#between the sun and the moon | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

mirisss · 3 months ago

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Prologue

Between the Sun and the Moon prologue

Heeseung x female reader x Sunghoon

Warnings: angst, hatred, curses, mental abuse, favoritism, love triangle,

Summary: Two princes, one kingdom, one father, one favorite. A growing distance between brothers, could it all possibly be solved by a mystic shadow who offers one a deal? Or will it be what tears them apart? Could it all be solved by love? But if they love the same person, how will the story end?

Wordcount ≈ 2.5k

Chapter 1, Chapter 2,

The palace of Eldris was a place of grandeur, its golden spires piercing the clouds and its halls adorned with tapestries that told the kingdom’s history. For the two young princes, it was a sprawling playground filled with endless possibilities.

As children, Heeseung and Sunghoon were inseparable. Only a year apart in age, they shared everything: secrets whispered under the covers, daring escapades into the castle kitchens, and dreams of a future where they ruled side by side. Heeseung, the older of the two, always took the lead, guiding Sunghoon through their misadventures with a steady hand and a warm smile.

One summer afternoon, when Heeseung was eight and Sunghoon seven, they stood on the palace balcony overlooking the sprawling gardens. Sunghoon pointed to the horizon, where the mountains kissed the sky. “Do you think we’ll ever go that far, hyung?”

“Of course,” Heeseung replied confidently. “We’ll go everywhere. Together.”

Sunghoon beamed, his trust in his brother absolute. But that promise, like so many childhood dreams, would eventually be forgotten.

As they grew older, the paths of the two princes began to diverge. At nine years old, Heeseung was thrust into rigorous training for his future as king. His days were consumed by lessons in diplomacy, military strategy, and the ancient laws of Eldris.

“Focus, Heeseung,” the king would say, his voice devoid of warmth. “Every decision you make as a ruler will shape the future of this kingdom. You must be flawless.”

Flawless. The word echoed in Heeseung’s mind every time he stumbled over a map or failed to recite the lineage of a neighboring kingdom. His father’s disappointment was a constant shadow, a weight that pressed down on him until he could barely breathe.

Meanwhile, Sunghoon’s life remained carefree. With no expectation of the throne, he roamed the palace freely, his laughter echoing through the halls. He spent his days sparring in the courtyard, sneaking sweets from the kitchens, or galloping through the fields with his best friend, Jay, the son of a nobleman. “Jay, look at this!” Sunghoon called one morning, holding up a rabbit he’d caught in a snare. “Hyung taught me how to set these traps when we were little. Isn’t it cool?” Jay grinned. “Your brother must be pretty smart.” “Yeah,” Sunghoon said with a fond smile. “He’s the smartest person I know.” But Heeseung wasn’t smiling. Watching from the study window, he saw his brother’s carefree joy and felt a pang of something bitter. Jealousy? Resentment? He didn’t know. All he knew was that Sunghoon’s laughter reminded him of the freedom he’d lost.

The king’s favoritism wasn’t spoken aloud, but it was felt in a thousand small ways. When Sunghoon entered a room, King Hwan’s eyes would soften, his stern demeanor giving way to indulgent smiles.

“You have a natural charisma, Sunghoon,” the king said one evening during dinner, as Sunghoon regaled the court with tales of his latest adventure. “If only you’d been born first.”

The words struck Heeseung like a blow, though he kept his expression neutral. He had long since learned to mask his feelings, to bury them deep where no one could see. Sunghoon, oblivious to the undercurrent of tension, simply grinned and said, “But then Heeseung-hyung wouldn’t be king, and he’s way better at all that serious stuff than me.” Heeseung forced a tight smile, but inside, his chest ached. Sunghoon’s innocence only made the sting worse.

By the time Heeseung was fifteen and Sunghoon fourteen, their bond had frayed to a thread. Sunghoon, still blissfully unaware of the pressure Heeseung faced, continued to live his life surrounded by friends and admirers. Jay was his constant companion, and together they became a fixture of the court, their antics earning both scolding and praise.

Heeseung, on the other hand, had retreated into himself. His once-warm demeanor had grown cold, his words clipped and formal. He spent his days in solitude, poring over ledgers and maps, determined to meet his father’s impossible expectations.

One afternoon, Sunghoon found Heeseung in the library, his brow furrowed as he scribbled notes. “Hyung,” Sunghoon said brightly, “Jay and I are going to ride down to the river. Want to come?” “No,” Heeseung replied without looking up. Sunghoon frowned. “You never come with us anymore. Don’t you miss having fun?” “I don’t have time for fun,” Heeseung said sharply. “Some of us have responsibilities.” The words stung, but Sunghoon simply shrugged and left. Heeseung watched him go, the familiar pang of regret twisting in his chest. But he told himself it was for the best. If Sunghoon stayed away, he wouldn’t see the cracks in Heeseung’s armor, the flaws that their father never failed to point out. Sunghoon, for his part, didn’t dwell on his brother’s coldness. He had Jay, his friends, and the admiration of the court to keep him happy. Heeseung’s distance was simply another part of life, like the changing seasons—something to accept, not question. But deep down, the rift between them was growing, and neither brother realized how much it would cost them both.

---

The grand throne room of Eldor Keep was awash in golden light, the high ceilings adorned with banners bearing the crest of the royal family. Courtiers, nobles, and emissaries from far-off lands filled the chamber, their voices a low hum of anticipation. Today was the day Prince Heeseung would be crowned as the official crown prince, marking his place as the next ruler of Eldris.

For weeks, Heeseung had prepared tirelessly. Every bow, every step, every word he would speak had been rehearsed to perfection. He told himself that this was it—the moment he had worked for all his life. The moment he would prove himself to his father.

As the ceremonial horns sounded, the room fell silent. The grand doors at the far end of the hall opened, and Heeseung stepped through. Clad in an embroidered crimson robe with gold accents, he looked every inch the future king. His expression was stoic, but inside, his heart raced.

He walked down the long carpeted aisle, his gaze fixed on the throne. King Hwan sat tall and imposing, his crown gleaming under the sunlight streaming through the stained glass windows. Beside him stood Sunghoon, dressed in simpler but no less elegant attire, his bright smile a stark contrast to Heeseung’s solemnity.

As Heeseung approached, he saw it—the fleeting look in his father’s eyes. Not pride, not approval, but disappointment.

Heeseung faltered for the briefest of moments, his carefully constructed composure cracking at the edges. His eyes shifted to Sunghoon, and there it was: the light in their father’s gaze. A warmth reserved not for the son who had spent his life striving for perfection, but for the one who had never needed to try.

The words of the ceremony barely registered as Heeseung knelt before the throne. The High Chancellor’s voice echoed through the chamber, reciting the ancient rites. Heeseung bowed his head as the ceremonial crown—a circlet of gold inlaid with rubies—was placed upon him.

“Rise, Crown Prince Heeseung, heir to the throne of Eldris,” the Chancellor declared.

The crowd erupted into polite applause, but Heeseung heard none of it. As he rose to his feet, his gaze flickered to his father once more, searching for even a hint of approval. He found none.

Instead, King Hwan turned to Sunghoon, a small smile playing at his lips as he leaned over to whisper something. Sunghoon laughed softly, his eyes sparkling with a mix of amusement and joy.

Heeseung’s chest tightened. The weight of the crown on his head felt unbearable, a cruel reminder that no matter how high he rose, he would never be enough.

Later that evening, the palace was alive with celebration. Music filled the halls, and tables groaned under the weight of elaborate feasts. Nobles mingled, raising goblets of wine in Heeseung’s honor, but the crown prince himself was nowhere to be found.

Heeseung stood alone on a secluded balcony, the cool night air brushing against his face. The crown rested on a nearby table, discarded like a burden he couldn’t bear.

From the ballroom below, he could hear his old friends’ laughter. It was a sound that once brought him comfort, but now it only deepened the hollow ache in his chest.

“Hyung!”

Heeseung turned to see Sunghoon stepping onto the balcony, a goblet in his hand and a carefree smile on his face. “Why are you hiding out here? This is your night!”

“I needed some air,” Heeseung replied, his voice even.

Sunghoon leaned against the railing beside him, oblivious to the turmoil simmering beneath the surface. “Everyone’s talking about how great you looked today. Jay said you looked like a proper king already.”

“Did he?” Heeseung said absently, staring out at the darkened gardens.

“Yeah! And Father looked proud, don’t you think?” Sunghoon continued, his smile unwavering.

Heeseung’s hands clenched at his sides, but he forced himself to nod. “Maybe.”

Sunghoon didn’t notice the tension in his brother’s voice. “Anyway, you should come back inside. It’s your celebration, after all.”

“I’ll join you later,” Heeseung said curtly.

“Alright,” Sunghoon said, though he lingered for a moment before heading back inside.

As the door closed behind him, Heeseung exhaled shakily. The crown on the table seemed to glint mockingly in the moonlight.

“They’ll never see me,” he whispered to the night. “Not for who I really am.”

Far below, the sounds of laughter and music carried on, as though the weight of the world wasn’t pressing down on the young man destined to carry it.

The night had grown unnaturally quiet. Heeseung stood on the balcony, the soft hum of celebration behind him fading into the stillness of the courtyard below. His gaze drifted down, drawn by a strange flickering movement.

The shadows in the courtyard were shifting, writhing as if alive. They danced along the cobblestones, stretching and twisting in ways that defied the light of the moon. Heeseung’s breath caught in his throat.

“This isn’t right,” he muttered, stepping back from the edge.

Before he could turn to leave, the shadows coalesced into a form. A figure, humanoid but impossibly dark, rose from the ground as if pulled from the very fabric of the night. Its shape was indistinct, its edges rippling like smoke. Two faint, glowing orbs where its eyes should be fixed on Heeseung, and the air grew heavy with an unnatural chill.

“Crown Prince,” the creature said, its voice a soft hiss that seemed to echo inside Heeseung’s mind.

Heeseung froze. Every instinct screamed at him to call for the guards, but his voice wouldn’t come. The creature took a step closer, its movements fluid and otherworldly.

“Who—what are you?” Heeseung demanded, forcing his voice to steady.

“I am a shadow,” the creature replied, “a fragment of what lingers beyond the veil of your world. And I have watched you.”

“Watched me?”

The creature inclined its head. “Your pain, your struggle. Your desperate yearning for the approval of a man who sees you only through the lens of disappointment.”

Heeseung’s fists clenched. “What do you want?”

The shadow’s glowing eyes narrowed, as if smiling without a mouth. “I want to offer you what you desire most.”

It raised a hand—or something like a hand—and the air shimmered between them. In the haze, Heeseung saw a vision of his father’s face, not cold and distant as it had always been, but warm and proud.

“You can make him proud of me?” Heeseung whispered, his voice barely audible.

“I can,” the creature said. “With my power, the king will see you—not the shadow of what he wishes you to be, but the son who stands before him. The heir he cannot deny.”

The vision vanished, and the creature’s tone turned sharp. “But all power comes with a price.”

Heeseung narrowed his eyes. “What’s the price?”

The creature stepped closer, its presence overwhelming. “There is a girl,” it said, its voice low and resonant. “She is kind, but strong-willed. A soul that burns brightly even in the darkest of places. You must make her fall in love with you before the year ends.”

Heeseung’s heart raced. “And if I succeed?”

“Your father will see you as you have always wished to be seen. You will no longer live in the shadow of your brother.”

“And if I fail?”

The creature’s form seemed to grow darker, its edges fraying into tendrils of shadow. “You will take my place, Crown Prince. You will become a shadow—a faint memory, a whisper lost to the wind. Your brother will take the throne, and your name will fade into obscurity.”

Heeseung stared at the creature, his mind reeling. The weight of the deal pressed against him, as heavy as the crown on his head.

“What’s her name?” he asked, his voice hoarse.

The creature’s glowing eyes flared, and a single name drifted through the air like a whisper:

“Yn.”

Heeseung’s grip on the balcony railing tightened. The offer was impossible, and yet he couldn’t deny the flicker of hope it sparked within him. To finally be seen by his father, to step out of Sunghoon’s shadow—it was everything he had ever wanted.

But the risk was unimaginable.

“What’s to stop you from taking me anyway?” Heeseung asked, his voice low.

“I am bound by the terms of the deal,” the creature said. “If you succeed, I am powerless to harm you. But if you fail…”

The shadow didn’t finish, letting the threat hang in the air.

Heeseung hesitated, his mind racing. The image of his father’s disappointed eyes flashed in his memory, followed by the sound of Sunghoon’s laughter echoing through the halls.

“I’ll do it,” he said finally, his voice steady.

The creature’s form rippled, and it extended a hand of shadow. “Then we have a pact, Crown Prince.”

Heeseung reached out, his fingers brushing the cold, intangible surface of the creature’s hand. The world seemed to shudder, and a faint mark burned itself into the skin of his palm—a swirling, shadowy sigil that vanished as quickly as it appeared.

“Remember, Heeseung,” the creature said, its voice fading as its form dissolved back into the darkness. “The clock is ticking.”

And then it was gone, leaving Heeseung alone under the weight of the stars.

He looked down at his palm, where the mark had been. The deal was done.

Somewhere in the kingdom, a girl named Yn held the key to his future. And the stakes couldn’t have been higher.

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mirisss · 3 months ago

Text

Chapter 1, Between the Sun and the Moon

Heeseung x female! reader x Sunghoon

Warnings: angst, hatred, curses, mental abuse, favoritism, love triangle,

Wordcount ≈ 4.2k

Prologue, Chapter 2,

The first light of dawn bathed the kingdom in soft hues of gold and pink, the streets of the capital beginning to stir as merchants set up their stalls and villagers went about their morning routines. But Heeseung was already far from the palace, the hooves of his horse striking a steady rhythm on the cobblestone road as he rode through the outer districts.

He had spent the restless hours of the night thinking about the shadow creature’s words. Yn. The name lingered in his mind like a riddle begging to be solved. Heeseung prided himself on knowing his people—their names, their families, their contributions to the kingdom—but Yn was a name that did not ring any bells.

“Who are you?” he muttered to himself, urging his horse to pick up the pace.

His first stop was the village square, a bustling hub of activity where common folk mingled and gossiped. Heeseung dismounted, his royal robes replaced by simpler garments to avoid drawing attention. A few villagers glanced his way, their eyes lingering on his sharp features, but he moved with purpose, giving no one reason to suspect his identity.

He approached a stall run by an elderly woman selling fresh herbs. She greeted him warmly, her weathered face lighting up at the sight of a potential customer.

“Good morning, young man. What can I do for you?”

“I’m looking for someone,” Heeseung said, keeping his tone casual. “A girl named Yn. Do you know her?”

The woman frowned thoughtfully. “Yn? That’s not a name I’ve heard before. Are you sure she’s from around here?”

“I’m not sure,” Heeseung admitted. “But if she is, I need to find her.”

The woman shook her head. “I can’t help you, I’m afraid. Maybe someone in the next village might know?”

Heeseung thanked her and moved on, asking the same question to a few others in the square. Each time, the answer was the same—a polite shake of the head, a furrowed brow, and no knowledge of anyone by that name.

By midday, Heeseung had ridden out of the capital entirely, the towering walls of the city shrinking in the distance behind him. The countryside stretched out before him, vast and open, dotted with small villages and farms.

He paused at a crossroads, dismounting to give his horse a rest. As he stood there, the weight of the task began to press on him. Yn could be anywhere. She could be a noble’s daughter or a simple peasant. She could be in the kingdom—or outside it entirely.

For a moment, doubt crept in. Had the shadow tricked him, setting him on an impossible journey?

“No,” he muttered, shaking his head. “She exists. She has to.”

The mark on his palm tingled faintly, as if in response, and he clenched his fist. He couldn’t afford to second-guess himself.

As the sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the road, Heeseung approached a small hamlet nestled by a forest. The village was quiet, its residents already retreating to their homes for the evening. But as Heeseung rode into the square, a figure caught his attention—a young woman sitting by a well, her hands folded neatly in her lap.

She looked up as he approached, her eyes meeting his with a quiet intensity. There was something unusual about her presence, something that made Heeseung’s heart skip a beat.

“Excuse me,” he said, dismounting and approaching her cautiously. “I’m looking for someone. A girl named Yn. Do you know her?”

The girl tilted her head, studying him curiously. Then, to his surprise, she smiled.

“You’ve found her,” she said simply.

Heeseung’s breath caught. “You’re Yn?”

“I am,” she replied, standing and brushing off her dress. “And who might you be, stranger?”

For a moment, Heeseung didn’t know how to answer. He hadn’t expected to find her so soon, and now that he had, he wasn’t sure what to say.

“My name is…” He hesitated, then decided against revealing his identity just yet. “Lee,” he finished, using a common pseudonym.

Yn’s smile widened, and she offered him a slight bow. “Well, Lee, it seems we’ve met at last. Though I wonder why you were looking for me.”

“That’s… complicated,” Heeseung admitted, his mind racing.

Yn raised an eyebrow, her expression equal parts amused and intrigued. “Then I suppose I’ll just have to wait for you to explain.”

And with that, she turned and began walking toward the village, leaving Heeseung standing by the well, his heart pounding in his chest.

He had found her. But now came the hard part—making her fall in love with him without revealing the truth of the deal that bound them.

Heeseung trailed after Yn, his steps measured but his heart racing. She walked with an effortless confidence, her movements graceful and unhurried. The setting sun cast a warm glow on her figure, making her seem almost ethereal.

“This way,” Yn said, glancing back with a playful smile. “You said your horse needs food and rest, didn’t you?”

“Yes,” Heeseung replied, his voice faltering slightly. He cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure.

Yn raised an eyebrow, clearly noticing his discomfort. “You’re not much of a talker, are you, Lee?”

“I can talk,” Heeseung replied quickly, though the words sounded awkward even to his own ears.

Yn chuckled, the sound light and teasing. “If you say so.”

She led him to a modest stable on the edge of the village, where a few sturdy farm horses were tied up. The smell of hay and leather filled the air, and Heeseung’s horse snorted softly as they approached. Yn opened the gate and gestured for him to lead his horse inside.

“Here we are,” she said. “There’s some feed in the corner, and water in the trough.”

“Thank you,” Heeseung said, guiding his horse into a stall.

Yn leaned against the doorframe, watching him with an amused expression. “So, Lee,” she said, tilting her head. “You’re not from around here, are you?”

Heeseung paused, his hands still on the reins. “What makes you say that?”

“For one, you don’t look like a farmer,” Yn said, her tone teasing. “And you’re too polite to be a wandering merchant. Besides, your horse looks like it belongs to someone… important.”

Heeseung hesitated, his mind scrambling for an answer. “I’m just traveling,” he said finally. “Passing through.”

Yn didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t press the matter. Instead, she nodded toward his horse. “You take good care of him. That’s rare.”

Heeseung busied himself with feeding the horse, grateful for the excuse to avoid her gaze. It wasn’t that he didn’t know how to hold a conversation—he had spent years mastering the art of diplomacy and negotiation—but this was different. Yn wasn’t a court official or a noblewoman looking to curry favor. She was… real.

And she had an uncanny ability to make him feel like he was the one under scrutiny.

After a moment of silence, Yn spoke again. “So, Lee, what brings you to a quiet place like this?”

Heeseung hesitated. He couldn’t tell her the truth—not about the deal, or who he really was. “I’m looking for someone, but you already know that” he said cautiously.

Yn smirked. “Someone important?”

He nodded. “You could say that.”

“And how’s that going for you?”

Heeseung looked at her, unsure if she was genuinely curious or just teasing him again. “Better than I expected,” he admitted, the corner of his mouth twitching upward in the faintest hint of a smile.

Yn seemed to catch the subtle shift in his expression, and her own smile softened. “Well, you’re in luck then,” she said.

Heeseung nodded, though his thoughts were a tangled mess. He had found Yn, but he was no closer to understanding her—or how to make her fall in love with him.

As the sky darkened, Yn offered to show him to the village inn, where he could rest for the night. Heeseung accepted, grateful for the chance to regroup and plan his next steps.

As they walked, she continued to pepper him with questions, some lighthearted, others probing.

“So, Lee, do you have a family?”

“Yes,” Heeseung said, keeping his answer short.

“And they let you wander around like this?”

“I needed… some time away,” he said carefully.

Yn shot him a curious glance. “Time away from what?”

“Responsibilities,” he replied, the word tasting foreign on his tongue. It wasn’t a complete lie, but it wasn’t the full truth either.

Yn hummed thoughtfully. “Must be nice, taking a break. Though you don’t seem like the type who’s used to it.”

Heeseung couldn’t help but laugh softly, surprising himself. “You’re not wrong.”

Yn grinned. “I’m usually not.”

Her confidence caught him off guard again. He wasn’t used to this—being on the back foot in a conversation. In court, his words carried weight, and people treaded carefully around him. But with Yn, he felt like a novice, fumbling for the right things to say.

As they reached the inn, Heeseung found himself thinking about Sunghoon. His younger brother would have thrived in a situation like this. Sunghoon’s charm came effortlessly, his ability to make people laugh and feel at ease a talent that Heeseung had never envied—until now.

Heeseung glanced at Yn, who was talking to the innkeeper with her usual ease. He had spent his life mastering strategy, diplomacy, and leadership. Winning favor with courtiers and earning the respect of generals were his strengths. But winning a girl’s heart?

This was uncharted territory.

As Yn turned back to him, her eyes sparkling with amusement, Heeseung steeled himself. If this was the challenge the shadow had set for him, he would face it head-on. He just hoped he wouldn’t stumble too badly along the way.

--- Meanwhile, at the castle

The royal halls were eerily quiet under the moonlight, the grand castle seeming almost empty as Sunghoon wandered through the corridors, having just returned from another carefree day spent in the village. The usual hum of life within the walls had quieted, but Sunghoon didn’t notice. His thoughts were elsewhere, lingering on the distance that had grown between him and Heeseung.

As he entered his chambers, the air shifted. The light from his window flickered strangely, as though the very shadows themselves were alive. Sunghoon’s heart skipped a beat as he saw the figure standing at the foot of his bed—the shadow.

“Sunghoon,” it spoke in a voice as cold as death, sending a chill through his spine. “I have been watching you.”

“You want something from me,” Sunghoon said, his voice steady but laced with tension.

The shadow seemed to smirk, though its lips didn’t move. “I can offer you what you desire most,” it said, its voice hypnotic. “A chance to be close to your brother again, to have the bond you once shared with him when you were children.”

Sunghoon’s heart twisted at the mention of his brother. For years now, Heeseung had grown cold toward him, the older prince indifferent, distant, even cruel at times. But once—when they were children—they had been inseparable, like two halves of the same whole. Heeseung had been his protector, his confidant. Sunghoon had done everything he could to get that back, to break through the walls his brother had built.

“What do I have to do?” Sunghoon asked, his voice betraying the hunger for a solution to the rift between him and Heeseung.

“Make a girl named Yn fall in love with you,” the shadow answered, its gaze penetrating. “If you succeed, I will make your brother see you again, as he once did. He will no longer push you away. He will treat you as a true brother, as an equal. You will be close to him again. The bond will be restored.”

Sunghoon blinked, processing the words. “Yn?” he repeated, the name unfamiliar. “Who is she?”

The shadow’s eyes glowed faintly in the dark, the light reflecting a wicked glint. “That does not matter. She is the key to everything. Make her love you, and the bond between you and your brother will be rekindled.”

Sunghoon’s mind raced, but he didn’t ask any more questions. The prospect of having Heeseung back, of being his brother’s equal, was too tempting to pass up. It was the chance he had been waiting for—a chance to undo the damage that had been done over the years.

“And if I fail?” Sunghoon asked, his voice soft but laced with dread.

The shadow’s grin was dark, its words like venom. “If you fail, Sunghoon, you and your brother will never be close again. The day Heeseung becomes king, he will cast you aside—either marrying you off to some distant kingdom or sending you away to conquer new lands. You will no longer have a place in his life. You will be nothing to him.”

The weight of the threat hung in the air, thick and suffocating. Sunghoon’s heart clenched. To lose Heeseung forever—he couldn’t bear it. The fear of being abandoned, of becoming a mere afterthought in his brother’s life, pressed on him like a vice. He had to act.

“I’ll do it,” he said, his voice firm, determination flooding his veins. “I’ll make her fall in love with me.”

The shadow’s form rippled, the coldness around him growing sharper, more intense. “Then we have a deal.” It extended a hand, and Sunghoon, without hesitation, reached out. A cold shiver ran through his body as the creature’s essence seeped into his skin, leaving behind a dark mark that would forever bind him to this pact.

The shadow’s voice echoed one last time in his ear, low and ominous: “Remember, Sunghoon, success will bring you everything. Failure will leave you with nothing.”

And then, as quickly as it had appeared, the shadow disappeared, leaving Sunghoon alone in his chambers, a chill still lingering in the air.

Sunghoon stood still for a moment, his hand still tingling from the unnatural touch. The weight of the promise had settled into his chest. He would make Yn fall in love with him, no matter what it took. For Heeseung, for himself—he would do anything to have his brother back.

Now that the deal is struck, Sunghoon is determined to win Yn’s affection. He has no idea that Heeseung, the brother he longs to reconnect with, is pursuing the same challenge with the same mysterious creature. Their fates are unknowingly intertwined, and neither will learn of the other’s involvement until it’s too late.

--- At the village

Yn had noticed him the moment he had arrived in town. His posture, the way he moved, the commanding air about him—it was unmistakable. She’d recognized him as the crown prince long before he had introduced himself. But she hadn’t said a word about it. There was something about the way he had approached her, like he was trying to be someone else entirely. She had seen this before—people of high rank often sought anonymity, hoping for a reprieve from the weight of their titles.

So, when Heeseung had casually mentioned that he was traveling under a different name, she had played along. There was no need to break the illusion if he wished for a quiet, peaceful night. Besides, the more she observed him, the more curious she became about why he had sought her out, specifically.

Once they had settled in a small sitting area by a fireplace, Yn offered Heeseung a cup of warm tea, her curiosity getting the better of her. She took a seat across from him, her eyes searching his for any sign of unease.

“So,” she began casually, her voice light, “what really brings you all the way out here, prince? Surely someone as important as you doesn’t need to be wandering around a quiet village like this.”

Heeseung paused, the steam from the tea curling up into the air, his fingers curling around the cup. For a brief moment, he felt as though the walls he had built around himself—the ones he had so carefully constructed to keep people away—were slipping, dissolving in the presence of this girl. There was something disarming about her, something that made him feel less like a prince and more like an ordinary person.

“I had a dream,” Heeseung began, his voice low and deliberate, a hint of vulnerability slipping through. “A strange being, something… magical. It told me to find you.”

Yn’s brow quirked, though she kept her expression neutral. She had suspected there was more to Heeseung’s presence here than just a desire for a quiet evening. But a dream? That was a new one. She leaned forward slightly, her curiosity piqued.

“A magical being?” she echoed, her voice filled with both interest and amusement. “I see. And what else did this being say?”

Heeseung hesitated, the words swirling in his mind as he tried to decide how much of the truth to reveal. He had promised himself he would find a way to connect with Yn, to understand why she seemed to pull him in despite everything he had been taught to suppress. But there was a part of him that was still bound by his duties, by the weight of his role as crown prince. He couldn’t tell her the full truth—not yet, at least.

The words that slipped from his mouth weren’t lies, but they weren’t the whole truth either.

“It told me to seek you out,” he continued, a faint flicker of discomfort crossing his face. “It said you would be important for what is to come, that you might help me understand something… something I’ve been searching for.”

Yn’s gaze softened, sensing that there was more behind his words than he was willing to share. She had been around enough noblemen and women to know that not everything was as it seemed, that sometimes they wore masks even when they least needed to. But she didn’t press him further. Instead, she offered him a small smile.

“Well,” she said lightly, “if a magical being says so, who am I to argue?”

Heeseung chuckled quietly, the sound soft and almost unfamiliar. For a moment, he felt a weight lift off his shoulders, as if Yn’s presence had granted him a brief respite from the constant pressure he had been under.

“But seriously,” she continued, her tone playful but with a glint of genuine curiosity in her eyes, “why me? Why would a magical being point you in my direction? You must know that there are many people who would be happy to assist the crown prince in his… endeavors.”

Heeseung stiffened slightly at her words. It was as if she had seen straight through him, and yet, he didn’t know how to respond. He had never felt this way with anyone before—vulnerable, exposed.

“I don’t know,” he admitted quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. “I don’t even know what I’m searching for. But it feels like… like you’re the answer to something I’ve been looking for, though I don’t fully understand it yet.”

Yn’s heart skipped a beat at his honesty. There was a rawness to his words, an openness that she hadn’t expected from a prince. She leaned back in her chair, studying him carefully.

Heeseung was not what she had expected. He wasn’t like the rumors that followed his every step, the whispers of his coldness and perfection. In his eyes, she saw something different—a longing, a desperation, a need to be understood.

“So,” she said after a moment of silence, breaking the stillness between them, “I guess we’ll have to wait and see what this dream means, won’t we?”

Heeseung nodded, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at his lips. For a brief second, he allowed himself to relax, to enjoy the simplicity of the moment. The chaos of the kingdom, the pressure from his father, the looming responsibilities—those things felt distant now.

But even as he sat there with Yn, something in the back of his mind stirred. He couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever path he was walking, it would lead him to a future he couldn’t control, and perhaps one that would forever change everything he thought he knew about himself—and about her.

---

The morning sun spilled over the village, casting golden light on the cobblestone streets. Heeseung stood outside the inn, his horse saddled and ready, its glossy coat shimmering in the light. He adjusted his gloves, glancing back at the door. Yn emerged, a small satchel slung over her shoulder, her expression calm yet curious.

“You didn’t have to wait,” she said, her tone light.

Heeseung gave a faint smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “It wouldn’t have been proper to leave without saying goodbye.”

Yn raised an eyebrow. “Goodbye? You’re making it sound like you won’t be back.”

“I might not,” he admitted, his gaze distant. “My responsibilities don’t often allow for… leisure trips like this.”

There was a brief silence between them, the weight of his words settling. Yn studied him carefully, sensing the burden he carried, the invisible chains of duty that bound him.

“But,” Heeseung continued, turning to face her fully, “I’d like you to come with me.”

Yn blinked, taken aback. “Come with you? To the castle?”

Heeseung nodded, his expression serious. “I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know this: meeting you wasn’t a coincidence. If you’ll allow it, I’d like you to take a position at the castle. You’d have a place to stay, a purpose, and… it would give me a chance to understand why I was meant to find you.”

Yn hesitated. The idea of leaving the village, her home, was daunting. But there was something in Heeseung’s tone, a quiet urgency, that made it hard to refuse. She thought of the life she had here—simple, predictable. The castle, by contrast, was a world she had only ever heard about in stories, a place filled with intrigue and power.

“Why me?” she asked softly.

Heeseung’s gaze met hers, steady and unwavering. “Because I trust you,” he said simply.

The words hung in the air, unexpected and sincere. Yn felt her resolve waver. In that moment, she realized that Heeseung wasn’t just a prince searching for answers—he was a man trying to make sense of his world, and for some reason, he believed she could help him.

“Alright,” she said finally, her voice firm. “I’ll go.”

A flicker of relief crossed Heeseung’s face, and he gave her a small nod. “Thank you.”

The journey back to the castle was uneventful, the landscape shifting from rolling hills and quiet villages to the imposing walls of the capital. Yn rode alongside Heeseung, the two of them exchanging only the occasional word. She could feel the weight of the decision she had made, the unknown path she was now treading.

As they approached the castle gates, Yn’s breath caught. The sheer size of the structure was overwhelming, its towering spires piercing the sky, its walls exuding an air of authority and grandeur. Soldiers stood at attention as they passed, their eyes darting curiously to the girl riding beside the crown prince.

Inside the castle, the halls were bustling with activity, servants and courtiers moving about with purpose. Heeseung led Yn through the labyrinth of corridors, his stride confident and measured. He stopped outside a small, yet elegant room, turning to her.

“This will be your quarters,” he said. “It’s modest compared to the rest of the castle, but it’s yours.”

Yn stepped inside, taking in the room. It was cozy, with a bed, a writing desk, and a window that overlooked the castle gardens. It was more than she had ever expected, and she turned to Heeseung, a hint of gratitude in her expression.

“I’ll have someone come by later to show you around,” he said, his tone formal again, as though slipping back into his princely role. “For now, rest. Adjust. We’ll speak more later.”

Yn nodded, watching as he left the room, his footsteps echoing down the corridor. She set her satchel down, moving to the window. The view was breathtaking, the gardens sprawling and vibrant, a sharp contrast to the quiet simplicity of her village.

As she stood there, a mix of excitement and apprehension bubbling within her, she couldn’t shake the feeling that her life was about to change in ways she couldn’t yet comprehend.

In his own chambers, Heeseung stood by his own window, gazing out at the same gardens. His mind raced with thoughts of the shadow, the deal he had made, and the girl now under his roof. He didn’t know if he could succeed in his task, if he could truly win her heart.

But he had to try.

Unbeknownst to him, in another part of the castle, Sunghoon sat in his own room, a similar weight pressing on his chest. Neither brother knew of the other’s connection to Yn, nor the shadow that bound them both to their fateful deals.

The stage was set, and the game had begun.

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