Chapter 1: The Bond Unseen

The wind howled through the vast palace gardens as twin princes, Kim Jaeha and Kim Seojin, stood side by side. The cool autumn air brushed against their pale faces, but the serenity of the moment did little to calm the storm brewing within Jaeha. His eyes, sharp and focused, never wavered from his younger brother, Seojin, who seemed lost in thought.

“Seojin,” Jaeha called softly, his voice carrying the weight of unspoken words.

Seojin turned to him, offering a gentle smile. “Yes, brother?”

For anyone looking upon them, the two were indistinguishable. They shared the same sharp features, porcelain skin, and long, silken hair. However, where Jaeha’s gaze was intense, filled with determination and fire, Seojin’s held a softness that reflected his calm nature.

The bond between them had always been strong, deeper than the blood they shared. Growing up, they were inseparable. Jaeha had always been the protector, the elder twin destined to rule the kingdom, while Seojin was the gentler, more reserved one. But recently, the bond had begun to twist into something darker, something Jaeha could no longer ignore.

“Do you ever wonder,” Jaeha began, stepping closer to his brother, “what it would be like if we didn’t have the weight of the crown, the expectations of the kingdom, hanging over us?”

Seojin’s brow furrowed slightly. “We were born to serve the kingdom, Jaeha. It’s our duty.”

“Duty,” Jaeha repeated, his voice bitter. “And what of us, Seojin? What about what we want? What I want?”

Seojin’s breath caught in his throat. There it was again—Jaeha’s intensity, the words that hinted at something forbidden, something dangerous. He stepped back slightly, trying to create space between them, but Jaeha’s presence was suffocating.

“We are brothers, Jaeha,” Seojin whispered, his voice trembling slightly. “What you’re talking about…it’s impossible.”

Jaeha’s hand reached out, grasping Seojin’s wrist firmly, pulling him closer. “Nothing is impossible. Not when it comes to you.”

The intensity in Jaeha’s eyes made Seojin’s heart race. He had always known Jaeha was protective, but this—this was something else. It was as if his brother’s love had transformed into a fierce, all-consuming fire that sought to claim him entirely.

“You’re my twin,” Jaeha continued, his voice low and commanding. “We share the same blood, the same face. You belong to me, Seojin.”

Seojin shook his head, trying to pull away, but Jaeha’s grip tightened. “No,” Seojin protested softly. “It’s wrong. The people would never accept it. You’ll be king soon. You can’t—”

“I will be king,” Jaeha interrupted, his voice fierce. “And as king, I will make my own rules. No one will stand between us.”

Seojin’s eyes widened in shock. Jaeha was serious. The weight of his words settled heavily on Seojin’s chest. How could his brother, the future king, be willing to throw away everything for this? For them?

“I can’t,” Seojin whispered, his voice breaking. “I won’t.”

Jaeha’s gaze darkened. “You don’t have a choice, Seojin. You are mine, and I will do whatever it takes to keep you by my side.”

As Jaeha’s words echoed in the silent garden, Seojin felt a shiver run down his spine. His brother’s love, once a source of comfort, had become a chain—one that he wasn’t sure he could escape from.

The bond they shared was no longer just one of blood. It was one of possession, and Jaeha had no intention of letting go.

To be continued…