Act 2: The Lover

Jungwon and his people began to change into their human forms one by one as the sun set. Ni-ki breathed a sigh of relief, "Aren't you glad you could—", "Stop it Ni-ki, my ears are starting to get hot hearing your words," said Jungwon interrupting Ni-ki's sentence, "Damn, rude....." Said Ni-ki offended, Jungwon rolled his eyes.

Jungwon stared at the forest, Ni-ki noticed, "What? Hoping the prince will come back, hm?" Ni-ki teased, elbowing Jungwon, "Honestly, yes..." Jungwon answered without looking at Ni-ki. The younger's eyes widened, "Oh? This loveless prince finally felt love?" Ni-ki teased again, "Stop it, and you know I have great love, right," replied Jungwon finally looking at Ni-ki, "You know what I mean..." Ni-ki said folding his arms, his smile widened, Jungwon rolled his eyes.

Jungwon looked back at the forest. Maybe he didn't come today.... Jungwon thought then looked at the ground.

"Jungwon!" Called Heeseung. Hearing his name called, Jungwon's eyes widened then turned to the source of the voice, "Heeseung," said Jungwon seeing the prince get off his horse and approach him, "Are you waiting for me?" Asked Heeseung when he was in front of the Swan Prince, Jungwon just nodded with a smile.

Jungwon had slightly mixed feelings when he saw Heeseung. He was surprised to see Heeseung bothering to come back to the lake and at the same time happy because he kept his promise to come back. However, on the other hand, he was worried that Heeseung would dive too deep in his life, he didn't want Heeseung to get into danger and deal with Jake because of him.

"Jungwon?" Called Heeseung because Jungwon was silent. Jungwon shook his head, "N–no," said Jungwon smiling, "How about we go for a walk hm?" Jungwon suggested, Heeseung smiled then let Jungwon lead the way.

"I'm sorry Heeseung, I couldn't do much when you visited, because you know, we're stuck here," explained Jungwon as they walked around the lake, Heeseung chuckled, "I don't have a problem with that," said Heeseung then took Jungwon's hand, "As long as you're next to me, I'm already happy," Heeseung said tucking Jungwon's hair behind his ear. Jungwon's face flushed when he heard that, he chuckled, "You really know how to use words," Jungwon said, Heeseung smiled at that.

Suddenly they were shocked because they heard the sound of music, they looked around for the source of the music. "Hyung," called Ni-ki, Jungwon looked behind Heeseung and saw Ni-ki and his people playing music near the lake, "Ni-ki? How—", "Don't mind it, rather than you just walking randomly," said Ni-ki continued playing his musical instrument, "But...." Jungwon was confused, how could they get a musical instrument in a remote forest like this?

Heeseung just chuckled, "Well, shall we dance?" said Heeseung bowing his body while holding out his hand. Jungwon looked at Heeseung's hand then at its owner, he smiled, "We shall," Jungwon said accepting Heeseung's hand. The prince smiled then pulled Jungwon, they started dancing together accompanied by music from an orchestra led by Ni-ki.

Not far from the lake, on a tree branch, Sunoo was sitting watching Heeseung and Jungwon who were dancing under the moonlight, he sighed, "It's so nice to be able to dance with a handsome prince at night," muttered Sunoo sarcastically watching the two of them. "Hm?" Muttered Sunoo frowning, he then looked at Heeseung carefully then moved to Jungwon, "I see, so the love of the handsome prince has not been fully accepted by the swan prince," Sunoo grinned, "This will be easy..." Muttered Sunoo before turned into a crow then flew away.

"You know, for a swan, you dance well," said Heeseung who was still dancing with Jungwon, Jungwon chuckled, "Is that a compliment or....." Jungwon said jokingly, Heeseung chuckled, "You tell me," said Heeseung before lifting Jungwon's body then spun around. Heeseung put Jungwon down at the same time Ni-ki stopped the music.

Jungwon put his hand on Heeseung's chest, "That was fun," Jungwon said looking into Heeseung's eyes, "Yea...." Heeseung said looking into Jungwon's eyes. They both looked at each other and then they kissed, this time Jungwon returned Heeseung's kiss, a romantic kiss under the light of the moon that showered them.

Heeseung broke the kiss, "I wish I could see you all the time, Jungwon," said Heeseung, Jungwon widened a little, "I'm sorry Heeseung, but... not with this curse..." Jungwon said looking at the ground sadly. Heeseung looked at the Swan Prince, "Hey listen...." Heeseung said lifting Jungwon's chin, "I may not be able to do much, but I will try to help you and your people to break this curse, so we can always be together," said Heeseung stroking Jungwon's face. Jungwon smiled then held Heeseung's hand, "You're very sweet, thank you," said Jungwon lowering Heeseung's hand, "Don't worry, I'm a man with promises, and a man must be able to keep his promises no matter what," Heeseung said, reassuring Jungwon.

"Jungwon–hyung," Ni-ki called, approaching the two of them. Heeseung and Jungwon turned towards the Royal Man, "The sun will rise soon," said Ni-ki, Jungwon immediately turned to the east and saw a yellowish tinge, "You're right," said Jungwon, he was a little disappointed to see it because he wanted to spend more time with Heeseung. Heeseung took Jungwon's hand, "Don't worry, I'll definitely come back again, and we will enjoy the night like that," Heeseung said calming Jungwon. The Swan Prince smiled, "I will definitely wait for you," said Jungwon.

Jungwon waved his hand at Heeseung who walked away on his horse.

"You still haven't received it, hm?" Ni-ki asked walking next to Jungwon, Jungwon's smile disappeared instantly, he put his hand to his chest, "No... not yet..." Jungwon said looking towards the forest. Ni-ki frowned, "What's wrong? You saw how he looked at you, how he kissed you, how he promised to free us from this curse, from Jake's shackles, why haven't you accepted it yet?" Ni-ki asked as gently as possible. "I just don't want to get him into trouble and make him suffer the same fate as us," said Jungwon, turning to Ni-ki, "Or worse," said Jungwon before walking away, leaving Ni-ki who stared at him as he walked away.

Heeseung rode his horse back to the palace, he had to reach the palace before the sun fully rose. He was very happy to be able to spend the whole night dancing with Jungwon under the moonlight, an experience he would never forget.

Heeseung started to look at his palace, at the gate there was Soobin waiting for him. Heeseung stopped his horse at the gate, "Soobin–ssi? What are—", "I'll take your horse back to the stable, you hurry back to your room," Soobin said, Heeseung nodded before getting off his horse, "Thank you Soobin–ssi," Heeseung said before running towards his room. Arriving in front of his room, he climbed the rope he had tied last night and then removed the rope from the handle of his veranda door.

Just as someone knocked on the door of his room, "Prince Heeseung, breakfast is ready," said the servant from behind the door, "Eh... yes, I'll be out soon," replied Heeseung.

Heeseung then threw his body onto his bed, he looked at his hands, "If only the night could be longer..." He muttered while clenching his fists.

End of Act 2