Act 4: Invitation

Jungwon sat on the edge of the lake and stared at his reflection in the water. "Feeling lonely?" Ni-ki asked as he approaching Jungwon. The prince chuckled, "I guess," he answered, still staring at his reflection in the water.

"It's a beautiful night, isn't it?" Asked a voice. Hearing that, Jungwon immediately stood up and turned towards the source of the sound, Ni-ki was already in front of Jungwon with hid dagger. "Jake..." Jungwon said looking at who was talking.

"Long time no see, Jungwon, "said Jake smiling, "It's been um... a month?" Jake chuckled, "I don't know, I lost count," said Jake.

"What do you want Jake?" Jungwon asked. "I just wanted to see how you were, I haven't seen you since that annoying prince took my place by your side," Jake said in a sad voice, "We never wanted you by our side you know," said Ni-ki still alert, "Oh come on, you're the second person to say that today..." Jake said pretending to be annoyed as he turned around, "Second?" asked Jungwon, Jake grinning behind his back "Oh yea, that reminds me," said Jake turning back to face them, "There is someone who wants to meet you, prince," said Jake while holding out his hand. Instantly a magic circle appeared in the middle of the three of them and not long after, someone appeared above the circle.

"Yongbok-ssi!" Jungwon exclaimed when he saw Yongbok in front of him. He approached the sorcerer who was also his former teacher. "Yongbok-ssi, nice to meet you again," said Jungwon, but Yongbok didn't reply, he just looked at the ground blankly, "Yongbok-ssi?" Jungwon called confused.

Just as Jungwon was about to touch Yongbok, the sorcerer's stiff body was pulled towards Jake, "Woah, not that fast, Jungwon," said Jake while holding the back of Yongbok's neck. "You see, Yongbok-ssi is in no state to talk right now..." Jake said looking at Yongbok's face, "What have you done to him Jake?" Jungwon said looking at Jake with angry eyes, Ni-ki was already beside him.

"Oh nothing, just a little brainwashing and giving me the information I need," Jake answered grinning. "Information?" Asked Ni-ki, "Yes, and I think you also want to hear this information, considering it can help you and your subjects, Jungwon...." Jake said looking at Jungwon with a mischievous smile on his face. Jungwon was surprised to hear that, but didn't show it, "What do you mean?" Jungwon asked, Jake grinned, "You have to see it for yourself if you want to know that information," answered Jake. Jungwon and Ni-ki was silent, "I'm sure this is a trap," Ni-ki whispered to Jungwon, "Oh yeah, before you say anything, you don't have a choice if you want to see your teacher again," said Jake removing his hand from Yongbok and returning the sorcerer into the magic circle. Jungwon was surprised to see that, he cursed ynder his breath.

Jungwon looked at Ni-ki, the younger shook his head. Jungwon sighed, then walked over to Jake. "Hyung!" Call Ni-ki, "Don't worry Ni-ki, I can take care of myself," said Jungwon looking into Jake's smiling eyes, Ni-ki was about to pull Jungwon back, but he saw that his dagger had moved into Jungwon's hand, the swan prince turned to Ni-ki's direction then gave a smile to calm Ni-ki.

"Show me the information you mean, Jake," asked Jungwon, Jake's smile widened, he motioned for Jungwon to follow him before starting to walk. Seeing that, Jungwon sheathed Ni-ki's dagger behind his waist and then followed the dark sorcerer.

Ni-ki saw the prince slowly disappear into the darkness of the forest. "Mr. Ni-ki...." Jungwon's subjects approached Ni-ki worriedly. Ni-ki just sighed, "We have to believe in our prince," said Ni-ki still staring in the direction Jungwon left.

Jungwon followed Jake through the Dark Moon Forest to a place that looked familiar to the prince.

"This place—", "Oh, you noticed that already huh?" Jake asked without turning around.

They have left the forest area. Jungwon looked around and stopped at one point, his eyes widened, "Chaconne..." He saw the silhouette of the ruins of the Chaconne Kingdom under the moonlight. "Oh yeah, this is still within your kingdom's territory... well, it was," said Jake as he laugh before continuing to walk, Jungwon looked down and clenched his fists before following Jake.

"We're here," said Jake as they reached the edge of a very deep canyon. Jungwon could feel the great nature energy from the canyon, "What is this place?" Jungwon muttered, "Heaven's Canyon, a natural wonder that has never been touched by humans," replied Sunoo who appeared out of nowhere, Jungwon suddenly flinched when he heard Sunoo's voice.

"Jungwon," called Jake, the prince approached Jake to the edge of the canyon.

Jake motioned for Jungwon to look down the canyon, his eyes widened, "That's..." Jungwon said seeing something glowing magenta flowing at the bottom of the canyon. "A magic flow, it's a flow that can neutralize all magical energy and make it part of the flow," explained Jake, Neutralizing magic? Jungwon immediately turned to Jake, "I think you already realize what I meant by bringing me here," said Jake, but Jungwon looked displeased, "So you want me and my people to jump into this canyon to break your curse?" Jungwon asked displeased, Jake chuckled, "Oh no, Jungwon, just you who need to jump into this canyon, because you are the core of my curse," answered Jake. Jungwon once again widened his eyes, "Well this time I'm giving you the choice to release my curse, either you jump into this canyon," said Jake towards behind Jungwon, "Or give your love to me..." Jake whispered before moving away from Jungwon. "I'll give you time, but you have to know, my patience is not as thick as a piece of paper," said Jake before leaving Jungwon who still silent on the edge of the canyon.

"Are you sure you'll just let Jungwon go?" Sunoo asked after Jake, "What do you mean?" Jake asked back, "If he chooses to jump into that canyon, we could lose his great power," replied Sunoo. Jake chuckled at Sunoo, "Don't worry, Even if he chooses to jump into that canyon, his power will still be ours," explained Jake.

"Oh, I forgot something," Jake said stretching his arms forward.

The next morning, Heeseung was on the veranda of his room, his face fell when he saw a yellow canary flying towards his veranda. Heeseung lift his arm and let the bird land on his hand, "Hey, you sent by Yongbok-ssi?" Heeseung asked bringing the bird closer, the canary nodded then turned around showing the backpack on his back.

Heeseung took the roll of paper that was in its backpack and let the canary stand on his shoulder, while he unrolled the paper and read it, "Huh, now that's a good surprise..." Heeseung muttered reading the paper.

"Ou, we missed a little bird," Sunoo said in the lotus position, "What do you mean?" Jake asked entering the room, "Yongbok-ssi had a canary and he sent it to that prince, and I know what he sent it for," Sunoo answered Jake folded his arms with a sigh, he thought, "I think I have an idea," Jake said grinning followed by Sunoo who also grinned.

The sun was starting to set, Heeseung was just about to climb down the rope tied to the veranda of his room, "Hyung," called Jay entering Heeseung's room, "Jay? What's up?" asked the eldest. "Have you talked to papa about your plans to propose to whoever your lover is?" Jay asked, Heeseung was silent for a moment, "Not yet, I'll just say it if he agrees to come to the ball," answered Heeseung. "How about you?" Heeseung asked back, "Well, since Sunghoon always comes to the royal ball, I think I'll make it a surprise for papa and dad later," explained Jay, "Good for you," said Heeseung stroking his little brother's hair.

"By the way, I'm going to see him now, please guard my room," Heeseung said then climbed down the rope tied to his veranda.

"And you listened to him?!" Ni-ki asked Jungwon telling him what he did with Jake last night, "Don't worry Ni-ki, I haven't given my answer yet, besides he gave me time to think about it," Jungwon explained, "Knowing Jake, he definitely will terrorize you until he gets an answer, also both choices he gives are equally detrimental to you," said Ni-ki worried. Jungwon was about to speak, but Ni-ki stopped him, "I know you care about your people, but you also have to think about yourself too, you are also human, well for now you are half swan, however you definitely also have an ego that must be satisfied," said Ni-ki. Jungwon sighed, "Listen, Ni-ki, I do have an ego, but my ego will be satisfied if my people can smile sincerely and can live their lives happily," explained Jungwon as he smiled. Ni-ki widened his eyes, he turned around, This world doesn't deserve him, Ni-ki covering his mouth to hold back his tears.

Jungwon was about to approach Ni-ki, but he immediately turned around because he heard the sound of horseshoes running towards him. "Heeseung," Jungwon called when he saw the prince. Heeseung got off his horse and was immediately grabbed by a hug from Jungwon, making him almost fall. Heeseung chuckled, "Missed me?" Heeseung asked, Jungwon chuckled, "Maybe," he answered, they both laughed.

Ni-ki looked at the two people then smiled, "Well, for now maybe we're safe," muttered Ni-ki, "I think you're right," replied someone or rather a chicken, "What the—?!"

Heeseung and Jungwon were walking by the lake. "So, your horse's hooves have been polished huh?" Jungwon asked, Heeseung laughed, "Yeah, I don't know how the process works, but I heard from the royal stable keeper that the horse's hooves have to be left for a while after new shoes are put on," explained Heeseung, "Meh, I don't really understand that either," said Jungwon shrugging his shoulders, they laughed.

"Oh yeah Jungwon—", "Hyung!" Ni-ki called, interrupting Heeseung's sentence. Jungwon turned to Ni-ki who was running towards him, "Ni-ki? What's wrong?" Jungwon asked, "You have to see this," said Ni-ki, taking Jungwon and Heeseung to one side of the lake.

"What's wrong Ni-ki?" Jungwon asked seeing his subjects gathered around a chicken. "Prince Jungwon, it's nice to see you again," said the chicken, bowing his body. Jungwon and Heeseung were surprised to hear the chicken speak. "Wait a minute, that voice... Yongbok–ssi?" Jungwon asked approaching the chicken, "That's right, Prince Jungwon, I'm Yongbok, former sorcerer of the Chaconne Kingdom," said the chicken introducing himself.

"Yongbok-ssi? What happened?" Asked Heeseung, lifting Yongbok who was in the form of a chicken. "You know him?" Asked Ni-ki, Heeseung nodded, "I've met him once," answered Heeseung, "I'm sure Jake is behind all this," Jungwon said as he looked at Yongbok.

"Heeseung, can you hold Yongbok-ssi for a moment," Jungwon asked. Heeseung was confused by Jungwon's request, but he nodded in accordance with Jungwon's request.

Jungwon then held Yongbok's chicken head and took a deep breath. Suddenly a pinkish light appeared from his hand and slowly, the sorcerer returned to his human form, "Wai—" Heeseung immediately collapsed because he was still holding Yongbok in his arms.

"Sorry Prince Heeseung!" Yongbok said immediately standing up, "It's okay," said Heeseung as he stood up with Ni-ki's help. Yongbok looked at his body which had just returned to its human form. "Prince Jungwon, thank you," said Yongbok looking down at Jungwon, "It's not a problem, but I can only endure the curse from Jake, your chicken form will return when the sun rises," explained Jungwon, "It's okay, that's more than enough, prince," replied Yongbok.

Not long after, a yellow canary flew towards them. "Bbokari!" Yongbok let the canary land in his hand and rubbed its head, "Oh yeah, he was following me earlier," said Heeseung, "You were looking for me, hmm?" Yongbok asked.

"Oh yes, since I still remember," said Heeseung, who immediately became the center of the others' attention.