𝐌𝐈𝐑𝐀𝐄

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠'𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐞 ❣︎ 𝐃𝐨𝐡𝐲𝐮𝐧

❣︎

Y/N slowly got down on her knees with the aid of the two palace maids beside her. With every quick breath she took, she slowly realized that she was running out of time. Her life was hanging on a worn thread, ready to snap at any moment. The future that he promised her under the moonlight, she wouldn't be able to be a part of it.

Even if she was alive, she knew by heart that it would never happen, not in this lifetime. "Deities, please, I beg you, please let me hold on a little longer, just until the coronation finishes," she prayed.

Each step Dohyun took weighted him more and more, with remnants of his enemies' bodies and blood on the very path he was walking on. He held his gaze upon the spacious golden throne in the imperial hall. It felt like a distant dream from his childhood. A dream which will cost his life.

The fact that he survived was a miracle itself. To be crowned as the king. It was something that he never believed could happen. He climbed up the marble stairs and entered the imperial hall.

He inhaled, stopping before the throne, the golden seat filled with a strong aura, the seat that would bestow him with great power. Once he settled down, there was no turning back. His life as a threatened crown prince would be over. Adjusting his robes, he turned around and once he sat down on the throne all his subjects yelled "All hail King Yoo Dohyun!"

The cold air at the top served as a reminder that he should continue the legacy as a cold-hearted but righteous leader of the Kingdom of Change.

He felt small, like a little kid who was at a place he shouldn't be.

"The girl Y/N, I'm scared," he wanted to cry out.

One of the ministers stepped forward and made their way toward him. He bowed and presented the royal seal before him. Dohyun stared at the golden turtle seal, the hollowness in his chest growing. Arms outstretched, he took the seal, clenching it to hide his trembles. The fate of his very kingdom now rests upon him.

He was not sure if he could carry the burden without breaking apart again. He feared that pieces of him that were patched by Y/N would crumble with the slightest touch.

After the congratulations by the ministers, the eunuchs on guard opened the doors once again, revealing the hundreds of palace servants and low-rank ministers standing in the courtyard, the summer heat consuming all of them.

"Long live the King!" they shouted in unison, doing the grand bow four times.

From afar, Dohyun caught sight of Y/N, who was sweating profusely, complexion as pale as a sheet of paper. His heart twisted, and the sudden urge to rush towards her washed over him. But he is the king, and the king should not act impulsively. With everyone's eyes set on him, he could no longer do as he wished.

As the people got down to deliver the last bow, he watched in terror as Y/N's body swayed and slowly fell to the ground. Chaos erupted among the people as gasps and shouts filled the humid air.

Removing his headpiece, he dashed out of the hall and fled down the stairs, ignoring the calls of the ministers. Images of her collapsing rewind in his mind, and his chest throbbed. Everyone immediately cleared a path for him as he made his way toward the girl.

When he arrived next to her, Y/N was coughing out blood in the arms of maids, body shaking in agony as the poison seeped into her system, killing her slowly.

Dohyun rushed to her side and cradled her frail body in his arms, caressing her with trembling hands. He eyed her, shocked and hurt.

"You were just fine yesterday... What happened? Why… I-" he stuttered, wiping the blood with his sleeves.

The girl let out a soft 'shh', the pain silencing her. White spots covered her vision. There were so many words she wanted to deliver to him.

She wanted to tell him how proud she was of him when she watched him ascend to his rightful throne. She wanted to apologize for breaking the promise.

Sullivan frantically looked around. "Where's the physician? Send the imperial physician now!" he bellowed. "It's okay. You'll be fine. I'm here. Stay with me, alright? This is the king's first order."

With the remaining strength left in her, she grabbed his hand and started tracing words on it.

"I'm sorry, your majesty. The Promise I can't keep…"

Clasping her hand, King Sullivan shook his head.

"No, no... you will live. You will be my consort, and we will have a happy family," he choked, lips trembling.

To be his consort, something that she never dared dream of. Staying by his side and watching over him was all she ever wanted, but those were robbed of her as well. Now, she only wishes for his reign to prosper.

For his suffering to die alongside her. The voices around her started to fade in and out, her eyes slowly closing as her finger completed the last stroke to the final letter of her last words. "Forget me please."

King Dohyun's body went still as Y/N's hand fell to the ground. He placed a hand on her cold cheek, stroking his thumb. He closed his eyes, a single tear cascading down his cheek.

"Why does my love hurt so badly..."

Seeing you walking down the spring flower path was the most beautiful sight I've ever seen. Smiling while picking the spring flowers made me feel something that I never felt. Fluttering in the air, your beautiful scent.

Even the broken pieces, I'll gather them one by one. Rolling along the spring flower path, You used to smile brightly. Like the First snow, it’s falling again. I can’t reach you anymore.

Please remember the lustrous spring. I’ll follow you who’s melted into sorrow, I swear to the end of my life, To the Stars walking on the night sky.

Your hands with thorns stuck in them. It hurts more than the rough road I had to take.

It breaks even by the wind blowing on the leaves. I couldn’t cry nor die.

I’ll just close my eyes with a heavy and suffering heart.

Bird, Bird, Oh Blue Bird.

Hey, Arario.

Bird, Bird, Oh Blue Bird.

Deliver my heart.

Why does my love hurt so much?