Afterlife ✔️

Chapter 3: I am Your End

After his nanny finishes cleaning and bandaging his wound, she leaves the room to let him rest. As he tries to sleep, the alpha prince stares at the crescent moon and tries to get those hungry eyes out of his mind.

"Why did you come here? Why did we have to meet?" He whispers as he stares at the same moon that watched him and his mate die. "I cannot breathe." The prince quickly stumbles out of his bed. "It is suffocating in here."

He quickly staggers to his balcony and swings the large glass doors open. When the fresh sea air blows against him, he takes a deep breath and slowly sits down on the balcony floor. He closes his eyes and falls asleep on the balcony.

When the dawn begins to break, the prince slowly wakes up and looks around his balcony. He quietly groans from the pain of falling asleep while sitting on the cold, stone floor. 

"I should go out for a ride." He mutters as he walks back into his room and grabs a black silk robe.

"Your Highness, are you going riding?" The Captain of the Guard asks when Taehyung walks past him.

"I am. I will be at the beach, so if anyone needs me, you can find me there." Taehyung responds as he walks towards the stables.

"Very well. Stay safe." The Captain bows and watches as Taehyung mounts his horse and rides off.

Taehyung lets go of the reins and opens his arms as his horse gallops towards the shore. He closes his eyes and releases all of the tension in his body that has been building up ever since he had that nightmare once again.

When he reaches the shore, he stops his horse and stares at the King who is mounted on a large snow, white stallion. The King slowly turns to look at him. Taehyung's breath hitches when those familiar eyes softly gaze at him.

"Your Majesty." Taehyung respectfully bows his head once he has composed himself.

"Your Highness." King Jeon softly responds and turns back to face the sunrise. "The sunrises here are beautiful." The King quietly mutters when Taehyung's horse stands next to his horse.

"What are they like in the North?" Taehyung asks without looking at the alpha beside him.

"Rare. Most days there are too many grey clouds in the sky to see the sunrise, sunset, or the sun." King Jeon responds as he watches the first rays peak over the flat horizon.

"I hope you enjoy this sunrise and many more to come." Because of me, you lost many beautiful sunrises and sunsets.

"Do I have your permission to come here whenever I wish to see a sunrise?" King Jeon softly asks as he turns his gaze to look at the prince beside him.

"You do." Taehyung responds without looking at the King. Your voice and gaze are the same, but you are older than you were then. I am relieved that you have been living well and have lived longer than the last life. As expected, your life without me in it is longer.

As the golden morning rays reach out over the calm sea, they splash on the prince's face and ignite his beauty. King Jeon quietly stares at the beautiful prince as he glows in the morning light. You are as gorgeous as I hoped you would be. I knew that you would be radiant. With death lingering near, you were still beautiful.

"We should return." Taehyung mutters once the sun has risen and turns his horse towards the castle.

"Very well." King Jeon softly smiles and follows the prince back to the castle.

During their quiet, slow ride back to the castle, both alphas remain quiet and enjoy the peaceful moment together. When they approach the castle walls, they can hear the ruckus of many servants tending to their royals' needs while the games for the day are being prepared.