Chapter 1: The Childhood Promise

The summer sky stretched wide over Busan, glowing with the orange of a setting sun. The air smelled faintly of salt from the nearby sea, and the faint laughter of children echoed across the neighborhood park.

A boy of eight, small but sharp-eyed, stood near the swing set. His black hair fell into his eyes, and though his lips curled into a mischievous grin, his gaze carried an unusual seriousness for someone so young. This was Park Jimin, the only son of the infamous mafia leader, Park So Joon. Even at his age, whispers followed him—rumors that he was the heir to a dangerous empire.

But to Rose, the girl beside him, none of that mattered. She was seven, with hair the color of chestnut and eyes that sparkled as though they carried pieces of the ocean. She only knew Jimin as her best friend—the boy who sneaked her candy when she was sad, who shielded her from bullies, who always showed up when she cried.

“Jimin,” Rose called, balancing carefully on the swing as she kicked the ground, “do you really have to leave tomorrow?”

Jimin looked down at the grass, silent. His father had told him they would move to Seoul, closer to the Park family’s main estate. It wasn’t just moving houses; it was moving into a different world—one filled with danger, violence, and power struggles. He didn’t want Rose anywhere near it.

He clenched his fists and finally looked at her, his voice low but firm.

“I don’t know when I’ll see you again… but promise me something, Rose.”

She tilted her head. “Promise what?”

“That you’ll never forget me.” He stuck out his pinky finger. “Even if I disappear for years… even if people say bad things about me… you’ll wait, right?”

Rose smiled, her innocence shining through the fading sunlight. She hooked her tiny finger with his.

“I promise. Forever and always.”

The moment lingered between them, fragile and eternal.

But in the shadows of the park, two men in black suits stood watching—guards sent by Jimin’s father. One of them spoke quietly into a communicator, “The boy is ready. The boss wants him back home.”

Jimin noticed them, his small jaw tightening. He turned back to Rose, his heart pounding with a fear he couldn’t name. “Rose… no matter what happens, you have to be strong. Stronger than anyone. Don’t let anyone scare you, okay?”

She blinked, confused, but nodded. “You’re acting weird, Jimin.”

Before he could say more, one of the guards stepped forward. “Young Master, it’s time.”

Jimin’s eyes darkened. He wanted to run, to stay with Rose, but he was his father’s son—and duty was already pulling him away. He gave Rose one last look, memorizing her smile.

As he walked away, Rose called after him, her voice trembling, “Don’t break the promise, Jimin!”

He didn’t answer. He couldn’t.

The wind carried her words as he disappeared into the black car, the door slamming shut like the end of an era.

Rose stood alone in the park, clutching her chest where her heart ached. Somewhere deep inside, she knew their story wasn’t over. The promise had been made.

But neither of them knew what the future would carve for them—that the boy she loved would return not just as her childhood friend, but as the feared Mafia Prince.

And when he did… the world around them would never be the same.

📖 Suspense Ending of Chapter 1 → Rose watches the car vanish, but from inside, Jimin whispers to himself: “I’ll come back for you, Rose. Even if I have to fight the whole world.”

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