~Time-Traveler's Dilemma~ ~~Chiyeon~~ ~Book 6~

Ahyeon's Past is Revealed.

The celebration had long since ended, but the tension lingered in the palace. Ahyeon found herself sitting alone in her private chambers, staring out of the large window overlooking the kingdom. The moonlight bathed her in a soft glow, but the weight of her responsibilities cast a long shadow over her heart.

A gentle knock on the door broke the silence, and Chiquita stepped into the room. She was still dressed in the simple yet elegant black coat she had worn at the celebration, but now it was undone, making her look more relaxed.

“You disappeared after the event,” Chiquita said softly, stepping closer. “I was worried.”

Ahyeon turned her gaze away from the window, her expression unreadable. “I needed to be alone.”

Chiquita approached the window and stood beside her, the closeness bringing an immediate sense of comfort. “You don’t have to go through this alone, Ahyeon. You have me.”

Ahyeon let out a heavy sigh, leaning her head against the cool glass. “I know, but sometimes… it feels like I’m drowning. My step-mother, the pressure to marry, the weight of ruling… It’s overwhelming.”

Chiquita was silent for a moment, then gently placed a hand on Ahyeon’s shoulder. “Why don’t you tell me about it? About your past. I want to understand what you’ve been through.”

Ahyeon’s breath hitched at the request. No one had ever asked her about her past, about the pain she carried. She had always kept it locked away, a secret burden that was hers to bear. But with Chiquita standing beside her, offering nothing but patience and understanding, something inside her softened.

After a long pause, Ahyeon spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. “I wasn’t always a ruler. My parents were the ones who ruled this kingdom. They were kind, just… and I loved them more than anything.” She paused, her eyes growing distant. “But when I was twelve, they both died in a carriage accident. It was sudden… brutal. One day they were here, and the next, they were gone.”

Chiquita’s grip on her shoulder tightened, her heart aching for Ahyeon. “I’m so sorry.”

Ahyeon shook her head, her lips trembling. “After they died, my step-mother was appointed as my guardian. She… took over. She wanted power, influence, and she saw me as nothing more than a means to secure her position.”

Chiquita felt a surge of anger at Ahyeon’s words, but she remained quiet, letting her continue.

“She pressured me into becoming the ruler at a young age, knowing that she could manipulate me. She’s been planning to marry me off for years now. All of this—tonight’s celebration, the suitors—it’s all for her. She wants to secure more power through me. I hate it.”

Ahyeon’s voice cracked with emotion, and Chiquita pulled her into a gentle embrace, her arms wrapping securely around her.

“I can’t imagine how difficult it’s been for you,” Chiquita whispered into her ear. “You’ve been forced to carry so much, and no one has ever considered your feelings.”

Ahyeon buried her face in Chiquita’s chest, the warmth of her body a stark contrast to the cold reality she had been living. “I’m scared, Chiquita. I’m scared that one day, I’ll be forced to marry some man just because it’s what’s expected of me.”

Chiquita gently stroked Ahyeon’s hair, her voice filled with conviction. “That will never happen. I won’t let it. You don’t have to marry anyone you don’t want to.”

Ahyeon pulled back slightly, her eyes filled with vulnerability. “But what if I don’t have a choice? My step-mother will stop at nothing to see her plans through. And the kingdom… the people… They expect me to marry, to secure an heir.”

Chiquita cupped Ahyeon’s face in her hands, her gaze firm and unwavering. “You always have a choice. You are more than just a tool for your step-mother’s schemes. You are a ruler, and you deserve to be with someone who loves you for who you are, not for what they can gain from you.”

Ahyeon’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. “You… you really believe that?”

“I do,” Chiquita said softly. “And I’m here for you, no matter what. I’ll stand by your side through everything. You don’t have to face this alone anymore.”

Ahyeon’s lips trembled as she tried to hold back her tears, but it was no use. For the first time in years, she allowed herself to break. She clung to Chiquita, her body shaking with sobs, and Chiquita held her tightly, letting her release all the pain she had kept bottled up inside.

After what felt like an eternity, Ahyeon finally pulled away, her eyes red and puffy, but there was a newfound lightness in her expression.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice hoarse. “I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear that.”

Chiquita smiled gently, wiping away a stray tear from Ahyeon’s cheek. “You’re stronger than you think, Ahyeon. And you’re not alone in this. I’m with you.”

Ahyeon’s heart swelled with gratitude and something deeper—something she had been trying to suppress for far too long. Her gaze lingered on Chiquita’s lips, and before she could second-guess herself, she leaned in and kissed her.

The kiss was soft, hesitant at first, but it quickly deepened as the weight of their emotions poured into it. It was a kiss of comfort, of understanding, of love.

When they finally pulled apart, Ahyeon rested her forehead against Chiquita’s, her breath shaky but steadying. “I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she admitted softly.

“You’ll never have to find out,” Chiquita replied, her voice full of promise.

They stayed like that for a while, wrapped in each other’s arms, the outside world forgotten. In that moment, all that mattered was the bond they shared—a bond that was growing stronger with each passing day.

As the night wore on, Ahyeon finally felt a sense of peace she hadn’t known in years. She had bared her soul to Chiquita, and in return, Chiquita had given her the one thing she had been longing for: unconditional love and support.

And for the first time, Ahyeon believed that maybe, just maybe, she could face her step-mother and the kingdom with the strength to choose her own path—one where she didn’t have to sacrifice her happiness for duty.

One where Chiquita would be by her side.

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