Dan-Bi was exhausted.
Between dodging the Queen's traps, making deals with Jang, and keeping the prince alive, he barely had time to breathe.
But when Seong-Jin pulled him aside that night—he knew.
Something had changed.
"Where were you today?" Seong-Jin's voice was calm, but his eyes were dangerous.
Dan-Bi exhaled. "Handling things you don't need to worry about, Your Highness."
Seong-Jin's jaw tensed. "You think I don't need to worry?!"
Dan-Bi blinked. Seong-Jin never raised his voice.
But tonight—he did.
The prince stepped closer.
"You're hiding something," he said lowly. "You've been hiding something since the day we met."
Dan-Bi swallowed. "That's ridiculous."
Seong-Jin let out a breathless laugh. "Is it?"
Dan-Bi turned to leave.
But Seong-Jin grabbed his wrist.
Dan-Bi froze.
The air shifted.
Seong-Jin's grip was tight. Warm. Unyielding.
Dan-Bi's pulse pounded.
Slowly—Seong-Jin stepped closer.
His voice dropped. "Why do I feel like you'll disappear if I look away?"
Dan-Bi's breath caught.
The prince's eyes searched his face. Desperate. Conflicted. Dangerous.
Dan-Bi's heart raced.
For the first time—he saw it.
Seong-Jin didn't just want answers.
He wanted him.
Dan-Bi pulled away. "You're imagining things, Your Highness."
Seong-Jin let go—but his eyes burned with determination.
Dan-Bi turned, walking away.
But his hands—were trembling.
And he knew.
This was getting dangerous.
Too dangerous.