CHAPTER 48
A sharp, loud crack echoed through the room.
Sihyun froze, staring at Yuhyun with wide, stunned eyes, one hand slowly rising to touch his stinging cheek.
Breathing hard, Yuhyun immediately realized what he'd done.
"I— I'm sorry, Sihyun!"
he gasped, reaching out, guilt flooding him.
"I didn't mean to—!"
But Sihyun broke first.
He let out a choked sob and crumpled into Yuhyun's arms, crying brokenly against his chest.
Yuhyun hugged him tightly, patting his back over and over, murmuring soft apologies and comfort, his own heart breaking at the sight of his brother hurting so much.
Sihyun's sobs slowly weakened, growing quieter, until they faded into soft sniffles.
Yuhyun kept holding him tightly, rocking him a little like when they were children, letting him take all the time he needed.
After a long silence, Sihyun finally pulled away, wiping his red eyes roughly with the sleeve of his robe.
His voice was hoarse and small when he mumbled,
"...I'm sorry."
Yuhyun shook his head immediately.
"No... I'm the one who should apologize,"
he said gently.
"I shouldn't have hit you. I just... I couldn't stand hearing you call Mom a fool."
Sihyun lowered his gaze, feeling ashamed but still too raw to argue.
Yuhyun carefully took Sihyun's hand into his own.
"You're not Mom,"
Yuhyun said, softer now,
"but you're still her son. She loved with everything she had... even when it hurt. That's not foolish, Sihyun. That's brave."
Sihyun didn't reply, but his fingers tightened slightly around Yuhyun's.
"And you're brave too,"
Yuhyun went on, smiling a little.
"You're just scared. And that's okay. But... if you keep pushing everyone away, you'll end up even more alone. And I know you don't want that."
Sihyun closed his eyes tightly, breathing out a shaky breath.
"I don't know how to trust,"
he whispered.
"I don't know how to... be loved without being hurt."
Yuhyun squeezed his hand.
"Then let's figure it out together. You're not alone, Sihyun. You have me. You always have."
Sihyun finally nodded, a small, broken sound escaping him.
And this time, when Yuhyun pulled him into another hug, Sihyun didn't resist.
The room was dim, the only light coming from the moon shining through the windows.
Sihyun sat quietly on the bed, his sleeves crumpled from wiping away his tears. Yuhyun still sat beside him, holding his hand gently, when the door creaked open.
They both looked up to see Muwon standing there.
Yuhyun gave a small smile and whispered,
"I'll leave you two to talk."
He stood, giving Sihyun's hand a last reassuring squeeze before quietly slipping out, leaving the two of them alone.
The silence that followed was heavy. Sihyun shifted uncomfortably, unable to meet Muwon's eyes at first. His heart pounded against his ribs, still raw from crying, still confused about everything swirling inside him.
"I..."
Sihyun bit his lip and bowed his head slightly.
"I'm sorry, Your Highness,"
he said, his voice trembling.
Muwon shook his head slowly, stepping closer but careful not to crowd him. His voice was low and tender.
"You don't have to apologize, Sihyun. I just... don't want you to keep pushing me away."
Sihyun finally looked up at him, the vulnerability in his black eyes almost painful to see. Muwon leaned down slowly, instinctively, drawn to him like a moth to flame.
Sihyun's heart skipped a beat, breath catching in his throat as Muwon hovered just inches from him.
For a moment, it felt like time froze.
But then, Muwon hesitated, realizing Sihyun might not be ready — he stopped himself just before their lips could touch.
Yet before he could pull back, Sihyun suddenly moved.
With a small, almost desperate sound, Sihyun grabbed onto Muwon's robe and pulled him close, pressing their lips together in a trembling, messy kiss.
Muwon's eyes widened in shock, but only for a heartbeat — then he kissed Sihyun back just as gently, cradling the back of Sihyun's head as if he were something precious, something he dared not break.
The kiss wasn't perfect — it was awkward, emotional, unsteady — but it was real.
And for the first time, Sihyun allowed himself to be held, to be wanted without fear.
The kiss ended too soon, and Sihyun gasped for air, his chest rising and falling quickly as reality crashed down around him.
His eyes widened in panic, heart thudding like a war drum.
"I–I shouldn't have..."
he stammered, pulling back slightly, his hands trembling where they clutched Muwon's robe.
Muwon, calm and steady, caught Sihyun's hands and gently pressed them against his chest, over his heart. His voice was low, deep, reassuring.
"Sihyun... it's alright,"
he whispered, leaning his forehead against Sihyun's.
"You don't have to be afraid of this... of me."
Sihyun could barely breathe, overwhelmed by the emotions flooding him — anger, fear, longing, confusion — but most dangerous of all, desire.
Muwon slowly slipped off his royal robe, letting it fall to the floor soundlessly, revealing his strong, lean body beneath.
Sihyun stared, frozen, his mouth slightly open in shock, his face flushing with heat.
He wanted to say something — to stop it maybe — but the words wouldn't come out.
His body refused to move away.
Muwon smiled faintly at Sihyun's stunned expression, moving even closer.
With infinite care, he cupped Sihyun's cheek, his thumb tracing soft circles along his skin.
"Sihyun..."
He murmured his name like a prayer, his lips grazing against Sihyun's jawline.
Sihyun shivered as Muwon's mouth brushed down to his neck, placing slow, lingering kisses there.
His skin burned where Muwon's lips touched, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.
Sihyun gripped the sheets beneath him tightly, the tension inside him snapping.
Without warning, a soft golden-red glow bloomed across his body — his demon tattoos shimmering faintly like molten lines across his skin, reacting to the magic pulling between him and Muwon.
His black eyes gleamed with an eerie, beautiful red-gold glow, giving him an almost otherworldly beauty.