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scene two:
𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗇𝖾𝖼𝗍

"I believe he is an old
friend, your highness."
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✧˖*°࿐

Ava lets out a sigh of relief when she was closer to her bedroom.

Servants and butlers greets her a good night as she walked pass them.

The thought of her angry brother remained in her head. What will he do on the next day? Will she be okay?

Her hand stayed on the wrist Yeonjun gripped.

It hurt, it was slightly painful. She was forever grateful that Sunghoon was there to stop it.

Other than that, the Princes of Kingdom Connect surely is different.

All of their meetings with her made her emotions get mixed up. She doesn't know if it was her or them.

Surely, it was her... She is the one feeling them.

The moon has gotten brighter. It was enough to make all the lightposts remain unlit for the evening.

She stared out of the window and sees guests in the garden. All had drinks in their grasps as they enjoyed the peaceful bliss of the night.

She could still hear the violin and piano from the second floor. It was unbelievable, certainly.

"I don't want this..." She said with such a soft voice.

"Yeah, I don't want this for you either," she turns around to see another Prince.

The final prince, the Prince of Kingdom Connect whom she hasn't met yet.... Or has she?

It was the prince who she saw by the ball's food table.

The same white attire with gorgeous gold details. The beautiful black mask rest on his face still.

"It's you again," Ava faced the prince.

"Yes, it's me again," the prince said. Ava could barely see the grin on his lips due to the things dangling from his masks.

"You sound oddly familiar, not only that but a butler said your name earlier, right?" Ava asked, her memory loud and clear.

The prince chuckled and nodded his head. His hands made it behind his head. His right supported his mask from the front.

Finally, his mask was off.

Immediately, Ava's hands went to her mouth.

The shocked getting into her head as she stared at the male in front of her.

Tears were on the brink of falling. She truly missed him and to see him again after years, it was overwhelming.

Her legs gave in as she kneeled on the ground. The prince laughed and kneeled in front of her.

"Hey, hey- it's been a while, hasn't it?" The brightest smile plastered on his face stunned her.

He has gotten even more handsome since he left Kingdom Tomorrow. His facial structure is much more highlighted.

He lost the baby fat that she loved to squish. He cut his hair and his eyes... His eyes remained to be the one she loves staring at.

"Hey, get up," he held both of her hands. He pulled her up before bursting into giggles.

Ava was overwhelmed, still. She doesn't know how to act around an old friend who matured greatly.

"I'm so shocked... Let me recover," Ava looked away from him who continued to laugh.

After a minute, she faces the prince.

"I know we know each other but I want this to be our proper greeting ever since I left." He straightened his body.

"I am Prince Lee Heeseung of Kingdom Connect. It is a pleasure to meet you again, princess Ava," he did a little bow.

"Please to meet you as well, Prince Heeseung. I am Crowned Princess, Jin Ava," Ava did a courtesy.

Then there was silence.

A comfortable silence shared by both. After all they haven't seen each other in years.

"I truly missed you," Ava muttered. Heeseung smiled widely.

"I missed you as well, Ava... How are things going for you?" Heeseung asked as he stood on her side.

Both begin to walk to Ava's bedroom.

"Terrible... Yeonjun is basically forcing me to marry," Ava caressed her wrist.

Yeonjun's hand mark still visible, even if it's disappearing.

"Father's orders..." Ava added to which Heeseung frowned. He halted his steps and held her wrist.

His gentle touch felt nostalgic for Ava. The memories of Heeseung always helping her whenever she gets hurt still lingers.

The feeling of comfort Heeseung gives whenever she's troubled.

"Yeah, this must be painful. Yeonjun is either going overboard or blinded by father," Heeseung gently caressed it.

"I don't know what happened, Heeseung. He's gotten more demanding these past weeks," Ava frowned.

"Sure, I am stubborn but that's because I don't want this! He's forcing me and it hurts," Heeseung pulls her in for an embrace.

The warmth of comfort coming back to her like an avalanche.

Her frown slowly turns into a heartened smile. Heeseung caresses her hair as he continues to embrace her.

"I want to say he is only looking out for you, however, this is too far," he checks Ava's red wrist once more.

"Let's go to your room. I'm sure you have some kind of cream for this," Heeseung held her hand.

Both royal made their way to Ava's room.

Once they entered, Heeseung smiled to himself. Nothing changed.

She still has those paintings framed they did when they were younger. The crafts they did together displayed and used.

"This is nostalgic," Heeseung went through her stash of creams. He found one that could help and told her to sit on the bed.

He held her wrist and applied the cream.

"You're now 18," Heeseung blew on the cream to let it dry.

"And you're 20! You're getting old, grandpa," Ava joked to which Heeseung scoffed.

"You're still a baby," Heeseung laughed.

Ava turned her head to the side and saw his mask.

"Hey, since my hair and makeup is still okay... What if I go back to the ball wearing something else?" Ava wondered, Heeseung shakes her head.

"I mean, the ball ends an hour after midnight. There's 3 hours before midnight," Heeseung glanced at the moon to tell the time.

"Should I risk it?" Heeseung halted his movements. He looks up at Ava who had a questioning face.

"Are you serious?" Heeseung asked, Ava sighed. She stared out of the window to avoid Heeseung's curious gaze.

"Maybe..." Heeseung held her hand and planted a kiss on it. Ava turns to face Heeseung who was frowning.

"Ava, I've known you for a long time. I know you long enough to know if you want to pleasure yourself or others." His head hung low.

"Whatever you decide, I will support," Heeseung smiles. He takes his mask and gives it to her.

"I will leave you go change your dress then we can return to the ballroom together."