CHAPTER 15
Day One – With Muwon
The sun was high when Muwon gently nudged Taeyang awake with a warm smile.
"Come on, little one. Time to start your first tour around the palace."
Taeyang blinked up at him, sleepy-eyed but eager.
"Is Lord Sihyun coming too?"
"Not today. Today, it's just you and me,"
Muwon replied, ruffling his hair.
Dressed in a neat hanbok fit for a young noble, Taeyang trotted beside Muwon down the gleaming halls. Muwon showed him the royal library, banquet hall, training grounds, and royal garden, explaining their purpose and histories as they walked. Guards bowed to them, maids smiled as the little boy passed, and Taeyang tried his best to mimic Muwon's regal posture—shoulders straight, steps composed.
"Being royalty isn't about pride,"
Muwon explained gently,
"it's about responsibility and grace. People will follow how you speak, act, and treat others."
Taeyang nodded solemnly.
Later at the training courtyard, Muwon handed him a small wooden sword, custom-made for a child's grip.
"Now, you'll learn how to defend your loved ones."
Muwon crouched beside him and began the basics—stance, grip, focus. Taeyang grunted with every swing, laughing when he missed, determined to copy Muwon's every move.
By noon, both were sweating, Taeyang slightly out of breath. But his eyes gleamed with pride.
"Did I do good, Your Highness?"
he asked eagerly.
Muwon chuckled,
"You did great, young master."
Day Two – With the King
Taeyang entered the king's study, hands clasped, trying to remember how Sihyun taught him to bow properly. The King, dressed in layers of deep indigo silk, sat behind a grand desk filled with scrolls.
"You're here,"
the King said, voice low and composed.
Taeyang bowed deeply.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Good morning, sir."
"Hm,"
the King nodded approvingly.
"Let's begin."
He guided Taeyang through old scrolls and books, explaining royal history, the lineage of the bloodline, and the sacred laws nobles must follow. The lessons were formal and heavy, but Taeyang did his best to keep up.
At one point, he asked,
"Why are these traditions so important?"
The King paused, looking at the boy.
"Because without roots, even the strongest tree falls. You are now part of this tree. And one day, you may be its strength."
Taeyang tried writing with a brush for the first time, smudging the ink, and the King corrected him, stern but patient.
Though the room was quiet, Taeyang couldn't help but peek up at the King now and then, trying to understand this man who didn't smile often. The King noticed but said nothing.
When the session ended, the King looked at the boy again and said simply,
"You did well today… Taeyang."
It was the first time the King had called him by name.
Taeyang smiled softly, feeling something warm stir in his chest.
Day Three – With Yuhyun
The morning was quiet when Yuhyun popped his head into Taeyang's room with a mischievous grin.
"Psst! Wake up, little sunshine. Your favorite uncle's got a secret plan."
Taeyang rubbed his eyes.
"Uncle Yuhyun?"
"Shh! Don't wake Lord Sihyun or His Highness,"
Yuhyun whispered, pulling him up.
"Today, we're learning how to cook. But you gotta promise me something—this stays between us."
Taeyang's eyes sparkled.
"Really? We're cooking?!"
Yuhyun crouched, pressing a finger to his lips.
"Yes. And listen closely—I'm going to tell you something shocking: Sihyun doesn't know how to cook to save his life."
Taeyang gasped like he just heard a state secret.
"No way!"
"Yes way,"
Yuhyun nodded dramatically.
"So I'm going to teach you. That way, if Lord Sihyun ever burns rice again, you'll be the palace's secret chef hero."
The palace kitchen buzzed with quiet excitement as the servants and maids helped prepare ingredients. They'd already been informed of Yuhyun's plan, and though some giggled behind their hands, they respectfully stepped back and let Chef Yuhyun and his tiny assistant take the spotlight.
They started with simple dumplings and steamed eggs. Yuhyun let Taeyang roll the dough, shape the dumplings, and even sprinkle spices (though Yuhyun had to quickly fix one that had way too much pepper).
Flour was on Taeyang's nose, Yuhyun had a sauce stain on his sleeve, and the kitchen was filled with laughter and sweet smells.
By the end of the session, Taeyang bit into his own dumpling and shouted,
"It's perfect!"
Yuhyun high-fived him.
"What did I tell you? You're a natural. Just don't tell Lord Sihyun. He still thinks cooking is just waving your hands and hoping magic does the rest."
Day Four – With Dohyun and Taejin
That afternoon, Dohyun and Taejin came to get Taeyang after his nap, grinning like mischievous older brothers.
"Time to loosen those royal shoulders, Taeyang!"
Dohyun announced.
"We're stealing you away from books and etiquette."
"Stealing?"
Taeyang giggled.
"Where are we going?"
"To the royal gardens,"
Taejin said, lifting him onto his shoulders.
"Today's all about play. Come on!"
They chased each other through the garden, played hide and seek among the tall hedges, and even showed him how to shoot with a tiny child-sized bow made by Taejin himself.
Later, the three of them collapsed under a shady tree, catching their breath.
"You know,"
Dohyun began, resting his arms behind his head,
"me, Taejin, and Muwon—we've been best friends since we were your age."
"For real?"
Taeyang asked, wide-eyed.
Taejin nodded.
"We used to get into all kinds of trouble. Muwon was always the serious one, but he'd cover for us when we snuck out or played pranks."
"Like the time Dohyun put frogs in the general's shoes,"
Taejin added.
"Or the time Taejin broke the royal statue and blamed a ghost,"
Dohyun smirked.
Taeyang laughed so hard he almost fell over.
"But Muwon never got mad at us,"
Dohyun continued.
"He always protected the people he loved. And now, he loves you. So do we."
Taeyang's cheeks turned pink, shy and warm.
"I love you guys too…"
The two nobles exchanged a soft look.
"Well then,"
Taejin stood, brushing grass from his pants,
"next time, we'll teach you how to climb the palace walls without getting caught."
"Wait, what?"
Taeyang lit up.
"Just kidding,"
Dohyun winked.
"Or maybe not…"
Day Five – With Sihyun
The sun filtered softly through the sheer curtains of the chamber, casting gold threads of light across the polished floors.
Sihyun entered with a warm smile, finding Taeyang perched by the window, kicking his legs gently as he gazed at the palace gardens below.
"Today's your time with me,"
Sihyun said, stepping in.
Taeyang turned quickly, face lighting up.
"Really?! What are we going to do?"
Sihyun tilted his head.
"Hmm… what do you want to do, Sunny?"
Without hesitation, Taeyang stood and beamed.
"I want to see your magic! Your glowing eyes and tattoos! I heard they're beautiful when they glow."
Sihyun paused, slightly surprised, then chuckled softly.
"You've been asking around, haven't you?"
Taeyang gave a sheepish grin.
"Maybe…"
Sihyun walked closer, kneeling so he was eye-level with the boy.
"They only glow when I'm invoking magic. How much do you know about sorcery, Sunny?"
"Only that you're the coolest,"
Taeyang replied without missing a beat.
"And I want to see you glow!"
That made Sihyun laugh. He stood up again, brushing his fingers through Taeyang's hair gently.
"Alright, then. What kind of magic should I show you?"
Taeyang's eyes widened with excitement, like he'd been waiting all day for that question.
"Make me fly!"
Sihyun raised a brow, amused.
"Fly? That's a big request…"
"Please, please!"
Taeyang bounced on his feet.
Sihyun exhaled dramatically, smiling.
"Okay then. Let's float you."
He took a slow breath, his fingers lifting into the air with fluid grace. Golden-red light shimmered around his fingertips, soft and slow like fireflies awakening.
Then—his tattoos began to gleam like molten lines carved into his skin, trailing up his arms and disappearing under his robes.
And then his eyes glowed, deep crimson with flickers of ancient power dancing within them, yet so gentle in Taeyang's gaze.
Taeyang gasped.
"Waaah! You're glowing! You're really glowing!"
The boy's feet slowly lifted off the ground, his body rising gently as if carried by invisible wind. He floated upward, laughing in awe as he hovered like a feather.
Sihyun carefully guided him through the air, his expression calm but quietly amused. He floated Taeyang right toward himself—until the boy was eye-level with him, arms slightly outstretched for balance.
With pure wonder, Taeyang reached out and gently touched Sihyun's face.
"Your eyes are really beautiful…"
Sihyun blinked, surprised by the soft words. He smiled, his glow dimming just slightly.
"And yours are full of light,"
he whispered.
They stayed like that a moment longer—a boy in the air and a sorcerer on the ground, held together by magic and something warmer.
Then Sihyun gently lowered him back down, steadying him with his hands.
"Again! Again!"
Taeyang squealed.
Sihyun laughed.
"Maybe after dinner."
"Promise?"
Sihyun knelt again and held out his pinky.
"Promise."
Taeyang immediately linked fingers with him.
"Best day ever."
The door suddenly burst open with a loud slam.
"FLOAT ME TOO!!"
came the all-too-familiar voice.
Dohyun stormed into the room, arms flailing dramatically, his princely robes trailing behind him like a cape.
"I saw everything through the window! That's not fair! Why does Sunny get to fly and not me?! I've been your friend for YEARS, Sihyun!"
Sihyun, still glowing faintly, blinked in disbelief.
"…Dohyun?"
"Come on, just once! Make me spin in the air like a leaf or something cool! I won't sue if I get hurt, I swear!"
Dohyun puffed out his chest, ready for lift-off.
Without a word, Sihyun raised a hand calmly—and Dohyun was suddenly lifted off the ground, yelping.
"Hey—wait—WAIT!"
Dohyun flailed as he floated backward toward the open door.
"You said spin, right?"
Sihyun said coolly, lips twitching in amusement. He gave a gentle flick of his wrist.
"NOOO—!"
Dohyun twirled once, twice—then sailed right out the door like a spinning broomstick.
There was a soft thud followed by a yelp as he landed outside on his butt.
Sihyun casually slammed the door shut with magic and locked it.
"…Rude!!"
Dohyun's muffled voice came from behind the door.
"I'm gonna tell Taejin! I'll have you banned from dessert night!"
Inside the room, Taeyang burst into laughter, clutching his belly.
"That was so funny! Uncle Dohyun's face looked like a flying pancake!"
Sihyun shook his head fondly, chuckling.
"Serves him right for barging in."
They laughed together, the soft, shared joy echoing in the room like the warmth of a little family.