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4th Prince Wang So’s life had started out perfectly. The son of a King, his early years had been luxurious. He had never wanted for anything, had been well cared for and respected, loved and admired. He had always been a witty child, bright and brave and clever. He often outwitted his brothers, all older and bigger than him. His father, The King, had always had a soft spot for So, although being a King, and such a King as Taejo was, he showed it rarely. So’s mother, Queen Yoo, had loved the boy less. Nobody had ever known why, but she thought the child to be a burden. One tragic night, the Queen flipped. She grabbed the frightened prince and attacked him, leaving him with a scarred face. The King and the older princes had seen, but nobody ever spoke about it. The poor child was sent away, forced to live with a group of people no better than his mother. The King had thought he was doing his son a kindness, but what he didnt know was that his fourth son was still treated unkindly, was abused and made to feel lower than low. Wang So grew up being tormented and teased and forced to sleep out in the cold, in caves and mountains, by freezing lakes and rivers, under the trees and the black skies. He was forced to hunt for food, to fight wild animals for the kill. As he grew, he became stronger and almost feral himself. There was a darkness to him, a wild side. The untameable prince. As he went from young frightened boy, to curious teenager, to fully grown man, So acquired a mask of black and silver, which he used to cover the left side of his scarred face. The mask added a sense of mystery and another layer of danger to him. His body grew leaner, taller, more muscular. His body was covered in scars, old and new alike. He had hated them, but he knew there was nothing he could do about them.
And then he met Hae-Soo.
They hadn’t met on the best terms. She thought he was frightening, arrogant, rude, and although she made him curious, she also made him frustrated, angry, caused him to see red and lash out, say things he probably shouldn’t have. They shared moments, both brilliant and terrible, and they grew from strangers, to not quite friends, to something neither of them were quite sure about. Wang So had never been in love in his life, mainly because he had never felt loved before. Love was something he knew existed between people, people that wanted to see the other person happy and safe. Despite everything, he fell in love with her, and he knew there was nothing he or anyone else could ever say or do to change that. Her feelings were not quite there. She felt ‘something’ whenever she was with him. Her heart did race and her face did grow hot whenever he looked at her, or touched her, or said her name... He had kissed her a few times, both rather forceful and slightly intimidating, and although she had cried, it had been tears of confusion rather than sadness.
It took years, almost four in fact, and as his feelings grew for her, stronger each and every day, she finally caught up to him. Hae-Soo fell in love with Wang So in a whirlwind, one that was painfully slow but beautifully timed.
Only yesterday had they shared a kiss, one that initially began with her. She had gazed up at him in such a way that he felt as light as a feather. He was floating through time and space, high on her love. He had kissed her back so tender, with hands on her face and hers around his waist. That kiss had been both of their favourite moment together.
Soo had been looking for So. She was feeling as he had during the kiss: light as a feather and drunk on him. She found herself wanting to be near him, with him, even if they were silent and still for a century. She just had to be with him now.
Approaching his chambers, which were always empty apart from him, she felt brave and she opened the door without knocking. She heard a shout and she saw a flash of black and brown tanned skin blur together. Her cheeks flushed as she focused and saw him covering his body with a robe.
“Your - So! I’m sorry.”
“What’s wrong?” he asked. “Why are you here? What’s happened?” The worry for her in his voice caused her heart to explode. She smiled up at him, a big, goofy smile. “Nothing’s wrong. I just wanted to see you. I am sorry I interrupted, I should have announced myself first. I’m sorry.”
“Do not be sorry,” he said gently. “You never have to announce yourself to me. I want you here. But please, just let me...” He waved his hands around. “Get changed first.”
Soo misunderstood, and she nodded and settled herself on a nearby chair, staring at him with stars in her eyes.
“Soo-yah,” he said, and she knew from the tone of his voice he wasn’t fully happy about something. “Yes?” Hae-Soo batted her eyelashes at him sweetly. “Please, give me a moment.”
“Oh!” Soo made a little squeak of realisation. But she was confused. “So...” She smiled to herself. She had only yesterday called him by his first name, the first time in over four years. It was still a little strange, and amusing, to her. He smiled to make her feel more at ease. “W-why? Can’t I stay in here?”
“I...” So cleared his throat. “I don’t wish for you to see.”
“See what?”
“To see... me.” He was quiet now and Soo pulled a sympathetic face at him.
“Don’t you remember all those years ago?” Soo smiled. She stepped closer to him now. “In the pool. We hardly knew each other back then. I... I saw you then.”
“So you saw how horrible I am. You are a goddess, you deserve somebody unmarked.”
“Do you not remember this?” Soo held up her wrist, bracelet-chain free. The scar from where she cut herself to escape marrying the King, his father, still reminded her of how her fate could have turned out. “I have scars just like you. We are both marked. We’re made for each other.” He gave her a weak smile, but didn’t budge.
“But mine are hideous. You saw me all those years ago, I have hundreds more scars now. I fought in wars, don’t forget.”
“How could I forget?” Soo breathed. “I spent every day you were away praying you’d come back to me.”
Soo was opposite him now. He wasn’t wearing his mask, which she thought was ironic considering their conversation. With slightly trembling fingers, she raised her hand to his face. Gently, she ran her fingertips across the lines she knew by heart. His face. The scars he had been most sensitive about. They both remembered that birthday party. They both remembered what happened, what happened after. They both remembered the feeling when Soo covered it up for the first time.
“I’ve seen this one a million times now. I still love you. Nothing will ever make me stop loving you. Silly marks on your skin won’t change a thing, not now, not ever.”
So was silent for what seemed like a century. When he spoke, his voice was lighter and softer. “You have no idea just what you do to me,” he said, a glint in his eye now. Soo gulped at his words, and at the way he was now looking at her. Slowly, he released his grip and the robe fell to the floor in a black puddle, exposing him.
So studied her face carefully as she looked at him. He had gone more muscular since the last time she had seen him like this, without clothing. He was lean and toned and completely covered in scars, some old and faded, others slightly newer, with red outlines and bumpy scabs. They covered his entire torso, his upper arms, his sides, on his back. Soo saw the veins in his forearms and felt her face flame. She reminded herself to breathe as she gently began stroking his skin. He flinched when she came into contact with him, and he sucked in his breath as he stood like a statue, allowing her to explore and discover.
She went on her journey of his body, taking her time to study and memorise every single scar and mark and detail of his body. Soo made a mental note that if any new scar or mark was on his body, she’d personally see to the person/people who were responsible. She wanted to protect him at all costs. She’d save him with her last dying breath if she had to.
When she was finished, she stood opposite him again and smiled. He had tears in his eyes, but she wisely said nothing. He studied her face for any signs of disgust or hatred, but instead found only joy and love.
“Soo-yah,” he whispered. She could feel his heart racing in his chest, hear his raggedy breath and see his fingers shaking. “I’m still not good enough for you.”
“Oh So,” Soo whispered, reaching onto her tiptoes and planting the softest of kisses just to the left side of his cheek, near where his scar ended. “I’ll show you just how perfect you are.”