A Love Across Time

Chapter 17: "Sparks Ignite"

As Taehyung and I strolled through the palace grounds, reminiscing about old times, our conversation was interrupted by the sight of a woman seated on the balcony. Her laughter echoed through the air, punctuated by the gentle sound of a nearby fountain. A delicate butterfly alighted on her shoulder, adding to the enchantment of the moment.

Taehyung's smile widened as he identified her as Hera, a new acquaintance he had met alongside Jungkook during their mission in the village. His words stirred a sense of curiosity within me, prompting me to take a closer look at the mysterious woman.

As I gazed at her silhouette, illuminated by the soft light of the morning sun, a strange feeling washed over me. It was as if time stood still, and in that fleeting moment, I felt an inexplicable connection to her.

Suddenly, everything clicked into place. The woman before me was the same ethereal figure I had glimpsed the previous night, lost in contemplation beneath the starry sky. Her presence had left an indelible mark on my heart, igniting a spark of longing within me.

With a jolt, I realized that I had fallen, fallen hard for her. Despite knowing so little about her, I couldn't deny the pull she exerted on my heartstrings.

As Hera's laughter filled the air, I felt a sense of warmth envelop me, drawing me closer to her like a moth to a flame. In that moment, I knew that she held the key to unlocking a happiness I had never known before.

Determined to learn more about this captivating woman who had captured my attention, I turned to Taehyung with a newfound sense of resolve. "Taehyung," I began, my voice filled with determination, "I must find a way to get to know her better. I have a feeling that she's someone special."

As Taehyung pulled me closer to Hera, I felt a surge of anticipation mixed with nervousness coursing through me. My heart pounded in my chest as I finally stood before her, taking in her radiant presence with awe.

Hera's beauty was truly captivating, her smile lighting up the surroundings like the morning sun. For a moment, time seemed to stand still as I found myself lost in the depths of her enchanting gaze.

Her voice, when it finally reached my ears, was like a melody, soothing and comforting amidst the chaos of my racing thoughts. It was as if her words had the power to calm the storm raging within me, grounding me in the present moment.

Taehyung's introduction snapped me back to reality, reminding me of my purpose for being there. I watched as Hera greeted us with warmth and sincerity, her genuine smile melting away any lingering doubts or fears.

Taehyung's words echoed in my mind as I observed Hera's graceful demeanor. Of course, she was special - a beacon of light amidst the darkness, a friend to those in need, and a force to be reckoned with.

When Hera addressed me as "Your Majesty," I felt a pang of discomfort at the formality, a reminder of the barriers that separated us. But her willingness to meet me as an equal, to address me by name and forgo the formalities, filled me with a sense of gratitude and admiration.

With a gentle smile, I reassured her that there was no need for such formalities between us. We were equals, bound by the common thread of friendship and camaraderie.

As Hera nodded in understanding, her smile never faltering, I felt a sense of connection blossoming between us. In that moment, I knew that meeting her had changed something within me, igniting a spark of hope and possibility in my heart.

Taehyung's voice faded into the background as I walked through the corridors, his words becoming nothing more than a distant echo in my ears. All I could think about was the image of Hera's radiant smile, etched vividly in my mind like a beacon of light in the darkness.

Even as Taehyung showed me around the palace, pointing out various points of interest and sharing stories from our past, my attention remained solely focused on Hera. Her presence lingered in the air, a constant reminder of the newfound warmth and hope she had brought into my life.

As we parted ways for the evening, with Taehyung heading off to the sword practice rooms and me retreating to my chamber, I couldn't shake off the overwhelming feeling of longing that consumed me. Every fiber of my being yearned to see Hera again, to bask in the radiance of her smile and lose myself in the depths of her gaze.

As the palace grew quiet with the onset of night, I found myself unable to rest, tossing and turning in my bed as sleep eluded me. In the darkness of my chamber, illuminated only by the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the window, I lay awake, my thoughts consumed by the memory of Hera's smile.

And so, as the rest of the palace slumbered peacefully, unaware of the turmoil raging within me, I remained awake, my heart filled with a longing that refused to be quelled. For in that moment, I knew with certainty that I would do anything to see that smile again, to be in the presence of the one who had captured my heart so completely.

Hera's POV

As I wandered through the corridors of the palace, my thoughts drifted back to the moments I had shared with Jungkook. Each memory, each word exchanged between us, played out in vivid detail in my mind, filling me with a sense of warmth and nostalgia.

Lost in my reverie, I found myself standing before a portrait of Jungkook, my fingers tracing the edges as a smile tugged at the corners of my lips. The memories flooded back, a cascade of emotions washing over me as I relived each moment we had shared.

"I'll never trust you"
"I apologise for my behaviour"
"Stay with me, Hera please"
"Thank you, what you've done is truly amazing"
"Get some rest, Hera. I don't want you feeling sick."
"You seem a bit flustered"
"I'm glad you're here"
"Let's have a duel?"

All the memories flashed in front of my eyes. But my peaceful reflection was shattered when a hand suddenly landed on my shoulder, causing me to flinch in surprise. Instinctively, I took a step back, the lantern in my hand teetering dangerously as I stumbled on the hem of my gown.

"Careful"

Before I could fall, strong arms wrapped around me, steadying me and preventing me from tumbling to the ground. Blinking in disbelief, I looked up to see Jungkook standing before me, a smirk playing on his lips.

"You're always lurking around, aren't ya?"

His teasing remark brought a nervous smile to my lips as I tried to gather my thoughts. "Jeonha, I... I was just out for some fresh air," I stammered, my heart racing in my chest. "I didn't mean to lurk around..."

"It's alright, I understand. Come with me."

But Jungkook's easy reassurance washed over me, calming my nerves as he offered to take me somewhere.