[Do read the note at the end.]

•Choi Palace•

"Cheol!" Ara and Sunwoo walked swiftly towards the prince who was leaning against the wall outside of his room.

"What's this?" Ara held his shoulders whose clothes were covered with blood.

Seungcheol didn't react, he was just looking down.

"Seungcheol, speak something, will you?" Sunwoo sternly asked.

"I've committed a sin." Seungcheol muttered.

"WHAT?" Ara and Sunwoo were shocked, "You did what?"

Seungcheol looked up as he explained everything.

"Are you crazy? Why did you try to break the string when you both clearly know the consequences?"

"What consequences?" Seungcheol frowned.

"Were you sleeping during the vows?" Sunwoo sighed, "These strings of yours are tangled with each other's heart. If you'll break the string, he'll suffer and vice versa."

"So this happened because of me as well?" Seungcheol chuckled bitterly as he sat down on the floor, entirely disappointed from himself.

Ara gestured her husband to leave who was denying it at first but eventually left.

"Son-"

"No mom, don't console me, I don't deserve it." Seungcheol grabbed his hair in frustration, "First emotional pain then physical pain, I only gave him pain. Everything happened because of my childish obsession. Who would believe that this Choi Seungcheol is the heir of an entire dynasty?"

"We always told you this, Seungcheol, but you never listened to us." Ara patted his shoulders, "Everyone tried their best. Seokmin even argued so much just before the marriage. You flipped the entire kingdom for this one wish of yours.

To be honest, I would've never accepted Hari as my daughter in law. She deserved the curse and all. She had sided with our enemies."

"Then why did you arrange me with Jeonghan? Because earlier we used to-"

"We? Only you used to believe that he was Hari's reincarnation, I never did." Ara stated, "I agreed to the wedding because Jeonghan was the best one for it. Do you really think I would hand half of this dynasty's power to anyone just because of a mere mark? Never.

I never thought you'll hurt him like this because you're not the Seungcheol I knew. I thought you'll keep him happy for who he is, I explained to you everything but god knows what you understood and what not. I thought you would at least try to become a good husband for him.

The truth might hurt but you've to face it. Hari has changed you a lot and not for good. Only if I would have known her actual intentions, I wouldn't have let her near you. Anyways, there's no point of talking about these things anymore. You know what you've done and you know what you've to do in the future."

Ara made him stand, "Use the spare room until he's healing."

"What? Why?" Seungcheol frowned, "I need to take care of him."

"Seungcheol, son it's enough." Ara sighed, "Please get over it at least now."

"I'm not saying this because of the mark and all. I don't believe it anymore." Seungcheol looked away, "I'll take care of him because I've to."

"You will?" Ara was hesitant.

"Yes." Seungcheol nodded, "Go to your room mom, I'll handle the rest. You can see him in the morning."

'Should I tell him that the mark was fake? No no, not now.' Ara patted his back after which she left.

Soon enough, Seungkwan opened the door, "Hyung, you can come in."

Seungcheol stepped into the room as he took a seat beside Jeonghan who was still unconscious, "Why isn't he awake yet?"

"It will take time." Woozi stated, "He's fine now but he'll feel weak after waking up. Someone needs to take good care of him."

"I'll appoint some staff." Seungkwan suggested.

"There's no need of it." Seungcheol intervened, "I'm here."

"Uh- but-" Seungkwan paused, "I think it's better to appoint someone."

"I will take care of him, that's it." Seungcheol firmly ordered.

Woozi nodded, "Then, we'll go I guess?" He explained everything related to Jeonghan's health briefly after which he left along with Seungkwan.

"Jeonghan?" Joshua rushed into the room in a panicked state. Seokmin and Dino followed him as Seokmin tried to calm his husband.

Seungcheol didn't react. He was constantly staring at Jeonghan while his voice kept ringing in his mind. All the things which he had said earlier were echoing in his brain.

"Hyung." Seokmin mumbled to the oldest one, "Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Stop him." Dino nudged Joshua, "Please."

"Seok-"

"Don't interfere Shua." Seokmin chuckled to his husband. A forced smile which was hiding his rare temper.

"Yeah." Seungcheol nodded as both of them went to the next room and Seokmin closed the door shut.

"Will you breath peacefully only after killing him?" Seokmin clenched his jaw.

"What are you even saying?" Seungcheol widened his eyes.

"I'm saying what I'm seeing." Seokmin stepped forward, "Why is he unconscious? Did you do it because he denied to fulfil your demands?" Seokmin pointed at the older's chest, "Did you hurt him because he didn't satisfy your ego?"

"Seokmin stop it! I'm watching you since day one and I'm enduring-"

"You deserve it hyung, you deserve much worse than my words." Seokmin breathed out, "When? When will you feel guilty for your deeds? When will you feel guilty for hurting him? Why are you constantly hurting him so much?"

"I DIDN'T!" Seungcheol broke down, "I didn't know about the thread thing, neither did he. Since I understood that all this reincarnation thing is just a sweet lie, I was going to end things between us-"

"End?" Seokmin frowned, "You- wow Choi Seungcheol wow, I must appreciate your fucking audacity! Do hell with your mark, DO HELL WITH YOUR FUCKING SOULMATE. AND DO HELL WITH THAT WITCH HARI. This is not the first time she has ruined things for our family and as usual you're blind as fuck.

As soon as you realised that he won't be fulfilling your ridiculous demands, you went on to break the marriage? What are you high on? You- I don't even have words to describe how wrong you are. By each passing day, you're losing your respect in my eyes. How can you do this, how can you?!

Choi Seungcheol can never be wrong. He's the ideal prince blah blah. If only the people knew what you actually are. If only people knew that a mere villainess has the power to freak out your mind. If only everyone knew how self centred you are. Then, no one would have been by your side."

Seungcheol looked down. Finally, he was genuinely ashamed of himself, "He didn't want this marriage so-"

"So you understood it now? He never wanted this marriage hyung, but guess what? Today was the day you got to know that he wasn't going to satisfy your freaking ego." Seokmin sighed, "You're being really ridiculous, he doesn't deserve all this, never. Now why were you acting up as if you care for him?

Don't come to him hyung. We're here to take care of him, we can do that much better than you. You can only worry about yourself and your desires. YOU can only hurt him. You'll just say sorry and turn your back, right? I can't believe-"

"Hyung please stop." Dino intervened as he could open the door and step in, "Although I agree with whatever you're saying, but please don't be this harsh. He's our brother, we know him, he's not like this."

"Don't take his side Dino." Seokmin warned.

"I'm not taking his side because I know he's wrong but please! Can't you see the tears in his eyes? They're genuine." Dino held Seungcheol's arms.

"And? What are his tears for? Do you think they're for Jeonghan hyung? Do you think they're for guilt? No, not at all." Seokmin looked away.

"Then what are they for?" Dino asked, "I know he has done really wrong but please give him a chance to fix everything."

"Chance?" Seokmin chuckled bitterly as he looked up at the oldest, "Hyung, do you know why you still don't deserve this chance? Because Dino is the one asking for it, not you. Dino is the one apologising on your behalf, NOT YOU. You're still standing like a statue as if all this is not your fault."

"I'M SORRY FOR ALL THIS!" Seungcheol broke down, "I'm sorry! But I also know my sorry won't do shit. Let him wake up once and let me talk to him. I know it's late to go back but it's not late to fix what's yet to come.

I know Jeonghan hates me and seeking his forgiveness won't be a one day task. But I'll do it, I promise. Seokmin, I swear I'll again be the brother who's your role model. I'll make you proud again. I won't turn my back to my responsibilities this time. I don't know about love but Jeonghan is my husband and I'll treat him like that, I'll not hurt him at any cost.

But please trust me. I'll make everything right. I know you won't believe me all of a sudden but I'm here, you're here and he's here too. If not with words, I'll make you all trust me with my actions. I promise."

"I trust you hyung." Dino nodded, "Please fix everything."

"This is not done." Seokmin sighed as he walked out of the room after which Seungcheol and Dino followed him to the other room.

"I think we should let him rest." Dino suggested, "Let's go to our respective rooms."

"And leave Jeonghan hyung with him?" Seokmin muttered to himself.

"Joshua." Seungcheol began, "I'll take care of him, I promise. You don't need to worry."

Joshua contemplated for a while.

"Hyung, it will be fine." Dino assured.

"You're taking responsibility for your eldest brother right?" Seokmin looked at the younger.

"Yes hyung, I'm confident enough." Dino nodded.

"I hope you're right and I'm wrong." Seokmin scoffed, "Shua, let's go."

"Don't break my trust, hyung." Dino insisted.

"Please take care of him." Joshua requested Seungcheol, clearly not willing to leave his brother.

"I swear I will." Seungcheol assured after which everyone left.

Seungcheol kept sitting on the stool right beside bed where Jeonghan was lying, unconscious.

He held Jeonghan's palm while staring at him, "I'm so sorry. I know, this sorry won't help but I promise I'll try my best to prove myself right. I'll make sure you won't have any regrets anymore. You'll be happy, happier than ever. That's my promise to you, Yoon Jeonghan."

Jeonghan's eyes fluttered as he opened them slowly. As he woke up he saw Seungcheol sitting beside the bed while holding Jeonghan's hand. His head was laying beside the younger's waist.

"What's wrong with him?" Jeonghan muttered as he shifted a bit.

Seungcheol woke up immediately, "Jeonghan?"

"Uh- leave my hand." Jeonghan sighed as he felt extremely weak. He tried to sit up but his entire body was paining heavily.

"Wait." Seungcheol kept the pillows behind his back as he helped him to sit up, "Do you want to eat something?"

Jeonghan looked up to him with lazy eyes, "Why are you worrying about me? You don't need to."

"I do." Seungcheol held both of his hands, "Because I'm your husband."

"For the sake of saying." Jeonghan scoffed, "The truth is-"

"That's the only truth I believe." Seungcheol firmly stated, "You're neither a reincarnation nor a mark for me. You're my husband, with whom, I was arranged by my parents."

"Did you hit your head somewhere?" Jeonghan raised a brow, "What's with this sudden change of ideology? Are you trying to play with my mind?"

"Brain games with you are always interesting but right now, I'm being genuine." Seungcheol paused, "Look, I'm really sorry for everything Jeonghan but I also know my sorry won't change anything. Just give me one chance?"

"I don't trust you." Jeonghan retracted his hands, "After a few months, you can begin all this drama again. Who knows? It's not acceptable for me that your obsession died so easily."

"That's what I'm saying, give me a change to gain your trust." Seungcheol nodded, "I swear I'll be the ideal partner you wanted."

Jeonghan frowned, "What?"

"Yes. I'm firm on my decision." Seungcheol stated, "I'll respect you and your decisions. I'll give you the space you want and at the same time I'll always support you."

"Saying these things is easy." Jeonghan chuckled bitterly, "It's not your cup of tea Seungcheol, leave it. Don't stress yourself with something you can never do. Attain the throne, be a great ruler, that's all. Making you eligible for the throne was the only basis of this marriage. I was just a solution to all of these problems, nothing more."

"I know you're hurt Jeonghan but-"

"I'm glad you acknowledged it." Jeonghan looked away, "Leave me on my own Seungcheol. I'll pretend to be happy with you in front of everyone but in return, you won't bother me when we'll be inside these four walls."

"How about we make a deal?" Seungcheol raised a brow.

"What deal?"

"Test me for as long as you want." Seungcheol insisted, "If I won't be a good husband then you can break your string without looking back at me."

"Don't try to act so kind when you very well know I would never comit the sin of killing this dynasty's ruler." Jeonghan rolled his eyes, "And mariage is not business as you've made it like."

"Then tell me what it is? What do I've to do to gain your trust?" Seungcheol asked.

"Stop being ridiculous, Seungcheol. Why is everything so easy for you? Did I ask you to prove yourself, be my husband or whatsoever? No, right? Then stop imposing your decisions on me at least now." Jeonghan stood up from the bed. He whimpered in pain so Seungcheol tried to help him but the younger shrugged him off.

"Let me help you." Seungcheol strongly insisted.

"You don't need to!" Jeonghan began to walk away when Seungcheol grabbed his arm and pulled him towards his chest.

"Stop bothering me Seungcheol!" Jeonghan furrowed his brows, "I don't want anything with you. Get that inside your head."

"I know and I'm not forcing you for anything." Seungcheol stared at him, "All I'm asking is one chance, to prove that I've actually changed for good. Mistakes can't be undone but they can be fixed and repented."

"Yeah, it might be just a mistake for you but for me, it changed my entire life. Don't make decisions right now. You're just influenced by everything that happened." Jeonghan retorted the intense gaze, "After a week or so, you'll be back at it. I'm not going to forgive you or trust you for making me feel so vulnerable. I'm just going on with this drama because I don't have any choice, I never had and never will. All thanks to you."

Seungcheol slightly tightened his grip on the younger's arms to not let him go, "I know it Jeonghan, I know that I've hurt you but it is what it is now. We can't break the strings so let's give it a chance? YOU give me a chance?"

Jeonghan tried to escape the older's grip but he couldn't, "Do you know why it is what it is? Because of YOU. If only you had considered talking to me before the wedding, I could've been a so called eye opener to you earlier itself. Keep your chance with yourself and stop annoying me! Just pretend I do not exist, I never did for you."

"Listen to me once." Seungcheol placed his palm on his cheek but Jeonghan yanked him away, "You listen to me Seungcheol. I don't like when you're this close to me. I don't want to feel your breath on me. I don't want to feel your gaze on me. I don't want your hands on me. I hate you, with the bottom of my heart. Even hate is a small word to explain the amount of aversion I've against you. Just leave me alone Seungcheol, that's the least I can ask for."

Seungcheol's grip on his arm loosened as Jeonghan escaped and began to walk away.

"I'll make it right, no matter how much time and effort it takes." Seungcheol vowed as Jeonghan halted.

"We'll see that, your highness." Jeonghan mumbled after which he went into the bathroom.

Seungcheol sighed to himself. Yes, he said he'll make everything alright and he meant it but what was he going to do? He had no idea. It was not going to be easy at all.

After a while, Jeonghan came back into the room. He had somehow taken a shower as his hair were still wet. He was feeling extremely weak as if all of his energy was drained.

Seungcheol had already asked the staff to organise food for the younger and it was decently placed on the table.

"Eat something, Jeonghan." Seungcheol gestured him.

Jeonghan simply nodded as he sat on the sofa against the table.

Seungcheol picked up the plate to serve but Jeonghan halted him, "I'll do it by myself."

"You're not well."

Jeonghan took the plate, "That's none of your concern."

"Jeonghan, listen to me, I know you don't even want me near you but please, not right now." Seungcheol insisted, "You need to rest."

"I'm resting well, don't worry." Jeonghan mumbled as he served himself food, "You're not going to eat?"

Seungcheol raised a brow, "If I'll be eating here, beside you, will it be fine for you."

Jeonghan looked up, "I don't care whatever you do until and unless you're bothering me."

Seungcheol knelt down beside Jeonghan, facing him.

"What are you doing?" Jeonghan frowned.

Seungcheol took Jeonghan's hand amidst his palms, "Take your time, Jeonghan. I'll not stop until I'll succeed in my promise. Test me, make me pay for my sins but in this process, please don't hurt yourself."

"Don't waste your time and energy, Seungcheol." Jeonghan looked away, "I'll never be able to look at you without recalling everything that had happened. It's impossible for me to trust you, even a little bit.

I'll take care of this mark as long as I can, that's all that pleases you right? But in return, I have only one request, don't sprinkle salt on my scars, just stay away from me as much as you can. That's the most you can do if you're genuinely sorry."

Seungcheol scoffed as he left his hand, "Eat." He patted the younger's head and stood up. He took a plate and served food for himself too after which both of them ate in utmost silence.

A/n : Okay, little explanation time.

So we know that they've supernatural powers but as mentioned in the Dino-Taeri interaction, they're not supposed to use those special powers for even the smallest things in their daily lives. They can use it during wars and if required then in their daily life too but not too excessively.

(I'm actually scheming it like this because I had to discard 10+ scenes already because the last answer to it would become, "They've supernatural powers so what's the point?")

Anyways take care everyone!
-Jeonghanneyonghaseyo