Prologue: Always in Our Hearts
The scent of warm rice and chicken vegetable soup,sea foods filled the quiet kitchen, blending softly with the earthy aroma of flowers and fresh herbs wafting in from the open garden door.
Just beyond the doorway, a small backyard bloomed—lavender bushes lining the edges,the soft rustle of leaves whispered through the air, and the faint fragrance of mint and damp soil lingered like a comforting memory.
Their aunt crouched down beside them, concern softening her eyes. "Why aren't my princes eating?" she asked gently, brushing a strand of hair from the nearest one's forehead.
The twin boys sat with their heads bowed. Their big dark brown eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Jet-black hair curled slightly around their small ears, and their lips trembled as they whispered in unison, "Missing mama & daddy…"
The resemblance was undeniable. From their sharp little jawlines to their expressive eyes and delicate noses—they looked just like him.
At the end of the table sat another boy—Jison, her son, already more perceptive than most his age, understanding,most sweetest boy with fair skin and cute smile. He watched his cousins with a quiet, thoughtful gaze, his small hands folded in his lap. He didn't cry, but the crease in his brow showed he understood more than he let on. Slowly, he reached out and placed a hand on the table between them, a silent offer of support as a big brother.
Their aunt sighed and pulled all three boys into her arms, wrapping them in a warm embrace. Her voice turned soft as a lullaby. "Even though they're not here," she said, pressing kisses into their hair one by one, "they're always in our hearts. Aren't they?"
The twins nodded slowly, and Jison leaned against her side, protective in his own quiet way.
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The bowls of soup had gone cold.
She rose gently and took all three bowls, warming the soup again. When she returned, she placed them carefully back on the table. Her smile wobbled at the edges.
"Still no appetite?" she asked softly, crouching down beside the twins again.
Two silent shakes of the head.
Jison moved his spoon closer to his bowl, nudging it slowly in their direction as if to say, I'm with you. We can do this together.
Their aunt noticed and gave him a grateful look. Then, brushing her hand through the younger twin's dark curls, she spoke with a little spark in her voice. "How about this—if you take just one bite, I'll tell you a story."
The older twin glanced up. "What kind of story?"
She leaned in closer, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. "A love story. A tale of destiny. A seal."
"Is it a happy one?" the younger twin asked hesitantly.
Their aunt smiled, eyes glistening. "Parts of it are. Parts of it are sad, too. But all of it is real. Realer than fairy tales."
Both boys blinked at her, curiosity nudging through their sorrow. Jison tilted his head slightly, listening too, the first hint of interest flickering in his eyes.
The twins looked at each other, then took spoonfuls of soup to their small mouths as their aunt started feeding them.
"Mama, is it a prince and princess love story, like in Disney?" Jison asked.
She smiled and replied, "Not the kind with fairy tale castles or princesses in towers. This one is different. Real. A little dangerous. Adventurous. But full of love and passion too."
Jison tilted his head and shared a small smile, then looked to his cousins. One twin asked, "Dangerous?"
Their aunt smiled, eyebrows lifting slightly, a glimmer of something behind her eyes, and said, "Sometimes the strongest ones find love in the darkest corners of cold hearts. It's not always about a hero or prince charming. Sometimes, it's about a villain who can let the world burn for someone he loves, cherishes, and has promised to protect until his last breath—an obsessed madman."
Outside, the wind whispered against the window, but inside, the warmth of soup and story began to stir the air again.