A Love Across Time

Chapter 23: Confronting the Truth​

In the serene ambiance of the palace gardens, Chaeyoung and Taehyung found themselves enveloped in a cocoon of tranquility. The soft rustle of leaves and the gentle breeze provided a soothing backdrop to their conversation as they walked hand in hand, their hearts heavy with the weight of their friends' unspoken emotions.

As they strolled through the winding paths, Chaeyoung's mind wandered to Hera and Jungkook, their troubled expressions etched in her memory. She couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at her soul, knowing that their friends were suffering in silence.

Taehyung's grip tightened around Chaeyoung's hand as he sensed her distress, his own thoughts consumed by the unresolved tension between Jungkook and Hera. He knew that they couldn't continue to avoid the truth, that they needed to confront their feelings head-on if they ever hoped to find peace.

Stopping beneath the shade of a blossoming cherry blossom tree, Taehyung turned to Chaeyoung, his eyes filled with determination. "We can't keep ignoring this, Chaeyoung. We need to talk to Jungkook and Hera, urge them to open up about their feelings."

Chaeyoung nodded in agreement, her heart heavy with the weight of their friends' pain. "You're right, Taehyung. We can't stand by and watch them suffer in silence any longer. We need to help them confront their feelings, no matter how difficult it may be."

With a shared sense of resolve, the couple made their way to Jungkook's chamber, their footsteps echoing in the quiet corridors of the palace. As they reached the door, Taehyung hesitated for a moment before knocking gently, his heart racing with anticipation.

The door creaked open, revealing Jungkook sitting alone in the dimly lit room, his gaze fixed on the floor. His shoulders slumped with the weight of his despair, his eyes dull with unshed tears.

"Jeonha," Chaeyoung's voice broke the heavy silence, her tone gentle yet firm. "We need to talk."

Jungkook looked up, his eyes betraying a mixture of surprise and resignation. "What is it, Chaeyoung? Is something wrong?"

Taehyung stepped forward, his expression grave. "We know about your feelings for Hera, Jeonha. And we know that she cares for you deeply too. But you can't keep avoiding the truth. You need to talk to her, tell her how you feel."

Jungkook's breath caught in his throat at Taehyung's words, the weight of his unspoken emotions pressing down on him like a suffocating blanket. "I...I don't know if I can do that, Taehyung. She has already turned me down once. I can't force her into this. She dosent feel the same way for me. What if I ruin our friendship?"

Chaeyoung sighed, her eyes filled with empathy. "You think Hera doesn't feel the same way? Then why do you think she cried all these nights? Why does she shed tears for you? Why does she keep falling out your name in her sleep? Why does she long for your touch? Why do you think she stood outside your chamber, hours, waiting for you to wake up today afternoon while the rest of us asked her to take rest, but she simply denied saying all she can think about right now is your health."

"Then why did she turn me down, chaeyoung? What was the reason for her to reject me knowing she loved me back the same way? Why would she do that, unless she never felt the same way...?? She dosent love me, don't yall get it? Now leave. I need time alone.

Jungkook's resolve wavered as he wrestled with his inner demons. But deep down, he knew that Chaeyoung and Taehyung were right. He couldn't continue to bury his feelings and pretend that everything was okay.

"You're wrong here, Jeonha. You're not seeing the whole truth. Didn't you have this thought, that if she loved you so much why is she rejecting you? What is she so afraid of? What is she trying to do by rejecting her own love even when she can't live a moment without missing you? Don't you think you should face her? Talk to her about this? You're a King, Jeonha. But above all, you're a Man. A man who's in love with a woman who loves him back. Isn't it your responsibility to know what's stopping her?
Think about it Jeonha, we'll leave now..."

Taking a deep breath, Jungkook nodded slowly, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

With newfound determination, Jungkook rose to his feet, his heart pounding in his chest as he prepared to face his fears head-on. "I'll talk to her tonight," he vowed, his voice filled with conviction.

Chaeyoung and Taehyung exchanged a knowing glance, their hearts swelling with pride for their friend's courage. With a final nod of encouragement, they left Jungkook to his thoughts, knowing that he was one step closer to finding the love he so desperately sought.

Their next stop was Hera's chamber, where they found her sitting alone by the window, her expression distant and troubled. The sight of her pale, tear-streaked face filled Chaeyoung with a pang of sorrow, knowing that her friend was in pain.

"Hera," Taehyung's voice broke through the heavy silence, his tone gentle yet insistent. "We need to talk to you."

Hera looked up, her eyes widening in surprise at the sight of Chaeyoung and Taehyung standing before her. "What is it? Is something wrong?"

Chaeyoung took a deep breath, her heart racing with nervous anticipation. "We know about your feelings for Jungkook, Hera. And we know that he cares for you deeply too. But you can't keep running away from the truth. You need to talk to him, tell him how you feel."

Hera's breath caught in her throat at Chaeyoung's words, her mind reeling with a whirlwind of emotions. "I...I dont love him... I don't feel the same way. I don't understand why you guys don't seem to get it." she uttered looking at the now seemingly dead rose in the vase, in front of her... Her eyes devoid of any emotion. They reflected nothing but darkness.

Chaeyoung sighed as she said 'you're lying, Hera. If you don't love him, then why do you stand outside his chamber, during the nights, waiting for him to fall asleep? Why do you keep calling out his name in your sleep? Why do you care for him? Why can't you bear seeing him in pain? What do you fear so much that it makes you reject your own love? What are you so afraid of, Hera...?

Taehyung stepped forward, his eyes filled with unwavering resolve. "You'll never know unless you try, Hera. You owe it to yourself and to Jungkook to be honest about your feelings. Don't let fear hold you back from finding love."

Hera's heart constricted with the weight of Taehyung's and Chaeyoung's words, her mind swirling with doubt and uncertainty. But deep down, she knew they were right. She couldn't continue to hide her feelings and pretend that everything was okay.

Taking a shaky breath, Hera nodded slowly, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "You're right. I need to talk to Jungkook.

With newfound determination, Hera rose to her feet, her resolve firm as she prepared to face her fears head-on. "I'll talk to him tonight," she vowed, her voice filled with conviction. "I won't let fear stand in my any longer."

Chaeyoung and Taehyung exchanged a proud smile, knowing that they had helped their friends take the first step towards finding love. With a final nod of encouragement, they left Hera to her thoughts, confident that she was one step closer to finding the happiness she deserved.