“Beomgyu t-threatened you?”

It wasn’t a regular common thing to hear. Yoon Min had to take a full minute to completely absorb the fact. She still wasn’t in the state to believe it. Her goofy, nice friend couldn’t do something like that, could he?

Aereum nodded her head. “He said if I don't grant his wish, I'll be breaking a promise. Which is true. I may even have to step down from my throne.”

She gasped mentally, unable to believe he had the audacity to speak something like that. He was never the kind of person to use threats for selfish purposes.

But yet, we never know someone entirely.

Seokjin was the one who stayed silent most of the time. Though it might sound odd, he had expected Beomgyu to do something like this. He knew the other wasn’t the kind to keep quiet and watch his things being taken away from him. And he also knew how much he liked his wife.

Aereum continued with a sigh, “This is a serious situation. If you two don't reincarnate, the residents are going to keep up with their protests. Guardian Beomgyu's wish will not only bring chaos to the universe, but also in your life.” She had her gaze fixed on Yoon Min.

Yoon Min knew what the princess meant. She couldn’t imagine her own friend trying to get her attention in the future.

“We need him to take back his wish.” The princess said.

“I'll talk to him.” Yoon Min volunteered. “Maybe he'll change his mind if I--”

“No, he'll never listen to you.” Seokjin finally opened his mouth and looked at her. “Who do you think he's doing all this for? If you go talk with him, he'll be more offended and may do something much more maddening. You're only going to provoke him.”

Somehow there was anger in his voice. She felt it. The animosity should be the prime cause.

He looked at the princess, “I'll talk with him. See if he changes his mind.” He sounded pretty confident.

Aereum didn’t bother to judge him. She had faith in him more than any other guardian. “Alright, I don't have much time either. I have to grant his wish within 5 hours. You have to report back to me quick.”

The senior guardian nodded before turning around and walked outside without wasting time. The other quickly bowed to the princess and followed him out.

“Jin?”

Seokjin stopped walking and looked at her. They reached the bridge while a glorious night fell upon them. The stars were shining, brightening the cloudy skies and sparking through the planets.

She placed her hand over his shoulder before saying softly, “Just... be nice to him.”

There was a reason behind this reminder. Since the men resented each other from the beginning, there were possible chances of a fight to break among them. Even one offensive word could provoke the other.

Unexpectedly, he didn’t react negatively or joked about it. Instead he seemed to accept her advice on a positive note, judging by his facial expression.

Then he said, looking into her eyes, “I don't want to lose you, Yoon Min.”

She was glad and relieved to realize he wasn’t in his guilt phases even after learning Beomgyu's misdeed. Usually it would had made him upset and regretful, and he would hate himself again. He would grow silent and small, insecure about his wrong choices. But not this time. Maybe he was finally overcoming his fears.

“You'll not lose me, Jin.” She sounded certain. “It won't happen.”

“But Choi Beomgyu actually likes you, you know?” His gaze lowered on the ground. It felt like he was scared she would choose him.

Yoon Min shook her head, “I like Beomgyu too. He's a great friend and a nice person. But I will never be able to love him like he wants me to. I'm not meant for him. He deserves someone better.”

After hearing her, he was reassured of her opinion and became relieved. He had these frequent doubts that they weren’t taking the right decisions and thus facing these barriers.

“And I've to save you first from drowning, right?”

Seokjin ended up chucking lastly. He found his lose courage and was prepared to talk to the other.

“Thanks. Now go to your chamber, kid.”

She widened her eyes and dramatically shouted, “Stop calling me a kid! I told you not to call me that. God, you're so annoying!”

He chuckled again. Even her pissed self was cute to him.

----------------

Beomgyu wasn’t expecting anyone to drop by tonight.

He was in his respective chamber, playing a calm tune in his guitar. It was a hobby he found himself immersed in when he needed to assure himself everything was going to be okay. He had an armchair set up beside his round window where he usually sat down and played calm songs in his guitar.

He was doing the same until there was an unexpected knock on his door. Wondering who could it be, his first guess was Yoon Min who should be the only one to come visit him at this hour. His face brightened with excitement as he put down the guitar carefully and proceeded to open the door.

But he was disappointed after the door revealed the senior guardian. Highly disappointed.

Seokjin cleared his throat and asked, “Can I have a word with you?”

Beomgyu knew what this was about. Definitely he was here to talk about his wish. The princess must be desperate to change his mind so she sent him in hope he would successfully change his mind. How wrong she was...

He held the door wide open and took a few steps back to let the other in. Seokjin seemed like he also hated the idea of being here and talking to him. That was so satisfying to see he wasn’t the only one who felt that.

After entering inside his chamber, both men had their hands stuffed inside their pockets and wondered how to start the conversation. They were aware why they were here and what they needed to talk about. They were also aware they both loved the same woman and this was all about who would get her in the end.

Before he could open his mouth, Seokjin asked, “You play?” His eyes pointed towards the guitar.

Beomgyu wanted to brag how good he was at playing but he refrained effectively. His head was too occupied with question marks. He nodded his head, trying to stop a smile from appearing.

The senior guardian had an impressed expression on his face. It made him proud of himself. Slowly bit by bit, he found himself not alarmed like he was a minute ago. Maybe someday he should play the guitar in front of him and show his talent.

“Why are you here?” He asked politely.

The other took in a deep breath. “I heard about your wish...”

“I think it's fair.” Beomgyu spoke before him. “For me at least.”

Seokjin blinked his eyes in response.

“So if you're here to change my mind, you're wasting your time.”

The senior guardian knew this was going to be hard. “I'm just saying there are a thousand of things you can ask for but you wished something that'll risk our universe.”

Beomgyu scoffed and let out a breathless laugh. “Oh please, I don't need a thousands things. I also don't need to think of the universe. What have I got from this place anyway? No badge, no memory, no future, nothing! You won't understand me, you've got everything. You have ten badges, you have popularity, you have the princess's trust, you even have your memories and not to mention, you've got a loving and caring w-wife! You had her when you were alive and even now when you're dead.”

While the senior guardian remained silent, the other continued speaking up, “I wasn’t like everyone, okay? Everyone becomes so happy to get this second chance but I didn’t! You know what I thought? If I had really committed suicide, I must had given up on life, I must not had wanted to live anymore. Then why couldn’t God just let me die and rot in hell instead of being stuck in this universe, serving humans for the rest of my life?! I didn't choose this for myself!”

He had never opened to anyone this much, not even to her. He wasn’t even doing it on purpose, he just couldn’t stop himself.

“I was exhausted and fed up with this system. But I had no control over this, there was nothing I could do. I had to give up once again and tried to accept this chance positively. I tried to make myself believe this is a good opportunity, that maybe I will start to like this place someday for a reason.” He paused, looking down. “Yoon Min was the only ever reason I felt glad to be here.”

Seokjin nibbled on his lower lip at the mention of her name.

“I never wanted anything in all my life as much as I want her. I just...I don't know if this is love or not; but I feel something strong for her. She was so kind and friendly with me from the start that I really started to like her a lot. Her passion and dedication made me better at my job. Her interest and curiosity made me discover the beauty of the universe and made me want to stay here. She changed me. And gradually, I started to feel protective over her. I wanted her to stay close to me all the time, I wanted her to laugh with me, chat and do all the crazy stuff together. I didn’t want her to keep swooning over you.”

“And that was the problem, you know? She couldn’t seem to let go of you no matter what. As if you're her only world, as if you're the only thing that matters. She was too blind to recognise my feelings. I was helpless, I was powerless but I held on to the little bit of hope that maybe she will notice me someday. But that hope crumbled to the ground when it was revealed you guys are bonded throughout life and death.”

He licked his lip, “I never thought Love was supposed to be this hard. I only thought it was like sweet candies or like flying in the sky. Learning your relationship made me more insecure. Because I realized I will never be able to love Yoon Min like you do.”

It came out totally surprising for Seokjin. He didn’t expect him to say something like that. His facial expression melted softly.

Beomgyu hated to admit that. But he had to. “While I was dreaming of her, you were fighting for her. Your love for her made me wonder how...just how is a person supposed to love someone the way you love Yoon Min? I never thought Love was supposed to be this challenging and tough, I didn’t know Love meant forgiving past your mistakes, repenting for your bad decisions and getting back together when there was no chance.”

He added quickly then, "But that doesn’t mean I'm okay to let her go. I considered your reunion a lesson for me. I understood the hard peaks of love and now able to love her properly. I may not love her the same way you do, but I will love her more than you.”

It seemed like he was finally finished with his speech. Now he became embarrassed, he said some things he shouldn’t had. That too to this guy, his number one opponent.

Seokjin was patient the entire time the guardian was speaking out his heart. He didn’t mind, in fact he was glad that his bottled-up emotions and words finally came out in the air. Now it was his turn to talk.

He cleared his throat. “I get what you mean. I don't blame you for liking Yoon Min. After learning my past, I was devastated, because I foolishly thought death would free me from my sins. It made me so sick that I set boundaries and built walls so that no one can reach the scattered pieces of my soul. Then she reappeared, and no matter how hard I tried to barricade myself away, I was just falling for her more. I thought I was done loving her, I really did. And yet, I wanted her to be mine again. I think I'll never stop wondering about her even if she's not mine anymore.”

“See, this is where both of us reach the same shore. We both keep wanting her even though we know it's not right. She has that charm, you know?”

Beomgyu couldn’t help but agree with him. She wasn’t unique or strong like other attractive women. She just had a good heart and people with good hearts are rare.

“All I want to say is, we need to think of our universe too. I wouldn’t had come here today if there was no need for our reincarnation. Our reincarnation is needed to control the protestant residents who aren't backing down. You have a right to fall in love, may that be anyone including Yoon Min. It's not your fault. But your wish is at fault here.”

Judging by the facial expression he molded, it seemed like he was being offended though the senior guardian was gently speaking to him.

“You do know it's dangerous, right?”

He scoffed bitterly. “I don't care if it's dangerous. And what makes you so certain your reincarnation will be accepted?”

His question silenced the senior guardian.

“I mean, it's not like your relationship was perfectly built and stayed healthy till now. You did some serious sins, Jin Seonbae. You cheated on her.”

Once again, Seokjin found himself unable to open his mouth to defend himself. He was always a victim in this topic. He lost all of his confidence in a blow. Damn, did he have to use that as his weapon?

“I don't get Princess Aereum's plan. Why is she so engrossed to have you test out for the crystal ball? She clearly knows the scars and shatterings of your relationship. Why is she so sure that your love will be granted and the residents will stop protesting? In fact, I personally believe I would make the best partner for Yoon Min. I would never betray her faith, not even in a drunken state.”

His words were sharp and piercing. He intentionally wanted to hurt the senior guardian. And he was successful. Because the senior guardian seemed as upset as he wanted.

With a satisfied smirk, he announced, “I'm not gonna change my mind. I want Yoon Min and I'm gonna have her. I don't see what's wrong with me wanting one thing for myself.”

Seokjin came here tonight with a healthy motive. Even though, he disliked this guy, he held his patience and remained calm through the humiliation. He remembered her request and stuck to her word too. But the other's misbehavior and mocking were too much insulting. He realized this guy can't be reasoned with.

"So you won't take back your wish?”

Beomgyu was confident. “No.”

Now the senior guardian decided to be harsh. “Yoon Min will never fall in love with you. You're gonna regret it.”

“That's rich coming from someone who couldn’t maintain his marriage and killed himself out of guilt.”

Seokjin was speechless, hearing that. He was sure he couldn’t change his mind since it was already far too corrupted. As much as he wanted to throw a punch on his face, he did his best not to even curse at him. There was no point in arguing with a fool, it's impossible.

He didn’t waste any second there as he turned his back and rushed out of the chamber, away from him. He needed to tell Aereum she has to fulfill his wish. While he made his way to the castle to meet the princess, he remembered what Yoon Min told him this evening.

“Be nice to him.”

Bullshit.