Act 4: The End of Love

The sun was starting to set. Slowly, the sky began to show the dark color of night.

Something's wrong, Jungwon thought as he looked at the sky, The sun has set, but my human form hasn't returned, Jungwon looking at his body which was still in the form of a swan.

Suddenly Jungwon gasped because he heard a noise, he turned his head and saw many swans crowding him.

Hyung, this isn't right, the sun has already set and none of us have changed into human, said Ni-ki, but because he was in swan form, all that came out of his mouth were swan sounds. Oh no, how can I make them calm down.... Jungwon thought, starting to panic.

"Everyone! Calm down!"

Suddenly a voice startled them. Jungwon looked to the side and saw Yongbok in his chicken form, Yongbok–ssi? Jungwon thought seeing the chicken. "Prince Jungwon, I don't know what happened, but I tried to restore your human form and the others," Yongbok said to Jungwon.

Jungwon didn't know what to say, he just nodded at that. "For now, you should go to the Dark Moon palace first, I will take care of this problem," suggested Yongbok. Jungwon nodded before flying towards the Dark Moon palace, I'm counting on you, Yongbok-ssi, thought Jungwon turning towards Yongbok.

"I didn't know Yongbok-ssi could improve your anti-curse magic, he even made you clothes?" said Heeseung who was walking with Jungwon after parting ways with Yongbok, Jungwon chuckled, "Well, I also just found out, even though it's only a little, but it's quite helpful," Jungwon replied.

"Ah! That's my papa," said Jungwon when he saw Jeongin. "Papa, this is Jungwon, the person I was telling you about," said Heeseung introducing Jungwon, "Nice to meet you, Your Majesty," said Jungwon bowing, "The pleasure is mine, young man," said Jeongin in response to Jungwon's greeting. "So you are the missing prince of Chaconne," said Jeongin looking at Jungwon, "You know?" Heeseung asked, Jeongin nodded, "Yongbok-ssi told me and your father earlier, why didn't you tell me that you had built relationship with another prince? I don't have to go through the trouble of finding you a future partner," said Jeongin, hitting his eldest son's arm, Heeseung chuckled. "Sorry papa, I have to keep Jungwon's whereabouts a secret for a while, remembering the conflict in his kingdom," explained Heeseung, holding Jungwon's hand, Jungwon smile.

Music started playing, "Shall we dance?" Invite Heeseung, "We shall," said Jungwon, raising Heeseung's hand.

Heeseung and Jungwon started dancing accompanied by the music of the royal musicians. Beside them, Heeseung could see his younger brother dancing with Sunghoon. Heeseung smiled seeing that.

"You look happy," said Jungwon seeing Heeseung smiling, "Of course, being able to see you outside the lake area and seeing my little brother who is about to propose to his sweetheart makes me feel warmth in my heart," explained Heeseung, Jungwon smiled hearing that, more precisely grinned.

The swan prince flapped his wings as fast as he could. There it is! Jungwon thought when he saw the Dark Moon palace.

Jungwon went straight to the ballroom window. Heeseung! Jungwon looked at Heeseung, he was confused when he saw the prince dancing with him, That... that's not me..... Sunoo! Jungwon thought. Jungwon tried to make a sound from the window, Heeseung, please, Jungwon thought trying to get Heeseung's attention.

Sunoo, who was in Jungwon's form, realized the presence of the swan prince, "What happened?" Asked Heeseung who saw Jungwon(S) distracted, "Nothing," answered Jungwon(S) continuing their dance. Sunoo then secretly shot dark energy at Jungwon who was still trying to attract Heeseung's attention, luckily Jungwon managed to avoid the shot.

I should be able to get inside, Jungwon thought. Jungwon looked around before flying towards another window, he saw one window open. Jungwon quickly fly to the window, unfortunately Sunoo realized Jungwon's plan, with his magic, he immediately closed the window, Shit, cursed Jungwon who managed to brake before hitting the window.

The music stopped playing, everyone who were dancing bowed to their respective partners. "It's been a long time since I danced at the royal ball, I really miss it," said Jungwon(S) stretching his arms, Heeseung chuckled, "I'm glad you enjoyed it," said Heeseung.

Sunoo glanced at all the windows, looking for the swan prince, he grinned when he couldn't find him. Sunoo didn't know that Jungwon's human form had returned, "Thank you, Yongbok-ssi," said Jungwon, Now... Jungwon thought towards the ballroom entrance.

Suddenly they heard Jay asking everyone's attention, "Oh, it's about to start," Heeseung muttered facing Jay, Jungwon(S) looked at Heeseung confused.

"Everyone, thank you for attending my birthday ball, I'm really happy to be able to celebrate my birthday with my friends and family," said Jay, opening his speech. "But I'm not the only one who will get a gift on my birthday, I will also give a gift to someone as proof of my happiness today," said Jay, who was immediately greeted by the murmurs of people in the ballroom.

Jay landed his gaze on Heeseung who nodded at him. Jay nodded then took a breath, "The person I am going to give a gift to is someone special to me, I have known him since I was an innocent little child and you could say, we grew up together. He is always by my side in bad times or good times, when I am down or up. Don't worry, I'm not talking about my brother or my two fathers," said Jay, who immediately got laughs from the guests. "But seriously, this person is a special person who came into my life, and unfortunately I have never told him directly, therefore, Sunghoon," Jay stretched out his hand, a confused Sunghoon took Jay's hand. Jay then knelt down, making the guests' murmurs louder, Sunghoon was also surprised to see that, "Would you like to accept a gift from me and live a happy life with me as my life partner?" Jay asked, Sunghoon was moved to see that, "Jay I..." Sunghoon wiped his tears, "Yes, I want to receive the gift from you," said Sunghoon smiling, greeted by cheers and applause from the ball guests.

Jay then took out a ring box from his pocket and showed the contents to Sunghoon, the latter covered his mouth, holding back his voice. Jay stood up before putting the ring on Sunghoon's ring finger. Sunghoon looked at the ring for a moment before hugging Jay and kissing him. They were greeted with applause from the guests.

"Jungwon," Heeseung called, gesturing for Jungwon(S) to follow him.

Jungwon managed to enter the ballroom, "Heeseung?" Jungwon muttered looking for Heeseung's whereabouts.

Heeseung took Jungwon(S) to the veranda next to the ballroom. "Beautiful night," said Heeseung looking at the sky decorated with stars, "You can say that again," said Jungwon(S) approaching Heeseung. "You remember when we first met, I promised not to leave your side and would break the curse that surrounded you and your people?" Heeseung asked still looking at the sky, "How could I forget," said Jungwon(S) as he put his arm around Heeseung's arm, How could I remember, you idiot, thought Sunoo.

"Now," said Heeseung facing Jungwon, making them face each other, "I will release your curse," said Heeseung holding both of Jungwon(S)'s hands who looked at him with a confused look. Heeseung then reached into his pocket and took out the ring box he had prepared.

Meanwhile, the real Jungwon tries to get through the crowd of ball guests in the ballroom to get to Heeseung's place. Please, Heeseung, Jungwon thought.

"Jungwon, will you marry me and make my days the happiest days of my life," said Heeseung opened the ring box in his hand, Jungwon(S) was stunned to see that, "Yes, I want to," said Jungwon(S), Gosh, this is going too smoothly, Sunoo thought as he grinned in his mind.

Heeseung then put the ring on Jungwon(S)'s ring finger. They both stared at each other before Heeseung leaned in to kiss Jungwon(S).

"Heeseung!" Call Jungwon. Heeseung who was about to kiss Jungwon(S) was surprised to hear his name, he turned his head, "Jungwon?" Heeseung said looking at Jungwon who was panting at the veranda door. "B–but how?" Said Heeseung who was confused to see there were two Jungwon.

Jungwon who was panting held his chest, What is this? What is this feeling? I don't like it, thought Jungwon who felt pain in his chest. Jungwon once again looked at Heeseung and his other self, "Jungwon—" Heeseung wanted to say something, but Jungwon didn't give him the chance, he ran from the veranda, "Jungwon wait!" Heeseung shouted.

"Ah... even though I can kiss you a little later..." Jungwon(S) said after Jungwon ran away. Heeseung clenched his fists, "Who are you? How dare you impersonate Jungwon! What's your goal?!" Heeseung said letting out his anger. Jungwon(S) didn't answer, instead, he laughed with satisfaction, "You pathetic little prince," said Jungwon(S).

Instantly, black smoke rose from Jungwon(S)'s body and slowly, Sunoo began to change back to his original form. "Nice to meet you prince, my name is Sunoo, Jake's younger brother," said Sunoo introducing himself while bowing, he looked at Heeseung with a grin. "Jake... what is your real purpo—" Heeseung's sentence was cut off when he heard a commotion from inside the ballroom, "Hoho, it looks like the people inside have started the real party," said Sunoo.

Jungwon continued running into the forest until he stopped at one point, he leaned against a tree while holding his chest, his breathing was fast, tears were flowing heavily from his eyes. "I shouldn't have run... but... I don't like this feeling... I hate this... please... make it stop...." He said between his sobs. Jungwon slowly sat down under the tree, still breathing heavily.

In the midst of sobbing, Jungwon thought of something, "I have to go to that place," said Jungwon as he stood up.