Jeonghan stood still for a moment, letting the cold air wash over him as snow began to fall gently from the sky. The back garden, now dusted with white, felt strangely quiet, almost as if time itself had slowed down. It was the same place where he and Joshua had once skipped class together, sharing stolen moments of laughter. Now, it seemed to carry the weight of something much heavier.

"Joshua's birthday is December 30th," Jeonghan said softly, his eyes locked on the snowflakes as they drifted down. His voice was distant, as though he were speaking more to the snow than to Mingyu.

Mingyu, standing a few steps behind, watched as Jeonghan's expression shifted, a subtle glimmer of emotion flickering in his eyes. There was something fragile in the way he spoke, a trace of sadness woven into the memory of his friend.

Mingyu could feel the weight of Jeonghan's thoughts without needing to ask. He stepped closer, his presence quiet but steady. "We'll prepare a beautiful birthday party for him," Mingyu offered gently, hoping to ease the tension he could see building inside Jeonghan.

Jeonghan didn't respond immediately. He stood there, staring at the falling snow, lost in his own world of memories. Mingyu understood the silence, knowing that some feelings couldn't be easily expressed in words. Instead, he stayed by Jeonghan's side, letting his presence speak for itself.

The first snow of December continued to fall, covering the world in a soft, white blanket. As Jeonghan's thoughts swirled like the snow around them, Mingyu remained close, silently promising that he wouldn't let Jeonghan face his emotions alone.

Mingyu didn't know Joshua for long, but... Still, the sight of Seungcheol carrying Joshua out of the bathroom, his body trembling uncontrollably, was etched into his mind. It was one of the most terrifying moments of his life– standing there in shock, unable to fully grasp that this was the same Joshua who had fought beside him in the Hidden Library. The same wizard who had faced down an evil clone with unwavering strength and courage.

He admired him for that. To see him like this—vulnerable, shaking, completely out of control—was something Mingyu could never have prepared for.

And Seungcheol was there.

Mingyu had known Seungcheol for as long as he could remember.

Seungcheol, his dear brother, who had once been the boy chasing pups through the royal gardens with him. He had watched him grow, seen his heart guarded and untouched for years. Now, with Joshua, everything was different. This was love—real, deep, and irrevocable. Seungcheol loved Joshua in a way that Mingyu had never seen before.

Seungcheol was there, not only witnessing it but holding Joshua in his arms as the seizure took over. The moment hit him like a concrete block. He could never be the same.

Mingyu glanced at Jeonghan, then slowly reached out and touched his hand. The warmth of their skin meeting was soft, almost hesitant. "It might be bad timing, but I feel... glad... because you came back safely."

Jeonghan's eyes softened, though the weight of everything still clung to his expression. His voice was a whisper, carried by the cold wind. "I thought I could spend more time with you. I mean, I want to spend more time with you. I want us together. But—"

Mingyu didn't let him finish, the urgency in his chest pushing him to speak. "I know," he said quickly, but his tone was gentle, as though he wanted to cradle the delicate moment between them. "And I understand, Jeonghan. You don't have to feel bad about it. You don't owe me an explanation."

They slowed to a stop, snowflakes swirling around them, falling onto the edges of their coats and dusting the path beneath their feet. Jeonghan's breath clouded in front of him as he let the silence stretch, his hand slowly slipping out of Mingyu's grasp. He lowered his gaze, his eyes distant, and then sank onto the cold wooden bench nearby.

Snow was beginning to blanket the surface, untouched and pristine. It spread in a delicate layer that crunched beneath Jeonghan's weight as he sat. He looked around, as if the stillness of the garden could offer answers. His shoulders seemed to carry the weight of unspoken thoughts, heavy under the quiet of the evening.

The first snow of the season continued to fall, wrapping the world around them in a cold, soft veil. Mingyu stood for a moment, unsure if he should follow or leave Jeonghan to his thoughts. The silence between them felt like a fragile thread, connecting their shared history with the uncertainty of the future.

Jeonghan's gaze flickered to the snow, as if something about it calmed the storm inside him. "You know, the first snow... it always feels different." His voice broke the quiet, but barely.

Mingyu nodded, his heart heavy. "I remember when we watched it fall together in the Mennora Mountain... You were so quiet then too. Just like now."

Jeonghan gave a faint smile, his fingers tracing the cold bench. "I wonder if I'll ever see that place again."

The words hung between them like a lingering question, the snow falling slower now as if the world were waiting for an answer neither of them was ready to give.

"Actually, when that clone hit me, it came with dark magic..." Mingyu's voice trailed off, but Jeonghan's reaction was immediate. His breath hitched, and his shoulders stiffened.

Mingyu quickly noticed the change and continued, trying to sound calm. "But it didn't hurt me the way it's hurting Joshua. The doctor couldn't find it on my body, but I could feel it inside me. So, I purified my magic. It worked... well enough."

Jeonghan's hand tightened around Mingyu's, his eyes widening as if they were speaking for him. Mingyu didn't need to hear words to understand the fear and worry Jeonghan was struggling to contain. He could feel it, the unspoken plea wrapped in Jeonghan's silence.

"Purifying magic takes time, but don't worry. I can handle it." Mingyu smiled, trying to reassure him, though the smile didn't reach his eyes.

Jeonghan took a deep breath, trying to rearrange the flood of emotions crashing through him before he spoke. His thoughts spiraled to the chaos around them—The Duke's looming threats, the sudden curse that lead toJoshua's suffering. The weight of everything pressed down on him, but the heaviest thought was Mingyu's role in all of this. Mingyu, their prince, wasn't meant to be on the battlefield. He was meant to be protected, not thrust into the heart of danger.

Jeonghan's mind wandered briefly to The Queen. Since the first time he had met her, her words had never held kindness. She's the queen to everyone else, but she was the one who destroyed his heart. Even with all of Mingyu's affection laid bare before her, The Queen had never treated Jeonghan with respect.

She had once said, "You'll be my son's downfall if he ever chooses you until the end of time. Merlin forbid, for you bring only tragedy and regret. You can defy me, but you won't survive the consequences." Her words had wrapped around Jeonghan's throat like a curse, suffocating him, driving him away.

Jeonghan squeezed Mingyu's hand again, grounding himself in the present. "I've been thinking about where we would be if none of this tragedy had happened. We should be in class, learning spells, studying herbs, going to a tavern... carefree, thinking about night parties. But life's been unfair since The Duke appeared, and now, with Joshua's suffering... We're stuck in a war none of us wanted."

Mingyu nodded lightly, his face clouded with unspoken grief. "Yes... it didn't turn out as we hoped." He sighed, the weight of everything sinking into his chest.

"I'm sorry I brought you into this fight. It's dangerous, and I shouldn't have—"

"Stop apologizing," Mingyu cut in, his voice firm. "Never once have I regretted being with you. I'll fight for you, for us. So don't ever say sorry, as long as you let me fight by your side."

There was so much love in Mingyu's words, so much unshakable determination that Jeonghan was left speechless. He couldn't think of anything to say. What could he say in response to a love that fierce?

"And Jeonghan..." Mingyu's voice softened, and when their eyes met again, there was something unbreakable in his gaze. He waited until the moment felt right before saying, "We'll make it till the end." His words carried a deeper promise, the unspoken vow that lingered in the air: I'm going to love you until the end of time.

Jeonghan's breath caught, his heart full and heavy all at once. He couldn't deny it anymore—Mingyu was the only constant in a world that kept crumbling around him.

As Jeonghan and Mingyu enjoyed their brief moment of peace on the bench while snow quietly fell around them, Jeonghan suddenly received a LINK from Minghao. The message came through with an unmistakable urgency, cutting through the calm like a cold blade.

"Um, Jeonghan, we've got trouble..." Minghao's voice wavered, his worry palpable.

Jeonghan's frown deepened, a chill settling in his chest. "Did something happen to Joshua?" He'd only been gone for an hour, but in times like these, even an hour could be too long.

"Yeah... but it's not as bad as before. The bigger issue is Choi Seungcheol. Joshua's boyfriend as you said?" Minghao's tone tightened. "I don't know much about him, and I'm not trying to be harsh, but something's wrong. He's acting weird."

Jeonghan's brow furrowed, his unease growing. He exchanged a glance with Mingyu before switching the LINK to multi-connection so Mingyu could hear too. "Seungcheol? Acting weird?" he repeated, the words hanging heavy between them.

"Uh huh. He's not himself. He didn't join us to study the curse. Said he was going to cast a spell to help Joshua rest, but it didn't sit right. And then, without explaining, he's trying to leave, claiming he's going to break the curse on his own. But he didn't say where. I know he's a top warrior at Serene High Tower, but who goes out alone when things are this dangerous?"

"Minghao's right." Mingyu's voice cut through the tension. "Seungcheol wouldn't go into danger alone unless he thought he had no choice. He's a brilliant wizard and he knows better than that. He's not reckless and always has a plan. But this..." His expression hardened. "This doesn't add up."

Jeonghan shot to his feet, heart pounding in his chest. "Where is he now?"

"Inside with Jihoon. I snuck out to call you. But I have a bad feeling. He's up to something, and it's dangerous."Minghao replied.

Without a second thought, Mingyu and Jeonghan rushed back toward the dorm, the urgency driving their steps. Their boots crunched through the snow as they raced back, cold wind biting at their faces. Mingyu's mind swirled with a thousand thoughts, each darker than the last.

The only thing he could predict was that Seungcheol would likely cast a sleeping spell on Joshua to keep him resting, but worse—he might erase their memories if they tried to stop him.

"He's not thinking straight." Mingyu's voice faltered, the implications too heavy to finish.

"Joshua wouldn't let him go alone," Jeonghan breathed out, struggling to keep up as they hurried toward the dorm. "Joshua would never let Seungcheol risk his life like that."

"That's exactly why Seungcheol's being secretive." Mingyu's fists clenched, the thought of his brother's desperation tearing at him. "He'll do anything for Joshua."

...

When they finally reached the dorm, everything was too quiet. The stillness eerie and unsettling. The hallway was empty. Minghao had already slipped back inside. Mingyu's gut twisted with dread.

Mingyu exchanged a glance with Jeonghan, his heart pounding. "Something's wrong," he whispered.

They approached the closed door. Mingyu hesitated for a heartbeat before grabbing the handle, but as expected—it didn't move. "He's sealed it," Mingyu growled under his breath.

Jeonghan's eyes widened. "Can you break it?"

"It's weak... a rush job," Mingyu muttered, already channeling his magic.

Seungcheol had clearly cast a spell to lock it, but it was hastily done—likely just to buy him some time. The magic was nowhere near as strong as Seungcheol's usual spells.

With a burst of energy, the spell shattered, and they burst through the door. But the sight that greeted them made their blood run cold.

Minghao and Jihoon were collapsed on the floor, unconscious, as if they had been struck down before they even had a chance to react. Seungcheol was already gone. No trace, no warning—just an empty room filled with silence.

Seungcheol, his brother—the one he trusted most—had cast them aside like pawns.

The shock hit like a wave. Mingyu's breath came in sharp, shallow bursts. Rage simmered beneath his skin, hot and boiling.

"He's gone," Jeonghan whispered, his voice barely audible as the shock sank in.

"He didn't even wait. He didn't tell me. He didn't...!" Mingyu's voice broke, frustration laced with betrayal.

This isn't him. This wasn't the Seungcheol who used to fight by his side, the one who always had his backs. Something had shifted inside him. A dark undercurrent twisted Seungcheol into a man willing to risk everything—alone. But Mingyu couldn't quite understand what that something was, and it gnawed at him, a cold weight settling in his chest.

"Why?" Jeonghan's voice trembled as he knelt beside Minghao, checking his pulse. "Why would he do this?"

Mingyu's eyes darkened, storming over to the bed where Joshua lay, still under the effects of the spell. His voice was tight. "Desperation makes people reckless." Then, like a bolt of lightning, it hit him, he realized where Seungcheol could go. Mingyu immediately turned toward the door, "I can't let him do this alone."

Jeonghan grabbed his arm. "Mingyu, wait! We need a plan— you know he'll be prepared for anyone trying to stop him."

"You don't understand—"Mingyu's heart hammered against his ribs. "Seungcheol's family... they hold a lot of secrets tied to our land. They possess magic so dangerous, even my mother, The Queen, couldn't master it." Mingyu paused for a moment. His mind swirled with the weight of the truth that had just dawned on him. "I–I think... I think he'll go back to his family's mansion. It's the only place he knows that has the power to break the curse—at any cost."

Jeonghan paled. "You don't think his family will help?"

Mingyu's throat tightened. "His father despises Foreign Blood. He won't help Joshua—no matter what Seungcheol does."

The silence that followed was deafening. Jeonghan stared at him, his hand trembling slightly as he let go of Mingyu's arm.

...

Mingyu could never forget those days from their childhood, no matter how hard Seungcheol tried to bury them. He vividly recalled the first time he saw Seungcheol standing in the cold, dimly lit hall of the Choi family mansion.

Seungcheol's small frame had been covered in bruises, his skin mottled with shades of blue and purple—evidence of his father's cruel punishments. He'd stood there alone, trembling, yet there was a fierce defiance in his eyes.

Mingyu had wanted to help, to pull Seungcheol out of that nightmare. But as they grew older, Seungcheol stopped sharing his pain. He stopped showing Mingyu the bruises. He'd grown silent, hard, determined to bear everything on his own.

No matter how much Seungcheol tried to hide, those memories haunted Mingyu. He could still see that frightened boy in the shadows of that cursed mansion, suffering in silence.

The Queen had warned him too. She never liked Seungcheol's father, her own brother. She always whispered about the mansion's secrets—dark, dangerous magic that twisted those who lived there. Mingyu believed her. He'd felt the cold grip of that place whenever he stepped inside, the way the air seemed to hold whispers of something ancient and unforgiving.

And now Seungcheol was heading back there, thinking he could face it alone. Thinking he could handle the curse, the secrets, the danger.

But Mingyu knew better.

He wasn't going to let Seungcheol face that darkness alone again. Not this time.

-----tbc-----

P/s:

 We'll learn more about Choi's family later on. I, honestly, tried to balance the stressful situations with the lovely romance, but the story had already taken a dark turn.
Anw, it features "friends to enemies" and "blood and violence". I promise there will be more of this.