Chapter 19

The sun was taking a slow dive into the clouds, disappearing bit by bit from the vast painted sky. Warm golden light draped over the landscape like a soft blanket, casting long shadows on the earth. The entire sky shimmered with hues that looked like they were brushed on by an artist’s hand — vibrant oranges melting into pinks, purples, and dusky blues. Even lilac streaks curled at the edges of the horizon, as if trying to hold onto the fading warmth.

The wind had grown cooler now — not cold, but cozy. It rustled gently through the tall grass, carrying with it the earthy scent of the soil and the sweet trace of wildflowers. Birds were returning to their nests in flocks, their wings slicing through the golden light, filling the evening with a chorus of chirping that echoed across the open fields.

Amid all this, two figures wandered — side by side, laughing and whispering like they were the only ones in the world. Jin and Lily.

Lily stretched her arms wide, breathing in the twilight air. “This… this is perfect,” she said, twirling once before facing Jin again. “I wish I could trap this evening in a jar.”

Jin smiled. “You’d need a pretty big jar.”

She giggled, her eyes glowing in the amber light. “You know what I mean.”

They walked in silence for a moment, their shoulders brushing now and then. The peace between them was easy, comforting.

"My mother used to tell me a story when I was a kid," Jin said suddenly, his voice softer than usual — as if the memory was made of glass.

Lily looked at him with curiosity. “A story?”

“Yeah… There was a little prince, trapped inside a palace. He had no friends, no one to talk to. Every day he stared at the world from the window, wondering what it felt like to run free.”

He paused.

Lily didn’t speak, waiting patiently.

“One day,” Jin continued, “a kind princess visited the palace. She saw the prince, saw how lonely he was. So she took his hand… and led him out. She showed him meadows and rivers and the stars — everything he had only dreamed of.”

Lily smiled. “That’s a beautiful story.”

Jin looked up at the sky as if remembering something distant. “And now, we’re here.”

“You just made that up, didn’t you?” Lily teased. “Mr. Little Prince?”

“What? No!” he said quickly, pretending to be offended. “That story is ancient, thank you very much.”

Lily laughed, nudging his arm playfully. “Sure, sure. Next you’ll tell me the princess looked just like me.”

“Who said she didn’t?”

Lily raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. The air between them shifted for a moment, filled with unspoken warmth.

The sun had almost disappeared now, and the sky was growing darker. A few early stars blinked into view above them.

“It’s getting late,” Lily said, glancing toward the path home. “We should start walking back.”

Jin hesitated. “I want to show you something first,” he said. “It looks better at night.”

“Let me guess… the stars?”

He grinned. “Yup. But not the ones in the sky.”

She frowned slightly. “What do you mean?”

Instead of answering, he reached for her hand. “Come on,” he whispered.

The wind picked up as they ran — not away from the world, but toward something unknown, hidden just beyond the hills. Lily’s laughter danced behind them, echoing into the evening.

She didn’t know what Jin meant.

But she trusted him.

And somehow… she already felt like this night would change everything.