CHAPTER 62
Sihyun still lay motionless on the cold floor.
Yuhyun was crouched beside him, shaking him lightly.
"Sihyun… come on, this isn't funny. Stop playing around, wake up…"
His voice cracked, panic growing in his throat.
Around them, the nobles and ministers whispered anxiously, their voices laced with disbelief and fear.
"Don't tell me he's really… dead?"
"It was just a truth serum, right? He can't die from that…"
"But he's a demon sorcerer… maybe it reacted differently—"
"Shut up!"
Muwon snapped, his voice slicing through the murmurs like a blade.
The entire hall fell silent as he stormed across the room, his boots loud against the marble floor. He stopped in front of the shaman who had administered the serum.
"You."
His voice trembled with restrained fury.
"What did you put in that cup?"
The shaman swallowed hard, his hands trembling.
"I-I swear, Your Highness, I didn't tamper with anything. The same liquid was given to the maid—everyone saw—nothing happened to her—"
Muwon's eyes narrowed, black with rage.
"She's human," he said coldly.
"You think that proves anything?"
The shaman stuttered, at a loss for words.
"You gave it to a demon sorcerer and didn't consider the consequences? You should've known better!"
Muwon's voice cracked.
"I should've known better…"
He turned sharply, as if the sight of the shaman disgusted him, and walked back to Sihyun's side.
The king remained seated, quiet but clearly watching.
Dohyun and Taejin exchanged uneasy glances, saying nothing—only staring at the prince whose control was visibly slipping.
Muwon gently knelt beside Sihyun, the anger in his eyes now replaced by something softer—shame, pain, and fear.
"…I'm sorry,"
he whispered, brushing a loose strand of hair from Sihyun's pale face.
"You told me not to let them do this, and I… I didn't stop them."
Beside him, Yuhyun suddenly broke down. His voice trembled before turning into a full wail.
"Sihyun! Stop it! You win, okay? Just wake up!"
he sobbed.
"I'll listen to you from now on. I promise, I swear—just wake up!"
And then—
Sihyun's finger twitched.
Yuhyun froze.
"D-Did you see that?"
he asked quickly, turning to the prince.
"He moved! He moved, didn't he?"
Muwon hadn't caught it.
But before he could reply, the air changed.
One by one, Sihyun's tattoos began to glow faintly. Golden-red light shimmered under his skin, traveling like veins of fire.
Everyone gasped, watching in breathless silence as Yuhyun instinctively squeezed Sihyun's hand tighter, his voice barely a whisper.
"Come on, Sihyun…"
Magic pulsed faintly around him. Slowly, it began to circulate, flowing through his body like returning life.
His eyes—those deep, cursed eyes—suddenly glowed bright… but his body still didn't move.
Yuhyun leaned closer.
"Sihyun…?"
And then—
Sihyun gasped harshly, jerking forward as he coughed violently, spewing out the remnants of the truth serum.
Everyone in the room jolted in surprise.
Yuhyun let out a cry of relief, and Muwon caught Sihyun before he could fall again, holding him with shaking hands.
For the first time, the king—though his face remained unreadable—felt something stir deep within him. A flicker of relief, and dare he admit it… happiness.
Dohyun and Taejin exchanged a look, both smiling brightly, their tension finally easing. It was over—for now.
Sihyun turned his head slightly, eyes heavy but open, and tried to curve a faint smile toward Yuhyun.
Yuhyun smiled back, his voice low and warm.
"Never do that again, you idiot… you scared the hell out of me."
Sihyun's eyes shifted slowly to Muwon.
Muwon was already smiling at him—small, gentle, full of things he couldn't yet say.
But before Sihyun could return the smile, his eyes fluttered shut again. His body relaxed, limp.
Yuhyun gasped.
"Sihyun?!"
Muwon steadied him, calm.
"It's alright,"
he murmured.
"He's just sleeping."
Yuhyun exhaled, wiping his eyes.
"I thought… I thought something happened again."
Without a word, Muwon gently gathered Sihyun into his arms.
Yuhyun followed closely behind, his brother's hand still wrapped in his own.
As they walked past the nobles and toward the palace wing, a hush followed them—not of fear or suspicion this time… but of awe.
Outside the chamber, beneath the muted glow of hanging lanterns, Muwon stood with his arms crossed, eyes locked on nothing. Dohyun leaned against a pillar, while Taejin sat on the steps, elbows resting on his knees.
No one spoke for a long while.
Then Dohyun broke the silence with a sigh.
"That… wasn't what I expected."
Taejin nodded.
"Yeah. I thought he'd spit curses at everyone or try to burn the throne down. But that... that wasn't rage. That was pain."
Muwon didn't say anything. His jaw clenched.
Dohyun glanced his way.
"He didn't just confess to plotting with Vanyul. He confessed to being torn. To hating himself for feeling."
Taejin frowned, thoughtful.
"And he admitted he cares—for Yuhyun, and for you."
At that, Muwon finally looked up, his voice soft.
"He's… not who I thought he was."
Dohyun chuckled.
"He's a demon sorcerer who threatened to slit the king's throat, then cried over having feelings for you. Honestly, I think he might be the most human of all of us."
Taejin smirked.
"Yeah, scary powers and all—he's just a guy who doesn't know how to deal with his heart."
Muwon sighed, looking toward the door again.
"And I almost lost him."
A quiet passed between them again, heavier this time—but not uncomfortable. Just honest.
Dohyun nudged Muwon's shoulder.
"You didn't lose him. He's still in there. And I think he's trying... even if he doesn't know how."
Inside the quiet room, Yuhyun sat beside the bed, eyes fixed on Sihyun's sleeping face. He gently brushed a stray lock of hair from his brother's forehead.
The door creaked open, and Muwon stepped in quietly.
"I'll take over now,"
Muwon said, his voice soft.
Yuhyun glanced back, then slowly stood. He gave a short bow.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
He paused, then added,
"I honestly didn't think Sihyun would say how he felt. He's always been the type to hide behind his pride."
Yuhyun looked down, his tone serious.
"But now that he has… I don't want him to regret it."