 14 years old... Now she's 2 years old and I'm 16 years old.