CHAPTER 32
The chamber felt colder after the elders left, their presence replaced by a heavy, uneasy silence. Muwon stood motionless for a moment, the sound of rain outside seeping into the room like a quiet lament.
The door opened softly. Yuhyun, Dohyun, and Taejin stepped in, each bowing slightly before approaching.
"Our deepest condolences, Your Highness,"
Dohyun said quietly.
"We share in your grief."
Taejin nodded, his voice steady but respectful.
"The king's passing is a loss to the entire kingdom… and to you most of all."
Muwon gave a small nod, his eyes heavy. He looked at Yuhyun for a long moment before speaking, his voice low.
"Yuhyun… be honest with me. Do you think Sihyun killed the king?"
The room went still. Dohyun and Taejin exchanged glances but said nothing. Yuhyun stepped forward, his gaze unwavering.
"I… don't want to speak as Sihyun's brother or as your ally,"
Yuhyun began, his tone gentle yet firm.
"But I know Sihyun. I have been with him since the day we were born. No matter what he's become, no matter how much he changes… he would never try to kill the king."
Muwon's lips parted slightly, but no words came. Yuhyun's voice softened, but his conviction did not falter.
"Please, Your Highness… don't lose your trust in him. I haven't lost mine, and I never will. No matter what anyone says, Sihyun is still my brother, and I will always believe in him."
Silence lingered between them, the patter of rain filling the space. Dohyun and Taejin stood quietly, their eyes shifting between the two men.
Finally, Muwon let out a slow sigh, the weight of uncertainty pressing against his chest.
"…I need to see Sihyun,"
he said at last, his voice steady, though his heart felt anything but.
The door to Sihyun's chamber creaked open. Muwon stepped inside, the faint scent of damp stone and rain hanging in the air.
Sihyun stood by the window, one hand resting on the sill, his gaze fixed outside where the drizzle painted the courtyard in silver ripples. The soft patter of rain was the only sound between them.
"How are you feeling?"
Muwon finally asked, his voice breaking the quiet.
Sihyun didn't turn to him.
"The weather's calmer today… not like yesterday,"
he murmured, his tone almost absent.
"It's the kind of rain that lingers, like it doesn't know if it should stay or leave."
Muwon's shoulders tensed. He let out a faint sigh.
"…Have you heard?"
Sihyun gave no answer, his eyes still on the rain.
"The king is dead,"
Muwon said, each word heavy, deliberate.
This time, Sihyun turned. For a fleeting moment, something unguarded passed across his face—an odd mix of quiet satisfaction and an almost reluctant sympathy. Slowly, he stepped closer, his eyes never leaving Muwon.
"I thought it was just rumors,"
he said lightly.
"But I can't say I'm surprised."
Muwon's gaze sharpened, studying every nuance in his expression.
Sihyun stopped before him, his fingers reaching out to adjust the fold of Muwon's robe with a casual intimacy.
"I'm sorry for your loss,"
he said softly.
"But the king is gone… and now, it's time for you to take the throne. That… will come in handy for me."
Muwon's brows knit together, a flicker of suspicion darkening his eyes.
"What do you mean by that, Sihyun?"
Muwon's question hung between them like a blade.
Sihyun's lips curved into a faint, almost mocking smile.
"I mean,"
he said slowly,
"I get the permission… to wipe them off the face of the earth."
Muwon's gaze hardened, his tone sharpening.
"Sihyun… who are you killing this time?"
Sihyun's eyes flicked away, his voice dropping low.
"…No one."
A weary sigh escaped Muwon.
"Everyone's already suspecting you're responsible for the king's death."
At that, Sihyun looked back at him, his dark eyes unreadable.
"Do you think I'm surprise by that too?"
he asked softly, almost tauntingly.
Muwon's silence was answer enough.
Sihyun let out a quiet chuckle, though there was no real humor in it.
"I already know they're pointing fingers at me. After all…"
His gaze turned cold.
"…I'm the only Demon Sorcerer left."
He took a slow step closer, his voice quiet but piercing.
"And I know you suspect me too, Muwon."
"Sihyun…"
Sihyun's name slipped from his lips in a soft tone, almost gentle—almost as if he could hide the flicker of doubt in his heart.
Sihyun, however, only gave a dramatic fake yawn.
"I'm tired,"
he murmured, voice light but edged with something unreadable.
"I need to rest and recover soon."
He reached out, curling his fingers around Muwon's robe and pulling him closer until they stood face-to-face.
"Become king as soon as possible,"
he said quietly, and before Muwon could react, Sihyun leaned in to press a brief, soft peck against his lips.
He turned away, heading toward the bed—but before he could take more than a step, a small, distressed voice echoed from outside.
"Papa! Dada!"
Sihyun froze, eyes widening, and in the next instant he moved to rush toward the sound. But Muwon's hand shot out, pulling him back into a tight embrace.
"Don't,"
Muwon murmured, holding him as if he could keep the entire world away. His arms were firm, almost desperate. He buried his face against Sihyun's shoulder and whispered,
"I missed you…"
Sihyun stilled, the sound of Taeyang's cries fading into an eerie silence.
He stayed in Muwon's arms for a long moment, unmoving, listening. But something felt wrong—too wrong. With sudden force, he shoved Muwon aside and ran to the door, yanking it open.
Only the guards stood there, silent and still. The corridor was empty.
"…Taeyang?"
he whispered into the hall, his voice almost breaking.
Muwon stepped up beside him, his expression unreadable.
"What's wrong?"
Sihyun turned to him, tense.
"Taeyang was just here… he was crying, calling out to us. I have to go after him."
"You're hallucinating,"
Muwon said firmly.
"You really do need to rest."
Sihyun's brows furrowed, his gaze sharp with disbelief. But he didn't argue. Not now.
"Papa! Dada!"
Taeyang's small voice cracked between sobs as Hayeon carried him down the quiet corridor, her steps quick but gentle.
"I know, little one… shh,"
she murmured, shifting him in her arms as she pushed open the door to his room. His face was flushed from crying, little fists clenched in her robe as if he could pull his way back to whoever he was calling for.
Hayeon set him on the bed, smoothing down his hair.
"Your Highness, you need to rest,"
she coaxed softly, tucking the blanket over him. But Taeyang shook his head, tears spilling fresh.
"I want Papa… I want Dada…"
His voice broke again, the words coming out in hiccupping breaths.
Her chest ached at the sight. She climbed onto the edge of the bed, pulling him into her arms.
"Hush… I'm here,"
she whispered, rocking him slightly. She petted his hair, humming faintly, her heart heavy as his crying slowly weakened.
Minutes passed before his breathing evened out and his tiny hand slackened against her sleeve. Taeyang had fallen asleep, his cheeks still damp.
The door slid open.
Hayeon's eyes widened, and she quickly rose from the bed, bowing low.
"Your Highness—"
Muwon stepped inside, his gaze shifting to the sleeping child before settling coldly on her.
"I… I didn't realize when he slipped out,"
Hayeon said quickly, her voice trembling.
"He ran toward the crown prince and Lord Sihyun, calling for them. I—It was my mistake. I deeply apologize."
Her head remained lowered, unable to meet his eyes.
Muwon's tone was ice.
"See that it is your last mistake."
"Yes, Your Highness,"
she murmured, bowing lower.
"Keep a close watch on him,"
Muwon added, his voice tightening.
"I don't want him running into Sihyun. At all costs."
"I understand,"
she said quickly.
"It won't happen again."
Muwon lingered, his gaze softening only when it fell on Taeyang's sleeping form. For a moment, his expression seemed almost unreadable—then, without another word, he turned and left the room, the door sliding shut behind him.