Two Kingdoms | Park Sunghoon

30

1 WEEK LATER.
AERI POV.

Everyday since Jinho and Secretary Choi's murder I have lived in constant fear and paranoia. I had panic attacks almost every day, being unable to calm down until after two hours minimum. I never realised how much something could bother me despite having been in battle multiple times. Maybe it's because I have someone special to live for. I wouldn't know.

Suddenly, I remembered how I had left Sunghoon's proposal on hold. Therefore I rushed to get my cloak on and head to the horse stables. I rode across the land to his palace, my heart racing faster than the pace of my horse.

CASTLE OF BAEKCHE.
3RD PERSON POV.

"Your Highness, Queen Aeri of Silla wishes to see you. Shall I show her in?" The guard asked Sunghoon, once bowing upon entrance.

"Allow her in." He replied, a small smile forming on his face upon hearing her name; as he always does.

Aeri walked in slowly, not taking her eyes off the ground. Sunghoon's smile turned into a disappointed frown once he saw her discomfort and sadness.

"Why so glum, my dear?" He inquired, only for the distraught woman to grab onto him squeezing him tightly. Aeri sobbed in his arms, drenching his shoulder in her pained tears. He never said a word, simply understanding that she needed his affection and comfort in her troubled situation; only making his ulterior motive harder and harder to achieve. Sunghoon rubbed her back as she wailed harder, her voice hitching and unable to speak properly.

"It'll be okay. I told you I would protect you, did I not? I swear on the heavenly bodies that I will do anything it takes to protect and love you for the rest of my life." He assured her, pulling her away and holding both her shoulders, making sure she was maintaining eye contact with him. Little did she know, he did not believe in the heavenly bodies.

He lovingly wiped away her tears as she chuckled at the fool she had made of herself. The boy smiling back at her, placing a tender kiss on her forehead.

"Uhm. The reason I came to see you was because I've been thinking on your proposal. And if you're still interested in marrying me, I accept. I want to marry you. I need to marry you, Park Sunghoon." Aeri spoke shyly, her cheeks tinted pink.

"Oh my gosh, Aeri. This is amazing." He chuckled, lifting her up by the waist and spinning her around. They both laughed, joy radiating in the room. Letting her down, they both stared deeply in each other's eyes. Sunghoon wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her in closer towards his chest as the other hand cupped her jaw. He leaned in for a kiss, Aeri immediately kissing him back.

"Looks like I'm actually going to marry you." Aeri thought to herself.