STRINGS OF MY HEART | SVT | JEONGCHEOL [?]

1 - Fear

Winning wars surely made you a good leader but you're still not a good ruler."

"Right." Seungcheol laughed, "Now waiting for your love makes you a bad person. No one understands the pain of separation-"

"You're too full of yourself, aren't you? Do you think only you're the one who went through traumatic experience?" Jeonghan chuckled bitterly, "My mom died right in front of my eyes during a war. But the next day, my father still went to serve YOUR kingdom. I took care of my younger brother when I myself was scared. We didn't know if our dad will come back or not. Pain of separation."

Seungcheol's grip on the younger's wrist loosened when he saw a hint of sadness and guilt in his eyes. The usual fierce eyes were now craving for shelter.

"Everyone around you has went through something. But no one has given up on their life and duty." Jeonghan stepped backwards, "You're just showcasing your selfishness as true love. Anyways, leave it. Uncle Choi is a better king than a heartbroken pathetic loner. Goodbye."

"If it wasn't for your job then you would have definitely been sued for being so fucking manipulative." Seungcheol scoffed.

"Really?" Jeonghan turned around as he slowly walked back towards the older, like he was his prey.

He held Seungcheol's collars and pulled him over himself with a jerk as Jeonghan's back rested against the railing of the palace while the older's arms fell over the railings.

"I manipulated you?" Jeonghan raised a brow, "Yes, I did."

Jeonghan traced Seungcheol's arm with his palm as he reached his neck and then cheeks.

Jeonghan leaned in to place his ear against the older's chest after which he backed away with a chuckle, "The effect I've on you right now is a bit questionable Mr. Choi."

Jeonghan's hand moved behind the older's back as he pulled him closer.

"Manipulation? Spells?" Jeonghan inched closer to his ear and whispered, "If your true love can be manipulated by spells, if your heart has started racing because a person except for your lover is close to you, then you need to think again if your love is true or not."

Jeonghan gently pushed him away as he winked with a menacing grin, "You can win millions of wars but never against Yoon Jeonghan. And trust me, it's not the spells that work. Goodbye, honourable prince." He left with a subtle laughter.

"The fuck is wrong with him?" Seungcheol held his chest, "And why was I standing like a statue?!"

"He's such a menace I swear." Seungcheol rolled his eyes, "I need to stay away from him."

Seungcheol stared at the disappearing figure of Jeonghan. He was too good with words, wasn't he? A manipulator, as everyone used to call him. He once again played with Seungcheol's mind, right? Because there was no way he was talking about the truth.

It was nonsense. Yes, it was. Right? Then why was this confusion? Why did Seungcheol actually want to think over his words once again?

•Heaven's Cloud•

Ara was sitting beneath the blanket of the starry night. It was a place where no one except her could go because she gad that special permission of the Moon Goddess. And what was she doing here exactly? Of course, summoning the goddess.

Soon enough, strong winds began to flow along with the minute white sprinkles. The fragrance of the area began to get sweeter after which a white brilliance was observed, depecting the arrival of the omnipresent Moon Goddess.

"Hail the Goddess." Ara knelt down.

"Stand up daughter." Moon Goddess's honey like voice echoed, "What's the matter, precious?"

"You know." Ara looked down, "My eldest son, the heir of this dynasty. I swear he's not irresponsible, he's just caught in the web of hope as well as dejection."

"I've already told you Ara." The Goddess stated, "His soulmate, Kim Hari, can never reincarnate. She was cursed. Everyone knows that."

"I know." Ara nodded, "That's why I'm here with a plan this time. I just need your help, for the sake of the descendants of water and ice, the Choi Dynasty."

"Say."

"I know Hari can't be reincarnated but we can make Seungcheol believe that she did." Ara explained, "A fake soulmate. He can marry him or her, thinking that the person is the reincarnation of his soulmate. You have to help me to provide the soulmate mark to the person I'll choose for him. The same mark which Seungcheol has on his right shoulder."

"Hmm, it makes sense. Although it's not a very ethical way but it's for the well being of the supreme Dynasty." The Moon Goddess nodded, "Sure I can do that but you've to be really cautious while choosing the person."

"Why?"

"Giving that mark to a random person won't make him or her the reincarnation of Hari. But with that mark, will come great powers." The Moon Goddess stated, "I assume you'll choose a person who already has supernatural powers but after this mark, that person would become a part of the water clan and will gain all those extra powers.

You've to be sure if you trust that person completely. Because if he or she decides to go against your kingdom, it will be a huge trouble for you. All I'm saying is that you shouldn't rush it. Take your time to search a trustable and worthy person."

Ara fell silent. She was in a problem again, wasn't she?

"I know it's hard but it's not impossible." The Moon Goddess chuckled, "I trust you, daughter. Let this remain between you, Sunwoo and Jiwook. When you find the person, summon me again. Good bye my dearest child."

Ara bowed her head as the Goddess disappeared in thin air.

"How am I going to find such a perfect person?" Ara sighed.

She walked back and forth for a while after which an idea clicked her, "Royal Ball Party. Yeah. It would be a great excuse to test a few ladies and gentlemen. Let's see, who's worthy enough for the second crown of Choi Dynasty beside Seungcheol being the first crown holder."

"KIM JIWOOK!" Ara summoned.

A/n : What are your thoughts after the first chapter?

I literally made Seungcheol a soon to be king and the same day I watched him in the role of janitor and security guard. 🧍🏻‍♀️

Anyways, take care everyone!
-Jeonghanneyonghaseyo