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9

Everything screamed luxury—the wedding destination was nothing short of a fairy tale. Nestled in a secluded valley, the venue was surrounded by towering trees and blooming flowers, the vibrant colors of roses, lilies, and orchids creating a dreamlike atmosphere. White draped fabric hung from the ceiling like soft clouds, and golden chandeliers sparkled in the light, casting a warm, ethereal glow over the entire venue. The guests, already seated in their places, were eagerly waiting for the arrival of the bride and groom, the excitement palpable in the air.

Inside the green room, Ho-Seok adjusted his dress for what seemed like the hundredth time. His wedding gown, a soft pastel pink, was delicate and flowing, adorned with intricate lace and floral patterns that gave it a light, romantic feel. The off-shoulder neckline revealed his graceful collarbones and a hint of pale skin, and the soft, flowing fabric of the gown cascaded to the floor, sweeping with each delicate movement he made. His normally dark hair had been transformed into a golden blonde, the color reflecting the light and enhancing his already striking features. His eyes, a warm shade of brown, shone with excitement and nerves as he looked at himself in the mirror.

“I can’t believe it’s happening,” he murmured softly to his reflection, his fingers grazing the fabric of his dress.

Nam-Joon, his friend since high school, stood beside him, a wide grin on his face. His gaze lingered on Ho-Seok, filled with nothing but admiration. “Me neither. It feels like just yesterday we were in high school, and now here you are, getting married.”

Ho-Seok chuckled softly, still in disbelief. “I know… it’s crazy.”

Before they could say anything else, Seok-Jin, another of Ho-Seok’s closest friends, stepped forward, gently taking his chin in hand as he touched up Ho-Seok’s makeup. “Stop moving, Ho-Seok, or you’ll ruin your makeup,” Seok-Jin said with a teasing tone but a hint of concern in his voice.

“Sorry, hyung,” Ho-Seok whispered, his cheeks flushing slightly at the comment. He could feel the heat of Seok-Jin’s gaze as the older man finished with the blush, making sure every detail was perfect.

Seok-Jin stepped back, admiring his work, his eyes scanning Ho-Seok’s face. “There. Perfect. Now, you look like a goddess,” he said, his voice laced with pride.

Eun-Woo, who had been quietly observing the process, raised an eyebrow as he glanced around the room. “But seriously, where’s your soon-to-be husband? Shouldn’t he be here by now?”

Ho-Seok’s smile softened at the mention of Yoon-Gi. He thought of his fiancé and felt a warm flutter in his chest. “He went to get my parents’ portrait,” he explained. “He wants to have them with us during the ceremony, like he said he couldn’t get married without their blessing.”

Nam-Joon let out a soft chuckle, his eyes gleaming with affection. “That’s so like Yoon-Gi. Always so thoughtful.”

Seok-Jin, however, raised an eyebrow. “But why does he have to go himself? He’s the groom, for god’s sake. Couldn’t he have just sent someone to grab it?”

Ho-Seok gave a small shrug. “Everyone’s been busy with their own tasks, and the portrait is at our apartment. It would’ve been hard for anyone else to find it. Yoon-Gi didn’t mind going himself. I think he’s just… making sure everything’s perfect.”

Seok-Jin seemed satisfied with the explanation, nodding. “Okay, but hurry it up. The ceremony is about to start.”

Ho-Seok stood up from the seat, still nervous but trying to keep it together. Seok-Jin turned him around so that Nam-Joon and Eun-Woo could see him fully. Their reactions were immediate.

“Wow,” Nam-Joon gasped, his voice full of awe as his gaze traveled over Ho-Seok’s figure. “You look absolutely breathtaking.”

Eun-Woo grinned widely, his eyes twinkling. “Yoon-Gi is the luckiest man alive.”

Ho-Seok couldn’t help but blush at their compliments. His fingers instinctively rubbed his stomach, where his small baby bump was just beginning to show after nine weeks of pregnancy. He smiled softly, thinking of Yoon-Gi, and wondered how his fiancé would react when he saw him in the dress. Would Yoon-Gi be as amazed as everyone else? Ho-Seok was sure that Yoon-Gi would see him as beautiful, but there was still a part of him that felt unsure.

The door to the green room creaked open, and Ho-Seok’s mother-in-law entered with a warm, radiant smile on her face. The woman, elegant and poised, walked over to Ho-Seok with open arms. “Oh, my beautiful son-in-law,” she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine affection. “You look absolutely stunning.”

Ho-Seok smiled at her, touched by her words. “Thank you, Mom,” he said softly, his voice full of gratitude. “Did Yoon-Gi come back yet?”

Yoon-Gi’s mother shook her head, a small frown crossing her face. “Not yet. I’ve tried calling him, but I haven’t been able to reach him. Maybe he’s just on his way.”

Ho-Seok nodded, though something in the pit of his stomach told him that something wasn’t quite right. He tried to push the feeling away, telling himself it was just nerves. It was just that… Yoon-Gi had always been so punctual, so attentive. The thought of him being late, or worse, something happening to him, made Ho-Seok’s heart race a little faster.

His eyes flickered toward the window, where he could see guests milling about outside, taking their seats for the ceremony. The moment was almost here. The ceremony was about to begin. But there was still a part of him that was anxious, hoping that Yoon-Gi would walk through the door at any moment, portrait in hand, and everything would feel right again.

For now, though, all he could do was wait and hope. And no matter what happened, he knew that at the end of the aisle stood the love of his life, ready to promise a future together.