— PRESENT —
Jang-Geum stood quietly beside Dae-Seong, her gaze steady and unwavering.
I broke the silence, my voice laced with a mix of anger and anguish. I looked at Jang-Geum and asked point blank, "Why'd you kill my parents?"
A hint of a smirk tugged at the corners of Jang-Geum's lips at my question. She responded with a matter-of-fact tone, her words laced with a hint of dark amusement.
"Oh, the reason why I killed your parents? Well... it's actually quite simple, really," Jang-Geum spoke. "Because it was fun."
My expression twisted into a mixture of disbelief and anger. I looked at Jang-Geum with wide eyes, my voice raised in shock.
"Are you serious? You killed my parents because...because it was fun?" I exclaimed. "What kind of sick, twisted reason is that? Tell me the ACTUAL reason, damn it!"
Jang-Geum's expression darkened slightly as her gaze shifted away from me. She spoke calmly and with a hint of disdain in her voice.
"Because I hate them," she stated simply, a cold, calm tone in her words. "I despised your parents. Their very existence infuriated me."
Jang-Geum's voice grew firmer as she continued speaking, sharing her own story and reasons behind her actions.
"You can hate me, Dae-Seong," she said, her eyes locking with his. "But you can never blame me for hating your parents. You have no idea what I endured as a child. When the volcano erupted and the Namjus attacked, my parents were betrayed by yours. At such a young age, I had no choice but to take matters into my own hands and kill your parents."
My breath hitched in my chest at Jang-Geum's revelation, my mind reeling with shock and confusion. The words struck me deeply, shattering any illusions I may have had about trust and friendship.
I took a moment, tears threatening to spill over, before managing to speak. "What the hell is going on..." I muttered under my breath. "Chul-Ki... and you... and who else? Won-Guk... what's next? Betrayal after betrayal... what is happening...?"
Jang-Geum's voice held a hint of remorse as she spoke, her eyes filled with a mixture of regret and resignation.
"I'm sorry, but you're wrong about making me your friend," she said softly. Her gaze met mine, a silent understanding passing between us. "You and I, we were never friends, not truly."
Jang-Geum's smirk turned into a more serious expression as she continued, her words sharp but laced with a hint of warning.
"Don't be naive, Dae-Seong," she chastised him. "Not everyone you think you can trust will hold true to that. People change, situations change. You can't always predict the future, nor should you rely on everyone being trustworthy. Stop acting like you know it all and realize that life isn't fair or predictable. Pin that in your mind."
As Jang-Geum turned her back and walked away, her cape trailing behind her, I stood frozen, my heart heavy with conflicting emotions. Pain and realization washed over me, but I also knew that deep down, I understood the truth in her words.
My gaze lingered on Jang-Geum's departing figure, a mix of hurt and understanding filling me. I swallowed back my emotions and made a silent vow to myself to take her words to heart, no matter how much they stung.
—— FOREST ——
Won-Guk quietly approached me, who sat by the serene river, tears streaming silently down my face. Sensing my distress, Won-Guk stepped closer, but I remained unresponsive, my gaze fixed on the flowing water.
A somber atmosphere enveloped the forest, the only sounds being the gentle flow of the river and my soft, barely audible sobs.
Won-Guk gently grabbed my chin and lifted my head, forcing me to meet his gaze. A mixture of concern and playful annoyance danced in Won-Guk's eyes as he spoke.
"Jang-Geum really did a number on you with that speech, huh?" he quipped. "You're crying over her little 'wise words'?"
My eyes widened slightly as I spoke, my voice laced with a mixture of vulnerability and frustration.
"First Chul-ki, now Jang-Geum... Who's next? You?"
Won-Guk chuckled lightly, a hint of mischief in his eyes. "Me? Change? Never, darling," he responded with a playful tone.
With a flick of his wrist, Won-Guk conjured a delicate crystal ring and gently slipped it onto my ring finger. He then leaned in, his lips brushing against the ring in a soft kiss.
My words were somewhat puzzled as I questioned Won-Guk's actions.
"What are you doing?"
Won-Guk smiled, his gaze never leaving my eyes. "I'm making a promise," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. "I give you this ring to remember that I'll always be by your side, no matter what happens."
I chuckled softly, a hint of insecurity in his voice.
"Isn't it strange, though? Two men... loving each other?"
Won-Guk's expression softened as he held my hand gently, his eyes locked onto mine. He repeated confidently, "Love knows no weird."
With those simple words, he expressed that our love, regardless of the societal norms, was meaningful and true. Won-Guk's unwavering belief in our bond was evident in the assurance of his gaze.
Won-Guk took a moment, collecting his thoughts before speaking softly, the words flowing from his lips like poetry.
"Our love story, whispered in stolen glances and shared dreams," he began, "painted a masterpiece of affection against the canvas of the world."
His eyes never left mine as the words settled in, each syllable a declaration of not just love, but a promise of unwavering devotion.
I chuckled softly, a hint of amusement in my voice.
"Let's head back to the castle now," I agreed. "I've had enough of this drama, you know?"
I intertwined my hand with Won-Guk's, ready to leave the emotional moment behind and return to the familiarity of the castle.
Won-Guk's eyes held a hint of determination as he spoke, his words filled with both tenderness and a hint of possessiveness.
"You will be my king," he said softly, his hand gently caressing my cheek. "Stay with me forever..."
His voice held a mixture of affection and an unspoken vow, as if he was claiming me as his own for all eternity.
I chuckled and nodded in agreement, a smile tugging at the corner of my lips. I then stood on my tiptoes and pressed a soft, tender kiss on Won-Guk's lips.
The momentary touch sent a flutter through our hearts, a silent declaration of love and acceptance.
Won-Guk chuckled at Dae-Seong's protest, enjoying the playful banter between them.
"You playful elf..." he teased, his voice filled with affection. "Let's get back to the castle and I'll make sure you won't be able to sleep tonight."
I rolled my eyes, feigning annoyance. "I'm not an elf, you punk!" I retorted light-heartedly.
Won-Guk couldn't help but burst into laughter at my response, amused by my indignant reaction.