A/N

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"Yunki..." Jin gasped, "Your ring..."

Yunki's fingers traced the outline of the ring, unable to perceive its visual transformation, he turned to his elder brother, seeking understanding. "What about my ring, hyung?"

Jin's hands found Yunki's shoulders, gripping them tightly as if anchoring himself to reality. A surge of emotion radiated from him as he hugged Yunki, tears glistening in his eyes. "It has regained its colour, brother!"

The weight of those words settled on Yunki like a revelation, a dawn breaking through the darkness. He stood in Jin's embrace, his mind grappling with the significance of the revived ring. "T-That means...Lady Yeonha is...."

"Soyoung! Yes!" Jin affirmed, his voice trembling with a mix of joy and sorrow.

"T-That cannot be, hyung...." Yunki withdrew from the embrace, a cloud of uncertainty shrouding his features. "Lady Yeonha's voice sounded nothing like Soyoung's....her voice was a divine melody. Besides, if she was really Soyoung, why didn't she say anything about it? Why was she playing around?"

Jin furrowed his brow, deep in contemplation. "Those questions would have been easier to answer if you saw her....but you're right! Let's not be too hopeful....we've seen and been through so much...." A heavy sigh escaped him.

Yunki's hand found its way to Jin's shoulder, offering a reassuring pat. "You're right, Jin Hyung! Let us be cautious....she could be an evil temptation playing with our emotions and feelings..."

Jin nodded, the lines of worry etched on his face. "I am sure we'll reencounter her...we must study her closely..." The resolve in his voice echoed the underlying determination to unravel the mysteries that surrounded Lady Yeonha or their beloved Soyoung. 

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Yeonhwa descended from Mount Ether, her ethereal presence gracing the earth as she wandered through a small village. Suddenly, her gaze fell upon a man of striking beauty, as though he had stepped out of a mesmerizing painting. Handsome yet burdened, he leaned on a stick for support, a silent testimony to a physical ailment.

The young women of the village, however, didn't mind his disability, they were simply drawn towards his looks. Intrigued, they surrounded him, offering assistance. "Sir Taehyun, let us help you..." they insisted.

"No! I am fine!" Taehyun declined their offers politely, a sense of independence and pride in his voice.

Undeterred, the ladies persisted in their kindness. "What do you need today, sir?" they asked

"I need some vegetables..." Taehyun replied, guiding himself towards the village market.

"We'll bring them to you!" Some of them hurried towards the shops, their willingness to cater to his needs was apparent.

Amidst the friendly exchanges, a shift in the conversation took a more personal turn. "You know...we were so upset...you didn't come last month...didn't you need groceries last week?!" The questions, tinged with playful curiosity, were coupled with attempts to be close to Taehyun.

"I was with my son last month!" Taehyun responded.

Undeterred by his clear dedication to family, they persisted, teasingly suggesting, "Sir, don't you think your son needs a mother?!"

"Or maybe a few mothers?" Their playful giggles echoed through the air.

Taehyun's expression darkened, his frown conveying both discomfort and resolve. "I do not wish to marry...I only loved one woman, and I will forever love her..."

The atmosphere grew tense as the young women, momentarily silenced, exchanged disappointed pouts. Unfazed, they pressed on, emphasizing the harsh reality, "But she is not even alive..."

Determined to assert his unwavering loyalty, Taehyun moved away from the group, his voice now stern. "Doesn't matter!"

Yeonhwa observed the scene from a distance, and she felt curious and connected to Taehyun. Intrigued, she decided to approach him. As she drew closer, the women surrounding Taehyun noticed her presence and exchanged curious glances.

"Sir Taehyun," Yeonhwa greeted respectfully, her voice soft and melodious. "I couldn't help but overhear. If you need assistance with anything, I would be more than willing to help."

Taehyun turned to look at Yeonhwa, his eyes meeting hers. There was a pause as he took in her ethereal beauty. A subtle warmth touched his heart, but he quickly shook off the feeling.

"Thank you, kind lady," he replied, a faint smile touching his lips. "I appreciate the offer, but I can manage on my own."

The village women, now eyeing Yeonhwa with a mixture of jealousy and curiosity, retreated slightly as she approached. Yeonhwa continued the conversation, "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation about love and marriage," she remarked, her gaze steady. "Love is indeed a powerful force that transcends even the boundaries of life and death."

Taehyun looked at her with a hint of surprise. "You speak wise words, but sometimes love brings more pain than joy."

Yeonhwa nodded knowingly, her eyes reflecting a depth of understanding. She understood that he was one of Yunki's brothers, "Indeed, love can be a bittersweet journey. But what if I told you that love has the power to transcend not just time, but also lifetimes?"

Taehyun furrowed his brows in confusion but before he could inquire further, the women returned with baskets filled with an assortment of vegetables.

"Sir Taehyun, we've gathered the vegetables you requested," one of them said.

"Thank you, kind ladies," Taehyun acknowledged, accepting the offerings with gratitude.

As the women dispersed, Yeonhwa remained, her gaze fixed on Taehyun. "May our paths cross again," she smiled and walked away gracefully. She was confident she would be able to find Soyoung in the supernatural realm and would be able to help these lovesick brothers.

Taehyun, still processing the unusual encounter, watched her departure with a sense of bewilderment and brushed it off as a peculiar encounter. He made his way back towards Mount Ether, the bag of vegetables in hand.

After walking for some time, the strain on Taehyun's legs became too much to bear. He decided to take a break, finding a spot to rest. As he settled down, his weary eyes shifted to his hand, and a gasp escaped his lips – his wedding ring had regained its colour.

His eyes widened in disbelief. "What?!"

"Taehyun?!"

Startled, he turned around to find Jin standing there, a mix of concern and relief etched on his face. "I came to look for you...you were late!"

"Hyung!" Taehyun exclaimed, holding out his hand to display the vibrant ring.

"You too?!" Jin's eyes widened, a shared astonishment passing between them. "Tell me, brother, did you meet a divine lady?!"

"Hmm?! Divine lady?! I met a few ladies today but....one of them was mysterious...I don't know her name though..." Taehyung explained, the bewilderment still lingering in his voice.

Jin, seizing the bag of vegetables from Taehyun, said, "Let me explain on the way..."

.................................

Eunsang gripped Yuhok's arm tightly, tears streaming down his face. "WAIT! I CAN'T LOSE YOU AFTER 16 YEARS... YOU ARE SIAN... MY KING!"

Yuhok's stared at Eunsang with a mixture of disbelief and exasperation. "You must be out of your mind, human! You have been lovesick for too long...." With a swift motion, he withdrew his arm from Eunsang's grip, distancing himself. "I am not your husband even though I have some resemblance...."

Desperation etched across his features, Eunsang clung to Yuhok's cloak, his voice cracking with emotion. "Please don't leave...I-I can feel it in my heart and my soul....y-you are my husband....p-please..."

"Your heart and your soul are playing tricks with you...I am not the one!" Yuhok's tone was stern as he pulled his cloak away from Eunsang's desperate clutches.

Defeated, Eunsang collapsed onto his knees, the weight of his emotions overwhelming him. Tears continued to flow freely as he begged with heartfelt sincerity. "Please...at least....tell me how I can call you, my king." He looked up at Yuhok, eyes brimming with a blend of vulnerability and love. Despite the anguish, there was an undeniable beauty in his tear-streaked face.

Yuhok, caught off guard by the genuine emotion, stared at Eunsang for a lingering moment. "You...umm....you can call my name 3 times and I'll come..."

Relief and joy washed over Eunsang, prompting a fragile smile as he wiped away his tears. "Thank you, my king!"

A sly smirk tugged at the corners of Yuhok's lips, a subtle playfulness emerging. "But...a deal with someone from hell comes with a price...I hope you know that?!"

Eager and undeterred, Eunsang nodded, still kneeling at Yuhok's feet. "I am ready to do anything...what do you want me to do?" The cute and beautiful smile that accompanied his question melted even the devil prince's resolve.

Yuhok struggled to resist Eunsang's charms, "I...I'll think and say...." With that, he vanished into thin air, leaving Eunsang alone, a whirlwind of emotions churning within him.

Even though Eunsang was unable to rest due to the arrival of Yuhok in the afternoon, he was still happy with his new summoning power.

.......................

Jeongryeong walked down the dimly lit corridors and overheard a hushed conversation among a group of students.

"That Donghyung behaves all mighty and stuff whereas he has 7 fathers and no mother!" The taunting laughter cut through the air like a knife.

"Also, all his fathers have some disabilities!" Another voice joined in, amplifying the cruelty.

"I heard his fathers were traitors so the late king punished them..." The third one added, casting a dark shadow over Donghyung's family.

Jeongryeong's fists clenched involuntarily and came forward. Unable to contain himself, he unleashed his frustration, he landed a powerful punch in the third boy's face. The corridor fell into a shocked silence as the students recoiled, bowing in fear of the crown prince's wrath.

"How dare you disrespect Donghyung sunbae and his fathers? What is wrong with having only fathers? I also have 2 fathers..." Jeongryeong's eyes blazed with intensity as he confronted the offenders, challenging their narrow-minded views.

"T-There's is nothing wrong about it, crown prince!" The three boys stammered.

"What is happening here?"

The sudden intrusion of Master Lee disrupted the tense atmosphere. The boys hastily turned to their saviour, seizing the opportunity to cast themselves as victims.

"Master, His Highness is abusing his power and authority!" they complained in unison.

"He punched me!" The third boy displayed his bruised face, emphasizing the alleged brutality.

Master Lee's face darkened, disappointment etched across his features. "Why did you do this, Jeongryeong?"

"They were insulting Donghyung sunbae and his family!" Jeongryeong said, his voice filled with righteous anger.

"And that's why you used violence? Is that what I have taught you?" Disapproval laced Master Lee's words, a heavy disappointment settling in his gaze. "Like father like son... you little troublemaker! Go to the library and read the books on good virtues and morals. Do not move from there until I say so!" The stern order hung in the air as Jeongryeong bowed and left for the library, shooting a final, defiant glare at the other boys.

As Master Lee turned his attention to the three culprits, his eyes bore into them with a mixture of sternness and disapproval. "And you three... Go and clean the meditation hall..." The punishment, though not as severe as Jeongryeong's, carried the weight of retribution for their thoughtless words.

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