CHAPTER 63
"But now that he has… I don't want him to regret it."
Muwon's eyes softened.
"If he ends up hurt because of you,"
Yuhyun continued,
"I won't be able to stop him next time. None of us will."
Muwon nodded solemnly.
"I understand. I won't make him cry."
Unbeknownst to them, just beyond the slightly open door, Dohyun whispered,
"Ooooh, that was deep."
Taejin elbowed him, grinning.
"You think the prince's gonna cry first?"
"I bet he already did,"
Dohyun muttered.
Muwon glanced toward the door, sighed, and shook his head.
"They're impossible."
Yuhyun smiled faintly.
"But they care… in their own weird way."
Yuhyun stepped out of the room quietly, exhaling a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"Done babysitting?"
a playful voice teased.
Startled, Yuhyun turned to see Dohyun leaning against the wall with Taejin beside him. The two nobles hadn't spoken much to him before. Yuhyun quickly bowed.
"I didn't realize you were both here. I apologize if I disturbed—"
"Woah, woah. No need for all that formality,"
Dohyun interrupted, waving his hand.
"We're not statues. We were just… concerned."
Taejin nodded.
"We didn't expect Sihyun to be like that. Brave. Fierce. Loyal, too."
Yuhyun smiled slightly, touched by their words but unsure what to say.
"So,"
Dohyun added, crossing his arms,
"how long has he been like that? You know… carrying the world on his back?"
Yuhyun blinked.
"Since our mother died."
Something in his tone made them quiet.
"I'm glad,"
Yuhyun said after a pause,
"that someone wants to know. We've never really had anyone to talk to. It was always just the two of us."
"Well,"
Dohyun grinned,
"you've got us now."
Taejin added with a small smirk,
"And I hear we're pretty fun to talk to."
Yuhyun chuckled—genuinely—and nodded.
"I could use a bit of fun."
[Inside the palace chamber. Late evening. Soft candlelight flickers.]
Sihyun stirred slowly beneath the covers, eyelids fluttering open. The ceiling came into focus. His body ached, his chest heavy. Breathing was still difficult, but at least he was breathing.
He could hear faint voices beyond the closed doors. Yuhyun... Dohyun... Taejin.
He smiled faintly, too tired to speak, but not too tired to listen.
Before he could focus too long on their conversation, movement drew his attention.
Muwon sat near the bedside, eyes watching every breath he took. When he noticed Sihyun's gaze shift slightly, he leaned forward quickly.
"You're awake."
Sihyun blinked slowly.
"I guess… so."
Muwon reached out, careful and slow, to help him sit upright. Pillows were adjusted behind his back, and he was cradled gently in warmth.
"Are you okay? Does anything hurt?"
Sihyun didn't answer right away. His hand curled lightly over the blanket.
Sihyun whisper
"So that's… how dying feels like…"
Muwon tried to smile, to lighten the mood just a little.
Muwon tease gently
"Was it scary?"
Sihyun finally turned his face toward him, hair sticking slightly to his cheek. For once, there was no sarcasm. No fire.
Sihyun answer softly
"It was. It really was… the first time I was scared of dying."
A silence fell.
Then, Muwon slowly reached out and held his hand. His warmth grounding.
"It's over now. You're safe, Sihyun."
Sihyun nodded slowly… but his mind shifted. Memories of what he said under the truth serum flickered in pieces.
The dream. The kingdom in flames.
Calling himself "King Sihyun."
And worse… the words he never meant anyone to hear.
His eyes widened slightly.
Sihyun immediately ask in a panicked whisper
"…What did I say…?"
Muwon was quiet for a second—his thumb brushing softly against Sihyun's knuckles.
Muwon said quietly
"You spoke truths… things no one expected… especially me."
Sihyun's chest tightened.
Sihyun mutter
"You heard it, didn't you…"
Muwon met his eyes. No mockery. No anger.
Muwon answer gently
"I did."
Sihyun turned his head away, ashamed.
"I didn't mean to say it. I didn't want you to hear it like that."
"But I'm glad I did."
Sihyun looked at him again, eyes uncertain, confused. Muwon simply smiled—tired, gentle, honest.
"Because now I know… I'm not alone in this."
Sihyun was too ashamed to look at Muwon, his eyes fixed anywhere but at the prince's face. His heart raced, the embarrassment from earlier still clawing at his chest. Muwon watched him quietly, then gently said,
"Sihyun... look at me."
Sihyun tightened his jaw, refusing.
"No."
"Sihyun,"
Muwon repeated, this time softer but firm.
Sihyun finally turned with a frustrated glare, snapping,
"What?"
But Muwon only smiled, a rare softness lighting up his eyes.
"I missed you… and your stubbornness."
Sihyun's frown deepened.
"Tch. I'll kill you."
"I'd be glad to die by your hands,"
Muwon replied without hesitation.
Sihyun's lips parted slightly, caught off guard. He didn't know how to respond to that.
Then, Muwon leaned a little closer and said,
"But before you do, say it again. This time, no truth serum… say it to my face. That you love me. And call my name while saying it."
Sihyun blinked—his whole body stunned. His mouth opened slightly, but nothing came out. His cheeks slowly burned red.
Just outside the room, Dohyun whispered with a grin,
"Ohhh… this is getting good."
Taejin elbowed him lightly.
"I'm not breathing until he says it."
Back in the room, Sihyun was frozen, staring at Muwon, words caught in his throat.
Muwon tilted his head.
"I'm waiting."
Outside the room, the tension was thick—but not from worry anymore. Dohyun and Taejin were practically pressed against the wall, ears sharpened like eager foxes.
Yuhyun folded his arms with a small chuckle.
"He'd rather die than say it to the prince's face."
Dohyun turned to him with a raised brow.
"You sure about that?"
"He's too stubborn,"
Yuhyun smirked.
"He won't admit to anything unless you wring it out of him."
Taejin grinned, nudging Dohyun.
"Wanna bet on that?"
Yuhyun raised a brow.
"Bet on what?"
Dohyun leaned forward dramatically, whispering like it was a national secret.
"That your brother says it. With the prince's name. Out loud."
Yuhyun snorted.
"He won't."