#ocxseonghwa

[dreamteez-story]

MIST [I] - Snow Moon | An Ateez Story Chapter 2

~Raina~ Four kingdoms in total had allied. Each of them represented a season and associated with it was ancient magic. However, many years ago this power was abused. So many had to pay with their lives, that the four kingdoms decided to banish all magic and magical artifacts so that this tragedy could never happen again. 

Arlune, the land of winter, was chosen to take care of the last magical artifacts. It had always been imbued with this magic, which was older than anything that had come before and was considered the origin of all things. Known for her calm nature and wisdom, almost all realms had voted for Arlune as the guardian of magic.

Since the beginning of time, Vulnox, the Empire of Autumn, had been known as the home of the dragons. When the land was still filled with magic, humans lived in peace with them. At least that's what they thought, because no one had seen a dragon in generations. Nevertheless, people still tell stories, sagas, and legends of the mighty creatures of fire, which continue to burn in the hearts of the inhabitants.

Praedis, the radiant spring, was known for its equally blooming spirit. Mythical creatures and the most beautiful flora and fauna of all realms were united here. No one could escape this beauty. The people and their culture have since been highly valued for their honesty, and no other kingdom has produced such talented healers. However, one should not be deceived by first impressions. 

The last of the kingdoms, Calmen, was characterized by eternal summer. There was little that these people feared. They let their bravery and courage guide them. Some of the most talented knights came from there and the wealth of their country far exceeded that of the others. The royal family's castle alone was hard to beat in terms of splendor. However, this idealism also brought difficulties. In the past, misunderstandings had already arisen, especially with Arlune, because, despite their qualities, they were not chosen to protect the magical artifacts. The last kingdom also provided the occasion for an early gathering of all the kingdoms in Arlune. The engagement of Prince Jongho of Calmen to Princess Aurora of Arlune guaranteed a bond of peace between the realms. 

~Aurora~ "Aurora, you should show your best side when you go and greet him."

Her mother's cold voice not only interrupted the silence but she pushed her elbow into her side. Aurora straightened her back and her eyes focussed on the nearing carriage. It was orange with gold details and in front, you could see two beautiful dark brown horses. The mane of the horses was in a beautiful honey-blond. A golden sun was on the centerpiece right in front of the carriage and under it, she could see their family crest. Calmen, the everlasting sunshine and home of her own mother. She never saw her mother like one of the Calmen women and she never talked about her growing up as noble women there. Aurora always tried to get to know more about the kingdom she knew she would marry into, but her mother always shut her out. So one day she stopped asking and even now, Aurora had never visited her future second kingdom.

"Of course," she assured her and started moving downstairs. She walked straight up and only people who knew her well enough would notice, that her hands were a little shaky. The princess lifted her skirt a little as she walked down. All her life she had been prepared for this. After the last step, she stopped and looked at the young man who had just got out of the carriage. Wrapped in the same, tame orange and gold, she recognized the familiar face of the man she had been promised to since birth. Jongho smiled when he saw her and bowed his head slightly, while Aurora curtsied a little and only stood up when he had caught up with her the last few meters.

"You look beautiful, Aurora." he greeted her in a soft and calm voice.

It had never been difficult to talk to Jongho. The Prince of Calmen, had never been the problem with this arranged marriage. It was the feud between Winter and Summer that placed an incredibly high burden on the two of them. Maybe that was the reason for both of them to give each other space, a quiet understanding for Aurora had grown up knowing that she could not marry for love, as there was this underlying antipathy between their two peoples and they both had to alleviate it.

"You too. I hope your travels went well?"

She meant what she said, even though he knew that she knew only too well that from now on every step they took together would be watched. And they did, at this moment his parents and younger sister left the carriage and she greeted them formally. Aurora showed her best side, played the role that her birth had imposed on her and finally linked arms with Jongho, with whom she walked back up the stairs to the courtyard. ~Raina~ At the thought of seeing Aurora again after many moons, Raina's mood brightened. But not only would they see each other again after so long; their third friend, Princess Jiska of Praedis, was also expected, which made the thought of the endless formalities of the evening more bearable. She had been close friends with both women since childhood and had spent a lot of time in their realms.  

Raina reached the walls of the castle and made her way to the royal stables in the courtyard, directly through the garden in front of it. From a distance, she saw a person behind a hedge, who was taking care of its shape, and a smile crossed her face. She pulled the heels back and signaled Onyx to speed up. Just before the hedge, she tightened the reins and let him jump over it. When he landed with thundering hooves and, after a curve, was made to rise by Raina, she had to laugh at the sight of the young gardener. He had stumbled in shock, falling directly onto the severed branches and almost into the adjacent fountain. As he looked at her in disbelief, she hid her broad grin behind her hand and pressed her lips together. 

“Excuse me, Hongjoong,” she said, still smiling, while he stood up and knocked the branches off his clothes.  

“If you weren't the princess, I'd have you reported to the king for that,” he replied, serious at first, but then a smile flitted across his features. ''Out so early, are you?'' he asked, stroking the black stallion's large head, which caused its nostrils to flare. ''That very important matter in Arlune is coming up soon, isn't it?'' he asked, and Raina's stomach tightened at his words. She just nodded, and he recognized her reluctance immediately. 

They had known each other since they were children. His family had also served the royal family for a long time. In the past, when his father had still tended the castle gardens, they often played among the flowerbeds under his supervision. For a long time, nothing could separate her and Hongjoong, until they grew older and their connected destiny created a gap between them. She was the princess of Vulnox and he, the gardener's son. Which was not a good starting position for a deeper relationship. This was especially painful for Hongjoong. He found it difficult to hide his feelings for her, and even if Raina knew about them, she could never bring herself to reject him.   

“My mother is probably looking for me already...” Raina sighed and turned her head towards the neighboring chambers. “What would I give to escape all the courtly constraints?” she added, but the young man came around to her side of the horse. He reached for her hand, which was covered by black riding gloves, brought it to his lips, and bowed slightly. 

“Don't worry so much, Raina. I'll be here when you return,” at his words, Raina had to smile and nodded in confirmation. 

“Thank you, Joong.” He released her hand and she wrapped her fingers around the reins. A short tug was enough to steer Onyx in the desired direction. He watched her until she disappeared behind the tall hedges of the castle garden

2023 © written by dreamteez_story [wattpad]

[dreamteez-story]

MIST [I] - Snow Moon | An Ateez Story Chapter 1

~Aurora~

It was quiet in the castle gardens. The sun was setting and the snowy hedges sparkled in the first sun strokes. Most people would sink into the beautiful view, but Aurora was alert. A silent step in the snow caught the attention of the Princess of Arlune and when she felt someone approaching her, she quickly reacted. She jumped a little to her left side, just in time to avoid the blade of a sword glittering in the lowering sun, aimed at her neck.

With her hand she reached for her left thigh, only to feel an unfamiliar emptiness there. Instead of the hidden weapon sheath, wrapped around her thigh most of the time, her hand brushed against several layers of flowy fabric that felt soft against her cold hand. Even if the little silver dagger would be with her right now, she had no time to reach it in time. Her attacker had an advantage.

So she turned to the left and her silvery gray eyes fell on the dark-haired man who had raised his weapon against her. It took her a few seconds to catch herself, but her startled look faded and turned into a gentle smile. She not only recognized who it was but also caught his gaze. The dark brown eyes were familiar and helped her to slow down from the energy high and made her feel safe instead.

"That trick is getting old," she said with a grin on her lips.

She took a step back, regained her balance, and stroked against the skirt of her dark blue dress. The castle gardens looked particularly beautiful today. The hedges that surrounded the garden were covered in snow, frozen flowers, and grass. It was cold, but not too cold. The rising winter sun made the white ground glitter under her boots. It had snowed just a few hours ago, but fortunately, it had stopped quickly. The first guests should arrive today, that's why she was up so early. Sleep wasn’t her strength in times like these.

"You should be ready at all times," he began in a surprisingly firm voice and caught Aurora's gaze. "Where is your dagger?"

The black-haired woman suppressed a sigh at the heaviness in his voice. Not because his words bothered her, but because she knew he only wanted to protect her. They had their reasons to meet regularly, wanted to prepare her for possible attacks like that. But not every attack would be stopped, just because she wouldn’t have her dagger with her. She was the heir to the throne, of course, she would have enemies. Her younger brother Mingi traveled a lot for his duties and her mother was a widowed queen, waiting for the right time for Aurora to take over.

She knew the danger behind her name and had been prepared for her role her whole life. And still, she would probably never feel prepared for what was ahead of her in the next months. Her future husband would arrive today. Aurora knew him for a long time already and he seemed like a good man. She was betrothed to Jongho, the heir of Calmen, since the day she was born. Promised to be King and Queen together, their whole life.

That was exactly why she took her eyes off the black-haired man and instead looked across the palace gardens as she spoke. Looking at him was so much harder these days and her pounding heart was almost hearable. Should she react like this? No, not at all, but the only thing she could do was to try to hide those emotions.

"A dagger, on the leg of an heir to the throne, on this day? And the next days?" this time her voice was much quieter and gentler than before.

She waited a moment but then looked back at him because he didn't reply. She watched his facial expressions very closely. He finally lowered the sword and put it back in the sheath, his expression relaxed. She took another step towards him. His body was less tense and he nodded. Seonghwa knew, that she could not dare to wear a weapon around her thigh when the next days should be to celebrate the four Kingdoms and her upcoming wedding.

“So, I will need to keep an even closer eye on you, princess.” The smile he gave her, was getting her weak, but she nodded. Aurora turned around to gaze at the rising sun. A little moment of peace, before she would have a full schedule.

~Raina~

Slowly, the sky turned golden, displacing the deep dark blue of the night in Vulnox. Noiselessly, the light crept over the high peaks of the mountains and treetops of the valley. The sun was rising on the horizon and the first sunbeams colored everything they touched in red.

More and more colors returned and the colorful leaves regained their usual glow. The air was still cold from the long night as Raina sucked it deep into her lungs. 

She held both reins firmly in her hands and exhaled for just as long. Her black stallion shook his head, his wavy mane swinging. His movement made Raina open her eyes again and she gently stroked her hand through the long strands. Now the light had reached them too and the warmth of the sun was becoming more noticeable. She looked down into the valley towards Vulnox Castle, her home. Her heart felt heavy, almost unbearable, as she thought about what lay ahead of her. 

She was the first female successor to the throne in the history of her dynasty. Never before has there been a queen solely because of her bloodline. Even in other kingdoms, it was unusual for a woman to ascend the throne without being under the authority of a king. Her family had been part of the royal house of Vulnox for several generations and had steadily earned their place in it. She was now the one who would carry on this burden.  The scraping of hooves on the uneven stone pulled her out of her thoughts and she pulled on the leather reins to calm Onyx. He snorted while stretching his head forward. A smirk spread across her lips, followed by a deep sigh.

“All right, I know we should be getting back,” she murmured, saying goodbye to the feeling of freedom with a glance at the horizon. She clicked her heels together and urged Onyx on.  2023 © written by dreamteez_story [wattpad]

[dreamteez-story]

MIST [I] - Snow Moon | An Ateez Story

First Book of the Mist Series

[royal fantasy Ateez Fanfiction | SeonghwaxOC | SanxOC]

"so please, if this is my path, hold my hand tight." - ateez's mist

Many years ago, every use of magic was called to be forbidden and the last magic artefacts were banned to Arlune, the kingdom of winter. But after festivities in Arlune, the princesses Aurora, Raina and Jiska find out, that somebody tried to lift the spell protecting these last magic artefacts from being used. The peace between the four kingdoms is at risk. Now they need to prevent a war and need to fight more than just their role as heir to the throne. Friendship, love and trust, everything is twisted and an urban legend about eight special soldiers who would free the kingdoms, could be more than just a tale from the ordinary folk.

first start: march 2023 restart: october 2024 status: in progress

2023 © written by dreamteez_story [wattpad]