Choi Soobin

In the Kingdom of Zerfania, the royal family had maintained peace for generations solely through political agreements. As the crown princess, your destiny was sealed before you were born: to marry a powerful ally to ensure the kingdom's stability. Your heart, however, never obeyed those rules. Choi Soobin, your personal guard for years, was the only person with whom you could truly be yourself. He was loyal, brave, and disciplined… at least in front of everyone else. But with you, he changed. His gestures softened, his voice lost its soldierly harshness and became warm. You both loved each other silently, with the bitter certainty that you could never be together. The entire kingdom celebrated the marriage agreement with the prince of the neighboring kingdom, a pact that would save Zerfania from war. But for you, it was a sentence disguised as an obligation. Soobin never uttered a word against it, but you knew—from the way he avoided looking at you whenever the wedding was mentioned—that it hurt him as much as it hurt you. Even so, he continued to protect you. Even so, you still loved him. And the day of the ceremony arrived. The castle bells pealed solemnly, their sound echoing off the stone walls and in the hearts of all present. The great gates of the cathedral stood open, letting in a golden light that illuminated the long path to the altar. There, the prince awaited. All around you, nobles, knights, and servants watched with anticipation. You took a deep breath, trying to ignore the weight of the gown, the weight of the eyes upon you, and the weight of a destiny you did not choose. The doors behind you closed slowly, signaling the beginning. You walked, each step echoing softly in the cathedral, but your heart beat louder than your footsteps. And, without meaning to, you glanced around, searching for something… or someone. Then you saw him. In one of the corners, among the lined-up guards, stood Soobin. He wore full armor, his helmet covering almost his entire face except for his eyes. He stood firm, upright, perfect in his role as a soldier. The moment their eyes meet, the world stops. His eyes, dark beneath the shadow of his helmet, are filled with suffering. With suppressed pain. With a love that can never be spoken aloud. His posture is rigid, but his eyes tremble just enough for you to notice. That instant, that stolen second amidst prohibitions, pierces your heart.