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The petite and sweet man walked over with a surprised look. Maybe not that surprised because he had expected this to happen but still.
His legs carried his body to a magnificent palace which was now in disrepair. destroyed.
He looked around. Looking for someone who had promised him before. Yes, before. Before Matthew was expelled from the city and exiled.
This sweet man is named Seok Matthew. He lives in a place very far from this kingdom. But now maybe this place is no longer worthy of being called a kingdom considering that the leader of this kingdom died during the war until the enemy troops managed to win the war.
Matthew fell silent looking at someone who was some distance away from him. Standing on the balcony overlooking the ruined royal garden.
" Gunwook... "
The figure turned and was surprised to see Matthew standing in the doorway of his room. looked at him with a look that was difficult for him to decipher.
The two walked closer.
Matthew saw Gunwook in his shabby royal clothes. It looked like he wanted to say something but his pale lips couldn't make any sound. Matthew hesitantly tried to hold Gunwook's hand and as soon as he could, his head spun. The pain in his head made his legs weak and he couldn't stand. Matthew could see what was happening. Clearer than what he had predicted before.
Matthew saw how when this palace was suddenly attacked by an explosive, several people were thrown. Matthew saw how Gunwook fought against enemy soldiers to save himself and his people. Matthew saw Gunwook helping his father who was attacked, helping his mother and other people to survive but it turned out they were all dead. Died in front of Gunwook himself. And finally Matthew saw Gunwook's body collapse because of the sword that pierced Gunwook's stomach. Makes the body full of fresh flowing blood.
" Aarggh! " Matthew groaned at the pain. Until a few moments later the flash of memory disappeared along with the pain in his head.
Matthew looked at Gunwook with tears still flowing. His heart ached. Matthew feels like a failure. He failed to look after Gunwook, even if not directly. Matthew hugged Gunwook who was still standing in front of him. Matthew cried. Crying over his negligence. Regret because he had ignored the strange feeling in his heart a few days earlier.
Matthew should have come to warn them earlier. Mashiho fell to his knees crying. " Regreting is too late..." he muttered.
Correct. Because even if he follows what's in his heart, will his words be heard by the people here?
Matthew could still feel the pain when he was forcibly pulled away from his house, burned his house in front of his own face and threw himself out without any preparation. Yes, Matthew was kicked out of this city for one reason. One thing was not wrong, but Matthew was still surprised why he had to be treated so harshly. Matthew was expelled because he had the genes of a witch. It is Matthew's family are indeed witches but he didn't even know it before a traveler told him. The traveler that took care of Matthew until he fully recovered.
Matthew has lived with his grandmother since he was a baby, of course he won't know about this, including who his parents are. His grandma never talked anything about this before and once his grandmother died, Matthew lived alone on the edge of town. Now it's all gone. Everything disappeared.
Matthew saw Gunwook looking at him sadly. Matthew can touch Gunwook but not vice versa. Gunwook should have left days ago. Is this what the traveler said about the curse from Matthew's mother?
The traveler seemed to know everything, he told him that the kingdom where Matthew lived had been cursed by a witch before the witch was killed. The children of the royal couple were affected. Even though he was innocent, he was cursed that he would not be able to leave the palace even if he died. That's the reason Gunwook is still here. And who would have thought that the accidental meeting between the two of them would make their hearts flutter until they fell for each other's charms back then.
But Gunwook doesn't know who made him like this and Matthew is also sure that Gunwook doesn't know that he is cursed. How ironic. Once again Matthew cried.
Gunwook tried to get Matthew's attention who was still busy crying until finally the sweet one turned his face. Gunwook pointed outside and Matthew followed him. Gunwook was amazed to see the twilight sky with stars starting to appear to greet him.
" You definitely want to rest in peace too right, Gunwookie? " Matthew muttered to which Gunwook nodded.
Gunwook looked down for a moment. Of course he wanted to rest in peace after his death but seeing Matthew already here made him think twice.
" You know, I learned a spell and I hope this helps you find your peace " said Matthew with teary eyes to Gunwook.
After months of not seeing each other, the two of them were finally able to meet face to face again, even though the circumstances were not good. But Matthew was still grateful. So with Gunwook.
Matthew grabbed Gunwook's hand again. The cold, slightly transparent hand did not scare Matthew. He doesn't care. " After this, I hope we can meet again. I hope our future will be better. I hope we will be together again with the same feelings again in the future " said Matthew with tears flowing again.
Matthew closed his eyes and started chanting the spell. Matthew knows that he is descended from a witch. Because of that, he no longer feels different from other children. Before his grandmother died, he told Matthew many things and one of them was a book left by Matthew's father. The old and worn book attracted Matthew to study it until he finally found this spell. And as soon as the spell was finished, Gunwook's body slowly glowed.
Matthew smiled broadly seeing Gunwook's happy face. " Thank you, Matthew-hyungie..." said Gunwook after touching their foreheads. Smiling while closing his eyes.
Matthew could feel his cheek being stroked by Gunwook's hand. " I hope so too. I hope we will meet again soon. I love you, my little witch " and that was the last sentence before Gunwook's body disappeared as the sun set in the west. Leaving Matthew alone with the clear night sky. " I love you too, my prince..."
He managed to open the lid of the small bottle he was holding earlier. Makes thin smoke come out of it. Matthew stared at the bottle for a moment. " Your decision was not wrong, Matthew. There is nothing left to defend now " he said to the blowing night wind.
Matthew took a deep breath before gulping down the liquid in the small bottle. His face scrunched up. His whole body hurt until his legs went weak. Matthew groaned as the pain he felt became worse until he even cried out loud. But everything didn't last long.
Finally Matthew's body lay on the balcony looking up at the beautiful night sky. He smiled at the thought that he would soon meet the love of his heart. He didn't care about his numb body and his slowly blurring vision. " Wait for me... Gunwookie..." he muttered before he lost consciousness completely. At the same time as Matthew's last tear fell.
ㅡ end.