mirage erroné (pt. 3/?)
genre: Princess!reader x bandit!Mark, ft. bandit!NCT Dream
warnings: all nct Dream members are above 18+, multi-chapter, swear words here and there throughout fic
word count:1.2k
prompts: in which a self-proclaimed good-hearted bandit group kidnaps the wrong princess
a/n: uni summer classes are real ass-kickers ➵admin kiki
Ξ r e q u e s t Ξ
01 | 02 | Current
You lost track of how much time was spent travelling. You assumed their hideout was located somewhere deep in the forest as the rustle of trees and the snapping of fallen branches were your only indication of constant sound.
The men rarely spoke with each other - presumably because of your presence. You feared hearing even just a sliver of information about your captors could result in your untimely death. It wasn’t as if you weren’t afraid at the moment, because you most certainly were.
You were ripped away from the safety of your home and are now in the hands of ruly men whose main goal was unknown. Is this a hostage encounter? Jihyo and yourself were briefed as children on what to do in situations like these.
Basic rules are to be followed: Remain calm, always comply with the enemy, never provoke your captor, and do not unveil secrets of the Royal Family.
You could proudly say the last one would stay unbroken, but as for the others… well, we can leave it at that.
“Just up ahead now.” One announces, bringing your senses into high alert. You felt your heart rate pick up and you felt the familiar feeling of your anxiety beginning to seep its way back into your chest.
Your horse comes to an abrupt stop after its owner’s command, causing your body to shift forward. To your horror, this small action was enough to start a moving reaction. In other words, your body was beginning to slide off the saddle and in your blinded and immobile state, there was nothing you could physically do to stop it.
Your legs began to dangle loosely off the animal’s side and your entire being tensed up in the moment, your body unsure of how else to react to the situation. You felt yourself slip further off the horse and with gravity’s help, your body fell.
Your mouth flew open for a shriek yet it stayed lodged in your throat as you felt yourself fall against something that was definitely not the ground. Arms wrapped themselves around your midsection, causing your muscles to run taut and still. No one dared to ever touch you in such a forward way.
You lurched forward, escaping the person’s arms only to bump into the horse - it snorts in response to your brutishness.
“Easy there.” You weren’t sure if the new voice - another male’s, you noted - was talking to the animal or to you. “Hold still for a second.”
Hands were placed gently on your shoulders, guiding you to turn around in your spot. The same pair helps untie your blindfold, allowing you to finally take in your surroundings. Upon the harsh glare of the sun, you turn your face towards the ground, eyes involuntarily closing shut.
After this quick action, you bring yourself to look up and your gaze is captured by captivating brown eyes. They’re squinted, with eyebrows furrowed to top the look of curiosity off. Their owner looks too kind, too young to be in the position he’s in, and you curse yourself for having the thought ‘cute’ come across.
“I assume the trip wasn’t to your liking?” he questions, the corners of his lips curling upwards. His voice is surprisingly soothing - the complete opposite of the gruff sound you were imagining it to be. “I apologize for that. The boys get a little rough when they’re excited.”
He motions to his companions, who are finally unmasked and you send hard glares to the duo. The taller of the two grins at you before starting to unload their traveling packs on the horses.
The other simply shrugs, “It wasn’t as difficult as you made it out to be, by the way. After figuring out which room was hers, it was smooth sailing from there.”
“I apologize for the easy finding.” You retort. “We will try to the best of our efforts to make it harder for you, next time.”
“There won’t be a need for a next time.” He laughs before heading off into the woods. Your body flushed with heat as you quickly grew angry at his words.
“Don’t pay mind to him. He likes to tease.” You look back to the man in front of you.
“And who should I pay mind to, then?”
“Well, that all depends on you, Your Highness.” he teases and you cringe at the title. He softly grasps your hands, and it’s only then that you notice the dagger in his hand. You flinch away, trying to escape his grip. “Ah, don’t move, please. I’m just trying to cut the restraints. I wouldn’t want to nip you, instead.”
He skillfully tears the bounds in one smooth motion and your wrists cry out in relief. Out of reflex, you rub the irritated skin, hoping to ease the sudden numbing sensation.
The man seems to take notice of this. “Renjun is good with aiding us with cuts and the sorts, so if you’d like, we can see if he has anything for that.”
Why would someone who was in the same group as your captors want to help you? You found it hard to believe his intentions came from sole kindness. You are most likely here for ransom, so there was the possibility that would want you with little to no harm done.
“You’ve got the horses, Jeno?” he speaks out to the man that was tending to the animals.
“Yeah, I’ll bring them back to the nearby town first thing tomorrow.”
“Thanks. We’ll be heading back now, then.” With that, he signals for you to follow him before heading off in the same direction his other companion did moments earlier.
You found yourself fighting against dangling branches and unearthed roots - an environment you were completely new to. You had never stepped off the palace grounds until now. A bastard royal was not allowed to make public appearances unless it were balls held within their own castles.
“Here,” you look up to see an offering hand paired off with a kind smile from him, “I’m sure you must be having trouble keeping up. You’re not used to the surroundings, after all.”
“I’m fine.” You brush his aid away, refusing to accept anything from this criminal.
“Whatever you want.” He muses, continuing onward. It’s quiet between you two, before he speaks up once more to your annoyance. “I can’t say I’m sorry for doing this, but I’m sure you understand our reasons behind it.”
“I can’t say that I do, unless you are looking to be paid handsomely for my return.” You spoke under the impression they all still assumed you to be your older sister. Otherwise, they’d get nothing more than a bronze coin for your return.
“What we want has nothing to do with money.” His reply is quick and simple, confusing you.
“If it isn’t money you are aiming for, then what is the need for my capture?”
“Oh, well, that’s easy.” He stops in his tracks, turning around to fully face you. “I want to stop a corrupt Princess and her father from ruling this Kingdom.”