Prince Taehwa was excited. Today was his birthday which finally marked the day of his freedom. He had spent four years in the walls of his home, the kingdom's castle and he was euphoric for his prison days to end. The entire castle was beaming with the prince's happiness as he ran around the corridors.

Finally eighteen, the prince was ecstatic and he didn't even mind his upcoming birthday party. He usually despised festivals but this, this was different. Taehwa was also hoping to see the mysterious stranger again, the handsome man who stole his heart with just one meeting and who continued to make his heart pound in a way no one else could.

Unknown to the beautiful prince, King Jeongshan was set on the guest list and couldn't wait to arrive at the castle, couldn't wait to see his beautiful rose again.

Taehwa was humming to himself while he skipped through the halls of the palace, feeling giddy because this was hopefully the last time. Soon, he would be able to enjoy his beloved garden again. His parents have forbidden him to step even one foot outside the palace, too afraid Akma would appear and take their beloved child away.

Four years spent inside, Taehwa was ready to live again. Today marked Akma's defeat as he did not take Taehwa. The little prince was freed from the brutal prophecy hanging over his head and taking his peaceful life away from him. Starting from today, he was free.

"I present to you, His Highness Prince Taehwa, the birthday boy!", a speaker announced the prince's arrival in the festive hall, decorated in his favorite colors. The crowd cheered for the prince when the doors were opened for him by servants.

Stepping outside, the crowd was blessed with the prince's irresistible beauty, a golden crown shimmering on top of his head, royal colors clothing his petit, sinful frame, dark purple standing in contrast to his golden glowing skin. The prince wore a happy smile on his face, beaming down at the guests while his parents welcomed him by their side.

The light wizard smiled at the sight of their beautiful prince, feeling relieved that Akma has stayed defeated. The evil wizard could not harm Yesnal's prince anymore. This day also marked the defeat of the dark wizard.

King Jeongshan stood in the crowd, admiring the gorgeous prince he recognized as the one he has met, and he indeed got mesmerized again. Prince Taehwa was beautiful. And King Jeongshan was already head over heels for the beautiful angel, determination forming in his heart to approach the beauty's parents and ask for Taehwa's hand in marriage.

Prince Taehwa's eyes scanned over the crowd and his breath hitched when he found the eyes of even the one he was craving to see. It was the stranger he has met back in the forest and a rosy blush spread over his cheeks. His heart skipped a beat when he saw the man, certainly a king coming from the sparkling crown on his head, smile up to him.

The prince turned his head to look at his parents who looked proud at him with smiles on their faces. "You are finally free, son", the King said happily and Taehwa returned the smile with one of his own. "Father, there is someone I would like to meet", the beautiful boy said shyly, glancing down back to King Jeongshan.

"Of course, Sweetheart, you can join your guests. There is no need to be cautious now, it is the evening of your birthday, Akma cannot reach you. He said to take you in the morning, which clearly didn't happen", the Queen said gently to her beloved son and Taehwa beamed up to her before going to hug her.

"Thank you, mother. I am so happy this prophecy doesn't suffocate us anymore", Taehwa said cutely before fixing his eyes on the man of his dreams. He couldn't wait to approach the man who was looking up to him with dark eyes full of desire. Taehwa smiled gently, taking a step forward.

He only came to the first step of the staircase before the lights started to flicker. When they turned back on, the guests started to scream upon seeing the evil wizard standing on the balcony, next to the royal couple. One hand wrapped around the delicate arm of the prince who was struggling in his grip.

"What, a party for me? I feel so flattered, there was no need", Akma said with an evil grin before reaching forward to press the struggling prince against his chest. "Let me go!", Taehwa demanded, tears sparkling in his wide eyes, petit form trembling scared. "Why would I do that, doll? I cam to collect what is mine and fulfill my prophecy", Akma grinned down at the beautiful doll in his hold.

Jeongshan bolted forward, hand on his sword. "Let go of the prince!", he yelled, throwing his dagger at the wizard. Akma did not even glance at him when he stopped the dagger midair with his powers. "Ah, you must be King Jeongshan", Akma said, laughing. Taehwa whimpered, trying to remove the grip around his slim waist.

He felt the hot breath of the wizard on his skin, causing him to squirm even more. "So sorry that I cannot stay, but I have to take a bride as mine", the evil wizard announced just when Jeongshan dashed up the stairs. He reached the last step, sword in his hand, the royal couple frozen through magic.

He met Taehwa's fearful doe eyes, still struggling in the wizard's grip. "J-Jeongshan", he whimpered his love's name when Akma pulled him back. "Say goodbye, King Jeongshan, as you will never see him ever again", Akma spat evilly.

Jeongshan screamed, running forward. But Akma snapped his fingers. And the last thing Jeongshan saw from his love, was his crying face and his eyes begging the King to save him from the hold of the evil wizard.

Akma has taken Prince Taehwa, fulfilling his dark prophecy and only Jeongshan could now stop the evil wizard from claiming the one he loved.

~

This chapter is important for the plot, so please don't skip it:*

Elaboratae