#i can hardly remember it from my childhood and even then my parents weren't very affectionate

[slippery-minghus]

wild to think what it would be like to have somehow gotten used to consistent physical contact and proximity to another human being....

[purplesurveys]

1718

Who is your most loved person?  I'd say my parents. I'm *really* bad at expressing it but I really think this is the case. They were the first people I thought of, too.

Have you ever been bullied?  Oh you have no idea how much you can be bullied over a name.

Who makes you the happiest?  I'd be lying if I didn't say BTS.

What is the most heroic thing you’ve ever done?  I like to think I saved a life once. I won't delve into it much but I had an orgmate who tweeted something in an extremely distressed yet decided tone and I caught it the second he posted, so I took it as a sign to reach out privately even though we weren't close outside of org work. Stayed with them for like half an hour until they calmed down. It doesn't matter to me whether they still remember that night or not, but I do like to go back to that moment when I need a little self-reminder that I can do nice things too.

What calms you down when you’re upset?  BTS bro.

Have you been betrayed in the past? How?  Yeah I have had a friend spill secrets of mine. Yes multiple ones, and yes it's the same person. I've had her blocked everywhere since 2009 and have no plans to ever talk to her again.

Who do you miss the most?  Nobody in real life.

What’s one sweet/candy you miss from your childhood?  Coffeebeat from Meiji. We used to have a local convenience store that would sell this bundle of Meiji candies - idk how to explain it but it was like a sampler bundle? So like tiny portions of different candies, and sold as one product - and I would only ever eat the Coffeebeats. All the other candies in that bundle, I gave to my sister.

Also, I FOUND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE OMG. It's this one!!!

Do you have a favourite celebrity chef?  Baek Jongwon :D I get so excited when BTS does stuff with him or when I see him on my favorite Korean variety shows.

Do you prefer diamonds or pearls?  Diamonds.

Is there anything coming out soon (books, albums, movies, video games) that you’re looking forward to?  Oppenheimer is already out but I have yet to watch it...maybe this Saturday! I've been meaning to take myself out on a weekend. As for music, just Taehyung's and Jungkook's albums.

How do you go about finding books/movies/music to read/watch/listen to?  Books: I never really read anymore but I'm bound to check a book out if it's related to my interests, like if I find out a favorite wrestler is coming up with a memoir.

Movies: I can pick up movie recos from anywhere. All I need is a plot that resonates with me or with my type of movie (read: drama).

Music: I listen to solely BTS these days but if any of the members share a song reco then I'm likely to check it out. So far my favorite music taste has been Joon's.

What’s a band/musician you were really into for a while but who you don’t care about or hardly listen to anymore?  Banks and alt-J.

What is something someone recommended to you that you disliked/hated?  It wasn't recommended to me per se but I was once invited to a birthday gathering where we were treated to watch Me Before You, and I remember not liking it all that much.

Do you find it difficult to keep up with online friendships?  Yes, which is why I quit that life many years ago. It's hard when you're on different timezones, and even harder when you drift apart. After losing my circle of friends from my wrestling fandom, and after experiencing Carley go on and off the radar 1 billion times, I've been too scared to make online friends again.

Has there ever been a person you regret ever being friends with?  Kind of.

Do you think you have a good understanding on love?  I don't know. What counts as 'good'? I don't think I'll ever understand love completely; all I know from it are my own experiences.

What do you want to do on your honeymoon?  I'm not sure, actually. Never really thought about it. First thing that came to mind is to go to South Korea but I feel like I'm just saying where I want to travel HAHAHA

What do you think of your parent(s)?  They are very hardworking and have always done the most and best they can for us.

I do wish my mom did not inflict/pass on so much of her mental anguish on us when we were kids, and I wish she didn't treat us and talk to us and get frustrated with us as if we were adults when we were like 5...but the older I get, the more I understand where she was coming from. I get it. But just because I'm able to empathize now doesn't mean I've forgiven all that happened in the past.

If your best friend confessed that they can see the future, you would…?  I would tell her to get real.

What’s your least favorite pizza topping?  Pepperoni, salami, beef, pork, pineapple.

What’s your dream pet?  I don't have a dream pet. For me, all I need are dogs.

Most unattractive male name, in your opinion?  Bob or Mark.

Is your pet dog male or female?  I've only ever had male dogs.

Have you or would you try shark meat?  I would.

Do you know anyone that’s pescatarian?  I'm pretty sure I do - I think Joanna may be? - but I just wouldn't be able to identify who off the top of my head.

Do you think the government has a cure for cancer, but is hiding it from public?  I highly doubt that.

Do people normally describe you as sexy? No.

Was your ex born in America?  No.

Has your best friend ever made you cry?  Um, only happy ones. She kept me alive when I couldn't do it for myself, and I tend to get emotional when I think about those days.

Do you still talk to the person you liked six months ago?  I haven't liked anyone in nearly three years.

Has anyone ever talked you into doing something you didn’t want to do?  Isn't that the experience of everyone with an Asian parent ever?

Are you smiling in your Facebook profile picture?  The biggest smile I've ever done, yes. I was in Bangkok, posing right in front of the arena where Yoongi was performing that evening.

Be honest, does the person you like actually deserve you?  I don't like anybody.

List 5 things that have been on your mind most recently.  Considering resigning before I get my next promotion; Our family vacation in December that I really don't want to happen; Work-related reimbursements that I need to request ASAP; Figuring out when to be firm and when to be loose as a manager; Taking my dogs to their next vet appointment.

Would you ever wear black lipstick? Do you know anyone who does?  I never wear black lipstick and no I don't know anyone who does.

If you wear eye shadow, do you put on a dark colour or a light?  I don't really wear eyeshadow.

Do you combine your socks and underwear in the same drawer?  Yes, I do.

Does the last person you kissed live within walking distance?  No.

Is there someone you could hang out with all the time, without ever getting bored of them?  Probably not. I love my friends, but at some point I'd also prefer my own company. I was overseas with my close friends for just 5 days, but after that I couldn't wait to be on my own hahahaha.

Do you know a girl named Beth? Tell me about her.  I used to. She was a semi-online friend from the wrestling community; like we weren't close by any means, but we were part of the same community 'clique' and would always be cool with each other whenever we'd interact. She's from the UK and had a CM Punk-related username. She's very pretty, too.

Do you think the last person you kissed has ever lied to you?  Yes.

Have you ever been hit on by somebody way too old for you?  No.

First kink tried?  Choking.

First time doing oral?  I was 18.

Do you send nudes? Do you like receiving them?  Well, not these days, but yes I used to. Yeah I like receiving them too, as long as I'm actually *with* the person; otherwise I imagine I would be grossed out.

How much teasing do you like?  It's not my favorite thing in the world but I can play along. I'd rather be teased than do the teasing, though.

Are you okay with name-calling in bed?  I don't think I've ever experienced it...but I'm open to exploring and figuring out if I'm actually into it.

How often do you do unprotected sex?  I used to be in a same-sex relationship so this wasn't really something I worried about.

Do you like wearing/seeing people in lingerie?  Honestly not into it.

Are stockings/thigh-highs a turn on?  Not for me.

How many other people know your bra size?  I doubt anyone else does.

Do you have any friends you’d sleep with?  Nope.

Does the person you like have any flaws?  I don't like anyone.

Has anyone ever given you a ring? Why?  Yeah, just for funsies.

Creation theory, evolution or the Big Bang theory?  Anything but creation.

What was your last serious conversation about?  I'm so sure and I'm too exhausted to try to remember.

Have you ever been into a real cave?  Yes.

Have you ever posted mean comments on YouTube?  I don't think so. I rarely comment on YouTube anyway.

Name the strangest game you’ve ever played (video game or real game):  I'm not a big gamer but something that comes to mind is that Flash bartending game lol. Strange, but very nostalgic and very very fun.

Who was the last person to play with your hair? Are they cute?  I can't remember...maybe Angela? She's the likeliest to do so anyway.

Who was the last person close to you that died? Did you cry?  Marisse's dad. I didn't cry, but there was a heaviness even though I haven't seen him since I was 7. He and my grandpa used to be close, and seeing him after all these years, but just at his wake, reminded me of those memories I have of them together.

Do you know anyone who uses medical marijuana?  No, that's not legal here.

Do you know anyone who’s died in childbirth?  I have a cousin who apparently passed on, but I'm not sure if what happened was a miscarriage or death in childbirth. We don't really tackle Sophia within the family, but I wish I could know more about her. I only learned about her to begin with from Facebook, although I wish I didn't have to learn about a dead cousin that way.

Do you agree with the “they’re just being kids” excuse?  Idk I feel like this is such a vague statement. There are some things that can be excused, but if a kid is like committing arson or beating up other kids or abusing animals then I'm not letting that slide.

Have you told your parents all of your secrets from when you were a teen?  Never.

What’s the worst name your mom has ever called you?  She has implied that I am worthless in a million and one expressions.

What’s your stance on spooning?  It's cute, until a certain point. I prefer cuddling so I can face the other person :)

Do you currently want a new computer?  It'd be cool but I'm not too pressured to get a new one. Like I've said in previous surveys, I only ever use my personal laptop for taking surveys now. Spending 100k for a new laptop is just such an expensive way to take more surveys LOL

How would your parents react if you got a tattoo?  I feel like they would be nonchalant. I'm 25 and they mostly leave me be at this point + they have their own tattoos so why complain about mine?

Who is your truest friend?  Angela.

Who is your oldest friend?  Angela.

How long have you known them?  18 years.

Where are they right now?  I'm guessing she's at home.

Have you ever dated a friend of one of your siblings?  Nope.

Have you ever dated someone who had a child?  I have not.

What has been your biggest failure in life?  Hmm, probably my first and last relationship.

Do you trust yourself?  For the most part.

Would you ever consider getting an abortion, under any circumstances?  Honestly, no. If it happens, it happens; I support abortion as a choice but it's personally not for me.

What was the last bug you killed?  An ant, I think.

Do you prefer profile pictures by yourself of with someone else?  By myself.

Has a boyfriend’s/girlfriend’s parents ever gotten mad at you? Why?  No idea.

What is the funniest thing a child has ever said to you.  Not to me but my aunt once told me a funny story about my then-10 year old cousin; apparently the two of them had been going grocery shopping and were stopped at the alcohol section. My aunt, bless her heart, was asking my cousin what flavor of soju to get, to which my cousin exasperatedly replied, "I don't know mom, I'm 10." one of my favorite stories ever looooooool.

[selene-tempest]

Our Brains.

Brains is fun to hug, he really is. It makes me laugh every single time you do it. It's like he just never expects spontaneous affection from anyone.

He was in for a rude awakening with me. I hug everyone and everything for absolutely no reason what so ever. OK, maybe I do have reasons sometimes, like if they look particularly cute or they are having a bad day, but there's just something about Brains that makes me want to squish the every loving crap out of him.

I remember the first time I met everyone. I first saw Gordon, even if it was upside down. He was there with this big grin on his face and I said to myself "He's gonna be trouble." but the good kind, you know? He might have been an absolute nightmare as a rescuer but later that night he keep my attention as I went through the second scariest moment when I faced the needle of doom.

And then up lumbered Virgil, giving me this smile that said "Hi, don't worry, I'm here, you can trust me." and gods did I trust him. I'd trust him with anything, my keys, my car, my tools, my bank account, anything, just not to get me out of that tree. A witch has to have some self preservation you know. Virgil gives the best hugs, I know everyone says that but it's true, he's got these strong arms that feel like a bubble around you and you know nothing will touch you in them. He glared at the doctor waving the syringe around and warned him not to hurt me, then buried my head in his chest until it was all over. Honestly I don't remember much of it. I might have lost some air supply smothered against those pectorals of his, but what a way to go, eh?

But much as I liked them, they weren't who I truly needed that night. No, I wanted that silver tongued god I'd been talking to in outer space and no one else would do. Its pretty obvious that the first time I met John was life changing.

Then Scott ambled up, flashed me those dimples in a grin that clearly said "I got this shit" and I wasn't sure if my dignity would ever be intact again with him around. He's got that vibe, that vibe that says he'll get you home safe but you'd probably shit your pants at how fast he does it. High octane is our Scott.

Then Alan, oh that baby, I just wanted to wrap him up in a blanket, snuggle him to death and feed him cupcakes.

But Brains, I had literally no idea what to make of him. He was friendly in an over enthusiastic, babbling at me in Sciencees until my head spun kind of way. But so sweet with it.

Brains has this moment about him, when he's not sure of himself. It's not that he doubts his brain power, not at all, but it's like he doubts himself. He reminds me so much of John in that way.

I walked in to find him sat on the couch, looking confused, squinting at his readouts and his face was just a picture of misery. I know nothing about anything of value, but I know when a hug is needed.

I scared the crap out of him. I didn't think, I just leant over the couch, wrapped my arms around him and gave him a squishy witchy hug (patent pending).

He jumped like he'd been shot and went bright red, getting all flustered and stammery. Then he backed off and ran out of the room like his butt was on fire.

I was so worried that I'd offended him or upset him in some way. So I tracked down the love of my life. It went like this:

"John, I broke your scientist, sorry about that."

"You did what?" Confusion, thy name is John Tracy.

"I broke him."

"And how, pray tell, did you manage that?"

"I hugged him."

"Oh."

"Yes, oh! What do I do? How do I fix him? Is this permanent? He ran away so fast I think I saw smoke."

"That's just Brains." That was the wisdom he gave me.

"I'm gonna need more than that, babe."

And that's when I heard the story.

Brains was orphaned at the age of eleven when a hurricane struck his family home. He had no family that could be traced and after floating in the system for a year his incredible brain power made him known to a Cambridge professor who adopted him.

But although he had a relatively happy childhood after that, where his need to acquire knowledge and to indulge in experimentation and inventing was indulged, he lacked the familiaral affection he'd gotten from his parents. His adoptive father cared for him, but more like a teacher would a favourite student than a father.

He'd met Jeff while he was studying, on the fast track to greatness but his abilities were far outstripping the offers he was getting due to his age. To put it simply, no one dared take a chance on a youngster like him. No one but Jeff.

John told me that Brains had gotten better with them all, he now understood their teasing and no longer took it personally, although he still over analysed or took it literally from time to time.

Brains hardly ever reaches out for affection, he's too analytical for that. He only ever does when he's so excited he forgets to think.

John got in the crossfire of that once and froze, two semi-antisocial hermits who didn't know what had just happened. But it was Brains, someone he was comfortable with, so John had just gone with it, patted him on the shoulder and let him know that there was nothing to be embarrassed about.

And now I'm here, poor Brains. He doesn't know what's hit him. He gets hugged when he least expects it all the time. I call it emersion therapy, the boys call it the Selene effect.

He's gotten used to it. He's gotten used to me. He no longer runs. He doesn't stammer. He doesn't panic. He stiffens, then relaxes and occasionally, very rarely, as beautiful as the sun coming up after a long, dark winters night, he'll hug me back.

I love those moments, those times when he's so excited that he'll grab you and hug you without thinking. That's the real Brains, that's the sweetheart that I adore.

That's the one that everyone should know about. The one that makes bad jokes and shouts out his little random ideas without any context, the one that asked me to make a scarf for MAX because his circuitry was feeling delicate that week.

That's our Brains.

That's the one I wish more people saw.

For @drileyf, thanks for the picture submissions.

[hwauas]

🕊️: "the lost prince", 4

park seonghwa | 박성화 - 2,880 words

you frowned at the sudden reaction from your mom. it was very curious to you. and you suddenly remembered the gaze the two policemen gave each other when you mentioned that same thing.

you were so confused about this whole situation.

     you thought you were living a pure nightmare: everybody seemed to know everything but you, and you were powerless to this ignorance from you. your boyfriend was in a hospital, you were trying to find his real family to soothe their pain from the loss, and give Seonghwa all his answers, but everybody was throwing a spanner in your works

     everybody around you seemed to know something, and no one ever told you anything. this was very overwhelming to you. bad feelings started to grow up inside of you: distress, anger, helplessness, uselessness.

     “mom, what's happening? who is fleur-de-lis? what did fleur-de-lis leave? why would fleur-de-lis be back? i'm so done with everybody hiding things from me! i'm just trying to resolve my boyfriend's problem, to try and find his family. why is everybody being so focused on this fleur-de-lis thing!”

you started to walk around. you pushed back your hair while walking, and took a deep breath to try and call down a little. the whole situation was getting on your nerves already, and it was just the beginning of your case.

     “did Seonghwa tell you something about this?”

she was pale, as if she just saw a ghost. her tone was contrasting a lot with yours. the room held a mix of two opposites: the hot and the cold. your anger and her shock.

     “no. nothing. listen mom, you stay here. i'll do it on my own, alone. if you need something, just call me.”

as you were about to leave, your mom grabbed your wrist.

     “y/n. if you want some informations about fleur-de-lis, you should meet this old lady you talked to a lot, running the library. she'll help you way better than me to answer your quetions.”

     you left your place right after, just nodding. you were too angry to think straight at this moment.

     besides the fact it seemed to be more complicated than you thought, everybody seemed to hide something from you. if they knew why did Seonghwa's "mom" called him this way, and if they knew something about fleur-de-lis and its meaning, wouldn't it be easier for you to find his family? instead, they were all shocked yet quiet.

     on your way to the library, you were thinking about what could this lady say to you about fleur-de-lis. would she answer your questions? tell you a lot more about it? about the meaning?

the fruit you were eating while walking seemed tasteless compared to the bitter sensation of others knowing something about fleur-de-lis but you, and compared to your anger — slowly fading away. the last shades of anger within you was because of the necessity to run across the city to have answers.

     but a whole mystery was planning over Seonghwa and his whole family, and you had to resolve first this fleur-de-lis enigma.

     when you reached the library, less angry, you found the lady you were looking for at the back of the shop, reading an old book — you could tell it was an old book because of the yellowish pages.

you slowly approached her with a little smile. she looked up at you as soon as she saw you coming closer.

     “my child! it's been a long time! how are you doing? you're stunning. you know that?”

you smiled at her cute behaviour. it was very heartwarming to see her being this welcoming to you. it was soothing your anger.

     “i'm doing good. don't worry about me. and you?”

     “i'm good. old but strong, you know?”

she giggled, showing off she was just making fun of herself. you always liked her self-mockery.

“what brings you here today? are you looking for new books? you already finished the ones i recommended you?”

     “no, i didn't finish them yet. but i'm reading them, don't worry!”

you sat besides her, on an empty chair. you were looking at her with the tiniest smile ever, yet with bright eyes.

“no, i'm coming for something else.”

     “tell me.”

she put her book on the little desk, and turned over to face you.

     “do you know anything about.. 'fleur-de-lis' ? my mom told me i could ask you for informations about.. this.”

the old lady seemed to be surprised. was 'fleur-de-lis' a taboo? something no one can talk about? why did everything act like it was very important?

     “fleur-de-lis is a quite sad story.. years ago, the Queen gave birth to a lovely son. their only son. he was the King's heir apparent. all the country absolutely loved the nation's prince. he was adorable. his parents were loving him so much, treasuring him.”

the old lady glanced over a vase with flowers in it.

“they never revealed their son's name. they always called him fleur-de-lis. even there, in the castle. only his parents know his real name.”

     “sorry mama but...”

you frowned at this information. it increased your curiosity.

“why did they were calling the prince fleur-de-lis? i mean, i can understand they wanted to keep his name a secret, but then.. why did they choose this?”

     “this flower especially represents the royalty. the power, the glory, and the success as a King or a Queen.”

you nodded to show her you understood this point.

“but this peace the kingdom knew didn't last. the little prince was 1. 13 months, to be exact. when the Queen and the King woke up, their son was nowhere to be seen. they immediately started to look for him all around the land. everybody were looking after this little boy. but no one ever found him. the kingdom's ray of sun disappeared, and took the happiness with him. everybody forgot him as fleur-de-lis. now, he is called 'the lost prince'.”

     you stayed quiet. you never heard about this history. neither him as fleur-de-lis nor him as the lost prince. you didn't even know the Queen and the King had once a son. was it this hurtful for them? in a way, it was showing how close to him the whole country was.

     “why are you asking me this?”

     “because... i had to call for the emergency department yesterday for my boyfriend. since then, he can't leave because the person he called mom all his life is an impostor. i'm looking for his family. i talked a little with her after we discovered the truth and the last thing she said is 'take care of fleur-de-lis'.”

     the old lady was, again shocked. but this time, you understood why.

everything was clearer to you. why did the policemen looked at each other this way, why did your mom became so pale. if this person wasn't lying, you were dating the lost prince.

     but the problem wasn't resolved. how to prove that? how to say that to him? how will he react? were you really able to solve this problem now?

     “i see... thank you mama. i'll solve this problem. i promise. i'll give my boyfriend back to his family. and if he is the lost prince... i'd be the happiest if i could give back this kingdom their lost prince.”

     “y/n! wait! please... what is... his name?”

      you stopped moving when she called you. and with a little smile:

“he is fleur-de-lis, the lost prince.”

     you winked, and walked out of her shop.

     you felt bad for hiding this from her. she helped you a lot figuring out about this problem. and she helped you solve a huge part of the problem. but you couldn't betray Her Highness and His Highness and reveal his name — if he really was the lost prince. you had to respect their choice. and you weren't even sure he was the lost prince.

     with all these new informations, you needed to ask few questions to Seonghwa now. maybe he could help you having more answers to your questions. so you naturally started to walk towards the hospital.

     you didn't even dare to look at your phone. you knew you would have a lot of messages from your mom — she was very curious and couldn't even try and control it. seeing Seonghwa was, for the moment, your priority.

     reaching Seonghwa's hospital room was a relief for you. if you thought at the very beginning of this day that you were facing a problem hardly solvable, you were now looking at the new informations which helped you progressing in solving this problem.

     hope and determination were growing inside of you, and flourishing.

     you entered the room, a bright smile. Seonghwa was here, sitting down on a chair, next to the window. the sun was illuminating his face, revealing his melanin and natural beauty to you. your heart skipped a beat, and two, before you could move.

     “baby.~”

you approached him, and sat on a chair next to him. he immediately look up at you. he had a little smile, but his eyes were more expressive: they were shining.

“how do you feel?”

     “a lot better. i wish i could go out. i feel a little bit lonely here...”

you noticed he was playing with his fingers. you knew it meant he was very annoyed by this aspect of the situation.

     “and... can i do something about this, babe?”

you softly took his hands in yours. you would always be here by his side to try and make things easier for him to live. it was unnecessary for him to worry about that. and you wanted him to feel this in your gesture.

     “i feel a little bit guilty for asking you this but.. can you stay with me this night?”

he was avoiding your eyes, yet tightening his hold around your hands.

     “anything you want. i will stay with you tonight. and the next nights until you go out. i promise.”

you rubbed his hands softly with your thumbs. and before the silence was too loud in this room, you started to talk again.

“Hwa, i'd like to ask you some questions...”

     “yes, sure y/n. i'm listening.”

his soft gaze was back on your adorable face.

     “i know you don't remember well your childhood but.. i'd like you to try. for me, please. did she ever call you fleur-de-lis?”

you saw Seonghwa lowering his head. when you saw few lines on his forehead, you knew he was just trying hard to remember for you, to help you. and you were thankful...

     “i.. i don't think so. but, i don't know why... it doesn't sound unfamiliar to me.”

Seonghwa shoot his head up to look straight into your eyes.

“why? did you came back because you discovered something?”

     “kinda.. i did discover something, but i'm not sure at all about this information. and i think few people can help me solving this problem. you're one of them.”

when Seonghwa squeezed your hands, you felt like it was a sign from him to keep going.

“do you know why the very first pictures of you you have are pictures when you were 15 months?”

     “i thought it was very curious too. so i asked her. she told me she didn't have any reasons to take pictures of me from the very first day i was born, to the very first steps i made.”

     you nodded at this information. it was very interesting: after that, Seonghwa had a lot of pictures if him. dozens, and maybe hundreds. she was taking pictures of him very often.

“okay, then listen. i asked for informations about fleur-de-lis. what is it. who is it. what does that mean. the old lady running the library i'm often visiting told me everything. to summarize, fleur-de-lis is the Queen's and King's baby who disappeared when he was 13 months. they always called him this way because they wanted their baby's name to stay a secret. even the people working at the castle don't know the baby's name. and they were calling you fleur-de-lis. what if.. it was linked? maybe i'm crazy to think about this! but what if you were fleur-de-lis, their child? all the puzzle pieces are fitting! you don't have pictures of yourself before you were 15 months because you weren't living with her. she's not your biological mother, not your official mother because she just.. kidnapped you. she was wanted, everyone was looking for the person who kidnapped the prince. she couldn't go with you somewhere and make proper papers with you as her son. that's why she had to hide her identity? why she made false papers? because everybody wanted to find her!”

the adrenaline was rushing at a light speed through your veins. everything seemed to match.

     “am i the one who actually got drugged? i CAN'T be him. i'm not a prince, please, y/n. think about it again. it's not a fairy tale.”

     “i AM serious! you, first, think about it! i'm not asking you to believe it, i'm asking you to considerate it!”

as you were talking with Seonghwa, you heard knocks on the wooden door. you both straightened up to look at it.

     “are you Choi y/n?”

you nodded, a bit lost about what was happening.

“i'm a police officer. i'm working on the case regarding mister Park to find his family. since he can't leave the hospital, and you're the one who gave us informations about the lady who pretended to be mister Park's mom, can you please follow us to the police station? she got arrested. we need someone to indentify her.”

     you were stunned by their words. did the fact you mention 'fleur-de-lis' yesterday got them being more involved in the case?

Seonghwa had to squeeze your hands for you to be back in the present.

     you nodded, feeling again the hope growing up inside of you. as complicated this problem seemed to be, things were progressing quickly. it was like a relief for you, and for Seonghwa. maybe he wouldn't stay here too long?

you kissed Seonghwa's forehead, and left to follow the policemen.

     the ride to the police station was too quiet for you. you needed to know if they knew as much things as you. if they were also thinking that Seonghwa may be the lost prince.

     “do you think.. she was right when she called him 'fleur-de-lis'?”

     “we can't exclude the possibility she was the one who kidnapped the prince sixteen years ago. but first, we need to be sure we're holding the right woman.”

     “what will happen if i tell you she's the one he called mom all his life?”

you nervously played with your fingers.

     “we can't take the decision by ourselves to proceed to a DNA test. we need the child's parent agreement since he's not major, however we're looking for his parents. we will interrogate her, and of she admits she kidnapped him, we'll inform the Queen and King we found the prince. only then, a DNA test can be done — if they want to.”

     knowing they were, just as you, thinking Seonghwa may be the lost prince made you a little bit happier. you weren't crazy or too obsessed with the idea to find his family that you started to believe harebrained things. you were right when you started to have faith in this possibility: you couldn't exclude the possibility of him being the lost prince.

     things seemed to be clearer. this seemed to be obvious: you will go to the police station, you will identify her as the kidnapper, she will admit what she did, and Seonghwa will finally know the truth about his family and will live with them.

     but then, a whole another aspect of the situation hit you: if Seonghwa is the prince, what is going to happen when he will come back there, with his parents..? will you be able to live your idyll with him..? your worlds, which were the same until now, will they stay like that..? his world will necessarily be different from yours. after all, you weren't a noble at all...

     the car stopped in front of the police station. you looked through the window. your heart was beating fastly. you almost felt nauseous.

what your reaction will be in front of her?

you stepped out of the car, and followed the two policemen. they waisted no time and led you to a room. in front of you, through a window, there was a table. two chairs at each side of the table.

     “don't worry. she can't see you.”

with that, the policeman knocked on the door. inside the room, someone you first didn't see went to the door at the opposite, and opened it.

     she was here. she sat on a chair. she looked tired, and both sad and guilty. it was the right woman.

     there you were, with an ultimatum. what to do?