Fated To Love • GeminiFourth

13. The Heart Division

The day of the wedding arrived with all the splendor that befits a royal occasion. Colorful banners flapped in the gentle breeze, and the aroma of incense filled the air as nobles and dignitaries gathered in the grand hall of the palace. As the servant, Gemini felt like a ghost amidst the vibrant festivities, invisible to the joyous throng that buzzed around him.

The elaborate decorations mocked him. Each flower arranged with precision, each piece of silk draped gracefully, was a reminder of the love he could not express. He watched from the shadows as Fourth, clad in rich, gold-embroidered robes, prepared to marry Prince Phuwin. The sight of Fourth, radiant and poised, twisted the knife deeper into Gemini's heart.

Despite the beauty of the ceremony, Gemini felt an overwhelming sense of loss. Fourth had been forced to marry another, a mere pawn in the game of royal lineage, and he had to stand by and watch, his heart aching with every smile Fourth gave to Prince Phuwin. The laughter, the music, the cheers—it all blended into a haunting melody that played only for them, drowning out the agony he felt within.

As the vows were exchanged, Gemini's heart broke a little more with each word. Fourth looked so regal, yet in his eyes, Gemini saw a flicker of the sadness that mirrored his own. They had promised to love each other secretly, to find joy in stolen moments, but now, those promises felt like a cruel joke. He longed to reach out, to whisper a reminder of their love, but he remained a silent spectator, paralyzed by the weight of tradition and duty.

After the wedding, the palace buzzed with excitement about the new royal union. To the Emperor and Empress, the marriage was a moment of triumph—an alliance that would strengthen their power and secure their lineage. Soon, the news of Fourth’s pregnancy spread throughout the palace, eliciting cheers and celebrations.

But for Gemini, each announcement was a dagger to the heart. He was forced to suppress his feelings, to play his role as a servant. The joy of the court was a heavy burden to bear, knowing that Fourth was bearing another’s child. The moment Fourth’s pregnancy was confirmed, the Emperor and Empress beamed with pride, oblivious to the emotional turmoil that churned within their son.

In private moments, Gemini would catch glimpses of Fourth, who was now more radiant than ever, a symbol of the future and of a dynasty. But behind that beauty lay a heart full of sorrow. He could see how Fourth was forced to put on a brave face, yet there were fleeting moments when their eyes would meet, and in those instances, they would share an unspoken understanding.

One evening, as the moon hung low in the sky, Gemini stood outside Fourth's chambers, his heart heavy with longing. He remembered the warmth of their stolen kisses and whispered promises. He had wanted to tell Fourth that he would always love him, but the weight of royal expectations loomed heavily over them.

As the months passed, Fourth's pregnancy progressed, and with it, the pressure to fulfill his duty intensified. The palace was alive with preparations for the impending birth of the heir. The Emperor and Empress were overjoyed, envisioning a future where their dynasty would continue. But as the joyous occasion approached, a sense of dread gnawed at Gemini’s heart.

The Day of Labor

One fateful night, the palace was abuzz with excitement as Fourth went into labor. But that excitement quickly turned to panic when complications arose. As the cries of pain echoed through the royal corridors, Gemini's heart raced. He could hear the whispers of the courtiers discussing the potential outcome, each word heavier than the last.

The Emperor and Empress were at Fourth's side, but their worry was more for the child than their son. Gemini watched helplessly, wishing he could rush in, to hold Fourth's hand, to comfort him. But he was just a servant, relegated to the shadows, forced to witness the heartbreak unfold.

Hours turned into an eternity as the labor progressed. Finally, a wail pierced the air—the sound of a newborn filling the palace with hope. But as joy began to blossom, it was quickly overshadowed by the haunting silence that followed.

The palace erupted into chaos as doctors rushed in and out, faces pale and somber. The Emperor's joyful expression faded, replaced with growing dread, and the Empress clutched her pearls, fear gripping her heart.

In that moment, the atmosphere shifted. The weight of despair settled heavily upon the palace, and soon, the news that Gemini had dreaded reached him. Fourth had succumbed during childbirth, his spirit leaving this world in a final act of sacrifice for the throne.

Heartbroken, Gemini stumbled outside, needing to escape the suffocating reality of the palace. He wandered through the gardens, where they had once shared laughter and whispered dreams. Now, the flowers seemed to mock him, vibrant and alive, while his heart lay in ruins.

As the kingdom prepared for the royal funeral, Gemini felt an unbearable weight pressing on his chest. He had lost the love of his life, the one person who had understood him, and the future they had envisioned together had been cruelly snatched away. The palace became a hollow shell, filled with memories of laughter that echoed through the halls, now silenced by grief.

The day of the funeral arrived, somber and heavy. The palace was adorned in white and purple, symbols of mourning, yet the Emperor and Empress stood at the forefront, more concerned with the future of their grandchild than the son they had lost. The crown was placed on Fourth’s casket, a final reminder of his royal duty, and as Gemini stood among the crowd, he felt invisible.

He watched as Fourth’s casket was lowered into the earth, tears streaming down his face. The world around him faded; he could only see the lifeless form of the one he loved being taken away forever. The royal family’s grief was overshadowed by their joy for the new heir, and Gemini felt the crushing weight of betrayal wash over him.

In the days that followed, as the kingdom celebrated the birth of the new prince, Gemini found it increasingly difficult to bear. The weight of his sorrow consumed him, dragging him deeper into despair. He felt lost in a world that had turned its back on the love he held so dearly.

Unable to escape the suffocating pain of loss and heartache, Gemini stood at the edge of the palace rooftop one fateful night, gazing at the stars that once felt like a promise of hope. The weight of his grief pressed down on him, threatening to crush him beneath its weight.

“I hope I can see you in the next lifetime,” he whispered into the night, his voice breaking as he made his decision. The thought of reuniting with Fourth in another life filled him with a bittersweet longing.

With a heavy heart, he took a step forward, embracing the darkness, hoping to find solace in the arms of the one he loved.