As she got lost in her bittersweet memories thinking about the time her brothers had climbed onto the roof and played with the guardian statues, coming up with names and personalities for each one. Watching them practice their gifts and succeed in each task set by their grandfather. The mischievous duo who would often run into the forest surrounding their small kingdom and come back with new immortals, the two men who protected her always, especially when she needed it most. Seeing as her eldest brother became the Crown Prince, the next in line, and watching that spark of mischief leave to be replaced by a responsible and caring ruler. Her second eldest brother's commitment to keeping them safe, to keeping the kingdom free from threat, and how goofy he would be when it was just the family. Her brothers showing their SoulMates just what it meant to be loved. The two men who died next to her, because she brought strangers home. The ache of loss bringing tears to her eyes as she looked at the building she'd once called home and having to relive their deaths, now that she couldn't run away.
Memories came of the times she practiced the abilities she shared with her grandfather, a sturdy man who rarely smiled. The man who patiently and silently watched as her family encouraged and loved her. A steady presence in her life, who wouldn't have been there if it weren't for the circumstances of her birth. One of the first Immortals to grace the earth. Her grandfather's scent of tobacco and mint that clung to the walls of his study, the room she found herself in when the world got too loud, or her powers were too much. A scent she still used to center herself. Stories of the people and places he once lived, that fueled her own curiosity. The scent of ozone that clung to him when he stared at her father, his eyes distant, no doubt filled with memories of the woman he once loved. The silence that surrounded him after a long day, as if the world itself was holding its breath for him. The same silence that followed her father after he'd go into the forest to a graveyard no one but royalty was allowed to enter.
She could still see hear the joy and pride in his voice, when she introduced her dear sweet mon vieux. His delight at having another immortal to care for and nourish once the first grandchild was born. Her father's booming laughter as he chased a toddling baby through the halls, enjoying spending time with his only grandchild. His deep voice often teasing her brother's of the large and roudy children they would have, cursing them to be just like their fathers. The sound of his voice when he'd tell her how much he loved her. His warm hugs that she wished she could get more of now that they were gone. The nights watching her parents unique way of flirting, acting like young adults in their first years of marriage.
Her mother's beautiful singing as she tended to the castle and it's land. Her unruly hair that she never tried to tame. Her adventurous spirit that she'd passed to each of her children. The woman's love and devotion to her kingdom, often spending days in the kitchen or delivering food to families. Her crooked smile and impossibly large heart. Her unadulterated joy at the news of a grandchild, and the love she'd freely given to each of her children's Matches. The feeling of her mother's beautiful fingers running through her hair and calming her immediately. Her mother's perfume, a scent she'd created herself and promised to share one day, but never got the chance to.
The nights they'd spent together, just enjoying each other's company. The fights they'd had when she told them her plan to leave and explore what was out in the world, her brother's begging her to let them join, wanting nothing but the best for the only princess the kingdom had ever been blessed with. The young boy they'd adopted and loved, with no friends, who was always sickly and forced to live indoors. How the two would hide away in their "secret room", where they could talk of running away, of seeing what the world truly had to offer. His wide brown eyes looking up at her in adoration, while she envisioned meeting her other half and having children just like this one. The day she'd met her beloved-
"You're her." A voice whispered. The storm around them raging harder as she was consumed with the ghosts and memories this place held for her. Her control over her powers slipping as her ears were filled with the screams of death this place still held. His voice barely loud enough to be heard over the ghosts fighting for her attention. "You're Jeon Teileo." Turning around to the young man behind her, she couldn't help but stare at him. The memories of her past still playing out in her mind and putting together a puzzle she didn't even realize was there.
Her breathing stopped, along with all her thoughts and memories, as those icy blue eyes bore into hers. His face was older, he'd lost what little baby fat still clung to him, his hair was white and his once deep brown eyes now an azure color she'd never imagined he'd obtain, it was impossible for her to see it at first. The longer she really looked at him, the more she recognized him. Recognized that stare, from nights spent reading stories of far off lands. Of days she'd pray to any and every Immortal above that he would survive this illness. His cheeks flushed with fever, but eyes determined as they made their way to a window so he might look at the world around him. His mischievous nature that matched that of her brother's when they were his age. The longer she stared, the more obvious it was becoming. "Kim Taehyung." She said, her voice breathless and tears falling rapidly. "How... I thought... They told me you were dead." She whispered, too shocked to move, as she continued to stare, her heart skipping a beat as his eyes filled with that same love they'd held for her when he was younger. "I- you- Those bastards." She cursed. Her body finally moving, pulling the now much healthier boy into her arms and crushing him in a hug that he reciprocated just as tightly. "Mon vieux, s'il vous plaƮt, pardonnez-moi." She begged, hoping he would remember the little French she had taught him from their time together. "Pardonnez-moi. Pardonnez-moi." She repeated, praying to anything/anyone who would listen that the boy would forgive her for leaving him in the hands of such monsters. For letting herself think he wouldn't lie to her about someone so important to her.
"Oui, oui toujours." He replied, crying together as they thought of the centuries of separation they endured. The storm in her mind finally calming to a mild rain as she held the young man she'd grown to love as a baby brother. His muscular arms squeezing her to his chest as she hid her face in his neck. He was so handsome now, having grown into his long limbs and large eyes. She would never again have to cry over his memory. His name had gone onto a long list of her regrets. His life had been one she could have saved, after millennia of self imposed isolation and reflection, she was sure of it. He was an innocent in his bid for power. She would no longer blame herself for not protecting him from the horrid and unspeakable things his family had done.
Here he was now, a grown man who'd changed so much she didn't immediatly recognize him. She wondered if there were others from her past, people and places that had changed as dramatically as her little mon vieux. "I went after you." He confessed. "After I found out you were alive. I searched for you, I came pretty close too." He chuckled, his eyes growing teary as he pulled back to stare at her. Opening his mouth to speak he was cut off by Seokjin calling his name once more. "Go, hide in the ruins I'll be back I promise." His eyes widening as he stared at her. Begging her to listen to him, and she did. Running from the man who had destroyed her all those millennia ago.
