Phuwin never brought up what he knew that day. He was just quietly observing Joong as he went about his day. He didn't know if he should be annoyed that he was now constantly with them. It all started with Dunk's suggestion.
" I'm afraid I don't know what you can do, fa baat. Why don't you shadow me and see what fits you?" Pond was rather open with his annoyance when he saw how happy and puppy like Joong was with Dunk's suggestion.
Joong was rather curious if a literal storm was coming since Dunk seemed to be evacuating most of the refugees and residence in the compound. He had assured them it was only temporary. While those from the light had listened well to his instruction, those from the dark struggled. Dunk understood it well, he saved them so he knew the trauma they went through and how attached they were to their new home. He didn't know Joong would come in handy at this moment. His status as Prince of Hell and his aura itself helped him in persuading them. From then on, Joong was always seen with Dunk. Pond and Phuwin were looking at him with a stink eye.
***
"Yaa is so happy that nuu finally has Prince Joong by your side. I was so worried you will end up alone. Yaa can't wait till you get married." P'Pompam said excitedly. He had been with Dunk the longest. He had helped to take care most of the refugees here from the dark. He was genuinely happy that Dunk wasn't alone anymore. But his words left Dunk in confusion, while Joong was cheering on the inside. The confusion didn't leave Dunk even after they were long gone. The frown on Dunk's face stayed even when they were back to the clan house. Joong was surprised when he walk him back to his room.
"Fa baat, I'm sorry for what yaa said. I don't know what gave him the impression that we are together." It clenched at Joong's heart when Dunk tried to brush Phi Pompam's words off. He knew it was now or never.
"I'm not sorry that he had that impression. I'm far from sorry." Joong replied, looking straight into Dunk's eyes, willing him to see the feelings he had for him. But Dunk was in deeper confusion. Joong took a step closer to him.
"I love you, Dunk. I have no idea how or why but the moment I met you, I love you. The more I've learnt about you, the more I love you. Every moment with you has been a blessing because each day I spent with you, meant that I get to love you more." He sealed his words with a kiss that shocked Dunk to the core. Joong felt Dunk responding before he pushed him back.
"I can't, fa baat. I can't. Not when Dnie loves you. My life isn't meant to be shared with another. It will only bring you misery." Dunk left Joong with those words before he ran out of his room. But Dnie had watch every moment of it. Her heart was shattered by what she saw. Deep within her, she had hoped that Joong will learn to love her one day. But to know that his heart belonged to another from the very beginning was more than she could take. What more when it was her own brother. She had clenched her fist in anger. Logically she knew her brother wasn't at fault. No one can control who they love. Neither could her brother control Joong's heart. But she was willful. She wouldn't take no as an answer.
***
Joong was confused when Dnie invited him to the gardens a few days later. He was hesitant but she was persistent. She wanted to apologize properly for what transpired, which Joong didn't quite understand by what she meant. The moment he drank the tea she offered, his eyes rolled back. She had chanted a spell which she found days ago, calling upon the demon within Joong to come forth. She gasped, unprepared for the black eyes that flipped open once he regained consciousness. He brushed his clothes, unhappy with what he was wearing. He frowned when he saw her.
"What do you want, little girl?"
"I'll grant you freedom, as long as you are with me. Tell my brother that what Chao chai said was just a moment of craze. That you like me and want to marry me." Joong's inner demon chuckled at what Dnie requested. It finally dawned on him what this was all about.
"You would undo your brother's hard work for your own selfish reason? He doesn't like you, little girl. I clearly know why, you don't measure up to pretty at all. Do you really know what you are up against to deal with someone like me?" He tilted her chin up with his claw, forcing her to look at the smirk on his lips and the craze in his eyes. The fear was evident in her. She had never dealt with someone like him. It was all her brother's work. In that moment, she wanted to cry out to him.
"So sheltered and willful. You are lucky you are dealing with me. I'm giving you one chance to walk away since you are pretty's sister. I won't be pleasant the next time we meet." Dnie's heart pounded through her ribcage as Joong collapsed back to his seat.
***
Joong woke up to Dunk's concern face. He was confused as to what happened.
" You're awake. That's good. Dnie said you fainted while having tea with her. Perhaps it's better for you to take a few days off. I'll settle the rest. I'll be more than fine with Pond and Phuwin's assistance." Dunk didn't give Joong a chance to reply before he left. Phuwin rolled his eyes at Pond's smug look when they left with Dunk. Joong was left all confused.
What the hell happened?
The demon in Joong sighed at how clueless he was.
***
Dnie was looking forlornly in the gardens. Her initial plans had went to smoke. Joong's inner demon was scarier than she thought. Half her heart was ready to give up until a stranger walked up to her. She clearly knew he wasn't one of her brother's refugee.
How did he get in here?
" I can help you get what your heart wants, if you do as I say." he smirked when he spoke. All the warnings in her brain were ringing at the sight of him but what he said tugged at her heart.
"How exactly can you help me?" She looked at him skeptically. She was confused when passed a bottle to her.
"Put this in your brother's food. He won't feel a thing but Prince Joong will lose interest in him after that." She frowned at what he said. She was hesitant with how suspicious it sounded.
"You want him, don't you?" That was all it took for her take it in her hand. Before she could even ask further about it, he was gone.
***
Jeff watched as Dnie clutch the bottle in her hand. He knew she will do by his biding. It wasn't that hard. She was naive after all. He had been watching his brother the moment he left hell. He had never liked the idea of him leaving. He didn't know what prompted his eldest brother to even allow him to leave.
No one leaves hell!!
He would never allow his youngest brother to have the peace and happiness that he was never granted. His soul had been twisted beyond recognition with the misery he was in. He wondered how Joong had been allowed to stay sane and intact. He will make sure that he regret ever coming here. He will inflict pain far worse that he has ever felt.
That's the price for leaving, brother... I will bring hell to you.
~Please vote if you like this EP. It drives me forward. Khoorp khun na kha~
Do comment to let me know your thoughts. 😊😊
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A/N: Yes, whatever happened in the present is linked to the past. There's a whole lot more going on.
I hope it's not too confusing but we haven't move pass Joong's POV yet. We're looking at the past from his memories. When that ends we'll move to other ppl. We'll most likely move to PPw's POV around Monday or Tuesday. I still have a lil bit more to cover for Joong. like how Dnie became Joong's grandma. So be patient na... We're already moving faster than usual cause I'm an impatient writer but yet it may seem not fast enough for some of you😅😅
What do you all think so far about Joong past so far?
YOU ARE READING
When can love be easy?✅
أدب الهواةLawyer Joong met Dunk in one of his case. He didn't expect the series of events that happened after. **Not strictly JD, PP. some elements of polygamous rship (PD, PwD). Fantasy AU
