Two Kingdoms | Park Sunghoon

40

AERI POV.
IN THE FOREST.

My eyes grew flames of their own upon the thought of Sunghoon. I felt my brain losing control over its actions and thoughts. A red fury wrapped around my head, leaving a wrathful feel in the core of her soul and bones. My heart no longer called his name in love: it called him in revenge, for now it was my time to attack just as planned. Not on a kingdom, nor an army but on a Prince. Prince Sunghoon. I may have failed my kingdom gravely, but I was not going to permit myself to let the cause of it all roam free on this Earth any longer.

Looking into the distance, I saw my horse galloping towards me, slowing down upon seeing me. A grin grew on my face; at least something in this world was loyal.

I shoved my sole dagger into the backside of my belt, climbing up my horse and riding into the distance at maximum speed. His horseshoes clopped rapidly at a speed he had never rode before, almost like he understood the dire situation I was in and gave his all to help me.

Entering into the castle, I realised it was awfully quiet. The guards were zero, considering they are on the battlefield, and the servants did not seem fazed to see me, assuming they are not aware I am the enemy now.

I kindled the fire of rage in my soul, hoping I wouldn't get emotional once seeing Sunghoon.

There it was. His room. The doors were closed, as expected. The corridors surrounding his room were somehow even quieter than the rest of the castle.

I reached for the dagger's handle, taking it out of my belt and holding it in my hand on my side. I let out a shaky breath, my vacant hand wrapped around the doorknob ready to barge in. My body tensed and stiffened, the vexed emotion taking over further, sucking me into its trap completely.

"Remember what he did to you. Remember what he did to you." I gritted my teeth, turning the doorknob and intruding into the room.

3RD PERSON POV.

"Park Sunghoon, you litt-" Aeri let out a shriek as she stumbled back upon seeing her lover on the ground. The dagger she held confidently not more than a second ago slammed to the ground, making a clanging sound once the metal came into contact with the floor.

The thick, maroon river of blood puddled on the floor. The Prince's eyes shifted towards her as he attempted to lift his hand up. Without thinking, Aeri grabbed onto him, hoisting his body onto her lap. Tears flew down Aeri's face as she stared at the boy longer. For Sunghoon, death hung over him. His bloody hand reached up to Aeri's cheek, holding it with the pinch of strength he had in him. She couldn't bring herself to shake him off carelessly with the attitude she promised she would uphold.

"A-Aeri. F-forgive me." He choked out weakly, attempting to muster a smile but the pain held it back. His eyes held both innocence and guilt and it was obvious in his gaze. The bewildered girl could not untangle her emotions, as she gasped for breath and her voice hitching; red rims around her eyes and nose. The mission had left her mind completely: the mission to leave with his head in her hands.

Sunghoon's body fought it's all to magically heal him. His heart filled with regret, partial to Aeri and partial to the dagger sticking out his chest. He wished he could turn back time and wait a little longer so Aeri could walk in on him and maybe he'd have a chance to plea his case. It was simply impossible. For he would have to be faster than light, and right now he was even darker than darkness itself.

The boy's life slowly slipped out of his hands. Aeri's soul had shattered upon seeing the pain on his face. The normal, nonchalant Aeri would laugh and jump in joy upon seeing the unbearable agony plastered on his complexion; but this Aeri was different. This Aeri had a part wishing for him to live. She placed her hand on his, squeezing it tight. Her cries increasing and becoming more intense and she squeezed onto his fingers harder. Her lower lip had been bruised from biting it so much to hold back the tsunamis she let out of her eyes.

And just like her dagger, his life crashed to the ground.

Aeri's face drooped low and pale, unable to comprehend that he was no longer there.

Staring at the lifeless soul of the Prince: the man who taught her how to love, who has broken her and betrayed her and left her with nothing and the man she swore to never forgive even once dead and the man she said she would kill herself. He had completed her mission for her.

But it was evident in her eyes,

she had forgiven him.

The distraught Queen grabbed his torso closer to her, wailing into the crook of his neck. Her pained sobs could even make the thunder in a storm apologise. The torment came in gruelling, stealing waves, its shards piercing deep into her heart, figuratively. However, a shard was piercing deep into her beloved's chest, literally.

"No... no... no." Aeri's voice broke and wailed and yearned for any response. His chest did not rise and fall like it was a minute ago. His hand did not clutch onto hers as it did a minute ago. His other hand did not grip onto his chest tightly as it did a minute ago. For he was dead. Deceased. Unalive.

He was gone.

Just as it came to Aeri that she had forgiven Sunghoon, it came to her acknowledgment that she only appreciated things after they were gone.

First her mother.

Then her first horse.

Then her father.

Then her council.

Then her kingdom.

And worst of all, her lover.