STRINGS OF MY HEART | SVT | JEONGCHEOL [✓]

23 - Drift Away

<Choi Palace>

"Stop staring at me." Jeonghan whined as he was looking at himself in the mirror but a particular someone couldn't take his eyes off him.

"I won't." Seungcheol nodded.

"You can't be helped." Jeonghan sighed.

"A kiss will work I guess?" Seungcheol teased.

"Shut up, you're so shameless." Jeonghan gasped.

"Why are you acting like I'm asking for kisses in the neighborhood?" Seungcheol stood up as he held the younger's waist.

"We've guests arriving soon, do you remember that?" Jeonghan placed his hands over the older's chest.

"I do." Seungcheol nodded.

"And we've to welcome them."

"I know."

"And we're getting late."

"Because of you."

"What do you mean because of me?" Jeonghan frowned.

"You're not fulfilling my demand." Seungcheol whispered.

"What demand huh?" Jeonghan acted oblivious.

"I'm waiting." Seungcheol tightened his grip on the younger's waist.

"You're insufferable." Jeonghan pressed a prolonged kiss on the older's lips.

"Let's go." Seungcheol chuckled, "Lead the way, your highness."

"You just have your ways to flatter me." Jeonghan rolled his eyes.

"And you deserve every inch of it." Seungcheol walked behind him.

Jeonghan laughed as both of them reached the hall, expecting the royalty of the Park Dynasty to show up at any moment. They were good friends with the Choi Empire but a long lost one as well.

Soon, the cars arrived. First the king and queen walked out and met the Choi Lineage.

"Oh Mrs. Park." Ara called, "When are you going to bring your daughter?"

"Oh she's a bit shy, she's there. Our darling, Park Jiah." Mrs. Park pointed as the door of the car opened and the princess walked out.

But the smiles of the Choi Royalty faded and got replaced by shear horror.

Jeonghan's hand immediately gripped Seungcheol's palm but seemed like Seungcheol was utterly frozen at his place.

Park Jiah? Or, Kim Hari?

"What the-" Seokmin muttered as Joshua halted him immediately.

Jiah walked upstairs and reached the hall with a soft smile on her face. She bowed and greeted everyone who somehow retorted the gesture, except for Seungcheol.

Joshua and Seokmin quickly took the lead as they led the Park Royalty into the palace.

"Seungcheol-" Jeonghan squeezed his arm, trying to get at least a nod from him.

Jeonghan trusted him, obviously but at that moment, he needed some assurance, just a little bit of assurance.

Which, Seungcheol was not providing at all.

Without exchanging any words, both of them walked into the palace.

Jeonghan believed that the older was just taken aback, that's it. But by each passing second, the air around him was suffocating him.

All eyes were on Hari, or Jiah or whatever.

It was making him feel utterly disgusted and disappointed.