CHAPTER 48
After Sihyun released the guard, silence hung in the air like a blade. Muwon let out a slow sigh, his expression unreadable.
"I'll do it myself."
The words were calm but carried a finality that silenced even Yuhyun.
Muwon strode forward, his robes brushing against the floor as he came down to Sihyun's level. He bent over, taking the cold chains into his own hands. One by one, he clasped them around Sihyun's legs and wrists, his movements steady, deliberate, as though binding Sihyun with his own authority rather than leaving it to anyone else.
But as the last shackle clicked into place, a soft sound broke the stillness—laughter. Low at first, then growing, unstable, echoing through the chamber like a warning of madness.
Muwon's eyes lifted, narrowing.
"What's so funny to you?"
Still kneeling, Sihyun tilted his head, a faint smirk curving his cracked lips. His eyes burned with that unpredictable gleam.
"It's nothing…"
Then, suddenly, his hand rose. Cold fingers pressed against Muwon's face, caressing his cheek as though the chains didn't exist.
"I missed you."
The words were soft, tender even, but twisted with something darker beneath.
For just a heartbeat, Muwon's composure faltered. His heart gave a sharp, traitorous thud in his chest. He quickly steeled himself, wrapping his fingers firmly around Sihyun's hand—removing it from his face, but not harshly. Instead, he held it within his own, the gesture controlled, deliberate.
His voice was calm, almost too calm.
"There's someone I want you to meet."
At once, Sihyun's eyes lit up, hope flickering across his face for the first time in days.
"Is it… Taeyang?"
Muwon's grip tightened ever so slightly. His gaze hardened, and he shook his head.
"No."
Sihyun's faint smile of hope shattered the moment Woljin stepped into the chamber. The old man's presence was heavy, ancient, his steps slow but sure.
Sihyun's gaze followed him upward, his expression darkening. His voice, cracked but sharp, cut the silence.
"…Who's this old geezer?"
Still crouched before him, Muwon kept his grip firm on Sihyun's chained hand. His tone was even, deliberate.
"This is Woljin. The man who's going to help you."
Woljin gave a respectful bow, his long sleeves falling forward.
"It is a pleasure to finally meet you… demon sorcerer."
Sihyun let out a quiet, bitter chuckle, the sound low and dangerous.
Muwon expression was cold, unshaken.
"You'll be leaving the palace with him. Somewhere far from here, away from humans. A quiet place where he will guide you."
At once, Sihyun's head snapped toward him. His face twisted—confusion, anger, fear all colliding.
"What are you saying? I don't need him. I'm fine—can't you see? I'm better now."
Muwon met his eyes, calm as stone.
"You have to go with Woljin."
"No!"
Sihyun's voice broke, chains rattling as he lurched forward. His tone shifted to pleading, desperate.
"How can you trust him? You don't even know him! What if he's trying to kill me, huh? What if he's just another one of your people's traps?"
His eyes brimmed with defiance and desperation.
He clutched at Muwon's robe with trembling hands, lowering his voice, almost begging.
"Don't let me go with that old geezer… Please."
Muwon's expression softened despite himself as he met Sihyun's pleading gaze. For the first time in hours, Sihyun's voice wasn't sharp or mocking—it was raw, desperate.
Sihyun turned his face toward Yuhyun, hope flickering in his dim eyes.
"Yuhyun… you don't agree with this, do you? Tell him. Tell him I don't need to go."
But Yuhyun looked away, his lips pressed into a trembling line. He couldn't bring himself to meet his brother's eyes. The silence between them was louder than words, and Sihyun's heart sank.
Then Woljin's calm, aged voice cut through.
"This is for your own good, Lord Sihyun. The 20th mark consumes all who resist. Without guidance, you will lose yourself entirely."
Sihyun bit down hard on his lower lip until it bled, trembling with rage. Suddenly, he snapped, his voice roaring through the chamber.
"Shut up, old man! I'll end your life where you stand!"
"Sihyun!"
Muwon's voice cracked sharp like a whip, but Woljin didn't flinch. The old man only folded his hands calmly.
"It is fine,"
Woljin said evenly, his tone almost dismissive.
"I have heard worse. Every demon sorcerer has told me such before realizing the truth."
Breathing heavily, Sihyun whipped his head back toward Muwon. His eyes shimmered with desperation.
"What about Taeyang? Huh? What about him? He'll be sad, he'll be lonely if he wakes up and finds me gone! He won't understand—he won't like it!"
For a moment, Muwon's mask cracked. His lips curved into a bitter smile as he lowered his eyes.
"…That's why you need to go and come back quickly. Because Taeyang… and I… will be waiting for you."
Sihyun's hands shook as he tugged weakly against the chains, tears brimming but refusing to fall.
"No… No, Muwon, please."
His voice broke, softer now, pleading like a child.
"I don't want to leave. Even if you lock me in chains, even if you throw me in the dungeon… I'll take it. I'll take anything, just—don't make me go with him."
The chamber fell into silence, the weight of his words pressing heavy in the air.
Muwon's jaw tightened. He forced his eyes to harden, to ignore the brokenness in front of him.
"Tomorrow at dawn,"
he said coldly,
"you and Woljin will leave."
The words were a blade, and the moment they sank in, Sihyun's heart shattered. His lips trembled before the sobs tore out of him.
"No… No, you can't—don't make me go, Muwon! Please!"
Tears streamed down his face as he shook violently, the chains clattering against stone.
"Don't send me away!"
Muwon gently removed Sihyun's trembling hand from his own, pressing it back down against the floor. His heart throbbed, but his face stayed cold. Without another word, he rose to his feet.
Sihyun's cries pierced the chamber.
"Muwon! Don't—don't go! Don't leave me here alone!"
His body strained, rattling the chains so hard his wrists bled, as if sheer will could pull him toward Muwon.
But Muwon never looked back. Step by step, he walked toward the doors.
Woljin followed after him calmly, his face unreadable.
Yuhyun lingered, torn apart inside. His brother's broken voice called out to him,
"Yuhyun… don't let him take me away. Please, don't let him—"
Sihyun shook his head desperately, eyes wide, drowning in tears.
Yuhyun's throat tightened, his nails digging into his palms. But he couldn't bring himself to move. He turned his gaze away, unable to face the weight of Sihyun's pleading eyes, and followed Muwon out.
The heavy doors slammed shut.
Alone in the darkness, Sihyun collapsed forward, his cries breaking into an agonized scream that echoed through the chamber. His wails clawed at the walls, raw and feral, as if his soul was being ripped away.
The chamber was silent, save for the faint rattle of chains. Sihyun sat slumped against the wall, his hair matted, his voice hoarse from hours of crying. His head hung low, his breathing shallow, until the heavy doors creaked open.
He lifted his gaze sluggishly. His dim black eyes widened just a little when he saw Muwon step inside, the moonlight spilling faintly behind him.
Muwon's face carried no mask this time—only raw guilt. Without hesitation, he crossed the room, knelt down, and pulled Sihyun into his arms. His embrace was tight, trembling, as though afraid Sihyun would vanish if he let go.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry…"
Muwon whispered brokenly against Sihyun's shoulder. His voice cracked, each word weighted with regret.
"I shouldn't have let it come to this."
Sihyun didn't speak at first. His body was stiff, then slowly eased into Muwon's warmth, his lips pressing together as if holding back more tears.
When Muwon finally pulled back, his hands still lingered on Sihyun's shoulders. Sihyun lifted his face, eyes glossy and weary. His voice came weak, fragile, trembling with desperate hope.
"Do you… really have to do this?"
Muwon froze, his throat tightening.
Sihyun's lips quivered as tears rolled down his cheeks.
"I promise… I'll be good from now on. I'll do everything you say. Please… I'll be good."
Muwon's chest ached, and before he could stop himself, his hand rose, cupping Sihyun's face. His thumb brushed away a tear. His voice softened, trembling with truth.
"You were always good."
Sihyun's eyes widened slightly, stunned by the words.
Muwon leaned in, his forehead nearly touching Sihyun's, his tone breaking as he confessed softly,
"I missed you too."
Sihyun stared at him, his tired black eyes shimmering with a fragile light, like a dying flame trying to burn one last time.