Sacrifice || ENHYPEN FF

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 122

~Yoi i need to start writing the next chs soon~

-Start of Chapter 122-

The corridor is quiet, lit only by the soft flicker of lanterns lining the stone walls.

Jia's steps are slow, her fingers brushing along the cool surface of the palace wall as she hums a tune to herself.

Then—she hears it.

A melody.

Faint at first. Gentle, echoing through the halls like a whisper. A piano. Soft and melancholic... but somehow warm. Like a lullaby trying not to cry.

Jia pauses.

She tilts her head, drawn toward the sound instinctively. It's coming from the west wing—the old music room, she thinks.

Her curiosity gets the better of her, and she follows it. Quiet steps. Breath held.

And when she reaches the half-open door, her breath catches completely.

It's Heeseung.

Sitting by the grand piano in the corner, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight spilling in through the tall window. His fingers glide over the keys, not with rigid precision—but with feeling. The kind that makes your heart ache in the nicest way possible.

Jia stands at the doorway, almost enchanted.

For a second, she forgets to even breathe.

Heeseung looks different like this—serene, focused, a bit older than usual. His usual teasing grin is nowhere in sight. It's just him and the music.

Jia waits as the music slowly fades into silence.

And then—

"You know." she says softly, "you should really lock the door if you want privacy."

Heeseung jumps slightly, hitting a random note in the process. "Wha—Jia?!"

Jia smiles as she walks in, arms folded loosely. "Didn't know you could play like this."

Heeseung laughs, scratching the back of his neck. "I, uh... don't usually, honestly. Just when the mood strikes."

"It suits you." she says, leaning slightly against the side of the piano.

Heeseung's eyes flicker up to meet hers. "You think?"

She nods. "I do."

He hums, then turns back to the keys. "Would you like to hear something?"

Jia's eyebrows lift. "Are you offering to play for me, Sir Heeseung?"

"It would be rude not to." he grins—then starts again, fingers dancing across the piano.

The room is filled with music once more—soft and dreamlike.

Jia closes her eyes for a second, just listening.

But then—there's a shift.

A wrong note. Then another.

A sharp inhale.

She opens her eyes in time to see Heeseung wince, his fingers faltering as he hisses softly under his breath.

Jia's brows furrow. "What happened?" she asks quickly, stepping closer.

He tries to wave her off, shaking his hand lightly. "It's fine—really, nothing—"

"Sir Heeseung" Jia says, firmer this time, and without hesitation, reaches for his hand.