Destiny

Chapter 18

The coldest goodbye is the one never said. But Jisoo wasn't sure of that anymore.

No words were exchanged when Jisoo had woken up to the sound of rustling. The darkness was leaving indicating their time together was up. The light that beamed off Jennie's face brought out the cloudy expression in her eyes.

Silently, Jisoo helped her lover dress and then herself. Even on the ride to the palace and their struggle to sneak into the Empress' chamber, her lover remained silent.

She longed to feel her attention even for a short second but she couldn't complain. Not when Jennie's hands refused to leave hers. Not when even in her attempt to appear with indifference, her cheeks were adorned with blush. The way Jennie's breath hitched with each movement she made was her consolation.

The General assumed it was humility from what they had done. She grinned as the princess very slowly untangled their fingers and rushed into her chamber.

Though her joy was short lived once she spotted Lisa, who should have left a ling time ago. Jisoo would have greeted her and made her way to her soon-to-assemble army but the girl seemed to be deep in thought. She let her footsteps be slightly louder to make the guard aware of her presence so as to not startle her.

"Sooya." Jisoo frowned at her breathy voice and reddened, watery eyes. Her hand immediately reached for her blade.

"I will kill whoever caused your tears!" It confused her to see Lisa let out a small chuckle.

"You will have to kill yourself." Lisa giggled at Jisoo's puzzled expression. "I was merely thinking of my inability to fight in the war along with you."

"Why would you cry about this?" Jisoo held a small smile. "You are safe at home and will be able to see my sister every day. If anything, you should celebrate mine and Seulgi's inability to get you in trouble with her." Lisa shook her head, letting tears roll down her cheek.

"As long as I can remember, we have been together. I have even been away from Chaeyoung but not you. I just can–" Jisoo clenched down on her teeth when Lisa choked up. She slightly opened her arms and watched the taller scramble to hug her. "I cannot accept it without feeling this heavy feeling in my heart."

Jisoo knew this war was not like the others and not having Lisa was one of her greatest disadvantages. They both knew how the last was when Seulgi was unable to be there. When even one of the three were missing, it was like the other two had lost half their strength.

"Fool. Do I not tell you, I always leave my heart in Silla?" Lisa faintly nodded. "Leaving only makes me fight harder to come back sooner."

"I will always make it back to my heart."

They held each other as the people slowly woke up to meet the dreadful day.

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Joohyun blinked awake due to the gentle tracing of something soft on her face. She was outside in Seulgi's arms, just as they had fallen asleep the night before. The sight of the soldier using a small feather to draw along her features gave her temporary bliss.

"The sun has risen." The smile she had just gained slowly dropped at her lover's words. Her heart ached uncontrollably as she faced the emitting light.

"For once the sunrise is a sore sight." She met the cautious eyes of her lover. Her thumb grazed her cheek while her hand held her face. "It has chosen to take you away from mine."

She couldn't help the tears that fell down her face when Seulgi connected their lips. Her breath remained shaky as they moved against each other. She decided to savor and keep the salty taste in her memory till Seulgi returned to her. She tried not to whine when the warmth left her lips.