CHAPTER 37
Morning sunlight streamed faintly through the lattice, painting soft gold across the chamber. Sihyun stood silently by the window, his hands resting against the sill, eyes distant as though searching for something far beyond the palace walls. His robe was neat, his hair tied back, his wounds already gone without a trace.
The door creaked open.
Yuhyun stepped in carefully, balancing a tray of steaming food. His gaze immediately fell on his twin—straight posture, calm face, yet something felt fragile in the air. His eyes narrowed further when he noticed: the sorcerer's chain was not on him.
"…Sihyun,"
Yuhyun said quietly, setting the tray on the table.
"Are you doing better now? I… brought food for you."
For a long moment, there was no response. Then, slowly, Sihyun turned his head. His black eyes glistened, and Yuhyun's breath caught.
Tears were sliding down his brother's face—silent, unrestrained, as though they had been waiting for too long to fall.
"Sihyun…"
His voice cracked, but before he could say more, Sihyun spoke—his own voice trembling, breaking with weight he never allowed anyone to hear.
"Yuhyun… help me."
The plea shattered Yuhyun's heart. He didn't think, didn't breathe—he just rushed forward and pulled his brother into his arms. Sihyun stiffened at first, pride warring with despair, but Yuhyun held him tighter, fiercely, as if shielding him from the entire world.
"I'm here,"
Yuhyun whispered against his shoulder, his own throat tightening with unshed tears.
"I'm here for you, always. You're not alone, tell me what you need."
Sihyun's hands clenched weakly in the fabric of Yuhyun's clothes, the sobs he tried to swallow finally breaking through. The twins stood together by the window, one trembling, the other holding on as if he could take all that pain into himself.
Sihyun's body shook as he clutched onto him, words tumbling out between sobs.
"I need to see Taeyang. Please… you have to help me see him. What if—what if he already hates me? What if he hates me for what I did to him… to Muwon?"
His voice cracked, raw and pleading.
"I can't bear it, Yuhyun. I can't bear to see him hate me. I don't know what I'll do if he does—"
Yuhyun's chest ached as he held his brother tighter, understanding too well the storm tearing him apart. Sihyun—who was feared, chained, cursed—was breaking not because of pain inflicted on himself, but because of the thought of losing the little boy who called him "Dada."
"Sihyun, listen to me,"
Yuhyun whispered fiercely.
"Taeyang doesn't hate you. He doesn't. But now… now isn't the time. He's still frightened after what happened. If he sees you too soon, his fear might return—not because he hates you, but because he's still healing."
The words struck like a blade. Sihyun immediately pulled back from the embrace, staring into Yuhyun's eyes with wild desperation.
"Then… then that means he does hate me."
His voice cracked into a broken cry.
"He hates me already!"
Tears poured again, his composure shattering, his whole body trembling as though it might collapse under the weight of those words.
"No—Sihyun, no."
Yuhyun pulled him back into his arms, hugging him tightly, refusing to let go. His own throat burned with unshed tears as he whispered against his brother's shaking shoulders.
"Don't think that way. Taeyang loves you—he always will. Don't let the mark twist your heart like this. Please, Sihyun… don't."
Yuhyun held him tighter, terrified. He could feel it—the 20th mark gnawing at Sihyun's mind, feeding his despair, driving him toward dangerous edges. If Sihyun truly believed Taeyang hated him… Yuhyun knew what his brother might do next. And that thought scared him more than anything.
The door opened suddenly, and both twins turned their heads. Standing at the threshold were Dohyun and Taejin, who had been looking for Yuhyun but instead stumbled upon the brothers' moment. Their expressions shifted when they noticed the redness around Sihyun's eyes, the lingering trail of tears he hadn't managed to wipe away in time.
Sihyun quickly pulled away from Yuhyun, swiping at his cheeks with the back of his sleeve. But it was too late—both Dohyun and Taejin had seen.
"...Are you alright, Sihyun?"
Taejin asked carefully, stepping inside with concern.
Sihyun averted his gaze, hesitating. His chest rose and fell unevenly, as if the words caught in his throat were too heavy to push out. At last, he turned back to them, voice trembling.
"Dohyun… Taejin…"
he called softly, then with sudden desperation blurted,
"I… I want to see Taeyang."
Both men froze, eyes widening at the unexpected plea. The request carried so much weight—raw, childlike fear of rejection—that neither knew what to say at first.
Sihyun stepped forward, hands shaking as he pleaded, his voice breaking,
"Please… I have to apologize to him. What if he already hates me? I can't… I can't bear it if Taeyang hates me."
His tears returned, spilling fast and unchecked as his breath hitched.
Dohyun and Taejin exchanged a glance, their silent conversation clear: Sihyun has already begged Yuhyun. He won't stop until someone helps him.
Yuhyun's lips pressed into a thin line, uncertainty written all over his face. Before he could respond, Dohyun spoke up, tone gentle but decisive.
"Alright… we'll help you,"
he said, stepping closer.
"We'll help you see Taeyang."
Sihyun's eyes widened in disbelief before lighting up with uncontained relief. He almost stumbled forward, gratitude pouring out.
"Thank you… thank you both!"
His smile was shaky, but it shone through the tears.
Then he turned immediately to Yuhyun, searching his brother's face, silently begging for approval.
Yuhyun's heart ached at the sight, but he forced a small, reassuring smile and gave a nod.
"Yes, Sihyun,"
he said softly.
Sihyun beamed and threw his arms around Yuhyun in a tight, trembling hug.
"Thank you… thank you, hyung…"
But Yuhyun, holding him close, whispered firmly into his ear,
"Promise me… you won't do anything that will make Taeyang scared again."
Sihyun froze, then nodded quickly, whispering back with conviction,
"I promise."
Yuhyun finally eased, releasing him.
"Good… but first—"
he gestured to the tray on the table,
"—you need to eat."
For once, Sihyun didn't argue. He wiped his face again, cheeks still wet but calmer now, and obediently sat down at the table.
"I will,"
he said softly, picking up the food. His shoulders trembled with quiet relief, excitement glimmering in his dark eyes for the first time in so long.
"I'll eat… then I can see Taeyang."
And as he ate, his movements carried both urgency and hope, like a man clinging to the only lifeline left to him.
The morning sun cast soft light across the study arena, an open courtyard filled with scrolls and wooden benches. Muwon sat beside Taeyang, patiently guiding him through his studies. Taeyang bent over his scroll, tongue peeking out as he carefully practiced his writing strokes.
"Good,"
Muwon murmured, brushing his son's hair back.
"Take your time."
Before Taeyang could beam with pride, a cheerful voice rang out.
"Uncle Dohyun! Uncle Taejin!"
Taeyang waved happily as the two young nobles approached.
Dohyun grinned, crouching slightly.
"Our scholar looks very focused today."
Taeyang puffed his chest proudly.
"Papa says I'm doing better!"
The two men exchanged a quick glance before Taejin cleared his throat.
"Muwon, may we speak with you?"
Muwon studied them both, his hand lingering on Taeyang's head.
"Keep working on that line, Taeyang. I'll be back shortly."
"Yes, Papa!"
Taeyang chirped, immediately diving back into his writing.
The three men walked a few steps away, far enough for Taeyang not to hear. Muwon's sharp eyes fixed on them.
"What is it?"
For a moment, silence hung heavy. Dohyun shifted uneasily, then Taejin finally spoke.
"…Sihyun wants to see Taeyang."
Muwon's expression hardened instantly, his voice cutting like steel.
"What?"
Both Dohyun and Taejin held his gaze, but the weight of Muwon's glare pressed down on them.