Picture Perfect

Ch.2 | All That Matters

The cold wind swept through Y/N's hair in cool waves as she watched cherry blossom petals float through the warm sunset. A pair of footsteps sounded behind her. She turned around slowly as she was welcomed with the bright and familiar smile she wanted to see. Reminded of the truth, she forced her eyes away, looking down at her shoes.

"Hello, your highness..."

Behind her, she could hear the grass rustle under his feet as he took a step closer. Lifting his hand to her face, he brushed his fingers against her warm, red cheek.

"What's wrong, my darling?"

She didn't respond, still refusing to make eye contact.

"Look at me, love..."

Knowing she couldn't defy the prince's orders, she did as she was told. Slowly, she lifted her gaze to Seokjin's worried expression. The tilt of his brow made her eyes sting and her throat knot up. She didn't want to do this.

"Y/N..." He whispered, "You know you can tell me anything."

"I... I can't feel this way about you anymore."

"Ah, so it's that." He sighed and shook his head, knowing this subject would come sooner or later.

"I'm an adult now... I'm supposed to be dating and creating a future for myself. It's wrong to be..."

"To be in love with me...?"

Y/N nodded, having to look back down as she finally released the tears she had been holding in.

"How could it be wrong when we're so perfect together?" He looked into her eyes lovingly. Y/N sniffled, looking into his eyes. Although his words sounded genuine, she knew he was only saying what she wanted to hear.

"Because I created you that way..."

"Yes, that's right." He stepped even closer until their chests were touching. He and looked down at Y/N, who was crying underneath his gaze. "I exist just for you, my darling."

"But- but you don't exist. You're not real..."

A bittersweet smile spread across his lips. Pulling her into his embrace, the prince held her close, letting Y/N wrap her arms around him. He brushed his fingers through her hair, comforting the weeping woman.

She cried into his chest, listening for a heartbeat that wasn't there.

After she had quieted down, he pulled back just enough to wipe her tears away. He spoke again.

"It pains me to tell you that this doesn't come as a surprise to me..." He sighed, " We're in two different worlds- the people from yours will never understand... They'll try to tell you that this isn't real love. It's different so their minds tell them that it's wrong. They'll think they're helping you, trying to convince you to find the kind of experience they're familiar with. But look at what it's doing to you..." He brushed a strand of hair from her face and looked her in the eyes. "Whether I'm made of skin cells or pencil lead, you still love me, don't you?"

"With all my heart..."

"And you know that I love you too, right?"

"Of course I do."

"Putting everyone else's entitled opinions aside, am I real to you?"

Y/n lowered her head a little, teary-eyed and flustered to confess so many embarrassing things at once, but she admitted the truth and nodded. The prince hummed in approval. Seokjin smiled, seeing as her sobs had slowed to a stop. He placed a hand on her delicate waist, raising the other to gently lift her chin between his pointer finger and thumb, pulling her face closer to his. He brought his lips to her cheek and she could feel his gentle breath as he whispered against her skin.

"Then who are they to tell you how to love?"

A gust of wind shook the trees, cherry blossom petals swirling around the two of them.

"I exist... Just in a different way." He whispered. "Don't listen to them..."

Y/N exhaled.

"Okay."

"Good..."

He smiled at her, his eyes creasing in the same genuine way they always did. She couldn't help but smile back at him.

Eyes fluttering closed, they leaned closer, lips puckering slightly for that sweet kiss he knew she craved. Lifting to her toes, she waited for his lips to meet hers.

But it never came.

Seokjin dropped his hands from her and stepped back. Y/N's eyes opened again to see him looking in the direction of his kingdom. His eyes were focused and serious and pursed his lips together.

"...What's wrong?" Y/N asked.

"I don't know." Seokjin creased his eyebrows together. "Something feels off."

Y/N looked in the same direction he was, but she saw nothing out of the ordinary. The air had grown still and the atmosphere suddenly felt frightening. Seokjin stood there, his mouth moved ever so slightly, the conversation with his mind subtly exposed through his expression. His eyes searched the horizon, looking for an explanation.

"It must be in my head..." Seokjin shook his head, returning his hands to her body. Unable to wipe the worry from his face, he still wanted to care for Y/N. "My apologizes."

"It's fine. Do you need to--"

Suddenly, there was a ground-shaking boom, causing Y/N to crash into his arms for protection.

"What was that?!" She gasped for her breath.

"Not something good, that's for sure."

Seokjin's posture was straight and alert, holding onto her as he looked into the distance. Emerging from the cluster of buildings, a fire raised within the kingdom.

A figure appeared from behind the hill, running up to the two of them. Out of breath, the man bowed in front of the prince.

"Your highness... The king sent me to find you." He heaved. "We're under attack."

The prince's face froze solid. He let go of Y/N and swallowed.

"Thank you," Seokjin nodded to the messenger. "Protect Y/N for me. Take my horse and bring her to safety. I'll handle the rest."

The messenger nodded and climbed onto the horse, following orders.

"Seokjin?!" Y/N's body shook as she spoke. "What's going on?!"

"You'll be safe, my love. I won't let them hurt you."

The bang of a drum thundered across the horizon, signaling danger to the people of Blooming. Seokjin gracefully lifted her, helping her climb onto the horse.

"I want to help-"

"You can't help."

"But Seokjin-!"

"Onward!" Seokjin slapped the rear end of the horse as the messenger shook the reins. Y/N shrieked as the horse reared on its back legs before galloping away.

Seokjin pulled his sword out from the scabbard on his belt and began to run towards the scene. Y/N tried running after him but he waved his hand back at her, yelling for her to protect herself.

"Go, Y/N! If anyone comes near you, hide! Stay out of sight!"

Although they rode farther from the sound, the drums echoed in her mind as she was taken away from her prince. Her hair whipped wildly with the horse's speed. The cherry blossom trees surrounding them began to grow black, shriveling to ash within a few seconds. She turned around to see Seokjin's silhouette in front of the kingdom walls. She watched with fear in her eyes as he neared the scene. Suddenly there was an explosion. One that engulfed his silhouette in flames.

"NOOOO!!!"