CHAPTER 88
His words weren't angry—more resigned than anything. But that made it worse.
Muwon's shoulders slumped slightly.
"I wanted it to be special. I didn't mean for it to spread like that. I just—"
"—Wanted to celebrate the curse mark disappearing,"
Sihyun finished for him.
The tension hung heavy. No one dared interrupt.
Still holding Sihyun's wrist, Muwon pulled him gently into another embrace, firmer this time, as if anchoring the moment before it unraveled.
"This isn't a celebration for the curse mark being gone,"
Muwon said softly, his voice just near Sihyun's ear.
"It's for something else."
Sihyun remained still in his arms.
He held Sihyun a little tighter.
"I wanted to thank you. For healing me. For enduring the ritual. For staying, even when you hated everything about this place… about me."
Sihyun's voice was low, muffled against Muwon's chest.
"Still. I should've been the first to know."
The words weren't bitter, but they carried quiet weight.
Muwon shut his eyes, regret washing over him again.
"You're right. I'm sorry. Truly. Please… forgive me."
They slowly pulled apart. Sihyun's gaze searched his, not cold, not angry—just tired of being left out of the truth.
"Then… what is all this for?"
he asked, finally glancing toward the decorated table, the drinks, the flowers—everything.
Muwon tilted his head and smiled slightly, his tone light but purposeful.
"I'll tell you… but only if you say you forgive me."
Sihyun blinked. For a second, he said nothing, and everyone watching seemed to hold their breath.
Dohyun quietly whispered,
"Uh-oh…"
Taejin gave him a slight elbow in the ribs.
"Shh—"
But then, Sihyun sighed, a subtle, almost imperceptible softening in his features.
"Fine. I forgive you."
The trio behind Muwon exhaled in collective relief. Dohyun slapped Taejin on the back.
"He's not the same Sihyun we met. The old one would've burned the chairs."
"Or frozen the wine,"
Taejin added dryly.
"Or hexed the prince,"
Yuhyun muttered.
Sihyun caught their whispers but didn't comment—his eyes were still on Muwon, waiting.
Muwon smiled wider now, with that familiar warmth only Sihyun ever seemed to see fully.
The garden glowed gently under the morning sun, dew still clinging to the petals, untouched.
Sihyun stood before Muwon, his gaze heavy with things unspoken.
Around them, the table still held untouched fruits, drinks, and carefully laid plates. Dohyun and Taejin stood quietly off to the side, not daring to interrupt, their expressions unsure.
Sihyun's voice finally broke the silence, low but direct.
"Is the other rumor true?"
he asked, eyes not leaving Muwon.
"About you planning to get betrothed?"
Muwon inhaled deeply, stepping forward.
"Yes."
A pause. Then—
"That's why… I wanted you to hear it from me. Not from whispers."
Silence settled again. Even the birds seemed to quiet.
Muwon took another step, now standing right in front of Sihyun, the morning light catching the gentle curve of his smile—nervous, vulnerable, sincere.
"Sihyun,"
he said softly,
"Will you do me the honor of becoming my man?"
The world felt like it stopped spinning.
Dohyun glanced at Taejin, holding his breath. Taejin's expression tightened, watching carefully.
But Sihyun didn't answer.
His face was unreadable. Calm. But something stirred behind those sharp eyes. A flicker. A thought. A memory. A wound. A question.
The wind brushed past, lifting his hair slightly. His lips parted—but no words came.
And then—
Fade to black.
[ End of Season 1 ]