STRINGS OF MY HEART | SVT | JEONGCHEOL [?]

1 - Fear

Jeonghan laughed, "Joshua isn't here."

"What hyung? I wasn't looking for him." Seokmin scratched the back of his neck.

"Yah why don't you propose my brother and take him out of the house?" Jeonghan rolled his eyes as both of them began to walk.

"Hyung!" Seokmin whined, "Even if I propose him, he won't marry me until you get married."

"Oh please, it doesn't matter in our household." Jeonghan scoffed.

"It does. It's just you who doesn't accept these customs." Seokmin nodded, "Just like you don't believe in reincarnation of soulmates."

"Yeah, I don't." Jeonghan agreed, "I mean what's the point? Even if your soulmate is reincarnated, would they remain the same person as they were in their previous life? No, right? How's that true love?"

"Sorry to interrupt you Mr. Yoon." A deep voice echoed, "But you don't know what true love is."

"Educate me, Mr. Choi?" Jeonghan turned around to witness the eldest prince, "Because I really don't think that reincarnation makes any sense. Every soul gets reincarnated, probably, but that doesn't mean they remain the same kind of person in each of their lives."

"You might be true but true love isn't about people, it's about the souls itself." Seungcheol retorted.

"Huh?" Jeonghan frowned, "If your so called soulmate from previous life becomes an enemy and threat to the Choi Empire, to your parents, would you still love her? Just because she WAS once your lover?"

Seungcheol stayed silent. What was this question? Why did it make so much sense? Why was it shaking his trust and belief over his true love?

"What if she reborns with a motive to kill you and your family?" Jeonghan continued, "Would you still love her?"

Seokmin sensed the tension between the two. It wasn't a new thing anyways, they had always been like this.

"You hate me right?" Jeonghan walked closer to the older, "What if I'm her reincarnation? Would you still love her?"

"Stop." Seungcheol mumbled, "Get out of my sight."

"I wasn't even talking to you in the first place." Jeonghan retorted, "It's you who interfered in my conversation with Seokmin."

Seungcheol simply looked away. Why was Jeonghan always a threat to his power? A prince who had won numerous intense wars single handedly was always speechless in front of him, why?

"You-" Jeonghan chuckled mockingly, "Are the most insecure person I've ever met in my entire life. Sucks to be you."

Jeonghan began to leave but Seungcheol held his arm and stared at him, "Seokmin, leave."

"Hyung-"

"Leave, I said." Seungcheol sternly ordered.

Seokmin hesitated but he had to leave. Jeonghan twisted his wrist to escape but Seungcheol tightened his grip and pulled the younger closer, "Insecure?"

"Yes you are." Jeonghan glared at him, "You're scared that no one will love you now so you're weeping over someone who isn't coming back. Your parents are worried for you, you've so many people to care about you, yet, you only want that one person who was literally cursed by the omnipresent authoritative powers."

"This isn't love, Seungcheol." Jeonghan stood close to the older, "This is complete madness. A betrayal to your own parents who love you more than that girl. A cowardly move for your responsibilities. This kingdom wants you as their ruler but you're simply showing your back to them. You're breaking the trust of your own people.