Cinderella's Fate | 🤍 seongjoong 🤍

Epilogue

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The palace courtyard had never been so full of light.

Silken banners fluttered in the breeze, guards stood tall in ceremonial armour, and nobles chattered over wine and sweets. At the far end of the grand staircase, the altar was draped in white lilies and floating crystal lanterns. The air smelled of lavender and sun-warmed stone.

Hongjoong stood waiting at the altar, dressed in tailored royal blue threaded with silver, a quiet nervousness in his smile. Not fear, just awe. He still couldn't quite believe this day had come.

Inside the palace, behind a curtain of gauze and incense, Seonghwa stood frozen.

"I'm not wearing that," he muttered, eyeing the elaborate ceremonial robe his attendants held up. "It's too much. I'll trip. I'll die before I even get to the altar."

Yunho, resting on a nearby divan, still bandaged, healing, but alive, sipped from a glass of plum wine. "Then don't wear it."

Seonghwa blinked. "What?"

"Just walk out there. As you are. He doesn't care about the robes." Yunho sat up slowly, brushing off his sleeves. "But bring the shoe."

He nodded toward the small blue crystal heel resting on a silk cushion nearby.

"He kept it," Yunho added, almost fondly. "Guess he's sentimental."

Seonghwa picked it up, heart thudding in his chest. The soft strains of music began outside. He hesitated, but only for a moment. Then, in his simplest robes, the shoe clutched against his chest, he stepped into the sunlight.

Yunho moved to escort him down the steps, only for Yeosang and Wooyoung to swoop in from opposite directions, each grabbing one of Seonghwa's arms.

"I'm walking him," Yeosang said firmly.

"No, I am!" Wooyoung snapped. "I found him first!"

"You weren't even invited until two days ago!"

"Neither were you!"

Seonghwa rolled his eyes, and Yunho, laughing despite the stiffness in his ribs, gently nudged them both aside. "Relax. I've earned this one."

So it was Yunho who walked Seonghwa down the aisle, slow and steady, as murmurs spread through the gathered crowd. The battle scars were visible on some of them, arms in slings, bruises across faces, eyes still haunted, but they stood proud. Survivors, every one.

San sat with a blanket over his lap, a faint scar across his cheek, and Wooyoung never once left his side. Not even during the vows. He even reached over, at one point, to fix the crooked fold of San's collar. San didn't object, in fact, he leaned into the touch.

Yeosang stood beside Jongho in the front row, both clapping like proud brothers. Behind them, the queen wiped her eyes with a silken handkerchief, resting her head on the king's shoulder.

Even the high council looked moved, though some were definitely just here for the cake.

As Seonghwa reached the top of the staircase, Hongjoong stepped forward, then knelt.

Gasps rippled through the courtyard.

He held out the crystal heel, eyes shining. "You left something behind."

Seonghwa laughed softly, breath catching. He slipped the shoe onto his foot, and at that moment, light burst around him. His simple garments shimmered, melting into a gown-suit woven from moonlight and ocean-blue silk, silver thread glinting like stars. A second shoe appeared in a flash, its twin.

The music swelled.

The ceremony itself was short, but heartfelt. Vows spoken not between royalty and subject, but between two souls who had bled, fought, and survived for each other. Every word felt earned. Every tear honest.

When the officiant finally declared them bound by crown and heart, the kingdom erupted in cheers.

Hongjoong pulled Seonghwa into his arms. "I told you I'd find you."

Seonghwa smiled, his thumb brushing softly down his husband's cheek. "And I told you I'm hard to catch."

They kissed.

And the bells rang loud and free across the kingdom.

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