Taeyang.
He was silent, his massive frame a wall of stone and storm. I felt his presence like pressure in my chest — always too much and too near. I didn’t look at him. I couldn’t. If I did, I’d shatter completely.
But he stopped beside me. Neither of us spoke.
I wanted to scream at him —You’re letting her go into your world alone. You’re supposed to protect your people, your prince. Why not her?
But I didn’t.
Because deep down, I knew Taeyang was breaking, too.
“You should’ve stopped her,” I said hoarsely, my voice catching on a sob.
He didn’t turn.
“You think I didn’t try?”
His voice was low — not cold, but ragged, like he hadn’t slept, like he hadn’t breathed since she made her decision.
“Then why didn’t you drag her back?” I asked, trembling. “Why didn’t you dosomething?”
His eyes flicked to mine, and what I saw there made my heart stutter. Pain. Rage. Guilt. And underneath it — fear.
“Because she’s like him,” he said quietly. “Once Seori chooses, there’s no stopping her. Even if it kills her.”
His gaze dropped to my lips, lingered for a breath too long — then snapped away like it burned.
“And maybe…” he added, so soft I almost missed it, “she was always meant to die for him.”
That was it. The final thread in me snapped.
“Don’t say that,” I hissed, fists clenched. “Don’t youdaresay that.”
He looked at me like he wanted to take it back. Like he didn’t know how. But instead of comforting me, instead of sayinganything,he turned — ready to vanish again like he always did.
“Taeyang,” I called out, voice raw. “Why does it hurt when you walk away?”
He froze.
His hand went to his chest — right over his heart. And for the briefest moment, I saw it — not just confusion, but agony.
“I think I was meant for you.” I whisper to him
“I’m not meant for anyone” He sneers “I am nothing but rage and agony in one. And you, you’re not meant for anyone either.”
I felt a sharp pain near my chest again. As if I was being rejected.
“You’re not just rage, Taeyang. I see you.” I whisper again to him and he looks taken aback.
He didn’t answer. He just walked.
I sank to the floor, knees pulled tight to my chest, tears sliding down in silence.
“She’s gone,” I whispered into the emptiness. “And so are you… even if you’re still standing here. Please come back to me…both of you.”
The bond tugged between us like an echo I didn’t understand. Like something ancient was stirring inside me, calling his name.
But Taeyang was already gone.
