<Choi Palace>

Jeonghan woke up slowly as the faint sunlight fell over him.

He yawned and found himself alone on the bed. He saw Seungcheol putting on his wrist watch as he was dressed up already.

Jeonghan lazily stood up from the bed and trudged towards his husband. He embraced the older from the back while resting his head against his back.

"Good morning." He mumbled in a low voice.

Seungcheol chuckled as he turned around while keeping the younger in his arms, "You can sleep more."

"Mhmm but you woke up so now it's cold." Jeonghan closed his eyes as he felt content in the older's arms.

Seungcheol felt giddy from inside but soon his smile dropped when he realised about the revelations he had to make to his husband.

His heartbeat raced as the fear of the younger getting heart broken once again because of him, took over his entire soul.

Seungcheol unconsciously tightened his grip around Jeonghan as he kissed his forehead.

"Your embrace is the warmest." Jeonghan muttered.

"You like it?"

"Of course."

"Go freshen up and take a shower, I'll let the staff organise breakfast in our room itself." Seungcheol stated, "Let's spend this morning with just each other."

"But I don't want to go." Jeonghan whined, "I like it here, in your arms."

'Will you like it even after I tell you the truth?'

"Why aren't you replying me?" Jeonghan rested his chin on the older's chest as he looked up.

Seungcheol kissed his forehead, "When you're with me, I've nothing to say."

"Yeah now you'll cover it up with a couple of sweet words. Liar." Jeonghan broke the hug with a chuckle, "I'll go."

Seungcheol nodded as the younger made his way to the bathroom.

Liar.

"I can't hide the truth from you for my selfishness, Jeonghan. Although it's not practically possible but still, I hope you'll try to understand me and trust me."

Jeonghan returned to the room after getting ready. The breakfast was already organised at the table.

"Smells great." Jeonghan acknowledged as Seungcheol gestured him to join him on the sofa.

Jeonghan chuckled as he snuggled into his embrace.

"I'm blessed to have you so clingy today." Seungcheol joked.

"Even I can't understand why." Jeonghan sighed with contentment.

Seungcheol kissed his forehead, "Let's dig in."

Both of them ate breakfast while teasing each other occasionally. Jeonghan looked really happy with these little moments.

After finishing up, Seungcheol inhaled a deep breath, "Jeonghan, I need to talk to you."

"Yeah, speak." Jeonghan twirled around, reaching the bed and sitting on the edge.

"It's serious." Seungcheol cleared his throat.

Jeonghan let go off his carefree mood and listened cautiously, "Okay?"

Seungcheol strolled forward, kneeling down in front of the older to hold his hands, "Listen to me completely before you decipher anything, promise?"

"Promise." Jeonghan felt the tension rising between them.

"Jeonghan-" Seungcheol couldn't look into his eyes, "The mark that appeared on your shoulder in the beginning, wasn't natural."

"I don't get it?" Jeonghan frowned.

"Mom- she planned to give you that mark with the help of some supreme powers." Seungcheol confessed, "To make me believe that- you know."

Jeonghan remained silent with his eyes wide in astonishment.

"Jeonghan-"

"So-" Jeonghan gulped, "I was used as a bait?"

"I swear I didn't know about it until yesterday." Seungcheol tightened his grip on the younger's palm, "I- I was really not involved in all this but I'm still willing to take its responsibility."

"This-" Jeonghan choked on his words, "No- this can't be true."

"It is." Seungcheol's voice was low, "I- I'm sorry, I really am."

"For what?" Jeonghan asked.

"For everything." Seungcheol looked down.

"What do you mean by that?" Jeonghan felt a rush of horror, "Are you- Are you going to leave-"

"No no no no!" Seungcheol cupped his cheeks, "Never. I'll just- I'll support your decision over this. I'm sorry for the fact that not only me but my family was involved in hurting you. As your husband, I'm the first person responsible for it even if I didn't know."

Jeonghan took his time to compose himself, "So you're saying that mom gave this mark to me so that you'll marry me? And then you'll get the throne?"

Seungcheol squeezed his eyes shut, "I know it's wrong and I'm not running away from my responsibilities. This is the most ridiculous time to say this but there's another thing you need to know."

"What?"

"I love you." Seungcheol's voice was low but determined.

Jeonghan's eyes widened at the unexpected confession.

"I love you Jeonghan, I really do." Seungcheol continued, "I know I was once too messed up. I know how things started between us. I know you had to suffer because of me. But I'm trying, to make up for it.

And amidst all this, I couldn't help but fall for you. I promised you to never let you get hurt again but I didn't know this day will come. And that too, like this. I'm sorry, I'm really sorry Jeonghan."

"Why are you saying sorry?" Jeonghan questioned, "What for?"

"I- Please-"

"No Seungcheol, this isn't your fault." Jeonghan held his cheeks, "You weren't involved in all this, no one can blame you for it."

Seungcheol gulped the lump in his throat as he looked up.

Was he for real?

"And at the same time, mom ain't right either." Jeonghan hesitated.

"I know."

"Can I talk to her?" Jeonghan asked, "Alone?"

"It's your right, you don't need to ask." Seungcheol muttered, "But nothing would change the fact that she had to do this because I was stubborn."

"Yes you were. But that won't justify her reaction over it." Jeonghan nodded, "It's really not your fault, Seungcheol. Look at yourself now, aren't you all fine and over that previous obsession? I refuse to believe that it was something impossible that mom couldn't have done without pulling such a plan. I promise I won't disrespect her while talking to her."

"I trust you, Jeonghan." Seungcheol scoffed, "I told you, I'll respect your decision."

"Don't blame yourself." Jeonghan leaned in to press a kiss on the older's forehead after which both of them stood up.

Jeonghan walked towards the door but he halted to look back, "I won't let anyone blame you for no reason."

Seungcheol managed to smile but he still couldn't get over the fact that he was an underlying reason for whatever that was happening. The situation was complex and he was just too used to getting blamed for everything.

Meanwhile, Jeonghan made his way to Ara's room. He knocked and waited patiently. When he got the permit to go in, he complied.

"Morning, mom." Jeonghan greeted.

"Morning, son." Ara understood the reason of his unexpected visit, "Solitude."

As all the staff members left from her room, Jeonghan cleared his throat, "Mom-"

"I know what you're here for, son." Ara sighed, "I'm sorry for all of it. But I also can't deny that I had my reasons. It was necessary for Seungcheol to attain the throne and you know how tough he was-"

"Sorry to interrupt mom." Jeonghan paused, "I know your reasons but do you really think whatever you did was right? And do you really think blaming Seungcheol for all of it will justify it?"

"He was being impossible, Jeonghan."

"How did he agree now?" Jeonghan asked, "Why is he loyal to me even after Hari came back?"

Ara stood speechless.

"I know mom, he was wrong. I'm not defending him but please, stop making him feel miserable and guilty for every single thing." Jeonghan's tone was soft, "He's getting hurt, way too hurt. And I don't like it."

"I don't mean to, son. I'm his mother, I don't feel good to see him like this." Ara looked down, "But I had to think for the kingdom, it was my responsibility."

"Exactly. Why didn't you get strict where you were supposed to?" Jeonghan asked, "I know, I'm no one to question your parenting but it would have been better if you would have used your tactics and strictness when these things were just starting.

But you preferred to believe and someone else had the power to fix everything. Who was I before the marriage? An outsider. Took you a whole drama of a fake mark to make him realize the truth? I beg to differ mom, this wasn't the way, never."

Ara inhaled a deep breath, "I know I failed to be strict when I was supposed to, I won't disagree over that. But I really didn't know that everything will escalate so much. I thought he'll get over everything in a couple of months but he didn't.

I know I should've been the one to make him aware of all these things. We never told him the harsh reality and supported him to believe what he wanted to. But at the end, this was what I had."

"No mom, you think your decision was right because it went according to you." Jeonghan stated, "You didn't know about Joshua and Seokmin at that time, right? What if you would have found Joshua for this mark and gave him it?"

Ara's eyes widened at the realisation. It had a lot of consequences and none of them were a good one.

"You didn't know about anyone's life mom, how can you decide someone's fate like that?" Jeonghan paused, "And I won't go over that again now. All I want, is to let Seungcheol have his peace of mind.

Please, I request you, don't break his heart again. Don't make him believe that it was his fault. I can't see him like that."

Ara held his shoulders, tears welling up in her eyes, "You made me realise my wrong decision but also proved it right, son."

"Pardon?"

"Nothing." Ara wiped her tears, "Don't worry, I won't let anyone blame him for anything. I promise. And over everything, I'm really sorry to you Jeonghan. I'm proud that you thought of it in a different way. Thank you so much."

"Mom, I don't need your sorry or thank you." Jeonghan stated, "Just- just do something of this- Hari."

"I know, I didn't agree to let her stay for nothing." Ara sighed, "I want to figure out her intentions before making any steps. And, I'll try my best to not let you both get involved in it."

"No mom, we're definitely together in all this." Jeonghan assured, "Don't hide anything again, please."

"Jeonghan, son, are you really not upset?"

"I am but I've decided to trust you." Jeonghan muttered, "I don't want to discredit all these days when everyone has been with me. I've already cried and screamed for that situation a lot, I don't want to go through all of it again."

Ara looked down, "I really don't know what to say. I can just promise to never break your trust."

Jeonghan just nodded as he left. He made his way to his room, taking a deep breath as he stepped in.

The lights were off and all the curtains were shut. Seungcheol was sitting on the floor against the bed.

"Shutting down the lights won't bring peace to your heart, Seungcheol." Jeonghan spoke.

"After turning everyone's life dark, I don't think I need light in mine." Seungcheol chuckled bitterly.

"Did I ever tell you that I regret anything?" Jeonghan sat beside him, "Did I ever say that I'm not happy with you?"

"That's the least I could do." Seungcheol paused, "My love, my care, anything doesn't stand a chance against whatever I've done in the past."

"Why would you say that, Seungcheol?"

"I'm a mess Jeonghan, I really am." Seungcheol closed his eyes for a brief second, "The weight of hurting everyone is too much for me."

"Seungcheol stop degrading yourself each time." Jeonghan knelt down in front of him, his eyes falling to his level, "It's not like you haven't been hurt."

"Doesn't matter." Seungcheol gulped.

"And how does it not matter?"

"Because-" Seungcheol didn't know what to say, "I don't deserve you. I'll never be worthy enough for you, Jeonghan."

"Stop saying this-"

"No let me. Why? Why are you here with me when I've hurt you so much?" Seungcheol wiped his tears, "You got hurt not just because of me but my entire family. Still, you're here. Why? Just go, Jeonghan. You don't deserve a broken person like me."

"Great, very great Seuncheol." Jeonghan gulped, "Are you really asking me to go? Where? Tell me, where am I supposed to go?"

"Anywhere." Seungcheol sniffled, "Where I won't be able to hurt you."

"Shut up." Jeonghan held his hands, "You're my only home, Seungcheol. This is the only place where I want to be. I won't deny the fact that you've hurt me earlier. But you made up for it. You did much more than what was required."

Seungcheol looked down.

Jeonghan cupped his cheeks, "You're mine, Seungcheol. And I'm not leaving you at any cost, even if you yourself ask me to."

"Please-" Seungcheol embraced him, "Please don't leave me. I'm so alone, so lonely, so messed up."

"I won't." Jeonghan patted his back, "I promise, Seungcheol, I can never leave you, specially not at your worst."

"Thank you so much." Seungcheol broke the hug.

"No." Jeonghan nodded, "Say thanks to yourself."

Seungcheol was taken aback, "Thanks to myself? For what?"

"Because you're your biggest strength." Jeonghan held the older's cheeks, "Say thanks to yourself for supporting you in everything. You need to realise your own worth."

Seungcheol felt strange, "I never thought about it like that before."

"But it's the truth." Jeonghan smiled, "Just think, Seungcheol. When you were all alone, who was with you?"

"I was." Seungcheol said quietly, "I was the one who was with me all along."

Jeonghan caressed the older's hair, "People came and left but you remained."

"I did." Seungcheol's voice was shaking, "I've always been here, even when no one else was."

Jeonghan chuckled, "During the lonely nights, who embraced you, Seungcheol?"

"I did." Seungcheol's voice cracked, "There were nights when I was all alone, with no one else to turn to. But I was the one who embraced myself, even if in my own mind."

Jeonghan nodded, "When everyone discredited you, who believed you?"

"I did." Seungcheol sniffled, "There were times when everyone doubted my capabilities. But I was the one who believed in myself."

"So-" Jeonghan asked his final question, "Who loves you the most?"

"I do." Seungcheol cried, "I have loved myself the most. It may not have been a love without flaws, but it was a love that was constant and unwavering."

"So be grateful to yourself."

"I am grateful to myself." Seungcheol said softly, "For always being there for myself, for loving and supporting myself even when no one else did."

"Exactly." Jeonghan encouraged, "Keep loving and supporting yourself, forever. Life will show you a lot but you know, you have yourself. No one can snatch you from yourself, Seungcheol, this is a forever kind of devotion."

"It's easier to love you than loving myself though." Seungcheol wiped all of his tears.

"Don't worry, I'll do that for you." Jeonghan chuckled, "I'll love you, Seungcheol, I already do."

Seungcheol instantly snapped his head towards him, "What- really?"

"Why? Only you can fall in love?" Jeonghan rested his head on the older's lap, "I love you too, okay? And I don't plan to leave you ever."

Seungcheol grazed his fingers through Jeonghan's hair and kissed his forehead, "Thank you for coming to my life."

Jeonghan sat up again to press a kiss on the older's lips, "I don't know when did I start loving you, Seungcheol. But, now I do, I trust you and I always will. And don't you dare point a finger on my husband."

"I'll never." Seungcheol chuckled as he embraced the younger tightly.

And within himself, he vowed to swipe Hari off their lives, as soon as possible.

A/n : Now we'll enter the last phase of the story soon.

Anyways, take care everyone!
-Jeonghanneyonghaseyo