Kyeong'ui sat up.
"Come in," she said.
Hyeok peeked in, then entered hesitantly.
"The candle was still lit..."
"What is it?" Kyeong'ui asked, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"I have something for you," Hyeok replied.
Kyeong'ui tilted her head, urging him to continue. Hyeok stepped closer and placed something in her hand. It was light, and when she opened her palm, she saw a hair ornament, likely made of silver, with three pearl pendants.
"I bought this in the city," Hyeok explained.
Even without further explanation, Kyeong'ui could picture the whole process, from the moment he bought the gift to now, and she chuckled. This was why he had disappeared for so long in Nahmgyo. Has he worried that the gift would tarnish if he waits until morning to give it to me? His impatience, driving him to visit her late at night, was endearing.
Kyeong'ui masked her amusement and teased him. "You know I have a pile of far more precious jewels, right?"
Hyeok was embarrassed but not discouraged. "Of course I do," he replied. "But I wanted to give this to you."
"Thank you," Kyeong'ui said. "I would have been touched by any gift."
Hyeok, usually wary of Kyeong'ui's unpredictable nature, was simply overjoyed by her uncharacteristic kindness. He sat beside her, picked up the ornament, and reached for her hair. He gently tucked a stray strand behind her ear and awkwardly placed the ornament. His actions, amplified by the alcohol, seemed endearing, and Kyeong'ui leaned back against him, relaxing.
"I thought it would be sweet," she said, "but that wine is quite strong. I had a few cups, and now I feel dizzy."
Hyeok's arms wrapped around her, his hesitant touch evident against her skin.
"But you enjoyed yourself, didn't you?" he asked.
"I admit it," Kyeong'ui replied. "I had fun."
"There were some complaints among the soldiers about being deployed for the search for Myeonghyeon Ryang," Hyeok said. "But I believe today's events will appease them."
Kyeong'ui tilted her head, looking up at him. "The soldiers' complaints?" she asked. "Or yours?"
"Your Highness." Hyeok's eyes drooped, worried that the closeness they had achieved might disappear.
Kyeong'ui chuckled, amused by his reaction.
"Are you going to stay up until dawn?" he asked.
"I don't believe in those superstitions," Kyeong'ui replied. "I'm tired. I need to sleep."
Hyeok's warmth enveloped her, and she felt even more lightheaded.
"I wish every night could be like tonight," she murmured.
The words left her lips, and the recent memory already felt distant and longed for. Kyeong'ui turned to look at Hyeok. His handsome features were clouded with unconcealed lust. As she felt the stirrings of desire within her, she was once again certain that he was not someone she could love. Yet, she was filled with a desperate longing, a curiosity for a rough, dangerous, and unfamiliar body. She recalled the urgent movements of the couples on the streets of Nahmgyo, their bodies entwined in the shadows, their passion bordering on desperation. Perhaps tonight, on this night of the first summer heat, she could be like them. She wanted to use Hyeok's undesired body to quench a thirst he could never satisfy.
"Hyeok."
"Yes?"
"Do you remember what you boasted to me?"
"Boasted?"
"You said you would show me pleasures I've never dreamed of on our first night."
Hyeok's eyes widened as he understood her request. He reached for her cheek, his thumb tracing her skin.
"I remember," he said.
"Prove it," Kyeong'ui said. "Now."
Before Hyeok could reply, her hands cupped his face, her tongue tracing the seam of his lips. She was more eager than when she'd embraced Hongyoo. Hyeok's excitement grew as he witnessed the raw passion hidden beneath her indifference. His lips traced her sweat-dampened neck, his touch urgent.
He thrust forcefully, and Kyeong'ui let out a cry. Sharp pangs shot through her, and she couldn't help but moan, but there was no reason to worry. If it were Hongyoo, she'd have had to clench her jaw and endure it, but no one would dare barge into the Princess's darkened tent while she was with her betrothed. Hyeok chuckled, his breath ragged.
"Would His Majesty be upset if a royal were to be born prematurely?" he joked.
"Don't worry about such things," Kyeong'ui replied.
Although it was a joke, it wasn't an entirely unfounded concern in this situation. Why does she dismiss it so casually? The question lingered briefly, then Hyeok pushed it aside.
Hyeok, stifling a gasp, let out a soft groan and pulled Kyeong'ui closer. He collapsed on top of her. Kyeong'ui pushed him aside, struggling to breathe. The sight of him, exhausted after boasting he would keep her up all night, was amusing, but she was also tired and didn't have the energy to scold him. She looked at the dawn light filtering through the white tent and murmured, "It seems dawn is approaching."
She felt strangely indifferent. Sleeping with a man other than Hongyoo wasn't such a big deal after all. Perhaps it was never a big deal in the first place. When his breathing calmed, Hyeok asked, "Can I stay until daybreak?"
"This bed is meant for one person," Kyeong'ui replied. "I want to sleep comfortably."
"Please let me stay," Hyeok whined.
"I'm not keen on the soldiers gossiping," Kyeong'ui said.
"They'll gossip anyway," Hyeok argued. "Can't I just stay? I'll be quiet and sleep in a corner."
Kyeong'ui chuckled. She hadn't expected such a childish plea from the impatient Hyeok.
"Alright," she conceded. "Stay until morning."
Hyeok beamed and snuggled up beside her. He quickly fell asleep, and Kyeong'ui soon followed, lulled by his unfamiliar breathing.
They woke to bright sunlight streaming through the tent. It was a strangely peaceful morning. Kyeong'ui felt an unexpected sense of comfort, not having to rush to get dressed or separate before someone entered. The ornament Hyeok had placed in her hair lay beneath the pillow, likely dislodged during their passionate embrace.
She got out of bed and drank some water from the cup on the table.
"Who was it?" Hyeok asked, his voice husky. "Your first..."
The alcohol had worn off, and Kyeong'ui felt a surge of annoyance. "Would you tell me the names of everyone you've slept with if I asked?" she retorted.
"I can be honest with you," Hyeok insisted.
"I don't want to know." Kyeong'ui frowned and urged him, "Get dressed and leave."
──────────
The future. Hongyoo pondered those words. Words he no longer spoke before Kyeong'ui. It wasn't intentional, but it wasn't accidental either. He was the only one in the camp who knew Kyeong'ui had no future. It was an ironic sense of guilt, considering his past and future actions were all deceptions.
Ryucheon, informed of the mobilization date by Ryang, seized an opportunity amidst the crowd watching the fireworks display and approached Hongyoo. He stood casually beside Hongyoo, a bold move considering Kyeong'ui was only a few steps away.
"That fellow said the Princess is moving the camp to Sahpung in ten days," Ryucheon said, nodding towards Ryang. "I assume the attack will be before that. Are you sure about the ten days?"
"Yes," Hongyoo confirmed curtly. "Ten days."
"If you don't want the Princess getting hurt during the battle, persuading her to stay in Nahmgyo might be a good idea," Ryucheon mused. "But what does it matter? She's going to die anyway. Might as well get a few injuries. Make sure to redeem yourself before returning to Gahng'ahn."
He patted Hongyoo's back and disappeared into the crowd.
She's going to die anyway. Ryucheon's words about Kyeong'ui echoed in Hongyoo's mind. He had been deceiving her and would continue to do so, but at least in the fabricated future he envisioned, she was with him. But in the future designed by Ryucheon and the Myeonghyeon siblings, by that unknown descendant of a fallen kingdom, Kyeong'ui didn't exist. Not by his side, not anywhere in the world.
Kyeong'ui hadn't reprimanded him for not mentioning the future anymore, but Hongyoo wanted to explain. He wanted to lie, to tell her that he still envisioned a future with her, as he always had. He rose abruptly from his seat and headed towards Kyeong'ui's tent.
The sounds of revelry still echoed from afar, but as he approached her tent, another sound, closer and distinct, emerged from the night. His heart sank as he recognized the familiar sounds of passion. He froze, unable to enter. He stood there all night, the sounds continued night long.
Dawn broke, morning passed, and as noon approached, Hyeok emerged from the tent, his clothes disheveled. He looked downcast, but his eyes lit up when he saw Hongyoo. The scent of Sungian Court royal perfume, the same perfume that had exposed his relationship with Kyeong'ui, clung to Hyeok. Hongyoo simply met his gaze, then bowed respectfully. After Hyeok left, Hongyoo entered Kyeong'ui's tent. She sat at the table, her gaze briefly flickering towards him, then looking away.
"Shall I bring you some tea?" Hongyoo offered.
Kyeong'ui hesitated. "Just bring it," she said. "I'll brew it myself."
Hongyoo bowed and turned to leave. He couldn't help himself. "Did you enjoy yourself?" he asked.
"It wasn't bad," Kyeong'ui replied flatly.
A long silence followed. There was no movement, and when Hongyoo turned back, his eyes were filled with despair. Seeing his devastation, Kyeong'ui finally understood the extent of her betrayal. She felt a pang of guilt, but also a strange amusement.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked. "Am I not allowed to be with other men?"
Hongyoo collapsed before her, kneeling. "I swear I've never betrayed you," he pleaded. "Please believe me."
"You were the one who said I should have a child with him and live my life," Kyeong'ui retorted. "Don't you remember?"
Unable to bear her cold rejection, Hongyoo buried his face in her lap. "I thought I could endure it," he choked out. "But I can't."
Kyeong'ui froze. It was her first time witnessing a man's despair, and she didn't know how to comfort him. She awkwardly placed a hand on his trembling shoulder.
"You have to endure it," she said. "If you want to stay by my side."
Hongyoo clung to her. "I can do anything for you," he vowed. "Anything. I will protect you until the end."