•Choi Palace•

Jeonghan shuffled a bit as he gradually woke up and sat on the bed. He stretched his hands after which he looked at the empty side of the bed. He recalled that Seungcheol must be out for the tour already.

And soon enough, he also recalled how last night he had slept within the older's arms, "Why is his scent so strong? Took all over me."

He couldn't understand why he was feeling so weird to not find Seungcheol around himself after waking up, "He should've woken me up before leaving."

It was when his gaze fell onto a note kept on the side table along with a few roses. He plucked the note out of them to read it.

I hope you slept well, Jeonghan. I'm leaving and will be back by late night so you can just sleep before I arrive. I know you must be thinking that I should've woken you up before leaving but you seriously need to rest. Eat well and take care. Don't stress too much today and just chill. I didn't want to go but it was your order, don't sulk.

Finally, you can be at peace for at least one day. (It's a joke)

I hope you'll miss me. You will, right? Even if for not so good reasons.

And sorry if you didn't like it but I kissed your forehead before leaving.

Rest well!
- The person you love to hate

Jeonghan finished reading the note as a smile crept up on his face, "He has such a hold on his words."

"Wow seriously, am I missing him?" Jeonghan rolled over to Seungcheol's side of the bed while hugging the blanket.

No matter how much stern he used to depict himself, deep down he too wanted some care and attention. And whenever he would receive that from Seungcheol, he didn't know how to react.

Because as a matter of fact, it was a new experience for him. He just didn't know what the small flutters of his heart meant. He couldn't understand himself whenever his heart used to race because of the older.

Waking up with Seungcheol being around was now a habit of him, of course. A habit he never wanted but didn't hate either.

Now even bickering with the older seemed better than this absolute silence.

After taking his time, he got up to begin his day. He freshened up and took a shower but while wearing his shirt, he noticed something.

Something was missing.

The blue mark on his right shoulder.

It wasn't there.

He looked at his shoulder and washed his eyes several times to check if they were bluffing him. But it was true, the mark, was gone.

"What the hell?!" Jeonghan yelled, "I want to be happy and relieved since that shit is gone from my skin but why am I feeling so uneasy? I didn't want that mark in the first place. It's gone, finally, it left me but- huh?"

"Calm down! It's a good thing! It's a good thing Jeonghan, calm dow- FUCK IT!!" Jeonghan grabbed his hair tightly and closed his eyes.

"Jeonghan, please! It's important. When did you get that mark?"

"How will I spend my entire life knowing exactly that my husband is just obsessed with a useless mark on me, nothing more? How will I even trust you or this marriage when I know that I mean nothing more than a satisfaction of being a mere reincarnation?"

"I'm not a husband for you Seungcheol. I'm just a doll for you which you bought because you liked this pretty mark."

"I don't know but if this mark disappears someday, I'll hold no value in your life."

"The truth is that, you didn't marry me Seungcheol, you married this mark, which appeared out of nowhere on me. I'm nothing to you."

The only picture coming to his mind was of Seungcheol. And not for good. All he could think of was this being the end of everything which was slowly falling into place.

"Since when did a simple design start to be responsible for my life?" Jeonghan chuckled bitterly, "How does a mark matter more than me?"

Jeonghan quickly wore his shirt and called Joshua, "See me as soon as possible."

As expected, a knock was heard on the door in no time. Jeonghan opened the door revealing his younger brother. Both of them got in while closing the door shut.

"What happened? Are you alright?" Joshua immediately asked.

"I am." Jeonghan nodded, "But, something has happened."

"What?"

"The mark from my shoulder is gone." Jeonghan confessed.

"Seriously?" Joshua's eyes widened, "You should be- uh- happy?"

"This!" Jeonghan pointed out, "This hesitation which you faced right now is the same case with me. I want to be happy. I never wanted that pathetic shit but- I don't know. I'm feeling very anxious right now. Every passing second is suffocating me."

"Jeonghan, calm down." Joshua held his shoulders, "Why are you so restless?"

"Don't you know?" Jeonghan looked away, "In my life, an unwanted design holds more value than me, myself."

"That's not true."

"Exactly. I don't want this to be true. That's why I'm anxious." Jeonghan gulped, "I had started believing him, Joshua. I don't want to face that harsh truth again. I don't want to go back to where everything started. I don't want to bear those scars on my worth and existence once again."

"Do you think-" Joshua nervously stated, "Do you think it will happen all again?"

"I don't know!!" Jeonghan mumbled, "I seriously can't say what will happen and what not. What if-"

"You're not understanding it, Jeonghan. You're her reincarnation."

"You've that mark because it's your desitny. Whether you accept it or not, you ARE Kim Hari, that's why all this happened."

"You can't change fate's decision, no one can. Your soul is the same, all you've to do is to recall it. Don't worry, I'll help you to recall your past life."

"I want to forget everything and trust the present." Jeonghan clutched his chest tightly, "But, I can't- I can't seem to forget how all this began. My mind is so messed up right now that I can't even explain. If the mark would have disappeared on the very first day, it would've been much better. But now, it's different."

"How?" Joshua asked while holding his hand.

"On the first day, this marriage was totally forced." Jeonghan admitted, "But now, I don't know why but I want this. And definitely not with the mark. Just- Just me and him. If he backs away now, I'll feel much worse than I felt in those times."

"So you're going to tell him the truth, right?" Joshua asked.

"Of course!" Jeonghan stated, "He needs to know. And me too, I also need to know how much weight his promises held. I too need to know if I had started trusting him for good or just got swayed away miserably."

"See, Jeonghan, I obviously don't know what's going on between you two. But whatever I've observed till date, he has closed the chapter which has haunted him as well." Joshua explained, "He values you and it's not because of a mark or something. I don't think anything is going to go wrong."

"I think that too, Joshua." Jeonghan sighed, "Because I've seen it. I also know he has always been genuine with his words. But I can't help it. Honestly, I'm glad that the mark is gone. It was a huge hurdle between us, between this marriage. All I care about is how he's going to take it."

"Or if we rephrase it, you want to say that, all you care about is him." Joshua chuckled.

"I don't know." Jeonghan closed his eyes, "How am I going to spend the entire day like this? Seungcheol, Seokmin and Dino are out for the tour. We can't even contact either of them."

"Jeonghan, it will be fine, I seriously believe that you don't need to worry." Joshua assured, "Let's go and talk to mom about this."

Jeonghan nodded, "Yeah, let's tell her too."

Soon enough, Ara, Jeonghan and Joshua were gathered in her room. Both the brothers explained everything to her as she was left in utter shock and disbelief.

She was internally panicking. The mark was fake for god's sake!! How can anyone mess with it? How can it disappear without her having a single clue about it.

"Jeonghan, don't worry, nothing will go wrong, okay?" Ara assured.

"That's what I'm telling him since forever." Joshua sighed.

"See, I get you Jeonghan. I know what concerns you must have right now." Ara held his shoulders, "But I'm sure that Seungcheol knows his priorities now. He won't hurt you, trust me."

"I know mom." Jeonghan nodded, "I just-" He halted. He was just unable to word out whatever he was feeling deep down.

"I'll take my leave. I need some alone time." Jeonghan smiled after which he left.

He walked through the corridors as everyone bowed to him.

Jeonghan was walking back and forth at the entrance hallway of the palace, right in front of the stairs. He was looking at the huge gate which was quite far from him. He was just hoping that the Emperor's car would roll in and he would be able to tell him everything.

"Why is time moving so slow?" Jeonghan irritatedly grunted. He couldn't just call Seungcheol back as he was on an important task. It was obvious that the older wasn't coming back before night but Jeonghan was just too restless as time went by.

"Hail the majesty." A staff member bowed to him, "Lunch is prepared and organised at the dining table."

"I won't be eating. Dismiss." Jeonghan stated as the staff member left.

"Why are you always gone when you're much needed?" Jeonghan muttered to himself, "I know it's for work but you need to come back soon. Please."

Soon enough, he felt a hand on his shoulder, "Jeonghan?"

He recognised the voice, one of the most calming ones for him.

"Why are you not eating?" Joshua asked, "Are you still worried?"

Jeonghan just sighed while looking at the entrance pathway.

"Jeonghan!" Joshua held his arms, "You're worrying too much. You're not the only one who took the vows, he did too. If he has promised to stay with you, then he has to-"

"Exactly." Jeonghan turned towards him, "There's is difference between 'he will' and 'he has to'. You know that, right?"

"I meant that only. He-" Joshua hesitated a bit, "He will."

"See, when it came to saying 'he will', you had to hesitate." Jeonghan chuckled bitterly, "So how am I not supposed to worry?"

"Jeonghan, trust me, it will be fine." Joshua muttered, "And giving up on food won't change anything."

"I don't feel like eating." Jeonghan stated, "Please, leave me alone, Joshua."

"We all are telling you to not worry about it Jeonghan, we're with you." Joshua assured, "Trust us, for once."

"I trust you, I really do." Jeonghan held his hands, "But please, think while being in my shoes, for once. I want to hear it from him. And that too, by his own will, not by anyone pressuring him."

Joshua looked down, "I know."

"Let me be, for just this once." Jeonghan insisted, "I want to be alone until he comes back. And that's your responsibility."

"Okay." Joshua gave up, "Take care and please tell me if you need anything."

Jeonghan nodded as the younger left.

Noon turned to evening and evening turned to night but Jeonghan stayed there. Walking in the hallway, sitting on the stairs, staring at the entrance gate, he never left that place for even a split second.

His family members tried to talk to him but also understood him so they decided to give him the space he wanted.

"The timing is so wrong." Ara sighed as she watched Jeonghan from afar.

"Right mom." Joshua nodded, "Seungcheol went out for this task and on the exact day, this happened."

"It's too late, they must be returning now." Ara nodded, "I think we can contact them now."

"After a few minutes, mom." Joshua retorted.

"Fine, go to your room and try to contact Seokmin." Ara stated, "I'll go for some work."

"Okay, mom." Both of them left.

It was very late at night as Jeonghan looked at his watch.

1 AM.

He frowned while looking around at the serene palace. It was when he saw three cars enterring the pathway. He quickly stood up as he clearly recognised the vehicles.

The guards stepped out and opened the doors of the cars as the emperor walked out with the two chiefs, laughing together as they were talking to each other.

It was when Seungcheol saw Jeonghan standing at the far end of the stairs. Soon enough, Seokmin and Dino looked at him too.

"Ay hyung, someone's eagerly waiting for you." Dino teased.

"How did he know that we were here already?" Seokmin asked, "Did 'someone' tell him?"

"Shut up, guys." Seungcheol smiled lightly, "We weren't allowed to contact anyone, so I didn't."

"He might have a got a hunch." Dino continued to tease, "That his husband is here."

"Stop it, will you?" Seungcheol lazily stated as three of them ascended upstairs.

"Hyung, you didn't sleep yet?" Seokmin asked.

"Ah- no." Jeonghan smiled slightly as he looked at Seungcheol, who was already staring at him.

"Anyways, we'll go." Dino stated as both the younger ones left.

"You, here?" Seungcheol gently asked, "Since when are you standing here?"

"Just a few minutes ago, I came here." Jeonghan lied but the worries were evident in his eyes.

"Are you having trouble in sleeping again?" Seungcheol asked.

"No."

"Then? Are you fine?" Seungcheol held his shoulders, "I told you that I should've stayed back today but you were restless to send me away."

Jeonghan didn't say anything.

"Jeonghan?" Seungcheol chuckled, "Did you miss me?"

Of course he did. He was missing Seungcheol even before the drama had unfolded.

Jeonghan slowly nodded.

"Really?" Seungcheol held his hand, "I missed you too."

"You did your work or kept missing me, huh?"

"Well, I can multitask, you know?" Seungcheol smiled, "Now, do you want to keep standing here?"

"No, why?"

"Let's go to our room then?" Seungcheol suggested.

"Yeah." Jeonghan hesitantly nodded as he walked along with the older.

It was when Seungcheol felt Jeonghan clutching his biceps. But that simple hold, held a huge meaning behind it. Jeonghan had never tried to stick with him like that.

Seungcheol halted, "Jeonghan? Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, of course." Jeonghan forced a smile.

Seungcheol stared at him intently. Something was wrong, very wrong. He turned around to look back but Jeonghan tightened his grip on Seungcheol's arm.

"What happened Jeonghan?" Seungcheol asked, "Is something bothering you?"

"Where were you going?" Jeonghan immediately asked.

"Nowhere?" Seungcheol was confused, "I was just looking back."

"Oh." Jeonghan nodded without leaving the older's arm.

Both of them continued to walk again as Seungcheol sensed something odd.

"Okay you go to the room, I'm coming back in just five minutes." Seungcheol stated.

"What? Why?" Jeonghan asked, "Don't go!!"

Seungcheol stared at him, demanding for further explanation of his sudden demand.

"I mean-" Jeonghan cleared his throat, "You came back after a hectic day. You should just rest now. Come with me."

"Yeah, I will but it's just a small work."

"What work?" Jeonghan held his hand.

"I've to talk to the guards, that's it." Seungcheol held his cheek, "I'm not going anywhere, why are you so worried?"

"You can talk to them later!"

"Jeonghan?"

"What Jeonghan? You left early and came back late. We couldn't talk in any way either. I was waiting for you and now you've to talk to the guards? What is this behaviour huh? Wh-" Jeonghan realised how much he had blabbered.

Seungcheol chuckled, "I never thought you would be waiting for me so eagerly. Wow, I'm so blessed today. Tell me, how restless you were?"

"I wasn't." Jeonghan looked away.

"You were." Seungcheol nodded, "And where do you think I'll go anyways? I'll just talk and come back within a few minutes. After that, all of my time is yours."

"But-"

"You go, I'll come, don't worry." Seungcheol guided him to their room and opened the door, "Just a few minutes, okay?"

"Okay." Jeonghan nodded as he walked in and closed the door.

<Heaven's Cloud>

Ara was restless. She was trying her best to summon the Moon Goddess. After numerous failed attempts, she finally showed up.

Ara bowed to her and seeked her blessings.

"What happened, daughter?" Moon Goddess asked, "Why are you so worried?"

"Goddess!" Ara addressed, "The mark on Jeonghan, it's gone. It has disappeared this morning."

"What?" Goddess frowned, "That's not possible."

"But it's the truth." Ara worriedly stated.

"Let me concentrate." The goddess closed her eyes for a while after which she opened them, "Blunder!"

"What happened, goddess?"

"Hari's soul has escaped the doors of hell."

"WHAT?!" Ara was bewildered.

"You don't know?"

"I don't!" Ara paused, "We didn't get any alert. Whenever Hari's soul or anyone within the premises of death doors is being messed with, we're supposed to get the alarms. No one is allowed to modify anything there without our permission."

"Exactly. Then how did all this happen without your knowledge?" The goddess asked, "It's a huge mismangement Ara. It can cost you a lot."

"I-"

"The fake mark disappeared because the real one has been revived. You have to search for Hari as soon as possible and do justice to her, accordingly." The goddess stated, "She shouldn't reincarnate."

"You should stop her reincarnation, right?" Ara pleaded.

"I can't interfere in your word. Everyone decides their own destiny, Ara." The goddess explained, "I can just guide you, the actions solely have to be yours. And now, your first priority is to vanish the threat that's lingering over your kingdom."

"I got it goddess, thank you so much." Ara bowed.

"Bless you." The Moon Goddess vanished in the air.

A/n : This chapter was a torture, wasn't it?

Anyways take care everyone!
-Jeonghanneyonghaseyo