From the covered walkway overlooking the gardens, Hwan Seong watched them.
He had been returning from the training grounds when he noticed his younger brother standing beside the pond.
At first, he had intended to continue towards the main hall.
Then he had seen Seo Yul.
The young prince stood beside Hwan Jae, his head slightly tilted as he listened. A moment later, Seo Yul said something that made Hwan Jae laugh.
And then Seo Yul laughed too.
Hwan Seong stopped walking.
He couldn't remember the last time he had seen Seo Yul look so relaxed.
With Hwan Jae, the young prince seemed to forget that he was standing in a foreign palace. He didn't appear to be measuring every word or wondering whether his actions would displease someone.
He simply existed beside him.
Hwan Seong's gaze remained on them.
He had seen Seo Yul smile before. He had even witnessed him laughing quietly in the calligraphy hall.
But those moments had been brief.
The moment Seo Yul noticed his presence, the smiles always disappeared. His shoulders stiffened, his eyes lowered, and the distance between them returned.
Hwan Seong had thought that time might change it.
Instead, he was beginning to understand that Seo Yul could be comfortable with someone.
Just not with him.
A strange irritation settled in his chest.
It was unreasonable.
Hwan Jae had done nothing wrong. He had befriended a lonely young man who had been brought into their palace against his will. If anything, Hwan Seong should have been grateful that his brother had helped Seo Yul adjust.
He was grateful.
So why did the sight trouble him?
"Your Majesty?"
Hwan Seong turned.
One of his attendants stood a few steps behind him, waiting for instructions.
"The ministers are assembled in the main hall," the attendant reminded him.
"I know."
Hwan Seong took one last look at the garden.
Hwan Jae had begun explaining something with exaggerated gestures. Seo Yul was watching him with an expression that suggested he found the story difficult to believe.
The king turned away.
"Let us go."
His voice was colder than before.
The attendant bowed and followed him without asking questions.
By midday, Seo Yul had returned to the Eastern Wing.
He was sitting near the window when Lady Yun Hee brought him a fresh pot of tea.
"You seem to be in a better mood today, Your Highness," she observed as she placed the tray on the table.
Seo Yul looked up. "Do I?"
"Yes. You were smiling when you returned from the gardens."
He lowered his eyes to the teacup.
"Hwan Jae showed me around."
"His Highness the prince is very fond of you."
Seo Yul's fingers paused around the cup.
"He is kind to everyone."
Lady Yun Hee gave him a knowing look, though she wisely said nothing more.
Seo Yul took a sip of tea.
He was still thinking about Hwan Jae's promise.
I won't simply disappear.
He wondered what it would be like to believe that someone would keep their word.
For now, he decided, it was enough to have one person he could look for when the palace felt too large.
He didn't need anything more.
At least, that was what he told himself.
Lady Baek So-Hwa had been walking towards the main hall when she heard laughter coming from the gardens.
She paused beside a wooden pillar.
Through the open walkway, she saw Hwan Jae and Seo Yul returning from the pond.
The younger prince was speaking animatedly, while Seo Yul listened with a small smile on his face.
So-Hwa watched them pass.
She had seen Seo Yul several times since arriving at the palace, but their exchanges had been brief. He was always respectful, always quiet, and never seemed particularly interested in speaking with her.
She had initially assumed he was simply shy.
Now, she wondered whether he was selective about whom he trusted.
With Hwan Jae, he appeared almost like an ordinary young man enjoying a pleasant afternoon.
There was something else, too.
So-Hwa had noticed the king's gaze lingering on Seo Yul more than once. She had dismissed it as concern for a guest who had recently fallen ill.
But the king's attention was becoming difficult to ignore.
And now she had seen the ease between Seo Yul and the king's younger brother.
Interesting.
She continued towards the main hall, her expression unchanged.
She would not rush to conclusions. She had spent too much time learning the value of patience to make such a mistake.
If Seo Yul was important to the king, she would discover why.
And if he was not, there was no reason for the king to keep looking in his direction.