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scene seven:
the shock

"How are you here?"
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EXHAUSTED, THE 3 OLDER PRINCES have returned to their kingdom. It was already late and Ava's kingdom is being secretive or her sudden disappearance.

"I wonder what happened to Princess Ava," Jay turned to his brothers before they heard their king cough.

"I'm sure she is alright. After all, she will be in our care." The king smirked, much to the princes' surprised. They were about to question him until the carriage had come to a stop.

The four men got off tbe carriage. The princes still followed their father with visible confusion.

"What does he mean?" Whispered Jay to Sunghoon. The other shrugged his shoulders, unknown what to say as he was clueless as well.

They've all gone quiet when tbe castle's doors open. Their fellow brothers greet them before the 3 boys had come to a halt.

Princess Ava, dressed casually and in their kingdom, greeted the king. A welcoming smile on her lips before she made her way towards him.

"I hope I was not intruding. I informed Sunoo and Jungwon to send you a letter of my stay here." Ava looked worried, she is... What if the king suddenly told her father-

"No worries, my child. I will not say a word to your father. Now, let's all go inside. Have you eaten, Ava?" The king asked as Ava walked on his side.

"Ah, not yet, your majesty."

"Then let's have our own feast in Kingdom Connect!"

AVA WALKED THROUGH the dark halls of the castle. The moon peeked out through the windows and it gave her a sense of deja vu of how she met the princes of Kingdom Connect.

Although, it is very late now and the dawn will soon arrive. She still loved the sight of the beaming moonlight through the halls.

"And why are you staying here, Princess?" She jumped at the voice. She turned around to see Sunghoon, still wide awake.

He seemed to be from his room since he stood out of a door she passed minutes ago. Not only that, he was dressed in his nightwear as well.

Ava had her hand on her chest to calm her shocked heart from his scare. She sighs and calms her breath. Her eyes stared at the tall prince in front of her.

"I apologize, I couldn't sleep." Ava held the buttons of her cloak. Sunghoon noticed the uneasiness in her voice. Could it be she's concerned of her kingdom?

"May I ask why?"

"I'm just thinking about my kingdom. Other than Taehyun and you all, nobody knows that I am here. It will be a ruckus and if my father finds out, he might start a war with your kingdom."

Sunghoon took steps closer to Ava. Her eyes shimmered because of the moonlight peeking through the windows. It wasn't any different for Sunghoon as well.

"I don't think you need to worry about that. Your kingdom is very powerful, however, if you wish to run and hide away forever... It might be wrong of me to say this but I will help."

Ava didn't dare to hide her bewildered expression. Her eyes bore onto the male's as the prince let out a chuckle.

"Please, don't be too formal with me." He places his hand on top of her head for a pat. "We will be living in the same place from now on."

Warmth engulfed Ava.

A feeling that she hasn't felt from her family for a long time. A feeling that's only revived by the Princes of Kingdom Connect.

Sunghoon bidded her a goodnight before returning to his room. He has forgotten the reason why he went out of it in the first place. Now, Ava was left standing there in the halls.

She stared out of the windows... A breezy weather accompanied the setting moon and the rising sun.

Ava's hand instinctively went to her best. She realized that she did not have her dagger with her.... Perhaps, she left it in her room. It is a weapon she always takes with her.

Suddenly, she yawns...

A sign for her to finally return to her room and sleep.

WHEN SUNGHOON RETURNED to his room. His back was immediately pressed against the door.

He heaves a sigh before staring into his hand that patted Ava's head. Suddenly, a smile crept to his lips as his eyes landed on the windows of his room.

He didn't know the reason why he said that - he just felt like it was right for him to say it.

To see Ava's worried expression is like seeing his beloved grandmother frown whenever Sunghoon hurts himself.

He returns to his bed, plopping down on it.

"Well, now we're really living under the same roof."