•𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐋• ||A Lee Heeseung AU||

Chapter 6

Ha-eun POV

The afternoons had blurred into mornings over the past two days. Time slipped away, leaving me detached from its rhythm. The days felt endless, while the nights were unbearable.

The wedding was approaching, yet there was no sign of him. I had begun to worry, but then I saw him last night at dinner, sitting with his family, forcing a smile.

Seeing him smile hurt. Not because he was happy—he wasn't. It hurt because he was pretending.

Smiling hurt. 

All of this was forced and I wanted—needed—to believe none of it was real.

The Parks had succeeded in forcing Sunghoon into this marriage, too.

What had life become? I was being forced into a marriage with my best friend while the love of my life could do nothing but watch from a distance.

Sunghoon and I hadn't spoken since the decision was made, and today would have been no different—until the "Queen" decided the new couple should spend some time together.

It was already afternoon, yet I had no energy, no will to get out of bed. No will to breathe. No will to live.

By evening, I was forced to wake up, take a bath, and slip into one of my elegant gowns before meeting Sunghoon, who was waiting for me in the library.

Heeseung POV

Days had passed, yet I hadn't managed to see her. Not even for a fleeting moment. Guards stood outside her door, keeping her locked away. 

She seemed to never step out of her room. Every night, I would stand on my balcony, staring at the sky, knowing she was under the same stars. It was a fragile hope, but it was all I had.

I knew about the wedding that loomed closer, and yet, I could do nothing but wish. Wish that this was all a nightmare. Wish to run away with her. Wish...

Wish to be her's forever.

Hyung had returned to our empire yesterday, and my parents only allowed me to stay because he convinced them. They were against us, too. And all I could do was accept my cruel fate.

It was late afternoon when I wandered the palace corridors, lost in thought. I turned a corner and bumped into an unfamiliar face. He bowed in apology but froze midway.

"You are Lee Heeseung" he stated more than asked.

"I'm Park Sunghoon"he introduced himself with a polite smile, extending a hand. I shook it. There was no point in blaming him for this misery.

"Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Park," I said, keeping it formal.

"Young prince, would you mind talking with me for a while" he copied my formality. I nodded.

He led me into a room filled with paintings—scenes of Autumnvale Hill, a purple butterfly, flowers, the night sky, lovers embracing, two children, two teenagers.

"You painted these?" I asked, trying to etch each one into my memory. He chuckled, shaking his head.

"Ha-eun did. Though some of the ideas were mine," he admitted, staring at the canvases as if reliving the moments they captured.

I didn't know she liked painting. I might have said that out loud because Sunghoon quickly added,

"Bet you didn't know she loves reading romance" with a playful smirk dancing on his face.