SWITCH

Chapter 10 - Home...

Home. Chaeyoung finally stepped, again, onto the floor of her family house. It changed since the last time she saw it. Or it feels like this because she grew up and her childhood memory of the house distorted the image of the house. Or it just seems that way because she has grown up and the image of her childhood home has become distorted.

"Chaeyoung! My sunshine! ", her mother runs engulfing her in a tight hug. "You are here, you are home...", she kept kissing her cheeks and telling her how much she missed it, she missed her.

Since they took her to the Palace, her parents were able to see her only on special occasions. They didn't have time for hugs and warm words. It felt like they stole her.

How was it for her mother not to be able to listen to her struggles and comfort her? To see how is she growing.

And even though they were apart their love didn't fade, their bond stayed strong.

That night Chaeyoung fell asleep in her mother's arms. Her sleep never was more peaceful...

§

Chaeyoung woke up as usual at five o clock, ready to get dressed and start her Princess duties, but then, when her brain finally acknowledged her surroundings she stopped even before her foot could touch the floor.

"Oh fuck it!", she just fell on the soft pillows and slept till her stomach forced her to get up for an energy recap.

"Good morning Princess!", the maids were greeting her with smiles, seeing the crown princess was an achievement for them. Nothing but good was talked about her, she was everyone's sweetheart.

Chaeyoung returned the smile and let herself be led to the table filled with breakfast. Her parents were already there.

"Morning my darling! ", her mother followed her with hungry eyes till she sat next to her, she wanted to capture every moment with her daughter.

"I don't know if your taste has changed,... But I asked to make those pies you loved as a child..."

Chaeyoung remembers it, she closed her eyes as she bit from it, and tears filled her eyes, "It tastes the same...",

"You are still crying because of the food!", her mother was so happy to see that her inner child was still there

"Do you know how hard it was for me to suppress it? ", she asked,
"It's not mannerly correct!", she said imitating her teacher's voice..., "Well it's correct for my tummy!"

"I'm glad to see you smiling again... We lost so many years... But don't worry I'll make sure that the Jeons will pay for what they did...", her father stated, his hatred for them increasing with each day...

Chaeyoung on the other side wasn't embracing all his thoughts and feelings for the ruling family, maybe it was because of the years spent in the Palace, or her attachment to her soulmate. One thing she knows for sure is he is in danger and Jeongkook is too since he got involved in all this mess.
"Someone wants to kill him..."

"I don't care... they don't have any right to treat you like that... So what if he is your soulmate? If only we could get you out of this...", her father said defeated, mad at himself that he isn't capable to free his daughter so she could build her life on her own...

She looked at her full plate, she couldn't look at her father's helplessness, "Like it or not I can't escape this marriage and you know why..."

"I know... But still, Doyoung committed too many blunders, and I don't care if he is the King... "

§

Chaeyoung decided to visit Jungkook. Something in her told her to go and see him. What kind of a soulmate is she if she doesn't watch him or ask about his health? Even though he hurt her...

She slowly entered the room. It would have been dead silence if it wasn't for the sound of the devices that monitored his vital condition.

She sat on the chair next to the bed he was lying on thinking about what to say.

"I don't know if you hear me, but, what happened to you? I still remember how you used to steal glances and tell me how I always shine whenever you look at me... I was sure that you felt something for me like I did for you..."

"Your brother is a good human you should see him... " she let out a sigh, she gathered all her courage and held his hand caressing his skin with her thumb

"I..., I need you to wake up...", she pleaded, "Because I am afraid that I am falling for him... ", she felt some tears escaping her orbs, finally admitting her fear and her deepest feeling. She felt like she is betraying her soulmate by accepting her developing feelings for his brother.

How is that possible to happen when she knows him for such a short time? Or is it because she just needed a little care from him for her heart to melt?

Suddenly the monitor started to record an increase in his heartbeat and she felt his fingers moving...

"Jungkook?", acknowledging that he is reacting she pushed the button that calls the doctor.

After a few seconds, he was already there with a few nurses...

§

"He is making progress, all vitals are showing improvement... It's like witnessing a miracle, it's true what they say, the soulmates can heal each other...", the doctor said amazed by the progress his patient was showing

Chaeyoung was just standing here looking at Jungkook's still-unconscious body wondering what will happen next.

Did his healing probably start because of her? Or was it just a coincidence?

Is he going to wake up soon? Does he wants her to be here, or is he expecting Yeri to stay by his side?

And if he wakes up, what will he do next? Does she want him to wake up right now? If he does there is only one thing that will happen next, they will get married, and she will never be free... And Jeongkook, what will happen to him?

"Your Highness? "

She didn't even realize that she zoned out, "What? ", she asked him to repeat his question

"I was asking if we should inform..."

"Of course, you have to... I need to get back ...", giving a nervous smile she runs out of the room.

Is he waking up from the coma? 🤔
Thank you for reading till here... I really appreciate it!