cheolsoo • The Society of The Shadow / Eng ver.

9. the fortress

New spell updated:
- Lumious: disclose what is hidden when cast on souless things. It could also force someone to tell you the truth.

***

It was perfect moment for our prince to awaken.

"I heard that." He murmured this and rose from the bed, ignoring the ache from the wound on his stomach.

Jeonghan was obviously afraid. "Don't move," he said, raising his gaze to the prince. "The doctor told you to rest."

Mingyu laughed briefly. He raised his palm and touched Jeonghan on the cheek, enjoying the beauty that could easily knock all the stars to the ground. For him, the entire universe was nothing more than the feelings blazing in his chest. He yearned for Jeonghan in a way that no words could express, and no color could paint a painting of.

Mingyu could have been killed by the clone, but death meant being far away from Jeonghan, further than their distance from breaking up, so he chose to fight for his life.

"I'm proud to say that death couldn't tear us apart." The prince smiled, came in closer until their lips were inches apart, and asked, "Can I kiss you?"

Jeonghan's cheeks and ear were flushed with rosy. His lips were firmly closed. But, before he knew it, those lips had found their way back to Mingyu.

It was natural, like river flow, to let the love surge in. There was no mystery or conundrum to solve.

Jeonghan had completely forgotten why they had parted ways. It was only the two of them in this tranquil room. While their lips were crossed, the sweetness lingered. A few fingers rested on Mingyu's chest, sensing the fast pace of the beating heart.

It took them both a few moments to discover that the touch of their lips had given them a new sensation. Anew desire that was distinctly greater and wilder.

Therefore, it took away Jeonghan's dread. Those anxieties belonged to the past, and a shattered soul, born and raised in a broken home, couldn't love anyone but himself. He wished he could have battled for this love. Even when the Queen unexpectedly appeared and told him he didn't deserve the prince, he should've responded Mingyu loved and chose him; their love was greater than the noble's pride.

The thought of losing Mingyu for eternity terrified him the most. He won't pass up this chance now that he is aware of it.

"I know that saying sorry wasn't enough for what I did." Jeonghan cried, a tear falling from the corner of his eyes.

Mingyu wiped his tear away gently, kissed his eyelid, and whispered, "You came back to me, and that's enough."

Mingyu always held a place in his heart for Jeonghan, although it took a long time for Jeonghan to take off his mask and confess his actual thoughts. All he could do was wait patiently, knowing that the love that was meant to be would always return to him. Love has remained because it never left.

-

Seungcheol left an hour ago because his family, surprisingly, planned a party in the evening. While Jeonghan stayed in the bedroom to care for Mingyu, Joshua was left alone in the living room.

He noticed the massive portrait of a lady dressed in a crimson gown. Her skin was pale, and her lips were a deep red. Joshua equated her eyes to a black pearl, and her hair was as dark as the night's gloom. A mysterious vibe swirled around the portrait, although she appeared looking young. When someone drew this, Joshua guessed she was fifteen. Considering this was Seungcheol's home, Joshua wondered if the portrait had any significance for him.

The boy then focused on the bookcases behind the sofa. These were a collection of magic novel and theory books, as well as narrative novels about a certain wizard... Joshua wondered if Seungcheol had time to read them all because he was a hardworking student at their school who never skipped a class or had low test scores. In retrospect, Joshua saw Seungcheol as a practically flawless high school boy who appeared to exist only in books.