Chapter image by the lovely Imbyul <3 Go PM her for a request

A/N: Try listening to EXO-CBX's For You for the right mood.

“Why are you staring at me?” he asked her.

It wasn’t as if he was complaining that her round eyes were gazing at him. He always liked it whenever Hae Soo’s eyes were on him; he thought of them as beautiful marbled jewels and he was sure he could stare at them forever.

But there was something unsettling with her silence, almost as if she was thinking about something.

He had just told her about the boat and why he didn’t take it out on purpose. Now, she was just staring at him. If he were honest, he was never a big fan of her silences. It meant a lot of things to the Fourth Prince.

How he wished he could read minds.

Finally, she spoke.

“I was thinking about what it must be like to turn away from something you like,” she remarked thoughtfully.

He was stumped for a second. Soo was good at making him realize things, showing her a different perspective or side of a coin. He didn’t want to admit it, but she hit the spot exactly where it hurt. Given the situation he was in—about to marry his niece behind her back—she voiced out his sentiments perfectly.

Before he could succumb to that truth, she smiled.

“I was also thinking what a relief it is that you don’t have to do that anymore,” she continued.

Do I really? he asked himself, gazing at the beautiful woman opposite him. She was still clueless to his seemingly hopeless situation, but he knew it was best to keep her that way. However, it frustrated him so much—this lack of power to run after what he truly wants.

In this case, it was her.

And he couldn’t even get her.

“I’m sorry,” he told her.

She looked confused with his apology. “For what?”

“For forgetting what I wanted to say to you.”

She smiled at him. “I’m sure you’ll remember soon,” she said confidently, “You can take your time.”

The sun casted an ethereal glow to her already pleasant aura. So couldn’t help but feel a twinge of pain just by looking at her.

He didn’t forget what he wanted to say to her.

He just couldn’t.

--

He looked at his watch and tapped his foot impatiently. She was ten minutes late already—what was she still doing?

Granted, she was catching up on weekend work, but still.

Jae-Yeong stood on the opposite street of the iSOi shop, leaning on his car. When he first got there, he wanted to project a cool image in case she walked out already. But it’s been ten minutes and he was starting to get antsy. He lost all the cool and confident images he stocked up when he first arrived.

He checked his phone to see if she texted back. Nothing.

He looked at the shop and saw her running around, placing boxes here and there. It was no wonder she hasn’t replied yet; she was too busy. He watched as she passed a box to Luna and skipped over a loose floorboard.

It was dizzying to follow her, but he did it anyway.

After ten more minutes, he saw her grab her bag, spray some mist over her face, and bid her friends goodbye. Immediately, he straightened his posture and resumed that cool and confident aura he had.

She looked both sides before crossing the street and meeting him.

“I’m sorry!” she exclaimed, “We had to catch up on some work. I’m sorry.”

“Wah,” he began, stretching his neck, “I’d been waiting for an hour.”

She glared at him. “Don’t exaggerate,” she said, bopping him on the head, “You’ve only been here for twenty minutes.”

“Still, I was waiting for you. My feet are all tired,” he complained.

She looked at his feet and pouted. “I don’t see them bruised or anything,” she said, “Besides, I’m here now. Shouldn’t that matter?”

“You made me wait.”

“Aisht,” complained Ha-Jin, “If you’re going to be like this, I’ll just go my way—“

“No, no, no!” exclaimed Jae-Yeong, grabbing hold of her waist and pulling her towards him. She ended up bumping into him, her face only mere inches away. Her wide eyes looked at him and he found himself enchanted with her for the nth time.

“You’re not going anywhere,” he told her, tucking that stray lock of hair behind her ear.

At first, she frowned at him. Eventually, her lips turned up for a smile.

--

It’s been weeks since he first woke up and regained his memories. As much as he’d like to claim everything has been bliss, it hasn’t. Apart from dealing with the leftover work for the company, he also had talks with the press to clear his name. So far, it’s been a roller coaster ride of emotions. He was happy that he got to sort out things with his brothers—

All except one.

But Jae-Yeong tried not to let it bother him as he drove. Besides, there was still plenty of time and plenty of hope.

And she was beside him.

He glanced at her every now and then as she stared out of the window. She still had no idea where he was taking her, but he knew she loved surprises. It was one of the things she had brought over to this life.

Since waking up, Ha-Jin has been constantly beside him through everything—from regaining his physical strength to dealing with the bursts of memories, she was there for him.

There were times when the memories sent him towards excruciating pain, especially if they involved deaths or betrayals. Just recently, he remembered about Wang Mu’s death in Damiwon. It started with a stuffy feeling in his chest and eventually, he couldn’t breathe. He started tearing up as he remembered his eldest brother’s murder.

Fortunately, Ha-Jin was there to subdue him. She grabbed on to him before anyone could see his dilemma. With the help of Tae-Won (who was already briefed of the past life thing, minus his identity as Wang Wook), they brought Jae-Yeong outside for fresh air and some meds.

She was always there to calm him down or inform him whenever the memory doesn’t make sense. Since she was the first one to have these flashbacks, she was better at making sense of them. Whenever they both couldn’t remember, they would turn to history books or Ji-Hyun for answers.

But when there wasn’t anything, they wouldn’t force it. They’d just let it be.

He stopped at the red light, which gave him more time to admire her without her knowledge. She was too busy checking her SNS accounts.

Oh how the deities must’ve loved him for giving him a second chance.

“Where are we going?” she finally asked.

“Somewhere.”

She crossed her arms. “I don’t like the sound of that.”

“Why not?”

“It sounds like a kidnapping.”

The light turned green and Jae-Yeong advanced. He cast her a one-sided smile. “Looks like someone’s been watching too many dramas.”

“I have not been watching too many dramas,” she insisted, “For the record, I just watched because one of my favorite EXO members is acting.”

“Which one?”

“Baekhyun.”

“Ah,” said Jae-Yeong, “Still—one too many dramas.”

“Aisht.”

It was one of the few lighter conversations they had, which was a nice break from all the heavy stuff. Apart from family, work, Goryeo and reliving their past memories, he enjoyed talking to her about anything under the sun. He felt no shame, embarrassment, or whatsoever in her presence.

It’s like she was meant to be his companion.

“You’d enjoy it if you gave it a try.”

“Please, I’ve had enough drama in my life,” he told her, “In fact, my entire life already sounds like a drama.”

“You and me both.”

They laughed as he made an exit and drove towards the abundance of trees. Ha-Jin seemed to notice the familiar path, which he secretly hoped she would. He watched her from his peripheral vision; she was already looking around, her eye lit up with excitement and wonder.

“Oh my god,” she said, “Are we going where I think we’re going?”

He didn’t say anything. He just smiled, kept his eyes on the road, and hoped the box was still in his pocket.

--

“It’s strange how this place looks so familiar to the prayer tower.”

“And the lake…don’t forget the lake.”

Jae-Yeong gazed at the beautiful lake, which mimicked the splendor of Lake Dongji. He couldn’t believe Min-Suk introduced him to this place and he didn’t even remember a hint of his life as Wang So before. But then again, he was too busy rejecting his past life.

It had become their favorite place—this green hideaway hidden in the heart of the city. Apart from it being reminiscent of their lives in Goryeo, there was something peaceful about the lake. Ha-Jin enjoyed taking long walks and stacking up the stones whenever they dropped by. He was unsure if she was still praying with them, but it was a sight he loved to watch.

It was the perfect place to unwind and forget.

“You seem happy,” she noted, staring at his face, “Did something happen at work?”

“Nothing, really,” he answered, “Why’d you ask?”

“I don’t know, it’s just that you’re smiling a lot.”

“Don’t you like it that I’m smiling?”

“It’s just odd.”

“Woah.”

He was obviously teasing her, but at the same time, she knew he was also confused.

“Odd or not, you should be happy I’m smiling,” he insisted, “Otherwise, you wouldn’t be blessed with the face.”

“What a joke.”

Jae-Yeong loved it whenever Ha-Jin brushed off his self-glorifying comments. She did it with such subtle sarcasm, it made him fall in love even more.

She returned her gaze at the lake, allowing Jae-Yeong to stare at her without her knowledge. He enjoyed looking down at her, memorizing every tiny detail about her face. He didn’t know if it was the effect of regaining his past memories, but for some reason, he couldn’t get enough of her.

He remembered the first time he saw her face after waking up.

It was difficult—fighting through the haze of darkness and waking up to a blur of faces and memories. For a second, he didn’t know who he was; he was trapped between two lives and he couldn’t make out which one was which. That, on top of the excruciating pain in his head, made waking up even more unbearable.

But he felt a tiny hand around his.

The warmth from that small touch forced him to return to his senses. Despite the pain, he found himself organizing his thoughts and everything falling in to place—

Especially when he saw her face.

It was as if everything was answered all at once.

The laughter of the people nearby reminded him that there were others within the area. If his stare could only melt people, Ha-Jin would probably be a puddle by now. But she was too busy laughing at the couple taking one of the boats for a stroll.

“Want to ride the boat?” he asked her.

She shook her head. “No,” she said, “Not willing to risk it.”

“Risk what?”

“We might fall over again and for the life of me, I’ve had enough of accidents. Yours should be the last one.”

“But if we do fall again, then I’ll have to save you from drowning. Then you’ll see me with my wet shirt and, in slow motion, you’ll see every drop of water and think to yourself, ‘Wow, he’s so…cool.’”

“And you think I’ve been watching too many dramas.”

Her flower like lips pouted at him; he was so tempted to just kiss them right then and there.

“Why are you staring at me like that?” she asked.

“Huh?”

Her wide eyes looked inquisitively at him. He remembered how he always loved staring at her eyes—like pools of fresh water.

“You’re staring at me.”

He bit his lip and smiled. “I guess…I just want to kiss you, that’s all.”

Ha-Jin, despite the numerous times he’s attempted to kiss her without her consent, seemed surprised with his straightforward response. Jae-Yeong then wondered if he sounded a little too much—was his tone not to her liking?

“Wow, aren’t you straightforward?”

He leaned towards her, watching her face transform from daring to suddenly flustered.

“Pretty much,” he told her, slowly closing the distance. Her eyes were pretty much wide open, so Jae-Yeong was sure that she’d stop him anytime soo—

“Stop!” she exclaimed, putting a hand on his chest.

Damn it.

Jae-Yeong looked down on Ha-Jin, who was slightly panicking.

“What?” he asked, “Don’t you like me?”

“I do!” she said, all flustered and red in the face, “It’s just that…there are people around here.” Ha-Jin looked around; he also glanced at the surroundings and saw another couple strolling by and the couple on the boat. He remembered how she was always shy like that.

He smiled and edged away. “Alright, I’ll keep calm,” he said, pretending to be offended, “Shouldn’t you be thankful that I’m here with you?”

She just smirked and playfully punched him on the chest.

“Hwang Jae-Yeong,” she said, “You’re such a baby.”

She knocked on his forehead before heading her way towards the other side. Jae-Yeong watched her retreating back, her hair swaying with every movement. She was enchanting, that girl. He was definitely crazy about her.

“Hey, wait up!” he exclaimed, running after her.

--

“So I’m guessing he hasn’t spoken to you yet?”

Jae-Yeong couldn’t help but feel saddened at the thought of his younger brother.

“No,” he said, “You know him.”

Ha-Jin sighed. “I guess, I was hopeful that he would’ve had a change of heart. I was too optimistic.”

He flipped the beef over the grill, smiling at her. “It’s okay; time heals all wounds they say,” he told her, “Besides, I have a lot of making up to do, I think.”

She watched the smoke go up as he grilled the beef, probably thinking about his brother. Jae-Yeong tried his best not to let it get to him. He didn’t want to ruin their date by bringing up brother-related issues.

“I got a text from Ki-Joo yesterday,” said Ha-Jin before taking a spoonful of soup, “He said he might’ve finally impressed Park Hanna.”

“Oh really?” asked Jae-Yeong, biting into his kimari, “How?”

“He took her out on a date last weekend, apparently. And one date led to a second date yesterday, after school,” she answered, “This time, he took her out with no help.”

She was looking at him. Jae-Yeong never told Ha-Jin about that date he set-up for Ki-Joo and Park Hanna, but he sensed that the dongsaeng must’ve spilled the beans. He hasn’t even told Park Ji-Hyun that he sent the senior’s daughter on a date.

“Good for him,” he said non-chalantly, “It’s about time. He’s bananas over that girl.”

“That’s true. I’m hoping he impresses her well; Ki-Joo can mumble a lot, he might scare her off,” she worried.

“Ah, don’t sweat. I’m sure fate is in their favor this time around.”

Ha-Jin paused from rummaging around her bibimbap to stare at him. He noticed her sudden movement, seeing that deep look in her eyes. Whenever he made realizations connected to the past, she always had that look.

It the type of look that was joyous and appreciative, yet also worried.

He didn’t want her to tear up again.

“What? I figured it was a long time coming, anyway,” he told her, “Besides, I’m glad Eun is still smitten with her.”

“Eun?” she asked, smiling.

He realized. “God, Ki-Joo! Ki-Joo!” he exclaimed, “Ugh, the slip of the tongue is too frequent for my comfort.”

She looked at him before taking another bite of her food. “I like it,” she said while chewing thoughtfully.

“You like it?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“Cause it proves that everything was real.”

He stared at her, confused.

“Everything was real?”

She was still chewing when she gave that stare he found so adorable.

“That you, me, and all that life in Goryeo was real,” she explained, “And that life was nicer to us the second time around.”

Whenever they talked about their previous lives, it was Ha-Jin who always cradled the memories with such fondness. She was joyful with the happy and shinning moments and heartbreakingly sad with the deaths and bad memories from the Palace.

Jae-Yeong, on the other hand, was more perceptive. He was still trying to figure out the point of his memories coming back. Given, reincarnation focused more on second chances, but he felt there was so much more than that. Call it paranoia, but there were also times when he feared that something bad might happen soon.

Ha-Jin’s face and her cheeks bulging with rice, however, reminded him of the importance of the present.

She smiled at him despite the rice scattered all over the place.

“Aren’t you supposed to be a Court Lady?” he asked, “Where’s your manners?”

“Wah, I’m sorry then,” she said, “Forgive me, Your Majesty.”

“Aren’t you cheeky?”

She said nothing else; she just winked at him and it was enough.

Jae-Yeong felt it again—that urge to just kiss her.

“Why are you staring again?” she asked him, “Is there something on my face? Do I have kimchi stuck on my teeth?” Her fingers started skimming the surfaces of pearly whites, which were free from any kimchi.

“No,” he said, enchanted by her, “I guess…I just want to kiss you. That’s all.”

She was stunned again by his straightforward answer.

“Why do you keep saying that?”

He just smiled at her.

“I just do.”

--

They went for another walk in a different part of the area. Families and other people were at the lake, so they both figured they’d rather stay away from the crowd. After all, some people from the city knew Jae-Yeong. They didn’t want to attract attention to themselves.

They ended up in a lonely gazebo surrounded by way too many flowers.

“This place…it’s too—“

“Flowery?” offered Jae-Yeong.

“I was going to say romantic, but close enough.”

She was looking around, her expression torn between distaste and amusement. Jae-Yeong wondered if she wasn’t a big fan of what she saw.

“It’s the only place we can be alone.”

“I know.”

The press were still trying to hound him since he first woke up. Jae-Yeong didn’t understand how their minds worked; were they really that desperate for news or was he just an unpleasant favorite? Since he didn’t want to deal with that crap, he avoided as much as possible.

He didn’t want to punch people in the face.

“You don’t like romantic?” he asked her.

“I just don’t like the overly romantic scenario.”

“Says the girl who kept squealing her head off after every episode of Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo.”

Ha-Jin put her hands on her waist. “Why are you noticing my dramas?” she complained, “Don’t you know it’s one of the best therapies I’ve had?”

“For what?”

“For everything I’ve been through,” she said, “It helps my cry when I want to pour out emotions and I just can’t.”

“Pour out emotions for what?”

She gave him a knowing look, cocking her head, waiting for him to realize. It was then he realized what she had been through the past year—all off them involving him. She had been through a lot in both lifetimes.

“Why can’t you just cry because of what’s happening?” he asked.

“It’s harder than you think.”

She was picking on one of the flowers. Jae-Yeong found himself staring at her, trying to remember all the hard times he put her through. From the moment she first bumped into him to the time she told him about his past life, he knew she didn’t have it easy.

No wonder she needed to cry. He suddenly felt the guilt.

“I’m sorry,” he said.

“For what?”

He shrugged at her sheepishly. “For making you cry,” he said, “I know I’m not the only reason, but I know I’m a major part behind the tears. If only I recognized you sooner, maybe, you wouldn’t have to cry a lot.”

Ha-Jin smiled at him, extending her arm to reach for his cheeks, which she caressed.

“It’s alright, Jae-Yeongah. You just didn’t want to remember.”

“Yeah, but if I did—“

“You had a hard life,” she cut, “You lost a lot during your first try; it’s only natural to want to forget.You just didn’t want to remember those bad memories.”

Jae-Yeong could not imagine filling her shoes during that time—remembering everything and seeing the person you loved the most—but they didn’t have a clue on who you were. It must’ve caused her so much heartache.

Wasn’t that the primary cause of her first death?

“I know,” he said, “But I wish I didn’t forget you. How could I?”

She pursed her lips. “But you remembered, anyway,” she said, “And even if you didn’t remember the exact details—you came back anyway. You’re here—we both are. That’s what matters, right?”

She was right.

Jae-Yeong’s hand dug into his pockets, feeling that tiny box. In this world, there was no more space for missed opportunities or mistakes. She said it herself: they were both here and that’s what mattered the most.

“Well, since we’re both here anyway,” he started. He pulled out the tiny box from his pocket and gazed at it first. He heard her gasp, but she didn’t know the meaning yet.

“What’s that?”

Jae-Yeong looked at her and smiled.

“I told myself, one day at the Palace, that I would find you,” he told her, “I didn’t know how or when, but I just knew that I would.”

“And now that I have, I didn’t want to miss the chance.”

He opened the box, revealing a small ring, which looked like a smaller version of that hairpin she loved to wear. It was gold, adorned with a white flower and tiny red beads and green gems.

“Jae-Yeongah—“

“Look, before you think of it as a marriage proposal, it’s not,” he said, “I know you. As much as you want me, you also want us to get to know each other outside Wang So and Hae Soo. I get that. But believe me when I say I’m ready to marry you this instant.”

She was too stunned for words as she gazed at the ring in the box. Jae-Yeong took this time to talk.

“So, considering your feelings, think of this ring as a promise,” he continued, “That no matter what happens, you’ll always be my person.”

He took the ring off the box and gently got her hand. Looking into her eyes, he slipped the ring onto her finger. He was glad that it was a perfect fit and it also complemented her fair skin. He raised her hand and took a good look.

“Wow, I’m glad that it fits just right,” he said, “And it’s made for your finger.”

He smiled at her and patted her hand.

“You’re my person, okay?” he repeated, “No one else’s.”

Ha-Jin’s eyes flitted from the ring she wore to his face, clearly caught between surprise and a mix of emotions. He could see her eyes beading with tears, but she was trying to keep it in. She was that kind of girl—keep it in whenever you can. He was sure, however, that he had touched her where it mattered.

It was a reminder of who she was in this life.

A full minute had passed and Ha-Jin was still looking at him. Jae-Yeong started to worry, thinking she might be in shock.

“Go Ha-Jin,” he began, “Why are you staring at me?”

She seemed flustered for a second before she bit her lip and took a deep breath. Ha-Jin gazed at the ring again then at his face.

“I guess…I just want to kiss you. That’s all,” she said.

The sun shone behind her, illuminating her face. He always thought that the surge of memories would confuse the hell out of him. So far, he was partially right. But amidst the flood of moments, one thing remained constant—her.

Without hesitating or wasting another moment, he reached out for her face, which fit perfectly between his massive hands. She was looking at him with those big, beautiful eyes—the exact same pair he thought he’d never see again. Closing his eyes, he leaned forward and touched her lips with his.

Her hands tentatively touched his waist before confidently wrapping themselves around him. She kissed him with the same passion he had—the same longing, desperation, and joy they had kept for each other. He felt her hold on to him tightly, as if she was never going to let him go. And he felt the exact same thing.

They pulled apart for a second.

“I love you,” he said.

She smiled.

“I love you too.”

And they kissed again.

As he tightly held on to her face, kissing her with such fervor, he decided that nothing could ever set them apart AGAIN.

It sounded cheesy, but it was real as it gets.

Go Ha-Jin, I’d be a dead man before life pries you out of my hands again, he said to himself, It’s you and me forever.

Unbeknownst to the both of them, Jae-Yeong’s silent phone rang endlessly in his bag. When the receiver would not pick up, a text message appeared. It would take three hours before Jae-Yeong would open his phone and read the message:

Il-Sung’s in trouble.

--

A/N: I listened to EXO-CBX's For You for an hour just to get this chapter done. Man, now I'm full of feels and ideas. I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter. :) <3 

This is just an after thought: if you're watching Goblin, you know that it deals with Grim Reapers and a touch of Goryeo. You become a grim reaper when you commit a great sin during your lifetime. I was wondering: what if Wang So ressurected as a grim reaper? I mean, he did kill a lot of his nephews and some brothers. Hear me out; it's just me toying wtih an AU/ Goblin X SHR collab. In my head, it sounds so interesting--Wang So devoid of all memories, just focused on escorting the dead to their proper place.

God, Goblin's killing me like SHR. :| See you on the next chapter