i.

She closed her eyes as the soft wind caressed her skin. She felt as the grass swayed, brushing against her pale skin, the smell of lavender lingered heavily in the air. In her mind was a dozen of moving pictures; dark sky and millions of glittering gems, the echoing church bell, and enchanting melody of siren. It went on as she pictured the rustling leaves, a pair of slender white legs that were barely visible beneath layers and layers of fabric - running away from what it seemed like a beast, its magnificent black fur shimmered gloriously under the radiant moonlight. A deep chuckle echoed in her thought, sending rippling shivers down her spine. A pair of bright blue stared back at her, and she opened her eyes.

"How preposterous!" The woman bellowed, making those who stood before her quivering in fear. Such strong voice that came from that slender body seemed implausible, but looks can be deceiving.

Eunhae narrowed her eyes on the marble ground, watching the flickering lights reflected on the shiny floor, all over the massive hall.

"You are attending the Mass and that's it. The Heirs are coming from all over the land, and you are to find a suitor, whether you like it or not."

Eunhae gasped, again with the 'union'. She bristled, feeling her body turned cold.

"You cannot force me to do anything, let alone telling me whom I should marry, Mother. I refuse that, I refuse to turn into your doll, like what you did to my sister." She spat hatefully, and stared defiantly at her Mother's eyes.

She knew it was a bad choice, no one angers the Queen and walk away without at least multiple wounds or a broken neck, but she had had enough of her Mother putting her on a leash. Sure, she might had given Eunhae everything she had in life, but it did not mean she owned her, nor her life.

It was dead silent for what it felt like eternity as everyone present in the hall stopped breathing, careful not to push their luck to the edge anymore. They were already in a danger by simply being in the same room as the livid Queen and her stubborn second-born.

"Everyone, out." The Queen said in a low voice, her servants and ministers alike scurried away leaving the three people in the throne hall.

Jihun caught the Queen's eyes as she glared at him threateningly. He held his ground and bowed slightly, silently apologizing for defying her Highness' direct command, but he had vowed to stand by his Princess' side, and a blood oath shall not be broken.

Queen June hissed at his impudence but decided that he was not her main problem right then, but her own daughter. She rose from the massive throne made of silver and skeletons, and stepped forward, her long lilac gown stretched behind her, trailing on the floor as her heels clucked against the polished ground.

The fire flickered in their holds behind the Queen as Eunhae held her gaze, feeling the imminent pain on her abdomen. The woman's eyes turned black and Eunhae sensed her Mother's rage cloaking her like heavy drapes, denying her of any air.

"How dare you disobey me, you insolent child," the Queen hissed, "I am your Mother!"

"Being my Mother doesn't give you any control of my destiny, I think you forgot that, Mother." Eunhae gasped, her right hand was holding her middle, trying to push the sizzling pain away. But of course, to no avail. She was aware of it.

"And what do you wish to achieve? A knight to sweep you away? You are living in a fairytale, my darling, and the least that you will get is a suitable male and continue this reign." Queen June said, noticing the smallest of frown on the warrior's face before he contained himself.

"No." Eunhae gasped heavily. Her other hand was now clawing on her neck, popping her collar open. "I will not live like you do. I will follow the trail of my Fate."

She whimpered at the stinging pain on her chin as her Mother's long manicured hand dug onto her skin, no doubt drawing blood.

"Your. Fate. Is. Decided. By. Me. I am the queen of this land, and you will abide by my rules." The Queen's voice rose by every words she said, and then she paused, dropping the girl. The warrior caught her head before she crashed on the hard floor. "I expect you to be fully presentable this evening, or else."

Her voice was filled with deadly warning as Eunhae shift in and out of focus, until she finally fell into the abyss.

ii.

She knew she was in an unfamiliar place as she stood in a dark surrounding, bright moon light casted on her, making the small beads on her gown sparkle. She twirled on her feet and turned to her back where the unending forest were, leaves swaying in the gentle midnight breeze. She caught the sweet lavender smell passing her as soft wind blew caressed her cheeks. She smiled, she was home.

"Princess," was the first word Eunhae heard when she felt herself waking up, opening her eyes with the sight of her cream coloured ceiling. She then felt a firm yet gentle grip that engulfed her small hand. A bunch worried expressions quickly filled her line of view.

"Damn, that hurts." She muttered, gripping her head as she tried to sit with the help of her warrior.

"Of course it does," Jihun spoke grimly, taking the glass of water from the tray that the maid brought. "Can you stop doing something that could get us in trouble?"

Eunhae rolled her eyes, accepting the glass and drank it all in a go. She wiped the spilled water from the corner of her lips with her sleeve and sighed.

"And let her have a full control of my life? No thank you. You know me Jihun, I don't want to live my whole life in this...prison."

She realised her mistake a second too long. She turned to the guy who sat next to her on her bed, who let go of her hand and took the glass from her. He put the glass back on the tray and the maid walked away, closing the massive golden doors behind her, leaving the two of them in the room, enveloped in silence.

"I'm really sorry, Jihun, I-"

"So you really want to leave, huh?" He started, walking to the towering window overlooking the garden. A handful of servants were out and about, doing their daily chores, and no doubt preparing the castle for the ball. "I thought after all these times, you'd forget about that childhood hopes of yours."

Eunhae bit her bottom lip and played with her fingers. "I need to follow my dreams, Jihun, everything I ever have has never make sense until now... Now that I have him."

"I guess I can't rival to this alpha of yours." He softly said, closing his eyes when he felt her small arms circled around his torso. Her small figure only reached to his shoulders as he placed his chin on top of her head.

"You will always come first, Jihun. You were my first love, and you will forever be, but he's the one I want to spend the rest of my life with." She mumbled into his chest, feeling the rumble of his laughter after.

"Well, if you need to leave for him then I am not the first, Eunhae, stop confusing me." He said teasingly, but his eyes were filled with deep sorrows. He knew it was inevitable, she was going to leave him anyway.

She pouted. "Then come with me. We can leave this hot and humid place. Aren't you curious of how the moon looks like?"

"No," he said almost instantly, earning a smack on his hard chest. "I have seen enough books with moon sketches in it that will last me a lifetime." He gave a playful glare to the blushing girl. She stood there awkwardly, thinking about the times she had forced her amazement about the Realm of Selene onto her childhood friend.

"I'm just kidding, Eunhae." Jihun said, leaning in for another hug. He wanted to savour the feeling where his love was in his arms; that he knew he would relive again for the rest of his live.

"I won't forget you." That was the sincerest thing he had ever said.

iii.

"If you want to leave, better do it now." Jihun said, closing the door behind him. He stopped short when he saw Eunhae dressed in one of the maid's attire, while helping a girl in a glittering dress. He looked past the girl with pretty curls and diamonds to the one standing just a feet behind her.

"I- uh... Excuse me for a second." The girl in purple dress said, walking to the conjoined bathroom and closed the door. Jihun nodded gratefully at her took a few long strides to Eunhae, quickly closing the distance between them.

"Were you surprised?" She asked, a tint of pink on her cheeks as she brushed on her plain blue dress softly. "I'm not as pretty anymore, no? I told you, it's all about the right way to contour -"

"You're always pretty to my eyes, Eunhae." He said, smiling at her bright red ears and doe-like eyes. "Do you really have to go?"

She nodded, "do you really have to stay?"

Jihun chuckled. "I want to, but you know you can come back if... things doesn't go the way you want to."

Eunhae smiled. "I'll find a way to contact you. I promise." She saw her cousin slowly peeked through the door of her bathroom and laughed. "Jia, you can come out."

Jia rushed to her and engulfed her in a tight hug. "Don't go, I don't like it here if you're not around."

Eunhae patted her on the back, careful not to touch the girl's long locks. "I need to, Jia, you'll be fine here. Jihun will take care of you. Now off you go, we don't want to miss the ball, do we?"

"You're crazy," Jia softly said, looping her arm with Jihun's as they descended the stairs. Faces with masks made it harder for them to recognise anyone, but they made use of it, as the eyes were trained on them. Jihun expertly manouvered them to the centre of the ballroom.

"You love her but you let her go." Jia whispered, putting her hands on Jihun's as they started to dance. A brief moment later, couples joined them in the centre, circling them as if they were the main dancer.

Half of Jihun's blank face were covered with the mask, but his eyes showed deep remorse. Jia felt her heart ache, this man felt so much for her cousin yet she had to leave him. And he allowed her to.

They felt a certain pair of eye glaring at them. They knew whom it belonged to, yet they kept with the act.

"Because I love her so much, I let her go." Jihun answered after a while. He watched as the girl in front of him looked away. "I had to choose, and I want her to be happy even though that means I have to let her go. That is the truest form of love."

They kept dancing as the song reached to the climax. Jihun kept his gaze on Jia as she looked to anywhere but him. He knew how she felt, he knew she had given up on her choice for Eunhae. But if he thought she would be making move after Eunhae was gone, he was wrong. She have respect for his feelings and most importantly she respected herself. She should not be begging for what was not hers to begin with.

She only have to persist until the day clock chime, and tomorrow would be better. Perhaps she should try moving on.

"Princess Eun," The authoritative voice said and both of them stopped short, realising that the music have reached its last note not so long ago.

Jia turned rigid and she let her arms fall to her sides as she turned to the Queen. She tore her mask off and blinked confusingly.

"Lady Jia!" The Queen cried out loud, surprising the fine gentleman standing next to her, perhaps one of the suitor she felt capable of giving what she desired. "Where is my daughter?"

Jia shook her head. "I am sorry, Aunty, but I haven't seen her since this afternoon when I asked her to lend me this beautiful dress. I haven't gotten the chance to visit the shop as I was busy with my father's business..." she trailed off, and widened her eyes a fraction. "Did you think I was her? Oh, please forgive me, my Queen! It wasn't in my intention to stir this confusion!"

The Queen was red in embarrassment and anger. Somehow she had this feeling that her daughter had asked Lady Jia to wear her dress to draw the attention to her thinking that the Princess attended the ball just like she wanted her to. Queen June threw a sharp glare to Jihun who stood next to a trembling Jia.

"You!" She accused, "Why are you not with my daughter?!"

Jihun stepped closer to Jia, their shoulders collided as Jihun wove his fingers into hers, calming her shaking state but also confused her. The person who had been indifferent toward her all this time because he had a thing for her cousin suddenly walked forward and helped her. She knew it was for Eunhae's sake -afterall they were trying to buy enough time for her- but still.

Was it normal for a person's heart to beat this fast?

"With all due respect, Your Highness, the Princess asked me to leave her alone after the scene today, besides I have to be with my date, Lady Jia."

It was pin drop silent as the two sides exchanged heated gaze. Jia felt the sweat accumulating in her palms, wetting the thin fabric of lace gloves. Queen June walked toward them in a threatening step. Jihun visibly pushed Jia behind him, his hand never leaving hers, whilst his left one wrapped around the weapon he had under his tux.

"If I found out you had anything to do with this, you'll regret it." She spoke sinisterly. Her sharp glare nearly made Jia faint, but Jihun was there to give her the courage she needed.

Finally the Queen walked away, the train of her red gown trailed behind her majestically as the crowd parted to give her way, their heads bowed to the seething Queen.

"Guards!" Came the malicious voice, and Jia audibly gasped. She could only pray to the gods that her cousin's plan will work, or else both of them would lose their heads.

"I'll protect you," Jihun said lowly, enough for both of them to hear. She instinctively turned her head to him and he did the same. He smiled encouragingly, "Trust me, I'll protect you with my life."

iv.

"There was a huge war among the gods and demigods. Countless of lives was sacrificed and the world was in the brink of destruction. Overbearing souls were tortured, having given promises and lies from the deities who wanted to just use them for their own good."

Eunhae ran as fast as she could with the long dress. It was not as heavy as her usual dresses and gowns, but still long enough to cause her several trips and the bruises have started forming on her limbs.

"One day, the tables have turned and despite the raging world, what supposed to be a neutral discussion turned into a horrible nightmare. Eos's son was slain, and the poor mother wept."

Due to her exhaustion, Eunhae fell onto her knees. She tried to stand but she could no longer feel her legs. The wind blew to her bringing the delicate scent of burnt roses, and she snapped her head to her back. The swaying trees ushered her away, the rustling leaves cried for the approaching death. She had to run, before her mother arrived.

"The silver stained Eos's light pink gown, her shaking figure was huddled next to her son as she wrapped her arms around his lifeless body. Memnon's body shimmered under her fallen tears, and disappeared from his mother's embrace."

Eunhae - upon seeing that the cliff was not as far from her - dragged her body tired body to the edge. Endless sea stretched as far as her sight could fathom and she closed her eyes briefly to feel the sea breeze calling to her.

"The disgruntled mother rose to her feet, glaring hatefully at the gods and demigods that stood upon her. A stupid war had cost her her son's life, and more if it didn't end soon. The hatred grew as she thought of the silver sword penetrating her son's chest. As her pain intensified, the morning sky dulled, and the heavens were overcast by heavy clouds. Crystals fell from Eos's eyes, as she pointed angrily to each deities, making sure the curse she whisper would live in them, as it flows in their veins, forever."

Eunhae dropped her palms onto the ground, small pebbles dug painfully into her skin. Taking a deep breath, she sang,

I hear the sound,
Echoes beneath,
Angels and skylines meet,
And I'm straining to reach,
The light on the surface,
On the other side.

She heard the faint sounds of horseshoes thudding against the dirt as she kept on singing.

I feel the pages turning,
I see the candle burning,
I feel you holding me,
Tighter I cannot see.

She laid on her back and drew a silver dagger from her dress pocket, admiring the glint that was reflected from the sun. Helius, Eunhae had thought, forgive me. The thudding against the ground stopped short, and Eunhae knew she had to do it or else she would live her life in hell forever.

Breathe, she said, and brought the dagger down onto her chest, striking her heart.

She heard a faint voice screaming, "No!" before she was sucked into the abyss.

v.

"The sea turned red and smelled like human flesh. The heavens were turned upside down with the disappearance of Eos. Selene and Helius couldn't exist without the Dawn, so the gods made the hardest decision to separate the worlds into two realms: Night and Day. For the Dawn was gone, a sacrifice should be done if any creatures of the two want to move realms. A silver penetrating the heart, and a mourning lips; the sacrifice should be done at the place where the water separated the two worlds. A change would be made, through death - a life renewed."

Eunhae felt weird. She was floating in the nothingness, when the sky above her morphed into something else. Helpless cries invaded her overly sensitive ears and bright light stung her sharp eyes. It was when she saw her cousin crying and sobbing, her heart broke once again, even more painful than the feeling of blade piercing her skin.

"NO!" Jia wailed, trying to stop the coffin from lowering into the base, but she was stopped by a guy. Jihun's grieving eyes contrasted his grim expressions as he held the broken girl in his arms.

The emotional pain of sadness turned into the excruciating pain of physical wound when she was sent spiralling down to the abyss, but this time, pink streaks covered the sky instead of the black nothingness. It was obviously Dawn, as the Morning Star shone ever so brightly. An ethereally beautiful woman appeared; adorned with golden wreath and dressed saffron-coloured robe. Sorrow coated her expression as she looked at Eunhae in pity. She walked forward, stars trailing every steps she took.

"My child," Her melodic voice said, and Eunhae dropped her head. "You killed yourself for a new life."

Tears brimmed in Eunhae's eyes. She felt cold soft fingers under her chin and then she was staring into Eos's beautiful eyes. "Don't cry, everything will be alright, soon."

Eos leaned over and planted a kiss onto Eunhae's forehead, and she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Bright light invaded her line of sight when she opened her eyes, the beeping came next. She turned her head around as fast as she could, which was still slow for any living being. She could still feel the thudding in her head. The nightmare felt real.

She sighed, trying to clear her head. She could not remember anything. Not her name, nor where she came from. All she remember was the pink sky and beautiful motherly being that held her while she cried. Why did she cry? She did not know.

The sound of door being opened and closed shook her from her reverie and she turned as fast as she could to the walking figure. The girl was wearing a white coat and had a file on one of her arms. She gave her a kind smile and asked her how she felt.

"I feel empty, I can't remember anything."

The girl then smiled and nodded, writing something into her pad and closing the file. "Well, rest now. I have someone who's excited to meet you. Perhaps you'll remember him."

She blinked confusedly, watching her walk back to the door, and just as she opened it, a guy emerged from behind the double doors. Sweet lavender smell filled her nose, giving her ecstasy, she took in a deep breath. This was the smell she's been looking for, her eyes snapped open when she realised her thoughts. The girl and the guy then began to talk slowly before the girl bowed and walked out, closing the door behind her.

She choked on her breath when she had a good look at the guy who was walking toward her, his eyes were admiring her, and she was sure she was doing the same thing to him.

The clothes that he wore did nothing to hide his well-built figure to her. His long strides allowed him to reach her in just a few moments, their breaths synced as they were lost in each other's eyes. He was the first to break the unsettling silence.

"Finally," He mumbled and with a lightning speed, she was on top of him, as he was spooning her from behind. Blood rushed onto her face as she squirmed under his touch. She stopped when she felt his hot breath on her neck, and weird enough she felt safe and calm in his embrace.

"You're here." He said, his voice vibrated in her ears, oddly satisfying.

"I've been waiting since forever. The dreams of you were mocking me, you always disappear after. It's not fair." He said, tightening his hold. She placed her hands on top of his and relaxed herself into him.

"You-you were?"

"Waiting for you? Yes, I have. Since I was ten years old. God, I thought I was crazy." He said, "What is your name, love?"

"I-I can't remember... but I feel like I've came from a long way..."

She felt him shift. "Yes, yes you did. We'll talk about that some other time. But now we need to find you a name. Surely I don't want everyone to call you Love... What about Haein?"

"Hae...in?" She mumbled, feeling the sound of the unfamiliar name call to her. "I- yes. Call me Haein. But I'm really sorry, but I don't think I catch yours?"

He chuckled. "That's because I haven't told you. I'm Seungjun, the Alpha of Silver Night in Selene's Realm."

She hummed, mindlessly patting his hand. "Do you feel that too? It's comforting...and satisfying."

Seungjun chuckled. "The sparks? Yes, I do, and I look forward to live the rest of my eternal life with you, mate."

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