The evening breeze welcomes Jungkook as he walks across the courtyard.

The temperature has dropped significantly the moment the sun is gone, yet Jungkook doesn't mind it. With his coat hanging somewhere in the war room, he welcomes the cold touching his skin.

It helps only little to distract himself from the thoughts running through his mind. From the guilt and sorrow that keep clawing at him, and from continuously questioning himself what he could have done differently to prevent this tragedy from happening.

He has no idea what prompted him to walk out into the dark courtyard.

Jungkook had only wanted to get away. He needed to clear his thoughts, and—just like the excuse he used to get away from Sir Noah—a breath of fresh air. Perhaps then, he would be able to find some peace of mind and figure out what he needs to do to get his bride back.

And yet, the storm inside his head refuses to settle.

In fact, it only seems to be escalating. The accusation that Sir Noah has thrown at him is beginning to take root, even if the bigger part of himself is in denial.

Because the maiden, his bride, his princess, would never have run away. He believes so in his heart, as he knows well enough just how much you were looking forward to the big day. Just as much as he was.

No, she couldn't have run away. Something foul must have happened.

This is the thought that has been running through Jungkook's mind ever since you failed to show up at the wedding venue. No matter how long he waited, and waited, without any sign of you coming through the pathway decorated in scattered white petals and blooming daisies, he still believes that you wouldn't have left him without any explanation, without news nor a reason.

Lost in his thoughts and wonderings, Jungkook finds himself walking towards the Annex building right across the courtyard. The building that was supposed to house you and your little friends during the wedding preparation. The building where the palace maids spent hours waiting, hoping to help prepare you for the ceremony, only for you to never arrive.

Jungkook walks toward the small patch of garden at the side of the building, finding a wooden bench where he can rest. From here, he raises his head, looking over the balcony on the upper floor, where your preparation room is situated. The room is now left unattended and unoccupied, as the only person who was supposed to be using it on the morning of the wedding never came.

But the bitter thought of your absence isn't the reason why his chest feels tight as he looks up on the empty balcony. The reason for his pain is his memory, as it takes him back to the night before, to make him think of another balcony that he was looking at before everything fell apart.

The balcony in front of him looks nothing like the small balcony right outside of your bedroom. As he looks up to the vacant area above his head, the only thing he sees is the modest and quaint balcony at the heart of the Amaranth Forest, with you standing against the bannister as you sang to him a song to celebrate your coming nuptial.

The cold weather bit into his skin as Jungkook raced through the night, leading his horse through the Amaranth Forest until he finally reached your humble abode.

Jungkook already knew by then that the castle must have sent news to you and your family about the Queen's blessing, yet he was still eager to bring the news directly to you. He wanted to share his joy and happiness, the excitement of being able to marry the woman of his dreams, and for the magic of the true love's kiss that he was about to share with you the next day.

By the time the prince got to your home, the place was quiet. The only light he could see was coming from your window, where he could hear the soft humming sound of a tune reverberating through the night.

She is still awake, he pleasantly wondered.

Jumping off his magnificent horse, Jungkook bent down to pick up a handful of small gravels as a means to grab your attention without unnecessarily alerting anyone else around or mistakenly disturbing someone—namely your grandmother—from slumber. He contemplated for a moment before he began tossing them against your window. One at a time. Until he finally caught your attention.

"It's me, Princess," he called out to you then with a whisper, once he noticed some movements happening from beyond the drawn curtains.

He saw you peeking from between the curtains, gasping at the sight of him, before the window was unlatched and out you went to the balcony to see him.

"My Prince," you greeted him with a gasp, your eyes filled with joy that Jungkook felt the urge to celebrate.

"I've come to see you, Princess," Jungkook nearly shouted, to which you quickly hushed him to quiet.

"I know, Your Highness," you whispered to him then. "But please, keep it down. My grandmother has fallen asleep just moments ago."

Jungkook nodded and immediately lowered his voice. "Are you busy preparing for tomorrow?"

Your smile widened, and Jungkook could tell how genuinely happy you were when you said, "Yes, I am."

"So the news have come to you about the Queen's blessing."

"That the Queen has approved of our marriage? Yes, it has," you let him know with a grateful smile. "A royal knight came to us in the afternoon, bringing news of the Queen's approval and the wedding that has been set to happen tomorrow before noon." He heard a sigh coming out of your lips. The sound was filled with wonder and disbelief, and it touched him deeply in the chest. "It feels so soon. Even my grandmother was in complete shock."

"And how about your grandmother?" Jungkook asked you when he recalled meeting your grandmother earlier that day to ask for her blessing. While your grandmother was surprised to hear his intention of marrying you, she was definitely not expecting to hear the wedding to happen so suddenly. "She hasn't changed her mind about giving her blessing for us, has she?"

You quickly began shaking your head, much to his pleasure. "No, she hasn't. But seeing the royal knight and hearing the good news from Her Majesty the Queen has reassured her. Nana even helped me with the dress until a moment ago when I sent her back to her chambers."

Jungkook couldn't help but smile, feeling the excitement and joy of seeing you in a wedding dress so soon. "I cannot wait to see you in your dress."

You made a humming sound that Jungkook perceived as a giggle, only that it had a tune to it, as if you were humming a delightful song. "And I cannot wait to wear it for you tomorrow."

Silence fell between you as you both relished the moment of joy.

"This is so romantic. For the prince himself to come and visit me late at night," you had murmured then with a sigh, and right at that moment, Jungkook had promised himself to never forget the emotions rushing through his chest; the pride and gratitude he felt for being the reason you were smiling; and the excitement he felt for tomorrow.

"To hear you say such a thing will only pressure me into making sure that tomorrow will be perfect."

The soft sound of your laughter made everything brighter for Jungkook. "I know you will make it perfect."

"You have such high faith in me, Princess," Jungkook said, shaking his head. When he looked up, he saw you leaning against the bannister, your chin propped on top of your hands. Tilting your head, you seemed to be deep in thoughts, even when your gaze remained on him. "What are you thinking about?"

"I'm thinking about"—a dreamy sigh came out of your lips—"our true love's kiss."

"Really, now?"

"Yes! It's making me happy that I just want to"—you started clapping your hands—"I just want to sing!"

Seeing your excitement put a smile on Jungkook's face. "Then sing, Princess. Let me listen to your voice so I can sleep well tonight." Jungkook laughed as you started dancing on your small balcony, humming softly to a tune and singing joyfully about your true love's kiss.

"In the still of the night, when the stars softly shine,

A spell whispers secrets to hearts like mine."

Your voice was like magic. It touched a deep part of Jungkook which caused him to hum along with your tune as if he knew every rhythm, every beat, every word.

"Through forests enchanted, where wild roses grow,

You searched for my heart, though the path was unknown."

As you continued, the forest began to sway. Every rustle of leaves became a rhythm to accompany your song. A music, a tune, to which you kept swaying along as the breeze began flowing around you and Jungkook.

"Now our worlds collide, in this moment of grace,

One kiss will erase every trace of the maze.

So kiss me, my love, let the story begin."

Lured by your enchanting voice, Jungkook joined you and began to sing along.

"True love's kiss, like a spark from the skies,

It awakens the soul, with a tender surprise.

One touch of your lips, and the darkness will part,

For your kiss is the key that unlocks my heart.

True love's kiss, in this moment divine,

Is the magic that says you'll forever be mine."

Jungkook closes his eyes, drowning the lovely tune that he sang together with you that night before it could lead him into feeling even more despair. Still, he cannot help but hum the tune as he reminisces that wonderful moment he spent with you before he had to race back to the castle and allow you a moment to rest.

Besides, he had also feared that the magic of your voice would break away his restraint, causing him to leap over to the balcony and give you the kiss that he desperately wanted. One that he dreamed of. When he saw the look in your eyes once the song ended, he knew then that he wouldn't be able to resist.

There was a glow in your eyes which caught his attention that night.

It reminded him of the moonlight, of its magnificent beauty that he had often seen shining through the warm nights of summer. There was a wonderful spark rising in his chest when he saw it in your gaze; the blissful happiness that seemed to be reaching out into his heart and soul. At that moment, Jungkook had imagined seeing the same glow the next day, when he was supposed to take your hand and recite his vows before sharing the true love's kiss with you.

He never expected what was supposed to be the happiest day in his life—and yours—would fall apart the way it did.

All the years he spent training to fight against evil and sharpening his swordsmanship skills seem fruitless now. For years, he had done all he could to make himself worthy of his title as the Crown Prince. From fighting monsters and demons, encountering evil witches and dark mages to prevent them from entering the land and exploiting the people, to winning fights and protecting the people of the kingdom with his sword. But never before had he ever felt so helpless, so powerless, all because he failed to protect the one person who matters to him the most.

Jungkook is still overcome with regret for not picking you up himself on the morning of the wedding day like he had intended to. If only he hadn't been so strict in following the old tradition of not seeing the bride before the wedding, he would've been able to make sure that you would arrive safely at the castle.

But when Queen Mother had made him promise not to break tradition for the sake of the ceremony, Jungkook never thought to refuse and simply followed everything she taught him to do. He never thought that having faith in the servants and the knights would cause him to lose a bride.

There has to be a way, he wonders to himself, trying to work his brain into thinking of a solution. There must be some kind of magic that would—

With a jolt, Jungkook rises from the bench when he suddenly realises. Magic is one of the sources of power that exists here in Andalasia. So why hasn't he thought about using it to find you?

Jungkook starts pulling at his hair as he thinks this through, realising soon the reason why magic had never been a possibility for him to even consider.

Jungkook had never been so adept with magic. Not since he was a child.

Ever since he was a young boy, Jungkook has always been more interested in learning how to fight, how to wield a sword, and to follow the footsteps of the princes written in tale books who protected their princesses and queens with their swords instead of spells. And now, he regrets all the years he could have used to learn magic from the Queen.

Yes, that's it, he wonders with a newfound hope. Perhaps Mother will be able to use her magic to help find her.

With this thought giving him a new sliver of hope, Jungkook starts to make his way back to the main castle and requests a moment with the Queen, to ask her for a favour in finding his missing maiden. Until he hears rough rustling sounds of leaves, causing him to halt.

This sound has been occupying the garden for a while now, he realises, yet he paid no mind to it, thinking it to be the evening breeze shaking the trees and bushes around him.

But as he looks on towards the nearest rosebush growing alongside the pathway, he notices that the breeze may not be the reason behind these sounds. He takes a step closer, just as the leaves before him are parted, and a small face peeks through the opening.

"Your Highness?" A small voice speaks, and it takes Jungkook a moment to realise that the face—and the voice—belongs to a squirrel.

A familiar-looking squirrel.

"You!" He exclaims when he recognises her. He bends down to his knees, greeting the little thing with a smile. "It's you! The squirrel who accompanied _______ in the forest. What are you doing here in the dark?"

The squirrel starts waving her paws frantically. Panic is written on her face as she glances around her. "Sshh—please not so loud, my Prince," she cautiously begs the prince. "You cannot tell anyone that I am here."

"What? But why?" Jungkook asks, "Why are you here?"

The poor thing looks hesitant for a moment. "My name is Poppy, and yes, I am friends with ______ and we met in Amaranth Forest." Jungkook still remembers the day quite well and nods as he listens.

"It's ______, my Prince. I heard what the other man, that Sir Whatshisname, said"—she says with a growl—"about my dear friend, and you must know that he was undoubtedly mistaken." The more she speaks, the more the squirrel appears angry. Unwilling to accept the accusations being thrown by Sir Noah about her friend.

It doesn't take long before Jungkook realises the reason why. "Blossom never ran away, my Prince, and I am quite concerned that she might have gotten hurt."

Jungkook's eyes grow wide. "What do you mean?"

A breeze passes through the bushes, rustling leaves and swaying branches cause the squirrel to jump, surprised, until she takes one quick glance around the area and realises that there is no danger coming. But the same cannot be said about your fate. Wherever you might be.

"She might be in danger as we speak, so we must hurry."

Furrowing his brows, Jungkook leans closer to be able to listen more. "What do you know? Tell me everything."