GUNS & ROSES | ꜱᴇᴠᴇɴᴛᴇᴇɴ

xxviii. ✓

𝒙𝒙𝒗𝒊𝒊𝒊.

I bet when you guys started reading this book, y'all didn't expect all of this paranormal/fantasy shit, right?

🌸

Joohyun was carefully placed in the sick bay, her unconscious form laid next to Jihoon's bed. Jihoon, unable to join us outside due to his weak and wobbly legs, seemed taken aback when we entered with Joohyun, but it was the hardening of his expression as his eyes locked with High King Marku that caught my attention.

"What on earth?" Jihoon exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief. His gaze swept over the figure of the founder, his eyes widening in realization. "Is he...?"

Seungcheol, sitting quietly in a corner, lowered his head, seemingly lost in his own thoughts. Emotions swirled in the room, uncertainty hanging heavy in the air. There were so many questions lingering, and the sense of impending events weighed on us all.

Was Jangmi truly alive, silently lurking somewhere out there? 

The memory of seeing her figure, smiling, before losing consciousness at Sakura's Grand Mansion resurfaced, sending a shiver down my spine. 

What was Jangmi trying to convey?

Interrupting my thoughts, High King Marku addressed me, breaking the heavy silence. "You're the current High Queen, right?" His voice drew my attention, and I nodded once, acknowledging my position.

Approaching me, High King Marku gently cradled my face in his hands, causing all eyes in the room to fixate on us. Our gazes locked, and the room held its breath, the tension palpable.

"Close your eyes," he commanded, his voice soft yet authoritative.

I complied, shutting my eyes, feeling a strange compulsion to obey. With my eyes closed, I heard Marku's voice again, cutting through the silence.

"She's sucking the life out of you."

Confusion furrowed my brow as I tilted my head, desperately wanting to speak but finding myself unable to. Some unseen force sealed my lips, rendering me silent.

Marku withdrew his hands from my face, and my eyes snapped open, searching the room. Pained expressions greeted me, especially Seungcheol's contorted face, on the verge of tears.

"What are you saying?" Seungcheol's voice trembled with emotion, his disbelief evident.

Marku took a deep breath, his gaze heavy with the weight of his revelation. "My gift, granted by the gods, was a deadly weapon. There was nothing good about it, and I've always despised it. While the other Kings and Elites received useful gifts, mine..." He paused, his eyes searching for understanding. "I have the power to resurrect the dead."

My mouth fell open at the unexpected disclosure, my mind reeling with the implications.

Jihoon's voice filled the room, laced with genuine sympathy. "How did you acquire such a gift?"

Marku shrugged, a small smile gracing his lips. "Perhaps it was a punishment. I was once a tyrannical leader, and I probably deserved it."

"But the history books portray you as a wise and honorable leader," Jihoon interjected, raising an eyebrow inquisitively.

Marku chuckled, a bitter sound escaping his lips. "Of course, they would write it that way. No one wants to believe that their founder was once a heartless man who led his clan into exile."

"You led your clan into exile?" My voice broke through the tense air, my eyes locked on Marku, seeking answers.

Marku met my gaze and nodded solemnly. "I made a grave mistake, and as a result, the Japanese emperor ordered me and my entire clan to be banished from the land."

"What did you do?" Seungcheol's voice was filled with accusation, his gaze piercing the former High King.

Marku ran a hand through his hair, gathering his thoughts before responding. "I murdered the High Queen of the Rose Clan."

Gasps echoed throughout the sick bay.

"You what?"

"Why would you do such a thing?"

"How could you?"

Marku's gaze shifted, gesturing towards Jihoon. "You could ask him the same question."

Jihoon tensed as the spotlight once again fell on him.

"Why, Jihoon?" Soonyoung, who had remained silent until now, stood beside Jihoon, his voice filled with concern.

Jihoon sighed deeply, realizing that this moment would inevitably arrive. He knew he would face Seungcheol's wrath sooner or later, but the pain in his heart intensified at the thought.

He couldn't push away the memory of that fateful night during the Springfest a year ago. It was etched into his mind, an indelible mark he carried, unable to escape.

He had been burdened with the weight of that memory, living with the guilt and the truth, every time he looked at Seungcheol's face. He felt like he wanted to hurl himself off a cliff and endure a slow and painful death.

Seungcheol didn't deserve to be deceived by his most trusted confidant.

Seungcheol didn't deserve to be betrayed by Jihoon.

"Jihoon?" Seungcheol's voice was tinged with anxiety, his eyes filled with anticipation as they bore into Jihoon's soul.

Tears welled up in Jihoon's eyes as he mustered every ounce of courage he had left and whispered the truth, his voice heavy with remorse.

"We slept together... Rose and I."

***

(CLIFFHANGER!!!!!)

(Hang myself instead- anyways have a nice weekend! :D)