CHAPTER 21
Private Courtyard
The soft rustle of leaves danced in the wind as Muwon stepped into the secluded courtyard where Lee Dohyun and Jang Taejin were lounging beneath the shade of a cherry blossom tree. A small jug of chilled rice wine sat between them, mostly untouched.
"Muwon?"
Dohyun sat up at once.
"You look like you swallowed a blade. What happened?"
Muwon let out a breath and slowly sat down across from them, fingers threading through his hair in frustration.
"I'm leaving at dawn. With my father. To the woods. For two days."
Taejin raised a brow.
"That sounds... oddly wholesome?"
"It's not,"
Muwon muttered.
"It's a trap disguised as father-son bonding. The elders proposed it. He agreed without hesitation."
Dohyun leaned forward.
"Does Sihyun know?"
Muwon looked away.
"No. And that's the problem."
"Ah…"
Taejin's voice softened.
"You think he'll snap."
"I don't think, Taejin. I know he will. You know how he is when he's left in the dark. He's still adjusting—still feeling cornered. And Taeyang will definitely question the timing. I don't even know how to begin explaining."
Dohyun gave him a lopsided grin and nudged his knee.
"Tell him the truth. That it wasn't your idea, and you didn't get a say. If anyone knows what it's like to be pulled into things without consent, it's Sihyun."
Muwon didn't reply.
Taejin added, more gently,
"And it's not like you're abandoning him. This is royal duty. For the sake of the kingdom. Sihyun's smart—fiery, sure—but he's not unreasonable."
Muwon's shoulders eased slightly, but doubt still lingered in his eyes.
Dohyun flashed a mischievous smile.
"Besides, worst-case scenario? He sets fire to something small, and Taeyang lectures him into submission."
That finally earned a reluctant laugh from Muwon.
Taejin chuckled too.
"There we go. That's the sound of a prince breathing again."
Dohyun leaned back, eyes narrowing playfully.
"Go. Talk to him. Tell him before someone else does. He might get angry, but he deserves to hear it from you."
Muwon nodded slowly, his chest a little lighter.
"…You're right. I'll talk to him now."
The candlelight flickered gently in the quiet room. Outside the window, the wind whispered through the trees. Inside, Sihyun sat at the edge of the bed, pulling the blanket up to Taeyang's chin. The boy blinked sleepily, his tiny fingers curled around the edge of the blanket.
Just as Sihyun reached to blow out the candle, Taeyang's small voice broke the silence.
"Dada…"
Sihyun paused, glancing down at him.
"…Is it true? What people are saying in the palace?"
Sihyun stiffened just slightly before schooling his expression.
"What did you hear?"
Taeyang's lips pressed together, eyes wide and uncertain.
"That… the gods are angry. And the kingdom is in danger 'cause of the shaman's words. That… maybe Dada's the chaos."
Sihyun exhaled quietly and gently brushed hair away from Taeyang's forehead.
"They're just rumors, my star,"
he said softly.
"And you know how rumors are—like leaves in the wind. Flying around with no root. Don't let them trouble you."
Taeyang stared at him seriously.
"Even if the rumors are true… I'm not scared."
Sihyun blinked, caught off guard.
"You're not?"
Taeyang shook his head.
"Because I got Dada."
He gave a toothy, proud smile.
"Dada's gonna protect the kingdom like last time. And this time, I got Dada. I'll be there for you. And Papa too. And—"
He sat up slightly and started counting on his fingers.
"Uncle Dohyun… Uncle Taejin… Uncle Yuhyun… Aunty Jinmi… Chef Halmoni… the flower gardener lady… the grumpy guard with no eyebrows…"
Sihyun chuckled, heart swelling as he watched Taeyang go on, naming everyone like they were warriors in his own little army.
"…And the nice shaman who gave me sweets… and the palace cat that follows me…"
His voice got softer and slower with each name, eyes blinking heavier.
Sihyun leaned closer and kissed his forehead.
"That's a strong army, my star."
Taeyang gave a sleepy grin.
"That's 'cause we're gonna protect you too."
Sihyun didn't reply at first. He just watched Taeyang, a quiet ache softening his features. Then he whispered, almost to himself—
"…I'll protect you first. Even if the world doesn't."
Taeyang was just beginning to blink slower when the door creaked open softly. The faint scent of pine and cool air drifted in as Muwon stepped quietly inside.
"Papa…"
Taeyang whispered, his face lighting up.
Muwon's smile was warm, though tired, as he made his way to the bed and sat beside them.
"Still awake, little star?"
"I was waiting for you,"
Taeyang said sleepily, reaching a hand up.
Muwon gently smoothed Taeyang's hair.
"Did you have a good day?"
Taeyang nodded.
"Dada said the rumors are just wind. And I counted all the people who will protect him. I even included the palace cat."
Muwon chuckled quietly.
"Then he must be safe."
Sihyun watched the two silently. His eyes never left Muwon's face. He could already sense something. Something heavy… something off.
Muwon's hand slowed slightly in Taeyang's hair, his gaze meeting Sihyun's briefly. Then he looked back at their son.
"There's something I need to tell you,"
he said gently, voice dropping to a softer tone.
Sihyun sat straighter.
Muwon exhaled.
"Tomorrow… I'll be leaving for a short journey. With the king."
Sihyun's expression shifted instantly—eyes darkening, jaw tightening—but he said nothing yet.
Taeyang blinked.
"You're leaving?"
Muwon nodded.
"Just for two days."
Taeyang turned to Sihyun quickly.
"Then Dada and I will come too, right?"
Muwon hesitated.
"No, my star… not this time."
Taeyang's face fell, a pout forming.
"Why not…?"
"Because it's a special journey,"
Muwon said carefully.
"Something important. The king wants to teach me things I need to know to protect the kingdom… and both of you."
Taeyang's lower lip wobbled.
"But… you'll come back?"
Muwon smiled softly and touched his cheek.
"Of course. I always come back."
"When are you leaving…?"
Muwon paused.
"At dawn."
And that's when Sihyun finally spoke, his voice calm but cutting.
"…At dawn?"
Muwon looked up.
"That's too sudden,"
Sihyun said, expression unreadable.
"And you were just going to drop it like that and leave?"
"Sihyun—"
"You were just going to let him fall asleep thinking everything's fine, only to be gone before he even wakes up?"
"I didn't plan it this way,"
Muwon said, his voice firm but low, glancing briefly at Taeyang.
"Please. Not in front of him."
Sihyun's fingers curled over the edge of the bed, his tone rising slightly.
"You should've told me earlier. You should've told us earlier—"
"Dada…"
Taeyang looked between them, confused, suddenly anxious.
Muwon raised a hand.
"That's enough for now."
His voice was quiet, but firm.
"We'll talk. After."
Sihyun's lips parted like he wanted to say more… but the presence of Taeyang restrained him. He swallowed down whatever sharp words were burning to escape, forcing himself to breathe.
He turned his eyes away.
Muwon's gaze lingered on him a moment, but said nothing more—just reached to pull the blanket a little higher over Taeyang, who looked smaller than ever between the two of them.
After tucking Taeyang in and whispering soft goodnights, both Sihyun and Muwon gently stepped out, quietly closing the door behind them.
The hallway was dimly lit by lanterns, casting a soft golden glow on the polished floors. They walked in silence, the weight of unspoken words growing heavier with each step.
The moment they entered their shared chamber and the door clicked shut—
"No,"
Sihyun said sharply, turning to face Muwon.
Muwon blinked, pausing.
"Sihyun—"
"No. You're not going."
"Sihyun, please—"
"I don't care what the king said,"
he snapped.
"This is too sudden. What if something happens out there? What if you're ambushed? Or bitten by a snake? Or fall off your damn horse and get seriously injured—"
"I'll be fine,"
Muwon cut in gently.
"I have the pendant you gave me."
"That's not the point!"
Sihyun snapped, his voice cracking slightly.
"I don't care about the stupid pendant. You think that gives me peace?"
Muwon stepped forward, trying to reach for him, but Sihyun backed away.
"If it's the king—fine, I'll talk to him,"
Sihyun continued.
"If it's those elders trying to mess with you, just say it. Tell me. That won't be a problem either."
Muwon's gaze hardened slightly.
"Sihyun, don't. Don't even think about doing what I know you're thinking."
Sihyun's jaw tightened.
"I'm not thinking anything."
Muwon stepped closer, softer now.
"You're already planning to threaten someone or break rules, aren't you?"
"I just don't like this. I don't trust this,"
Sihyun bit out.
"You think I'm being unreasonable, but something's off about this whole thing. I feel it."
"I know,"
Muwon said, voice calm,
"But if I don't go, the king will suspect something. So will the elders. And they'll turn that suspicion on you."
Sihyun's lip trembled, and he turned his back on him.
"I don't like this one bit,"
he said in a low voice, moving toward the bed.
"Sihyun—"
But Sihyun had already slipped under the covers, facing the wall, his shoulders slightly hunched. Trying—failing—not to show the turmoil churning inside him.
Muwon stood there for a long moment, watching the man he loved curl into himself like a quiet storm just waiting to break.